Indian Wells ATP 1000

[glacierguy]

Tommy Paul's movement to the net and subsequent volleying was very good. Someone has clearly told him the old school technique of putting the first volley safe but difficult for opponent, then killing the second volley. I enjoyed watching him win.

[stroke]

What a win(annihilation) by Alcaraz over the gatekeeper, RBA. Carlos is a cut above the Tsitsipas/Zverev/Medvedev/Rublev types to me. FAA and Sinner, not certain about yet.

[stroke]

Monfils completely breaks down Medvedev. I just am thinking watching this how many times Monfils played the big 3 in these type of matches and the staggering contrast.

[jimlosaltos]

Monfils completely breaks down Medvedev. I just am thinking watching this how many times Monfils played the big 3 in these type of matches and the staggering contrast.

Remember, Medy hates --- hates, hates, hates -- clay. And BNP is as slower or even slower than many clay courts.

Not defending him, nor taking away from Monfils (who seems like a likable guy and whose play I enjoy). Just, Medy is a hard-court specialist, and both ends of the "Sunshine Double" barely qualify as such.

[stroke]

Remember, Medy hates --- hates, hates, hates -- clay. And BNP is as slower or even slower than many clay courts.

Not defending him, nor taking away from Monfils (who seems like a likable guy and whose play I enjoy). Just, Medy is a hard-court specialist, and both ends of the "Sunshine Double" barely qualify as such.

Copy, still do not think that result would have ever happened vs the big 3.

[stotty]

Rafa dispatches Evans with some aplomb. A lot of people thought Rafa's game style wouldn't be manageable well into his 30s like this. Yet here he is, still the best player in the world, alongside Novak.

I initially thought Evans might at least create some problems for Rafa. He has a part old school game with his effective sliced backhand and trips to the net.

[jimlosaltos]

Salty dialog from an understandably frustrated Tsitsipas on Brooksby.

“Was there anything that surprised you in Jenson’s game tonight?” asked the press conference moderator. “The amount of net cords he hit. I think that’s an incredible skill. I don’t know. I really don’t know. “

“What makes him tricky to play?” asked a reporter. “I don’t think there’s something that makes him tricky to play.” “What makes him difficult to play?” “Putting balls back.”

Tsistsipas then complained about his new shoes and a broken shoelace.

Reporter “In terms of Jenson’s ability to get the ball back, is it his anticipation, his speed, his ability to turn defense into offense?” Stefanos replied, “He’s not a very explosive player…He’s not the most athletic player…He’s just able to read the game well, play with his pace, play with the opponent’s pace…and stay consistent…There’s nothing that he has that kills.”

My ruble's worth of commentary: Brooksby's court coverage last night was amazing. Seems to get everything back with just enough to push his opponent.

As for Tsitisipas, I'm a big fan of his game and chutzpah, but to me he hasn't seemed sharp since his surgery in December.

Loss of confidence from the pain in his elbow? Too many changes after tweaking his serve & changing his strings to protect it?

New coaching team? Haven't heard anything but Thomas Enqvist and Stef's recent doubles partner Feliciano Lopez were in his box but NOT papa Apostolos.

[jimlosaltos]

And, no sooner has Medvedev lost his number one ranking (for a week, anyway), but he and the rest of the Russian players could be banned from Wimbledon under this proposal, excerpt from The Telegraph:

Daniil Medvedev, the world No 1 tennis player, could face a ban from Wimbledon unless he provides public assurances that he is not a supporter of President Putin.

Nigel Huddleston, the sports minister, told a hearing of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee today that the government would only allow individual athletes from Russia or Belarus to compete in events in the UK if they received assurances that the individual was not linked to the Russian or Belarusian states or their leaders.

And:

Within government there is a “very active discussion on where to draw the line” on individual athletes, with ministers still unclear how best to avoid giving Putin a PR win without unfairly punishing individuals with Russian citizenship. They want to stop victory celebrations featuring the Russian flag, but also accept that forcing athletes to publicly condemn Putin could put them in danger when they return home. “There is a very live international discussion on this”, one government source said.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...box=1647352297

P.S. All the blank boxes on the BNP scoreboard where the flag-that-shall-not-be-named would be curiously look like a lot of white flags. If only. {Nothing against Aslan and Andrey)

filedata/fetch?id=96885&d=1647366519&type=thumb

[stroke]

Nick, much to my chagrin, looked great out there tennis wise vs Ruud. As we have all observed before, no one has ever really had that level of weapon as a serve and had so much game to back it up. If Nick can keep it together, it looks like it is on his racquet to win this tournament.

[stroke]

What a grueling win for Fritz over the demon. The Demon reminds me a lot of JB, relentless balls in play and just very average serves. Tough way to grind it out. Fritz is on the cusp of some big things I feel.

[stotty]

Nadal gets through against Opelka. Amazing to watch Rafa hitting backhand returns at heights sometimes well above his head. A couple he had to jump up off the ground to reach them!

[stroke]

Oddsmakers have Nadal as a pretty strong favorite with a 69% implied probability of winning vs Nick. This certainly looks like a golden opportunity for Mr. Tool to get a win over Nadal. I am thinking about putting down a bet myself as I seem to have gotten better at picking lately.

[stotty]

I am thinking about putting down a bet myself as I seem to have gotten better at picking lately.

Steady on, stroke! The moment you start placing bets your judgement goes and your luck runs out.

[stroke]

Steady on, stroke! The moment you start placing bets your judgement goes and your luck runs out.

I was making a follow up joke to your post about our tennisplayer.net members picking ability. I know better than to bet ha.

[stroke]

Should be some battle Nadal vs Alcaraz, a preview of the upcoming clay season. Nadal of course the favorite at an implied probability of about 62% of winning the match. I think the Alcaraz drop shot is going to be a key if Alcaraz can get it done.