Hard Facts 2018

[Meles]

Stat outlook for top players:
Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good.
Goffin - crazy good bump on return in early 2018 (43% won) have him set to move even higher
Pouille - return game down in early 2018 despite some results. Clay will tell if he's peaked
Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline?
Nadal - impossible to tell other than the injuries will hurt his level on clay. Will he hit full form by RG. Fantastic return stats in early going bode well if Nadal has a streak of health
Cilic - epic failure on SA clay run in 2018. Peak career stats on clay last year and for the early going on hard, so Marin may continue to mow down the competition
Zverev - in a complete tailspin on serve (2nd), but the silver lining of the cloud is JCF had his return numbers up in early going of 2018 which is VERY, VERY GOOD FOR THE LONG RUN.
Dimitrov - after peak year in 2017, just absolutely crumbling in 2018 so far and well down from last year at this time
Thiem - bizarrely down 2nd serve won numbers since last Summer cloud which is otherwise and even stronger improvement than this time last year.
Anderson - peak year in 2017 to follow up top 10 in 2015. His return game shouldn't be good enough to win a slam, but late Sampras has won US Open with tournament stats that bad on return.
Berdych - sliding up the rankings again on the back of some good slam runs, but is he really back on hard courts? Stats are not bad with return game up nicely in 2018 and on par with 2015. Bendy's serve game is declining with his 2nd serve points won plummeting in early going for 2018 so plenty of signs of decline given the steady drop on 2nd serve points won for the last four years.
DJOKOVIC - he can easily get back into the top 3 players of the game if his arm is recovered. Stats just fine at Auz
SCHWARTZMAN - surprise! Diego rising up the rankings and will probably be a peak rankings year given his high position and not a huge amount of points to defend on his favorite clay. Hard stats down a little in 2018.
CHUNG - naturally stats are up with his Auz run and he's got plenty of upside given his age and just a given that his serve game will keep improving for years and years. Return game good enough to win slams, but not Djokoray great.
RUBLEV - his return game has been improving by leaps and bounds and this has continued in early going of 2018. 42% return points won so far this year have him tracking to a near Djokovic class return game. Rublev's. A really weak 2nd serve in particular will keep Rublev down this year off clay, but at 6' 2" its just a matter of a few years before the serve starts getting credible. At this point he'd love to have Murray's 2nd serve so lots of upside in that department.

Those are the top 10 contenders for 2018. Lots of other young players of course making moves. Khachanov has been a notable surprise with a serve game heading towards servebot class and a nice boost in return numbers due to aggressive 2nd returning. Khachanov for the first time showing stats that might get him into the top 10 in 2019 or 2020. Coric on clay expected to be a story and might due something at IW/Miami on slow outdoor hard courts. Shaps, FAA, and a lot more going on in NextGen.

 

[tennis_pro]

A 37-year old player is dominating the field, that's a hard fact.

 

[tennisaddict]

Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline?

What will Fed do next ? Whatever he has been doing since age 30, which is the last 7 years.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline?
.

He’s almost 37—doesn’t matter what he does or how he “slows the inevitable decline.”

Also, lol at the negative spin on Fed’s numbers yet a positive one for Nadal’s return points.

 

[ojo rojo]

@Meles when Fedr wins his 30th major

 

[True Fanerer]

Kyrgios has only played 10 matches.

 

[Meles]

He’s almost 37—doesn’t matter what he does or how he “slows the inevitable decline.”

Also, lol at the negative spin on Fed’s numbers yet a positive one for Nadal’s return points.

Thought I pumped Fraud up pretty nicely on his 2nd point numbers. Rafa and Djoko are far from toast is my take and I forgot Delpo.

Delpo in the running, but stats just decent so far in 2018.

 

[Meles]

A 37-year old player is dominating the field, that's a hard fact.

He's looking good on fast courts; will be interesting to see how he fares at IW and Miami.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He's looking good on fast courts; will be interesting to see how he fares at IW and Miami.

His draw here in IW is ideal, it is going to be very difficult to stop him here.

