Tennis

[shoothoops]

He's been a pretty good player over the years.

Not bad. Not bad.

https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1401266277478449153?s=21


His 68 Round of 16's is a record.

Australia 18
French Open 15
Wimbledon 17
U.S. Open 18

[shoothoops]

Roland Garros Men Round of 16:

Djokovic
Musetti

Berrettini
Federer

Nadal
Sinner

Schwartzmann
Struff

Zverev
Nishikori

Davidovich Fakina
Delbonis

Tsitsipas
Careno Busta

Garin
Medvedev


3 Italians for Federer, Djokovic, Nadal.

[MuggsyB]

Federer has pulled out of the tournament.  Pretty disappointing.  That Medvedev/Tsitsipas E8 match should be fun.

[MU82]

Federer:

"After discussions with my team, I've decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today. After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it's important that I listen to my body and make sure I don't push myself too quickly on my road to recovery. I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court."

A skeptic might wonder if this was Federer's plan all along, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

He wasn't gonna win anyway, but now it's even more likely that very soon either Rafa is going to have the most majors in the history of men's tennis or Joker is gonna be within 1 of both of them.

[MuggsyB]

Federer:

"After discussions with my team, I've decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today. After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it's important that I listen to my body and make sure I don't push myself too quickly on my road to recovery. I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court."

A skeptic might wonder if this was Federer's plan all along, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

He wasn't gonna win anyway, but now it's even more likely that very soon either Rafa is going to have the most majors in the history of men's tennis or Joker is gonna be within 1 of both of them.

Djoker has a big advantage.  Rafa will have two very tough matches to get to the semis.  But of course Rafa is Rafa. 



Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam?

[shoothoops]

Federer:

"After discussions with my team, I've decided I will need to pull out of Roland-Garros today. After two knee surgeries and over a year of rehabilitation it's important that I listen to my body and make sure I don't push myself too quickly on my road to recovery. I am thrilled to have gotten 3 matches under my belt. There is no greater feeling than being back on court."

A skeptic might wonder if this was Federer's plan all along, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

He wasn't gonna win anyway, but now it's even more likely that very soon either Rafa is going to have the most majors in the history of men's tennis or Joker is gonna be within 1 of both of them.

This wasn't unexpected from Federer. He entered the tourney to give it a go and get some match play. He would not have been favored against Berrettini. There would have been an even bigger stir had his next opponent been Nadal or Djokovic.

Reaction will be mixed based on tennis etiquette. He didn't have to play clay at all. He wanted and needed the match play. And a major will get one some good match play. He played better than he thought he would. Many players, Nadal, etc...miss events and get injuries much more frequently than Fed has over the years.

There is an etiquette in tennis that unless one would risk further injury or illness, you take your loss on court. The actuality is mixed. Defaulting prior to a match or during a match is not uncommon. Jen Brady defaulted to Coco Gauff after losing the first set 6-1. Gauff has been playing great, and, Brady has been battling plantar fasciitis. Eyebrows won't be raised because og Brady's strong reputation. Federer will get a lot of the benefit of the doubt because he is a player that went most of his career without injury without defaulting etc...

For some it's about the look and example it sets. Fed is playing to get to Halle and Wimbledon tune ups to try to win Wimbledon. Using one of the four slams to get their doesn't look great. Others agin will appreciate all that he did just to make the Round of 16.

Tennis is a grueling nearly year round sport and you are alone on an island. Not a team sport where the team can pick you up. And, not even golf where one can blend in to the mass of players more. It's 1v1 match play, every day.

Fed fans will support, haters will hate. Old school tennis will say take the loss on court. Tough to get too upset with someone with his track record. He's almost 40, two recent knee surgeries. Gave it his all physically to get to the Round of 16. Not at the top of the list of tennis things to be uoset about. Unfortunate, yes. Unexpected, no.

[MuggsyB]

Serena is gone.  She just didn't have it today. 

[MU82]

Serena is gome.  She just didn't have it today.

And give Rybakina some credit. She has all the shots, she's 21, and she could be very good for a long time.

And let me tell you ... she either was stunned herself that she won, or she is the most stoic athlete of the last quarter-century. (Or maybe both.) No fist pumps, no screams of joy, no screaming, "Come on!" or "Let's go!" to encourage herself, no throwing herself onto the court, no nuthin'. She's the Bjorn Borg of the 2020s.

