Religion and Ethics Forum
General Category => Sports, Hobbies & Interests => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on December 31, 2018, 05:31:27 PM
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And the first day of 2019 will bring a tennis milestone
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/46720782
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and Federer won that particular battle.
The signs don't look good for Murray. He definitely does not sound as if he thinks being back at the top is likely. Meanwhile Nadal looks to be struggling to be fit for the Australian.
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Federer wins the Hopman Cup with Bencic, 18 years after he first win it with Hingis!
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I see that Andy Murray was beaten today,. but I'm glad it was five sets and not three.
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I don't think Murray has been wise to carry on playing tennis when he admits it is very painful due to his hip damage, which could cause him permanent problems. Surely his family and young child come first, not a mere game.
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He has given up, says he can't compete at that level any more. Bless his heart, he was so upset but as you say, LR, it's a wise decision. He has so much going for him, I'm sure he'll have a great future.
PS:- Just seen him on the news, it seems he might not be giving up so I don't know what the emotional interview of a couple of days ago was about.
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He has given up, says he can't compete at that level any more. Bless his heart, he was so upset but as you say, LR, it's a wise decision. He has so much going for him, I'm sure he'll have a great future.
PS:- Just seen him on the news, it seems he might not be giving up so I don't know what the emotional interview of a couple of days ago was about.
He didn't say he was giving up now. He said he wanted to carry on until Wimbledon.
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He didn't say he was giving up now. He said he wanted to carry on until Wimbledon.
And indeed had mentioned the possibility of the surgery, and expressed doubt about coming back from that. It did rather take away from the attempt of the Aus Open to say farewell.
As for the idea that he should think of his family, I'm sure he does. He seems to give every impression of caring very deeply for his family. Tennis is not just a game for him. It's his job, an obvious passion, and a huge part of his life, and his family's life.
Whatever happens, it's been an extraordinary career, played at a very high level for over 10 years. We are somewhat spoiled in the quality of those at the top, and while it is difficult to compare eras, one significant figure for Murray in the Open Era is that he has beaten the 10th most top ten opponents. That's better than Sampras, or Edberg, or Borg. And of the top four in that stat You have three players, Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal who he has played consistently. (Note if Nadal beats 3 more top ten players, it will be the top 3).
We are in a very different era to others though, and there is a current stat, that I suspect might fall in this Aus Open, that no one currently playing, who is under 30 has won a set in a Slam final.
And somewhat related to that, there was a tall changing of the guard when John Isner, 6'10', 33, lost to fellow American Reilly Opelka, 6'11', 21. That said the other 6' 11' professional is Ivo Karlovic, who has made it into the 2nd round at the age of 39 and 10 months.
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Any of the top 7 ranked women could be take the No 1 Ranking if they win, and if any of the top 5 win, they will be number one. This seems unusually tight at the top.
Also Anisimova looks like an up and coming talent, and not yet 18.
Be interesting if any of the younger men really establish themselves here, Tsitsipas and De Minaur looks the favourite to emerge, but there's Shapovalov, Tiafoe, Fritz and Popyrin as well. Of course Zverev is still not 22 but given his Masters wins and EOY wins, and ranking, he's now part of the top players
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Big win for Tsitsipas against Federer. Given how he finished last season looks and started here, good chance that he will skip the Next Gen tournament and qualify for the main year end. Federer will now be ranked no higher than 6th after the end of the Australian Open, and I wonder if he might call it a day if he continues to have that kind of loss. I suspect he's thinking that he wants to continue till next year to give him a final chance at the Olympics, but that surely feels a long way off just now.
The question marks against Zverev reappear with his loss against Raonic being a bad one. May be surpassed in achievement in slams by either Tsitsipas, or Tiafoe here.
Williams win over Halep makes you thnk there is a good chance she will win, but Osaka, Kvitova, and Pliskova all look good. Huge win for Collins over Kerber, and that's a fast rise in the last year.
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Osaka vs Kvitova has the look of a good final. Osaka's performance today was outstanding, and Kvitova's return from being attacked is a great story. Always good when the number 1 ranking is on the line.
Nadal looked better than ever against Tsitsipas. If he wins the final, Federer's 20 slams looks well within reach.
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Brilliant women's final. Osaka looks like a new star.
And Djokovic - that was incredible.
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Brilliant women's final. Osaka looks like a new star.
And Djokovic - that was incredible.
What was the mens' final score?
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What was the mens' final score?
6-3 6-2 6-3.Nadal didn't play to the standard he has but Djokovic was brilliant.
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What was the mens' final score?
thank you.
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First tournament win at the weekend for Opelka, whom I mentioned at the time of his win over Isner in the Aus Open. Will be interesting to see how he progresses. Can see lots of tiebreaks.
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Great win for Bencic last week. After major injury, beating 3 top ten players looks great.
This week - can Federer win the 100th title?
And interesting spat between Nadal and Kyrgios
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So Federer gets the 100th title, and Kyrgios has a major return to form.
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News on Murray's recovery.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/47466258
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Anisimova looks like an emerging force in the women's game.
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Indian Wells very interesting so far. More from Bencic, and then Vondrousova, and Andreescu, and some of the younger men emerging. Big defeat for Djokovic.
Amazing though to see Venus Williams, and Ivo Karlovic in the last rounds. Karlovic just turned 40!
