Weeks 6 & 7 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia Hard

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Weeks 6 & 7 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia Hard

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
21 years since a qualifier reached the last 4 of a slam

Qualifiers To Reach Grand Slam Semi-finals (Open Era)
Player Tournament
John McEnroe 1977 Wimbledon
Bob Giltinan 1977 Australian Open
Filip Dewulf 1997 Roland Garros
Vladimir Voltchkov 2000 Wimbledon
Aslan Karatsev 2021 Australian Open

I remember Mac doing it very well, lost in 4 to Connors. And Voltchkov played an ailing Pete Sampras , I was on a long drive to Wales from London for a holiday and listened on the radio as Pete won easily.
Giltinan lost to John Lloyd in his semi in a 64 draw, beating another Brit, Robin Drysdale, along the way.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

When McEnroe made that 1977 last 4, he beat Christophe Roger-Vasellin (dad of Eduard), Gilles Moretton (new French federation chief ) as well as Phil Dent (dad of Taylor ) and Brit Colin Dowdeswell (via Rhodesia and Switzerland) to get to the last 4.

indiana · Tennis legend

Jaggy1876 wrote:
Karatsev is doing a Kyle here from a few years ago. A combination of beating off form opponents and a bit of luck with the draw. Would appear Dimitrov cant continue and is 2-1 down in sets. With Djokovic not fully fit Zverev will be smiling no doubt.

Ah, that hoary old debatable chestnut about Kyle's run.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Karatsev is up to 42 in live rankings from outside top 100.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Jaggy1876 wrote:
Karatsev is doing a Kyle here from a few years ago. A combination of beating off form opponents and a bit of luck with the draw. Would appear Dimitrov cant continue and is 2-1 down in sets. With Djokovic not fully fit Zverev will be smiling no doubt.

re Kyle, I agree .......... to disagree, on this one. smile

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Novak seems to be fit enough to make the final, got to assume the winner comes from the bottom half. Nadal v Tsitsipas will be a cracker tonight. I say tonight as my bodyclock is all over the place. Being annual leave from work in lockdown means Im living to watch the tennis and currently having my breakfast at 430pm.

Works for me

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

its funny the polarisation between Novak, Rafa and Roger fans - one word of support for one of them brings down a wall of abuse from the other side and it almost seems you cant like them all about equally and see good and bad points in all, as there are no doubt. I think it reflects the internet age of trolling that pervades across all forms of society from politics to sport, sadly.

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 06:50:55 PM

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
Jaggy1876 wrote:
Karatsev is doing a Kyle here from a few years ago. A combination of beating off form opponents and a bit of luck with the draw. Would appear Dimitrov cant continue and is 2-1 down in sets. With Djokovic not fully fit Zverev will be smiling no doubt.
Ah, that hoary old debatable chestnut about Kyle's run.

Of course its debatable, all about opinions and I stand by mine. Would have loved to be have been wrong and seen him make many more but it hasnt really happened. Not even close sadly and Im sure people on here were talking about him breaking the top 10 when I just didnt see it.

wales1994 · County player

JonH comes home wrote:
its funny the polarisation between Novak, Rafa and Roger fans - one word of support for one of them brings down a wall of abuse from the other side and it almost seems you can like them all about equally and see good and bad points in all, as there are no doubt. I think it reflects the internet age of trolling that pervades across all forms of society from politics to sport, sadly.

Is anyone actually a Djokovic fan though? Nadal is my favourite, but I still enjoy watching a Federer match. I can't ever cheer for Djokovic and always feel a slight sense of glee when he loses. He just seems to exude an arrogant 'god complex' which doesn't warm me to him.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

wales1994 wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
its funny the polarisation between Novak, Rafa and Roger fans - one word of support for one of them brings down a wall of abuse from the other side and it almost seems you can like them all about equally and see good and bad points in all, as there are no doubt. I think it reflects the internet age of trolling that pervades across all forms of society from politics to sport, sadly.

Is anyone actually a Djokovic fan though? Nadal is my favourite, but I still enjoy watching a Federer match. I can't ever cheer for Djokovic and always feel a slight sense of glee when he loses. He just seems to exude an arrogant 'god complex' which doesn't warm me to him.

Seems to be a fair few

on Twitter , certainly the ones that attack the likes of rothenberg And morgado!

junior · Intermediate Club Player

JonH comes home wrote:
Karatsev is up to 42 in live rankings from outside top 100.

He's a sweet dude though, definitely derserves it

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

junior wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Karatsev is up to 42 in live rankings from outside top 100.
He's a sweet dude though, definitely derserves it

Is he ? I have no idea about him at all. I saw chris goldsmith called him out as having a rep for late withdrawals in matches ie leading and then retiring at 5 games in final set. Seemed to be a trait. Apparently. But i really have no idea and am glad someone his level can still do this , it gives all players hope!

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Hes certainly a shining beacon to players treading water in their mid 20s that it can be done. To have never played in a Slam main draw before and make a semi at age of 27 is a magnificent effort.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Jaggy1876 wrote:
Hes certainly a shining beacon to players treading water in their mid 20s that it can be done. To have never played in a Slam main draw before and make a semi at age of 27 is a magnificent effort.

It is , I agree. Our lads need to watch and learn