[MuggsyB]

The clay is by far Serena's worst surface and she's still won 3 French Open's.  I think if she's motivated she could easily play another 3 yrs and will get to 25 or more.  That said I do think Graf (and perhaps Seles and Evert) were better on the red clay.  SW just can't get those free points on her serve and  isn't as consistent from the baseline.  It's a real shame Seles' career was cut (no pun intended) short.  She was a freaking ball-machine. 

[shoothoops]

And give Rybakina some credit. She has all the shots, she's 21, and she could be very good for a long time.

And let me tell you ... she either was stunned herself that she won, or she is the most stoic athlete of the last quarter-century. (Or maybe both.) No fist pumps, no screams of joy, no screaming, "Come on!" or "Let's go!" to encourage herself, no throwing herself onto the court, no nuthin'. She's the Bjorn Borg of the 2020s.

Rybakina made 4 of 5 Finals in 2020 before the shut down. Struggled a bit with form and health in 2021 and took 3 weeks off before the French Open. She's a very good top 20 player at just 21 years old.

Strategically, Serena could have done a few things differently. First, before that, everything begins and ends with Serena's serve. It has been the best in Women's tennis much of the past two decades. It wasn't good enough today. In order to win against top players, she has to be good on serve.

Rybakina is a big hitter similar to Serena, with size and length, with better movement. And that movement difference was worse with Serena heavily bandaged leg.  This was in part why it was considered a good match up for Serena. However, Serena played too much low percentage tennis, with little margin, trying to outhit her opponent too often and try for too many low percentage shots. Rybakina was vulnerable at times on her forehand when SW gave herself more margin with higher percentage cross court backhands etc..

To her credit Rybakina several times came up with big low percentage shots on her 2nd serve and down the line.

She's still working her way back into her form, but she is a very good top 20 young player.

[MU82]

In addition to outplaying Williams, Rybakina out-thought her most of the match. Kept hitting behind Serena, finding open spots. Was in the right place at the right time more often.

One thing for sure: Borat is celebrating today!

[shoothoops]

In addition to outplaying Williams, Rybakina out-thought her most of the match. Kept hitting behind Serena, finding open spots. Was in the right place at the right time more often.

One thing for sure: Borat is celebrating today!

If you liked the way Rybakina played, wait until you see her play more in form. She's a good player. Only 21. Played solid vs Serena. Not her best. Top 20 player but she has been just 60 in the points race this year.

[shoothoops]

Coco Gauff played one of the best matches she has ever played in her young professional career against a very good Ons Jabeur (good player with lots of variety). Gauff could have defeated anyone today. 6-3, 6-1.

Super clean hitting. Lost only 5 points on her serve first set. Variety. Really good.

Gauff is the youngest Grand Slam quarterfinalist in 15 years. She is the youngest American French Open Finalist in 28 years. Youngest American to reach any Grand Slam Quarters in 24 years.

[MU82]

I'm not watching today's matches, but I saw Djokovic down 2 sets. He obviously righted the ship big-time, and it looks like his opponent was having some physical problems, too?

Rafa is about to put his match away, too. Crazy that these two can't meet in the finals.

[MuggsyB]

I'm not watching today's matches, but I saw Djokovic down 2 sets. He obviously righted the ship big-time, and it looks like his opponent was having some physical problems, too?

Rafa is about to put his match away, too. Crazy that these two can't meet in the finals.

Don't forget about Diego.  That dude is relentless.  It's too bad I have to root against him vs Rafa.  He's what.....5'6 , 130?  Agreed.  It was absurd to put Djoker/Rafa in the same half of the draw.  Who ya got Medvy or Tsitsipas? 

[MU82]

Don't forget about Diego.  That dude is relentless.  It's too bad I have to root against him vs Rafa.  He's what.....5'6 , 130?  Agreed.  It was absurd to put Djoker/Rafa in the same half of the draw.  Who ya got Medvy or Tsitsipas?

Speaking of relentless ... Medvidev!

[shoothoops]

French Open Juniors notables:

Americans 16 year old Robin Montgomery and Madison Sieg still remain. Sieg is a USC commit. Montgomery, DC native, is the 5th seed.

Leo Borg, son of Bjorn Borg, is into the Boys Juniors.

It's been a long time for Sweden since the days of Borg, Wilander, Edberg, Enqvist, Järryd, Norman, Bjorkman, etc...of the 70's, 80's, 90's. Soderling made a quarterfinal last at French in 2011. Ymer this year made the Rd of 32.

[shoothoops]

6 of the 8 Women's quarterfinalists are first time Grand Slam Quarterfinalists.