 

[kaninfaan]

Kyrgios has only played 10 matches.

And now he's out with an elbow injury.
Lesson #1 : Dont let your kids hit wonky forehands with upside-down grips if you want them to have a career in tennis.

 

[tennis_pro]

His draw here in IW is ideal, it is going to be very difficult to stop him here.

I will be shocked if he loses before the final.

 

[tennis_pro]

He's looking good on fast courts; will be interesting to see how he fares at IW and Miami.

He did ok a year ago.

The guy is head and shoulders above everyone else at the moment, it's gonna take something special to beat him.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I will be shocked if he loses before the final.

I don't think you would be the only one.

 

[Chanwan]

LOL! You and your stats @Meles! The very first one is lolworthy. How can you see a tendency for a guy, who's played 10 matches this year, 2-3 of which he had injury wobbles.
"Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good".

Edit: That's what you've done all post, including hyping Rafa's return stats based on 5 matches, 4 of which came against mighty opponents!

 

[Backspin1183]

I don't think you would be the only one.

If he does lose, it would be to Delbonis again. But that's very unlikely to happen. So, I seem him reaching the quarter finals at least.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

If he does lose, it would be to Delbonis again. But that's very unlikely to happen. So, I seem him reaching the quarter finals at least.

I see your point. In the form he is in, he either has to be completely off his game, or meet someone who GOATs like never before...Federer is lethal on IW courts when he is in the mood.

 

[Red Rick]

I will be shocked if he loses before the final.

I'd be shocked if he loses before Toronto

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I'd be shocked if he loses before Toronto

As crazy as it sounds, Federer is on track on make 2018 even more successful than 2017, having already had a better start to the season this year.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I'd be shocked if he loses before Toronto

Tennis needs a handicap system like golf - it would certainly lay to rest all those pesky weakera/strongera type conversations.

But would that make things more or less interesting? I can't be sure.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Roger, Roger, Roger just jumped over RAFA
Roger, Roger, Roger just jumped over RAFA
(You!)

 

[falstaff78]

His draw here in IW is ideal, it is going to be very difficult to stop him here.

Yeah 26-0 in matches and 52-3 in sets at IW since 2011, vs the field, excluding Djoker and Nadal

 

[Meles]

LOL! You and your stats @Meles! The very first one is lolworthy. How can you see a tendency for a guy, who's played 10 matches this year, 2-3 of which he had injury wobbles.
"Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good".

Edit: That's what you've done all post, including hyping Rafa's return stats based on 5 matches, 4 of which came against mighty opponents!

Reading tea leaves a bit, but Kyrgios also declined on return in 2017 so just not very good.

 

[Sysyphus]

Dimitrov - after peak year in 2017, just absolutely crumbling in 2018 so far and well down from last year

This is the problem with getting myopic with a couple of return/serve points won stats while forgetting context though.

Dimitrov started the year with a shoulder injury, which clearly affected him somewhat. In his return from the injury he made a 500 final losing to Fed, then had one ugly loss in Dubai. Impossible to draw any conclusions based on that sample.

 

[Meles]

Well since this thread has been taken as an afront by some to the mighty fraud, lets look at a player of more immediate interest:

Manny
Nothing to right home about, but 2017 was his best year on hard courts and similar trajectory in 2018. Pretty solid on outdoor hard all in all.

 

[Meles]

This is the problem with getting myopic with a couple of return/serve points won stats while forgetting context though.

Dimitrov started the year with a shoulder injury, which clearly affected him somewhat. In his return from the injury he made a 500 final losing to Fed, then had one ugly loss in Dubai. Impossible to draw any conclusions based on that sample.

There's hope then, but Grigs pretty poor on outdoor hard last years save the break through at the Real Slam which in the heat plays fast. Return points won down pretty low in 2018 as well. Goffin, Nadal, and Djoko fighting injury and they're not nearly as shaky.

