2021 AO R4 - [20] Felix Auger Aliassime vs [Q] Aslan Karatsev

[The Green Mile]

Now this could be a very interesting match. Karatsev has been on a rampage so far, sweeping by his opponents in straight sets, some monster hitting from the Russian.

FAA also equals his best run at a major so far, looking for his maiden QF here.

No meeting on the main tour, met twice at challenger level (1-1), it's a very enticing match up. Big opportunity here for both.

 

[aldeayeah]

Go Karatsev! Nothing againt FAA, but I want to see how far the Aslan express can go, so far he's been unstoppable.

I mean, he's a qualifier and this is his first major, for god's sake! Love me an underdog story

 

[James P]

Yeah, there's a great story coming out of this tournament no matter the winner. I don't have a deep investment in either, so I'll just enjoy the match for what it is.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

I want FAA v Djokovic semi so GO FAA!

 

[yokied]

FAA to pick up between 3 and 5 games.

We’ve been worshipping false saviours, prophets and gods here for some time now, but we might be seeing the arrival of the game’s next true saviour.

If Karatsev rows straight through possuming Djokodal and at least one Russian - and any other pretenders - without dropping a set it would be a truly biblical win for the ages. One can dream.

 

[aldeayeah]

First male match of the day in MC arena, may start around 4 hours from now, after Hsieh - Vondroušová are done.

 

[travlerajm]

FAA to pick up between 3 and 5 games.

We’ve been worshipping false saviours, prophets and gods here for some time now, but we might be seeing the arrival of the game’s next true saviour.

If Karatsev rows straight through possuming Djokodal and at least one Russian - and any other pretenders - without dropping a set it would be a truly biblical win for the ages. One can dream.

Karatsev seems to have the ‘it’ factor in his game that the next gen all lack.

 

[Nuclear Warhead Sinner]

FAA to pick up between 3 and 5 games.

We’ve been worshipping false saviours, prophets and gods here for some time now, but we might be seeing the arrival of the game’s next true saviour.

If Karatsev rows straight through possuming Djokodal and at least one Russian - and any other pretenders - without dropping a set it would be a truly biblical win for the ages. One can dream.

GOAT comment

 

[Toronto11]

If Felix is serving well it will be over in 3 sets

 

[The Green Mile]

It is almost time, Hsieh just won her match, they should be coming onto court pretty soon.

 

[James P]

On the court warming up

 

[Toronto11]

How the majority of people in here think Felix is going to lose in three is an absolute head scratcher?!

 

[The Green Mile]

Two double faults already from Aslan, only the single one in his previous match, two in his 2nd round.

 

[The Green Mile]

This commentator is calling him Karatsimov lol.... Think he's got Karatsev and Gerasimov (his 2nd round opponent) names muddled together.

Pretty sloppy service game from Aslan to get things underway on his side, FAA with an early break. 2-0.

 

[LETitBE]

Karat just getting his eye in

 

[aldeayeah]

Aslan breaks back, we have a match...

 

[James P]

Might be in for a match. Got out the early match jitters.

 

[The Green Mile]

Goddamn, his calves are monstrous.

 

[Yoneyama]

Karatsevs calves are freaking ginormous. Bigger than Raonic's.

 

[DRII]

FAA to pick up between 3 and 5 games.

We’ve been worshipping false saviours, prophets and gods here for some time now, but we might be seeing the arrival of the game’s next true saviour.

If Karatsev rows straight through possuming Djokodal and at least one Russian - and any other pretenders - without dropping a set it would be a truly biblical win for the ages. One can dream.

Oh Please...

 

[Tennease]

Karatsev looks like a completely different player compared to his previous round match!!! Errors after errors...

 

[The Green Mile]

10 UEs from Aslan already, yikes....

 

[Jack the Hack]

Karatsev seems to have the ‘it’ factor in his game that the next gen all lack.

Sure. That's why he's 27 years old, has yet to win a tour level event, and has a career high ranking of 111. The guy has been on tour for 8 years and this is the first Slam he's even qualified for.

Must be that slow developing kind of "it" factor...

Edit: I was wrong. His official career high wasn't #85 yet. It's #111. 8 years on the tour without breaking top 100. But they just said on TV that he'll rise to #85, even after he loses tonight.

 

[The Green Mile]

Strong service game from FAA, holds comfortably for 4-1. He generally has a very good first serve percentage, serving well early on. 4-1.

