Top 5 matchs of the season so far

[raph6]

According to the logic of the ATP, 2 quarters of the season have been played after this Wimbledon. 2 remains. We are « at the middle » of the season.

In my opinion, 2019 has been a good season so far, essentially due to the competition induced by the lack of form of Rafa during the clay season and the return of Federer on it (this part of the season was more competitive than usual that’s why I mean).

So what do you think are objectively the top 5 matchs of the season. I would personnaly choose these matchs :

1. Djokovic - Federer (Wimbledon 2019 Final) : Don’t want to talk about it but it was an epic thriller until the end...
2. Wawrinka - Tsitsipas (Roland Garros 2019 1/8) : A great quality match with beautiful one handed backhands on both sides
3. Tsitsipas - Federer (Australian Open 2019 1/8 F) : A lot of tension and beautiful net plays
4. Djokovic - Del Potro (Rome 2019 1/4) : Impressive form by Del Potro just 1 week after his comeback
5. Tsitsipas - Monfils (Dubai SF) : Great skills from both men, on a fast court making them shine

Do you agree ? Honorable mentions to Murray/RBA (AO 2019 R1) and Djokovic/Schwartzman (Rome 1/2) also.

 

[Breakpointerer]

Pretty good list.

 

[Standaa]

1. Fedovic Wimbledon F
2. Fedal Wimbledon SF
3. Osaka Kvitova AO F (does that even count? )
4. Del Djoktro Rome
5. Wawa Tsitsipas (I guess, many candidates)

 

[StrongRule]

I don't get the logic. How exactly Nadal being terrible during the clay season makes it stronger? If we get a Fognini-Lajovic final at a masters then we know the competition is weaker than ever. The clay season in 2018 was much more competitive. (Zverev-Thiem final in Madrid. Nadal had to work much harder in both Rome and RG than he did in 2019 and so on)

 

[Breakpointerer]

Might be a place for Fedal Wimby there too

 

[raph6]

I don't get the logic. How exactly Nadal being terrible during the clay season makes it stronger? If we get a Fognini-Lajovic final at a masters then we know the competition is weaker than ever. The clay season in 2018 was much more competitive. (Zverev-Thiem final in Madrid. Nadal had to work much harder in both Rome and RG than he did in 2019 and so on)

Matchs are good when 2 players are competitive against each other. When Nadal is in top form on clay, no one can compete with him and matchs are just a showcase of his talent.

I agree that Monte Carlo was bad though. Then Barcelona had 2 good semis (Thiem/Nadal and Medvedev/Nishikori), Madrid was very good (Federer/Monfils, Thiem/Federer, Tsitsipas/Nadal) and Roma even better (Djokovic/Del Potro, Djokovic/Schwartzman). Roland Garros final was also more competitive than 2018 and 2017.

 

[raph6]

Might be a place for Fedal Wimby there too

It was a good match but Federer completely collapsed in the second set and Rafa was not at his best in the 3rd and the 4th until the 2 last games.

 

[TheAssassin]

Can't comment on Tsitsipas vs Monfils in Dubai because I didn't watch it, but the other four picks are good. I enjoyed them for sure.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Federer vs Djokovic number 1.

 

[ibbi]

The Wimbledon final misses my list because to me two epic choke jobs in two consecutive tiebreaks and one tanked set kind of detract from the classic 5th. The two that were very close to making the list were both from Miami - Shapovalov vs. Tiafoe which was let down by it's third set, and Ferrer vs. Zverev which was just friggin' epic.

Honourable mentions:-
10. Bautista-Agut vs. Murray // Australian Open
09. Federer vs. Coric // Rome
08. Thiem vs. Federer // Madrid
07. Khachanov vs. Del Potro // Roland Garros
06. Shapovalov vs. Tsitsipas // Miami

05. Goffin vs. Medvedev // Wimbledon
04. Mahut vs. Cecchinato // Roland Garros
03. Nadal vs. Kyrgios // Wimbledon
02. Tsitsipas vs. Federer // Australian Open
01. Wawrinka vs. Tsitsipas // Roland Garros

 

[Luka888]

According to the logic of the ATP, 2 quarters of the season have been played after this Wimbledon. 2 remains. We are « at the middle » of the season.

