Tennis: Australian Open - Who opens the new season with a bang (2 Viewers)

[3C's]

Is players screaming at themselves and their box relatively new? Did McEnroe ever yell at himself?

I love a good Andy Murray tirade.

No one is on the level of Nick K though. And it's comical but fun too.

 

[Navin Johnson]

Why are they interviewing them in the corridor on the way to the court?

 

[El Floppo]

already seeing both sides of Saba so far 3 games in. if she can silence the nattering nabob demons, she'll blow past Coco.

 

[El Floppo]

already seeing both sides of Saba so far 3 games in. if she can silence the nattering nabob demons, she'll blow past Coco.

on cue... double faults and unforced error her way to that break

 

[facook]

Coco and Saba at 4 today.

I mentioned that Floppinha was part of Coco's 1st New Balance release- participated in the "show" and was part of a Q/A panel afterwards- which she was super excited about, but then disappointed to find that it was only the professional interveiwer asking questions (floppinha had a couple good beginner tennis questions ready). Got to meet her, get a signed tennis ball... and became a fan, wihtout ever seeing her play.

we've still hardly watched her- just followed her results.

that last round match was the most we've seen of her... and- oof. not much game, based on that. I'd heard her forehand was a weakness, but also heard she'd improved it. not based on what I saw- soft, weak top spinners to the service line and rarely deep...plus a weird, choppy slice on the forehand that also would go short more often that not. Solid backhand. Decent, but nothing earthshattering serve. her strength seems to be her mobility?

I don't see what's making her top 10, tbh. anybody know more about her game?

I've watched more of Saba- including that practice at the beginning of the open this year. Her game strikes me as champion material- big hitter, big server with more than enough touch and mobility to get to and play most every shot she needs to. her weakness, from what I've seen, is that she can switch off and fall apart... but otherwise, seems to have much more game than Coco.

Coco's pretty fast and can get to balls a lot of women can't. She has a decent first serve and really really good 2nd serve imo...like 2nd serve is more aggressive than most every other WTA player. Also she's the only compelling American female so probably gets a bit more attention than she otherwise would, but that obviously does not impact her ranking.

Thanks!

I'll keep an eye on her 2nd serve.

Just struck me last match that it was the other woman dictating points and being the aggressor more than Coco, who just seemed to be about keeping the ball in play. I prefer that style of play (floppinha is that style, even if she lacks the experience and consistency now to make it pay off for her). Other woman hitting it deeper with better angles, taking that advantage on most points but then making unforced errors. I watched her play the previous match and she was lights out doing the same thing but without the errors. Not sure how Coco could hang with that given what I saw from Coco this last match.

I'm rooting hard for Coco against Saba, but imo the only thing keeping Saba from winning will be Saba. If she plays how I've seen her play and doesn't sink into one of her usual disaster zones, it should be straight sets for Saba.

Yep, she is able to get to balls most can't, keeps the ball in play with serves and returns, and makes fewer mistakes than her opponents. That recipe has led to more and more wins for her.

That game 6 deuce rally was THE Coco Mona Lisa.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Guaff doesn't look like she has any way to hurt Sabalenka. Basically like her only hope is to keep the ball in play and pray for the errors.

 

[El Floppo]

Coco and Saba at 4 today.

I mentioned that Floppinha was part of Coco's 1st New Balance release- participated in the "show" and was part of a Q/A panel afterwards- which she was super excited about, but then disappointed to find that it was only the professional interveiwer asking questions (floppinha had a couple good beginner tennis questions ready). Got to meet her, get a signed tennis ball... and became a fan, wihtout ever seeing her play.

we've still hardly watched her- just followed her results.

that last round match was the most we've seen of her... and- oof. not much game, based on that. I'd heard her forehand was a weakness, but also heard she'd improved it. not based on what I saw- soft, weak top spinners to the service line and rarely deep...plus a weird, choppy slice on the forehand that also would go short more often that not. Solid backhand. Decent, but nothing earthshattering serve. her strength seems to be her mobility?

I don't see what's making her top 10, tbh. anybody know more about her game?

I've watched more of Saba- including that practice at the beginning of the open this year. Her game strikes me as champion material- big hitter, big server with more than enough touch and mobility to get to and play most every shot she needs to. her weakness, from what I've seen, is that she can switch off and fall apart... but otherwise, seems to have much more game than Coco.

Coco's pretty fast and can get to balls a lot of women can't. She has a decent first serve and really really good 2nd serve imo...like 2nd serve is more aggressive than most every other WTA player. Also she's the only compelling American female so probably gets a bit more attention than she otherwise would, but that obviously does not impact her ranking.