 

[James P]

Aslan, the Lion, roars!

 

[James P]

Clutch hold by Felix from an 0-40 hole. 5 straight points.

 

[The Green Mile]

FAA holds from 0-40 down, 5-2, 1st set.

 

[Nuclear Warhead Sinner]

Sure. That's why he's 27 years old, has yet to win a tour level event, and has a career high ranking of 85. The guy has been on tour for 8 years and this is the first Slam he's even qualified for.

Must be that slow developing kind of "it" factor...

You're ignorant and loud.

 

[James P]

10 straight sets for FAA. Maybe he's finally having his coming out party.

 

[The Guru]

Of course ESPN would rather talk about ESPN rather than show this match. ESPN is the worst. I boycott it whenever possible.

 

[The Green Mile]

Well, that was a rather uneventful set. FAA serving well and Aslan spraying far too many balls.

 

[Jack the Hack]

You're ignorant and loud.

Funny because I am very much neither one of those things.

From your user name, we would appear to be fellow Sinner fans. If you want to talk about Next Gen players that have the "it" factor, Sinner is one of them. Karatsev is neither Next Gen, nor someone that has shown anything successful on the main tour until this tournament.

(Plus, my reply wasn't even in response to any of your comments, friend.)

 

[The Green Mile]

FAA with three aces in that service game, another strong hold. 1-1, 2nd set.

 

[Tennease]

Aslan looks burned out or something. Understandable, he's a qualifier after all and been playing a lot of matches.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Karartsev getting merked right now.

 

[onyxrose81]

I feel so bad that I don’t like FAA more. He just doesn’t do it for me which is a shame since he’s one of the least annoying Next Gen.

 

[The Green Mile]

Well, Karatsev is playing like absolute garbage right now, unfortunate. I wanted a good match here...

 

[James P]

He's played the exact amount of matches as everyone else to this point. He won 3 matches in straight sets, too, so court time isn't likely a problem. It's just the pressure is probably ramped up to 11 now.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Karetsev is no pusher. Steady as she goes Felix!

 

[Nuclear Warhead Sinner]

Funny because I am very much neither one of those things.

From your user name, we would appear to be fellow Sinner fans. If you want to talk about Next Gen players that have the "it" factor, Sinner is one of them. Karatsev is neither Next Gen, nor someone that has shown anything successful on the main tour until this tournament.

(Plus, my reply wasn't even in response to any of your comments, friend.)

Before talkin crap about him, because I too was tempted to do it, I did some research and read a bit about his story. It made me gain a lot of respect for him.
As for Sinner, we both know he's the real deal, that's a no brainer and those who doubt it have little vision.

 

[James P]

Bit of a comical rally there, with Karatsev thinking a ball was going long.

 

[The Green Mile]

This guy is giving me Basilashvili vibes, incredible world beater who hits the crap out the ball when on, but an erratic headcase when off his game.

And right now, he's very off his game. Relentless pressure from FAA on defense though.

 

[Sparlingo]

Kind of a dull match, don't know if it would be way better with a crowd or not. Felix is a fine young man by the way.

 

[James P]

FAA looking good though. First QF inbound?

 

[Mark-Touch]

Between his fine serving and precision ground strokes Felix does not give much wiggle room!

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Felix looking good. Will win my heart.

Happy Valentine day.

 

[James P]

32 games against in 11 sets so far this tournament for Felix. That's pretty dominant.

 

[Hamnavoe]

Felix very solid, but helped by error-prone Karatsev. Bit of a disappointing contest so far, hopefully Aslan finds his range and we get a match.

 

[yokied]

Well we’re two sets in and Aslan is just gifting it to FAA. Making more errors than FAA is saying something. And making them so quickly in rallies that you’re not even giving FAA a chance to make his errors is just dumb.

It doesn’t look like Aslan has any B-game at all. He’s just gone off a cliff and keeps pulling the trigger on full power winner attempts to the corners before his 4th shot of the rally. Some of these chip’n’charges are just terrible, no volley attempt at all on many of them.

The other thing is Aslan just stops moving after hitting a decent ball. Doesn’t even return back to a neutral position a lot of the time. No wonder he doesn’t want to play defence.

I still have faith that he can find his range but this guy needs a real coach, pronto.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Felix very solid, but helped by error-prone Karatsev. Bit of a disappointing contest so far, hopefully Aslan finds his range and we get a match.

Hey, mate. Long time.