Novak Djokovic – Page 3 – TennisReporters.net

The picks at Roland Garros: Sunday June 11

June 10, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic over Casper Ruud
It has been a long time that Novak Djokovic is right there, possibly if he wins, he will be the greatest player, ever. He is tied with Rafael Nadal with 22 Grand Slams, as he has beaten all four, at the Australian Open, Roland Garros (twice), Wimbledon and the US Open. He can do it again, but the pressure on Sunday will be pretty nervous. He knows that when he plays well, then he can attack, more quickly, as he is just so solid. His backhand is nearly perfect, crosscourt, down the line, with some spin, too. He can flat it out, or he can hit it deep in the middle. His serves can be remarkable, and he is darn good at the net. Yes, his forehand is not perfect, but when he is locked in, he will be much more comfortable.

In the final, though, he has to make some different strokes, as Ruud has played some excellent ball over the past 14 days. He has been very steady, and his backhand was super fitting. His forehand is strong, and his return has improved a lot. Also, he is young, but when you play a lot, on the court, you become more familiar. He really wants to win Roland Garros, so to do so, he has to drive, deep, and really go for it. Last year in the 2022 Roland Garros, he was crushed by Nadal. Maybe he was physically tired, but when it happens, you have to forget about it, and just play, damned hard. He has to be formal, rotate it, and try to pound Djokovic’s forehand. Plus, Djokovic has a number of aces, so when he returns, and he can get it, he will have to put it deep, to start the rallies.

As the Norwegian Ruud said, “It’s going to be tough, for sure. He’s playing for his 23rd. I’m playing for my first. So I’m going to just try to play without pressure and just try to enjoy the moment. I think that was my mentality last year, as well, and it didn’t go my way. Obviously I would like to try to do better than last year. Let’s see if I have learned something from the two previous ones that I played last year. It just feels great to be back. I didn’t think or necessarily believe in the beginning of the tournament that I was going to be in the final. I gave it my best, of course, in every match. Took one match at a time. It is going to be toughest challenge on Sunday, to play Novak. We’re going to do our best to be ready and play our best level. “

Djokovic must be thinking about what eh will do in the court. He has won so many incredible matches, but he has also lost when he is not happy when he is hitting the ball. He can yell, inside, and shake his head. He knows that, but he also he will grasp, eventually, he can turn it around.

“I’m very self-critical, so I know that I can always do better. But I also try to remind myself, as also the people in my team try to remind me daily, that there are a lot of positives, that I have to try to stay optimistic and look ahead and be in the moment, try to make the most out of it, Djokovic said. “It’s normal that during the tournament, regardless of the history that I have or experience or whatever, that I have my doubts. We all have our doubts. It’s important to understand what are your strengths, and focus on those, and deal with what you have at the moment. I’m happy with where I am at the moment with my game. Can it be better? Certainly. Certainly.

They played each other four times, and the Serbian won them in eight sets, on the indoor hardcourts, and two on the clays. Clearly, Djokovic has a better backhand, serve, return and net game too. Yes, Ruud will try to unearth him, but Djokovic will change things, and he will win it in four sets. That will be 94 titles, which will be ridiculous.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Iga Swiatek over Karolina Muchova

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

36 out of 53, 67.9% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Casper Ruud, french open, men's singles final, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros: Friday, June 9

June 8, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Carlos Alcaraz over Novak Djokovic
It will be a huge challenge with Carlos Alcaraz, who did win at the 2022 U.S. Open, but while he has won a few great tournaments on the clay, he has yet to grab Roland Garros. However, over the past 11 days, he has played amazing good. His forehand is vast, and his backhand is also phenomenal. Yes, he can over-hit, but each day, he thinks about what he is really doing, and then he can chuck some different strokes.

The Serbian Djokovic has won so many titles on hard courts, on grass, and on clay. Yes, he has won it twice at the French Open, but he badly wants to win it one more time, so if he does that, he will have 23 Grand Slams — a record.