Thanks!

I'll keep an eye on her 2nd serve.

Just struck me last match that it was the other woman dictating points and being the aggressor more than Coco, who just seemed to be about keeping the ball in play. I prefer that style of play (floppinha is that style, even if she lacks the experience and consistency now to make it pay off for her). Other woman hitting it deeper with better angles, taking that advantage on most points but then making unforced errors. I watched her play the previous match and she was lights out doing the same thing but without the errors. Not sure how Coco could hang with that given what I saw from Coco this last match.

I'm rooting hard for Coco against Saba, but imo the only thing keeping Saba from winning will be Saba. If she plays how I've seen her play and doesn't sink into one of her usual disaster zones, it should be straight sets for Saba.

Yep, she is able to get to balls most can't, keeps the ball in play with serves and returns, and makes fewer mistakes than her opponents. That recipe has led to more and more wins for her.

That game 6 deuce rally was THE Coco Mona Lisa.

that was flat out insane. she had no business getting to ANY of those shots, let alone ALL of them. the last one after Saba's 1st overhead... good lord.

 

[El Floppo]

Guaff doesn't look like she has any way to hurt Sabalenka. Basically like her only hope is to keep the ball in play and pray for the errors.

this is exactly what I was thinking heading into this.

she has no offense.

 

[El Floppo]

Guaff doesn't look like she has any way to hurt Sabalenka. Basically like her only hope is to keep the ball in play and pray for the errors.

this is exactly what I was thinking heading into this.

she has no offense.

every shot is short and down the middle. I just don't get it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

every shot is short and down the middle

Right. If she were painting the lines and moving it around that's one thing. But she's leaving it on a high bounce at the T an awful lot. Guessing she can't handle the power.

 

[facook]

every shot is short and down the middle

Right. If she were painting the lines and moving it around that's one thing. But she's leaving it on a high bounce at the T an awful lot. Guessing she can't handle the power.

That’s what MJ said, Sabalemka’s power is keeping Coco on her heals. But Sabby’s negative self talk is just about to kick into high gear after losing that game. See if she can keep it together.

 

[El Floppo]

every shot is short and down the middle

Right. If she were painting the lines and moving it around that's one thing. But she's leaving it on a high bounce at the T an awful lot. Guessing she can't handle the power.

Saba just pounding Coco's forehand too... such a glaring weakness

 

[El Floppo]

every shot is short and down the middle

Right. If she were painting the lines and moving it around that's one thing. But she's leaving it on a high bounce at the T an awful lot. Guessing she can't handle the power.

That’s what MJ said, Sabalemka’s power is keeping Coco on her heals. But Sabby’s negative self talk is just about to kick into high gear after losing that game. See if she can keep it together.

her last opponent did the same thing, and nowhere near the power Saba has. it seems like this is Coco's rope-a-dope style for matches.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

My 2 cents:

I have no problem with having a signature celebration.
I have no problem when your signature celebration is mocked.
Novak is most certainly a douche at times.
I think Novak likes being a douche at times.
I like that he seems like an honest, thoughtful but sometimes arrogant person.
Reminds a lot of Aaron Rodgers who I also like.

Rodgers is a fan of his as well, I believe

 

[El Floppo]

I don't remember people cheering this much, or at all, at missed 1st serves.

is that a new thing?

 

[El Floppo]

But Sabby’s negative self talk is just about to kick into high gear after losing that game. See if she can keep it together.

 

[gump]

Chang vs Lendl.

 

[El Floppo]

Chang vs Lendl.

did people cheer Lendl's missed 1st serves in that one?

and is that the one where Chang had to underhand serve for a bit?

 

[Penguin]

Coco's in Sabalenka's head

 

[Penguin]

Gotta be tough when you know not a single person there is rooting for you

 

[El Floppo]

great point!

 

[gump]

Chang vs Lendl.

did people cheer Lendl's missed 1st serves in that one?

and is that the one where Chang had to underhand serve for a bit?

Yep…and he would stand on the service box line to return serve.

 

[El Floppo]

coco finally being more aggressive in that 7th game

 

[El Floppo]

ok... watchign the US soccer game on my laptop with Open on on my phone. won't be able to post until halftime.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Sabalenka sounds like an angry alley cat.

 

[Todem]

Gotta be tough when you know not a single person there is rooting for you

Very tough.

 

[Todem]

Coco is so focused......and getting to everything.

 

[Major]

Coco bossing up. Hope this continues....on another note, after seeing Monica Seles in the crowd I went back to read up on her career, etc. What a record. She could've been the GOAT if not for the stabbing. I always feel bad for guys like Bo Jackson with the injuries but this is like 100x that.

