Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Off to a bad start. Down an early break.
The Ascent To The Throne Begins For Felix Auger Aliassime
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Off to a bad start. Down an early break.
GhostDog
Hall of Fame
Eek, bageled 1st set.
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
And then he breaks to start the second. He is passive. Then he gets frustrated and starts to play calmer, lol.
intrepidish
Hall of Fame
The throne in question:
GhostDog
Hall of Fame
Not to mention it took Sinner DFing to get his 1st game in the 2nd. Sinner back in control
DSH
Bionic Poster
FAA has no plan B, it is very predictable in his game.
At 25 years old, he should be at his best, but on the contrary, his game has stagnated, he makes unforced errors aplenty and it doesn't seem like he can get out of the bad moment he's been in.
He is a rather confused player, trapped in his inner distrust.
At 25 years old, he should be at his best, but on the contrary, his game has stagnated, he makes unforced errors aplenty and it doesn't seem like he can get out of the bad moment he's been in.
He is a rather confused player, trapped in his inner distrust.
helterskelter
G.O.A.T.
Well, I guess we know now which of him and Sinner is going to end up being better.
FAA has no plan B, it is very predictable in his game.
At 25 years old, he should be at his best, but on the contrary, his game has stagnated, he makes unforced errors aplenty and it doesn't seem like he can get out of the bad moment he's been in.
He is a rather confused player, trapped in his inner distrust.
As many notice, his backhand and his return of serve are really poor. It's not just lack of tactical/strategic resources or making too many unforced errors or being confused or being stuck in a rut. His game is just not as technically strong as it once looked like it might become. It's probably too late to improve that substantially.
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
His backhand and return have improved quite a bit this year, but it's pretty recent and his confidence has not increased accordingly.
He was reaching x-30 on quite a few of Sinner's service games.
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Good to see Félix keep his head when things got tight in the last two matches.
Tonight, he needs to upset Zed's rhythm a bit, rather than just rallying with him. Pull out the dropper, go to net a bit.
If he just trades blows from the baseline, Zed is probably too steady for him, especially on backhand.
Tonight, he needs to upset Zed's rhythm a bit, rather than just rallying with him. Pull out the dropper, go to net a bit.
If he just trades blows from the baseline, Zed is probably too steady for him, especially on backhand.
Winners or Errors
Legend
Yes, Felix needs a gameplan. Problem is, when's the last time you saw him implement any strategy but his base game?
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Check out his serving pattern against Sinner. He was trying to go up the T on every first serve. The problem was that his 1st serve percentage dropped dramatically.
He has plans, the problem is that when it falls apart, he doesn't adjust and his already pretty weak mental strength just crumbles into dust. (8 doubles that match, no aces)
Kafel69
Professional
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
He does indeed! Brilliant stuff from Félix tonight! This is the guy we were all expecting to win majors.
Did it help that Zed is even more fragile? Yes. But confidence has to start somewhere.
Down_the_line
G.O.A.T.
Great call, sir!
Down_the_line
G.O.A.T.
Exactly. It starts somewhere. That was his first ever win against a top 5 player at a Slam. A match like that can change a career.
sortof
Hall of Fame
Good call. #ABZ
Kafel69
Professional
thanks, guys! i should've put some money where my mouth was lol he was just playing some really solid tennis and zed is zed, so figured he'd have a good shot.
Winners or Errors
Legend
As all of us who are fans of FAA hope…
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Rublev is a hard one for FAA, because he is better on the return than Zed. Maybe come to net a bit less because Rublev had arguably better passing shots.
But the strategy of using variety, with some volleys and slices mixed in, was successful once (numbers at net were stellar). Obviously, having the forehand firing on all cylinders was great to see as well. I've always said he has such a wealth to pull from, not sure why he engages in only baseline bashing with the plebs.
Let's see if FAA can add consistency to his toolset...
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Down_the_line
G.O.A.T.
He's a new man at the US Open this year. It's weird because usually players telegraph their runs with a handful of good results in the leadup to it but that didn't happen. Felix was dispatched quickly in Toronto and I honestly forget his results in Cincy.Coming through in straights! Impressive stuff from Félix this tournament.
But something clicked now. He's not just taking advantage of a sweetheart draw either. Beating Zverev and Rublev back to back in straight sets is a statement.
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
The success train finally arrives on St Felix Street. Amazing to see him gaining in confidence.
Agreed that his results didn't really suggest this run, but he played well before he reached Sinner in Cincy. Honestly, though, you have to go all the way back to the start of the year to find any real indication. I really expected him to go far at the AO after his tournament wins going in.
helterskelter
G.O.A.T.