However, he has a long way to go. In May, Alcaraz edged Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5). That was so close, but the Spaniard would not fold. This time, though, it will be three out of five, not two out of three, so the question is, will he be super fierce, or more patient? In the quarterfinals, he took down Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets. That was pretty simple.

The highly steady Djokovic totally loves going crosscourt, with his notorious backhand. His forehand is also sizable, and when he returns, you can see his bright eyes. He can really run, side to side, or sprint to the net. However, he has had a fantastic year — yet.

“It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Djokovic said. “He’s definitely a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.”

There will be another extremely long rallies, and they will go into the fifth set. This time, as Stefanos Tsitsipas said after he lost, who will win between Alcaraz and Djokovic?

“I root for the young kids.” He must have, as Alcaraz will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Alexander Zverev over Casper Ruud
He looked very good when he took down against Holger Rune in the quarters. Last year he reached the final, and he looked terrific, but Rafa Nadal won it again, with his huge lefty forehand. Yet Rune is usually consistent, and he can also raid when there is a real opportunity. He still is pretty young, but much more than he used to be.

Zverev is really back, or is her a little bit early? He knows that each month, he will get better as last year, he took a bumper injury. But right now, the German believe that he can play against Rune, and who he really is.

“Ruud has been there before. He was in the final here last year, so he knows exactly what it means and what it takes….I couldn’t play for the first seven months of my injury,” Zverev. “Then for the next three, four months I was still in pain, so I wasn’t pain-free. I wasn’t able to move the way I wanted to. But sometimes it’s also just reminding yourself of who you were and what kind of matches you have won in the past. I’m at a stage now where I’m not thinking about the injury so much anymore. I’m just happy to be back where I was last year, and I have another chance. Hopefully I can take it.”

Zverev seems to think that while he is not 100 percent, yet, but he has won some big titles. Ruud had a great year in 2022, but now he has struggled at times. There for, Zverev will reach into the final at another Grand Slam, with some popping winners in four sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Iga Swiatek over Beatriz Haddad Maia
~~Aryna Sabalenka over Karolina Muchova~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

35 out of 50, 70% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, french open, Matthew Cronin, men's semis, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros, Tuesday, June 6

June 5, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over Karolina Muchova
This was really surprising, that the Russian was mediocre this year, and all of a sudden, she started to be super aggressive. Her forehand is powerful, although she can miss it a lot, but her heavy backhand can be deep, close to the baseline. The reason why she has yet to win a Grand Slam because she isn’t very fast, when she is running, but at least she understands what she has to do. Two years ago at the French Open final, she looked great, but in the final, Barbora Krejčíková edged her in three very interesting sets, sending Muchova is a conundrum. She can look jacked up, and then she will disappear when it is close. In the doubles, she is fantastic, but in the singles, the Czech can suffer. At least at Roland Garros, she became super steady. However, Pavlyuchenkova will move around on the clay, and frustrate her. Pavlyuchenkova will win it in three wild sets

Aryna Sabalenka over Elina Svitolina
On Sunday, Sabalenka walked on the court and while she was upset, off the court, but when she was ready to play, then she was pretty intent. She did when she beat Sloane Stephens in a tough contest. Now though, she has to play even better, as Svitolina is on fire, hitting with some gigantic backhands. The former No. 3 Svitolina can be totally locked in, and her forehand is colossal. However, Sabalenka can also split her forehand and her backhand, and she can go for it, early. Her serve has improved recently, as last year, she threw in so many double faults. Sabalenka has really has matured this year, and she is also very thoughtful.

They both have gone deep at the Slams, so they probably won’t be to nervous. Without a doubt, it will be a very close contest, but this time, Sabalenka will beat her, with some amazing winners, in three hefty sets.

Novak Djokovic over Karen Khachanov
The Serbian Djokovic is gaining ground each day. He has rarely loved on clay, but over the years, he added some new shots. His backhand might be the best of all time, but his forehand is very good, but not insane. However, he can hit it some flat shots, and he can also spin it. He knows when he faces Khachanov, he can make sure to start in the rallies.

