French Open

[jimlosaltos]

I've seen criticism of Alex de Minaur's service, but the greater velocity he's generating this year is a major part of his surge to the top 10, and wins over many of the top players.

That a guy that weighs 152 lbs -- likely carrying his tennis bag - can hit 130 MPH serves and is averaging 123 MPH is impressive.
I believe he and Dimitrov have the second highest average first serve speeds at this event after Zverev. This was captured as Zverev was serving to stay in the second set at 5-6.

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[stotty]

Find those speeds hard to believe with regards de Minaur's serve. It's visibly much slower than Zverez's...on TV at least. Just imagine how well he would serve if he had a bit of technique.

A bit disappointed in de Minaur. He should have won that second set. He tried to exploit Zverev's forehand, understandably, but it's not as vulnerable as it once was and in the end it was de Minaur who broke down. The kid can move though and must be the quickest out there after Carlos.

[stroke]

Find those speeds hard to believe with regards de Minaur's serve. It's visibly much slower than Zverez's...on TV at least. Just imagine how well he would serve if he had a bit of technique.

A bit disappointed in de Minaur. He should have won that second set. He tried to exploit Zverev's forehand, understandably, but it's not as vulnerable as it once was and in the end it was de Minaur who broke down. The kid can move though and must be the quickest out there after Carlos.

I too was a bit disappointed that demon could not stress Zverev a little. That being said, oddsmakers have Zverev and Ruud at pretty much pick 'em. I like Ruud.

[stotty]

I too was a bit disappointed that demon could not stress Zverev a little. That being said, oddsmakers have Zverev and Ruud at pretty much pick 'em. I like Ruud.

Zverez has been playing well of late. He's winning close matches and learned the art of making himself tough to beat. After a dire start in the tiebreak against de Minaur, he locked down and played really solid. I'd just like him to be more aggressive at times because that's when he's at his best.

[jimlosaltos]

Iga vs Coco was as lopsided as their record.

Coco tried to be aggressive, but every error got punished.

Here's a factoid that likely wasn't anticipated. It was a final between the two biggest serves on tour.
Coco had a max serve speed of 125 MPH, which is not surprising because Coco reached that region at, what was it, 14 years old? vs --- and this is the surprise -- Iga reaching 123 MPH. That's faster than anything I could find from Rybakina and Sabalenka, the two purported biggest servers of the high ranked players on the WTA. {exluding likes of Hadid-Maria etc}.

Iga's only major, relative "weakness" has been her serve. If she serves like this what hopes remain for the rest of the tour?

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[jimlosaltos]

TheAthletic reports that Djokovic has already had meniscus surgery and will miss Wimbledon.

While rankings are far less important to Djokovic at this point than major titles, seeding at events is important in draws -- such as defending his title at the US Open.
Djokovic will lose 2,000 points from Wimbledon and, in the "Live Ranking" has already lost some points from Roland Garros.
Djokovic is at 10th in the "Live Ranking" and will fall further when other gain points in England. It is highly unlikely that Djokovic will be able to qualify for the year-end Tour Final in Turin.

I haven't seen anything about Djokovic's likelihood of playing next year, but if he does he could face the issues Rafa did in playing Zverev in the first round in Paris.

[stotty]

TheAthletic reports that Djokovic has already had meniscus surgery and will miss Wimbledon.

While rankings are far less important to Djokovic at this point than major titles, seeding at events is important in draws -- such as defending his title at the US Open.
Djokovic will lose 2,000 points from Wimbledon and, in the "Live Ranking" has already lost some points from Roland Garros.
Djokovic is at 10th in the "Live Ranking" and will fall further when other gain points in England. It is highly unlikely that Djokovic will be able to qualify for the year-end Tour Final in Turin.

I haven't seen anything about Djokovic's likelihood of playing next year, but if he does he could face the issues Rafa did in playing Zverev in the first round in Paris.

It's not good for Novak. He is still playing well, though, and in better nick than Rafa and Roger were...so it might not be the end yet.

[stotty]

Iga vs Coco was as lopsided as their record.

Coco tried to be aggressive, but every error got punished.

Here's a factoid that likely wasn't anticipated. It was a final between the two biggest serves on tour.
Coco had a max serve speed of 125 MPH, which is not surprising because Coco reached that region at, what was it, 14 years old? vs --- and this is the surprise -- Iga reaching 123 MPH. That's faster than anything I could find from Rybakina and Sabalenka, the two purported biggest servers of the high ranked players on the WTA. {exluding likes of Hadid-Maria etc}.

Iga's only major, relative "weakness" has been her serve. If she serves like this what hopes remain for the rest of the tour?

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I just wonder if these women would ace any of the men on the ATP? The serve speeds say yes but I am not so sure.

[jimlosaltos]

I just wonder if these women would ace any of the men on the ATP? The serve speeds say yes but I am not so sure.

Good question. Not many could. Sabalenka, I'd guess could on a good day (which she had none of this fortnight, getting ill. }

The two max speeds here are outliers on the WTA. To get an ace with that velocity on the ATP, a player would also need good location or spin or both.

[stroke]

Good question. Not many could. Sabalenka, I'd guess could on a good day (which she had none of this fortnight, getting ill. }

The two max speeds here are outliers on the WTA. To get an ace with that velocity on the ATP, a player would also need good location or spin or both.

She would lose 0 and 0 to any ATP player.

[stroke]

Alcaraz is just physically stronger than Sinner. Over 5 sets on clay, I would say that is the difference between them.

[jimlosaltos]

Alcaraz is just physically stronger than Sinner. Over 5 sets on clay, I would say that is the difference between them.

Seemed like it today but remember that Sinner hasn't practiced much coming in because of his hip injury.
Wasn't even certain he'd play.

[jimlosaltos]

Sorry, stroke, pre-apologizing because I know this one will annoy you

Youngest players to reach Grand Slam finals on ALL THREE surfaces:

Martina Hingis - 16 years old
Carlos Alcaraz - 21 years 1 month
Andre Agassi - 22 years 1 month
Bjorn Borg - 22 years 2 months
Rafael Nadal - 22 years 6 months
Jim Courier - 22 years 10 months

[jimlosaltos]

Carlitos is First Since Pete

Here's a fantastic stat via Jeff Sackman of Tennis Abstract: Carlos Alcaraz is now 10-1 in five-set matches at majors. That makes him only the fifth player in the Open era to win 10 of his first 11 slam five-setters, and the first since Pete Sampras did it 30 years ago.

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[stroke]

Ruud is suffering from some kind of stomach issue it seems. He is certainly not one for any drama or gamesmanship.