 

[George Turner]

Kinda pointless to talk about Nadals stats when one of his five opponents was a guy older than Federer who didn't even play in a grand slam until his 30's. Amusing though

That's like me beating some 70 year old Granny and claiming my return figures were outstanding

 

[Sysyphus]

There's hope then, but Grigs pretty poor on outdoor hard last years save the break through at the Real Slam which in the heat plays fast. Return points won down pretty low in 2018 as well. Goffin, Nadal, and Djoko fighting injury and they're not nearly as shaky.

Nadal played like half a set injured; Grigor played several matches with seemingly no backhand drive due to his shoulder. Naturally his numbers have taken more of a dive.

He could struggle to regain form, though. Dubai was extremely disappointing considering the paltry field. But there's still time; grass season should be the preliminary goal.

 

[Meles]

Kinda pointless to talk about Nadals stats when one of his five opponents was a guy older than Federer who didn't even play in a grand slam until his 30's. Amusing though

That's like me beating some 70 year old Granny and claiming my return figures were outstanding

I use these all the time. I'll just say that Nadal and Djokovic not as low as I expected to see.

Aagh another player of interest is Nishikori.....

Early going here in his comeback, but his serve stats on hard very respectable. Looks like his team has him on track to get his game back.

 

[Meles]

Nadal played like half a set injured; Grigor played several matches with seemingly no backhand drive due to his shoulder. Naturally his numbers have taken more of a dive.

He could struggle to regain form, though. Dubai was extremely disappointing considering the paltry field. But there's still time; grass season should be the preliminary goal.

These players amaze me with their willingness to try to play when their serve is crippled. Its rather stupid. Djoko, Murray, Nadal, and Dimi leap to mind as recent examples of folly (Nadal end of 2016). Players will take the court with some injuries, but when your serve is crippled it makes little sense.

Agree on Dimi. He might be able to get going earlier and again is not defending much on clay where he was passable in his younger days.

 

[George Turner]

I use these all the time. I'll just say that Nadal and Djokovic not as low as I expected to see.

Aagh another player of interest is Nishikori.....

Early going here in his comeback, but his serve stats on hard very respectable. Looks like his team has him on track to get his game back.

Does that take into account his challenger level matches? He's played Ando and Shapo who are not known for their returns.

These players amaze me with their willingness to try to play when their serve is crippled. Its rather stupid. Djoko, Murray, Nadal, and Dimi leap to mind as recent examples of folly (Nadal end of 2016). Players will take the court with some injuries, but when your serve is crippled it makes little sense.

Agree on Dimi. He might be able to get going earlier and again is not defending much on clay where he was passable in his younger days.

I think there's some ego going on with some of these players, they expect they still have enough to win even while injured.

Dimi upset a lot of people in fantasy league with the Dubai loss

 

[Meles]

Does that take into account his challenger level matches? He's played Ando and Shapo who are not known for their returns.



I think there's some ego going on with some of these players, they expect they still have enough to win even while injured.

Dimi upset a lot of people in fantasy league with the Dubai loss

I'm sure the doctors say they can play, but Fed learned his lesson in 2016 and he's never really played when he shouldn't since then. Murray's fall just tragic playing with a dodgy elbow and then the hip. Would he still be playing right now if he'd been far more conservative and not played when compromised?

Let me check on the Nishi stats.... yep ultimate tennis does not use challenger. Just went on tennis abstract and his serve stats fell to 66.8% serve points won to 64.9% which makes some sense as Ninja was not quick out of the gates in his comeback. The Nishikori stats just based on five matches between New York and Acapulco where he lost to Shapo.

This is all reading the tea leaves at this stage of the year, but worth taking a look on the cusp of IW and Miami. I may do a more formal scraping after Miami as I really like to look at the hard court improvement or failure from the first part of the hard court season versus the previous year. Players down in the early going almost always are down on clay and vice versa. Of course since Nadal won't play Miami either we'll not have more data. If healthy he should be able to pull off at least a 2014 like year. Pretty sure this kind of gap before clay season is a first for him.

