The real Tennis thread.

[sir fly]

Youth visible in Alcaraz's game.
Berrettini physically not quite there at the top end of the GS standard.

 

[SafeBet]

Berrettini was very solid in both tie breaks. Fought every point and waited for Alcaraz to make mistakes. His record in the 5th sets tells a lot about his mental strength.

 

[Red Rick]

Really? You always speak about IQ when something you think is stupid is happening...

I always do everything exactly as you claim I do yes

 

[Red Rick]

Youth visible in Alcaraz's game.
Berrettini physically not quite there at the top end of the GS standard.

Not sure how Berrettini isn't physically there other than being a more limited player than most of the rest of the top 10.

Berrettini was very solid in both tie breaks. Fought every point and waited for Alcaraz to make mistakes. His record in the 5th sets tells a lot about his mental strength.

Surprised he has such a small sample size of 5th sets yet. He doesn't have a great record vs top 5 and top 10 players in my opinion, but he definitely does play his best at the Grand Slams.

 

[SafeBet]

Surprised he has such a small sample size of 5th sets yet. He doesn't have a great record vs top 5 and top 10 players in my opinion, but he definitely does play his best at the Grand Slams.

He will always struggle against top10 players. His backhand is simply not good enough for that level. To me this was one of his finest win, considering Alcaraz is basically a top10 in disguise.

That said, I don't think Berrettini beats Alcaraz many more times in the next 10 years.

 

[sir fly]

Not sure how Berrettini isn't physically there other than being a more limited player than most of the rest of the top 10.

Not sure either.
Maybe 'cause of the very beginning of the season.
Or less emphasis on fitness in the weeks preceding tournaments.
Might even be recovering from a setback.
Wouldn't say it's about acclimatization.

Regardless of the reason, he struggled to maintain his performance level throughout the match.
... even game.

 

[tobydawq]

I always do everything exactly as you claim I do yes

Huh?

You're literally the only person I have ever seen use the "200 IQ move" phrase when something dumb happens.

Anyway, I just thought he delivered it in quite a funny way.

 

[Ranagazoo]

Australian Open fans are fast becoming the most annoying in sport outside of Alpe d'Huez

 

[Red Rick]

Hear me out.

Gael Monfils will win the Australian Open

 

[gregrowlerson]

Hear me out.

Gael Monfils will win the Australian Open

Reminds me of the "Alberto Contador will win this bike race" days.

Isn't he the Pinot of tennis though?

 

[gregrowlerson]

Berrettini's mind on serve is a genuine 200 high IQ level.

 

[Red Rick]

Reminds me of the "Alberto Contador will win this bike race" days.

Isn't he the Pinot of tennis though?

Monfils doesn't do near misses like Pinot. He just misses.

Meanwhile Zverev was talking about winning AO and #1 if Djokovic didn't play Australia. Look how that turned out.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Monfils doesn't do near misses like Pinot. He just misses.

Meanwhile Zverev was talking about winning AO and #1 if Djokovic didn't play Australia. Look how that turned out.

Trying to think of another guy who was a 3rd/4th round regular for years, then won it all.

Johannson (not Scarlet)?

Doesn't happen often though.

 

[Red Rick]

Trying to think of another guy who was a 3rd/4th round regular for years, then won it all.

Johannson (not Scarlet)?

Doesn't happen often though.

Cilic. Guadio. Wawrinka I guess too. Doesn't happen often though. Usually they win big first and then proceed to be 3rd/4th round also rans for a while.

WTA is full of them tbh.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Monfils and Berrettini played a 5th set tie break at the 2019 US Open, so could be an interesting QF (assuming the Italian gets the job done here).

As for the semis, Nadal is waiting, and leads 14-2 in H2H (including 3 wins on hardcourt in slams). Monfils last beat him in 2012!

And then there is Medvedev (he will probably break his spirit at the pre match press conference with some sort of low IQ sledge).

Maybe in cycling terms, Monfils winning would be like Oscar Perrerio.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Berrettini through. Rarely seen serving like that. He reminds me a little of Fernando Gonzalez.

 

[SafeBet]

Berrettini's mind on serve is a genuine 200 high IQ level.

First Italian ever to reach QF in every Slam.
Never seen him serve as well as he did today. Absolutely dominant.

 

[Red Rick]

First Italian ever to reach QF in every Slam.
Never seen him serve as well as he did today. Absolutely dominant.

Then there's Fabio, made one Slam QF and gave a walkover.

Berrettini should take Monfils to the cleaners tbh. He's a much better player now than in 2019. Only thing Monfils has going for him is he seems to have found his own serve again and that he's one of the better 1st serve returners out there.

 

[SafeBet]

Then there's Fabio, made one Slam QF and gave a walkover.

Berrettini should take Monfils to the cleaners tbh. He's a much better player now than in 2019. Only thing Monfils has going for him is he seems to have found his own serve again and that he's one of the better 1st serve returners out there.

Should be a fun game nonetheless. If Berrettini serves as well as he did today it's gonna be hard for Monfils but it's not a given. Matteo is also kinda injury prone.

 

[Red Rick]

Should be a fun game nonetheless. If Berrettini serves as well as he did today it's gonna be hard for Monfils but it's not a given. Matteo is also kinda injury prone.

Monfils is probably the worst big match player on Tour. Berrettini on the other hand doesn't lose easily at Slams. Maybe a hot take but I think Berrettini is heaviest favorite in the QF matches. Also I'm shocked it's actually the night match.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I've seen some poor sports television coverage over the years, but choosing to show a Kyrgios doubles match over a Nadal 5 set QF has to be as low as you can go.

 

[gregrowlerson]

How many service points until Berrettini gets his first ace?

I'll guess 2.

P.S. Made me wait until point 5.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Another 5 setter. Monfils with a strong chance now.

 

[SafeBet]

Another 5 setter. Monfils with a strong chance now.

And of course playing poorly when it matters most.
Berrettini hasn't served well after the first set, but Monfils is too inconsistent.

 

[gregrowlerson]

And of course playing poorly when it matters most.
Berrettini hasn't served well after the first set, but Monfils is too inconsistent.

I think I jinxed him

Yeah, Berrettini not as strong this match on first serve, but second serve is very solid.