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And now Nadal v Federer. Fascinating tournament. Andreescu emerging as a star
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Unfortunately we didn't get Nadal v Federer - Federer wondering if they would ever play again seems indicative that he's not thinking of staying about for too long, though also obviously recognises that both have had injuries more often recently. Thiem winning the final may see at last his emergence at the top level. he's been 'on the verge' for 5 years or so without quite making it. I would suspect that even amongst some tennis fans he wouldn't be recognisedd
And Andreescu completed the wild card win of Indian Wells - from 157 in the world at the start of the year to 24 now is a big jump, and of course Osaka's win at Indian Wells last year was her first big win.
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Miami sees further emergence of the younger players in the men's with 4 of the 7 so far qualified for the quarter finals being 22 or younger. Big step up for the youngest, Auger-Aliassime. If Federer best Medvedev tonight this would mean, four at 22 or under, and 4 at 30 or over. If Federer loses, then we have no one ranked in the top 6 in the semifinals, which doesn't happen often at a Masters.
Women's also a bit topsy turvy with Barty and Kontaveitt, while strong contenders, definitely a surprise semi final. The other hald of the draw could provide a semi final that is either a surprise or very much as expected with Halep, Pliskova, up against Wang, and Vondrousova.
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From the occasional comments I have heard, Kyle Edmund is doing quite well. I wonder if he has any burning ambition to get to the top of the tennis tree or whether he is happy with being a good, reliable and consistent(?) player.
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From the occasional comments I have heard, Kyle Edmund is doing quite well. I wonder if he has any burning ambition to get to the top of the tennis tree or whether he is happy with being a good, reliable and consistent(?) player.
He's doing ok, though as with so many seems inconsistent. He hasn't really built on last year's Australian Open semi final. though he had a couple of injuries last year. Losing to John Isner, the current reigning champion, at Miami 7-6, 7-6 isn't a bad result but he double faulted after being 5-2 up in the second set tie break. To get to 14 n the world which he did last year, you need burning ambition - getting further is I think a matter of both luck and getting the mental part of the game right.
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So the men's semi finals drew Federer and Isner against the young Canadians (which wouldn't have been as good a lyric) Shapovalov, and Auger-Aliassime. And the old guys won. If Federer wins he will top the year to date points. Worth noting that Auger-Aliassime is the youngest men's semi finalist at Miami ever.
In the women's final we have Pliskova v Barty. Pliskova must be favourite but Barty is steadily moving up. Even though I follow tennis a bit, I hadn't realised that Pliskova had been ranked No1.
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And Federer leads the ATP race. Although it's still early season that is amazing at 37. He's also as far as I can see the only person in men or women this year to have won 2 titles.
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Shame that Azarenka got injured in the final after reaching her first final in 3 not easy years.
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Big win for the UK in the Fed Cup, but the Monte Carlo Masters with a win for Fognini over Lajovic in the final would have been extraordinary odds. And given Lajovic is 28, and Fognini 31, near 32, we have a result where the young fall back.
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Interesting match up at the Barcelona Open today - Nadal v Ferrer in Ferrer's penultimate tournament before he retires
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Topsy turvy clay season so far - can't remember when or indeed if Nadal would have been beaten 3 times at this stage in the season on clay. Zverev looks a bit out of sorts.
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Federer racking up the 400th match in Slams is quite amazing. If you get to the final of each slam in a year that's 28 matches.
Women's looks very open with lots of high seeds out but last year 's winner and finalist still there with Halep and Stephens.
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Topsy turvy clay season so far - can't remember when or indeed if Nadal would have been beaten 3 times at this stage in the season on clay. Zverev looks a bit out of sorts.
Did Hannah Conte* get through to quarter finals?
*I don't know how to spell her name
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Did Hannah Conte* get through to quarter finals?
*I don't know how to spell her name
Johanna Konta? Currently in last 16. Should be playing tomorrow for place in quarters.
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Johanna Konta? Currently in last 16. Should be playing tomorrow for place in quarters.
Thank you ... and I'll learn the spelling too! I hear bits of sports news if I have Five Live on during the evening. I might even listen to the football this evening!
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Serena knocked out. Big big win by Kenin
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And big win for Anisimova!
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Konta into quarters but next up is either last year's finalist Stephens, or a former champion Muguruza.
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Konta into quarters but next up is either last year's finalist Stephens, or a former champion Muguruza.
Well done, Konta. Thanks for posting.
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Impressive win for Wawrinka over Tsitsipas. If Nishikori wins then the quarters on that side will have the youngest person will be 29 and six months.
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Though just realised that if Paire wins then that is 4 quarter finalists over 30
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Well done, Konta. Thanks for posting.
So it will be Stephens. Interesting match up.
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Could have been just old men in the quarters but Zverev, Khachanov, and Thiem winning have made it a bit youthier.
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Big win for Konta - Stephens is an excellent player and would have expected to win. That it was straight sets is a big surprise.
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Big win for Konta - Stephens is an excellent player and would have expected to win. That it was straight sets is a big surprise.
That is excellent! The pundits were predicting a year or two ago that she would be a grand Slam winner so maybe this is the time.
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Barty wins which isn't a surprise though Keys not an easy opponent BUT Anisimova's win over Halep is. While she has looked like a star of the furure this is a big breakthrough beating last's years champion. We're now guaranteed a new Slam winner.
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And we have a Nadal v Federer, Djokovic v Thiem line up. Thiem needs to win and win a set in the final to stop the record that no current player has ever won a set in a Grand Slam and is still under 30.
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Osaka being knocked out in Birmingham means if Barty gets to final she becomes the No1
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Couple of big wins by Auger Aliassime. This could be a real breakthrough
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Osaka being knocked out in Birmingham means if Barty gets to final she becomes the No1
not quite correct 3 points short for qualifying for final.
