Wimbledon 2021

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:11

He's started opening up and playing through the ball. There's no way he'll beat Novak playing safe tennis. If he hits his groundshots and has a purple patch where everything comes off he has a chance

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:14

I know it's ridiculous given that he's barely dropped a set, but I don't think Novak has been at his best this tournament. Players have been making mistakes against him, and he's not yet had to dig deep and really go out to win a match.

Merlin5 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:15

manic111 said:
He's started opening up and playing through the ball. There's no way he'll beat Novak playing safe tennis. If he hits his groundshots and has a purple patch where everything comes off he has a chance

Yeah, it's all about placement of the ball and taking risks to put the ball at the far reaches of the grass. So far, his placement has been excellent.

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:18

Merlin5 said:
Yeah, it's all about placement of the ball and taking risks to put the ball at the far reaches of the grass. So far, his placement has been excellent.

He's hitting with so much more depth than he was early in the match. That's what really impressed me in the semi, everything was within a couple of feet of the baseline

Edit: although he's missed two huge chances this tiebreak - the dump into the net at 3-2, and that forehand he's hit long

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:20

Wow

As this match started I was thinking "at least we'll be done well before the football". Not so sure now!

Pigeon_Killer · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:20

Game on!

Berrettini must be loving the crowd support, Djokovic less so

Reuben klang · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:21

We have a match!

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:21

Pigeon_Killer said:
Game on!

Berrettini must be loving the crowd support, Djokovic less so

Feel a bit sorry for Novak in that regard. I get the impression that people often support his opponent as they don't want to see a three set whitewash

Craterloads · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:23

This berrettini looks strong, question will be he can sustain over course of match.

Merlin5 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:24

manic111 said:
He's hitting with so much more depth than he was early in the match. That's what really impressed me in the semi, everything was within a couple of feet of the baseline

Edit: although he's missed two huge chances this tiebreak - the dump into the net at 3-2, and that forehand he's hit long

Yep. The problem now is that Djok has often been first set down to an underdog but then he's warmed up and starts to take over. Hopefully Berrettini can keep his momentum.

Pigeon_Killer · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:24

Collectors item, a Djokovic winner :eek:

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:24

Craterloads said:
This berrettini looks strong, question will be he can sustain over course of match.

Merlin5 said:
Yep. The problem now is that Djok has often been first set down to an underdog but then he's warmed up and starts to take over. Hopefully Berrettini can keep his momentum.

I'd still expect Novak to win (and to tell the truth I'd like to see him hit 20 slams), but it's going to be very close

Reuben klang · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:34

Winning that set has made no difference to the winners odds.

Don’t go down a double break, keep the hope alive.

Has to start the third set well though.

Merlin5 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:37

Honestly, Berrettini could win this if that annoying net wasn't there, I don't know why they haven't removed it yet.

Merlin5 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:45

Djok has switched to god mode now.

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:55

Merlin5 said:
Djok has switched to god mode now.

Not quite, he's still not fully with it. He'll take this set but the next will be interesting, momentum has just started shifting again

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 15:59

Can't remember the last time I saw Novak looking this tight on big points

Reuben klang · 11 Jul 2021 at 16:03

It’s the hope that kills you.

Matteo needs a hold here in this opening game.

manic111 · 11 Jul 2021 at 16:35

Special atmosphere

Reuben klang · 11 Jul 2021 at 16:50

Needs to break to stay in the set, gives up a couple of points missing bread and butter ground strokes.

At least it wasn’t a straight sets victory.

Hopefully at least make this set interesting.