ATP500 Japan Open, Tokyo 2023

[Pmasterfunk]

Popyrin bottles it, but gotta give some credit to Mochizuki, he stayed steady at crunch time.

 

[vokazu]

Mochizuki has such a strong mental strength! The wild card is into semi final!!!! Ganbatte!!!

 

[Kralingen]

Mochizuki may be small but his Wilanders are the size of boulders. The only way I can describe his style is “Kamikaze”, relentless attack and sheer self belief. I love this guy

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Mochizuki may be small but his Wilanders are the size of boulders. The only way I can describe his style is “Kamikaze”, relentless attack and sheer self belief. I love this guy

Crowd definitely helped

 

[ark_28]

Giron is a work horse! Reckon he takes Shelton and puts the phone down

 

[Wander]

Oh jeez, and the Japanese wildcard defeats Popyrin in a 3 set thriller.

This tournament.... yikes.

Great tournament!

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Great tournament!

Mochizuki v Karatsev
Shelton v Giron

Stunning.

 

[Arak]

I’m becoming a fan of Mochizuki but I’m not sure how much he’s got left in the tank. A great run nonetheless.

 

[Kralingen]

Amazing that either Karatsev or Mochizuki will have a shot at the final here. Fireworks guaranteed.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

So an all unseeded lineup coming in the SF's...

Mochizuki
Popyrin
Karatsev
Shelton
Giron

One of those guys will be the champ..

Heck of a lineup if you ask me. Other than the steady and commendable yet somewhat ordinary Giron, we have three incredible talents going at it for the title. Personally, a semifinal between a hot Karatsev and an exploding Mochizuki in front of his home crowd is far more exciting than some random Fritz-Zverev or Hurkacz-Rublev matchup - which I most likely would not tune in for.

 

[Wander]

Mochizuki v Karatsev
Shelton v Giron

Stunning.

Players like Karatsev will have weeks when their game is just firing like has been the case here. Shelton is a rising star (already ranked in the top 20 and on the move). Mochizuki is the home hero. Only Giron is a bit weird to see there, but he beat seeded players in bad form like Ruud and FAA.

 

[Kralingen]

Heck of a lineup if you ask me. Other than the steady and commendable yet somewhat ordinary Giron, we have three incredible talents going at it for the title. Personally, a semifinal between a hot Karatsev and an exploding Mochizuki in front of his home crowd is far more exciting than some random Fritz-Zverev or Hurkacz-Rublev matchup - which I most likely would not tune in for.

Absolutely. Watching more challengers recently and seeing these wild card sort of runs has reminded me how utterly monotonous and boring most of the top 10 are to watch. It may be at a higher level than the rest of the tour but it’s like watching paint dry.

 

[Wander]

Heck of a lineup if you ask me. Other than the steady and commendable yet somewhat ordinary Giron, we have three incredible talents going at it for the title. Personally, a semifinal between a hot Karatsev and an exploding Mochizuki in front of his home crowd is far more exciting than some random Fritz-Zverev or Hurkacz-Rublev matchup - which I most likely would not tune in for.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Mochizuki may be small but his Wilanders are the size of boulders. The only way I can describe his style is “Kamikaze”, relentless attack and sheer self belief. I love this guy

Incredible talent too. I can serve and volley down break point too, but it takes some serious touch to cooly hit those kinds of volleys. And the way the ball explodes off that backhand, coming from that tiny frame of his, is truly something to behold.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Absolutely. Watching more challengers recently and seeing these wild card sort of runs has reminded me how utterly monotonous and boring most of the top 10 are to watch. It may be at a higher level than the rest of the tour but it’s like watching paint dry.

Also, less tribalism in these threads without the top guys.

 

[Wander]

Also, less tribalism in these threads without the top guys.

It really is nothing but positives when these mugs fall in the early rounds.

 

[bluetrain4]

Shelton might as well win his first tourney this week. Not going to get many better chances than with the draw that's remaining. Obviously it's a great chance for the other players as well.

 

[Vincent-C]

Go, Karatsev!

 

[chuckersthenut]

Karatsev was an absolute beast today. I love watching him play when hes like this, just bludgeoning his opponent into the dead zone. Sad there isnt muxh of it but i suppose it makes you appreciate it more when you see it. With his style it's difficult. But man when it is working. As kral pointed out, he is like the final evolution of tennis, much like an in form Safin.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Amazing that either Karatsev or Mochizuki will have a shot at the final here. Fireworks guaranteed.

I'd love Mochizuki to win the whole thing. Very unlikely of course, but it would be a cool story. And since he's already taken out Fritz, why not?

 

[onehandbh]

Cannot believe Mochi keeps grinding out these matches. His down the line backhand has been amazing.

 

[hobl4]

I really like Shelton. Great charisma. Thick, solid, tight. He gives me hope not only in terms of the current era of men's tennis, but on an existential level. He makes me feel like a kid again.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Giron takes the first 7-6(2). Now just finish him in straights Marcos!

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Omg, Giron was 5-2 up with a double break and now it's 5-5.

 

[hobl4]

Ben is a mental giant.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Ben is a mental giant.

This is about Marcos being a mental midget.

 

[Arak]

The country singer wins.

 

[chrischris]

Bennys tennis is a real
Men Ace to the rest

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Well Marcos didn't deserve to win after the second set meltdown.