 

[AiRFederer]

And now he's out with an elbow injury.
Lesson #1 : Dont let your kids hit wonky forehands with upside-down grips if you want them to have a career in tennis.

Yes Im pretty sure Kyrgios is jealous of those division 1 players who'll never make it in the main tour.

 

[Chanwan]

Yeah 26-0 in matches and 52-3 in sets at IW since 2011, vs the field, excluding Djoker and Nadal

52-3 in sets

 

[Deleted member 77403]

52-3 in sets

Keep in mind that since 2011, when fully fit, he has only lost to Djokovic at IW, 2011, 2014 and 2015, and both times it went three sets.

The loss to Nadal in 2013 was after he injured his back the round before, and should have withdrawn from the tournament.

 

[Chanwan]

Keep in mind that since 2011, when fully fit, he has only lost to Djokovic at IW, 2011, 2014 and 2015, and both times it went three sets.

The loss to Nadal in 2013 was after he injured his back the round before, and should have withdrawn from the tournament.

And he beat Rafa in straights in 2012 and 2017. So - removing 2013 from the equation altogether, since 2011 he's 24-0 and 48-2 in sets vs. anyone not named Djokovic as far as I can tell. Damn! 2014 was a nailbiter iirc.

 

[Notirouswithag]

Roger aside I'm excited to see how DIego's season goes. He's been off to a great start so far in 2018

 

[Deleted member 77403]

And he beat Rafa in straights in 2012 and 2017. So - removing 2013 from the equation altogether, since 2011 he's 24-0 and 48-2 in sets vs. anyone not named Djokovic as far as I can tell. Damn! 2014 was a nailbiter iirc.

Exactly. A healthy Federer handles Nadal comfortably at IW, he straight set him twice there. It's like the WTF 2013 Nadal win, we know what really happens when Nadal goes up against an inform Federer at WTF. Djokovic is always been his biggest nemesis on HC...but that is what happens when two Gods of HC collide on conditions that suit them both.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Impossible to draw any conclusions based on that sample.

By now I suspect that Melly interprets statements like these to be personal challenges

 

[Chanwan]

Exactly. A healthy Federer handles Nadal comfortably at IW, he straight set him twice there. It's like the WTF 2013 Nadal win, we know what really happens when Nadal goes up against an inform Federer at WTF. Djokovic is always been his biggest nemesis on HC...but that is what happens when two Gods of HC collide on conditions that suit them both.

Wouldn't quite call it WTF-like for Fed vs. Rafa, but yeah - he's got the upperhand. I remember being surprised by the easy with which he won the 2012-encounter. And last year was just glorius.

 

[Sudacafan]

Stat outlook for top players:
Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good.
Goffin - crazy good bump on return in early 2018 (43% won) have him set to move even higher
Pouille - return game down in early 2018 despite some results. Clay will tell if he's peaked
Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline?
Nadal - impossible to tell other than the injuries will hurt his level on clay. Will he hit full form by RG. Fantastic return stats in early going bode well if Nadal has a streak of health
Cilic - epic failure on SA clay run in 2018. Peak career stats on clay last year and for the early going on hard, so Marin may continue to mow down the competition
Zverev - in a complete tailspin on serve (2nd), but the silver lining of the cloud is JCF had his return numbers up in early going of 2018 which is VERY, VERY GOOD FOR THE LONG RUN.
Dimitrov - after peak year in 2017, just absolutely crumbling in 2018 so far and well down from last year at this time
Thiem - bizarrely down 2nd serve won numbers since last Summer cloud which is otherwise and even stronger improvement than this time last year.
Anderson - peak year in 2017 to follow up top 10 in 2015. His return game shouldn't be good enough to win a slam, but late Sampras has won US Open with tournament stats that bad on return.
Berdych - sliding up the rankings again on the back of some good slam runs, but is he really back on hard courts? Stats are not bad with return game up nicely in 2018 and on par with 2015. Bendy's serve game is declining with his 2nd serve points won plummeting in early going for 2018 so plenty of signs of decline given the steady drop on 2nd serve points won for the last four years.
DJOKOVIC - he can easily get back into the top 3 players of the game if his arm is recovered. Stats just fine at Auz
SCHWARTZMAN - surprise! Diego rising up the rankings and will probably be a peak rankings year given his high position and not a huge amount of points to defend on his favorite clay. Hard stats down a little in 2018.
CHUNG - naturally stats are up with his Auz run and he's got plenty of upside given his age and just a given that his serve game will keep improving for years and years. Return game good enough to win slams, but not Djokoray great.
RUBLEV - his return game has been improving by leaps and bounds and this has continued in early going of 2018. 42% return points won so far this year have him tracking to a near Djokovic class return game. Rublev's. A really weak 2nd serve in particular will keep Rublev down this year off clay, but at 6' 2" its just a matter of a few years before the serve starts getting credible. At this point he'd love to have Murray's 2nd serve so lots of upside in that department.