The Russian is a huge hitter, and he is really tall, but there are times when at the net, he can miss it. Khachanov had a very decent year, and overall, he has reached into the four Grand Slams in the semis and the quarters. Clearly, he is very good. However, Djokovic has beaten him all six times, so he will do it again, winning in four interesting sets.

Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
The young Spaniard has beaten Tsitsipas all four times, when he recently took him down in Barcelona. At the 2021 U.S. Open, he edged him 7-6 (5) in the third round. Then, it was clear that he was going to go close into the sky. As Tsitsipas said, “The clash we’ve all been waiting for. I think everyone was expecting it, weren’t they? It’s here. It’s game on. Carlos is someone that keeps the intensity high at all times. He’s someone that’s not going to give you gaps where his attention isn’t there. He’s very hyper. He’s very energetic and you can see that on the court.”

That was a true analysis. Tsitsipas has come close deep at the Slams, but he has not been able to do it. His one-handed backhand is stable, and his forehand can be solid. He is pretty decent at the net, and he can also return in the second serve. At Roland Garros, Alcaraz was totally controlled. Sure, he can miss a few shots, when he goes too early, but he just keeps moving forward. It is possible that the Greek Tsitsipas will finally beat Alcaraz, but to do that, he is going to change a few tactics. He will, but in the fifth set, Alcaraz once again will hit some incredible shots. He will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, karen khachanov, Karolina Muchova, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Wednesday, May 31

May 30, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Jessica Pegula over Camila Giorgi
The hustling Italian Giorgi can slap the ball with her backhand, her flat strokes, and her spin. She is quick, she can angel, and she tries to hit it deep, here and there. However, she doesn’t smash the ball constantly, and Giorgi will throw some key errors. She hasn’t not won a Grand Slam, or ever she has never reached into the semis. This time she wants to try again, but there are a number of excellent players who can go deep at the majors.

Pegula is also trying, too. The No. 3 has had a very decent year, as she beat a number of very good players. However, she has gone deep a lot, but she has also lost in some key matches. She is very steady, and she can really hustle. In the doubles, her returns and at the net, she has improved a lot. However, she only has won just one title, so clearly the veteran wants to win a major, but she needs to do it pretty soon. Pegula is aware that she needs to be patient, until she breaks her down. The American, Pegula, will win in two extended sets.

Andrey Rublev over Corentin Moutet

Here at Roland Garros, the Frenchman Moutet played a very good season in 2022, winning a number of contests, on the hard courts, and in the clay, too. His backhand is somewhat solid, and he can mix it up, a lot. He still is trying to bash his forehand, and with his first serve, too.

The powerful Rublev plays a lot, during the events, and when he LOCKS it in, he can chuck a lot of winners. He has won 13 tittles, which is terrific, but the current No. 7 has yet to reach into the semis at all of the Grand Slams. Right now, he believes that when he is stable, then he can shatter the ball on the lines. Rublev will win it over Moutet in three routine sets.

Leylah Fernandez over Clara Tauson

The Dane Tauson is very young, but this year she is starting to beat a number of good players. She has a lot of work to do in the summer, but she has been practicing and playing almost everyday. She can be steady, and she can also swing pretty hard, with both sides.
In 2021, Fernandez reached the US Open, and she was totally locked in. But after that,while she can still be loyal, but on court, she can become confused. This year, she hasn’t beat anyone in the top 30. She won a few decent contests, but she has to re-set and add some new shots. Tauson is ready to win another match, and Fernandez will win it in three bizarre sets.

Novak Djokovic over Marton Fucsovics

The Hungarian is aging, but over the past few years, he has changed his tactics. His forehand is more powerful, and his backhand is deeper. However, how can he stun Djokovic? The Serbian has won 22 Grand Slams, and he has beaten everyone, with his phenomenal backhand, his return, and his terrific serves. When he is on, he will rarely miss it, but this year, he has cut some odd strokes. But he does want to win Roland Garros for the second time, so he will be charging hard. Djokovic will win it in three comfortable sets.

