Go to Villagebet.com.au for free horse racing tips - Click here now |
|
Carlos Alcaraz |
Post Reply |
Author | |
Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15478 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Posted: 08 May 2022 at 1:53pm |
This kid, who turned 19 only 3 days ago, has just defeated Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic back to back at the Madrid Open to make his way into the final, where he will play Alex Zverev.
He made the 3rd round of the Australian Open where he lost a 5 set match to eventual semi finalist Matteo Berrettini, he also won the Miami open where he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Rudd. He's now 3rd fav for the French after his latest run and looks like he could potentially be a kid to fill the breach of the big 3 as they fade away into retirement, I've not watched him but I wonder the thoughts of the more knowledgable tennis minds around here?
|
|
Tlazolteotl
Champion Joined: 02 Oct 2012 Location: Elephant Butte Status: Offline Points: 31422 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Finally. A young player who isn't a pretender.
|
|
An honest politician is one who when he is bought will stay bought.
Simon Cameron |
|
ExceedAndExcel
Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Status: Offline Points: 16244 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Still has a way to go. I’ve watched 4 or 5 of his matches over the last few weeks and he still lacks the consistency of those real top players. Has been times when his level has dropped against players that you would expect him to easily account for. Has looked in trouble several times. That said, the hype is real. Would not surprise for him to win multiple slams. French Open may come too soon, 7x best of 5 sets is a big ask but who knows.
|
|
Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15478 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Fair point E&E, I mean lets be honest winning slams is as much about getting through the first week while conserving energy as it is about the second week.
|
|
ExceedAndExcel
Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Status: Offline Points: 16244 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yep for sure. He is still in the stage of his career where he is capable of dropping sets to players he should be crushing, which can make it hard come week two. Like Kwon in the first round of Barcelona two weeks back and to a lesser extent Di Minaur in the semis. Don’t get me wrong, I think he will definitely win grand slams (multiple) it’s just that he’s not quite there yet for mine. He will get better with more consistency. Not saying he can’t win in Paris either, just think there are some things against him.
|
|
Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15478 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I remember listening to Richard Fidler interview Steve Bradbury for his Conversations show on ABC radio, Bradbury talked about how he could be at his best and defeat the top skaters at lesser events but he couldn't always hit his best at the Olympics and World Championships while these guys could. An interesting insight into top level sports in general I thought and the same is very true in tennis, the top players know how to have themselves peaking at the right times, both over a year and even within the fortnight window of the slams, I'm sure there are times in the first week of slams that Rafa, Novak and other top players play within themselves to conserve energy aware that a cruise 6-3 set win is beter than 100% effort and winning 6-1.
|
|
Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15478 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
Fantastic fighting win over Jannik Sinner in the quarter final of the US Open by the young fella yesterday, coming back from 2 sets to 1 and a break down in the 4th to force a deciding set then also coming from a break down to win the 5th set and progress to the semi final.
If he wins his semi final and Casper Rudd is defeated in his, Alcaraz will become the youngest world #1 in history, should Rudd make the final and play Alcaraz then the winner will be the new world #1. With Federer all but retired and Nadal not far behind him, these young players are rising at the right time and this fella may become the best of them.
|
|
Gay3
Moderator Group Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Location: Miners Rest Status: Offline Points: 51995 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
|
Many thanks Afros, I hate double ups Well predicted back in May too Carlos Alcaraz beats Casper Ruud to win US Open final and become youngest ever world number oneCarlos Alcaraz has used his combination of moxie and maturity to beat Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3 in the US Open final to earn his first grand slam title at age 19 and become the youngest man to be ranked world number one. Key points:
Appearing in just his eighth major tournament and second at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz has already attracted plenty of attention as someone considered the next big thing in men's tennis. He was serenaded by choruses of "Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!" that reverberated off the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium — and Alcaraz often motioned to the supportive spectators to get louder. He only briefly showed signs of fatigue from having to get through three consecutive five-setters to reach the title match, something no one had done in New York in 30 years. Alcaraz dropped the second set and faced a pair of set points while down 6-5 in the third. But he erased each of those point-from-the-set opportunities for Ruud with the sorts of quick-reflex, soft-hand volleys he repeatedly displayed. And with help from a series of shanked shots by a tight-looking Ruud in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz surged to the end of that set. One break in the fourth was all it took for Alcaraz to seal the victory in the only grand slam final between two players seeking both a first major championship and the top spot in the ATP's computerised rankings, which date to 1973. Ruud, the 23-year-old from Norway, is now 0-2 in slam finals. He was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June.
Ruud stood way back near the wall to return serve, but also during the course of points, much more so than Alcaraz, who attacked when he could. Alcaraz went after Ruud's weaker side, the backhand, and found success that way, especially while serving. Alcaraz certainly seems to be a rare talent, possessing an enviable all-court game, a blend of groundstroke power with a willingness to push forward and close points with his volleying ability. He won 34 of 45 points when he went to the net. He is a threat while serving — he delivered 14 aces at up to 128mph on Sunday -- and returning, earning 11 break points, converting three. When one last service winner glanced off Ruud's frame, Alcaraz dropped to his back on the court, then rolled over onto his stomach, covering his face with his hands. Then he went into the stands for hugs with his team, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former number one himself who won the French Open in 2003 and reached the final of that year's US Open. You only get to number one for the first time once. You only win a first grand slam title once. But many folks expect Alcaraz to be celebrating these sorts of feats for years to come. |
|
Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
|
|
Afros
Champion Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 15478 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
All good Gay, like I said in the other thread I just couldn't resist the chance to have fun with it
I really only picked him out because of the beating Nadal and Djokovic back to back at just 19, that alone marks a kid as special, I also like the way he plays however, he isn't afraid to take a shot at hitting winners but seems also content and more than capable of holding in the rally and wait for his opportunity, the kid will be at the top for a long time I feel.
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |