Wimbledon

[jimlosaltos]

Novak vs Stan certainly looming as the 3rd round match of the day, and tournament, thus far. Murray actually the slight betting favorite vs Stef. Very surprising to me. If I were ever going to bet, this would be one.

Agreed on odds. Perhaps before Stef beat Thiem, but Stef looked like he finally found his grass court game the prior two days. Another match where I'd like both guys to win.

[stroke]

It gers very real for Chris Eubanks tomorrow, up vs Cam Norrie. Norrie is a solid favorite, but not overwhelming. Eubanks is a legitimate threat to win this match.

[jimlosaltos]

I will say with Rafa, there has never been a player that put more pressure on the returner not to give the server any semblance of a return that even begins to sit up to his forehand for the next shot. That is enormous implied pressure. That, along with the top tier swerve action on his serve, made him a very formidable server.

It was the combination of Rafa's lefty serve with his awesome inside-out forehand.

Rafa and Peak Fed 2004-2008 were the epitome of serve + 1 tennis.
That's one example of how it is hard to rate a "best serve", isolating that shot from the game behind it - IMHO.

[stotty]

It's a bit of a treat getting Stephanos and Murray so early in the tournament. It's got more of a quarterfinal feel to it.

3-3 in the second set. An important set from Murray's point of view. Stef is hitting his forehand well so Murray needs to be careful not to leave too much litter lying around in the mid court.

[stroke]

It was the combination of Rafa's lefty serve with his awesome inside-out forehand.

Rafa and Peak Fed 2004-2008 were the epitome of serve + 1 tennis.
That's one example of how it is hard to rate a "best serve", isolating that shot from the game behind it - IMHO.

It might be just 2 different conversations.

[stroke]

It's a bit of a treat getting Stephanos and Murray so early in the tournament. It's got more of a quarterfinal feel to it.

3-3 in the second set. An important set from Murray's point of view. Stef is hitting his forehand well so Murray needs to be careful not to leave too much litter lying around in the mid court.

If Murray can grind this one out, and I do not think he can, it would be his best win post his hip surgery. A few too many missed topspin backhands by Stef keeping it interesting.

[stotty]

If Murray can grind this one out, and I do not think he can, it would be his best win post his hip surgery. A few too many missed topspin backhands by Stef keeping it interesting.

Stef is just too overwhelming at the moment - high first serve percentage and his forehand working well. Murray needs to hang in and hope for lapses one feels. He needs to serve slightly better too.

[stotty]

Ruud was candid afterwards saying he didn't see it as an upset because Broady has more experience on grass and moves better on grass.

So, Ruud's record in 'Slams is that he either makes the finals or goes out in the second round <g>

Glass is 3/4 full guy here: He's the only player to make 3 finals in the last 5 majors, i believe.

I think Ruud is clueless on grass, just no idea. He lost to a lowly player today. Unthinkable that he could lose to Broady on any other surface.

[stotty]

Tiebreak second set. Murray desperately needs to serve well.

[stotty]

So the match is neatly poised with Murray 2 sets to 1 up. Murray did well to win the second set against the run of play with Stef's ferocious hitting power. Stef kind of forced Murray to be more assertive in the end and Murray is good to watch when he's attacking his groundies - counter punching has it's limits even for someone who is profoundly good at it like Murray.

Let's see what tomorrow brings and whether Murray will finish the job.

[stroke]

Chris Eubanks 2nd match on Court 1 today vs Brit Cam Norrie. Certainly the biggest match on the biggest stage of Chris' career.

[stotty]

Chris Eubanks 2nd match on Court 1 today vs Brit Cam Norrie. Certainly the biggest match on the biggest stage of Chris' career.

Norrie did well last year and will have the crowd firmly behind him. That said, there is no crowd more respectful than a British crowd so Chris shouldn't feel it too much. It is certainly a big match for him and it would great if he can find his best form.

[stotty]

McEnroe came out with an interesting comment yesterday. He said the game has changed again in terms of what a player needs to be good at. According to McEnroe the most important shot in the game these days is the return of serve, second is the serve, and third most important is the forehand. This kind of falls inline, in an upside down sort of way, with Jim's post that serves are slowing down. Seems no matter how hard you serve Novak is going to get it back. Makes sense that all the other players are trying to emulate Novak in the return of serve department.

Any stats on return of serve, Jim? Are players getting more balls back in play than ever before?

[stotty]

Alcaraz just hit a 99 mph forehand winner against Muller...an absolute bullet. I don't think I could hit a forehand that hard even if I didn't have to keep it in the stadium.

[stroke]

Norrie did well last year and will have the crowd firmly behind him. That said, there is no crowd more respectful than a British crowd so Chris shouldn't feel it too much. It is certainly a big match for him and it would great if he can find his best form.

So true, like night and day to the FO crowd.