Tennis: Australian Open 2022

[JollyGood]

I definitely agree about Thiem. Back to back Roland Garros (in 2018 and 2019) and now already an Australian Open finalist (in 2020). I think he is a Grand Slam champion in waiting.

Of the current younger crop waiting to break through (Medvedev, Zverev, Tsitsipas, Kyrgios and alike) I think Thiem has been the most consistent and he seems to be the most well balanced on a mental level out of them too. I am quite confident Thiem will win Roland Garros this year (2020) whether or not he meets Nadal in the final.

Australian Open: Djokovic
French Open: Thiem
Wimbledon: Federer
US Open: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev

About Djokovic and his gamesmanship, I remember too many instances I lost count but when he did it against Murray on this one occasion I think Murray got very angry. Djokovic returned from a medical break but Murray was on course to win the match yet end up losing it. I might have it wrong but from what I recall it was partly because it appeared at first Djokovic started losing points allowing Murray to make winners without contesting them (thus reeling him in) while complaining he was injured then all of a sudden he upped the tempo. Even the commentators were shocked how Djokovic was almost limping in the first two points of the game and then all of a sudden rushed to the net faster than Usain Bolt to make a drop shot etc

In the Grand Slams many players including Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have been known to go off for toilet breaks if the match heads off in to a 5th set with them losing the 4th, or even when they lose the 3rd set after being 2-0 up. Going off for medical breaks and calling the doctor out on court when losing either the match or momentum - sadly that is something Djokovic will always be associated with and though it was not cheating it was simply a technique to upset the rhythm of his opponent.

Anyway, as much as Djokovic is respected because of his winning record, he is not respected by his peers and colleagues for any other reason. Here is was Kyrgios said about Djokovic in last year in 2019: https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/15/nick-kyrgios-tells-cringeworthy-novak-djokovic-will-never-surpass-roger-federer-9560173/

‘I just feel like he’s got a sick obsession with wanting to be liked’ Kyrgios said of Djokovic on the No Challenges Remaining podcast.

‘He just wants to be Federer. I feel he wants to be liked so much that I just can’t stand him. This celebration thing is so cringeworthy.

‘He’s unbelievable, a champion of the sport, one of the greatest we will ever see. I think he will get the Grand Slam count and overtake Federer. ‘[But] we’re talking about a guy who pulled out of the Australian Open one year because it was too hot. No matter how many Grand Slams he wins, he will never be the greatest to me. ‘I’ve played him twice and I’m sorry but if you cannot beat me, you cannot be the greatest of all time. Look at how much I train and put in… it’s zero compared to him.

‘For me Federer will always be the greatest of all time. What Rafa has done has been pretty scary too. ‘But Novak just riles me the wrong way. He always says what he thinks he needs to say rather than his actual opinion. ‘The celebration just kills me. Every time it does… it kills me. If I play him and beat him again, I’m doing the celebration in front of him [laughing]… that would be hilarious!’[/b]

For a lot of people, Kyrgios made a lot of sense with what he said.

Lots of chats online about the so-called gamesmanship (or cheating) when Djokovic kept going off court. It was not the first time he has done it

I've noticed that negatively, too.
I can't tell you what treatment he received on the court when the doctor was at his bank for a short time. And when he left the court and came back a few minutes later he was a different person.

Of course nothing illegal was done and it was within the allowed range. But such things can be used to unsettle the opponent or to get him out of the rhythm.
and he managed that. it diminishes his great performance a bit but he still deserved to win. it was a great game and next time thiem wins

[JollyGood]

This thread has been updated to discuss all things related to the Australian Open 2022 and the important news about the tournament to date has to be Djokovic being deported on COVID related grounds before the main draw even started.

[JollyGood]

The tournament is underway.....

Through to the next round after 1st round wins:

Osaka
Nadal
Barty
Ostapenko
Svitolina
Berrettini
Azarenka
Shapovalov
Keys

Lost at 1st round and not going through to the next round:

Kenin
Gauff
Querry

[JollyGood]

Some of the names through to the 3rd round are:

Nadal
Osaka
Barty
Zverev
Shapovalov
Krejcikova
Monfils
Ostapenko
Berrettini
Keys
Azarenka

[Juggy777]

Some of the names through to the 3rd round are:

Nadal
Osaka
Barty
Zverev
Shapovalov
Krejcikova
Monfils
Ostapenko
Berrettini
Keys
Azarenka

@JollyGood how well do you rate Nadal chances of his winning since his arch rival Djokovic is absent, or do you feel he’ll be eliminated soon?. Also I was expecting you to post some predictions for the matches, as it’s always good to see more opinions before wagering on a particular player so kindly consider posting some predictions for the upcoming matches.