Those are the top 10 contenders for 2018. Lots of other young players of course making moves. Khachanov has been a notable surprise with a serve game heading towards servebot class and a nice boost in return numbers due to aggressive 2nd returning. Khachanov for the first time showing stats that might get him into the top 10 in 2019 or 2020. Coric on clay expected to be a story and might due something at IW/Miami on slow outdoor hard courts. Shaps, FAA, and a lot more going on in NextGen.

And what about DelPo?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Wouldn't quite call it WTF-like for Fed vs. Rafa, but yeah - he's got the upperhand. I remember being surprised by the easy with which he won the 2012-encounter. And last year was just glorius.

I personally would. Federer has straight set Nadal comfortably twice there, when he was healthy, and Nadal also playing well. If they more meetings, I am sure Federer would have a couple of more wins. Remember, the 2012 win happened in windy conditions that are meant to suit Nadal, and he got straight setted, and this was a time when Nadal was still deep inside Federer's head.

Miami though is a different story and it is quite surprising that Federer won both their title matches there, despite that court being perfect for Nadal to play Federer on.

 

[Meles]

And what about DelPo?

I should edit this. Missed Delpo and Nishikori who much to my chagrin despicably pulled out of another event after being placed in the draw as a seed. Hopefully the clownikori's ranking drops enough so it doesn't have as much impact in the future.

 

[a10best]

The title is misleading. I just exited a thread about Stormy Daniels and seeing some of the players hot GFs.

 

[Zebrev]

Everyone's getting dominated by Federer lately. Only guy that could beat him was a GOATING Goffin in the last 3 or 4 months. Crazy.

 

[Meles]

And what about DelPo?

Despite back to back tournament wins and a final earlier this year Delpo not quite lighting it up with 52.9% of points won. He's returning a bit better this year. Right there with 2012 as one of his best stat years on hard courts so far.

Fed cruising along with 55.8% points won this year. Really on par with 2007 stats. Fed overall a touch better on serve, but first serve is actually weaker over the last few years than 2015/2016 period, but thanks to the new backhand backing up the serve Fed's best year ever on 2nd serve points won with 2007 the only real contender.

 

[Meles]

