Italian Open, ATP 1000

[jimlosaltos]

WTA side: Huge win for Sophie Kenin, taking out Ons Jabeur 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

Looking forward to Osaka vs Kasatkina this afternoon. I wasn't sure if Naomi was serious/ motivated in her comeback until I saw her beat Kostyuk, a good young clay courter. I'd forgotten the sheer explosiveness of Osaka's shots.

[jimlosaltos]

"Claylor" Fritz keeps slippin; and slidin' his way to clay victories,

6-3, 6-4 against home favoriteFabio Fogninito improve to 8-3 on clay for the 2024 season.

[stotty]

"Shoutout to the fans behind me for talking inappropriately about my girlfriend, family and team for 2.5hrs. Thank you for the extra motivation" -- Seb Korda

Worst fans/ sportsmanship in tennis? Sebastian Korda says a sarcastic arrivederci to the obnoxious fans, screaming during serves and otherwise trying to disrupt him as Korda took out their guy Flavio Cobolli, 6-4 in the 3rd. Steve Tignor: "Korda can't stop smiling afterward."

Has much changed since Rome fans covered a court with litter while Bjorn Borg was playing?

At one point, as you may yourself remember, back in the 70's, the Italian Open was muted as a possible replacement for the Aussie Open, which was a flagging slam to which few top players bothered to enter. Borg only made the trip once. The idea was blown out the water because of the Italian spectators' hostility towards Borg in the 1978 final against Adriano Panatta. From memory, I don't think Borg ever played the tournament again. He was a quiet man but his influence on the game back then was huge. He wasn't impressed with the way he was treated.

I am married to an Italian and can assure you that Italians don't change their spots...

[jimlosaltos]

At one point, as you may yourself remember, back in the 70's, the Italian Open was muted as a possible replacement for the Aussie Open, which was a flagging slam to which few top players bothered to enter. Borg only made the trip once. The idea was blown out the water because of the Italian spectators' hostility towards Borg in the 1978 final against Adriano Panatta. From memory, I don't think Borg ever played the tournament again. He was a quiet man but his influence on the game back then was huge. He wasn't impressed with the way he was treated.

I am married to an Italian and can assure you that Italians don't change their spots...

I didn't know the part about the AO. Great story.

As if to reinforce your point, Djokovic was hit on top of his head by a fan's full water bottle.
Right half of this image shows him doubled up on his knees. Says he's OK now, fortunately.

filedata/fetch?id=104271&d=1715443961&type=thumb

[jimlosaltos]

Rafa out in second round to Hubi in straight sets.
Hubi is a great server but not what one would call a juggernaut on clay.

ATP: "Hurkacz survived a marathon opening game on serve, during which he saved five break points, before exerting his authority with a combination of big serving and high-powered groundstrokes. The No. 9 in the PIF ATP Rankings wrapped victory in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Nadal in 93 minutes, his first win at the Foro Italico since 2020.

[jimlosaltos]

Osaka beats Kasatkina in straight sets.

I wasn't sure how seriously Naomi was taking her comeback from motherhood, but she's beaten two pretty good clay courters - on her worst surface by far - and convincingly.

When Osaka makes clean contact it pretty much doesn't matter what the surface is.

[stroke]

Tsitsipas gets broken by Struff first game of match and Stef has a bit of a meltdown, destroying his racquet on one of the structures behind the players. I don't think I have ever seen that early of a tantrum from a player.

[jimlosaltos]

Medvedev takes out Draper 7-5, 6-4

I know some people on this forum won't want to hear this but ... Since breaking into Top 20 in the autumn of 2018 Medvedev is 26-0 in sets against British players, with not a single set going to a tiebreak. (per Oleg S)

[jimlosaltos]

Rome tournament posted:

Roma, thank you for bringing tennis to new heights

We've just broken the record for the number of Internazionali BNL d'Italia tickets ever printed in a single year (304,675). Additionally, today your passion has filled the Foro Italico like never before (36,671 attendants)

[stroke]

Rome tournament posted:

Roma, thank you for bringing tennis to new heights

We've just broken the record for the number of Internazionali BNL d'Italia tickets ever printed in a single year (304,675). Additionally, today your passion has filled the Foro Italico like never before (36,671 attendants)

Every ATP match I have watched has had quite the engaged crowd. Great atmosphere for tennis. The match going on right now Tsitsipas vs Struff a prime example.

[stroke]

Tsitsipas fights back hard to take the 2nd set, after losing the 1st set tiebreaker to an in form Struff and his big game. On to the 3rd. The constant chatter from Stef's dad, I have never seen anything like it. I have no idea how Stef puts up with it.

[stotty]

Tsitsipas fights back hard to take the 2nd set, after losing the 1st set tiebreaker to an in form Struff and his big game. On to the 3rd. The constant chatter from Stef's dad, I have never seen anything like it. I have no idea how Stef puts up with it.

Well he got through it at least. Meanwhile Rune is having bit of battle with Nardi. I can't warm to Rune...he's a bit in an in-your-face type.

[stroke]

Well he got through it at least. Meanwhile Rune is having bit of battle with Nardi. I can't warm to Rune...he's a bit in an in-your-face type.

Two electric atmosphere matches still going on, Rune vs Nardi, and Rublev vs Garin. The crowds are totally engaged. A great scene for ATP tennis.

[stotty]

Two electric atmosphere matches still going on, Rune vs Nardi, and Rublev vs Garin. The crowds are totally engaged. A great scene for ATP tennis.

Ditto

It's amazing how all players seem to move well these days. A player just cannot be slow these days as there is no way to compensate for it like there used to be.

[stroke]

Ditto

It's amazing how all players seem to move well these days. A player just cannot be slow these days as there is no way to compensate for it like there used to be.

There is not. Times have changed.