Joe Smith

Tsitsipas has definitely improved, and past results favor him. But I think Khachanov is playing like a different player altogether from a year ago. If he can keep the form he’s had so far, he’ll take it. I also […]

Interesting to see that Djokovic has noticeably beefed up from a few years ago; not sure how that has played into his slightly reduced movement/leg injury. Murray had a similar transformation several years into […]

It was easy to see against Rublev today that Djokovic’s leg was bothering him a bit, not massively (and certainly not something you’d guess from the scoreline), but hampering his movement on some points. There […]

Some more unbelievable tennis from Novak, even though his leg was bothering him a bit. Rublev didn’t play badly, but Djokovic had all the answers. He hit with incredible depth and wasn’t broken once all match. […]

Korda ended with some kind of wrist injury, but Khachanov was too much for him. Karen just playing with a lot more control and better movement than in the past. His game is still based on power of course, but it […]

Obviously if Djokovic plays like he did in his last match he will win comfortably. However, he is 35 years old and he is carrying a hamstring injury. Just because it appeared not to bother him against de Minaur […]

Very happy for Rublev, who everyone says is a terrifically nice guy. He was rewarded in the TB for his aggressive play, which started terribly before he started to hit his shots. Rune was obviously off in some […]

Apart from Djokovic last night, the best tennis I have seen in this tournament has been played by Khachanov, both against Tiafoe and Nishioka. I really like Korda, but Karen is my pick to reach the final.

Cilic red-lining is pretty much unstoppable, even on clay it seems. If he can play like he did against Medvedev, or in the final tie-break against Rublev, he will win easily against Ruud and could even upset Rafa, […]

Great win for Nadal. Maybe it was just me, but I felt that neither man was at his best. Or rather, I felt like I was watching two aging male lions fighting to maintain their dominant position. Even last year I […]

If Cilic can maintain the form he showed against Medvedev, he can beat anyone. I doubt he will, but I also think he’ll have enough to take out Rublev. Cilic in 4.

I am the opposite of most Rafa fans here: I have thought Djokovic is the better player of the two, even on clay, since 2013 (the first year I thought he would beat Rafa at RG).

Needless to say, I have been […]

Wow, Cilic was channeling USO 2014 or something. I never thought he could have played like that again. That was a serious beat-down of the world #2. Even if it’s Medvedev’s worst surface, he has been playing […]

Carlos looked to me to have a bit more pop on his serve. He hit a few 1st serves close to 210, but also threw in a couple about 50 km/slower than that. Pretty impressive win given the pressure on him.

What looks genuinely new to me about Alcaraz is the combination of power and touch. Particularly the massive forehand with what already seems to be one of the best drop shots in the game. After losing to him at […]

Yep, congrats to Medvedev on a spectacular performance. A very intelligent 6’6″ guy who serves his height but moves like he’s 5’9″is a very tough opponent, even for Novak.

I do think this year is finally the […]

I found one prediction in favor of Med, at Bleacher Report. I’m not sure if anyone else did.

Vaccination does not guarantee you won’t get Covid, but it does lessen the odds considerably. It’s largest benefit, however, is that it massively reduces your chances of being hospitalized and/or dying from Covid. […]

Agreed. From my point of view, this is the most exciting GS women’s final that I can remember. It’d be great to see a TG story on it.

After seeing Djokovic lift his game in the second set against Mateo, I’m not betting against him. I just don’t see anyone out there who can better that level. However, I like Zverev’s chances (and maybe even […]