ATP weeks of 03/08 - 03/19: Indian Wells (1000)
- Thread starter JJGUY
- Start date
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
First, I'll note that clearly Tiafoe is a level below Med to begin with, so just at a base level, the result isn't surprising at all.
I think Foe's problem is that he's trying to out-Med Med and he can't. And if you think about it, that's sort of how Tiafoe plays - minus the massive consistency. He has a serve that can do damage, he likes to cat-and-mouse, he goes big sometimes, but not all the time. But it's all at a level below med. He can't stay in rallies long enough to challenge Med and draw a lot of errors.
So what to do? I'd say go higher risk - go bigger than normal. Total aggression, a la Sinner, really isn't really Tiafoe's game either. He's sort of between an outright aggressive game like Sinner and an extremely measured game like Med. But in this instance, where he's never going to win playing extremely measured - I'd say just go bigger. Bigger first serves, second serves, a little bit more urgency on big groundies, and still, of course, work in net play and drop shots if there's an opportunity.
If he does this and makes a ton of errors, people will call him out for for looking sloppy and irresponsible. But the starting point is that he's the underdog to begin with, that Med's the better player, and he can't out-Med med by playing 15 positioning shots before winning the point. So, playing outside of himself is somewhat necessary unless for some reason Med is extremely off and missing a ton early - which he isn't.
I think Foe's problem is that he's trying to out-Med Med and he can't. And if you think about it, that's sort of how Tiafoe plays - minus the massive consistency. He has a serve that can do damage, he likes to cat-and-mouse, he goes big sometimes, but not all the time. But it's all at a level below med. He can't stay in rallies long enough to challenge Med and draw a lot of errors.
So what to do? I'd say go higher risk - go bigger than normal. Total aggression, a la Sinner, really isn't really Tiafoe's game either. He's sort of between an outright aggressive game like Sinner and an extremely measured game like Med. But in this instance, where he's never going to win playing extremely measured - I'd say just go bigger. Bigger first serves, second serves, a little bit more urgency on big groundies, and still, of course, work in net play and drop shots if there's an opportunity.
If he does this and makes a ton of errors, people will call him out for for looking sloppy and irresponsible. But the starting point is that he's the underdog to begin with, that Med's the better player, and he can't out-Med med by playing 15 positioning shots before winning the point. So, playing outside of himself is somewhat necessary unless for some reason Med is extremely off and missing a ton early - which he isn't.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
15-30 might as well be triple BP with the way this match has gone
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
I want to see what Med can do on Clay and grass this year. We all know he can play on hards. Lets see him progress
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Talk Tennis Guru
Well he never did much at indian wells till this year. I expect him to progress more on all tournaments and surfaces.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Talk Tennis Guru
Tiafoe battling well. Still meddy close to finishing line.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
He can certainly go deep here and there, but don't think he is a legit contender for any of the remaining slams except USO, where he will be one of the big favs for sure.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
That day off did wonders for Daniil. Best he's looked all tournament.
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Tiafoe's game is just crap. That serve is pathetic. It has no business even appearing on TV. Hopefully Fritz can pick up the pieces of American Men's tennis somewhat. And maybe steal a slam. TiafMug never will
chuckersthenut
Professional
Come on Med get it done with.
chuckersthenut
Professional
Kids got sand
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Med better not have his serve broken. Give me a break.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
And he does it again to get a BP... and then breaks!
chuckersthenut
Professional
Crowd is primed for vitriol.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
This going to be a repeat of the Zverev match with Med breaking right back here?
chuckersthenut
Professional
Gulp
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Med going back to his Chokey Ways AO 2022. Another match that should have been done long ago
TheAssassin
Legend
Gross Murican crowds at it again. Mad Lad being in Christmas mood not helping either...
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Oh Med. He's usually responds well when stuff like this happens. But it probably should not have happened. I guess it illustrates how important it is to compete to the very end. Tiafoe at least earned a chance by getting through those match points. Though, he's right back to getting broken. Lol.
chuckersthenut
Professional
This match to become a 3+ hour classic....
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
What a shot from Med to break.
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
Well. Its why he only has one slam now instead of 4-5 HC slams. Too many mental brainfarts
jl809
Hall of Fame
Bravo sir
chuckersthenut
Professional
TheAssassin
Legend
YES!
Terenigma
G.O.A.T.
Where did you hear that? Did he say it himself? Would be hilarious if true, not that he has much hair to grow these days.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Talk Tennis Guru
Amazing speed from meddy! He breaks back. Credit to Tiafoe for the fight but meddy response was emphatic there.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
Heard it on a russian stream.
Sampras-Bruguera 1993
Legend
I Dont know about Med winning this tournament. He should have lost to Zverev and he doesn't look that great today. Sinner may be the favorite now.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Med better not choke away this set.
chuckersthenut
Professional
Never taunt another man over his hair. The Norwood Reaper works in strange ways. It is said that mocking a man summons the Norwood Reaper.
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