The most important point/shot that helped Alcaraz to win
the French Open
This match has been talked about and dissected enough so I won't bore you with any more match analysis. Of course Sinner had the 3 match points at 5-3 0-40 on the Alcaraz serve, but the point that stood out for me was in the 5th set at 6-5 Sinner and 30 all with Alcaraz on a 2nd serve.
Sinner hit a great return crosscourt to the absolute corner of the baseline and at that instant it looked certain that he would win this point. Alcaraz managed to play a "squash shot" on the full sliding stretch to slice the ball back to the opposite corner and win the point!
There were so many tug of war moments between these 2 amazing players but I felt that this moment was the one that finally changed the momentum of the match and it was hardly talked about. After this point Alcaraz stormed through the match tie break.
Alcaraz explained the importance of this game at 5-6 in the 5th set below.
“The three match points ... those match points down were, honestly, they weren’t great points. It is great, honestly, that I saved match points but it (they weren’t) that good points (compared to) 6-5 in the fifth at 15-30 or 30-all, or advantage for me, 40-All.
“Those points I remember pretty clearly and honestly I still don’t know how I did it. I mean, it was balls on the line, slicing the line. He was dominating that game. Honestly, I still don’t know how I saved that game. Probably I would choose that game (as the key).”
In my view that one shot at 30 all was the most important of the entire match. Have a look below to see if you agree? Check in at 9 minutes and 43 seconds to see the squash shot and the end of that amazing game.
Click HERE
Grass Courts Season Up and Running
After the drama of the French open and all of the amazing clay court season I must admit finding it hard to get involved in watching too much of the initial grass court events.
However, the new women's Queens competition served up a real treat with the 38 year old from Germany, Tatjana Maria, slicing and dicing her opponents to death on the slick Andy Murray Arena. What a great story with 3 kids and showing the importance of slice on the grass.
And now at Queens for the men's it's great to see Dan Evans beat Tiafoe and hopefully get his game back on track. Like, Tatjana Maria, grass obviously suits his game, especially at Queens where the courts are quicker than at Wimbledon. Let's hope that Dan has a good run at Wimbledon, especially as he forfeited so many points by playing with Andy Murray at the Olympics thereby allowing us all to see Andy competing in his own distinctive way for the last time.
I suppose at Wimbledon it would be too much to ask for another Alcaraz v Sinner final or maybe a Djokovic v Sinner or Alcaraz final?? I can't see anyone other than these magnificent 3 players taking the crown.
My main hope for the women's event is that Sabalenka finds some humility whether she wins or not. Her comments after the French Open final beggared belief for a world number 1 player and I would think that she has a long way to go in getting much public support in the near future. Time for her to grow up and be the role model that young female tennis players need all over the world. At the moment Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini are showing how an adult should behave and inspiring lots of young girls.
the French Open
This match has been talked about and dissected enough so I won't bore you with any more match analysis. Of course Sinner had the 3 match points at 5-3 0-40 on the Alcaraz serve, but the point that stood out for me was in the 5th set at 6-5 Sinner and 30 all with Alcaraz on a 2nd serve.
Sinner hit a great return crosscourt to the absolute corner of the baseline and at that instant it looked certain that he would win this point. Alcaraz managed to play a "squash shot" on the full sliding stretch to slice the ball back to the opposite corner and win the point!
There were so many tug of war moments between these 2 amazing players but I felt that this moment was the one that finally changed the momentum of the match and it was hardly talked about. After this point Alcaraz stormed through the match tie break.
Alcaraz explained the importance of this game at 5-6 in the 5th set below.
“The three match points ... those match points down were, honestly, they weren’t great points. It is great, honestly, that I saved match points but it (they weren’t) that good points (compared to) 6-5 in the fifth at 15-30 or 30-all, or advantage for me, 40-All.
“Those points I remember pretty clearly and honestly I still don’t know how I did it. I mean, it was balls on the line, slicing the line. He was dominating that game. Honestly, I still don’t know how I saved that game. Probably I would choose that game (as the key).”
In my view that one shot at 30 all was the most important of the entire match. Have a look below to see if you agree? Check in at 9 minutes and 43 seconds to see the squash shot and the end of that amazing game.
Click HERE
Grass Courts Season Up and Running
After the drama of the French open and all of the amazing clay court season I must admit finding it hard to get involved in watching too much of the initial grass court events.
However, the new women's Queens competition served up a real treat with the 38 year old from Germany, Tatjana Maria, slicing and dicing her opponents to death on the slick Andy Murray Arena. What a great story with 3 kids and showing the importance of slice on the grass.
And now at Queens for the men's it's great to see Dan Evans beat Tiafoe and hopefully get his game back on track. Like, Tatjana Maria, grass obviously suits his game, especially at Queens where the courts are quicker than at Wimbledon. Let's hope that Dan has a good run at Wimbledon, especially as he forfeited so many points by playing with Andy Murray at the Olympics thereby allowing us all to see Andy competing in his own distinctive way for the last time.
I suppose at Wimbledon it would be too much to ask for another Alcaraz v Sinner final or maybe a Djokovic v Sinner or Alcaraz final?? I can't see anyone other than these magnificent 3 players taking the crown.
My main hope for the women's event is that Sabalenka finds some humility whether she wins or not. Her comments after the French Open final beggared belief for a world number 1 player and I would think that she has a long way to go in getting much public support in the near future. Time for her to grow up and be the role model that young female tennis players need all over the world. At the moment Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini are showing how an adult should behave and inspiring lots of young girls.
Join us in Tuscany to play at two premier clay court tennis clubs, known for producing world-class talent.
Jasmine Paolini's formative years included time at our Lucca venue.
Experience top-tier tennis in the heart of Italy’s breathtaking countryside.
Click on each location for information
LUCCA FLORENCE
Jasmine Paolini's formative years included time at our Lucca venue.
Experience top-tier tennis in the heart of Italy’s breathtaking countryside.
Click on each location for information
LUCCA FLORENCE
