Australian Open 2022

HeidiHeidi · 24-01-2022 02:05PM

Oooh, a VERY timely break by Tsitsipas to lead 5-4 in the final set!!!

Can Fritz claw it back to a tie-break?

whiterebel · 24-01-2022 02:06PM

Some match. Human frailties got to both of them at times. Real up and down stuff. Great to see Fritz playing so well.

HeidiHeidi · 24-01-2022 02:35PM

That was a nailbiting finish - just a shame Fritz couldn't get it to a tiebreak!

Tsitsipas would want to sort his head out before the quarter finals, he cut it a bit fine there.

Delighted to hear Cornet made it through another round in the women's draw - she must be absolutely delighted with herself!!

Going to set the Nadal/Shapavalov match to record, and avoid this thread at all costs until I've seen it - I fully expect it to be a proper cracker of a match!

24-01-2022 05:18PM

Sabalenka world no.2 goes out to someone who turned pro in the last century - a real up and comer who makes Cornet look like a spring chicken. Back up to 15 DF's which didn't help.

More power to Kanepi getting her best AO result of her career at this age I suppose.

Swiatek should knock her out easily enough but I'll support this last-hurrah story for the laugh.

yerwanthere123 · 24-01-2022 09:46PM

The men's QF line-up really is fantastic, every single one of those could be a great match. Don't want either of Monfils or Tsitsipas in the final, apart from that I'm happy to watch pretty much any other possible final matchup.

On the WTA side I'd only be happy with Barty/Krejcikova vs Swiatek. Would be particularly disappointed if Swiatek doesn't make it, and tbh I don't think she will.

poppy37 · 24-01-2022 10:40PM

It’s some fairy tale for Cornet, the conditions were brutal but it was a great battle. My ears are not looking forward to Cornet v Collins though!!

Another disappointing performance from Sabalenka, Kanepi hopefully won’t go any further.

Medvedev was so annoying against Cressy, constantly bitching and moaning, as for his complaining about his lack of time on Rod Laver arena he’d do well to remember he’s not actually the world no 1 yet and is only the top seed by default.

Mens draw has definitely held up better than the women’s yet again.

The Golden Miller · 25-01-2022 12:08AM

I'd be very worried if I was Nadal. Hard to see him winning here really. If Shapovalov puts it all together, could blast his way through Nadal. The guy has some seriously powerful groundstrokes. Hard to see where Nadal will get much joy tbh, could be relying of Shapovalov to lose his nerve like he did against Djokovic at Wimbledon when it mattered. But thats clutching at straws really.

yerwanthere123 · 25-01-2022 12:42AM

Nadal will also be hoping Monfils can pull off the upset against Berrettini. He's 14-2 against Monfils, with the Frenchman's last win coming over ten years ago in Doha.

25-01-2022 01:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118528532#Comment_118528532

Nadal has got the horn this year in Australia as the guy who Nadal has won 1 of the last 20 sets they played together on hardcourts has been sent out by the Australians on the basis presented of thought police violations.

He was also fortunate that the ATP Finals Zverev went AWOL in the AO.

Shapo is not very consistent (at all), that's his issue - there's no guarantee that he can put in a consecutive decent performance.

That's why he has only won one solitary ATP singles tournament ever - a measly 250 at that, back in 2019.

It's not clear what standard of play will be on display against Nadal.

I still think Nadal gets dismantled if he comes up against Medvedev.

If he gets to the final he has to hope that Medvedev has gone down before getting there.

25-01-2022 01:30AM

I still don't see who'll beat Sinner.

25-01-2022 01:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118528867#Comment_118528867

Medvedev would be favourite to beat Sinner if they met

Sinner did push him in the ATP finals but that was an unimportant round-robin match (Medvedev was already through to the next round) but over 5 sets on this type of surface I see Medvedev winning 4 times out of 5

Sinners' primarily baseline game suits Medvedev's consistency from that area

dominatinMC · 25-01-2022 09:05AM

Some win by Nadal just now, will definitely rank as one of the most gutiest of his career. Ultimately, though, it was more a case of Shapo losing it than Nadal winning it.

Nadal reaching the semis of his least favourite slam after being off the tour for ~6 months, in addition to recently having Covid is some achievement all the same.

josip · 25-01-2022 10:52AM

Nadal's win means this is the 70th time out of the last 71 Grand Slams that at least one of the Big 3 has made the semis.