Stat outlook for top players:
Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good.
Goffin - crazy good bump on return in early 2018 (43% won) have him set to move even higher
Pouille - return game down in early 2018 despite some results. Clay will tell if he's peaked
Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline?
Nadal - impossible to tell other than the injuries will hurt his level on clay. Will he hit full form by RG. Fantastic return stats in early going bode well if Nadal has a streak of health
Cilic - epic failure on SA clay run in 2018. Peak career stats on clay last year and for the early going on hard, so Marin may continue to mow down the competition
Zverev - in a complete tailspin on serve (2nd), but the silver lining of the cloud is JCF had his return numbers up in early going of 2018 which is VERY, VERY GOOD FOR THE LONG RUN.
Dimitrov - after peak year in 2017, just absolutely crumbling in 2018 so far and well down from last year at this time
Thiem - bizarrely down 2nd serve won numbers since last Summer cloud which is otherwise and even stronger improvement than this time last year.
Anderson - peak year in 2017 to follow up top 10 in 2015. His return game shouldn't be good enough to win a slam, but late Sampras has won US Open with tournament stats that bad on return.
Berdych - sliding up the rankings again on the back of some good slam runs, but is he really back on hard courts? Stats are not bad with return game up nicely in 2018 and on par with 2015. Bendy's serve game is declining with his 2nd serve points won plummeting in early going for 2018 so plenty of signs of decline given the steady drop on 2nd serve points won for the last four years.
DJOKOVIC - he can easily get back into the top 3 players of the game if his arm is recovered. Stats just fine at Auz
SCHWARTZMAN - surprise! Diego rising up the rankings and will probably be a peak rankings year given his high position and not a huge amount of points to defend on his favorite clay. Hard stats down a little in 2018.
CHUNG - naturally stats are up with his Auz run and he's got plenty of upside given his age and just a given that his serve game will keep improving for years and years. Return game good enough to win slams, but not Djokoray great.
RUBLEV - his return game has been improving by leaps and bounds and this has continued in early going of 2018. 42% return points won so far this year have him tracking to a near Djokovic class return game. Rublev's. A really weak 2nd serve in particular will keep Rublev down this year off clay, but at 6' 2" its just a matter of a few years before the serve starts getting credible. At this point he'd love to have Murray's 2nd serve so lots of upside in that department.

Those are the top 10 contenders for 2018. Lots of other young players of course making moves. Khachanov has been a notable surprise with a serve game heading towards servebot class and a nice boost in return numbers due to aggressive 2nd returning. Khachanov for the first time showing stats that might get him into the top 10 in 2019 or 2020. Coric on clay expected to be a story and might due something at IW/Miami on slow outdoor hard courts. Shaps, FAA, and a lot more going on in NextGen.

Time to update after the sunshine swing and see who's on the upswing for clay(* for players in strong form):
*Del Potro - Delpo playing great, but needs rest and won't surface until Madrid. Still young enough to win on clay.
*Coric - excellent IW/Miami swing, but has stumbled on clay in Davis Cup so hard to say if he'll emerge as one of the top clay court players this year. The rubber hits the road in Monte Carlo with potential Djokovic, Thiem, Nadal path to SF. Coric would have to beat the three greatest clay court players of the last few years.
Kyrgios - may be declining on return already and with his age just not good, plus his arm just went out in Houston.
Goffin - crazy good bump on return in early 2018 (43% won) have him set to move even higher, but then this happened in Miami:
R64 Hard Joao Sousa David Goffin 6-0 6-1 H2H (looks like Goffin will take a while to recover his game like last Summer.)
*Pouille - return game down in early 2018 despite some results. Clay will tell if he's peaked and a good start anchoring France in Davis Cup on clay:
08.04.18 Lucas Pouille Fabio Fognini 2-6, 6-1, 7-63, 6-3 win match details Italy Davis Cup Clay
06.04.18 Rubber 1 Lucas Pouille Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1
Federer - 2nd serve and 2nd return stats boosted by new backhand and his career has been extended for years, but what will he do next to slow the inevitable decline? Just had first NextGen loss at Miami to Kokkinakis and wisely not playing clay this year.
*Nadal - impossible to tell other than the injuries will hurt his level on clay. Will he hit full form by RG. Fantastic return stats in early going bode well if Nadal has a streak of health. Nadal pretty solid at Davis Cup vs Germany.
Cilic - epic failure on SA clay run in 2018. Peak career stats on clay last year and for the early going on hard, so Marin may continue to mow down the competition. Lackluster sunshine swing, but got the job done on clay in Davis Cup and has great draw at Monte Carlo.
*Zverev - in a complete tailspin on serve (2nd), but the silver lining of the cloud is JCF had his return numbers up in early going of 2018 which is VERY, VERY GOOD FOR THE LONG RUN. Zverev on the upswing for sure at this point and reasonable draw at Monte Carlo.
Dimitrov - the tailspin continues
*Thiem - bizarrely down 2nd serve won numbers since last Summer cloud which is otherwise and even stronger improvement than this time last year and now we have recovery from fractured ankle.
Anderson - peak year in 2017 to follow up top 10 in 2015. His return game shouldn't be good enough to win a slam. Anderson failed to deliver on sunshine swing.
Berdych - dumped early by NextGen at IW/Miami so clay likely to be a challenge
DJOKOVIC - just awful and now lacking stamina seemingly
*SCHWARTZMAN - surprise! Diego rising up the rankings and will probably be a peak rankings year given his high position and not a huge amount of points to defend on his favorite clay. Hard stats down a little in 2018. Poor sunshine swing, so Diego needs to get back on track on clay.
*CHUNG - naturally stats are up with his Auz run and he's got plenty of upside given his age and just a given that his serve game will keep improving for years and years. Return game good enough to win slams, but not Djokoray great. Great IW/Miami swing.
RUBLEV - his return game has been improving by leaps and bounds and this has continued in early going of 2018. 42% return points won so far this year have him tracking to a near Djokovic class return game. Rublev's. A really weak 2nd serve in particular will keep Rublev down this year off clay, but at 6' 2" its just a matter of a few years before the serve starts getting credible. At this point he'd love to have Murray's 2nd serve so lots of upside in that department. Rublev poor on Sunshine swing and the rubber hits the road on clay where we'll soon see if his 2nd serve game works.

