Madrid ATP 1000

[stroke]

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/madrid-draw-preview-2024

[jimlosaltos]

17 yo Joao Fonseca vs 19 yo Alex Michelson might be an intriguing first rounder. {Rechecks ATP site, "is he really only 17?}

[stroke]

17 yo Joao Fonseca vs 19 yo Alex Michelson might be an intriguing first rounder. {Rechecks ATP site, "is he really only 17?}

It is a very interesting matchup. I like Fonseca.

[jimlosaltos]

Given how hard it is to watch tennis on the Caja M?gica now, I imagine it is a bit difficult to play good tennis as well.

filedata/fetch?id=104085&d=1713981718&type=thumb

[jimlosaltos]

ATP Tennis Insight notes that serves are more important in Madrid, at altitude.

Here is it's trailing 52 week service ratings. Second image is their definition of the stat.

Hubi remains on top, followed by Fritz, Shelton, and Tsitsipas. Stef being there despite his obvious serve struggles -- changing motion from point to point for a while, is surprising.

Sinner has plummeted to near the tour average, basically level with Demon. I'm surprised. This data does go back to before he turned to Sinner 3.0 motion, but the statistically difference hasn't been enormous. Confused?

Alcaraz's continues to struggle - at least by the standard of a recent world number one player.

filedata/fetch?id=104087&d=1713981828&type=thumb

filedata/fetch?id=104088&d=1713981849&type=thumb

#

[jimlosaltos]

Have not yet seen but am hearing great things about Shang v Moutet.
Juncheng "Jerry" Shang over Corentin Moutet 7-6(9) 2-6 7-6(10) in 3 hours 59 minutes.

When fellow players post about a match:
Dennis Shapovalov:
Insane tennis Jerry and Corentin fun to watch

Damian Kust of Cracked Rackets.
Moutet vs Shang was absurd, 3 hours and 59 minutes. Racket falling out of Co's hand serving at 5-all in the final TB (serve was in, so was the return but he had nothing to play it back with), dead net cord MP save. Jerry kept hitting incredible FHs and won 7-6(10) in the 3rd.

From Oleg S/Twitter:
Shang v Moutet... Wow! Another match that won't make 'Best of the Year' list because it's only 1R between two lower ranked players but absolutely should. The deciding tiebreak alone was something else. The 5-5 point. The netcord on one of MPs... Basically, every other point

[stroke]

Have not yet seen but am hearing great things about Shang v Moutet.
Juncheng "Jerry" Shang over Corentin Moutet 7-6(9) 2-6 7-6(10) in 3 hours 59 minutes.

When fellow players post about a match:
Dennis Shapovalov:
Insane tennis Jerry and Corentin fun to watch

Damian Kust of Cracked Rackets.
Moutet vs Shang was absurd, 3 hours and 59 minutes. Racket falling out of Co's hand serving at 5-all in the final TB (serve was in, so was the return but he had nothing to play it back with), dead net cord MP save. Jerry kept hitting incredible FHs and won 7-6(10) in the 3rd.

From Oleg S/Twitter:
Shang v Moutet... Wow! Another match that won't make 'Best of the Year' list because it's only 1R between two lower ranked players but absolutely should. The deciding tiebreak alone was something else. The 5-5 point. The netcord on one of MPs... Basically, every other point

I saw the last 1/3 or so of the match. Moutet was in a very testy mood out there, creating a lot of annoying drama out there. It was a good match. Moutet refused to shake hands with the Chair Umpire after the match. He is a prickly little guy.

[jimlosaltos]

I saw the last 1/3 or so of the match. Moutet was in a very testy mood out there, creating a lot of annoying drama out there. It was a good match. Moutet refused to shake hands with the Chair Umpire after the match. He is a prickly little guy.

Finally got to watch the end myself. Moutet is, as you say, "prickly". On the other hand, he must have ice water in his veins to hit a tape-skimming drop shot on match point against - and make it.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5AXotcKxG4k3LpZ98

Fonseca looks like the real deal.

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https://photos.app.goo.gl/wLxSFosDoTt5iWB96

Odds to win Madrid.

[jimlosaltos]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5AXotcKxG4k3LpZ98

Fonseca looks like the real deal.

Indeed. 17 year old ( seventeen ! ) beat NextGen'er Alex Michelson 4-6 6-0 6-2 to win his first Masters 1000 match.
Per the ATP stats, Fonseca's serve reached 138 MPH.
Not bad for a 162 lb teenager

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DQpbBS7tKBHjGVXV9

Match of the day was Rune over Navone. That's all it took, 3 hours to move onto the 3rd round.

[stroke]

Matches of the day tomorrow, Nadal vs demon, Norrie vs Fonseca. Demon and Norrie are the favorites. I like Fonseca in an upset.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fEkKvyiCWTVXAWin6

First time in 4 years Tsitsipas goes out in his first match of a clay court tournament. Monteiro, number 118 world ranking, played one of his best matches ever and really wore out the Tsitsipas backhand with his lefty forehand.

[stotty]

Rafa wins the first set against the Demon but he is far, far from his best.