2019 Citi Open (Washington DC) - ATP 500 Thread

[beltsman]

Kyrgios with some insane serving tonight. But his opponent also couldn't get a read on anything all night. Kyrgios likes these courts though.

Tsits has looked...okay. Not fantastic. I think he's pretty wound up mentally and Kyrgios is in a better place. Plus, Tsits really struggles on return. Kyrgios' serve will be a nightmare.

DC seems relatively non-humid for your average August, so I'm not sure how that will affect them. Sun will be going down by the time they play too.

I have Kyrgios winning.

 

[Meles]

Whoever thinks Medvedev is a serve bot is not worth listening to.

Crazy point lol.

Medbot is born.

 

[SeeingDusk]

Anyone think that medvedev will be one of the greats of his generation?

 

[Meles]

Kyrgios with some insane serving tonight. But his opponent also couldn't get a read on anything all night. Kyrgios likes these courts though.

Tsits has looked...okay. Not fantastic. I think he's pretty wound up mentally and Kyrgios is in a better place. Plus, Tsits really struggles on return. Kyrgios' serve will be a nightmare.

DC seems relatively non-humid for your average August, so I'm not sure how that will affect them. Sun will be going down by the time they play too.

I have Kyrgios winning.

It is dry! Match should go from 84 to 80 degrees by the end. A bit warmer for Kyrgios at 7 p.m. so should help him with aces. I don't see how Tsitsipas will break Kyrgios so that really hurts his chances. I've never seen Nick so on with his body language, etc. as he is here. He seems to think its important he beat down his younger NextGen contemporaries.

We also don't need another Medvedev vs Tsits rematch right now.

 

[Meles]

Anyone think that medvedev will be one of the greats of his generation?

He's an awesome troll and really enjoys beating home town favorites, etc. I think he'll be a bit better than a player like Korda. If Medbot becomes a reality at US Open series then he'll be hard to stop. Statistically a hot serving Medvedev is a better player than Roddick. Today was first sign in a long time of Medvedev getting hot on serve.

 

[Meles]

When Nick jumps up for a backhand drive, you should be immediately moving forward for the drop shot instead.

Tricky hit a new high for me in this match when he did the back to back drop shot fakes on Gombos. Gombos survived the first, but laughing as he got burned by the 2nd. I've never seen it and St. Nick did a new little peppy shuffle at the net in celebration.

 

[beltsman]

It is dry! Match should go from 84 to 80 degrees by the end. A bit warmer for Kyrgios at 7 p.m. so should help him with aces. I don't see how Tsitsipas will break Kyrgios so that really hurts his chances. I've never seen Nick so on with his body language, etc. as he is here. He seems to think its important he beat down his younger NextGen contemporaries.

We also don't need another Medvedev vs Tsits rematch right now.

Kyrgios is super-focused here and the cooler/drier weather helps him. I really struggle to see Tsitisipas having a chance. He might push it to a TB in a set.

 

[beltsman]

Tricky hit a new high for me in this match when he did the back to back drop shot fakes on Gombos. Gombos survived the first, but laughing as he got burned by the 2nd. I've never seen it and St. Nick did a new little peppy shuffle at the net in celebration.

That was hilarious, but to be fair this Gombos guy couldn't read any of Nick's shots all night lol. He was clueless.

 

[SeeingDusk]

He's an awesome troll and really enjoys beating home town favorites, etc. I think he'll be a bit better than a player like Korda. If Medbot becomes a reality at US Open series then he'll be hard to stop. Statistically a hot serving Medvedev is a better player than Roddick. Today was first sign in a long time of Medvedev getting hot on serve.

I would like to see that matchup; peak Roddick vs medvedev. I think medvedev will win a few slams when the big 3 retires. I think if medvedev can play like how he played this week, he can make it to at least the qf at the uso.

 

[Meles]

That was hilarious, but to be fair this Gombos guy couldn't read any of Nick's shots all night lol. He was clueless.

The celebratory single fake drop version. I like the walk in behind the 2nd with racket pointed right after he hits and what people can't see well in this gif is that Gombos is laughing his ass off once the walk starts and he knows he's burned. I wonder what players say to him in locker room after this cheekiness? This Stefanos match is going to be priceless for the antics. Will be interesting to see how Tsits takes it.

