Monte Carlo, ATP 1000

[stroke]

https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/game-set-bet-presented-by-betmgm-will-carlos-alcaraz-win-the-2025-rolex-monte-carlo-masters

[jimlosaltos]

Novak Djokovic is out tamely 3 and 4 to 27 year old journeyman Alejandro Tablilo.

Combined with his first round win over Stan Wawrinka, this comprises the Chilean's first back-to-back wins since last August.

Tabilio is now "unbeaten" against Novak, since "Djokovic’s previous clay-court defeat came against Tabilo in Rome last season"

Per ATP "The 37-year-old, a two-time champion in Monte-Carlo, struggled with his balance and committed 14 unforced errors in the first set in his first match on clay since he won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics."

[stroke]

Novak Djokovic is out tamely 3 and 4 to 27 year old journeyman Alejandro Tablilo.

Combined with his first round win over Stan Wawrinka, this comprises the Chilean's first back-to-back wins since last August.

Tabilio is now "unbeaten" against Novak, since "Djokovic’s previous clay-court defeat came against Tabilo in Rome last season"

Per ATP "The 37-year-old, a two-time champion in Monte-Carlo, struggled with his balance and committed 14 unforced errors in the first set in his first match on clay since he won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics."

Yes Novak had 18 winners and 29 errors for the match. That pretty much tells the tale.

[jeffreycounts]

Apparently Novak had an eye condition and almost withdrew.

[stroke]

Musetti routines Berrenttini. Berrenttini just does not have a top tier clay court physique. Musetti is a beautiful clay court player, very similar to Gasquet.

[jimlosaltos]

Musetti routines Berrenttini. Berrenttini just does not have a top tier clay court physique. Musetti is a beautiful clay court player, very similar to Gasquet.

Love Musetti. Hope some day he lives up to the potential of his 2-0 set lead vs Novak at the French -- before Musetti had taken his oral exams for high school. Note: "Musetti is 12-2 on clay since last July, highlighted by his bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and his final run at the ATP 250 in Umag."

But don't sell Matteo short. Some of his rallies vs Zverev were absolutely stellar.

[jimlosaltos]

Stef Tsitsipas, with his new "secret" racket ( Psst Babolat 98 ) now has 50 career wins on clay. Don't sell the guy short !

[neilchok]

maybe one hand backhands can still survive, but you got be on clay

[stotty]

I see Carlos has changed his serve slightly. He now lowers the head of the racket as he commences into the wind-up. That's a good move in my opinion.

Again, Carlos looks the best player in the tournament — in fact there's no one to touch him if he's at his best. I am hoping he can maintain his level throughout. To date, he hasn't been a 365 day a year player in the way the Big 3 were. His forehand is a sight to see, though —it's just so explosive, and he's not afraid to follow it up to the net.

Altmaier is a decent player and gave Carlos a run for his money early on. He's moves really well and is one-hander is lovely.

[neilchok]

To me Carlos when he is at his best, no one in the game can touch him. He just weirdly has these massive slumps.

[stroke]

Love Musetti. Hope some day he lives up to the potential of his 2-0 set lead vs Novak at the French -- before Musetti had taken his oral exams for high school. Note: "Musetti is 12-2 on clay since last July, highlighted by his bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and his final run at the ATP 250 in Umag."

But don't sell Matteo short. Some of his rallies vs Zverev were absolutely stellar.

He really competes so well and gives nothing away.

[jimlosaltos]

Here's the 48 shot rally between Zverev and Berrettini - the longest rally on the ATP this year.

I suspect everyone kept waiting for Matteo to miss, but he didn't. While he hit more slice backhands, a pair of slice forehands from way back to within inches of Zverev's baseline kept him going.

Click this link to YT. Rally starts at 1:21. This link should go there, but that doesn't seem to work well n the forum, so if not please scroll to 1:21 if you want to see it.

[jimlosaltos]

Haven't watched these yet but some bizarre scorelines. de Minaur with a double bagel over Dimitrov, who is described online elsewhere as "Listless".

Then, Musetti comes from behind vs Tsitsipas. Stef had 17 breakpoints vs Musetti in only 13 service games, and faced only 6 himself, but lost.

Stef, who is tinkering with his motion, apparently tossing the ball further into the court, got only 49% of first serves in. But still.

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[stroke]

Musetti lost the 1st set rather handily, but he really believes in his game, and earned the bug win here. His backhand is superb, not Gasquet level maybe, but his forehand is certainly better than Gasquet's. Musetti seems to produce a very similar ball off both wings.

[stotty]

Musetti lost the 1st set rather handily, but he really believes in his game, and earned the bug win here. His backhand is superb, not Gasquet level maybe, but his forehand is certainly better than Gasquet's. Musetti seems to produce a very similar ball off both wings.

I know what you mean. He's fairly uniform off both wings. He's so talented, though. He has great feel, especially on his backhand wing, and he has good hands around the net. He picked up some great low backhand volleys...rather old school actually.

As for Stef, he just hasn't developed much at all the past 4 or 5 years...stuck at the same level.