The Tennis Thread

[ChitHappens]

I like both but I was rooting for Djoker!  Good to see him back!  

[Faulkner]

We’ve had a few entertaining men’s matches in the past couple years, but that was just dazzling. I watch for those rallies and displays of shotmaking, and it’s just refreshing to see two GOATs equally matched going toe-to-toe. The Fedal matches we’ve seen since Roger’s return have  been disappointing.

 

 

 

Nadal winning would have been nice only to see him close the gap with Roger to 20-18. I’m a huge Novak fan, but I’d be ok with either him or Anderson taking the title. I love a comeback. They are both coming in as the walking wounded. Anderson is serving as well as I’ve ever seen him and has FAR more mental belief than ever, so I’m not sure the lopsided h2h matters that much, but Novak is just an out-of-this-world returner.

Edited July 14, 2018 by Faulkner

[ChitHappens]

I think Anderson is ready. I had the same feeling about Sloane last year, so...

[ChitHappens]

Come on Queen 🙏🙏🙏

[Faulkner]

Serena’s going to have to tighten up that serve now. Good start in her second service game. 

[I Am A Swede]

Kerber looks very solid, while Serena looks a bit out of sorts. Maybe it's her lack of competetive tennis that shows.

[Faulkner]

Kerber just exposing how far Serena has to go to get back to her absolutely dominant level. Serena at 50-60 percent is good enough to beat most players, but she’d struggle against an in-form Muguruza or Halep at this level. Only Mladenovic and Giorgi really pushed her, and they aren’t who I’d call threats to win Slams.

 

Kerber wins and is 3/4 of her way to a career GS.

 

 

Edited July 14, 2018 by Faulkner

[I Am A Swede]

Quite a letdown after the men's semifinals, but Serena never got going. She had an easy route to the final, and when she met a tougher opponent her lack of matches showed. Still, it's an impressive achievement of her to reach the final.

But congratulations to Kerber. She did what she had to do and grabbed the chance she got.

[Faulkner]

 

 

Gotta say, Kerber was seen as a one-year wonder after struggling in 2017, and now she’s won her 3rd Slam. Don’t count anyone out.

 

Serena is tearing up...aww. Always gracious in defeat with the other players. Maybe not always with the press, but they deserve her scorn with how they treated her the first 10-15 years of her career.

Edited July 14, 2018 by Faulkner

[Toups]

Wow, surprised Serena lost.  I just caught the last game - I missed both matches today. 

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I do like the idea of going to tie-breaks after 10-10 in the 5th set. 

[I Am A Swede]

 

That is something I have always admired about her. A lot of other top players make excuses after defeats, but to the best of my knowledge she has never been like that. Very commendable!

[ChitHappens]

 

It was a mess. Queen didn't play like a champion in possession of 23 Slams. You could see her nerves had her overplaying and couldn't serve to save her life. 

 

On that note, if anyone needs me, I'll be off in my bedroom wailing in a fetal position 😥😥😥

[DramatistDreamer]

Serena has nothing to prove at this point and by getting to this final, she zooms up to Top 30 (I think) in the rankings.  Angie Kerber was just relentlessly focused today on every single point. 

 

Many people noticed that Serena looked off balance at times but it also could have something to do with Kerber's play-- she varied her shots so often that, it seemed as if Serena didn't know what to expect.  Full credit to Kerber and many compliments to Serena on that run to the final.

 

[Faulkner]

Look at the dumb questions the press asks. Serena just TOLD the guy that the late start time didn’t affect her, and he wouldn’t let it go. Serena kept her composure, but she was visibly and justifiably annoyed.

[DramatistDreamer]

 

This is a pattern with the tennis press.

They are trying to "sell" the men's final off Serena's back by hoping to stir up controversial remarks. 

Over the years, they've tried to promote the game off the backs of both Williams Sisters, either by raising them up, or tearing them down.