The Ascent To The Throne Begins For Felix Auger Aliassime
- Thread starter stringertom
- Start date
EloQuent
Legend
tbh if I were Denis I'd just hibernate until Grass
raph6
Semi-Pro
He has 360 points to defend in Madrid and clay is the perfect surface to learn to play percentage tennis for him. I think he should train more on this surface instead.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Maybe I'm wrong but since he reached the semis in Miami he only has to reach the R16 in Madrid to stay where he is.
Well, to stay where he was before Miami. If he doesn’t defend his clay points he’ll probably drop out of the top 20, but stay in the top 30.
I’m not too worried about points to be honest. Miami gave him enough cushion to stay seeded at small events and get into all the big events. He just needs to keep working on his game, gaining consistency.
Bte, I totally disagree that Denis should write off clay. Denis can be perfectly fine on clay. He’s got a masters semi on the surface already, and last year his clay record was better than his grass record. And of course clay rewards consistency, which Denis needs on all surfaces.
I’m not too worried about points to be honest. Miami gave him enough cushion to stay seeded at small events and get into all the big events. He just needs to keep working on his game, gaining consistency.
Bte, I totally disagree that Denis should write off clay. Denis can be perfectly fine on clay. He’s got a masters semi on the surface already, and last year his clay record was better than his grass record. And of course clay rewards consistency, which Denis needs on all surfaces.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Max, I agree with you. He can absolutely play on clay. But, as with other surfaces, not all clay is the same. Due to the type of clay and the altitude, Madrid plays more to his liking. And I also agree about your point on consistency.
By my calculations (which are admittedly very rudimentary), if he makes at least R16 in Madrid and a round or two in Barcelona he'll stay where he is.
By my calculations (which are admittedly very rudimentary), if he makes at least R16 in Madrid and a round or two in Barcelona he'll stay where he is.
InvisibleSoul
Hall of Fame
Despite his loss today, his first round win will bump him up to #30 next week. He'll officially be a top 30 player!
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Most probably but Dimitrov, Lajovic, Norrie, Herbert and Fritz could pass him with various lengths of wins there at M-C. Only Norrie is favored tomorrow (vs qualifier Sonego) but if he wins and Lajovic upsets Thiem, they will face each other and one will gain 360 SF points or more and that will bump either past Félix.
Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
Barcelona
seeded, bye
to learn from: Kohli, Nishi
seeded, bye
to learn from: Kohli, Nishi
InvisibleSoul
Hall of Fame
Okay, with Lajovic's unpredicted run, FAA won't quite be top 30 come Monday... will be at 31.
OutOfBounds
Rookie
Quoting again because I think you'll like this piece on the ATP website: Felix's Dad Is Sending Him Back To School
Maybe he could follow in Rajeev Ram's footsteps: Rajeev Ram Graduates from Indiana University East.
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Five singles matches have been scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, on the Pista Rafa Nadal at the Real Club de Barcelona. In the first match Felix, the no. 16 seed, will take on the veteran Moroccan Malek Jaziri. This match is due to start at 11am local time (5am EST) and will mark the first time that Felix has ever been seeded in the main draw of a singles event at ATP level.
Much later on Wednesday, weather permitting, Shapo will take to the same court for the last match of the day, against the Chilean Christian Garin. Although Shapo is the no. 9 seed, Garin will start the favourite as clay is his best surface and he recently won his first singles title at ATP level at the U.S. Clay Court Championships.
Much later on Wednesday, weather permitting, Shapo will take to the same court for the last match of the day, against the Chilean Christian Garin. Although Shapo is the no. 9 seed, Garin will start the favourite as clay is his best surface and he recently won his first singles title at ATP level at the U.S. Clay Court Championships.
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prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
They've only met once and Denis won. But it was on HC.
