Tennis tips *ATP ONLY*

[Tavarez]

It is really tough to predict anything in Milan this week, simply because of the new format. Format: All matches will be best of five (5) tie-break sets. Each set will be the first to four (4) games with a margin of two (2) with a normal tie-break played at three (3) games all. Games will be decided using the No-Ad scoring method with the Server’s choice of the service box. Rules and innovations unique to the event will include Hawk-Eye Live, a countdown clock, no lets, no-ad scoring, shorter warm-ups, a limit of one (1) medical time-out per match, player coaching and free-movement of spectators.

event is held indoor so I expect Shapovalov to win against Chung. Korean is suited to lengthy rallies but we won't see many of those. With one-two punches Canadian can keep it short and simple. Shapovalov to win (avg odd 2.22).

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[Tavarez]

new rules in Milan applied. What are your thoughts about it?

by the way match between Khachanov and Medvedev was super interesting, two big units provided us with lot of winners. two sets decided in breaker. Medvedev was better from the back (more variations brought, backhand was trademark shot especially down the line). Khachanov paid the price for one-dimensional game (hit forehand then by default moves to center of baseline - opponent undone this pattern with backhand down the line). final stats showed that Medvedev hit few more winners, made fewer ues. protected 2nd serve better 62% pts > 48% Khachanov.

Medvedev was physically weak (cramped badly last few games) but pulled great in the 6th game of the 4th set to break and seal the match.

[miha8]

new rules in Milan applied. What are your thoughts about it?

by the way match between Khachanov and Medvedev was super interesting, two big units provided us with lot of winners. two sets decided in breaker. Medvedev was better from the back (more variations brought, backhand was trademark shot especially down the line). Khachanov paid the price for one-dimensional game (hit forehand then by default moves to center of baseline - opponent undone this pattern with backhand down the line). final stats showed that Medvedev hit few more winners, made fewer ues. protected 2nd serve better 62% pts > 48% Khachanov.

Medvedev was physically weak (cramped badly last few games) but pulled great in the 6th game of the 4th set to break and seal the match.

 - I think that Coric will win ATP Milan.

[Tavarez]

new rules in Milan applied. What are your thoughts about it?

by the way match between Khachanov and Medvedev was super interesting, two big units provided us with lot of winners. two sets decided in breaker. Medvedev was better from the back (more variations brought, backhand was trademark shot especially down the line). Khachanov paid the price for one-dimensional game (hit forehand then by default moves to center of baseline - opponent undone this pattern with backhand down the line). final stats showed that Medvedev hit few more winners, made fewer ues. protected 2nd serve better 62% pts > 48% Khachanov.

Medvedev was physically weak (cramped badly last few games) but pulled great in the 6th game of the 4th set to break and seal the match.

 - I think that Coric will win ATP Milan.

we will see. Borna is big fighter but in my opinion grinder. Clay suits him more. these conditions are quick but he looks mentally more stable than some other youngsters. Medvedev played great last night but his fitness is problem (survived that 4th set, cramped badly). Anyway with new rules it is tough to make any sensible predictions.

[Tavarez]

Chung was clinical today. so accurate with fh and bh. wasn't afraid to change ball direction 1st (hit accurately when in full motion/speed). Rublev was slow to get things going, didn't look 100% healthy (2-1up 3rd set he had short chat with physio). overall Chung is more balanced player (no big serve) but can outlast anyone in exchanges. Chung 5/5 net pts won, 5/7 break points converted. sent down 3 aces (two of them big time). to conclude he is the first guy to reach Milan semi-finals.

[wattson]

Chung was clinical today. so accurate with fh and bh. wasn't afraid to change ball direction 1st (hit accurately when in full motion/speed). Rublev was slow to get things going, didn't look 100% healthy (2-1up 3rd set he had short chat with physio). overall Chung is more balanced player (no big serve) but can outlast anyone in exchanges. Chung 5/5 net pts won, 5/7 break points converted. sent down 3 aces (two of them big time). to conclude he is the first guy to reach Milan semi-finals.

who do you thing can win the tournament ? I am becoming a regular reader of your predictions.

[Tavarez]

let us wait for semi final pairs.... then i will come up with some "reasonable" ideas. anyway I have seen few matches already, intensity of play is awesome in this format (players are not allowed to linger there), they need their best level from the word go. Clean example was Rublev..... made a slow start and paid the price. mental strength is key factor (now when 40 all next pt decides winner of the game). Players need thick skin to win tight ones.

[Tavarez]

Chung was clinical today. so accurate with fh and bh. wasn't afraid to change ball direction 1st (hit accurately when in full motion/speed). Rublev was slow to get things going, didn't look 100% healthy (2-1up 3rd set he had short chat with physio). overall Chung is more balanced player (no big serve) but can outlast anyone in exchanges. Chung 5/5 net pts won, 5/7 break points converted. sent down 3 aces (two of them big time). to conclude he is the first guy to reach Milan semi-finals.

who do you thing can win the tournament ? I am becoming a regular reader of your predictions.

too early to say. anyway I am not fascinated by next gen stars. ERA of FEd, djoker, rafa is tremendous. (these guys upped the bar in tennis so high, it is their devotion and mental strength, at the same time they are great ambassadors of the game). Young players today are under great pressure, their results are up and down. Strong federations destroy some great potentials. I feel so sorry for Tomic in particular. ( he just earned too much too early).

