Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

TMH · Futures qualifying

Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

EddietheEagle · County player

I suspect the hand of Jez Green inZverev's amazing physical performance. To keep that constant net-rushing style going for four sets with no apparent dip in form, is no mean feat these days.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Wow, I didn't expect us to lose both of those matches. I must admit to being more than a little down.

It has been a great run for Evo, he knows he's got to improve stamina still and it looking forward to playing with the top guys the whole time. It seems like that will inspire him to train harder. I'm glad he's got clothing sponsors now too. I bet Nike are kicking themselves.

Andy came across as pretty level headed in his presser. Just accepting what has happened and seeing what he could do to prevent it again, or saying 'too good'. We saw it with Dusty and Rafa, sometimes an underdog will just play a blinder. I haven't seen the match yet, but as planning on watching the highlights on the Beeb.

On the bright side it seems that Andy will play DC

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Now Roger the Lodger (17) downs Nish (5) in five: 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1 4-6 6-3 in three hours & 23 minutes! disbelief

thejester · Satellite level

Still plenty of matches to play but I seem to recall somebody on here asking what the odds would be on a Rafa-Roger final. Whilst part of me would love to see a complete underdog win the whole thing I must admit I'd love to see the two guys who have been written off in some quarters grace the big stage once more. Though I'd make Wawrinka favourite now, this is one of the most open tournaments in a long time.

Dan should take huge positives from the last couple of weeks. It's worth bearing in mind that was his 9th match in 14 days I think and so it's no surprise he ran out of steam against JWT. He's covered a huge amount of points already and now has a great platform to build from. Andy shouldn't be too down, yes it was a great opportunity to win the tournament but these things happen in sport and you can't really legislate for an unorthodox player throwing in a match from the gods.

Anyway, all eyes on Ms Konta now!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
Andy came across as pretty level headed in his presser. Just accepting what has happened and seeing what he could do to prevent it again, or saying 'too good'. We saw it with Dusty and Rafa, sometimes an underdog will just play a blinder. I haven't seen the match yet, but as planning on watching the highlights on the Beeb.

I thought he was quite magnanimous & gracious despite the outcome. I don't suppose it will be any consolation to him, but Angelique Kerber, the top seed in the women's draw, has just been brushed aside by Coco V in straight sets (2 & 3). At least Andy won a set...

RJA · Hall of fame

Okay, first up Dan. I honestly had very low expectations for this match and I am just happy that he gave a solid account of himself as I had feared that he would be on the end of a beat down which would have took just a little bit of the shine off the last two weeks. It was pretty obvious that by the end of the Tomic match that he didn't have much left in the tank but I don't think this is a case of inadequate physical stamina as we have seen in the past that 5 set matches are not normally a big problem for him. I think it is more down to the mental exertions of the past two weeks understandably having taken its toll. No amount of training can fully prepare a player for that but the more that Dan plays at this level the more he will get used to it.

As for Andy, given the context you can make a case for this being the worst defeat of his career. After years of long struggle he had finally ascended to the top of the game, won his first slam since surgery, won a string of other tournaments and made it to No1. There was a genuine sense that he could continue that dominance this year, bag a number of big titles and have a spell of a year or two where he was the undisputed best player in the world. It is course still possible that this will happen but this defeat is a huge setback to that aim.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Yep, very decent showing from Evo :)

Big chance missed by Andy; really thought he had a shot at completing the career grand slam this year. Ah well, comfortably ahead at the top of the rankings :)

indiana · Tennis legend

vohor wrote:
Yep, very decent showing from Evo :)

Big chance missed by Andy; really thought he had a shot at completing the career grand slam this year. Ah well, comfortably ahead at the top of the rankings :)

The rankings #1, indeed his significant increase in rankings lead, right now seems very little compensation. He has risen to the top of the rankings and will stay there for at least some months more - brilliant, but #1 is now ticked off and this year and the coming years have to be so very much more about Slams.

Not seen any of it, lay in bed listening to radio and coudn't being myself to go to my phone app. I'd have a look when he'd sorted things and it was safe to come out from under the covers. That moment never came. I doubt I will look for any replay today, but maybe tomorrow look a little to gain more understanding though I certainly got the gist.

Well done, Misha.!!!

And to Dan - great tournament, you've arrived, don't leave anytime soon.

Vandenburg · Futures level

Agreed.

The no 1 rankings is not so important, slams are. If fat stan ends up with more slams than Murray it will be a travesty. I'm really feeling a changing of guard right now. I think generation useless my finally step up.

I think Murray will do well to win a single slam this year and for the reminder of his career.
Discuss.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Dan, magnificent few weeks, thrilled for him!

I agree he can get fitter, although he has made phenomenal strides this year, he needs to eat well and refuel responsibly to be able to compete with the likes of Tsonga in the second week of a slam. Tsonga had the athleticism to run around Dan's backhand slice which was falling a little short possibly due to fatigue and return with interest. Regardless a joy to watch him play at this level after Wimbledon qualms in 2015.

Andy, I think he's spot on in terms of his assessment. Mischa now has a fantastic training set up, no one else has that quality of hitting partner on tour. No coincidence his game has improved as his hits day to day have got tougher it's bound to bring him on.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
vohor wrote:
Yep, very decent showing from Evo :)

Big chance missed by Andy; really thought he had a shot at completing the career grand slam this year. Ah well, comfortably ahead at the top of the rankings :)

The rankings #1, indeed his significant increase in rankings lead, right now seems very little compensation. He has risen to the top of the rankings and will stay there for at least some months more - brilliant, but #1 is now ticked off and this year and the coming years have to be so very much more about Slams.
Not seen any of it, lay in bed listening to radio and coudn't being myself to go to my phone app. I'd have a look when he'd sorted things and it was safe to come out from under the covers. That moment never came. I doubt I will look for any replay today, but maybe tomorrow look a little to gain more understanding though I certainly got the gist.
Well done, Misha.!!!

I haven't seen any of it either but it sounds like Misha played a great match. I agree it's more about Slam titles now and I'm pretty confident he'll have at least one more under his belt by Year End; that said, the longer he's at #1 the better as I'd love to see him ever higher up that list on the battle for the top thread smile

indiana · Tennis legend

Certainly Dan should keep working and of course improved stamina can only help.

But I do agree with what has been said already that Dan's long match stamina already is generally pretty good and probably testament that he for a long time has actually worked on that more than he is given credit for. The "phenomenal strides" have not been with regards to fitness, that has certainly already been largely there.

Today strikes me as probably more a not unnatural physical and mental accumulation of the last couple of weeks. Fitness and stamina, as I say, I don't see as any particular problem, but just with the big boys now, leave no stone unturned.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
I'm glad he's got clothing sponsors now too. I bet Nike are kicking themselves.

And that is? Not seen/heard any interviews.

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Stircrazy wrote:
Helen40 wrote:
I'm glad he's got clothing sponsors now too. I bet Nike are kicking themselves.
And that is? Not seen/heard any interviews.

His clothes were mentioned again in the on-court interview after the Tomic match and he said he had had a number of approaches but wasn't going to get distracted by that kind of stuff until his tournament was over.