I really expected this to be an easy match for Sebi. He's by far the better player but seems so lackadaisical out there as you said. Low energy and little fire. He's got a big game that should translate well to the grass but he just seems unfocused today.With Korda, sometimes it seems like he needs someone to light a fire under him. Seems too passive at times. The talent is there but he's too laid back. Hope he changes that and breaks through.
Johan Kriek had a cannon of a serve at 1.75 m, fwtw.Is Hijikata really 1.78m?
Not sure Ive ever seen a better server at that height
well, we'll get one in the final of what turned out not to be a deep draw...just can't see one of these guys in a grand slam final much less winning one...the history of this country probably weighs heavily on them but that's not an excuseSebi can make the final here, he's playing big tennis and making fewer errors than in the past.
I think Fritz is hyped for reasons extraneous from tennis: he's handsome and he has that Barbie "influencer" GF, Madison, who apparently has a big following on social media. They market themselves adroitly as this jet setting, gorgeous couple.
Tommy Paul has been pretty consistent and tough lately.Paul still in while his buddy Fritz is out - on grass!
You mean that past American Wimbledon champions are weighing on them and the burden of expectation? I'm not sure what you mean.I can't these guys [Fritz or Korda] in a grand slam final much less winning one...the history of this country probably weighs heavily on them but that's not an excuse
That is indeed a very nice court. Reminds me of some of those cool, intimate stadiums that smaller football/soccer clubs have, which are great. It's the same reason I strongly prefer Armstrong to Ashe at the USO.After Wimbledon my favourite grass centre court is at Eastbourne. Love the size and space:
How does a typical American player act? McEnroe was COMPLETELY different to Ashe. Sampras and Agassi were pretty different. Courrier? Roddick?This is a great observation. I almost forgot about Korda because he doesn't act like a typical American player. I think being raised by European parents really shows, his demeanor in matches reflects it for sure.
Wait, what? You don't see any appeal in these matches? Paul is a competent all around player, with great (and highly underrated) athleticism, against smooth as silk Korda. Then you have a flashy one-hander on grass? That's good enough, even if Thompson is a dweeb.Jack runs out of gas; only great for up to 2 sets at a time.
Pity it’s impossible to know before you buy tickets because I wouldn’t have bothered with this semi line up.
What country? What history? Who are you talking about?well, we'll get one in the final of what turned out not to be a deep draw...just can't see one of these guys in a grand slam final much less winning one...the history of this country probably weighs heavily on them but that's not an excuse
Makes no sense to me either. Is he talking about the UK or US?What country? What history? Who are you talking about?
Fitness is always a worry with him as it is for most British players. He'll have to work on it if he's to make any headway at Wimbledon (although there's probably not enough time for that).
I wonder how those Good Things happen there.Time to move to Spain!
One Brit did, a couple decades ago already, and I hear he ended up eventually winning some titles... Coincidence, I'm sure.
You’re right. I’m sure I will enjoy it (and hopefully the rain forecast doesn’t impact much)Wait, what? You don't see any appeal in these matches? Paul is a competent all around player, with great (and highly underrated) athleticism, against smooth as silk Korda. Then you have a flashy one-hander on grass? That's good enough, even if Thompson is a dweeb.
Makes no sense to me either. Is he talking about the UK or US?
You've got good seats, I hope the weather cooperates and you have a fun day there.
To think Holger destroyed Musetti last year at Queen's.Lorenzo through to the final of Queens.
Che cazzo!
He had something in his eye most of set one.What happened to Korda? He has both an ankle and a head injuries?
I like Sebi but his oncourt body language is not where it should be. He often seems disinterested, distracted or mildly upset about something. I don't expect him to have the positive, confident body language of Rafa, but he needs to improve it and impose himself on his opponent. He's a big, strong guy with a very big game but acts a bit meek out there.Korda is underwhelming too often
the history of American men's tennis at the major events, yes...these guys must have some knowledge beyond Roddick...we used to always have a slam champion or two or more handy for decades...been over twenty years nowYou mean that past American Wimbledon champions are weighing on them and the burden of expectation? I'm not sure what you mean.
I don't think American tennis is going to rebound any time soon, the days of dominance are over in tennis for America and Australia. Shelton, Paul, Fritz and Sebi are all about 30% of the talent of Mac, Jimbo, Pete or Andre. Agassi was the last gasp of glory.the history of American men's tennis at the major events, yes...these guys must have some knowledge beyond Roddick...we used to always have a slam champion or two or more handy for decades...been over twenty years now
I think you're rating the current crop of USians too high, actually. Korda and maybe Paul have some potential, as I see it.I don't think American tennis is going to rebound any time soon, the days of dominance are over in tennis for America and Australia. Shelton, Paul, Fritz and Sebi are all about 30% of the talent of Mac, Jimbo, Pete or Andre. Agassi was the last gasp of glory.
