Wimbledon

[stotty]

Chris Eubanks 2nd match on Court 1 today vs Brit Cam Norrie. Certainly the biggest match on the biggest stage of Chris' career.

Norrie did well last year and will have the crowd firmly behind him. That said, there is no crowd more respectful than a British crowd so Chris shouldn't feel it too much. It is certainly a big match for him and it would great if he can find his best form.

[stroke]

Chris Eubanks 2nd match on Court 1 today vs Brit Cam Norrie. Certainly the biggest match on the biggest stage of Chris' career.

[stotty]

So the match is neatly poised with Murray 2 sets to 1 up. Murray did well to win the second set against the run of play with Stef's ferocious hitting power. Stef kind of forced Murray to be more assertive in the end and Murray is good to watch when he's attacking his groundies - counter punching has it's limits even for someone who is profoundly good at it like Murray.

Let's see what tomorrow brings and whether Murray will finish the job.

[stotty]

Tiebreak second set. Murray desperately needs to serve well.

[stotty]

Ruud was candid afterwards saying he didn't see it as an upset because Broady has more experience on grass and moves better on grass.

So, Ruud's record in 'Slams is that he either makes the finals or goes out in the second round <g>

Glass is 3/4 full guy here: He's the only player to make 3 finals in the last 5 majors, i believe.

I think Ruud is clueless on grass, just no idea. He lost to a lowly player today. Unthinkable that he could lose to Broady on any other surface.

[stotty]

If Murray can grind this one out, and I do not think he can, it would be his best win post his hip surgery. A few too many missed topspin backhands by Stef keeping it interesting.

Stef is just too overwhelming at the moment - high first serve percentage and his forehand working well. Murray needs to hang in and hope for lapses one feels. He needs to serve slightly better too.

[stroke]

It's a bit of a treat getting Stephanos and Murray so early in the tournament. It's got more of a quarterfinal feel to it.

3-3 in the second set. An important set from Murray's point of view. Stef is hitting his forehand well so Murray needs to be careful not to leave too much litter lying around in the mid court.

If Murray can grind this one out, and I do not think he can, it would be his best win post his hip surgery. A few too many missed topspin backhands by Stef keeping it interesting.

[stroke]

It was the combination of Rafa's lefty serve with his awesome inside-out forehand.

Rafa and Peak Fed 2004-2008 were the epitome of serve + 1 tennis.
That's one example of how it is hard to rate a "best serve", isolating that shot from the game behind it - IMHO.

It might be just 2 different conversations.

[stotty]

It's a bit of a treat getting Stephanos and Murray so early in the tournament. It's got more of a quarterfinal feel to it.

3-3 in the second set. An important set from Murray's point of view. Stef is hitting his forehand well so Murray needs to be careful not to leave too much litter lying around in the mid court.

[jimlosaltos]

I will say with Rafa, there has never been a player that put more pressure on the returner not to give the server any semblance of a return that even begins to sit up to his forehand for the next shot. That is enormous implied pressure. That, along with the top tier swerve action on his serve, made him a very formidable server.

It was the combination of Rafa's lefty serve with his awesome inside-out forehand.

Rafa and Peak Fed 2004-2008 were the epitome of serve + 1 tennis.
That's one example of how it is hard to rate a "best serve", isolating that shot from the game behind it - IMHO.

[stroke]

It gers very real for Chris Eubanks tomorrow, up vs Cam Norrie. Norrie is a solid favorite, but not overwhelming. Eubanks is a legitimate threat to win this match.

[jimlosaltos]

Novak vs Stan certainly looming as the 3rd round match of the day, and tournament, thus far. Murray actually the slight betting favorite vs Stef. Very surprising to me. If I were ever going to bet, this would be one.

Agreed on odds. Perhaps before Stef beat Thiem, but Stef looked like he finally found his grass court game the prior two days. Another match where I'd like both guys to win.

[jimlosaltos]

Serve Speeds going DOWN

Really interesting blog by Craig O'Shannessy, the stat guru and former Djokovic coach team member.

Wimbledon is the only major to publish historical serve speeds. And Craig found that they are going down progressively, not up.
His blog: https://www.braingametennis.com/wimb...eid=56c87aa1fa

In some cases, this year's serve speeds are the lowest ever measured (no, AELTC's records don't go back to Spencer Gore in the 1800s <g>

Here's one of his tables. It would be unfair to him to post more. This shows that the men's second serve, average speed is the second lowest measured since 2004, i.e. 20 years of data.

One reason might be that ATP players used to avoid hitting kick serves on grass, but now that the courts are harder and 20% higher bouncing (and per announcers harder still this year because of European weather), so kick serves work now. Craig cites kick serves, but based that on the strings.

Craig also cites the increased rubber in the balls, which could slow serves and might also contribute to a rash of wrist and arm injuries.

Men's first serves are lower now than in 2009. Women's second serves for 2023 average 82.3 MPH, lowest of all years measured going back to 2007.


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[jimlosaltos]

Ruud levels at one set all. Terrible game. Worst game I've seen on centre court since Serena was sliced to death by some unknown player some years ago in the first round.

Ruud was candid afterwards saying he didn't see it as an upset because Broady has more experience on grass and moves better on grass.

So, Ruud's record in 'Slams is that he either makes the finals or goes out in the second round <g>

Glass is 3/4 full guy here: He's the only player to make 3 finals in the last 5 majors, i believe.

[stroke]

Novak is a massive favorite over Stan with an implied probability of winning at 97%.