Tennis 2019: Plus ça change...

jon abbey

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Awful tennis so far in this Medvedev/Dimitrov match, conservative play, tons of unforced errors, maybe they're nervous but the level of play is as low as you'll ever see in a major semi.
 

Eastchop

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Nadal finally takes the first set vs Berrettini after an hour and 15 mins. What a match so far.
 

BigMike

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Berrettini had that tiebreak in hand and choked it away. Hard to come back from that.
Yup, He had his chance, and if he got it, might have been able to win this (who knows), but you just can't give Nadal a set when you have him
 

Wallball Tingle

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Please win, Serena! Watching the last three losses in finals was tough each time, don't want to feel the pain of the Bills fans. Want her to at least catch Court, hopefully surpass that bigot and wipe her name from the top of the list (though it's obvious Williams is the best of all time anyway).

Gotta get #24 first, though. Hope the past (present?) of tennis can beat the future of it today, no ill will to the youngster.
 

jon abbey

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Martina Navratilova is the best of all time and I'm pretty sure the Bills didn't win 23 Super Bowls before losing a few in a row. :)

Two promising finals lined up, I will be rooting for both vets but it would be good for tennis if either or both younger players won (Medvedev because literally no man under 30 has a Grand Slam title currently and Andreescu because I think she is legit).
 

InstaFace

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I agree Andreescu is legit, though I've only watched a handful of her matches she seems to have the rare ability to raise her game as needed, summon focus and better shots, and has incredible court vision for someone her age.

I'm rooting for the vets too, but these particular young guns wouldn't surprise anyone if they pulled it off.

A few games in, Andreescu clearly has the power and shotmaking goods to go toe-to-toe with Serena. Differences include the serve, experience and creativity (on Serena's side), some footspeed and forehand advantages on Andreescu's.
 

bosox4283

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Yep, but also this looks like the fourth Grand Slam final in a row Serena will lose in straight sets.
I’m not able to watch the match, but Serena’s performance in those last four majors is shocking — despite her experience, there seems to be something a bit mentally off.
 

johnmd20

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Incredible comeback to get back on serve. Now we'll see if Serena has anything left in the tank. But it's been impressive, no quit.
 

Gdiguy

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Andreescu struggling a little... I thought I saw some nerves in the 5-1 game, but Serena figuring out her serve in the 5-2 game seems like it might be the bigger impact
 

bosox4283

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How does Serena completely fall apart with her serve? As many double faults as aces, and a first serve percentage below 50%.
 

jon abbey

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Tying Margaret Court seems to definitely be in her head, it reminds me of when A-Rod would go weeks before hitting milestone HRs, like from 499 to 500 or 599 to 600.
 

jon abbey

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It was clear it was in her head all tournament, during interviews with her and her coach, and this makes it even more clear, yikes.

“I honestly don’t think Serena showed up, and I have to figure out how to get her to show up in Grand Slam finals.” -Serena Williams
 

jon abbey

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Medvedev's counterpunching strategy not aggressive enough to beat Nadal, who is up 7-5, 6-3 on the way to GS #19.
 

gingerbreadmann

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It may not be enough to win, but fighting for his life in the 3rd set, it has proven to be extremely entertaining. Medvedev is finding a way to win some (critical) marathon points and finally winning over the Ashe crowd.
 

jon abbey

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Yep, great set by Medvedev after getting down a break, got it back and broke Nadal easily at 6-5 to take the 3rd, off to the 4th.
 

jon abbey

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Yeah, now this is awesome, two sets in a row Medvedev broke to take the set. Nadal doesn't seem tired but Medvedev is playing amazing.
 

jon abbey

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Interesting, in that this did look over. But Medvedev has way more stamina than his frame would lead you to believe he has.
Also he has gotten much more aggressive as the match has progressed, he has had to change his style mid-match and it has Nadal somewhat rattled.
 

johnmd20

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Also he has gotten much more aggressive as the match has progressed, he has had to change his style mid-match and it has Nadal somewhat rattled.
Nadal has been incredibly rattled. But that comeback from almost being broken is pretty huge for him.
 

jon abbey

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Nadal has been somewhat rattled, but mostly because Medvedev seems to keep playing better and better the longer the match goes, and he is used to opponents wearing down.

Insane break from Nadal just now, up 3-2. This one match has saved a pretty lousy tournament, fantastic stuff.
 

Sprowl

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This is the first tennis match I've watched in decades. It's thrilling, I have to say.
 

jon abbey

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This is the first tennis match I've watched in decades. It's thrilling, I have to say.
You picked a good one! They must be exhausted (closing in on 4:30) but they seem to keep playing better and better as it goes.
 

jon abbey

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Oof, Nadal looked like he was conceding that game and got down 30-0, then he won four straight points including a bad mishit of an overhead to cost Medvedev the game.
 

jon abbey

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16 of the last 20 points to Nadal, from 2-2, 40-0 for Medvedev.
 

johnmd20

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Oof, Nadal looked like he was conceding that game and got down 30-0, then he won four straight points including a bad mishit of an overhead to cost Medvedev the game.
Medvedev is obviously finished now. That first break game in this set broke him.
 

johnmd20

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Med has missed so many chances in the last few games, especially on that last point. Understandable, of course, it's been 4.5 hours.
 

Strike4

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Medvedev's talent is keeping him in this but he seems to lose focus against Nadal on the epic points. Don't think it's entire physical. Still, he's not giving in easily.
 

jon abbey

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Medvedev is playing the match of his life, amazing to battle back yet again.