FAA might yet make a run for a tour finals spot. He's now up to #11 in the live race. If he beats De Minaur (I think that's close to a 50-50 match), then he'll be #10, ahead of Rublev. Of course, he could get higher still if he were to beat Sinner in the US Open SFs, but given what happened in Cincinnati, that must be rather unlikely. But even if not, with the indoor season coming, he could make further ground, as that's by far his favorite part of the season. The Asian outdoor hard courts should suit him pretty well, too.
And with a US Open SF spot, he'd be 285 points behind Draper (#9 in the race, and struggling with injury) and 365 points behind Musetti (#8 in the race, assuming Musetti loses against Sinner in the US Open QF). De Minaur (#7 in the race) is only another 75 points ahead of Musetti.
And with a US Open SF spot, he'd be 285 points behind Draper (#9 in the race, and struggling with injury) and 365 points behind Musetti (#8 in the race, assuming Musetti loses against Sinner in the US Open QF). De Minaur (#7 in the race) is only another 75 points ahead of Musetti.
ghostofMecir
Legend
Hitting that FH earlier and or confidently. Honestly, watching him play this is really come out of nowhere.
Down_the_line
G.O.A.T.
Figured I'd repost my comments from the US Open thread.
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
Lots of comments about the Felix/De Minaur match being an ugly long contest between two guys who were both afraid to win and that Felix should have won in three easy sets given De Minaur's low 1st serve percentage. I'm not going to argue against the match being ugly and it was certainly long even though I found it entertaining. I am going to argue that Felix's level was still pretty good and that De Minaur is simply a tough matchup for him given his style. It's true that De Minaur had a low percentage of 1st serves in at 42% but he still won 50% of his second serve points. The problem for Felix was that De Minaur is everywhere and can usually get a decent shot from anywhere Felix returns the second serve. Then Alex grinds him down in a long rally/. Felix only won 32% of his second serves but 82% of his first serves (with 64% in) but he isn't that great in long rallies. Felix is way more serve dependent and relies on short rallies and aggressive play to win matches which Alex is expert at countering. The result is an ugly long game. Also I think Alex tried to serve harder than he usually does resulting in a lower 1st serve percentage. The bigger point I'm trying to make is that I think Felix will still give Sinner a decent game given his current form and that Alex is a tough out for Felix.
sandiegoman
Semi-Pro
Felix is hitting some heavy balls! He has the potential to be the next goat
Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
Analyzed the first set of the Sinner - FAA match in Cincy. Clearly, FAA was pressing too much and it cost him. The first and most important thing he can remember tomorrow is "Don't Panic". Five doubles (four in one game) is the best way to beat yourself.
The second thing is not too overrun the ball. He's fast and doesn't need to rush.
He also needs to keep his first percentage high, even if he has to take some pace off.
Finally, his backhand is not up to Sinner's level, but he can keep the ball in play and work the point until he gets a forehand. (He can more than hold his own on the forehand side, just needs to remember that)
The second thing is not too overrun the ball. He's fast and doesn't need to rush.
He also needs to keep his first percentage high, even if he has to take some pace off.
Finally, his backhand is not up to Sinner's level, but he can keep the ball in play and work the point until he gets a forehand. (He can more than hold his own on the forehand side, just needs to remember that)
0-0
0-0, FAA's backhand did not crumble
0-15, tough serve
15-15, another tough serve, but Sinner loves the T, FAA should have moved in
30-15, backhand error
40-15, another backhand error
0-1
0-0, great serve, put FAA in a good position, but FAA backed down from the baseline
15-0, error on forehand
15-15, good job going down the middle, not trying to give him an angle
15-30, Sinner hits the tape
30-30, overcooked forehand
30-40, forehand error
0-2
FAA stepped back on serve, despite seeing more success stepping in
Stepped foreward on second serve, and made good contact on next point
0-0, backhand return into net
15-0, difficult serve to the backhand, popped it up and out
30-0, third serve to FAA's backhand, and into the net
-- Here's where FAA needs to force Sinner to go for FAA's forehand
40-0, forehand error (but good return)
0-3
0-0, FAA overran his backhand (overrunning shots is something FAA has a habit of)
0-15, nice serve, nice response from the crowd
-- Remember, FAA is fast and has plenty of time on his shots. Needs to not panic and pull the trigger too soon
-- The big 3 were masters at staying patient (Sinner is as well)
15-15, 1st Double. FAA tries to go up the T again. If the serve isn't working (even if it's a good tactic), change your strategy
15-30, nice serve to the forehand
-- up the T, or jamming him, is a great way to play Sinner, but if your rhythm isn't there, you have to go adjust accordingly