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So Murray makes it to the doubles final and Lopez makes both finals after playing in three matches yesterday. Auger Aliassime did well but may just lack a bit of experience and Lopez is an excellent grass court player.
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And Barty hits No1, surely a possibility of a Channel Slam which would make her the first woman to do so since Serena Williams in 2002.
Meanwhile Federer wins Halle for the 10th time. Have to wonder if he can pass Connors for most match wins and most tournament wins in the Open Era.
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Sad that Del Potro has broken his kneecap again. It isn't going to be easy for him to get back.
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I see Mahut has lost in the qualies for Wimbledon. Given he is retiring this year, hope he gets a wildcard. Would be rude not to given Isner vs Mahut
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Nadal to be seeded No3 at Wimbledon - despite being the No.2 ranked player. And various other adjustments. Given the short length of the grass court season now, there is a logic to Wimbledon's approach but it also seems to give rise to decisions that feel unfair. Either the ranking system should be adhered to, or we should come up with something that makes grass less anomalous - which they have done since the days where serve and volley was likely to dominate. Given all of that Nadal not playing any other grass tournaments than Wimbledon means that given the known rules they apply he is in part responsible.
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And close together Zverev and Tsitsipas, the high ranked young hopes gone. And now Venus Williams 39 vs Cori Gauff 15. Extraordinary match up.
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And Gauff wins! That is one of those moments when the new ushers out the old.
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I shall be interested to hear what you think of Andy Murray's fitness and ease of movement when he plays.
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So Murray and Serena Williams to play mixed doubles. I suspect that there is a chance for a first round mixed doubles match to be on a show court for the first time I can remember.
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And Gauff in the second round looking great
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The Nadal Kyrgios match living up to billing.
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Not often you will get a packed Centre Court for a first round mixed doubles. I think the draw means that Willams/Murray could play Williams/Tiafoe, and in the final Matthek Sands/Murray
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Wonder what odds you might have been able to get to have Hoyt/Silva the last Brits in the main draws? Yet again in the men's it's a triumph for the older group. Last year's Wimbledon semi finals was the record for oldest average, this years beats it by a year.
Oddly the women's despite having a bleed of high seeds, isn't that much of a shock other than Strycova.
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Big win for Halep. Grass is a surface that's she's been seen as weak on, but this will be her best slam performance so far this year.
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I see Mahut has won in his men's doubles semi final. Very happy about this. Fitting finish to his Wimbledon career.
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Good win for Kyrgios at the Washington Open - of course who knows which Kyrgios will turn up in Montreal
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And the Kyrgios that turned up was the one that loses in the first round to Kyle Edmund after having an argument with the umpire about the towels provided.
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Couple of interesting changes in the rankings this week. Well one certain and one possible. Barty's loss means she won't remain Women's No 1 ranked player - it will either be Osaka or Pliskova dependent on results. Osaka defending a lot of ranking points later in the season.
In the men's if Nadal doesn't repeat his win in the Rogers Cup from last year, Federer would go up to No 2 ranked. With no Djokovic and Federer in the draw, it looks that Nadal could win - there isn't a lot of obvious on form players on hard court at moment.
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So though Osaka lost to Serena Williams , she goes back to No1 since Pliskova lost as well.
And Andy Murray to return to singles in Cincinnati.
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So though Osaka lost to Serena Williams , she goes back to No1 since Pliskova lost as well.
And Andy Murray to return to singles in Cincinnati.
I am pleased to hear that second point.
How did Kyle Edmund do after that first round you mentioned?
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I am pleased to hear that second point.
How did Kyle Edmund do after that first round you mentioned?
Lost in the next round badly to Medvedev who is now in semi final.
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So Nadal retains title and the No 2 Ranking - Medvedev not really presenting any problem in the final.
Meanwhile Serena Williams pulled out of the final injured. The last time she did this was also at the Rogers Cup in 2000, the year her opponent and winner this year, Andreescu, was born. Pretty spectacular return after injury by Andreescu, who is now up to 14 in the rankings - doesn't appear to be playing Cincinnati
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Murray out in straight sets against Gasquet who is himself working back from injury but a bit further down the line.
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And Federer knocked out by Rublev - which menas he won't have many matches played on hard courts before the US Open.
Andy Murray though in the doubles to play his brother - apparently only for the second time at tour level,. Interestingly he's now saying that he won't compete in doubles at the US Open but will play singles at the Winston-Salem tournament, and options to be looked at dependent on how well he does.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49367223
Osaka, Barty, and Pliskova who could all be number 1 ranked at the end of the tournament all through to quarter finals, joined by Venus Williams at 39 still winning.
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Oh good, - I'm pleased to hear that Andy Murray will be playing his brother. The last I heard on Five Live was that they had lost the first set 6-2.
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Oh good, - I'm pleased to hear that Andy Murray will be playing his brother. The last I heard on Five Live was that they had lost the first set 6-2.
Won the second 6-3 and then the 'champion's tiebreak' 10-7. He's now up to 89th ranked Doubles player which is pretty good in less than a 3rd of the season but as per earlier not I doubt he'll play again for foreseeable future. Were he to win the tournament He would be ranked around 47 in the world.
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So Serena Williams vs Sharapova in the first round of the US Open - that should be interesting - you have to suspect a fairly easy win for Williams.