In my opinion, 2019 has been a good season so far, essentially due to the competition induced by the lack of form of Rafa during the clay season and the return of Federer on it (this part of the season was more competitive than usual that’s why I mean).

So what do you think are objectively the top 5 matchs of the season. I would personnaly choose these matchs :

1. Djokovic - Federer (Wimbledon 2019 Final) : Don’t want to talk about it but it was an epic thriller until the end...
2. Wawrinka - Tsitsipas (Roland Garros 2019 1/8) : A great quality match with beautiful one handed backhands on both sides
3. Tsitsipas - Federer (Australian Open 2019 1/8 F) : A lot of tension and beautiful net plays
4. Djokovic - Del Potro (Rome 2019 1/4) : Impressive form by Del Potro just 1 week after his comeback
5. Tsitsipas - Monfils (Dubai SF) : Great skills from both men, on a fast court making them shine

Do you agree ? Honorable mentions to Murray/RBA (AO 2019 R1) and Djokovic/Schwartzman (Rome 1/2) also.

You got it right. In terms of quality a and drama, for sure

I disagree with the second part though.

 

[King No1e]

Thiemovic RG not being in any of these lists offends me.

 

[Ann]

Thiemovic RG not being in any of these lists offends me.

1. Thiemovic
2. Djokiem
3. Noledom
4. Domanole
5. The clay match between Djokovic and Thiem

 

[Robert Baratheon]

Thiemovic RG not being in any of these lists offends me.

I think Thiemdal was better with both guys playing very well for the first 2 sets.
Nadal was playing so well and Thiem wasn't really doing much wrong except going passive when Ned was on the offensive but that had a lot to do with Ned giving a 5 star performance.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal should be in at least 3 of them

 

[Standaa]

Thiemovic RG not being in any of these lists offends me.

was windy and whiney. not a high quality, maybe some drama in the fifth set but you knew both were gonna be gassed for Nadal anyway.

 

[Standaa]

I think Thiemdal was better with both guys playing very well for the first 2 sets.
Nadal was playing so well and Thiem wasn't really doing much wrong except going passive when Ned was on the offensive but that had a lot to do with Ned giving a 5 star performance.

definitely, especially the first set of Thiemdal at RG was one of the highest quality sets of this year.

 

[Robert Baratheon]

Nadal should be in at least 3 of them

Nadal was in all 5 of them in spirit.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal was in all 5 of them in spirit.

Epic

 

[Robert Baratheon]

definitely, especially the first set of Thiemdal at RG was one of the highest quality sets of this year.

Yeah it wasn't like last year when me, Ken Rosewall, Thiem's parents and the rest of the planet was left disappointed with Thiem's performance.
This time around it was much more of a case of Thiem doing things right and Nadal still murdering him.

 

[upchuck]

The Wimbledon final misses my list because to me two epic choke jobs in two consecutive tiebreaks and one tanked set kind of detract from the classic 5th.

The idea that Federer "tanked" two tiebreaks shows remarkable lack of insight on your part.

Based entirely on how Federer matches up with Djokovic, no one should be surprised Federer lost the tiebreaks. Their games are such that Federer NEEDS service games to stay with Djokovic. As soon as it gets to the shootout stage where every individual point matters, Djokovic's superior stability and ground game inevitably takes him across the line.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

The idea that Federer "tanked" two tiebreaks shows remarkable lack of insight on your part.

Based entirely on how Federer matches up with Djokovic, no one should be surprised Federer lost the tiebreaks. Their games are such that Federer NEEDS service games to stay with Djokovic. As soon as it gets to the shootout stage where every individual point matters, Djokovic's superior stability and ground game inevitably takes him across the line.

Reading comprehension fail. The tanked set obviously referred to Djokovic giving the second set away. Now have the decency to admit you misread.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

The idea that Federer "tanked" two tiebreaks shows remarkable lack of insight on your part.

