Italian Open

[stroke]

https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/atp-rome-betting-preview-jannik-sinner-italy

[jimlosaltos]

Jannik Sinner will begin his clay court season and his comeback from suspension against Mariano Navone in Rome's second round. Navone is a 24 yo Argentinian with a 28-37 record. What will Jannik's form be like in actual tournament play?

[jimlosaltos]

I have no idea what to make of this and haven't watched but if you'd offered me a $20 bet on this stat you'd be $20 richer.

[jeffreycounts]

I have no idea what to make of this and haven't watched but if you'd offered me a $20 bet on this stat you'd be $20 richer.

Yeah that doesn't seem possible. It's not even that close.

[stroke]

I watched some of the match. Tien had absolutely no issue returning the Opelka serve(1st and 2nd). Clearly, Rome is not a server's paradise. Opelka actually did unbelievably well rallying for a guy his size, but that is not ever going to be his template for winning.

[jimlosaltos]

Jannik Sinner will play his first match of the tournament on Saturday not before 7 p.m. CEST/1 p.m. EDT.

[stroke]

Quite the crowd atmosphere on Sinner return match.

[jimlosaltos]

Quite the crowd atmosphere on Sinner return match.

Coming back in Italy! I wouldn't expect anything less. La Carota !

Meanwhile, on "Super Tennis Arena" ( Which i presume sounds much better in Italian) Ben Shelton went out meekly 2 and 1 to Jaume Munar.

Collins beat Iga 1 and 5 -- just teeing off on second serves, I'm afraid.

[stotty]

New Type of Coverage for The FO

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6332720/2025/05/08/tennis-french-open-us-tv-how-to-watch-tnt-streaming/?source=athletic_freeweeklyemail&campaign=602288&userId=23358285

[stotty]

Great to have Sinner back. I'm a big fan...the game needs him.

[jimlosaltos]

Great to have Sinner back. I'm a big fan...the game needs him.

Amen.

Tennis also needs big rivalries. Sinner-Alcaraz has seemed stuck on almost booming the next one without getting there for a while. Pulling for those two to bring the best out of each other.

[stroke]

TennisTV had a stat I had not heard yesterday. They said 39% of ATP Masters 1000's are determined by a 3rd set this year so far, up 5% from previous year. They interpreted that as an indicator of just more depth all the time.

[stroke]

Fils and Tsitsipas just went to 3rd set. Tsitsipas won the 1st set, had things going his way in 2nd, but Fils really kept fighting and turned it around. Fils seems to have a fighting spirit that maybe has been lacking among the French tennis players. It is really a great match with big crowd atmosphere.

[stroke]

Fils just takes the 3rd set, imposed his will. Tsitsipas seemed to capitulate a bit, particularly his backhand. Fils hits such a huge forehand, the spin/speed combo is top tier. Tsitsipas had some issue with Fils at post match handshake, but Fils is not one to back down.https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZRoxFAFbNATvmKSJA

[jimlosaltos]

TennisTV had a stat I had not heard yesterday. They said 39% of ATP Masters 1000's are determined by a 3rd set this year so far, up 5% from previous year. They interpreted that as an indicator of just more depth all the time.

More depth -- or no top. The former is better marketing. The latter is more realistic.

Sinner out, Alcaraz continues to founder early in the year, Medvedev not the same since his shoulder injury, and Djoko .... so now everything is a dog fight.