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And it was an easy win for Serena Williams. Slight surprise that Federer dropped a set against qualifier - perhaps in playing Nagal he thought he was playing someone more famous.
Meanwhile in the Nadal Challenger Andy Murray won his first singles match since his return from surgery against Imran Sibille who must have been a bit overwhelmed to play a Slam champion in one of his first matches.
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Thiem and Tsitsipas knocked out - both seem to be having a drop off in form - though at this stage both in line for the Year End tournament, and barring injury likely to make it along with Djokovic, Nadal, Federer - all already qualified, and Medvedev.
Looking at some of those who are knocked out where you wonder if it is their last Slam - Karlovic and Berdych stand out. Haven't heard any official announcements and the lure of the Olympics is likely to keep some people going. I suspect that there may be a number of high profile retirings next year.
Intriguing possible match up between Osaka and Gauff in the 3rd round. Only a year after her major breakthrough, Osaka sees a much younger star on the horizon.
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Following the up-to-date R&E tennis correspondent as usual :) - is there any further news of Andy Murray after his singles win somewhere?
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Following the up-to-date R&E tennis correspondent as usual :) - is there any further news of Andy Murray after his singles win somewhere?
Yep, he won his next match against Norbert Gombos - who was the number 3 seed for the event. He's now up to provisional no 534 in the world. Next match is Thursday.
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Yep, he won his next match against Norbert Gombos - who was the number 3 seed for the event. He's now up to provisional no 534 in the world. Next match is Thursday.
Thank you - that is good and so much better news than the complete and utter mess Gov is in.
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Be interesting to see what happens with Djokovic - while he won his match, the medical timeouts looked to be pretty serious. At the moment Nadal looks like the most likely winner.
I presume that given the lack of fuss, Venus Wiliams is definitely intending to play next year. I wonder whether there is a possibility that both Williams sisters will retire next year - possibly at the US Open.
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Big shock with Halep being knocked out by Townsend.
And Murray beaten and struggled with fitness in Mallorca.
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In terms of the tennis, the Gauff Osaka match didn't live up to the billing but it was still hugely dramatic. Osaka looked very good but even if she retains the title she's not guaranteed to be number 1 ranked.
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With Barty and Pliskova being knocked out, Osaka will be No 1 if she retains title now. Konta's win over Pliskova is a good one, but Svitolina wil not be easy in the quarters. Will the final be a repeat of last year's with Williams v Osaka?
Djokovic's loss/retiral through injury probably not that much of a surprise after the earlier match and brings about the match of the Swiss players in the quarter final. It means that there is a good possibility of a Nadal v Federer final which, if it happens, will amazingly be their first ever match at the US Open
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Osaka knocked out so will drop to at least 3 in the rankings. Those in the top 6 positions in the WTA race this year have all been knocked out - those in the positions 7 - 11 are all still playing. Looks as if qualification for the year end tournament will be very tight. Barty has already qualified and Halep and Pliskova look highly likely to make it, but after that we will have to wait and see.
I note that I got the draw wrong yesterday and Federer and Wawrinka won't meet in the quarters. Rather Federer plays Dimitrov who is returning to form, and Wawrinka plays Medvedev who, after Nadal, has been the form player of the North American hard court season.
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And Federer knocked out by Dimitrov. It's beginning to look a lot like Nadal given that the in form player Medvedev had injury problems in his win over Wawrinka, and was blown away when he played Nadal in the Rogers Cup. Those others left in the draw - Monfils, Berretini, and Schwartzmann seem unlikely to stop Nadal in his current form.
And Serena Williams and Svitolina through - Williams looks as if she will walk this but then that has been though before in Slams since she returned after giving birth.
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Earlier I wondered about the likelihood of players retiring next year who might be waiting to play in the Olympics, or have other reasons for staying on till then. This post looks at those who I think might be going.
Federer is the most obvious one - he'll be 39, even with a lighter schedule it's going to be tough to avoid injuries such as the one that may have affected him against Dimitrov. I don't see him just retiring at the end of this season because I think he will feel he would owe the crowds a chance to say goodbye AND I think he hankers for the Gold Medal in the singles at the Olympics to put him alongside Nadal, and Agassi as having achieved a Golden Slam in the mens. He's also close to passing Connors's record for the most tour wins in the Open era for men, but he won't achieve that this year. I think he'd like to get more Slams to avoid being caught or passed by Nadal or Djokovic but that's looking less and less likely.
Nadal - it's such a a physical game for him that I can't see him lasting as long as Federer and yet good chance that he will win his second slam this year. That would put him on 19 to Federer's 20. Obviously if fit he will be favourite for the French, and if he could get to 21 maybe he will see that as enough. I do wonder how much he would like to win the Year End tournament as it's the one major blemish on his record. What Nadal needs though to get to the records he might want is such a successful season that it would be odd to retire - so more likely a bad season, or one featuring injury would lead to him retiring.
Djokovic - in comparison to Federer isn't old but in comparison to what was the norm 10 years ago, pretty ancient. He's had a great season but the retiral due to injury makes one wonder if he can and will want to continue if anything similar happens next year. Again he would be in line for a Golden Slam so likely to stay for that.
Murray - depends a lot on how the next few tournaments go. I suspect he will be thinking of at least playing the Slams even if he decides that he is going to retire and he has the possibility of winning 3 successive Olympic titles - which would be a record that I suspect would last for some time.
TBC
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Continuing the possible retiring next year thread
Nishikori - not as old as the others but will be 31, an age when retiring used to be normal. As with many I suspect it will need a bad year or an injury to make him retire as he is very fit which is demonstrated by his having the best record in final sets in both 3 and 5 set matches all time on the ATP tour.