[miha8]

Chung was clinical today. so accurate with fh and bh. wasn't afraid to change ball direction 1st (hit accurately when in full motion/speed). Rublev was slow to get things going, didn't look 100% healthy (2-1up 3rd set he had short chat with physio). overall Chung is more balanced player (no big serve) but can outlast anyone in exchanges. Chung 5/5 net pts won, 5/7 break points converted. sent down 3 aces (two of them big time). to conclude he is the first guy to reach Milan semi-finals.

who do you thing can win the tournament ? I am becoming a regular reader of your predictions.

too early to say. anyway I am not fascinated by next gen stars. ERA of FEd, djoker, rafa is tremendous. (these guys upped the bar in tennis so high, it is their devotion and mental strength, at the same time they are great ambassadors of the game). Young players today are under great pressure, their results are up and down. Strong federations destroy some great potentials. I feel so sorry for Tomic in particular. ( he just earned too much too early).

 - The era of Roger,Rafa and Novak is unrepeatable.

[Trofo]

I have watched some matches now and here is my observation. This should be a fast surface but it doesen't look so fast to me. And then you add new rules which favor the player who makes as little as possible unforced errors and you got Chung and Coric as best players in the tournament. It seems to me that strong head is even more important when you play sets to 4.

[Tavarez]

I have watched some matches now and here is my observation. This should be a fast surface but it doesen't look so fast to me. And then you add new rules which favor the player who makes as little as possible unforced errors and you got Chung and Coric as best players in the tournament. It seems to me that strong head is even more important when you play sets to 4.

exactly, Chung and Coric are movable guys and with ground coverage they extend points. Their strategy is to force opponent always an extra shot.

[Tavarez]

today I would try this one: Jared Donaldson vs Daniil Medvedev   TIP: 2 (odd 1.5)

American is now 0/7 in indoor matches, failed to chop set against Khachanov and Coric. Medvedev will play for semi final place (more reasons to win this one), played great match to win from a set down against compatriot Khachanov (flat ball strking)........possible problem is his fitness (struggled in later stages). I believe that he is able to keep rallies short enough against Donaldson. Good luck

[Trofo]

today I would try this one: Jared Donaldson vs Daniil Medvedev   TIP: 2 (odd 1.5)

American is now 0/7 in indoor matches, failed to chop set against Khachanov and Coric. Medvedev will play for semi final place (more reasons to win this one), played great match to win from a set down against compatriot Khachanov (flat ball strking)........possible problem is his fitness (struggled in later stages). I believe that he is able to keep rallies short enough against Donaldson. Good luck

I actually put quite a lot of money on a double today. One tip is yours and the other is football from Europeen qualifiers. I had the same reasoning plus I watched them both play and Medvedev left much better impression to me.

I think match between Khachanov & Coric will be the one to see. Tough to predict result but it should be entertaining.

[Tavarez]

Coric just grounded Khachanov in five sets. Gutsy win for Croat (was 2nd best at the start but recovered made great turn-around). Coric played big points with more gut......when for lines. Kept Khachanov jammed on backhand latter stages. Croat picked more points at the net. serve stats upped throughout the match- nice numbers at the end. 57% points won behind 2nd serve. had physio visit (left thigh strapped) but never hindered.

also I saw few last games of the match Rublev vs Shapovalov.  Canadian so watchable (attractive shots) but lacks nerves. when important he went full tilt (missed lot in the tie-breaks). single hand backhand was exploited by Rublev (as one hander he needs more time to set up). Also he wasted lot break point opportunities while Rublev made it 2/2.

[Tavarez]

expecting chung and Coric in the finals   (they showed mental strength and consistency in this event).

[Trofo]

expecting chung and Coric in the finals   (they showed mental strength and consistency in this event).

For Coric I agree 100%, chung will probably be there as well but I kind of like Medvedev on this tournament. I manage to find odds @4.2 for Medvedev to win and had to take it. I still believe that Chung is favorite but I just had to try it with odds like that.

[miha8]

expecting chung and Coric in the finals   (they showed mental strength and consistency in this event).

For Coric I agree 100%, chung will probably be there as well but I kind of like Medvedev on this tournament. I manage to find odds @4.2 for Medvedev to win and had to take it. I still believe that Chung is favorite but I just had to try it with odds like that.

 - I also thought that the Coric would win this tournament but surprise happened.

[Trofo]

expecting chung and Coric in the finals   (they showed mental strength and consistency in this event).

For Coric I agree 100%, chung will probably be there as well but I kind of like Medvedev on this tournament. I manage to find odds @4.2 for Medvedev to win and had to take it. I still believe that Chung is favorite but I just had to try it with odds like that.

 - I also thought that the Coric would win this tournament but surprise happened.

I was out yesterday in the evening playing soccer and didn't watch any of the matches so I am hopping for short analysis from Tavarez. What happened in Coric match? Was he so bad or Rublev so good?

[Tavarez]

I have just finished watching Borna Coric vs Andrey Rublev full match replay. To summarize it wasn't interesting and competitive affair. Croat came out with both thighs heavily strapped (was slower in rallies and Rublev made exploits moving him side to side). Borna made few too many ues in 1h02min match, finished with negative winner-unforced error ratio *-2*, while Rublev did much better ratio *+9*. Russian was fresher, hit balls with better trajectory (flatter to hit through opponent's defense). Borna tried to send high balls into Rublev's backhand during the 2nd set but without success. Borna failed to convert his only break pt chance in the 3rd set when already 0-2 down. Russian almost clinical with 2/3 break points converted.

[Tavarez]

Chung took an easy win versus Rublev in the group stage but much closer one is expected today. Chung had tough 5 set match last night while Rublev's win was more like stroll through the park (1h spent on the court). won lot easy points with accurate wide serves.