-- first serve percentage (the only thing under FAA's control) was already at 56% based on commentary
30-30, great serve, makeable forehand, error. (Don't panic)
30-40, a great return from Sinner, but a bit of a wild forehand reply from FAA
0-4
0-0, forehand long
15-0, good to get the return back in play
15-15, he's eating FAAr backhand return alive
30-15, FAA finally take charge of the backhand return and Sinner is just too good
40-15, he ups the pace on FAA and FAA can't fight back
0-5
0-0 second serve, FAA wins forehand to forehand rally
15-0 backhand to backhand rally, Sinner punishes him
15-15 doubles
15-30 doubles
15-40 great body serve allows FAA to dictate with forehand
30-40 Sinner pushes return just wide
40-40 doubles
Ad-out doubles
0-0, FAA's backhand did not crumble
0-15, tough serve
15-15, another tough serve, but Sinner loves the T, FAA should have moved in
30-15, backhand error
40-15, another backhand error
0-1
0-0, great serve, put FAA in a good position, but FAA backed down from the baseline
15-0, error on forehand
15-15, good job going down the middle, not trying to give him an angle
15-30, Sinner hits the tape
30-30, overcooked forehand
30-40, forehand error
0-2
FAA stepped back on serve, despite seeing more success stepping in
Stepped foreward on second serve, and made good contact on next point
0-0, backhand return into net
15-0, difficult serve to the backhand, popped it up and out
30-0, third serve to FAA's backhand, and into the net
-- Here's where FAA needs to force Sinner to go for FAA's forehand
40-0, forehand error (but good return)
0-3
0-0, FAA overran his backhand (overrunning shots is something FAA has a habit of)
0-15, nice serve, nice response from the crowd
-- Remember, FAA is fast and has plenty of time on his shots. Needs to not panic and pull the trigger too soon
-- The big 3 were masters at staying patient (Sinner is as well)
15-15, 1st Double. FAA tries to go up the T again. If the serve isn't working (even if it's a good tactic), change your strategy
15-30, nice serve to the forehand
-- up the T, or jamming him, is a great way to play Sinner, but if your rhythm isn't there, you have to go adjust accordingly
-- first serve percentage (the only thing under FAA's control) was already at 56% based on commentary
30-30, great serve, makeable forehand, error. (Don't panic)
30-40, a great return from Sinner, but a bit of a wild forehand reply from FAA
0-4
0-0, forehand long
15-0, good to get the return back in play
15-15, he's eating FAAr backhand return alive
30-15, FAA finally take charge of the backhand return and Sinner is just too good
40-15, he ups the pace on FAA and FAA can't fight back
0-5
0-0 second serve, FAA wins forehand to forehand rally
15-0 backhand to backhand rally, Sinner punishes him
15-15 doubles
15-30 doubles
15-40 great body serve allows FAA to dictate with forehand
30-40 Sinner pushes return just wide
40-40 doubles
Ad-out doubles
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Aabye5
Talk Tennis Guru
What's funny is that I would say some of this is closer to how he played when he first burst on the scene (pre-Toni). Still, the hard work is finally paying off.
The larger question is whether it is sustainable. Hoping he can reach a final at one of the indoor M1000s.
FlatShot_V
Semi-Pro
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
No. Getting married next week.
helterskelter
G.O.A.T.
Will he be back for Shanghai or is he taking a honeymoon? I'd hope he'll postpone his honeymoon until late November/December. Shanghai is a good opportunity for him to try to stake a claim for a spot at the tour finals. He's currently in the first alternate spot (given that Draper is out for the season).
Sparlingo
Hall of Fame
Yes, he's scheduled to play Shanghai
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Yes, a comfortable 6-4 6-2 win for no. 12 seed Felix Auger Aliassime against no. 7 seed Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16 in Shanghai on Wednesday evening. The Canadian played a very forceful game, at times overpowering his opponent. FAA was particularly effective on serve and remained unbroken throughout the match. He will face the unseeded Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the semi-finals. The Canadian currently leads their head-to-head 2-0.
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
heftylefty
Hall of Fame
Nice win for Felix!
Joseph_K
Hall of Fame
Earlier on Friday, Felix Auger Aliassime continued his recent run of consistent form by beating the American Eliot Spizzirri to reach the semi-finals of the European Open in Brussels. The Canadian won the first set in the eighth game, but had to save one set point at 4-5 and two more at 5-6 in the second set to force a tiebreak. There, he led 3-1 with a mini-break, but at 4-5 down was in danger of losing the set again. However, he won the next two points on his serve and, although he squandered a first match point at 6-5, he played brilliantly from the baseline to bring up a second one. An ace from the Canadian then brought an end to the tension and a 6-2, 7-6(6) victory for him.
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