Anderson - would be 34., and has had a bad season this year with injuries. After having his best year last year, another would tempt him to stay - given the serving it can make it easier to compete even if not fully fit.
Wawrinka - who never quite made it the big 5 despite the 3 Slams because his overall record elsewhere isn't quite up to that. He'll be 35, had comeback from injury but doesn't quite seem as potent despite the victory over Djokovic in the US Open. Strongly suspect that next year will be a farewell
Isner - the winner of the longest match of all time and given the new rules at Wimbledon, likely to remain that for all time. Another who will be 35. Again his serving is so powerful that he will continue to win matches but this season has as with Anderson not been his best.
Cilic - another of the giants in term of size, with Isner and Anderson and Karlovic. One of the few players in this era dominated by 3 players who managed to win a Slam. But this year has been his worst in a long time. Will only be 32 by end of next season but his game is wider than just a big serve so would need to be fit to continue.
Raonic - oh look another big server, and one who wouldn't even be 30 but has always been a bit fragile. Another injury and I doubt he will try to return.
TBC
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Williams vs Andreescu final - Williams having won her first US Open title before Andreescu was born. I suspect those who don't follow tennis will have missed how good Andreescu's season has been. If it hadn't been for injury, then good chance she would have been in the battle for the number 1 ranking.
To continue sideways my thoughts on who might retire next year, I think both Serena and Venus will go. Serena is definitely focussed on equalling and surpassing Margaret Court's 24 Slams , and both will be wondering about more Olympic gold. Serena has been a class above in the tournament but she was at Wimbledon too, if not to such an extent.
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Nadal's win means that there is a good chance to regain the No 1 Ranking for the end of the year, as he doesn't have many points to defend. If Djokovic's injury is significant then it would become likely.
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Other possible retirees in the male ranks would be Verdasco - who will be 36, Gasquet, 34 and recently back from injury, Gilles Simon, Lopez - who would be 39, and Karlovic who would be 41!
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Looking at the schedule - Nadal could go back to No1 ranking after Shanghai in three weeks time - he has no points to defend while Djokovis defends 1000 points. Djokovic currently scheduled to play Tokyo which he didn't last year so he could get 500 points for winning that but would still once last year's Shanghai points are removed be below Nadal making their performance in Shanghai determining the No 1 ranking.
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Meanwhile if Plíšková matches or betters Barty's result in Wuhan, she will return to No1 Ranking for women. With Konta not playing the Asia tournaments, she won't make the elite year end tournament, though likely to make the second tier one if fit.
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And Andy Murray wins his first top tier in singles since his return beating Sandgren who beat him in August.
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Murray knocked out by De Minaur in next round.
Barty stays at women's No 1 having done better than Pliskova in Wuhan. Sabalenka into the final of the tournament that she won to properly emerge last year. Riske continues to reach new career high rankings at 29 years old.
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Returning to the subject of those who might well retire after 2020 in the women's game, then in addition to the Williams sisters, I could see Kerber, Kvitova, Kuznetsova, Azarenka, Zvonareva and Sharapova all going.
I also suspect that the Bryan twins will play their last men's doubles match
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I realised that on a quick check I had missed one that OI had intended to mention earlier. Del Potro who at his best could well have won many more slams has stuggled throughout his career with injuries. There is a lot to tempt him back to play, but it is a matter of if not when. I can't see any return going beyond 2020.
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Edmund's loss in China means Evans is very close to being the the new UK Men's No 1 player. Possibly not likely to happen here, but looking strongly likely after Shanghai Masters.
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Big win for Murray - many people will not have heard of Berrettini, but currently ranked 13th, in 8th place in the ATP Race, and semi finalist at the US Open last month. The win means he plays the British number 3, Norrie, in the next round.
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Murray beats Norrie to reach quarter final.
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Murray beats Norrie to reach quarter final.
Have you been watching it? How does Murray look? Really well and enjoying the action? I do hope so.
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Have you been watching it? How does Murray look? Really well and enjoying the action? I do hope so.
Haven't seen today's match. In the one with Berrettini, he looked strong, but still not anywhere near his best. But he is definitely getting better as he plays
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And Murray beaten in straight sets by Thiem. Not really a surprise. If Zverev beats Querrey, then Thiem is the oldest man left in the draw.
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Big match coming up in the women's draw in China with Andreescu and Osaka. Difficult one to call. Osaka looking likes she has returned to form, but Andreescu probably the form player of the last 3 months. 2 current Slam title holders.
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And looking at the points in the WTA rankings, looks very likely with Pliskova and Svitolina being knocked out earlier than Barty that she will finish the year ranked No 1.
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Osaka wins. Tough tough match
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Nadal pulls out of Shanghai. He doesn't have any points to defend in the rest of the year, and on current numbers would finish ranked No. 1 but Djokovic has a good chance of closing that up a bit by end of Shanghai, leaving it a battle in Paris and London for the number 1 spot for end of year. Given past records in those, Djokovic would be favourite.
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So Edmund's 'reign' as UK's number 1 is over, or will be when the new rankings are issued at the end of Shanghai Masters, after his loss today. He will certainly be passed by Evans who was knocked out in qualifying, and would be passed by Norrie, if Norrie (who had a good win against Simon today) wins his next match. Evans will be No. 1 for the first time unless Norrie gets to the semi final - which would count as a huge shock.
Murray's win against Londero moves him up to No 242 in the world provisionally.