Spaniard Paula Badosa, former French Open Junior Champ, and 18-2 on clay this Spring, is out. 23 year old Slovenian Tamara Zidansek wins 8-6 in the 3rd. Zidansek is into the Semifinals. She is ranked 85th in the world and 46th in the 2021 Points Race. Livin' the dream.

Elena Rybakina has entered 34 tour level events and she has made the quarterfinals or better 15 times. But she departs today in her first GS quarter, falling to her doubles partner Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6, 2-6, 7-9.

29 year old Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova makes her first ever GS Semifinal on her 7th try. She amde a key service return adjustment in the 2nd set, moving back on Rybakina's bug first serve, but staying inside the baseline on the 2nd. Both players with lots of winners but Pavlyuchenkova's experience paid off. Better on bigger points. Moved her feet well against Rybakina's big line hitting. Served well, not her strength. Rybakina's serve level dipped in the 2nd and affected the rest of her game a while. But great run for her who just 3 years ago was 175 in the world leaving Russia for Kazakhstan for more $ support and priority. (Several others have done this too)

Two very good quarterfinals.

[MuggsyB]

It looks like Medvy is in trouble. 

[shoothoops]

As expected, Stef Tsitsipas with a comprehensive high level win over Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. 6-3, 7-6, 7-5. No player has won anywhere near as many matches this year on tour as Tsitsipas, 38. A few titles. A little bit faster, stronger, fitter, physical, more cerebral player this year. He has put in the work. Medvedev played well. Tsitsipas was better.

He'll get Zverev next. Zverev has an interesting stat of never having defeated a top 10 player in a slam, when he has reached the semis. (3 times before) 0-9 vs top 10 in majors.

[MU82]

It looks like Medvy is in trouble. 

As I said, Tsitsipas!

[MuggsyB]

Damn Gauff lost.

[MU82]

I checked on Rafa's match a little while ago, and it was 1 set apiece, with Schwartzman up 4-3 in the third. Had to get some stuff done, and the next time I checked, Rafa had won the third set and was up 1-0 in the fourth.

Just saw that Rafa put a bagel on Schwartzman in the 4th to win it and, potentially, set up an epic semifinal against Djokovic.

I like to think NBC will have that one live? Here's hoping!

[shoothoops]

Coco Gauff had 5 set points in the  first set vs Barbara Krejcikova, but couldn't convert, falling 7-6 (8-6). Needed a bit more patience and margin in some big points. Krejcikova also came up big in big points despite being down 0-3, 3-5, 4-6 in thr breaker etc...effectively serving wide deuce side inside out forehands. She had a little luck too miss hitting a service return high and deep to the line and then blasting a forehand winner off of the moon ball return while standing behind the baseline on set point down. Took her 4 games to get settled into the match. Came up with big serves and ground strokes when she needed them.

It was only Gauff's 23rd event, ever. Quarterfinalist at Roland Garros at 17. Remarkable. 27-10 record this year so far. She'd like back a few points that were there for the taking. Great results for Gauff. Very, very close.

Krejcikova's story is inspiring, grinding for years to break 100 ranking in singles, coming close until breaking through last year. No longer a highly successful top 10 doubles slam winning specialist at 25. She has had some very good results since last fall, taking Swiatek and Muguruza the distance with match points, etc...tremendous improvement.

Maria Sakkari had a comprehensive impressive variety display of big hitting, serving, ground strokes, finesse too. Very cerebral strategy as well vs defending champion Iga Swiatek. An elite performance. 6-4, 6-4. Has had the ability but hadn't reached a major quarters yet. Now she is into the Women's semis, as is fellow Greek Stef Tsitsipas in Men's singles.

[MuggsyB]

I checked on Rafa's match a little while ago, and it was 1 set apiece, with Schwartzman up 4-3 in the third. Had to get some stuff done, and the next time I checked, Rafa had won the third set and was up 1-0 in the fourth.

Just saw that Rafa put a bagel on Schwartzman in the 4th to win it and, potentially, set up an epic semifinal against Djokovic.

I like to think NBC will have that one live? Here's hoping!

Vamos Rafa!!  What's his FO record now?  Imo his dominance at Roland Garros is probably the greatest accomplishment in all of sports.  Ever.  I'm not being hyperbolic.  When you consider he is playing in an era with two other top 5 all-time players it's truly beyond belief.  I may have to blow off work and watch Fri if it's Djoker/Rafa.  Ridiculous they are on the same half of the draw.