[JollyGood]

Nadal is playing well in the tournament so far but I think the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic will find it very difficult to win any more tournaments because the younger players are finally believing they will win grand slams and other tournaments.

Federer has been recovering from injury for some time now, he did not make it to Melbourne. He might be back in time for the French Open but will definitely want to make it back in time for Wimbledon. Nadal won a tournament in the run up to him getting to the Australian Open. Djokovic was deported and might not be able to compete in Paris.

This is the first tournament in a long time that the next generation has a chance to stamp their authority and leading the pack will be Thiem and Zverev. Let us not forget current US Open champion Medvedev is also a hot favourite to win.

@JollyGood how well do you rate Nadal chances of his winning since his arch rival Djokovic is absent, or do you feel he’ll be eliminated soon?. Also I was expecting you to post some predictions for the matches, as it’s always good to see more opinions before wagering on a particular player so kindly consider posting some predictions for the upcoming matches.

[JollyGood]

Through to the 4th round are:

Medvedev
Tsitsipas
Cressy
Fritz
Cornet
Sabalenka
Swiatek
Cillic
Halep

Finally, the last British player has been knocked out, Dan Evans was beaten 6-4 6-1 6-1 by Felix Auger-Aliassime.

[coinlocket$]

Nadal is playing well in the tournament so far but I think the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic will find it very difficult to win any more tournaments because the younger players are finally believing they will win grand slams and other tournaments.

About Nadal and Federer probably.
I  think they are too old for winning more slams. Maybe Rafa has some chances in some pitches but I don't think Roger can win anymore.

But Djokovic if not banned , will win for many years, I can't see anyone at his level yet.

Maybe Sinner can reach him in 2 years when he will probably decrease in performances.

[Daniel91]

Nadal is playing well in the tournament so far but I think the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic will find it very difficult to win any more tournaments because the younger players are finally believing they will win grand slams and other tournaments.

About Nadal and Federer probably.
I  think they are too old for winning more slams. Maybe Rafa has some chances in some pitches but I don't think Roger can win anymore.

But Djokovic if not banned , will win for many years, I can't see anyone at his level yet.

Maybe Sinner can reach him in 2 years when he will probably decrease in performances.

Nadal still has a very good chance at Roland Garros, provided he is completely healthy and ready to play.
Federer was stopped by age and injuries and Djokovic by his decision not to get vaccinated.
In fact, I am most sorry for Djokovic. Because of his attitude towards vaccination, he risks the possibility of performing at the other 3 GSs this year.
With that, he loses the chance to officially become the greatest tennis player of all time.
Medvedev, ZVerev and other young players are already here and winning the biggest tennis tournaments so they are no longer the future but the present of tennis and the big three have reached the end of their careers, although Djokovic can win a few more GS if he is allowed to play.

[JollyGood]

Federer will always be in with a huge chance of winning at Wimbledon and Nadal will always have a huge chance of winning at Roland Garros but the younger generation are hungry and they see their opportunity to overtake the old guard. Medvedev and Thiem are leading the way followed by Tsitsipas and Zverev.

Djokovic is 34 years old, he will not be able to maintain his winning streak for much longer. Sure he will win tournaments along the way before he retired but I think that is it for him with regards to Grand Slams, he probably will not win any more.

Nadal is playing well in the tournament so far but I think the Federer, Nadal and Djokovic will find it very difficult to win any more tournaments because the younger players are finally believing they will win grand slams and other tournaments.

About Nadal and Federer probably.
I  think they are too old for winning more slams. Maybe Rafa has some chances in some pitches but I don't think Roger can win anymore.

But Djokovic if not banned , will win for many years, I can't see anyone at his level yet.

Maybe Sinner can reach him in 2 years when he will probably decrease in performances.

[JollyGood]

Here is the latest news:

Collins won against Mertens
Sinner beat de Minaur
Halep was beaten by Cornet. She advances to her first ever grand slam tournament at the age of 32 and on her 63rd attempt.
Tsitsipas beat Fritz in 5 sets 4-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-4
Kanepi the world number 115 beat tournament number 2 seed Sabalenka 5-7 6-2 7-6 (10-7)
Medvedev beat Cressy
Swiatek beat Cirstea
Auger Aliassime beat Cillic

[JollyGood]

Here is the latest news:

Keys beats Krejcikova in straight sets
Nadal beats Shapovalov in 5 sets
Barty beats Pegula in straight sets
Berrettini beats Monfils in 5 sets

[JollyGood]

Here is the latest news: Medvedev comes back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 against Auger-Aliassime to reach the semi-final against Tsitsipas.