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Murray officially stating his intention to play the Australian Open - don't think that will be a huge surprise but will be interesting to see how his fitness works over 5 set matches.
Having done a thread on possible retirements at the end of next year, I should have noted previously that Kim Clijsters is unreunretiring and should be playing in the Australian Open at the age of 36.
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Both Murray, and Norrie lose, though Murray went to final set tie break against Fognini which is good progress. This means Dan Evans who didn't qualify for Shanghai will become UK's No 1 man. Incidentally had Murray won the Shanghai Masters, he would have become UK No 1.
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Gauff breaking into the top 100, which is amazing, but there is a cautionary tale in the story, Karatantcheva.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49989589
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Djokovic, Federer, Fognini beaten by Tsitsipas, Zverev, Medvedev - is there a changing of the guard at last?
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And Berettinni beats Thiem so the four younger players won! All under 25.
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Heather Watson through to final in Tianjin. Her first WTA final in 3 years. After a dreadful year, this has been a strong return to form.
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And Gauff wins!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50033439
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Easy win for Medvedev in the end. 2 Masters titles in a row.
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Murray beats Cuevas pretty impressively. Also Jannik Sinner has a very impressive win against Monfils, there definitely seems to be a growth in the younger players.
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Murray into semi final. Konta out of the end of year WTA elite tournament. And another big win for Sinner.
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Murray makes the final and will play Wawrinka. 6 slams between them. If Wawrinka wins he's back in the top 16 returning from injury. And after all the good stuff done by the younger generation last week and Sinner this week, another final between two over thirties.
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And Murray wins.
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And Murray wins.
Yes, I just heard on the radio - that is very good news.
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Wawrinka beats Tiafoe to set up quarter final as the Basel Open with Federer - but then withdraws through injury.
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Federer wins the Basel Open for the 10th time and does so without going to a 3rd set and one walkover, which should mean he's quite fresh for Paris. Even if Djokovic wins in Paris - he'll drop to No2 with Nadal taking over the No1 ranking, a good run to the final should make him likely to keep that to the year end.
In qualification for the Year end tournament, Nadal, Djokivoc, Federer, Medvedev, Thiem and Tsitsipas have all qualified. Zverev in the next spot should qualify to defend his title but it's tight after that - though Berrettini is most likely.
In the WTA year end, Barty is, I think, certain to finish No1 no matter what the results. It's very tough to call a winner here though I wonder if Andreescu might finish a spectacular year with a win.
ETA, looking at the points available in Shenzhen, Barty isn't quite guaranteed No1 ranking yet, but 1 more victory will do it.
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Federer pulls out of the Paris Masters. He's nearly certain to finish in the top 4 and wouldn't finish higher than 3rd so there usn't a lot to play for in ranking terms. I can't remember if the rejigged Davis Cup has any ranking points attached and I am not sure what Federer's likelihood of playing in it are.
ETA - Having just checked Switzerland are not in the finals.
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And Andreescu loses in a tough march against Halep but apparently needed a lot of treatment for a back injury. Would not be surprised if she withdraws.
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Osaka pulls out with injury which brings in Bertens who reached the final in the 2nd tier end of year last week.
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And then Bertens pulls out with injury, and as expected Andreescu did as well.
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Nadal looking good for year end No1.
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And Bencic pulls out in the semi final with cramp.
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So Nadal out with injury. If it stops him playing in the year end championships, then Djokovic has a chance at the No 1 spot.
Big breakthrough from Shapovalov in last few weeks
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So Djokovic wins in Paris and is 640 points behind Nadal in the race. If Nadal doesn't play in London then Djokovic needs to win 2 matches in the pool matches, qualify for semi final and win that. If Nadal does play and wins 3 pool matches and the semifinal, he can't be caught even if Djokovic were to.win all pool matches and win the tournament.
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Before the year end championships, we have the appetiser of the Next Generation finals. Like the past two the most successful Under 21 player at the start of the year has qualified for the year ends, so Tsitsipas will be playing there. And like last year, Shapovalov has pulled out, perhaps not surprising given getting to the final in Paris. It does mean that with Auger-Aliassime's injury both Canadian favourites are out.
All of the finalists have done well this year in moving up the rankings and in addition the Italian wildcard is in this case the person who would have qualified next on the list anyway, so that feels like it should make it more open. In addition Sinner is the youngest qualifier so that adds to it being good to have him. With the rules that apply in the Next Generation, it is always possible that it will throw up a few shocks, but De Minaur, and Tiafoe look the favourites.
With the various rule changes that it has, I can't ever see it having ranking points attached and I wonder if that will limit its importance - if Shapovalov could lose a couple of ranking places, I suspect he would be playing.
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Clijsters pulls out of planned date of return
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50291307
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So the draws been made for the year end and puts Djokovic and Federer in the same group, and Nadal is intending to play. This is the youngest set of qualifiers for some time with only the big 3 over 30 and then Thiem the next oldest.
Andre Agassi Group Bjorn Borg Group
Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev Roger Federer
Stefanos Tsitsipas Dominic Thiem
Alexander Zverev Matteo Berrettini
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And the semi finalists in the Next Generation are De Minaur v Tiafoe and Sinner V Kecmanovic. De Minaur has looked the form player, and Sinner's win over Tiafoe was impressive.
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De Minaur v Sinner in the final.
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thank you - I read with interest as usual.
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And Sinner wins. Great breakthrough in his home country.
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France beats Australia in a great Fed Cup. 45 years and counting since Australia last won, they must have thought huge chance this year.
