I was not familiar with Cazaux before this tournament. Very impressive vs Rune. He is listed at 6' tall, and he certainly I'd no taller. He may have the best serve on Tour for someone his height. He takes the ball early off both sides and looks to me like a guy that is going places. If I had to pick just one of these matches to see, and they all look good, it would be Tsitsipas Fritz. That has the makings of a classic. They both really want this one.
In the Rublev/deMinaur match, Rublev seemed to revert to the lower backhand position, but did to take it back further. Maybe it's too subtle to tell on tv. Anyway, in the last two sets, he hit a lot of effective down-the-line backhands.
I was thinking that Demon's very low skiddy balls, coupled with the cooler evening conditions, made it less pronounced; he seemed to hit many around his knees, in which case, his old takeback suits well for absorbing. It will be interesting to see how it fares against Sinner.
Fritz loves extra bounce. Does better at Indian Wells, US Open, even clay he is proficient now. He’s tall with an extreme FH grip. Tsitsipas handles his backhand better on a low bouncing hard court in my opinion. (AO/tour finals). Tsitsipas’ forehand can produce very heavy spin (good for clay) but is also a less extreme grip (semi-western and my hunch is a composite grip/close-ish to extreme eastern) so he can handle lower bounce and speed on his forehand quite well. I think a lower bouncing hardcourt also protects Tsitsi backhand better/he can handle pace on that wing better around his waist rather than his chest
Yeah in my memory bank of what Taylor Fritz does that’s one of his essentials, along with high forehands. Looks like he was able to figure Tsitsipas out
"Karen Khachanov continues to prove he’s the AK-47 of men’s grand slam tennis; clay, grass, hard — it doesn’t matter — he’ll reach the latter rounds without jamming."
❤️ this line!! I remember seeing KK for the first time as a qualifier at the US Open many years back and thought he was marvelous. He's so very solid but yeah, he doesn't have that extra gear. I'd actually be surprised if he manages to take a set off of Sinner considering how well Jannik is playing.
I was not familiar with Cazaux before this tournament. Very impressive vs Rune. He is listed at 6' tall, and he certainly I'd no taller. He may have the best serve on Tour for someone his height. He takes the ball early off both sides and looks to me like a guy that is going places. If I had to pick just one of these matches to see, and they all look good, it would be Tsitsipas Fritz. That has the makings of a classic. They both really want this one.
In the Rublev/deMinaur match, Rublev seemed to revert to the lower backhand position, but did to take it back further. Maybe it's too subtle to tell on tv. Anyway, in the last two sets, he hit a lot of effective down-the-line backhands.
I was thinking that Demon's very low skiddy balls, coupled with the cooler evening conditions, made it less pronounced; he seemed to hit many around his knees, in which case, his old takeback suits well for absorbing. It will be interesting to see how it fares against Sinner.
Didn’t think about that. What was clear was how committed he was to changing direction with it
How does the lower bounce suit Tsitsipas’ higher, spinnier shots rather than Fritz’s flat, penetrating ones?
Fritz loves extra bounce. Does better at Indian Wells, US Open, even clay he is proficient now. He’s tall with an extreme FH grip. Tsitsipas handles his backhand better on a low bouncing hard court in my opinion. (AO/tour finals). Tsitsipas’ forehand can produce very heavy spin (good for clay) but is also a less extreme grip (semi-western and my hunch is a composite grip/close-ish to extreme eastern) so he can handle lower bounce and speed on his forehand quite well. I think a lower bouncing hardcourt also protects Tsitsi backhand better/he can handle pace on that wing better around his waist rather than his chest
Makes sense. Seems like Fritz can win if he can establish the BH crosscourt
Fritz LOVES that short mid-court +1 ball where he can essentially swing down on the ball and send it inside-out.
Yeah in my memory bank of what Taylor Fritz does that’s one of his essentials, along with high forehands. Looks like he was able to figure Tsitsipas out
"Karen Khachanov continues to prove he’s the AK-47 of men’s grand slam tennis; clay, grass, hard — it doesn’t matter — he’ll reach the latter rounds without jamming."
❤️ this line!! I remember seeing KK for the first time as a qualifier at the US Open many years back and thought he was marvelous. He's so very solid but yeah, he doesn't have that extra gear. I'd actually be surprised if he manages to take a set off of Sinner considering how well Jannik is playing.
You were right! Straight sets.
High floor, low ceiling!
I need to add a reference to you
(no need; cheers)