Fritz doing quite well in Houston with good chance to win event and a bit of an unknown on clay since he did not play it last year. Ditto Edmund in Marrekech, but Edmund took a set from Nadal last year and can hit through the surface. De Minaur is playing a lot of clay and will be interesting to watch his development given he grew up in Spain for many years. Krajinovic still playing well and swept to clay court Challengers to start his Fall run. Tsitsipas allegedly plays well on clay. Raonic has returned rather nicely so may be troublesome on clay. Nishikori has been very slow on his comeback. (Since we're talking about clay for the next few months, Jarry from Chile may well be the first serve bot clay court player.) Things look wide open on clay, but Nadal clearly on track for top results.

 

[Sport]

A 37-year old player is dominating the field, that's a hard fact.

Not on clay and hard courts though. Nadal won the last US Open. Not to mention Nadal is the #1. I would say both Federer and Nadal are dominating this era. If Federer were the only dominator he would be #1, and he would have been the player with more GS of 2017, which is not the case. Both Federer and Nadal won the same number of GS in 2017, and Nadal even finished as #1.

 

[mike danny]

Not on clay and hard courts though. Nadal won the last US Open. Not to mention the #1 is Nadal. I would say both Federer and Nadal are dominating this era. If Federer were the only dominator he would be #1, and he would have been the player with more GS of 2017, which is not the case. Both Federer and Nadal won the same number of GS in 2017, and Nadal even finished as #1.

Federer has dominated on HC and grass, which is an undeniable fact.

2 HC slams and 3 masters 1000 since last year. And 1 Wimb as well.

Nadal is no.1 thanks to Fed messing it up in the Sunshine Double.

Even last year Fed was the best on HC. 1 slam and 3 masters > 1 slam + 1 HC slam final.

 

[Meles]

Federer has dominated on HC and grass, which is an undeniable fact.

2 HC slams and 3 masters 1000 since last year. And 1 Wimb as well.

Nadal is no.1 thanks to Fed messing it up in the Sunshine Double.

Even last year Fed was the best on HC. 1 slam and 3 masters > 1 slam + 1 HC slam final.

Fraud exposed off of fast courts at this point.

 

[Sport]

Federer has dominated on HC and grass, which is an undeniable fact.

2 HC slams and 3 masters 1000 since last year. And 1 Wimb as well.

Nadal is no.1 thanks to Fed messing it up in the Sunshine Double.

Even last year Fed was the best on HC. 1 slam and 3 masters > 1 slam + 1 HC slam final.

Nadal is the #1 of this era:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/rankings/singles