And in the Year End ATP Djokovic wins first match easily, though it was the easiest match up against Berrettini.
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Thiem beats Federer, and despite being the lower seed, it isn't much of a surprise.
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Tsitsipas beats Medvedev, and Zverev beats Nadal. If Nadal loses his next match, I suspect he may pull out, dependent on other results.
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Thiem beats Djokovic in an excellent match setting up a knock out match for Federer and Djokovic
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So if Nadal loses against Medvedev as looks likely, there is still a possibility that he will play the next match even if he has no chance of going through. Djokovic's loss yesterday means that even if he wins the next match and his semifinal but lost in the final, if Nadal were to win the last match in the group, Nadal would have enough points to be year end No1.
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And at 5-1 down in the third set Nadal did look likely to lose but now 5-5!
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And Nadal wins the tie break ensuring Djokovic needs to win the tournament to be No1. Looking forward to watching the match.
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I've been listening to parts of the various matches on Five Live, but the working out of the winner sounds very complicated!
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I've been listening to parts of the various matches on Five Live, but the working out of the winner sounds very complicated!
The complexity arises if players are tied after the group stages but after that it's knockout
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Very easy win for Tsitsipas against Zverev, which means he's guaranteed to make the semi-final. As to the rest of the group, it's complicated.
"Nadal will progress if:
◾He beats Tsitsipas and Medvedev beats Zverev.
Zverev will progress if:
◾He beats Medvedev.
◾The German will also go through if he loses to Medvedev in three sets and Tsitsipas beats Nadal.
Medvedev will progress if:
◾He beats Zverev in two sets and Tsitsipas beats Nadal"
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Thiem has a chance given he has qualified for the semi finals to beat Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in the same tournament. Not sure if that has been done before. That said he's currently a set down against Berrettini
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Easy win for Berrettini over Thiem, after being trounced by both Federer and Djokovic who were both beaten by Thiem - funny old game
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Huge win for Federr over Djokovic. Means Nadal is the year end No1 but also that Federer will think he has a chance to win the year end tournament.
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Nadal fights back from a set down. Quite incredible and yet despite his heroics, could be knocked out if Zverev beats Medvedev.
Nadal's win means that Medvedev cannot go through even with a win. Also if Medvedev were to win Nadal would go through in first place which would set up a semifinal with Federer
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So Zverev v Thiem and Tsitsipas v Federer. Youngest set of semi finalists for some time apart from Federer but the year end championship has stopped being the preserve of the old in the last couple of years. The Zverev Thiem match is very close. I'd give Thiem a very slight edge. For the other I have to think Tsitsipas is favourite.
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Thought I better post something here to save NS the ignominy of being the only person posting for a whole page of posts. Susan D has saved him on the last couple of pages, but I'm worried she might not be around to save him on this page.
I'm not in the slightly bit interested in the tennis, but wanted to save NS's blushes. He will now have the dilemma of deciding whether to delete my post as being off thread ;)
Out of interest has a thread ever become so lacking in interest to everyone but the original poster that a whole page has been filled with posts from a single person. We need the equivalent of a Religion & Ethics board stato to tell us.
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Thought I better post something here to save NS the ignominy of being the only person posting for a whole page of posts. Susan D has saved him on the last couple of pages, but I'm worried she might not be around to save him on this page.
I'm not in the slightly bit interested in the tennis, but wanted to save NS's blushes. He will now have the dilemma of deciding whether to delete my post as being off thread ;)
Out of interest has a thread ever become so lacking in interest to everyone but the original poster that a whole page has been filled with posts from a single person. We need the equivalent of a Religion & Ethics board stato to tell us.
Foot fault
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And Tsitsipas beats Federer which just feels like a norm here so maybe the young are inheriting the earth. To have Tsitsipas v Thiem is the youngest final since... I will go and have to look it up.
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2004 by my reckoning. Federer v Hewitt
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Prof D
I am a regular reader of this thread! I sometimes listen to bits of matches on radio Five Live, but it is very hard to picture a match when trying to follow the rapid description of the fast-moving game., especially with my age hearing loss.
I have not been able to watch tennis on TV for many years, so I find this running commentary very helpful.
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Prof D
I am a regular reader of this thread! I sometimes listen to bits of matches on radio Five Live, but it is very hard to picture a match when trying to follow the rapid description of the fast-moving game., especially with my age hearing loss.
I have not been able to watch tennis on TV for many years, so I find this running commentary very helpful.
Thank you.
Looking at the rankings, if Thiem wins he moves close to Federer so there must be a chance next year that he breaks into the top three fairly quickly. Tsitsipas win would mean he won the Next Generation tournament last year followed by this.
There are a couple of interesting Challenger events this week with Sinner, last week's winner in the Next Generation finals in the final at Ortisei. A win would move him up to 78 in the rankings. Definitely one to watch the progress of.
At the other end of scale Karlovic in in the final in Houston at the age of 40.
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Foot fault
Top response.
Advantage NS
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Great win for Tsitsipas. Great match.
Next the new format Davis Cup
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Just in case anyone is wondering about the new Davis Cup format which is starting today here is the BBC's summary - which isn't too bad. The question that they raise about how this will work with the new ATP Cup is crucial I think to either's success as I can't see both surviving in those timings and formats. That the ATP Cup has ranking points makes it more attractive in that way.
Having 18 teams in the Davis Cup final seems very complex though with the 2 best runners up going through to a quarter finals.