 

[chuckersthenut]

Karatsev is hammering the ball again. But shintaro is hanging with him. Impressive.

Karatsev already blew a couple break chances. He has a break point at 3-2 and rain has interrupted. They are closing the roof.

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

The Lion takes the opener 6-3.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Wow... didn't watch, but rumor has it Giron really threw it down the $H!tter.

Guess it's for the best... marquee matchup in the final either way. Little Mochi still trying to hang around with the goating AK...

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

Aslan roars thru, 6-3, 6-4. Just too much firepower and absolutely superb serving.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

In other news, Sinner-Shelton rematch drawn as first round matchup in Vienna.

Would presumably take place on Wednesday... will Big Ben even show up? Logic says no, but he could be lured by the extremely unlikely possibility of reaching Turin...

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

In other news, Sinner-Shelton rematch drawn as first round matchup in Vienna.

Would presumably take place on Wednesday... will Big Ben even show up? Logic says no, but he could be lured by the extremely unlikely possibility of reaching Turin...

Why wouldn't he. He's young and hungry and he'll have plenty of time to get there and rest. I bet both he and Aslan won't play before Wednesday.

 

[Aabye5]

In other news, Sinner-Shelton rematch drawn as first round matchup in Vienna.

Would presumably take place on Wednesday... will Big Ben even show up? Logic says no, but he could be lured by the extremely unlikely possibility of reaching Turin...

Why wouldn't he show up? He could always have a post-first-title letdown (provided he wins) but he should be there.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Why wouldn't he. He's young and hungry and he'll have plenty of time to get there and rest. I bet both he and Aslan won't play before Wednesday.

I don't know, that's a loooong, rough trip... Arrive late Monday night, all messed up and jet-lagged, physically and emotionally drained from the previous tournament (first ever final, possibly first ever win), then you barely have time for a schnitzel and it's time to go...

Again, under any other circumstance I'm certain he'd pull out. But if he wins Tokyo he still has a chance at the Finals: winning both Vienna and Bercy he'd likely be in - final in either one and win the other might also cut it. It's an impossibly long shot, but it may be tough to pass up...

 

[chrischris]

I don't know, that's a loooong, rough trip... Arrive late Monday night, all messed up and jet-lagged, physically and emotionally drained from the previous tournament (first ever final, possibly first ever win), then you barely have time for a schnitzel and it's time to go...

Again, under any other circumstance I'm certain he'd pull out. But if he wins Tokyo he still has a chance at the Finals: winning both Vienna and Bercy he'd likely be in - final in either one and win the other might also cut it. It's an impossibly long shot, but it may be tough to pass up...

True, its a possiblity.. Lets see, hope the kid doesnt get injured trying

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I don't know, that's a loooong, rough trip... Arrive late Monday night, all messed up and jet-lagged, physically and emotionally drained from the previous tournament (first ever final, possibly first ever win), then you barely have time for a schnitzel and it's time to go...

Again, under any other circumstance I'm certain he'd pull out. But if he wins Tokyo he still has a chance at the Finals: winning both Vienna and Bercy he'd likely be in - final in either one and win the other might also cut it. It's an impossibly long shot, but it may be tough to pass up...

I don't think he should go for Vienna. How likely is he to make a MS final in Paris if he ends up playing all week as well as this one? I guess, if he and his team are sure that he's feeling fine, he might do it ... However, I suspect he will want to focus on making an impact in Paris, and take next week off.

 

[Vincent-C]

Karatsev v Shelton should be a hum-dinger!

 

[Rattie]

Oh good! It’s at 8:30 am UK time so I can watch
Hope to see Ben win his first title!

 

[Moose Malloy]

last meeting between Shelton and Karatsev

 

[Vincent-C]

Karatsev plays a very disciplined game. I like that.

 

[chrischris]

Karatsev plays a very disciplined game. I like that.

But he has zero charisma... Makes the umpire look like joy to see and listen saying the scoreline.

 

[Vincent-C]

But he has zero charisma... Makes the umpire look like joy to see and listen saying the scoreline.

I would call that "focus", myself. His tennis appeals to me.

Adding: Karatsev plays like a guy who combines the qualities of both a one-handed (volleys, transition, and flexibility) and two-handed (power and ability with the high ball) BH.
He's one solid player.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Kinda too bad Mochizuki looked spent from the first ball, but Karatsev was probably too strong anyway, dude's been looking untouchable this week.

Still, I love how Mochizuki moves up to the net, and how well and quickly he covers the net, especially considering his size.

 

[McGradey]

Hoping for Karatsev to peak and get the W, but I feel big servers are his kryptonite. Shelton is playing at a very high level and will look to approach the net frequently and starve the Animal of any rhythm, which is the way to beat him. Should be a great watch.

 

[Vincent-C]

Hoping for Karatsev to peak and get the W, but I feel big servers are his kryptonite. Shelton is playing at a very high level and will look to approach the net frequently and starve the Animal of any rhythm, which is the way to beat him. Should be a great watch.

I think this is a good call. Go, Karatsev.

 

[Centrius]

Just joining. Has the whole final be as boring as this 2° set?

 

[Arak]

Welcome to Shelton 2.0. As calm and composed as Stephan Edberg. He made the lion destroy his racket and lose his face in front of the Japanese crowd. 4-1 now.