Masters 500 Vienna

[stroke]

I thought going into today the match of the day was Sinner vs Rublev. Sinner retired 3 games in for some reason that was not immediately evident. Another good one coming up Grigor vs Stef. Tomorrow, match of the day Thiem vs Rublev(who is quickly turning into the hardest non big 3 out in tennis).

Stef and Grigor so similar. Both have a slight hitch in the serve motion, great movement, great forehands(which they can be too eager to run around to). I think I prefer Stef's topspin one hander and Grigor's slice one hander.

[don_budge]

I thought going into today the match of the day was Sinner vs Rublev. Sinner retired 3 games in for some reason that was not immediately evident. Another good one coming up Grigor vs Stef. Tomorrow, match of the day Thiem vs Rublev(who is quickly turning into the hardest non big 3 out in tennis).

Stef and Grigor so similar. Both have a slight hitch in the serve motion, great movement, great forehands(which they can be too eager to run around to). I think I prefer Stef's topspin one hander and Grigor's slice one hander.

Too early in a ATP 500 to be calling match of the day. Too often it is just some snooze play. That was strange the way it ended. I didn't see it coming. It was just...what the hell. He's quitting? Yeah...the "slight hitch". I want to hire an acupuncturist and stick a needle in the kink. You wonder why these little glitches are never ironed out.

[stroke]

It was way too weird.

GrIgor was up 5-0 in 1st set tiebreaker vs Stef and looked up to that point to be firing on all cylinders with his easy on the eye game. He lost the tiebreaker 7-5.

[arturohernandez]

It was way too weird.

GrIgor was up 5-0 in 1st set tiebreaker vs Stef and looked up to that point to be firing on all cylinders with his easy on the eye game. He lost the tiebreaker 7-5.

I watched the end of the first set and the tiebreak. Then I just felt something was missing from tennis. So I typed "Federer highlights" into google.

I know that not everyone is blessed with this ability. But talk about impressive. I mean Djokovic must "hate" playing Federer. The guy can just hit winners from anywhere on the court. Even in defensive positions. I think I am going to just take a COVID rerun binge for tennis too.

If you are feeling the same try this out for episode 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8MXmn1lQY

[stroke]

I watched the end of the first set and the tiebreak. Then I just felt something was missing from tennis. So I typed "Federer highlights" into google.

I know that not everyone is blessed with this ability. But talk about impressive. I mean Djokovic must "hate" playing Federer. The guy can just hit winners from anywhere on the court. Even in defensive positions. I think I am going to just take a COVID rerun binge for tennis too.

If you are feeling the same try this out for episode 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8MXmn1lQY

Novak I expect gets through another day by looking at his head to head record vs Roger.

[arturohernandez]

I mean who else can actually out angle Djokovic.

https://youtu.be/YC8MXmn1lQY?t=867

[stroke]

All credit to Grigor, he won the 2nd set after that heartbreaking 1st. It is classic Nadal "all I care about in my life is winning the next point" mentality. Roger also a member also of this club, but Nadal is the president of this club.

[arturohernandez]

Last one I promise.

Try Federer in full flight against Djokovic. I know it is once in a generation but I am still waiting for the next gen Fed. We had Sampras who was equally impressive in his time. I know the conditions are slower. But what happened to all court tennis.

https://youtu.be/zLegK15kTAw

[arturohernandez]

Novak I expect gets through another day by looking at his head to head record vs Roger.

Nadal and Djokovic will always have a better head-to-head. This guy is 5-6 years older than his other two rivals. Imagine Borg in 1984 still beating McEnroe. The head to head will always be against Fed because he was the older guy just trying to hang in there.

I could be wrong but i would be surprised if Djokovic and Nadal can play at that level in their late 30's. Maybe they will. Maybe 40 is the new 30.

[stroke]

Very impressive win by Grigor.

[stotty]

I could be wrong but i would be surprised if Djokovic and Nadal can play at that level in their late 30's.

They probably will. Not sure you can be classified the GOAT when 65% of your slams have been achieved on one surface. Roger still the GOAT for me...probably to be overtaken by Novak sooner or later. Roger will always be the most fun to watch by a mile for me.

Vienna is looking like a good tournament. I better start watching!

[stroke]

The Master's 1000's do not get enough emphasis in my book to most folks regarding the GOAT.

[don_budge]

I watched the end of the first set and the tiebreak. Then I just felt something was missing from tennis. So I typed "Federer highlights" into google.

I know that not everyone is blessed with this ability. But talk about impressive. I mean Djokovic must "hate" playing Federer. The guy can just hit winners from anywhere on the court. Even in defensive positions. I think I am going to just take a COVID rerun binge for tennis too.

If you are feeling the same try this out for episode 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8MXmn1lQY

There is something missing from tennis alright. Like tennis is missing from tennis so you typed in the last remaining link to tennis..."The Living Proof". Roger Federer. Federer on a slick fast court is still too much for either Djokovic or Nadal. Give him 1984 conditions and he mops the court with both of these two imposters. Usurpers.

The reference to defence is ultimately important. I was writing about the importance of defence in an earlier post. Speaking of which...match of the day? Daniel Evans vs. Grigor Dimitrov. Watch the Evans tactics against the modern one-handed game. I'm thinking there might be some interesting contrast.

[stroke]

2 super matches today, Thiem vs Rublev and Grigor vs Evans. And of course Medvedev and Novak are playing also in this very tough draw.

[stroke]

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis-news-alexander-zverev-responds-ex-girlfriends-222027823.html

Looks like a good week for Alex to be off.