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This is rather good from Jamie Murray on the issues with the old Davis Cup format.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/50477284
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Murray loses first set in the first UK match in the Davis Cup to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands
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Murray sneaks a win in the 3rd set tiebreak. Sounds like Griekspoor played above his ranking but think Murray will hope that he doesn't have more matches that tough.
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Murray sneaks a win in the 3rd set tiebreak. Sounds like Griekspoor played above his ranking but think Murray will hope that he doesn't have more matches that tough.
That is good to hear.
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Haase defeats Evans in 3 sets so goes to the doubles to decide
Both very good doubles teams, UK one of Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski is a current partnership but Koolhof and Rojer have higher individual doubles rankings currently.
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Good win for Murray and Skupski to give UK the win. Today up against Kazakhstan.
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And from the matches announced - Andy Murray not playing today - Evans and Edmund playing in the singles. Apparently the USA - Italy match finished at 04 am - not sure that's the best advert for the new format.
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Edmund beats Kukushkin. 1 victory in the next two matches puts UK into quarter finals.
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Big win in the France v Serbia match by Krajinovic beating Tsonga. Djokovic v Paire next and you have to think that Djokovic wins. With Herbert and Mahut playing for France, you had to think they were likely to win the doubles, so that first match would be seen as the decider. If France don't get through as one of the 2 best runners up, then one of the possible favourites will be out.
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Evans loses to Bublik. Again the UK match goes to the doubles. I had thought they only needed one set in the match to go through but looking at it again they need to win - basically this is a shoot out for qualification into the quarters. They have won the first set.
If they do go through either as winners or runners up, then I suspect that if Murray is fit, Edmund might play instead of Evans in the singles. Kukushkin was the higher ranked player in the Kazakhstan team, and Evans has lost 2 matches from a set up.
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Jamie Murray now serving for the match
And he holds - UK through
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Quarter Finals are
Serbia v Russia
Australia v Canada
UK V Germany
Argentina V Spain
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As a passing watcher of tennis rather than an avid fan, that looks like one of the kinder draws for England, perhaps Canada might have been a slightly easier opposition, but certainly a better option than the others?
O.
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As a passing watcher of tennis rather than an avid fan, that looks like one of the kinder draws for England, perhaps Canada might have been a slightly easier opposition, but certainly a better option than the others?
O.
Pretty much. The issue with the German team is that the doubles pairing of Krawitz and Mies is a team that plays together and is one of the top ranked pairings. The Canadians have one top in form player in Shapovalov but they don't have a strong recognised doubles pairing. Argentina would be another team they might have fancied playing.
I think the current favourites are Spain as hosts and with a good squad. I see Nadal played doubles yesterday so not sure if Lopez is an injury worry. Australia have a good squad.
And just to flag England are not in the draw.
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Canada beat Australia to reach the semi finals. Bit of a surprise but Kyrgios injured presumably so didn't play. And yet the Australian doubles team looked stronger. Pospisil has won all of his singles matches so far which would not have been the bet at the start of the week.
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Rublev beats Krajinovic easily in the Serbia v Russia quarter final. Probably come down to the doubles, and with Rublev and Khachanov covering all playing duties could still go to Serbia but wouldn't be the biggest surprise if not
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And Kachanov and Rublev win in 3rd set tie break with Djokovic playing the doubles for Serbia. Not sure if Tipsarevic was injured, suspect the Serbs just thought it was worth Djokovic playing which would show that they are taking it very seriously
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No Andy Murray in the UK team against Germany
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No Andy Murray in the UK team against Germany
Do you think that is a sensible decision?
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No Andy Murray in the UK team against Germany
i know !
I've heard he's now one half of a Chuckle Brothers tribute act 😂
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Do you think that is a sensible decision?
Well it has worked as UK beat Germany
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Spain though on the doubles with Nadal playing again. I see that the intention is to have the next two times also held in Spain, not sure this fits with what the David Cup should be. Obviously it gives Spain an advantage though i do wonder where the young Spaniards are. It's team what the youngest player is 28 and the rest are well over 30.
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Canada get through on a tie break against Russia.
Spain are onto to their 4th ranked player in the semi final. As it appears Carreno Busta is ill, and I presume Bautista Agut is injured. The doubles seem to be saying that Marc Lopez is playing doubles which seems to imply that they have been given permission to add him to the team.
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Edmund wins. You have to expect Nadal beats Evans. Another dramatic match.
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Edmund wins. You have to expect Nadal beats Evans. Another dramatic match.
Nadal wins easily
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And Nadal likely to play doubles. And he does
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Which he then won playing with Lopez - and I had been misinformed by seeing a team pairing announced with Marc Lopez when it was Feliciano. Nadal has performed brilliantly this week and has advertised that he is at a peak of fitness.
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Which he then won playing with Lopez - and I had been misinformed by seeing a team pairing announced with Marc Lopez when it was Feliciano. Nadal has performed brilliantly this week and has advertised that he is at a peak of fitness.
So that means no DavisCup final this time for British team, but they have done well, as far as I can tell?
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So that means no DavisCup final this time for British team, but they have done well, as far as I can tell?
Yes, and in getting to the semi finals, they guaranteed qualification for next year direct.
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Auger - Aliassime playing in the final for Canada
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And loses. Spain win easily
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So the first of next year's retirements is Wozniacki who will retire after the Australian Open. One of those players who I think will be regarded as not quite fulfilling their potential with just the 2018 Australian Open as a slam victory. Her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis means this isn't a surprise, and playing the one slam she had won as a farewell makes sense.