As he said, “I want to believe that I am ready. Grand Slams are my priority; they motivate me the most. The best possible news is that I don’t have any physical issues, knock on wood.”

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Gael Monfils over Sebastian Baez
Correct: Taylor Fritz over Michael Mmoh
~~Victoria Azarenka over Bianca Andreescu~~
~~Shelby Rogers over Petra Martic~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

7 out of 12, 58.3% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Andrey Rublev, french open, Jessica Pegula, Leylah Fernandez, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

Preview: ATP at 2023 Roland Garros

May 24, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

It is possible that Daniil Medvedev will win Roland Garros for the first time, but he has to play for two weeks, in a three out of five, and while he rarely gets tired, on the famous clay, there have been some stunning upsets. But not with Rafa Nadal, who has won it 11 times, but unfortunately, he won’t be able to play because he is still injured.

So he will not go, and then you can throw 10 players who can grab it. You can look at Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner, Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime. You can also throw in even more, but you have to think that they are very good, each day in Paris, or they can fall down in the second week.

In the 1990s, the American men were very valid, eventually, winning at Roland Garros with Jim Courier and Andre Agassi. It did take them a decent about of time to get hooked on the clay.
They became patient, and when they had a real chance to crush there hard forehand, and also, there steady backhand. It was spot on.

Currently, over the past two months on clay, once again, the U.S. guys have not been deep enough. Fritz has played terrific on the hardcourts, but in the past three years, he lost very early at Roland Garros. Perhaps he went too early, and he didn’t want to rallies for hours. Sure, he can dish quick and he can alloy it up, and return, too, but on the clay, he still isn’t sure what to do during the match.

The same thing goes with the No. 12 Frances Tiafoe, who put together a couple very good matches on the hardcourts, but on the clay, he is fumbling again. Last year, he was on fire at the 2022 U.S. Open and Tokyo, and he hit some phenomenal shots, but now he has been missing a lot. He is 25-years-old, so maybe he can re-adjust in the strokes, and to return, better. Also, both he and Fritz are cover good at the net, but they really have to put it away, and also, chuck in some excellent drop shots.

The rest of the U.S. men have had a good last 12 months, moving up, with Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda, Brandon Nakashima, Jenson Brooksby, Maxime Cressy, J.J. Wolf and Ben
Shelton. But into the quarters at Roland Garros, that would be surprising, but one person will turn on the lights.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Carlos Alcaraz, daniil medvedev, french open, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, roland garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz

The Picks in Rome: Friday, May 12

May 12, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Stan Wawrinka over Grigor Dimitrov
Is the Swiss ready to fly, again? Wawrinka has not had a great year, but the brilliant backhand can begin to roll, even though he is 38-year-old. He can push himself, deep in the corners and put it away.

The Bulgarian Dimitrov can also throw so many interesting rallies, and the one-hander can really mix it up, as well he can flat in out. His serve is OK, and at the net, he is pretty good, but not spectacular. Dimitrov has had some wonderful matches, at the Slams, but he will likely not come back into the top 5 again. I might be wrong, but in order to do it, then he has to beat the former Roland Garros champion, Wawrinka. He won’t on the clay right now, as the Swiss will win it in three massive sets.

Novak Djokovic over Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Two years ago, the Serbian won Rome, beating Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. He was playing great, when he was so steady, and he was almost perfect with his phenomenal backhand. He thinks a lot, on court, and he could miss once in a while, but he can recover.

Etcheverry is pretty young, and clearly, he is trying to improve his serves, at the net, and with more power. He did reach in the final in Houston and in Chile, this year, when he had some terrific matches. However, he has yet to beat the top 10 players, so the though that to stun Djokovic is a little bit crazy. The 21 Grand Slam winner Djokovic will win in two easy sets.