 

[beltsman]

The celebratory single fake drop version. I like the walk in behind the 2nd with racket pointed right after he hits and what people can't see well in this gif is that Gombos is laughing his ass off once the walk starts and he knows he's burned. I wonder what players say to him in locker room after this cheekiness? This Stefanos match is going to be priceless for the antics. Will be interesting to see how Tsits takes it.

I think Nick will actually be pretty professional. This one means a lot to him.

 

[Meles]

I would like to see that matchup; peak Roddick vs medvedev. I think medvedev will win a few slams when the big 3 retires. I think if medvedev can play like how he played this week, he can make it to at least the qf at the uso.

The odd bounce hurt him on the grass this year and left Medbot almost unable to hit winners. On these hard courts he can counter punch a decent number of winners. His performance today and calm was really masterful in the 2nd. Its like the guy is sitting back playing chess or some strategy laden video game knowing his demented pushery will prevail in the end. Still can't get over how much Cilic lit Medvedev up in the 2nd and still went down; wouldn't have happened without Medbot mode surfacing for all those aces.

Medbot's toss is erratic. He needs indoor conditions or dead calm to serve this well. Ace rate for match was 27%. 2nd set was 31.4% ace rate. Roddick has had a least a couple dozen matches at over 27%, but of course many of these indoor. Medbot was 94% points won on first serve and 84% on 2nd serve in the 2nd set. (84/74 for the match). I don't think Roddick ever did something like today against a player in strong form on a favorite surface. Roddick also had a great 2nd serve. Today was pretty hot stuff by the Medbot.

 

[Meles]

I think Nick will actually be pretty professional. This one means a lot to him.

He got real serious with Nishioki in the 2nd set and things weren't clicking 100%. If he's doing well he's going to showboat big time with Stefanos, I can feel it coming.

The infamous Zverev encounter which spawned this:

 

[Meles]

I would like to see that matchup; peak Roddick vs medvedev. I think medvedev will win a few slams when the big 3 retires. I think if medvedev can play like how he played this week, he can make it to at least the qf at the uso.

Errah we may have something like it in the final:
Kyrgios Ace rate against Gombos higherer than anything Roddick did in his career at 42.2% on hard courts (3rd best of Nick's career). 85.3%/72.7% right there with Medvedev of course this was not against Cilic.

 

[March31]

Tsits vs. Kyrgios, at last! With a possible Medvedev matchup. Kyrgios must handle another shoegate, should that happen, better than Paire did, lol. So far, Tsits' game seemed to be good enough to give him wins without any tricks, so...

 

[toby55555]

Tsits vs. Kyrgios, midnight UK but worth staying up for hopefully.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Tsits vs. Kyrgios, at last! With a possible Medvedev matchup. Kyrgios must handle another shoegate, should that happen, better than Paire did, lol. So far, Tsits' game seemed to be good enough to give him wins without any tricks, so...

Depends on his mood

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

As long as Kyrgios doesn't win I will be happy. Since I predicted Tsitsipas to win the tournament I suppose I need to root for him? (; Honestly Medvedev or Peter G would be preferable!

 

[SeeingDusk]

The odd bounce hurt him on the grass this year and left Medbot almost unable to hit winners. On these hard courts he can counter punch a decent number of winners. His performance today and calm was really masterful in the 2nd. Its like the guy is sitting back playing chess or some strategy laden video game knowing his demented pushery will prevail in the end. Still can't get over how much Cilic lit Medvedev up in the 2nd and still went down; wouldn't have happened without Medbot mode surfacing for all those aces.

Medbot's toss is erratic. He needs indoor conditions or dead calm to serve this well. Ace rate for match was 27%. 2nd set was 31.4% ace rate. Roddick has had a least a couple dozen matches at over 27%, but of course many of these indoor. Medbot was 94% points won on first serve and 84% on 2nd serve in the 2nd set. (84/74 for the match). I don't think Roddick ever did something like today against a player in strong form on a favorite surface. Roddick also had a great 2nd serve. Today was pretty hot stuff by the Medbot.

What dominance from medvedev. Those numbers are insane. Who do you think is the better server? Roddick will always be one of the greatest servers.

 

[mightyrick]

Anyone think that medvedev will be one of the greats of his generation?

Absent the Big 3 and as long as he stays healthy, I think he will be the next ATG.

He's like a Berdych with better strokes, better serve, and better consistency. Without the Big 3, Berdych would have won multiple slams.