Based entirely on how Federer matches up with Djokovic, no one should be surprised Federer lost the tiebreaks. Their games are such that Federer NEEDS service games to stay with Djokovic. As soon as it gets to the shootout stage where every individual point matters, Djokovic's superior stability and ground game inevitably takes him across the line.

Also, Federer was 12-10 vs Djokovic in tiebreaks until last year, but 0-5 in their last two matches. Looks like the ground game gap is too big now as Federer's decline accelerates.

 

[upchuck]

Reading comprehension fail. The tanked set obviously referred to Djokovic giving the second set away. Now have the decency to admit you misread.

"two epic choke jobs in two consecutive tiebreaks"

You came for me and ended up taking a dump on your own self. Now go away until I send for you.

 

[Third Serve]

"two epic choke jobs in two consecutive tiebreaks"

You came for me and ended up taking a dump on your own self. Now go away until I send for you.

A choke isn't a tank.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

"two epic choke jobs in two consecutive tiebreaks"

You came for me and ended up taking a dump on your own self. Now go away until I send for you.

Where did ibbi say Federer tanked tiebreaks?

 

[upchuck]

A choke isn't a tank.

I never said it was.

Where did ibbi say Federer tanked tiebreaks?

He said "two epic choke jobs in two tiebreaks." The tanked set is another matter entirely.

 

[upchuck]

Also, Federer was 12-10 vs Djokovic in tiebreaks until last year, but 0-5 in their last two matches. Looks like the ground game gap is too big now...

Much too big.

 

[Third Serve]

I never said it was.
He said "two epic choke jobs in two tiebreaks." The tanked set is another matter entirely.

Then why were you suggesting that the above poster claimed Federer tanked two tiebreaks?

The idea that Federer "tanked" two tiebreaks shows remarkable lack of insight on your part.

 

[NoleFam]

Also, Federer was 12-10 vs Djokovic in tiebreaks until last year, but 0-5 in their last two matches. Looks like the ground game gap is too big now as Federer's decline accelerates.

In tiebreaks, the superior server usually has the upper hand. Federer is #1 in the OE in tiebreaks but the problem is Djokovic is a pretty good server and is #3 in the OE. All their tiebreaks are usually knockout dragouts and they were tied 2-2 on grass before this match. It's not Federer's ground game being exposed since he held his own pretty well in that in this match. It is mental and Djokovic has had that advantage when it gets to that point in the last two matches.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

In tiebreaks, the superior server usually has the upper hand. Federer is #1 in the OE in tiebreaks but the problem is Djokovic is pretty good server and is #3 in the OE. All their tiebreaks are usually knockout dragouts. It's not Federer's ground game being exposed since he held his own pretty well in that in this match. It is mental and Djokovic has had that advantage when it gets to that point in the last two matches.

The first sentence is a myth; serving well obviously helps but other parts are important too.

Djokovic had a pretty big edge off the ground when he wasn't crap, Federer's serving saved him a lot. Him failing to bring that to TBs (which was mental indeed) pretty much guaranteed losing them.

 

[NoleFam]

The first sentence is a myth; serving well obviously helps but other parts are important too.

Djokovic had a pretty big edge off the ground when he wasn't crap, Federer's serving saved him a lot. Him failing to bring that to TBs (which was mental indeed) pretty much guaranteed losing them.

I think Djokovic tightened up his game in the tiebreaks and Federer got tight. Djokovic made no errors in the tiebreaks and Federer made 11. That's why I think it was mostly mental. The first tiebreak Djokovic barely got a first serve in and still won it.

 

[NoleFam]

Good list OP but I would probably add Thiem/Federer Madrid in there somewhere in my top 8 or so.

 

[upchuck]

It's not Federer's ground game being exposed since he held his own pretty well in that in this match. It is mental and Djokovic has had that advantage when it gets to that point in the last two matches.