Sebastian Korda over Roman Safiullin
So many young people think that he or she believe that they are so good, on the court, and very soon, they will rise into the the top 20. Or the top 10. Or the famous No. 1. But the older they get, they realize that the other players are also very, very good, so that they will lose, which is difficult.

Korda knows all about when he started, and he would practice all the time. He knew that once he reached into the ATP Tour, he was ready to beat many players. He has done that, slowly. Unfortunately, Korda grew hurt after the 2023 Australian Open and he had to stop for a three months. He is in the top 30, and the 22-year-old can play extremely consistent, and he can also hit the ball on the lines. He grew up in Florida, so he does know what the hardcourts is, but in the clay, he still has to learn where to go. As we said about Safiullin two days ago, the Russian has had a decent year, and he did upset Marcos Giron in Rome. He must have bee thrilled when he made it to the second round, but Korda will pound him, and he will win it in three very long sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Marie Bouzkova over Caty McNally
Correct: Caroline Garcia over Ana Bogdan
Aryna Sabalenka over Sofia Kenin
Jessica Pegula over Taylor Townsend

Matt’s picks from Rome

3 out of 7, 42.8% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Grigor Dimitrov, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, Roma, rome, Sebastian Korda, Stan Wawrinka

The Picks in Barcelona, Banja Luka, Stuttgart: Tuesday, April 18

April 18, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadel
Cameron Norrie over Pavel Kotov
The Britain is always playing and he rarely loses very early, as over the past two years, he changed a lot of his strokes. He is very strong, and he can thud his forehand and his backhand. Norrie had a fine year, upsetting a number of good people, yet right now, he has been up and down, very good, or so-so.

However, when he is playing solid, then he should be able to out-think Kotov, who is fairly young, and the 24-year-old did just reach into the semis in Morocco, upsetting Benjamin Bonzi. Clearly, he is rising a little bit, but he is out of the top 100, so he still has to really improve his shots. Norrie will beat him in two, somewhat easy, sets.

Denis Shapovalov over Jozef Kovalik
Is it time for the Canadian to stand up? Shapovalov can look terrific, with his leaping backhand, and smashing his forehand. His first serve is solid, but not fantastic, while at the net, he still needs to improve. Without a doubt, last year, he knocked out a number of very good players, but in 2023, he has done very little. This week, he will try to wake up.

The Slovakian Jozef Kovalik is 30-years-old, and in the singles, he has yet to take down the excellent players. That is why he is ranked No. 155, which mean that he is struggling to stay in the ATP. Maybe he can one day, but not now, as Shapovalov will beat him in two sets.

Banja Luka
Novak Djokovic over Luca Van Assche
Maybe it looks like that Djokovic will crush him, but Van Assche is only 18-year-old, so in the next five years, he can improve himself a tremendous amount. The Frenchman has won two small events this year, and while they did not beat any players outside of the top 100, but still, just to win it all, he certainly is rising, fast. On clay, he can mix it around and vault on the ball. While he must be so psyched to play against the 21 Grand Slam winner Djokovic, but he will likely be nervous, so the No.1 Serbian Novak will win it in two decent sets.

Stuttgart
Iga Swiatek over Qinwen Zheng
The No. 1 Swiatek has not had a great year, but she has been hurt, physically, so this week, assuming that she is healthy, she will be ready to re-set her life. Both her forehand and her backhand are so hard, and almost immediately, she will attempt to nail a winner, fast. At times, she can go too early, and she can also become upset when she cannot hit it in the right way, but if she can breathe, then eventually, she can turn it around.

