All things considered, we have the best match-ups possible for this 2020 French Open final four. Tsitsipas is the best player in that 2nd quarter. We were clear and correct on the Medvedev meteor, which burned up just about this time last year after his run ended (miserably I have to add) in NYC in …
French Quarters
REUTERS/Christian Hartmann To finish my commentary on Thiem vs Schwartzman, I liked Diego in this match and part of that absolutely comes from his results in Rome. He spanked Rafa, played a gem against Shapo and though he came-up against le patron (or il capo) in the final, he showed all kinds of value for …
Tough to Watch
I see for this bottom-half’s SF a rematch of their Rome QF from a few weeks ago: Nadal vs Schwartzman. Thiem looks bad. Let's get to Nadal vs Djokovic. 9th game of this second set, tied at 4-4, is entering the 12th minute. This is unwatchable. Sorry. Like the American Presidency. Though I find it …
The Truth in Real Time
Do you want to know the truth of clay court tennis? Forget for a second the mammoth legacy of Rafael Nadal, who's ownership of the clay court, of Roland Garros and many other dirty venues, has seemingly elevated this surface beyond its mere claim of surface diversity, history and cultural charm. The unevenness of the …
French 2nd and 3rd Rds.
Down in Rafa's draw, we have nothing to report other than all eyes seem to be on the Korda kid, who, like the Ruud kid, may have legitimate legacy in those legs and arms and game. Though let's be fair: Korda's father, Petr, won a major, an Aussie Open in 1998 and lost to Courier …
2020 Roland Garros Start
An early statement from Stan? And they're off. Stan destroying Andy is a "that should be the case"; Nishikori getting through in five sounds about right; Zverev ending his proceedings in three is a very good sign for the German; Coric losing in four to a guy named Norbert Gombos makes me smile (both the …
The Fall of Clay
Folks, that's a double entendre. You know I don't like clay; and we have the European clay season taking place in the fall. Work with me. I love the title. Djokovic's 5th Rome Masters, his 36th 1000 title, of course . . . that title. 😀 Let me make this post as short and as …
Sightseeing in Rome R1
Ladies and gentlemen, Lorenzo Musetti: 18 year-old Italian one-hander. https://youtu.be/P1UiZLug3v4 He put the Swiss 10th seed out in 60 76(2) fashion today. Winner of the 2019 Australian Open Junior title, this is his maiden ATP main draw. Benvenuto!
Thiem Wins the 2020 U.S. Open
I think for most people involved with this match, including fans (other than Zverev family and fans), the feeling associated with this win is relief. Thiem has been knocking on the door. Most people see Thiem as "deserving" of this title. Granted, this seems like an odd way to describe a championship. One has to …
Thiem Beats Medvedev: Zverev Next
The Austrian needs to finish this run at the 2020 U.S. Open. Even if Novak had recorded his 18th major in NYC this year, no way would we have held the empty seats or the Fedal/Wawrinka-less field against him. Some fanboys would have, but that is just low-IQ noise that only his/her fellow fantards understand. …
