Best of luck FAA!

[USO]

Best of luck to FAA tomorrow! It won't be easy against Zverev but hopefully FAA will finally get his 1st title after 5 lost finals (against quality opponents though). Maybe winning a trophy is what he needs to gain confidence and go to the next level!

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Feb 2019	Rio Open, Brazil	500 Series	Clay	Laslo Đere	3–6, 5–7
Loss	0–2	May 2019	Lyon Open, France	250 Series	Clay	Benoît Paire	4–6, 3–6
Loss	0–3	June 2019	Stuttgart Open, Germany	250 Series	Grass	Matteo Berrettini	4–6, 6–7(11–13)
Loss	0–4	Feb 2020	Rotterdam Open, Netherlands	500 Series	Hard (i)	Gaël Monfils	2–6, 4–6
Loss	0–5	Feb 2020	Open 13, France	250 Series	Hard (i)	Stefanos Tsitsipas	3–6, 4–6
Loss	0-6	Oct 2020	Bett1Hulks Indoors, Germany	250 Series	Hard (i)	Alexander Zverev	3-6, 3-6 (edit)

Spoiler

Please don't become the Anna Kournikova of men's tennis.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I dont really think the first 4 were tough opponents.

 

[James P]

I don't like his chances. But...I hope it happens for him finally. He needs to get off the loser schneid before he becomes Benneteau.

 

[USO]

I dont really think the first 4 were tough opponents.

For a young upcoming player like FAA, these were definitely players with more experience and with successful careers at least when it comes to Monfils, Tsitsipas, Paire and Berrettini. The only loss that is questionable is Dere.

 

[BackhandDTL]

I dont really think the first 4 were tough opponents.

mugs! Lol!

 

[Lleytonstation]

For a young upcoming player like FAA, these were definitely players with more experience and with successful careers at least when it comes to Monfils, Tsitsipas, Paire and Berrettini. The only loss that is questionable is Dere.

I would think a young up and comer who we have been talking about since he was 13 and is supposed to be great eventually should beat a few of these guys.... or at the very least take ONE set...

 

[Meles]

I dont really think the first 4 were tough opponents.

As a youngish 18 year old FAA was way out over his skis in those finals. His team constructed the perfect schedule that got him to 11th in the ATP race heading into Wimbledon. A large part of his success was he was relatively unknown so kept winning and serving betterer and betterer. Should have been a 4th final in Miami, but fore the serve implosions at end of set. How on earth can a servebot not serve out against Isner?

He's just playing OK right now in St. Pete, so we'll see if he's learned his lesson from Isner. FAA sees himself as some great closer which shows that he's been subject to a lot of brainwashing.

 

[Lleytonstation]

mugs! Lol!

 

[USO]

The one time I make a thread about someone else then Djokovic and these are the replies that I get. Not even 1 Like.

 

[McLovin]

The one time I make a thread about someone else then Djokovic and these are the replies that I get. Not even 1 Like.

There’s a ‘like’...

But seriously, I’m rooting for him to pull it out.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I don't like his chances. But...I hope it happens for him finally. He needs to get off the loser schneid before he becomes Benneteau.

Like Andrew Sznajder?

 

[Wander]

Who has the record for the most lost finals before getting their first title?
Also, who have the worst records in finals over their careers in general?

Anyone in the know?

 

[Frylock]

Who has the record for the most lost finals before getting their first title?
Also, who have the worst records in finals over their careers in general?

Anyone in the know?

Cedric Pioline 9 finals lost before his first title... i'm not sure

 

[Mark-Touch]

.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Who has the record for the most lost finals before getting their first title?
Also, who have the worst records in finals over their careers in general?

Anyone in the know?

It took Lendl 5 times before he won his first slam final.
He also ended up on the short end of the stick at the end of his career in slam finals:
Won 8
Lost 11

 

[Tennisfan339]

I'm torn, I like both players. It will be an interesting final for sure, I'll be happy reagrdless of who wns in the end

 

[Wander]

It took Lendl 5 times before he won his first slam final.
He also ended up on the short end of the stick at the end of his career in slam finals:
Won 8
Lost 11

True enough, but slam finals are their own category. Andy Murray also lost his first 4 and is 3-8 overall, but all things considered, that record is acceptable.

 

[Backspin1183]

I'd be surprised if he wins. Zverev is a much better player than him.