 

[Todem]

She might bagel her this set......

 

[Todem]

Coco bossing up. Hope this continues....on another note, after seeing Monica Seles in the crowd I went back to read up on her career, etc. What a record. She could've been the GOAT if not for the stabbing. I always feel bad for guys like Bo Jackson with the injuries but this is like 100x that.

That stabbing destroyed her career and her mental health.

She was a machine.

 

[Todem]

Bagel off the table.......if Sabalenka breaks Coco here.....new set IMO.

 

[Todem]

Cramps.....she is exhausted. Trouble.

 

[Todem]

Getting interesting.....

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Rope a dope strategy working like I knew it would.

 

[Todem]

She is exhausted......Coco on the verge of her first major....good for her.

 

[facook]

But Sabby’s negative self talk is just about to kick into high gear after losing that game. See if she can keep it together.

Sigh.

 

[Major]

Coco bossing up. Hope this continues....on another note, after seeing Monica Seles in the crowd I went back to read up on her career, etc. What a record. She could've been the GOAT if not for the stabbing. I always feel bad for guys like Bo Jackson with the injuries but this is like 100x that.

That stabbing destroyed her career and her mental health.

She was a machine.

Just an amazing record. Imagine if Coco already had 8 Grand Slams at this age and then got stabbed. Hurts to think about.

 

[Don Quixote]

Love seeing celebrations of first one like that.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Love seeing celebrations of first one like that.

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

 

[El Floppo]

wow.

US scored to go up 1-0 just as Coco won that 2nd set.

To her credit, Coco went for more shots and got them deeper, especially the backhand. she also tightened up her errors and played a lot more consistently. and that defense was just astonishing- her and Alcaraz on another level with that part of their games. so tough to play against that, knowing you have to get every try at winners JUST right.

so I guess you put all that together and it's enough. or you need your better opponents to fold a bit- which Saba is prone to do and did here.

either way- HUGE win for Coco, and certainly deserved.

 

[Major]

Coco really is a class act and shows a lot of humility for her age. Awesome win!

 

[Mitchie]

A cool 3 mill at 19, not too shabby

 

[Nick Vermeil]

A cool 3 mill at 19, not too shabby

Drop in the bucket.

 

[El Floppo]

And when Coco hit the occasional forehand deeper and wide, she put Saba into all kinds of trouble.

Broken record, but I just don't get why that isn't an engrained part of her game at this point in her career... almost every forehand is middle of the court and barely to the service line. I mean- she must capable?

 

[facook]

I'm bitter because I had money on a Saba future. But I was glad to see them give each other a genuine hug after the match. Didn't want Saba to be seen as a villain after the match.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm bitter because I had money on a Saba future. But I was glad to see them give each other a genuine hug after the match. Didn't want Saba to be seen as a villain after the match.

Why would she be seen as a villain?

 

[Major]

A cool 3 mill at 19, not too shabby

Probably doesn't even have to make her own pizza

 

[facook]

I'm bitter because I had money on a Saba future. But I was glad to see them give each other a genuine hug after the match. Didn't want Saba to be seen as a villain after the match.

Why would she be seen as a villain?

Crowd was so pro-Gauff, and Saba's body language showed she was pretty clearly annoyed. I just thought if she was anything but gracious in defeat they'd turn on her quickly.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm bitter because I had money on a Saba future. But I was glad to see them give each other a genuine hug after the match. Didn't want Saba to be seen as a villain after the match.

Why would she be seen as a villain?

Crowd was so pro-Gauff, and Saba's body language showed she was pretty clearly annoyed. I just thought if she was anything but gracious in defeat they'd turn on her quickly.

I didn't get the sense that the crowd was anything other than pro-Gauff though... not a touch of anti-Saba.

in her post match on-court interview, the crowd roared for her- and she said something along the lines of, "I could've used those cheers for me during the match". I'd heard she was a nice person off the court- nice to see her response to losing here... so gracious. although maybe not if Coco had hung the phone up on her.

 

[El Floppo]

but interesting re: Saba... we talked about it here, and in the pre-match interview with her coach he focused on Saba staying focused on herself and her game as the main priority... clearly they're all aware of that being her weakness. watching the little that I have of my daughter playing, seems a major difference between the kids who are next level and kids that aren't. eta: and that was the first thing Saba mentioned being proud of in her match... for a time.

the kid that won his 2nd US championship- people talked about how that was his strength. didn't care about the opponents, just concentrate on himself and his game