Zheng is only 20-years-old and already, she is ranked in the top 25. That is not easy for anyone, so while she has not had a great 2023 season, at least last year, she upset a number of good players, such as Paula Badosa and Veronika Kudermetova. The problem though, it that while she is superfast when she is running, but at the 2022 Roland Garros, Swiatek beat Zheng in three sets. Currently, it is all about the clay, ever though in Germany, it is indoors, so it will be faster. Regardless, Swiatek will beat Zheng in three sets, just like they did in Paris.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Banja Luka, barcelona, Cameron Norrie, denis Shapovalov, Iga Swiatek, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, stuttgart

The Picks on clay in Monte-Carlo Masters: Thursday, April 13

April 12, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Daniil Medvedev over Alexander Zverev
The Russian has had a tremendous year, on the hard courts, but now he has to stay very aggressive on the clay. Most of the time, Medvedev can rally, side to side, and wait until he has a chance to nail on the lines. However, on clay, it is clear that you have to be patient for a long, long time.

The German Zverev is gradually back, on the court, as the No. 2 became hurt, he had to stay for a while. Just like with Medvedev, Zverev almost won the 2020 U.S. Open, but he could not do it. Zverev can be very steady, and also, he can crush the ball with his forehand and his backhand. Mentally, he is fragile, so if he wants to go back into the top five, he has to measure up. Zverev will continue to play better, gradually, yet Medvedev is right there, who wants to be No. 1 this season. Medvedev will defeat Zverev in three, brutal sets.

Novak Djokovic over Lorenzo Musetti
The Italian appears to be playing a decent match, given that this year, he has been mediocre, at best. The 19-year-old did throw in some terrific contests in 2022, but then he went down, fast. Against the No. 1 Djokovic, Musetti has to play almost perfectly to upset him. The Serbian can do almost everything, but his forehand can miss it during the rallies. His backhand is super steady, and his return is phenomenal. It will be a huge opportunity, to upset Djokovic, but Musetti is still not ready to reaching into the top 10, yet. Djokovic will win in two, hard sets.

TWO OTHER QUICK PICKS
Matteo Berrettini will upset Holger Rune in three sets, as they are both struggling, but the Italian wants to rise, ASAP. … Hubert Hurkacz has had a pretty good year, but on the clay, he cannot handle it, yet. Therefore, Jannik Sinner will win it,in two sets over Hurkacz as he has played amazing at Indian Wells and Miami. Mr. Rising.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Holger Rune over Dominic Thiem
~~Stan Wawrinka over Taylor Fritz~~

Matt’s current week picks

3 out of 6: 50% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, daniil medvedev, Herbert Hurkacz, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini, monte carlo, Monte-Carlo, Novak Djokovic

The Picks on clay in Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Tuesday, April 11

April 11, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic over Ivan Gakhov
The current No. 1 is finally back, after missing at Indian Wells and Miami. He is healthy, physically, but he could not because he refuses to be vaccinated, against the COVID-19. That might be controversial, and it really is, but now on the court, he is ready to win another title. His terrific first serve, his amazing backhand, and his fiery return makes him the favorite. “I’ve done more training on clay, which is positive if you think about the clay season,” said Djokovic. “I’ve not had much success in Monte Carlo in the past two seasons. I haven’t played great tennis here, so I’m hoping this year I can start the clay season better than previous years and build my form.”

Perhaps he does, and while he absolutely likes playing on the hardcourts and the grass, Djokovic has been pretty darn good on the slippery clay.

The Russian Gakhov is almost out of know where, as he is ranked No. 198, which is way back. He is 26-year-old, and he has gone to many challengers. The one, fine positive was he recently won Girona, Spain. He must have been thrilled. However, how is going to out-hit against Djokovic, who was won 21 21 Grand Slams? That is impossible. The Serbian Djokovic will win in two, easy. sets.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Benjamin Bonzi
The Greek has been injured, as the No. 3 lost three tournaments very early at Rotterdam, Indian Wells and Miami. Even last year, the aggressive man rarely lost early when he was ready to grab a tournaments, but in February and March, he collapsed. But Tsitsipas does want to start rolling again, just like he did at the 2023 Australian Open, when he reached into the final and he almost won. OK, then, let’s see if he can turn the tide.

