Faulkner

I think Isner’s success at the finals depends on the condition of the other players in his group too. He really benefited a lot from a draw full of injured players (Delpo, Chung) in Miami, and this late in the year you’re dealing with a lot of worn-out players (Zverev has that shoulder issue, Fed and Novak look a bit beaten up, Kei looks good but you never know with him), and the serve can get Isner out of trouble if it’s firing. I don’t know if he has another Miami performance in him, but I guess we will see.

I think Anderson has become slightly more dynamic in the past year or so IMO, but I agree that I don’t like to watch “ace, move to the left, ace, move to the right” and poor return games. It’s not fun. They can both be so dangerous, of course.

The top Kpop artists are always bringing it with the choreography and spectacle. Korea is the only place that is really serving it on all levels these days. Making the West look bad.

Rafa has pulled out of London due to the previously mentioned abdominal injury, plus an ankle issue requiring a surgery taking place *today*, which means Isner is in. I don’t think anyone expected him to play. Novak clinches YE No. 1.

This is cray. I wonder if this was how it felt when Chrissie and Martina were still dominating in the mid-80s before Steffi started her legendary run.

In a year when Novak won two Slams and two M1000s, gotta take your pleasures where you can, right? 😀

Fair play to Khachanov. He’s the only guy other than Sascha of that group to win a huge title like this. I don’t think Roger would have fared better in this match. Certainly it’s a more satisfying winner than last year’s champion.

There have been a lot of “Nole!” chants in Paris this week. Dude is spent today and has been battling a cold all week, which any reasonable viewer could see. Nadal pulling out after the draw meant Fed and Novak were on the same side. Yesterday’s semi should have been a final. Khachanov is great, though. I like him. The Russians (plus Zverev, Shapovalov, and Tsitsipas, all of Russian descent) are really leading the NextGen.

A decent amount of diversity, but if you don’t count Venezuelan-born Muguruza, there’s no Latin America to be found. Where’s our Sabatini?

Why would he give it a rest when he keeps winning? Who cares what a bunch of folks on social media think? He has enough fans. You don’t need to be the most popular player in the world. Anywho, he’s now 25-22 against Roger and 27-25 against Rafa, the “GOATs.”

He’s moving on alright. Right into the final! I’m so happy he pulled that out that I don’t much care what happens tomorrow.

Nole! Digging deep after some hideous tennis.

Borna’s court coverage tho.

With the World Series over, ratings increased this week to a 1.8. Many old school fans I’m sure tuned in to see how the new series would handle a Halloween episode.

Wow. I wonder if he’s going to play London. I doubt it if this is as serious as it sounds. And... Crazy stat: they are such veterans of the tour, but Roger and Fabio have only played three times, the last time four years ago in Davis Cup. Fabio hasn’t won a set in those three meetings and only pushed one to a TB. What’s crazy is that Fabio is also injured (ankle) so there’s a possibility that Roger might sail through to the QF without playing a match. (Correction: Roger would face a LL if Fognini withdraws.) Unbelievable year for Novak:

😏

Well, that brought back memories of the Sloane/Halep French Open final.

Heard this on the recent Kpop episode of The NY Times Popcast podcast. So good. The rest of the album is wonderful as well.

A good piece on FilmStruck that covers many of our discussion points:

Guillermo has spoken!