Tennis

Tough test Raducanu now after her win against Kerber yesterday. Noskova has been on form this year of course beat Iga in the Australian Open this year.

Also made short work or Ostapenko who smashed Emma at this tournament (Stuttgart) last year, though 'Penko was woeful this time around.

Winner of this match will face Iga.

EDIT: Winner faces Iga, not Sabalenka. And typically as I post the opposite happens. Raducanu got off to a flying start and Noskova hasn't been at the races at all so far in the match.
 
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Took Swiatek to a tiebreaker in the first set although broken immediately in the second. Impressive again so far.

Edit: Not long back from injury but this version of Raducanu, assuming she doesn’t improve which she will, is good enough for top 10.
 
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Yep excellent match for Emma considering. Really bodes well for her going forward.

I did think that missed smashed in 2nd game of the first set was going to come back to haunt her, but then Iga missed one too so. Them's the breaks as they say.

Hopefully Emma can stay healthy and keep playing.
 
I’m on the fence with Wimbledon, this is the first season in as long as I can remember where i’ve just not been interested in tennis at all. Started watching/following in high school. It’s just not the same for me without Roger and Rafa. A few family members are the same. I’m curious if the viewing figures reflect this. There will certainly be a drop in sponsorships with Fed/Rafa gone considering they where/are amongst the most marketable sportsman in the world.
 
From giving Iga a good match to getting dismissed by a qualifier/lucky loser, Emma was horrendous today.

The studio pundits even saying that was a 'get me off the court forehand' haha. She's not going to get a WC for Rome on this performance. Why would they want her.

She just mentally checked out before the match. She's been complaining of tiredness, yet played less than most players.
 
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Great couple of matches on the WTA side of the Madrid Open. Rybakina vs Sabalenka and Sabalenka vs Iga, were excellent spectacles.

The final, is probably one of the best in years outside of grand slams. Bodes well for Rome next week and Rolland Garros later.

Shame WTA itself can't do better in terms of organisation and marketing.

On the ATP side, Madrid has been a damp squib, with injuries, withdrawals and walkovers. Still expect a decent final between Rublev and FAA.
 
I think Raducana is going to go down as one of the biggest freak winners of a Grand Slam ever, there's no way she can play competitive tennis at this level, she's just not physically strong enough, She hardly plays, does nothing when she does play and is down 212 in the World, and is now taking time off to help her stay fit...LMAO. It is incredible how far she has fallen off since the US Open win.

I think she'll be retired by the time she's 26 at the latest.
 
Apex said:
I think Raducana is going to go down as one of the biggest freak winners of a Grand Slam ever, there's no way she can play competitive tennis at this level, she's just not physically strong enough, She hardly plays, does nothing when she does play and is down 212 in the World, and is now taking time off to help her stay fit...LMAO. It is incredible how far she has fallen off since the US Open win.

I think she'll be retired by the time she's 26 at the latest.
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The frustrating thing for me was that was the first tournament on the women side I actually watched and enjoyed. I started watching around the 2nd week I’m sure. The womens tournament was far better than the mens, it’s probably the only time that’s ever happened. The drama, the story, the plot twist fernandez as well. Just everything.
 
Madrid, and Rome women's were better than the mens. I'd say Stuttgart was better than Monaco too.

In fact WTA has been great for a while now with the competition between Iga, Sabalenka and Rybakina.

Raducanu had looked very good in flashes since her comeback, but I don't really get it. She was saying she didn't need match practice, and builds her confidence from training. Then got obliterated in Madrid and claimed she was physically and mentally tired, but she'd only been back for two tournaments. She really is a bit of a lightweight.

The opposite is someone like Ostapenko, who is playing every tournament in both singles and doubles, same with Coco Gauff (who's close to Emma age).
 
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englishpremier said:
Madrid, and Rome women's were better than the mens. I'd say Stuttgart was better than Monaco too.

In fact WTA has been great for a while now with the competition between Iga, Sabalenka and Rybakina.

Raducanu had looked very flashes since her comeback, but I don't really get it. She was saying she didn't need match practice, and builds her confidence from training. Then got obliterated in Madrid and claimed she was physically and mentally tired, but she'd only been back for two tournaments. She really is a bit of a lightweight.

The opposite is someone like Ostapenko, who is playing every tournament in both singles and doubles, same with Coco Gauff (who's close to Emma age).
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She's fragile and has a weak mentality, everything is an excuse for something.
 
Nadal played the best we've seen him so far since his return. Zverev unfortunately played the match of his life. The turning point was really that second set tie-break, where Nadal made a couple of strange choices.

Against almost anyone else Nadal would have won that match. Zverev is on form. He's second in the race (to the ATP finals) for a reason.

While on the subject of those at the end of their careers. The Wawrinka vs Murray matching was a decent one. In a repeat of the match that practically ended their careers as top players 7 years ago.
Wawrinka showing just what weapons he has on clay. Think it's 6-1 to Wawrinka in their H2H on clay now. They was a really nice long chat and embrace by the two at the end of the match.
 
I thought it was highly unlikely Nadal would have won the match, but did expect him to put on a fight and win a set or two. Shame they had to meet at the first round.
 
I’m completely out of the loop, there is no way I’d have had Zverev as second in the race to what ever it is called these days (although, it’s still more important known as numero uno.).

Father time has now fully caught up to Rafa, it’d be strange but when he announced this year would be his last. He should have maybe just hung up the bat there and then. Same as Murray 5 years ago. Rafa playing through injury has seen him lose that unreal % win rate at R.G

I’ll probably not watch any of the FO so roll on SW19!
 
Apex said:
She's fragile and has a weak mentality, everything is an excuse for something.
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100% - She's a 1 hit wonder, the stars aligned for the US Open win, since then it's been excuses after excuses. Coaches fired, never fit, etc etc.

Good luck to her to make some money outside of tennis etc, but on the court, she'll never win anything of note again.

She's won 7 matches this year, discounting a 2 wins in qualifiers and a walk over against a retired opponent. 201st in the world, doesn't get into any majors without invites.
 
Don't know is many/anyone here saw the Osaka, Swaitek match but it was fantastic. WTA delivering again. Osaka's movement (especially considering it's supposed to be her worst surface), precision and power, were great. If she can keep that up Iga, Sabalenka, Rybakina, and Gauff, are going to have a real challenge on their hands once we get to the hard court season.
 
booyaka said:
100% - She's a 1 hit wonder, the stars aligned for the US Open win, since then it's been excuses after excuses. Coaches fired, never fit, etc etc.

Good luck to her to make some money outside of tennis etc, but on the court, she'll never win anything of note again.

She's won 7 matches this year, discounting a 2 wins in qualifiers and a walk over against a retired opponent. 201st in the world, doesn't get into any majors without invites.
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Thing is when she plays well she is genuinely capable of beating the best.

But in terms of earnings, her sponsorship deals make playing tennis look like a hobby. Knowing you've "made it" financially must damage her motivation.
 
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