The Frenchman Bonzi did go endless at the ATP 250s, when he went into the final at Pune, India, and also in Marseille, France. That was more than decent, and he was thinking that he would shift to move up, but he doesn’t seem to play excellent, month after month. Maybe Bonzi isn’t sure what he has to do, should he thump the ball, early, or just sit near the baseline.

If he wants to upset Tsitsipas, he is going to have to really drive himself, constantly. Even if he goes, Bonzi will hit some fine shots, but Tsitsipas is sturdy on the court, and he will win in straight, simple, two sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

~~Andy Murray over Alex de Minaur~~

~~Richard Gasquet over Dominic Thiem~~

Matt’s current week picks

0 out of 2: 0% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Benjamin Bonzi, Ivan Gakhov, Matthew Cronin, monte carlo, Monte-Carlo, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tommy Paul to face Novak Djokovic

January 26, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

In September, Tommy Paul said that “ultimately the goal, to go really, really deep in the Slams, try and win big tournaments.”

Now he has reached into the semis at the Australian Open. A couple of years ago, he was decent, but he was not able to win regularly over the very good players. But in Melbourne, he won five in a row, beating Ben Shelton, Roberto Bastista Agut, Jenson Brooksby, Alejandro Davidovich Kokina and Jan Struff. When Paul was playing at the Davis Cups, in Glasgow, he beat Dan Evans 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. “We had a war there, really high level,” he said.

He is rising fast.

Paul will face the 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Paul will give it a go. But, to beat him, the American is going to have to be super aggressive, just like the Serbian.

The 25-year-old said that last year, he wasn’t playing well consistently. In 2021, he could become angry, and then he lost quite a bit.

“I get pissed,” he said with a laugh. “I’m really competitive. I’m not, like, super up or down. I try to stay pretty levelheaded. But I’m super competitive. It’s all a game, you know? If you are practicing something, you feel like you perfected something in practice, you’re excited, man. If you love the game, it’s exciting.

“Obviously I think you could ask every tennis player, they’ll have like a love-hate relationship with tennis because it’s not always the most fun being away from home, traveling all the time. I’ve been really enjoying my time on court. I think I’ve kind of figured out like a pretty good system to keep myself there.”

Paul has improved his serve and now with his forehand and his backhand, he can be steady. When he is sets up, then he can attack and try to put it away. However, it took him a while to really understand how he plays.

“There hasn’t been one jump at all. It’s just been like super steady on the way up.” Paul said. “It hasn’t been like a semifinal of a Slam run or anything. That’s ultimately the goal, to go really, really deep in the Slams, try and win big tournaments. Last year was a tough one. [But] I’m having a lot of fun on court. That has a lot to do with it. If you’re enjoying it, that makes a huge difference.”

In the quarterfinal two days ago, he edged Shelton, 7-6(8-6) 6-3 5-7 6-4. It was close, but he pushed him back.

But how can he stun Djokovic, who just crushed Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-2 6-4? That was very surprising, not that he beat him, but he destroyed him. The Serb was playing as well as he can. Over the past year, he has some odd matches. He knows, though, if he can dominate with his famed backhand, his first serve and return, he will beat Paul.

It is almost going without much media notice that Stefanos Tsitsipas can play great. Last year, he struggled against the top players. However, the Greek can be so steady, and he can move it around with a lot of spin. He can also try to nail the lines and attack. But mentally, you never know how well he will play, but at least he pushed into the semis. When he is feeling fantastic, then for sure, he can win a Slam.

But hold on. First he has to face Karen Khachanov. Once again, the Russian played smart. He overcame Sebastian Korda, who had to retire down 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-0. The 26-year old Khachanov has played five times, against Tsitsipas, and he has lost each time. Whatever he is going to do, he must change it up. He certainly can swing very hard, but he also has to find a way into the net, and hit his forehand deep, crosscourt and down the line.

As he said: “Not everything was going as smoothly, but, you know, look, I always believed in myself and my abilities, and what I need to do in order to be at my best.”

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Australian Open, karen khachanov, Matt Cronin, melbourne, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Tommy Paul