Week 15 - Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 - Monaco (clay)

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Week 15 - Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 - Monaco (clay)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

A good match. Watched most of it and enjoyed it.

The others deserved to win overall. But Dan and Neal could have snatched it at the end - very close.

Well done to the two of them, even so

indiana · Tennis legend

Another really good week for Neal. And epic week for Dan

If not with Dan in the longer term, it looks as if Neal is at a level he should have a really top partner to pursue the bjggest prizes.

Now I realise that he won the Acapulco ATP 500 with Ken recently and the Jamie pairing didn't work out as well as hoped ( how 'top' Jamie still is may be another question ). Plus the brothers look as if they have a great relationship. But is there a case for that partner being someone other than Ken?

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

A 1000 Masters final decided on a coin toss essentially. Mystery why they persist with the final set tie break. Makes it a lottery and devalues the competition in my opinion.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

I dont think its a coincidence Dan playing extra matches in doubles is paying off in singles either. His touch around the net and in general has been key to the wins over Novak and Goffin given he is playing essentially a non clay game. Going into the grass season this will also be of massive benefit. Very clever move.

indiana · Tennis legend

Jaggy1876 wrote:
A 1000 Masters final decided on a coin toss essentially. Mystery why they persist with the final set tie break. Makes it a lottery and devalues the competition in my opinion.

So you repeatedly say re MTBs. And while MTBs may not be ideal ( some have more time for them than others ) as I and some others have repeatedly also said first to at least 10 tennis points with a 2 point lead simply isn't a lottety / coin toss while yes more uncertain than a normal final set. It's an end game which is most certainly a valid contest.

junior · Intermediate Club Player

Doubles is (played) won/lost on such fine margins so not really a lottery perse, MTB's are really the only option left for doubles matches, most are played at the end of the day, and they're unlikely to ever have 6-0,6-1,6-2 20' sets.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
Jaggy1876 wrote:
A 1000 Masters final decided on a coin toss essentially. Mystery why they persist with the final set tie break. Makes it a lottery and devalues the competition in my opinion.
So you repeatedly say re MTBs. And while MTBs may not be ideal ( some have more time for them than others ) as I and some others have repeatedly also said first to at least 10 tennis points with a 2 point lead simply isn't a lottety / coin toss while yes more uncertain than a normal final set. It's an end game which is most certainly a valid contest.

One of the posters above said the other pair deserved to win so that was my reason for highlighting this again. Had they lost my point would have credence Id say.

Anyway as discussed in my next point the result doesnt matter for Dan its all about honing his skills for the singles and in that regard its job done, these extra games are merely practice or training if you like.

indiana · Tennis legend

Regarding the specific point that it had been said that on points it felt like the other pair had deserved to win, note that they actually shared these first 2 more normal sets ( I would prefer no deuce deciding points ) and then settled it with a one long game set where you had to win at least two more points in that to win the match.

Whatever, I always feel you play to the scoring system and almost always the deserved winner is the one that wins the final point.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 18th of April 2021 02:00:31 PM

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Nice that Dan lost to the eventual winner.

Well done Tsitsipas - great display

Jan · Hall of fame

While I really dislike the doubles scoring system, I do understand why they've done it.
I do think the "2 clear points" should be sacrosanct in tennis, so I would definitely get rid of the deuce deciding point.
I'd rather not have the MTB.
Maybe it could be 3 proper sets, but set to 4 games rather than 6, with TB(7) at 3-3.......

wolf · Tennis legend

Nah, you need to get the poor dubs guys at least 2 proper sets to play as they're travelling the world to play these events. First to four you could be over in half an hour.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Tsitsipas does seem to be the more likeable of the new breed, Medvedev and his attitude to clay may be his downfall. In fact even on grass as well I can see him struggling.

wolf · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Another really good week for Neal. And epic week for Dan

If not with Dan in the longer term, it looks as if Neal is at a level he should have a really top partner to pursue the bjggest prizes.

Now I realise that he won the Acapulco ATP 500 with Ken recently and the Jamie pairing didn't work out as well as hoped ( how 'top' Jamie still is may be another question ). Plus the brothers look as if they have a great relationship. But is there a case for that partner being someone other than Ken?

I think your probably right, tbh. Neal is playing exceptionally at the moment. It is funny to me because I remember people five years ago people were saying it was Neal dragging Ken down, Ken used to be a top 50 etc etc.

Madadman · Masters Series Champion

Will be interesting to see what happens at the french Open. A few weeks back I thought Dan would enter with Lloyd. Now I wonder if Dan might be looking for a higher ranked partner as he might fancy it a bit more.