I think staying healthy and maintaining fitness is his biggest challenge. The rest of the stuff he already has.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Stressed with the awful thought that Kyrgios could win ): Rooting so hard for Tsitsipas, and then it's a real toss-up for me as I like Medvedev and Gojowczyk (sp?)... hoping Tsitsipas can handle Kyrgios and get that match out of the way quickly!

 

[SeeingDusk]

Absent the Big 3 and as long as he stays healthy, I think he will be the next ATG.

He's like a Berdych with better strokes, better serve, and better consistency. Without the Big 3, Berdych would have won multiple slams.

I think staying healthy and maintaining fitness is his biggest challenge. The rest of the stuff he already has.

I agree. But I’d say berdych has the bigger forehand. I think medvedev will thrive on hardcourts and thiem will thrive on clay. Grass, I’m not too sure.

 

[mightyrick]

I agree. But I’d say berdych has the bigger forehand. I think medvedev will thrive on hardcourts and thiem will thrive on clay. Grass, I’m not too sure.

Agree, Berdych had a more powerful forehand. However, I think Medvedev's forehand is more consistent... so it probably balances out. I also agree that Thiem should thrive on clay once the Big-3 go out.

As for Wimbledon, I think Medvedev can do very well there, also. But I think he needs to get used to grass. Not a bad showing from this year going to the semis at Queens and losing a tough match to Simon. And going five sets against Goffin at Wimbledon. But I think most of the next-gen has issues at Wimbledon. Once the Big-3 go away... any grass tournament is up for grabs. But Medvedev's flat strokes and high consistency give him a really good chance.

 

[The Green Mile]

Medvedev vs Gojo right now, Daniil has broken in the opening game.

 

[The Green Mile]

Gojo has only had 26 matches in his ATP career that he's been over 60% 1st serves in, damn... Over the last 52 weeks, his average on HC has been 52%.

 

[PeteD]

Where has Gojo been up til now? Never heard of the guy and he plays like he could make the final.

 

[The Green Mile]

Where has Gojo been up til now? Never heard of the guy and he plays like he could make the final.

He won a title late 2017, he beat Simon along the way playing some crazy good tennis. He's just pretty wildly inconsistent, starting from the 1st serve (His average is around a pathetic 53% or so). The guy has no subtlety to his game at all, bash the forehand and pray majority of them go in. It's incredible to watch when he's firing though...

Already at 5 forehand UES and is facing 2 more BPs. Wild game, and Medvedev breaks, 3-2.

 

[PeteD]

He won a title late 2017, he beat Simon along the way playing some crazy good tennis. He's just pretty wildly inconsistent, starting from the 1st serve. The guy has no subtlety to his game at all, bash the forehand and pray majority of them go in. It's incredible to watch when he's firing though...

Already at 5 forehand UES and is facing 2 more BPs. Wild game, and Medvedev breaks, 3-2.

Yes and Medevac's dialing in better now.

 

[The Green Mile]

Medvedev takes the biggest strides I've ever seen on a court.

 

[The Green Mile]

Medvedev breaks for 5-2. UE count: Gojo - 13, Daniil - 2

 

[The Green Mile]

Pretty anticlimactic match after the other SF. Medvedev rolling right now, breaks for 3-2 in the 2nd.

 

[The Green Mile]

Gojo with no answers to Daniil's consistent game style. Struggling to hit through his opponent and the errors are spewing out. Already has quite a low percentage game lol

6/2 5/2...

 

[The Green Mile]

Destroyed.... That was too easy. 56 minutes. 15-7 to 7-23, oops... Winners to UEs.

Daniil at 63% 1st serves in, Gojo at a measly 39%, winning only 56% of them.

 

[LETitBE]

A final between two mental patients incoming,should be fantastic!

 

[Meles]

What dominance from medvedev. Those numbers are insane. Who do you think is the better server? Roddick will always be one of the greatest servers.

Roddick is a better server especially considering his height.

 

[Mainad]

Congrats to Kyrgios on winning his 6th ATP title, 3rd at 500 level and 2nd this year (after Acapulco).

It was so close between him and Medvedev that it took 2 tie-breaks to separate them and only 1 point between them at the end.

 

[Meles]

I think Nick will actually be pretty professional. This one means a lot to him.

