Madrid ATP 1000

[jimlosaltos]

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.

Madrid often gets upsets in the early rounds. Seems there is always some seed that doesn't adjust to the pace at altitude soon enough and they're gone. Monteiro played 3 matches here already and Tsitsipas was in his first.

[jimlosaltos]

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

Still, Rafa through in straights a tiebreak and 6-3. He next gets Pedro Cachin, ranked 91, so perhaps more time to improve with match play?

[stroke]

Still, Rafa through in straights a tiebreak and 6-3. He next gets Pedro Cachin, ranked 91, so perhaps more time to improve with match play?

It is certainly interesting to watch this last hooray by Nadal on this clay court swing.

[stroke]

Grigor and his beautiful game in a very high quality match vs young Mensik, number 69 in world and rising very quickly, 3rd set.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XfQTCGWdqwM4FJcp7

Not much there. Mensik seems to have a bit of a Sinner demeanor out there. It serves him well it seems.

[stotty]

Still, Rafa through in straights a tiebreak and 6-3. He next gets Pedro Cachin, ranked 91, so perhaps more time to improve with match play?

He got through with the help of Lady Luck at the end of that first set. I don't think de Minaur found playing Rafa in Madrid particularly easy, which it can't be. But, as you say, Rafa got through and with it the chance to improve on his last performance, but he looks a long way off his best to me.

I enjoy watching de Minaur, though. He's so fast and works like a mule. Shame about that serve, which shows little technical improvement since I saw it last.

[stroke]

Struff really lit up the stat sheet with a straight-sets win over Humbert.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hnjbd863qBCfiXpj9

I had forgotten how good Agassi was in the 1000's.

[stroke]

Cerundolo comes back from a set down vs Paul, playing classic clay court tennis. His forehand is a big weapon. It would be very interesting to see the forehand shot quality rankings thus far in this tournament. Cerundolo should be in the conversation.

[stotty]

Cerundolo comes back from a set down vs Paul, playing classic clay court tennis. His forehand is a big weapon. It would be very interesting to see the forehand shot quality rankings thus far in this tournament. Cerundolo should be in the conversation.

Cerundolo had Paul on a string in the end. And, yes, he has a lovely forehand which can convert into an exquisite drop shot as we saw in the closes stages of the match. I do like a good drop shot.

[stroke]

Cerundolo had Paul on a string in the end. And, yes, he has a lovely forehand which can convert into an exquisite drop shot as we saw in the closes stages of the match. I do like a good drop shot.

At one point late in 1st set, the spin and speed average forehand rates were shown for both players. Paul has an excellent forehand, but he was slightly behind Cerundolo mph's, and about 600 rpm's less.

[stotty]

At one point late in 1st set, the spin and speed average forehand rates were shown for both players. Paul has an excellent forehand, but he was slightly behind Cerundolo mph's, and about 600 rpm's less.

You would think that difference in rpm's would be significant on clay. You would think it's the spinners who would be the more successful on clay. No doubt Jim will know some stats on that one.

[jimlosaltos]

You would think that difference in rpm's would be significant on clay. You would think it's the spinners who would be the more successful on clay. No doubt Jim will know some stats on that one.

Uh oh, pressure is on <g>.

ATP isn't reporting averages for this event. The Infosystem "CourtVisoin" shows a handful of Cerrundolo winners in the 3,400 RPM range, only one of Paul's.

P.S. The CourtVision stats still appear to be misrepresenting service velocity from a given rally as the velocity of groundstroke winners. Assuming that is the reason for the high MPHs.

https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/stats-centre/archive/2024/1536/ms026?tab=CourtVision

[stroke]

Wall of Med may be the best competitor out there. He can be completely outplayed for an hour and a half or so, just get more cranky, and dig in even more. And win the match.

[jimlosaltos]

Medy vs Korda was a nail biter. Seb seems to always give Daniil trouble.

Korda's serve is good for 13 aces vs an exceptional returner but Seb only wins 58% behind them. Sackman at Tennis Abstract says that is because Seb is too conservative behind his serves that do come back.

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