 

[McLovin]

Zverev is a much better player than him.

So long as he doesn’t have to hit a 2nd serve...

 

[BeatlesFan]

Best of luck to FAA tomorrow! It won't be easy against Zverev but hopefully FAA will finally get his 1st title after 5 lost finals (against quality opponents though). /SPOILER]

Please list the supposed "quality" opponents, since the rest of the world is dying to know.

"Quality" opponents are the big three, Stanimal, Laver in 1969 and Sampras in 1996. NOBODY outside the big 3 today. I just Googled them and they're WTA level except for RBA.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

As a youngish 18 year old FAA was way out over his skis in those finals. His team constructed the perfect schedule that got him to 11th in the ATP race heading into Wimbledon. A large part of his success was he was relatively unknown so kept winning and serving betterer and betterer. Should have been a 4th final in Miami, but fore the serve implosions at end of set. How on earth can a servebot not serve out against Isner?

He's just playing OK right now in St. Pete, so we'll see if he's learned his lesson from Isner. FAA sees himself as some great closer which shows that he's been subject to a lot of brainwashing.

STRONG opinion for someone that doesn't even know what tournament we're talking about

 

[beast of mallorca]

Best of luck to FAA tomorrow! It won't be easy against Zverev but hopefully FAA will finally get his 1st title after 5 lost finals (against quality opponents though). Maybe winning a trophy is what he needs to gain confidence and go to the next level!

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Feb 2019	Rio Open, Brazil	500 Series	Clay	Laslo Đere	3–6, 5–7
Loss	0–2	May 2019	Lyon Open, France	250 Series	Clay	Benoît Paire	4–6, 3–6
Loss	0–3	June 2019	Stuttgart Open, Germany	250 Series	Grass	Matteo Berrettini	4–6, 6–7(11–13)
Loss	0–4	Feb 2020	Rotterdam Open, Netherlands	500 Series	Hard (i)	Gaël Monfils	2–6, 4–6
Loss	0–5	Feb 2020	Open 13, France	250 Series	Hard (i)	Stefanos Tsitsipas	3–6, 4–6
Pending	–	Oct 2020	Bett1Hulks Indoors, Germany	250 Series	Hard (i)	Alexander Zverev	TBD

Spoiler

Please don't become the Anna Kournikova of men's tennis.

I hope he wins. But for some reason, FAA doesn't appeal to me. I'll probably root for Sinner, Musetti when Rafa retires

 

[McLovin]

Please list the supposed "quality" opponents, since the rest of the world is dying to know.

"Quality" opponents are the big three, Stanimal, Laver in 1969 and Sampras in 1996. NOBODY outside the big 3 today. I just Googled them and they're WTA level .

Your definition of ‘quality’ is way different from mine. To equate it to vehicles, Honda, Toyota, VW. That’s ‘quality’. What you’ve listed are Porsches, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis.

 

[Meles]

Please list the supposed "quality" opponents, since the rest of the world is dying to know.

"Quality" opponents are the big three, Stanimal, Laver in 1969 and Sampras in 1996. NOBODY outside the big 3 today. I just Googled them and they're WTA level except for RBA.

Should have made that Miami final, but yep another poor quality opponent.

 

[michiru]

Please list the supposed "quality" opponents, since the rest of the world is dying to know.

"Quality" opponents are the big three, Stanimal, Laver in 1969 and Sampras in 1996. NOBODY outside the big 3 today. I just Googled them and they're WTA level except for RBA.

hey WTA has way better opponents than them

 

[Meles]

STRONG opinion for someone that doesn't even know what tournament we're talking about

LOL. Cologne Indoors to be precise. Draw already out for the coming weeks Cologne lol.

 

[Backspin1183]

So long as he doesn’t have to hit a 2nd serve...

Even with that awful second serve, he is better than FAA.

 

[McLovin]

Even with that awful second serve, he is better than FAA.

Old tennis adage: You’re only as good as your 2nd serve.

...and that 2nd serve...

But seriously, yes, right now Zverev is better than FAA. But in 3-5 years, it may be a different story. He does have 3 years on him.

 

[Yugram]

I hope Zverev thrashes him.

 

[Zebrev]

People mocked Zverev for year for never having won a tournament until he finally won at 19 years of age.

The young guys coming up now can do no wrong, by comparison. Shapovalov is hopeless, yet still gets hyped as the next best thing.

