Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XII

[discostu]

Their clay matchups should be interesting because that's probably Tsitsipas' best surface.

I really think grass suits Felix's game very well. His serve has come a long way and his attacking style works well.

They'll probably have some epic RG finals matchups in 2040 when Nadal finally hangs it up.

 

[Tuggy]

Anyone know Felix's record against top 20 players? He was undefeated at that level before that SF match against Isner. Not sure if he's added other notches to his belt at that level.

It is amazing how low key his success has been. He's knocking on the door of the top 20, but has not had a high profile run that captures attention from broader sports fans in Canada.

I think the fact that he's basically had zero success at majors probably has something to do with it. Which in itself is amazing where his ranking is

In tennis circles and forums he's been known for a while, but yeah, generally he's not much of a household name yet.

A big run at a major would definitely change that.

I'll be very surprised/disappointed if the doesn't win multiple majors.

 

[discostu]

So Felix, after playing two singles matches yesterday, and after one of the bigger wins in his career today, has to play potentially two doubles matches today.

I'm really surprised he didn't drop the doubles matches once it was clear the rain was wreaking havoc with the schedule. He should be managing his health going into Wimbledon.

 

[Loosie]

I think the fact that he's basically had zero success at majors probably has something to do with it. Which in itself is amazing where his ranking is

In tennis circles and forums he's been known for a while, but yeah, generally he's not much of a household name yet.

A big run at a major would definitely change that.

I'll be very surprised/disappointed if the doesn't win multiple majors.

I think the only thing would stop him there are any potential lingering health issues with his heart. I know it's been a concern when he was successful in juniors, but losing 3rd sets badly during deep runs. The questions popped up of how would he handle a major.

What I love right now is we have 3 Canadians in the Top 25, and two of them are 20 years and under. It's an amazing time for Tennis Canada.

Edit: He owns Tsitsipas though 5-0 now when you count their Junior encounters.

 

[Loosie]

Anyone know Felix's record against top 20 players? He was undefeated at that level before that SF match against Isner. Not sure if he's added other notches to his belt at that level.

It is amazing how low key his success has been. He's knocking on the door of the top 20, but has not had a high profile run that captures attention from broader sports fans in Canada.

Tennis Abstract: Felix Auger Aliassime ATP Match Results, Splits, and Analysis

8-5 after beating Tsitsipas, and yes Isner was his first Top 20 loss.

He's 2-4 against the Top 10, both wins are against Tsitsipas.

 

[discostu]

Interesting summary of Felix's last day and a half.

 

[Tuggy]

Also, yet to be broken through 3 matches.

 

[kihei]

Raonic and Lopez even at a set apiece at Queens. Lots of old-school finesse grass court tennis in this one, and it's been very entertaining.

 

[Hadoop]

I think the only thing would stop him there are any potential lingering health issues with his heart. I know it's been a concern when he was successful in juniors, but losing 3rd sets badly during deep runs. The questions popped up of how would he handle a major.

Agreed. And we should start to have a better idea soon because he'll be seeded at both Wimby and the USO. This year's Rogers Cup in his home town of Montreal will likely test his nerves as well.

 

[kihei]

Lopez takes the third set tie breaker and will face Felix next. Feliciano represents a very different challenge for Felix as Lopez possesses the requisite big serve on grass but combines it with a highly intelligent cat-and-mouse approach off the ground that frequently caught Milos by surprise today.

 

[kihei]

Bautista-Agut takes the second set to even his match with Roger. So far this week Federer hasn't exactly raised his stock vis a vis Wimbledon.

 

[kihei]

3 break points apiece, none converted. so far in the third set with Fed looking vulnerable, but still on serve 5-4. The entire stadium is trying to root him home, including the return of the beautiful blonde. Amazing how seemingly sane adults get so emotionally invested in his matches.

Then at 4-5 15-love, the steady Bautista-Agut butchers four straight groundstrokes horribly and the match is Fed's. What an anticlimax.

 

[YEM]

beautiful match by FAA today
Genie B lost in a qualie 6-2, 6-0 and it wasn't even that close. woof.

 

[Loosie]

Lopez takes the third set tie breaker and will face Felix next. Feliciano represents a very different challenge for Felix as Lopez possesses the requisite big serve on grass but combines it with a highly intelligent cat-and-mouse approach off the ground that frequently caught Milos by surprise today.

Lopez has always been a tricky opponent for Raonic.

 

[discostu]

So, Tsitsipas is not chalking up the loss to some bad luck. Sounds like he's in awe of Felix. Outright says that he's better than him and the most difficult opponent he's faced.

 

[MsMeow]

So, Tsitsipas is not chalking up the loss to some bad luck. Sounds like he's in awe of Felix. Outright says that he's better than him and the most difficult opponent he's faced.

It's one thing to think that but not a good idea to say it all publicly.

 

[kihei]

It's one thing to think that but not a good idea to say it all publicly.

Felix comments on Nick yesterday and Tsitsipas' frankness today both strike me as very refreshing--a far cry from the pablum we are usually fed from pro athletes. I wish more were as candid as these two.

 

[MsMeow]

Felix comments on Nick yesterday and Tsitsipas' frankness today both strike me as very refreshing--a far cry from the pablum we are usually fed from pro athletes. I wish more were as candid as these two.

As a fan I enjoy it, but I also think it could backfire.

 

[Tuggy]

Felix can move into the top 20 with a win today.

His match is after Simon/Medvedev, which is almost an hour old and still in the first set. So hard to say when they'll be done.

 

[MsMeow]

Now Simon and Medvedev are in the third. Roger up a set on Herbert.

 

[kihei]

In the third set Medvedev startss having back spasms, but carries on, 3-2 on serve with some long fascinating rallies distinguishing the match so far.

 

[kihei]

One take away from the grass court season so far is that there are no longer any "clay court specialists" around these days; they have become as extinct as dodo birds. Since Rafa, but accelerating rapidly in the last decade, a continental player is likely to be as proficient, or nearly so, on grass and on hard courts as he is on clay.

 

[kihei]

Simon wins in three sets. He has played a ton of tennis this week with all of his matches going the distance including a record setting marathon yesterday. Though Gilles is one of the fittest players on tour, that could be a factor on Sunday.

 

[kihei]

I'm really looking forward to Felix's match. Lopez is a very different grass court player, a real throwback, than any FAA has faced so far. Should be fun to see how Felix responds.

 

[MsMeow]

Felix/Feliciano are having a servefest.