ATP Tennis/Non-India Davis Cup

[arjun2761]

While this may not be the passing of the torch, the tussle for the torch has begun for real. Joker will be motivated by this to raise his level but father time will eventually slow him down too…

[prasen9]

Wow, Alcaraz! The next gen has (finally) arrived. I know Medvedev and Thiem won one each but Alcaraz seems to be a better deal and perhaps with the potential to be the punching partner for whatever time Djokovic has left, which should be a few years.

[Sin Hombre]

Glad finally that one of the next gen is stepping up, this much declined version of Djokovic sweeping all the Grand Slams has been painful to watch.

[prasen9]

The best part was that I thought much of the French Open debacle was because he was overwhelmed. He showed a never-say-die attitude in this one. That perhaps means the days when he was psyched out is over. Good. He has it in him to be a great. Now, whether his body and mind can keep doing everything day in and day out for 15 years, we will see.

[Kumar]

Wow… I did not think I will see a day that Djoker will be beat at Wimbledon.

Hopefully next gen has taken over finally and is not a flash in a pan

What has happened to Thiem? He has fallen off the cliff?

[PKBasu]

Alcaraz had to do some incredible things to beat Djokovic, who is motivated, determined, and hits the ball deeper than anyone else can. What a difference between the SF Alcaraz played against Medvedev and the quality of the play from both players in the final! Definitely one for the ages.

I always thought Alcaraz put too much pressure on himself at Roland Garros: he was expected to win on clay (as he had beaten Djokovic the only previous time they played on clay). And it was that psychological pressure, plus the effort he had to put in to make it 1 set all, that undid him in Paris.

This time, Alcaraz was better prepared mentally and physically, plus he felt less pressure since he wasn't expected to win on grass. He still allowed the tension to overwhelm him in the first set (after missing two break point opportunities on Djokovic's first service game). Carlos raised his game in the second set, but he was still on the brink of losing it a few times -- including when he conceded the mini-break in the TB. But he forced some errors out of Djokovic too, and then came up with a stunning backhand down the line service return on his first set point (at 6-6 (7-6)) to clinch that. The third set was a breeze, but Alcaraz made a big UFE on a simple overhead (that was probably sailing out) to let Djokovic back into the fourth set -- and when you give him an inch, Djoker will take a mile. But Alcaraz was utterly brilliant in the final set, and especially in the final game, to win and effectively herald the start of a new era in tennis.

[Rajiv]

Yes Alcaraz is one of the best in the game as far as hitting the ball hard and deep is concerned , and that is why his drop shot ( which we saw with a lot of frequency in the finals) becomes a surprise effective weapon.

I feel Novak was slightly off on few slower ground strokes and in the S2 TB his 2 key misses when he was up was very uncharacteristic.

[sameerph]

In the US open mens singles, QF line up in bottom half has 3 Americans and Djokovic. Will any of these 3 be able to stop Djokovic in reaching the final ?

[prasen9]

By seeds, Alcaraz-Sinner, Medvedev-Rublev; Tiafoe-Shelton, Fritz-Djokovic. The last four confirmed. The top half looks more daunting.

[prasen9]

In the Australian Open, if all goes by seed in the quarters, looks like:

Djokovic-Fritz, Sinner-Rublev, Hurcacz-Medvedev, Zverev-Alcaraz

Womens:

Svitolina-Azarenka , Paolini-Zheng, Kostyuk-Gauff, Brejcikova-Sabalenka.

Let's see.

[PKBasu]

Sinner is one helluva player, and I can see the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry being a thing for several years. Good to see Zverev, Medvedev and the perennial Djokovic still in the mix, with the likes of Fritz snapping at their heels.

[Rajiv]

Sandwhiched between IW & Miami, the Phoneix Challeger has the highest cut off ever seen in a Challenger tournament.

MD is cutoff at #69, and even the alt list cutoff is in the 90's with Sumit being second last on the list.
All of this can change but in the end it could still turn out to a strongest challenger from the players ranking point of view.

[sameerph]

^^^

Last year Phoenix Challenger cut off was 84, so in the end this year too will end up at same level as those who will make it to second week of Indian Wells will pull out.

[prasen9]

Sinner is one helluva player, and I can see the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry being a thing for several years. Good to see Zverev, Medvedev and the perennial Djokovic still in the mix, with the likes of Fritz snapping at their heels.

You think Fritz is more of a talent than say Rublev or say the young Rune?

[Rajiv]

^^^

Last year Phoenix Challenger cut off was 84, so in the end this year too will end up at same level as those who will make it to second week of Indian Wells will pull out.

Ok..
So will there be a possibility of Sumit squeezing into the MD ?