But that's far enough thanks Rafa, back to Mallorca with you after the next match.

poppy37 · 25-01-2022 11:18AM

I was very disappointed Shapavolov couldn’t pull it off, I’m not bothered who wins the title as long as it’s not Nadal. That five setter will have taken a lot out of him hopefully.

That was some beat down on Krejcikova by Keys, Barty had a few sticky moments mid first set but a very easy victory all the same.

Girly Gal · 25-01-2022 11:54AM

Nadal doing enough to get through, but , surely that 5 setter will take it out of him for the semi final. He's a remarkable competitor, would expect Berrettini to take care of him in semi final as I think Nadal will run out of steam.

The Golden Miller · 25-01-2022 12:47PM

Well Nadal sure showed me. Would you really put it past him to win it now? His game will produce alot of unforced errors for guys like Medvedev and Berrettini, due to the spin and his grinding nature, something they don't get with Djokovic to the same extent. Could be awkward for them.

Shapovalev is still the best prospect of the younger players if he can put it all together consistently. He's getting further in slams now, and can see his breakthrough in the not too distant future. Once he gets that breakthrough, is more relaxed and confident instead of often trying to force the issue, he could go very far in the game.

That defeat won't do much for his confidence though, alot of the younger players seem to struggle with the mental side of the game. I'm sure they are aware of the expectation of trying to overhaul the big 3 in the media, and the scrutiny they are under. It has to play on their mind, they all seem to struggle with it

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 01:31PM

Nice comeback being staged by Monfils here.

My spoiler-avoidance stratety for the Nadal/Shapovalov match didn't work - I inadvertently opened the AO website when half asleep this morning! Is it worth watching back?

I cannot get my head around the scheduling of these matches - this one is now being played close to midnight, and could easily have another two hours left in it.

Why, well into the second week, when there are so few matches to be played, would you schedule things so that a mens' five-setter starts at 9pm???

klr87 · 25-01-2022 01:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118528112#Comment_118528112

Re Cornet vs Collins: The good news is that one of them will lose. The bad news is that one of them will win. I don't know which gets on my goat more: Cornet's incessant drama queenery, or Collins' loud mouth (and that of her boyfriend, who can be heard after every point she wins).

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 01:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530325#Comment_118530325

I don't get this "Cornet = Drama Queen" thing!

Now, I'd never come across her before this tournament, so maybe she has history - she's been around long enough! - but I've got fierce fond of her in her matches so far!

klr87 · 25-01-2022 01:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118529806#Comment_118529806

Well, Berrettini has to see off Monfils first, and he's already run up some serious court time this event.

Also, the men's semis are not until Friday, giving the Old Man more time to recover.

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 01:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530342#Comment_118530342

Berrettini not looking the nailed-on winner he was in the first 2 sets any more.......

klr87 · 25-01-2022 02:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530335#Comment_118530335

She's an inveterate drama queen, always has been. She can make Ostapenko look poker-faced, although Osta has the better range of facial expressions (actually, no-one can hold a candle to Osta on that score).

klr87 · 25-01-2022 02:08PM

Well, well. To a final set we go, and Monfils gets the Brucie Bonus of serving first.

Where a player levels from two sets down, I think it's a 50-50 as to who will win the final set, statistically speaking. It's clear that Monfils has figured out Berrettini though.

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 02:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530462#Comment_118530462

Well she's been very well-behaved this tournament from what I've seen, and I've watched all her matches bar the last one!

25-01-2022 02:19PM

I like watching the Women's tennis mainly.. does be almost hypnotic at times 😎,, there's usually a bloke on comms though, which is a major downside - pity about that 😃... A right marathon going on now,,, 2 1/2 hours duration in a Women's match equals (from the lady pundits) "how on earth are they still going?!" 😂 Same duration in a Men's match = nothing out of the ordinary timewise 😏

HeidiHeidi · 25-01-2022 02:26PM

Long road back for Monfils from here......

klr87 · 25-01-2022 02:29PM

Monfiles seemed to lose his concentration about halfway through that opening service game, despite being 30-0 up. Since then: 22-3 in points to Berrettini.

whiterebel · 25-01-2022 02:49PM

Artengo must be thrilled to have taken Monfils away from Wilson/Asics. They have to be thrilled with that exposure for their brand.

Glad Berrettini got through, but needed 5 sets like aa hole in the head.

waynescales1 · 25-01-2022 03:05PM

I hope Rafa smashes Berrettini, Medvedev and all the doubters in this thread.

The Golden Miller · 25-01-2022 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118530835#Comment_118530835

Love to see him get the 21 slams to annoy all the Federer fanboys!

Australian Open 2022

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