Federer only won 41% of baseline points, much lower than I realised during the match, despite my feeling that Djokovic generally had the upper hand once the returns were in. When the tiebreaks came, there was no place for Federer's ground game to hide. He couldn't hide it behind his serve, which often erases deficits in games. And he couldn't hide it behind a net-game because he's smart enough to know you can only come in so much. Had he served better in the tiebreaks, that would have helped a great deal. But given the differences in the quality of their ground games, I think tiebreaks put him at a structural disadvantage. https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-wimbledon-2019-final-brain-game

 

[upchuck]

Then why were you suggesting that the above poster claimed Federer tanked two tiebreaks?

I obviously meant chocked. You and he know this.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

I obviously meant chocked. You and he know this.

You are obviously a self-absorbed arse, unfortunately being one prevents you from admitting that. Sad!

 

[upchuck]

You are obviously a self-absorbed arse, unfortunately being one prevents you from admitting that. Sad!

And you, you're not a self-absorbed arse at all, oh no.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Me and @Poisoned Slice had 2 of them today in TS4

 

[NoleFam]

Federer only won 41% of baseline points, much lower than I realised during the match, despite my feeling that Djokovic generally had the upper hand once the returns were in. When the tiebreaks came, there was no place for Federer's ground game to hide. He couldn't hide it behind his serve, which often erases deficits in games. And he couldn't hide it behind a net-game because he's smart enough to know you can only come in so much. Had he served better in the tiebreaks, that would have helped a great deal. But given the differences in the quality of their ground games, I think tiebreaks put him at a structural disadvantage. https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-wimbledon-2019-final-brain-game

Wow. This is shocking because to me it felt so much closer than this. I have to say @AnOctorokForDinner made a good point about the baseline points looking at this. I do still feel that Federer tightened up in them but you are right that it was advantage Djokovic because Federer can't get into the same rhythm in a tiebreak like he can in a service game and once the rally starts, advantage Djokovic.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

And you, you're not a self-absorbed arse at all, oh no.

Obviously not self-absorbed.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Me and @Poisoned Slice had 2 of them today in TS4

Uncle Ivan wins the player of the day award.

 

[upchuck]

Obviously not self-absorbed.

neither am I

 

[BeatlesFan]

1. Djokovic - Federer (Wimbledon 2019 Final) : Don’t want to talk about it but it was an epic thriller until the end...
2. Wawrinka - Tsitsipas (Roland Garros 2019 1/8) : A great quality match with beautiful one handed backhands on both sides
3. Tsitsipas - Federer (Australian Open 2019 1/8 F) : A lot of tension and beautiful net plays
4. Djokovic - Del Potro (Rome 2019 1/4) : Impressive form by Del Potro just 1 week after his comeback
5. Tsitsipas - Monfils (Dubai SF) : Great skills from both men, on a fast court making them shine

Seriously good list. Fed lost 2/5, but I'm objective enough to give it a thumbs up. The Rome match inclusion is inspired!

 

[captainbryce]

I don’t know about you guys, but I sense a Tsitsipas fan.

 

[MeatTornado]

I'm shocked Kyrgios/Nadal in Mexico hasn't been mentioned yet. That one was insane.

Also, Raonic/Wawrinka in Australia was incredible.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I don’t know about you guys, but I sense a Tsitsipas fan.

Gyros and long hair, what's not to love?

 

[MeatTornado]

Gyros and long hair, what's not to love?

Don't get me started

 

[Subway Tennis]

There hasn't been anything close to the 1st set of the men's RG final level-wise.

That set taken in isolation is a complete outlier, and easily the best tennis we have seen all year.

Its a shame the rest of the match couldn't maintain the momentum (an impossible task, I guess).

 

[raph6]

I don’t know about you guys, but I sense a Tsitsipas fan.

Not at all. I like his offensive game and his on court mindset but his technic seems strange and his personality is... special to say the least.

Last year matchs of the year were a lot of Nadal matchs (VS Del Potro and Djokovic at Wimbledon, VS Thiem at the US Open) and I’m not a Nadal fan neither.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Stefanos is a little cocky, but he's young and at least you can see he wants to be great.