ATP M1000 WTA 1000 Rome 5/9 - 5/21 2023

[ashkor87]

Oh oh danger for Rybakina! Vondrousova might well despatch her.
QZ is another player quietly navigating the early rounds ..she is one with almost unlimited potential...

[ponchi101]

Oh oh danger for Rybakina! Vondrousova might well despatch her.
QZ is another player quietly navigating the early rounds ..she is one with almost unlimited potential...

I say Marketa takes the match. Her best surface is clay, she is playing quality tennis, I still say that the gorgeous flat FH from Elena can't do the same damage on clay.
Vondrousova at 60% (I'll take your cues).

[ponchi101]

...

Is this really a occasion with calling out? The hype machine is working hard to make me sick of him before he even really gets started.

They have no other choice. He is the only solid player, at the moment, that can "replace" (because nobody can) Roger or Nadal.
If they don't do this and do not hype him, tennis' "golden era" ends two Mondays from now, when Nadal announces he is not playing RG.
(Remember the dismal ratings from the Aussie final, featuring the nicest guy in the tour Vs the best coiffed guy in the tour? They can't afford that anymore).

[ptmcmahon]

Is this really a occasion with calling out? The hype machine is working hard to make me sick of him before he even really gets started.

It's not just with him, they seem be doing it often for occasions where it's really not needed. Of course because he's winning so much it's going to be him often.

[ashkor87]

Oh oh danger for Rybakina! Vondrousova might well despatch her.
QZ is another player quietly navigating the early rounds ..she is one with almost unlimited potential...

I say Marketa takes the match. Her best surface is clay, she is playing quality tennis, I still say that the gorgeous flat FH from Elena can't do the same damage on clay.
Vondrousova at 60% (I'll take your cues).

I would say 50-50...

[Owendonovan]

Will they show the moment when Alcarz loses to Morazsan in the same spirit?

[ptmcmahon]

Let's hope so!

Glad I have one more day before predictions

[ponchi101]

Oh oh danger for Rybakina! Vondrousova might well despatch her.
QZ is another player quietly navigating the early rounds ..she is one with almost unlimited potential...

I say Marketa takes the match. Her best surface is clay, she is playing quality tennis, I still say that the gorgeous flat FH from Elena can't do the same damage on clay.
Vondrousova at 60% (I'll take your cues).

I would say 50-50...

I spoke too soon. It seems Elena will make me eat my words (and I will do so gladly).
If she beats Marketa, I will start changing my tune on her prowess on clay. That would be a solid win, proving her mobility on clay is not a handicap.

[ponchi101]

Will they show the moment when Alcarz loses to Morazsan in the same spirit?

If they don't produce a "The moment Morazsan beat the world's #1" clip, they will look very petty.

[Suliso]

That might be surprise of the year so far.

[nelslus]

ON a positive note- at least this should (at least) temporarily stop CERTAIN members of this site from shrieking about The Invincible Carlitos.

AND, for those of us who are actually fans of this guy- hopefully, this is just a matter of The-Italian-Open-Doesn't-Fit-His-Game, Needs-A-Break=Badly, and Exhaustion-itis.

Otherwise, those of you in fear of a Alcaraz Blitz may have led us to a world where Novak wins the 2023 Roland Garros title.

[nelslus]

PS: In the true upset of the day- Ram and Salisbury have won two matches in a row at a tournament.

[ponchi101]

ON a positive note- at least this should (at least) temporarily stop CERTAIN members of this site from shrieking about The Invincible Carlitos.

AND, for those of us who are actually fans of this guy- hopefully, this is just a matter of The-Italian-Open-Doesn't-Fit-His-Game, Needs-A-Break=Badly, and Exhaustion-itis.

Otherwise, those of you in fear of a Alcaraz Blitz may have led us to a world where Novak wins the 2023 Roland Garros title.

Was it Robert DeNiro that said "you talking to me?"
Minor hiccup on the road. Do you still not give him the best chances at RG? I know, I know, I know. Novak looks better and better now for that title. But this gives Carlitos two weeks of rest.
And (serious) here, I don't understand the "actual fans of this guy". It is not as if he is lacking members of that club.

[mick1303]

For some people over-promoting is off-putting. I caught myself being quite delighted with Alcaraz being beaten. Through no fault of his own, Alcaraz quickly becoming my least favorite player. Another fact that makes me root against him is that Nadal fans switched to him en masse.

[nelslus]

Was it Robert DeNiro that said "you talking to me?"
Minor hiccup on the road. Do you still not give him the best chances at RG? I know, I know, I know. Novak looks better and better now for that title. But this gives Carlitos two weeks of rest.
And (serious) here, I don't understand the "actual fans of this guy". It is not as if he is lacking members of that club.

OF course, I was only referring to the true fans of Carlitos within THIS site. Apparently, FAR too few in here, apparently, are True Carlitos Blue Fans.
'
PS: OF course, one has to give Alcaraz more than a chance to win Roland Garros. Truth be told- I had hoped he would drop out of this tournament. 'Cause, such a loss ain't a great way to feel fully confident for any Slam tournament. I do want this kid to have a great career, starting with this Roland Garros.

PSS: mick: TO be clear....No one in here would ever confuse me with a Rafa fan!!!! No en masse-mess from me. I just really like Carlito's game.