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
An unconvincing 6-3, 7-6(7) win for Felix over Malek Jaziri earlier today in Barcelona. The second set tiebreak could have gone either way and a slightly better player than Jaziri would probably have won it, especially after leading by 6 points to 4 and then 7 points to 6. An inconsistent Felix hit a total of 20 winners but also 24 unforced errors. Fortunately he served very well and was facing a lower-ranked opponent not known for causing upsets early on in tournaments. Tomorrow the young Canadian will face the much more experienced no. 4 seed, Kei Nishikori, for a place in the quarter-finals.
I didn't see the match, but even assuming your description of "unconvincing" is completely accurate, any ATP main draw win by an 18 year-old is a good accomplishment in my books. Of course, since FAA's ranking has climbed it's natural for us to have higher expectations of him, but the ability to pull through matches on the not-so-good days like this is really what separates the men from the boys on the tour. It's one thing to look at peak level, but everyone has off days and the ability to consistently move deep draws despite those days is a hallmark of the best players. FFA's recent development in this regard seems more hopeful than not.
InvisibleSoul
Hall of Fame
Up to #29 in the live rankings.
Master_Funk
Rookie
He definetly has a chance in the nisihikori match if he consistently dictates play and if kei has a not so great day like he has been having recently.If he does win this, I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t get to the final with all the upsets that have happened recently.
Forehand_Slice
Semi-Pro
Huge chance for Felix against Nishikori who's playing a unconvincing level of tennis.
Rare opportunity to get a a top 10 win.
Rare opportunity to get a a top 10 win.
vernonbc
Legend
I DID see the match and "unconvincing" is definitely not the right adjective. I thought Felix played very well in the first set and won it convincingly. Second set, Jaziri woke up and Felix dropped a level and they both played some great tennis points. Every hour Felix spends on court and every different opponent he has to go up against just adds to his experience and confidence. Gilles Muller who was commentating on my feed was just raving over Felix, couldn't say enough good things about him and his game basics. He fully expects him to be No 1 some day.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Can you elaborate and tell us more of what Gilles said about Felix's game? It's interesting to hear pros tout Felix as a possible future #1 player.
vernonbc
Legend
It is interesting and Muller did a great job commentating. He really didn't have anything bad to say about him or his game and any deficiencies now he thinks will be cleaned up with age and experience. He LOVED his athleticism and his movement and footwork, how he got to the balls so fast and was so balanced when he got there and thus able to hit terrific return shots. He loved how heavy his forehand especially was and how strong Felix was for 18. He was very impressed with how Felix thought the game and how he anticipated the next shot. As I said, he couldn't say enough good things about him.
Now granted, most of the praise was in the first set when Felix played so well, but even in the second when FAA was making more errors, Gilles identified the technical things he was doing wrong and how he'd be able to fix them but he was still very positive about Felix having amazing skills and his ability to improve things like his volleys.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
The critic lost me when he said Jaziri is a “lower ranked player not known for upsets in early rounds.” True that Jaziri’s trajectory in 2019 is the opposite of Félix so they have switched ranking positions but Jaziri has quite a few top 10 scalps. Just going through 2018 results will show scalps included Cilic and Zverev in 2R play, Dimitrov in 1R (at Dubai when Grigor was still very solid).
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Thank you so much. I've heard Muller commentating one time and I really liked him and his insights. It's fabulous that he sees a bright future for Felix and explained from a pro's perspective what's so impressive about him.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
I was able to see only the last half of the first set and Felix was making many UE's and not moving that well. I hope it isn't his hip, since he and Denis had to ditch doubles because of it.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
He's only 18 and he's definitely the real deal, he was just outplayed by an experienced player with a lot more experience. Kei was moving and hitting well today.
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
The experienced player had a lot more experience? Now you're going too far!
Master_Funk
Rookie
Kei played very well in the match and gave felix a great lesson about the level required to beat the best guys. I’m sure he will have learned a ton from the match.
coolboarder
Rookie
Better to have this lesson now than the future because Kei is a lot better opponent than Felix has ever faced in the past with quality play and is a different level by a mile. This is the first type of match that Felix has ever played and is not used to it and was a shock to his system. With more match experience, imagine what he can do when he's older, he can dominate the tour once he get this shock out of the way knowing the level is required to beat the type of quality opponent. If he can continue to hold on his own with the way he played in 2nd set. I know that the serve is his weakness at the moment with the toss inconsistency. With the way he is playing in 2nd set makes me wonder if Felix can take his next step and make it more consistent and stay at that high level?
