Tennis

[BM1090]

Why do you think it would be easier for Shelton to beat Alcaraz than Sinner?

Just my opinion, but I think Alcaraz gives you slightly more chances. With Sinner everything is deep in the court and Shelton doesn't have a chance to really unleash his forehand and get in a rhythm which is really important to his success.

Just a stylistic thing. And I don't think he'd beat Alcaraz either. Maybe 10% against Sinner and 15% against Alcaraz. Alcaraz' game is more free flowing. He still suffocates you, but in different ways that wouldn't fluster Shelton quite as much.

I like Alcaraz more and think he has the better career when it's all said and done. And he's way more fun to watch.

[Shaka Shart]

Do you not care for Fritz?  Otherwise, despite Muggsy's classic bluster, I think disappointing is fair give his past few years of near misses.  Best American player since Sampras/Agassi (I think he's a better overall player than Roddick and in a far more demanding/talented era than that mini period in the early 2000s before the Big 3 truly got rolling) but can't quite break through in the majors.  FWIW, I think Shelton will take over the best American of the 2000s title shortly, but Fritz has been at it longer.

As far as Musetti, I don't disagree that he's the better player.  He's had a nice little 18 month break out.  Was a pretty consistent top 25 fringe guy who has busted into the top 8, borderline top 5, over the last 6 months.  Kind of wild that Italy went 50 years without a major champion, just the singular Wimbledon final appearance from Berrettini who was never a consistent top 10 player.  Then Sinner broke through and now Italy will have two of the ATP top 5 if Musetti gets past Djokovic

His mental toughness like many of the american players bugs me, but he really is a solid player.

However I think the mental part places him at a median career quarterfinalist for the most part. A shame but the era he plays in requires being better at preventing the mental lapses vs super humans like Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic

[JWags85]

His mental toughness like many of the american players bugs me, but he really is a solid player.

However I think the mental part places him at a median career quarterfinalist for the most part. A shame but the era he plays in requires being better at preventing the mental lapses vs super humans like Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic

I think that's totally fair.  It feels weird cause he's been a top 3 American for a decade, but he's still only 28, so he's technically got plenty of years at his prime to figure it out.  He's gotten better with that part of the game, IMO, but he's still so prone to just completely mentally vanish which is beyond aggravating.

[MuggsyB]

Just my opinion, but I think Alcaraz gives you slightly more chances. With Sinner everything is deep in the court and Shelton doesn't have a chance to really unleash his forehand and get in a rhythm which is really important to his success.

Just a stylistic thing. And I don't think he'd beat Alcaraz either. Maybe 10% against Sinner and 15% against Alcaraz. Alcaraz' game is more free flowing. He still suffocates you, but in different ways that wouldn't fluster Shelton quite as much.

I like Alcaraz more and think he has the better career when it's all said and done. And he's way more fun to watch.

Agreed.  Carlos can go on an unforced error spree which makes him more vulnerable than Simner.  However, the fact remains that if Carlos and Jannik play their A games, no one can compete with them on any surface.  Their level vs the rest is pretty wide.  Shelton's best shot is the USOpen if he unloads his cannon 1sr serve at a 73% clip.

I will say Carlos has a tough match-up tonight vs ADM.  Alex is playing at a super high level and the crowd will be behind him.  If Alcaraz gets down early he could be sent packing.

[MU82]

Just my opinion, but I think Alcaraz gives you slightly more chances. With Sinner everything is deep in the court and Shelton doesn't have a chance to really unleash his forehand and get in a rhythm which is really important to his success.

Just a stylistic thing. And I don't think he'd beat Alcaraz either. Maybe 10% against Sinner and 15% against Alcaraz. Alcaraz' game is more free flowing. He still suffocates you, but in different ways that wouldn't fluster Shelton quite as much.

I like Alcaraz more and think he has the better career when it's all said and done. And he's way more fun to watch.

That's fair.

As a fan, I've always preferred the superior athlete and shot-maker who makes seemingly miraculous plays over and over and over again. So I loved Rafa, and I really enjoy watching Carlos play.

[MU82]

Do you not care for Fritz?  Otherwise, despite Muggsy's classic bluster, I think disappointing is fair give his past few years of near misses.  Best American player since Sampras/Agassi (I think he's a better overall player than Roddick and in a far more demanding/talented era than that mini period in the early 2000s before the Big 3 truly got rolling) but can't quite break through in the majors.  FWIW, I think Shelton will take over the best American of the 2000s title shortly, but Fritz has been at it longer.

As far as Musetti, I don't disagree that he's the better player.  He's had a nice little 18 month break out.  Was a pretty consistent top 25 fringe guy who has busted into the top 8, borderline top 5, over the last 6 months.  Kind of wild that Italy went 50 years without a major champion, just the singular Wimbledon final appearance from Berrettini who was never a consistent top 10 player.  Then Sinner broke through and now Italy will have two of the ATP top 5 if Musetti gets past Djokovic

Nothing against Fritz at all. I've just never been jingoistic when it comes to sports - it makes no difference to me whether an American tennis player wins or loses. As I just mentioned to BM1090, I was a big Rafa fan, and I now root most for Alcaraz. I simply love their style of play. Same with golf. I'd rather watch Rory than any American, though I surely appreciate what Scheffler is doing. I've rooted for many Americans in both sports over the years - McEnroe, Evert, Tiger, Spieth, etc. But not just because they were American.

[MuggsyB]

Tien snags the 2nd vs Zverev. 

[MuggsyB]

Tien has tremendous timing. Excellent job taking the ball off the rise and counterpunching with some power. 

[MuggsyB]

Damn.

Tien lost focus. 

[MU82]

What do you expect? I often lost focus when I was a tien.

[MuggsyB]

What do you expect? I often lost focus when I was a tien.

Good one.  But different pronunciation. 

Tee-en.

Zverev annoys me.

[MuggsyB]

Tien needs to increase the pop on his first serve.  He should give Rafa a call. 

[BM1090]

Damn.

Tien lost focus. 

Don't think he lost focus. Feels like a combination of struggling with the serve and some fatigue

[MuggsyB]

Zverev was just too good at 5-6 in the 4th.  The young gun will learn though. 

[MU82]

Coco goes cuckoo ...