'23 Wimbledon Day 7 OoP & Discussion

[meganfernandez]

Tiafoe about to crash out to Dimitrov winning only seven games.

Is Foe still on the come up? I can't keep track.

[patrick]

In my opinion, no.

[mick1303]

On Andreeva: sometimes when you that young, pressure just does not affect you, because you can't comprehend it yet. Not to insult her, because she may turn out to be quite bright, but "ignorance is a bliss". 16 yo Sharapova did not feel any pressure dispatching Serena in that 2004 Wimbledon. Once she got older and realized the enormity of the occasion, it became 10 times harder.

[ashkor87]

On Andreeva: sometimes when you that young, pressure just does not affect you, because you can't comprehend it yet. Not to insult her, because she may turn out to be quite bright, but "ignorance is a bliss". 16 yo Sharapova did not feel any pressure dispatching Serena in that 2004 Wimbledon. Once she got older and realized the enormity of the occasion, it became 10 times harder.

Yes, TRUE. In String Theory, which, again, I recommend to everyone, a similar pointll is made about Tracy...

[ashkor87]

Not anymore...

Vondrousova was more aggressive when it counted. Bouzkova didn't haver the power (or the guts, not sure which) to push Vondrousova when she had the chance in points. Played it too safely IMO.

She seemed to run out of steam...

[ashkor87]

Quite amazing we are almost into week2 and no real big upsets! Never happened before, I think...wonder why

I consider Kenin over Gauff a big upset. People can say they weren't surprised, but talk is cheap. Gauff made the quarters of RG and lost only to Iga, and semi'd Eastbourne with Iga-like scorelines, while Kenin has lost to Margaux Rouvouy, Sofia Kartal, and Wickmayer, Zavanska in the last few months. Gauff beat Kenin by a routine scoreline in January. It was a big upset in my book.

I do not agree, of course..my rating of Kenin is higher than of Coco..I mean, Kenin is close to tier 1, Coco isnt even top of tier 2.

[ashkor87]

Pegula is playing better with every match...Vondrousova next...

[ashkor87]

Azarenka long since not "tier 1" so I can easily see her beaten by Svitolina. Not saying it will happen for sure, but either outcome would be no surprise to me.

just a reminder - Vika is 5-0 against Svitolina..

[ponchi101]

Really can't see how Svitolina can beat Vika..Vika is a tier 1 player, svitolina is not...much as i like her, i cant see what is so special about Svitolina's game...how does she keep winning?

Because, after we analyze all the strokes, and the footwork, and the strategies, Svitolina is one of those players that have mastered the simplest requirement of them all: KEEP THE BALL IN THE COURT.
We love to talk about the great strokes, the "Roger's FH", "Novak's BH". Sure, they are great strokes. But Laconte's FH was a beauty, yet it landed out with frequency.
You can win, and win big, in this sport by simply keeping the ball in. Ask Borg, or ask Novak, who has mastered one very simple concept: keep it IN and DEEP.
Svitolina does a lot of that (not at the same level, of course) but that will always make you competitive.

[ponchi101]

Meanwhile. Galan is giving Sinner a very competitive match. He does move well on grass.

[ashkor87]

Really can't see how Svitolina can beat Vika..Vika is a tier 1 player, svitolina is not...much as i like her, i cant see what is so special about Svitolina's game...how does she keep winning?

Because, after we analyze all the strokes, and the footwork, and the strategies, Svitolina is one of those players that have mastered the simplest requirement of them all: KEEP THE BALL IN THE COURT.
We love to talk about the great strokes, the "Roger's FH", "Novak's BH". Sure, they are great strokes. But Laconte's FH was a beauty, yet it landed out with frequency.
You can win, and win big, in this sport by simply keeping the ball in. Ask Borg, or ask Novak, who has mastered one very simple concept: keep it IN and DEEP.
Svitolina does a lot of that (not at the same level, of course) but that will always make you competitive.

Agree..but is that enough to win a major? Yes, everyone doesn't have to, and I fully agree such B level players are very valuable..I have called such players the 'life blood' of the game, so no disrespect...

[ponchi101]

I thought you were only talking about winning, not winning MAJORS. Svitolina will not do that; she lacks the weapons.
But that she has had a very fine career is, to me, beyond discussion. She has won big tournaments and has been a highly ranked player. All you can ask from that game.

[ashkor87]

Certainly, yes.

[Suliso]

Indeed, the point I was making is that she's capable of beating Azarenka despite h2h. I'd never pick her as a potential Wimbledon champion. There are at least 5 players left in the draw with a significantly better shot.

[ponchi101]

Off topic here.
Belinda is no longer signed with Nike; I find that surprising. She is very popular and is still the #1 player in Switzerland.
Together with Rybakina's departure from Adidas, are the big names (Nike and Adidas) letting go of some players? Or are the smaller brands investing more?