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Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 12:45 am
by meganfernandez
Yay Maddie! But plays tomorrow night, right?

She's only 28. Thought she was over 30.

Rennae asked her how important it was to get tactical advice from Bjorn, and she said, "To be honest, I couldn't hear s*** out here tonight."

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:36 am
by Fastbackss
I lament my ignorance at not knowing who the musician Jon Baptiste is, but I appreciated the prolonged shot of him in the crowd - with his seat neighbour talking with him while wearing a yarmulke and ferociously working a toothpick

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:43 am
by jazzyg
I don't think Keys will beat Sabalenka, but I will be pulling for her even though it would cost me a medal in the SP. She has a puncher's chance in that match.

For the crowd that thinks she always crumbles, that stat about her only losing one U.S. Open match in her career after winning the first set had to be surprising. She will need a fast start against Sabalenka.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:53 am
by ti-amie
You could see Keys get tight in the second set and I thought she would fall apart but she didn't. Good for her.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:55 am
by Fastbackss
ti-amie wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:53 am You could see Keys get tight in the second set and I thought she would fall apart but she didn't. Good for her.
I worried when she had squandered two match points...

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:01 am
by meganfernandez
jazzyg wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:43 am I don't think Keys will beat Sabalenka, but I will be pulling for her even though it would cost me a medal in the SP. She has a puncher's chance in that match.

For the crowd that thinks she always crumbles, that stat about her only losing one U.S. Open match in her career after winning the first set had to be surprising. She will need a fast start against Sabalenka.
I don't think she will beat Sabalenka, either, but we'll see. This match is about who handles nerves better. I wonder if they will both play first strike or if Maddie will let Sabalenka have a little control and use her pace and try to draw errors.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:04 am
by Fastbackss
Last night I went to bed after the first set, but taped the match so I could watch the rest over morning coffee.

Planned on doing the same tonight, but not sure I need to tape this one...

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:05 am
by ponchi101
I like her chances. Maddie has enough power to go toe to toe with Aryna.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:42 am
by meganfernandez
Fastbackss wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:04 am Last night I went to bed after the first set, but taped the match so I could watch the rest over morning coffee.

Planned on doing the same tonight, but not sure I need to tape this one...
So predictable. Except for the T serve that Carlitos hit about 8 feet wide just now.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:40 am
by meganfernandez
I find Alcaraz's talent for choosing and executing the exact right shot every time kind of boring and annoying. It's how some people felt about Roger, but Roger had a style and artistry that I don't see in Carlos, and ai hadn't seen it before. For me, drop shots aren't personality. It's in the eye of the beholder, I know. I get why others love him. I like him personally. But I'm missing the thrill of watching him play.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:44 am
by nelslus
meganfernandez wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:40 am I find Alcaraz's talent for choosing the exact right shot every time kind of boring and annoying. It's how some people felt about Roger, but Roger had a style and artistry that I don't see in Carlos. For me, drop shots aren't a personality. It's in the eye of the beholder, I know. I get why others love him. But I'm missing it.
.....I love Carlos. (*And his drop shots, etc. I think drop shots most definitely can be included with a certain kind of personality and artistry.) (So there.) :)

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:47 am
by jazzyg
In the two matches tonight, the winner saved all 14 of the break points he/she faced and converted all seven of the break points he/she earned.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:49 am
by meganfernandez
nelslus wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:44 am
meganfernandez wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:40 am I find Alcaraz's talent for choosing the exact right shot every time kind of boring and annoying. It's how some people felt about Roger, but Roger had a style and artistry that I don't see in Carlos. For me, drop shots aren't a personality. It's in the eye of the beholder, I know. I get why others love him. But I'm missing it.
.....I love Carlos. (*And his drop shots, etc. I think drop shots most definitely can be included with a certain kind of personality and artistry.) (So there.) :)
They can be, but they just aren't for me in this case. They aren't novel. He hits them better than anyone, but it's still a foundational shot. He hasn't introduced anything new. People act like he invented it.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:50 am
by meganfernandez
jazzyg wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:47 am In the two matches tonight, the winner saved all 14 of the break points he/she faced and converted all seven of the break points he/she earned.
Great pull.

Re: '23 USO Day 10 OoP & Discussion

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:48 am
by nelslus
meganfernandez wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:49 am
nelslus wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:44 am
meganfernandez wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:40 am I find Alcaraz's talent for choosing the exact right shot every time kind of boring and annoying. It's how some people felt about Roger, but Roger had a style and artistry that I don't see in Carlos. For me, drop shots aren't a personality. It's in the eye of the beholder, I know. I get why others love him. But I'm missing it.
.....I love Carlos. (*And his drop shots, etc. I think drop shots most definitely can be included with a certain kind of personality and artistry.) (So there.) :)
They can be, but they just aren't for me in this case. They aren't novel. He hits them better than anyone, but it's still a foundational shot. He hasn't introduced anything new. People act like he invented it.
Sure, he ain't Hsieh. But- why would he need to invent anything, if he does everything so well? To me, Carlos plays a beautiful game. I love how sound his over-all game is. Albeit, IMO, he does especially need to improve his serving. (Volleying can also improve, etc.)

PS: I hope that Carlos will be the daytime SF choice. Quite possible, with Novak against Ben....