Too high? I said they are all 30% of what McEnroe, Jimbo, Andre or Sampras were. You can't say they're 10% of their level, that would be inaccurate. They're not that grotesquely bad.I think you're rating the current crop of USians too high, actually. Korda and maybe Paul have some potential, as I see it.
It's fine- purely in the realm of opinion. I just think guys like those four you mentioned are on a much higher plane.Too high? I said they are all 30% of what McEnroe, Jimbo, Andre or Sampras were. You can't say they're 10% of their level, that would be inaccurate. They're not that grotesquely bad.
I basically trashed the current crop of Americans because none are elite talent or anything close to it. I didn't rate any of them highly and never would.
Had a really enjoyable day and luckily the rain never materialisedYou've got good seats, I hope the weather cooperates and you have a fun day there.
Did you visit the practice courts? Was one of my favourite bits at Queens. I watched Isner hitting serves and also saw Murray hitting with Lendl there. Glad the weather held out for youHad a really enjoyable day and luckily the rain never materialised
I only get to see live tennis once a year if I’m lucky but it always reminds me how different it is to what you see on tv. Musetti’s game is lovely to watch and he demonstrated the beauty of that even though he is underpowered a lot of the time. Both he and Thompson were struggling with the low bounce quite a lot and the conditions didn’t help as it was overcast and windy for most of their match. Thompson was complaining about it a lot!
A match full of slice and Musetti’s impressive OHB - what’s not to like!
If he hadn’t such a powder puff second serve which Thompson frequently took advantage of, the match would probably have been over sooner but I’m glad we got a 3 setter instead.
Noticeable difference in the up tick in power once Korda and Tommy Paul took to the court. Seb with a slow start dropping his serve early but settled in to draw level at 4-4. The weather by this time was sunny and the wind had dropped significantly. It was really unfortunate Korda turned his ankle when serving to stay in the set which did cost him the set and then early in set 2 he didn’t have the confidence in it to move properly early in the second which cost him again. Once he realised his ankle was ok, again he caught up and so it was really surprising to see him totally mess up with TB - match over. Frustrating to watch as that match deserved to go 3 sets. Maybe his ankle started bothering him again. Without the ankle issue I have doubts Tommy would have won the match although I would pick him to beat Lorenzo today.
There was only a short break between the matches and they announced there was to be a presentation of an award on court from the club. To Jamie Murray …..and Andrew Castle!
I involuntarily said out loud “OMG Andrew bloody Castle??” much to the amusement of people sitting near me
I couldn’t tell you what the award was for but it was cringe especially when the woman announcer was talking about Castle as he never won anything and the biggest compliment she could give was that he had commentated on 20 WB men’s singles finals……YES! Don’t I know it
Anyway he isn’t in the same league as Jamie Murray so goodness knows what that was all about.
I took some photos but most aren’t really any good as my phone struggles at that distance even though we were not actually that far from the court. See?
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Thanks for that. Yes we did but as it was semi finals day there wasn’t much activity. One of the wheelchair guys was practising and there were a couple of youngsters on another court who I didn’t recognise. Probably more likely to see players earlier in the tournament.Did you visit the practice courts? Was one of my favourite bits at Queens. I watched Isner hitting serves and also saw Murray hitting with Lendl there. Glad the weather held out for you
Of course, good point. I think I was there on a Wed so there would have been more activity on the practice courts. Glad you had a good day. Should be plenty more opportunities to see young Carlitos in the futureThanks for that. Yes we did but as it was semi finals day there wasn’t much activity. One of the wheelchair guys was practising and there were a couple of youngsters on another court who I didn’t recognise. Probably more likely to see players earlier in the tournament.
Fritz and Khachanov were on court 1 as they had a double match but we couldn’t see inside as our tickets were for centre.
Halle final is agonizingly boring, this is far better even though lopsided so far.This game is much more fun than the slugfest i Germany. Staying on this channel.
First time since 2007, I thinkTommy breaks Lorenzo in the second game. Think we're gonna have an American champ today for the first time in many years. Bamos
Sam Querrey 2010?First time since 2007, I think
Third time lucky hopefully as I should have seen him at WB last yearOf course, good point. I think I was there on a Wed so there would have been more activity on the practice courts. Glad you had a good day. Should be plenty more opportunities to see young Carlitos in the future