Nailed it. I said in the thread that Medvedev would thrive off of being the spoiler if Nick endeared himself to the crowd and Nick played like he'd just had a lobotomy.

This tournament has given me goosebumps this year. Its been on the rise the last few years with some nice draws after years of bad ones. Arguably is been a better hard court event than Rogers or Cinci due to the absence of clay court specialist (Nadal excepted of course.) Now we roll to next week and pick up Thiemerev and Nadal plus Nishikori & Shapo who both withdrew from the Citi Open. But we also get a mucked up draw with the likes of Fognini, Basilashvili, Berrettini, Pella, Djere, Lajovic, Garin, Cecchinato (all great players on clay)

RBA, Coric, Monfils, Wawrinka, Fritz & Schwartzman from Los Cabos hard court Final join the field, but I'm not sure its better without Opelka, Nishioka, Rublev, or Kecmanovic missing and eight top players coming in from July clay. The four missing players have all had great form recently whereas I'm not so sure about Coric, Monfils, or Wawrinka dazzling just yet.

 

[Meles]

Destroyed.... That was too easy. 56 minutes. 15-7 to 7-23, oops... Winners to UEs.

Daniil at 63% 1st serves in, Gojo at a measly 39%, winning only 56% of them.

I was amazed how well Daniil handled Gojo's winner attempts. It's a shame he couldn't have taken Kyrgios to a 3rd set.

 

[Meles]

Absent the Big 3 and as long as he stays healthy, I think he will be the next ATG.

He's like a Berdych with better strokes, better serve, and better consistency. Without the Big 3, Berdych would have won multiple slams.

I think staying healthy and maintaining fitness is his biggest challenge. The rest of the stuff he already has.

The comparisons with the likes of Berdy, Cilic, Soderling, and soon maybe even Delpo are apt because they are all quite tall. Berdych's under perform on serve for his height has been his downfall and he's head of a large class of Big 4 pigeons who generally flounder on serve when under pressure.

I'm going to tag you in another thread on this subject where there has been some discussion in this vein.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/big-russians-vs-big-marin-diamond-age-report.629473/

 

[BeatlesFan]

DC seems relatively non-humid for your average August, so I'm not sure how that will affect them. Sun will be going down by the time they play too.

I have Kyrgios winning.

@beltsman

Good call!

 

[SeeingDusk]

Really nice win for nick today. Really liked his maturity level. Quite professional today. No antics, and played really well all week. Congrats Nick.

 

[beltsman]

Nailed it. I said in the thread that Medvedev would thrive off of being the spoiler if Nick endeared himself to the crowd and Nick played like he'd just had a lobotomy.

This tournament has given me goosebumps this year. Its been on the rise the last few years with some nice draws after years of bad ones. Arguably is been a better hard court event than Rogers or Cinci due to the absence of clay court specialist (Nadal excepted of course.) Now we roll to next week and pick up Thiemerev and Nadal plus Nishikori & Shapo who both withdrew from the Citi Open. But we also get a mucked up draw with the likes of Fognini, Basilashvili, Berrettini, Pella, Djere, Lajovic, Garin, Cecchinato (all great players on clay)

RBA, Coric, Monfils, Wawrinka, Fritz & Schwartzman from Los Cabos hard court Final join the field, but I'm not sure its better without Opelka, Nishioka, Rublev, or Kecmanovic missing and eight top players coming in from July clay. The four missing players have all had great form recently whereas I'm not so sure about Coric, Monfils, or Wawrinka dazzling just yet.

Washington seems like one of the top 500s for sure.

 

[I Am Finnish]

If Kyrgios cares he can win this

 

[Meles]

Washington seems like one of the top 500s for sure.

Agassi used to play here regularly through 2006 , but since "the headliner" has been Roddick for a while and then Delpo when healthy (would have played this year) plus Murray sprinkled in a few years. Roddick v Delpo in 2009 exceeded this years final, but 2019 more depth. Agassi v Kafelnikov in 1999 was another big one, but I'm not so sure that when its all said and done that Medvedev won't exceed his fellow Russian. Quite a few good finals in the early to mid-1990s with Korda, Chang, and Edberg making multiple finals joining Agassi.

The new tournament director is quite good with the players and despite the demise of American tennis with Delpo, Kyrgios, Anderson, and Canadians nearby it could have some great years to come. Though one is getting too tall for his britches.

 

[Harry_Wild]