 

[Tennease]

For a young upcoming player like FAA, these were definitely players with more experience and with successful careers at least when it comes to Monfils, Tsitsipas, Paire and Berrettini. The only loss that is questionable is Dere.

Djere is a great clay court player. FAA not so good on clay. Djere overpowered Musetti in Sardinia.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Djere is a great clay court player. He overpowered Musetti in Sardinia.

Beat Thiem as well recently if I recall correctly.

 

[Tennease]

Beat Thiem as well recently if I recall correctly.

Yes, Rio 2019

 

[TheNachoMan]

Very definition of an overrated MUG

 

[USO]

Very definition of an overrated MUG

He just beat RBA please don’t call him a mug. Djokovic fans are terrified of RBA.

 

[USO]

Stupid Zverev.

FAA is still young his time will come, probably next year.

 

[terribleIVAN]

Poor FAA.

Got destroyed once again.

 

[USO]

Poor FAA.

Got destroyed once again.

He beat RBA and lost to Zverev. It's only a matter of time, next year when he becomes 21 and considered an adult everywhere.

He shall not be known as Felix Kournikova.

 

[Backspin1183]

Old tennis adage: You’re only as good as your 2nd serve.

...and that 2nd serve...

But seriously, yes, right now Zverev is better than FAA. But in 3-5 years, it may be a different story. He does have 3 years on him.

You might be right. I personally don't see a Slam champion in him just yet. Zverev on the other hand IMO will win a few Slams.

 

[Hotpockets]

Wasn't meant to be today. But he has a lot of time ahead of him.

 

[USO]

FAA won his 1st title last week in doubles at Bercy, saving 5 championship points! Hopefully it will encourage him and translate into singles titles soon! Here are some highlights of the final!

This is not an easy achievement, Djokovic has entered 32 doubles Masters 1000 tournaments without one single title.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

This is not an easy achievement, Djokovic has entered 32 doubles Masters 1000 tournaments without one single title.

Well... you need to know how to hit an overhead in order to be good at doubles...

 

[USO]

Well... you need to know how to hit an overhead in order to be good at doubles...

You are absolutely right!

 

[daphne]

Salvatore Caruso

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	0–1	Feb 2019	Rio Open, Brazil	500 Series	Clay	Laslo Đere	3–6, 5–7
Loss	0–2	May 2019	Lyon Open, France	250 Series	Clay	Benoît Paire	4–6, 3–6
Loss	0–3	June 2019	Stuttgart Open, Germany	250 Series	Grass	Matteo Berrettini	4–6, 6–7(11–13)
Loss	0–4	Feb 2020	Rotterdam Open, Netherlands	500 Series	Hard (i)	Gaël Monfils	2–6, 4–6
Loss	0–5	Feb 2020	Open 13, France	250 Series	Hard (i)	Stefanos Tsitsipas	3–6, 4–6
Loss	0-6	Oct 2020	Bett1Hulks Indoors, Germany	250 Series	Hard (i)	Alexander Zverev

Notice how his finale opponents get tougher and tougher?

It doesn't exactly help.

Next up: Federer? Nadal?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Cedric Pioline 9 finals lost before his first title... i'm not sure

French players fill up most of the "top 10 worst" in categories related to very negative finales streaks and those needed many finales to win.

 

[mbm0912]

French players fill up most of the "top 10 worst" in categories related to very negative finales streaks and those needed many finales to win.

It's like the great thinker Stef Tsitsipuss once proclaimed: "because you're French probably and you're all weirdos!”

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Wonder how '21 will play out for FAA.

 

[USO]

A 7th final today but against a tough opponent. Let's go FAA.

Evans also has 0 titles and it's his 3rd final.

 

[Jack the Hack]

A 7th final today but against a tough opponent. Let's go FAA.

Evans also has 0 titles and it's his 3rd final.

Interesting tidbit is that both guys are former Nike endorsers. Evans was dropped because of his cocaine scandal/suspension and FAA presumably went for the better business deal ($$$) with Adi.

I expect FAA to win a double digit haul of titles in his career. It's just an anomoly/bad luck that he lost his first 6 finals. I have him as the favorite to win this title tonight, but I'm kinda' rooting for Evans. Dan seems to have cleaned his life up, worked hard for the comeback, and will likely have a lot less chances to win titles in the future than FAA, so it would be good for him to snag this while he can.