InvisibleSoul
Hall of Fame
What are the odds? Has to play good pal Shapovalov in the first round again, where the winner gets the privilege of playing one Rafa Nadal.
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Felix has lost his first singles match in a main draw at ATP level only once since February of this year, in Buenos Aires, when he was beaten in three sets by Christian Garin. In that sense at least, Felix will start the favourite in his match against Shapo in Madrid. Said match is due to start around 7pm local time (1pm EST) tomorrow, Sunday.
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gogo
Legend
According to my tennis app, Felix is the favourite over Shapo 1.66 v 2.10.
I think we'll see these two fight it out many times in the years to come.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
That is a very sad development for Shapovalov. Goodness knows I've defended him and stood up for him because I believe the talent is there. But, something is missing. I don't know what it is. At this stage in his career, if his 18 year old compatriot is better than him, or perceived of as better, he is not on the right track. I don't know if it's the coaching or something else. There is no question as to his talent, but as the announcer on Tennis TV has said many times (don't know his name), Denis doesn't adapt in matches very well. He keeps trying the same thing over and over. If this is another first round loss for him, it is going to be a fight to get back into the top 20 for sure.
I'll just add this - betting predictions said he'd lose over Evans, Tsitsipas and Cilic, and he beat them all. So, it's 50 50.
I'll just add this - betting predictions said he'd lose over Evans, Tsitsipas and Cilic, and he beat them all. So, it's 50 50.
estigma2001
Hall of Fame
Vamos Felix!!!!
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Allez Auger Aliassime!
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
He's toast.
Soul_Evisceration
Hall of Fame
With all due respect, your negativity is not exactly welcomed by many of us on TTW.
It's one thing to stay objective with your favorites but your constantly whining and bashing is not pleasant to see and you should take it easy on the young Canadian Players.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Sorry if you find me negative. I say it like it is, and many others have said the same thing. I meant it as a joke in that playing Rafa on clay is almost a hopeless endeavor. Few can defeat him. Does that sound better?
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
I second that. Too judgemental and negative for someone who is a fan of his. Pretty exciting times for Canadian tennis and it will be interesting to see how it works out. Shapo will surprise everyone with something big when we all least expect it.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Too judgmental and negative? Ok well I hear you but how is it ok for people to insult other players which I see hear all the time? Hmm - double standards here. And "many of us"? Have you taken a poll? I don't whine, nor do I bash. I speak my mind. But, I'll temper that in the future as some just don't want to hear the truth, but only a nice version of what is should be. I agree that it's exciting time for us. And yes, Shapo probably will, but then he already has.
EloQuent
Legend
The other poster was a big harsh but imo something like "he's toast" isn't the best comment for a fan thread. It implies more than just "he's not going to win". Not trying to criticize, just to explain why ppl took offense. (btw this is why I stopped posting in the Shapo thread)
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
Allez Félix, dénadalize le tableau, s'il te plaît... do it for us !!!
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
The toast remark was a joke. But, you took offence. I'm sorry you did. But, I'm in no way responsible for where you post or do not post.
stringertom
Bionic Poster
Little did OP know when his eyes saw a 16-year-old Shapo banging tooth and nail with seasoned veteran Evans that he would be starting such a controversial thread.
I just like finding the new talent and highlighting their development. It shouldn’t devolve into flame wars. Let’s just watch what they do and cheer them on through the good and bad days.
Tuesday will be a big day for Felix. Allez!
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OutOfBounds
Rookie
I must say that the ignore list works really well on this forum, in fact it is the best I have ever seen. It even hides the text when its author is quoted. Just a suggestion...
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