Women Semi-Finals
Barty vs Keys
Collins vs Swiatek


Men Semi-Finals
Berrettini vs Nadal
Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

[bitzizzix]

I think Ashleigh Barty's easy win and no tough fight against Lucia Bronzetti of Italy would be good preparation against Madison Keys in the semifinals.

Ashleigh Barty is the best player and number one in the world and also the representative of the hosts who are definitely favorites in the semifinals against Keys later, and besides that Keys is also not on the list of featured players, I think Ashleigh Barty will win and will advance to the final.

[Juggy777]

Here is the latest news: Medvedev comes back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 against Auger-Aliassime to reach the semi-final against Tsitsipas.

Women Semi-Finals
Barty vs Keys
Collins vs Swiatek


Men Semi-Finals
Berrettini vs Nadal
Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

@JollyGood most likely I believe we should see Nadal vs Medvedev in the finals, because these two have been playing really well. However if Tsitsipas also makes it to the finals against Nadal then too it’ll be interesting, because he’ll be up against an very experienced player and it’ll make the finals very entertaining to watch.

[Yaunfitda]

I agree, I think this is more likely a Nadal vs Medvedev in the finals for this year.

No offense to both Berrettini and Tsitsipas they deserved to be in the finals. However, facing Nadal and the second seed Medvedev and defeating them is most likely a long shot as both are really playing very well although Nadal was extended to 5 sets last match and Medvedev needed to come back from a 0-2 deficit against Felix AA. But both of them won their respectively match and will be the favorite against Berrettini and Tsitsipas.

[Cnut237]

Nadal vs Medvedev in the finals for this year.

Yes, I've been saying that for a while... but it's quite boring because it's just what you'd expect, no surprises.

I do think if it works out this way then Nadal would have to be the favourite. Medvedev had a very draining match last time out, and now faces Tsitsipas in what could well end up being another 5 setter. Whoever gets through that will be tired for the final.

[TravelMug]

Nadal vs Medvedev in the finals for this year.

Yes, I've been saying that for a while... but it's quite boring because it's just what you'd expect, no surprises.

I do think if it works out this way then Nadal would have to be the favourite. Medvedev had a very draining match last time out, and now faces Tsitsipas in what could well end up being another 5 setter. Whoever gets through that will be tired for the final.

It also goes to say that Nadal might have an easy route to the finals. He faces Shapovalov who defeated Rublev. He was extended to 5 sets though, but he has the advantage because he is well rested.

As compare to Medvedev who had a draining 5 set win, both mentally and physical tough match for him to overcome. And now he is going to face another tough opponent in Tsitsipas who surprisingly did good in a surface that he is not well known to do better. He is a clay court specialist as far as I know.

[JollyGood]

Women Final: Barty vs Collins

Congratulations to both for getting to the final. Barty and Collins will be searching for their first Australian grand slam. I think Barty will win this and will enjoy the whole of the Rod Laver Arena crowd supporting her.

[AndySt]

Nadal vs Medvedev in the finals for this year.

Yes, I've been saying that for a while... but it's quite boring because it's just what you'd expect, no surprises.
I do think if it works out this way then Nadal would have to be the favourite. Medvedev had a very draining match last time out, and now faces Tsitsipas in what could well end up being another 5 setter. Whoever gets through that will be tired for the final.

It also goes to say that Nadal might have an easy route to the finals. He faces Shapovalov who defeated Rublev. He was extended to 5 sets though, but he has the advantage because he is well rested.
As compare to Medvedev who had a draining 5 set win, both mentally and physical tough match for him to overcome. And now he is going to face another tough opponent in Tsitsipas who surprisingly did good in a surface that he is not well known to do better. He is a clay court specialist as far as I know.

Well, as for Tsitsipas, I would like to add that Nadal also seems to be more considered a specialist on a clay court Although of course I'm also a little surprised that Tsitsipas was able to get to such a high stage of the tournament, especially considering that he had surgery only a few weeks ago. As for Medvedev's previous five-set match, I would like to say that this should not have a strong impact, given that it was a rest day and tennis players of this level should know how to recover properly after such matches. I would not be in a hurry to talk about Nadal's easy way to the final, let's remember, for example, that no one really expected that Medvedev's previous opponent would cause him so many problems and put him on the verge of losing.