2020 Australian Open...ATP 2000...Melbourne, Australia

[stroke]

Novak wins the 1st set. I don't think there has ever been a shot in tennis that is more best ever than Novak's return of serve. Throw that in with his groundstrokes and movement and you have a most uncharacteristic double fault by Thiem giving the 1st set to Novak.

[don_budge]

2020 Australian Open Finals...Dominic Thiem vs. Novak Djokovic

Does anybody here not understand that by winning four of the last five meetings that Dominic Thiem thinks he can win. That he thinks that he is supposed to win. That by defeating Rafael Nadal on the big stage in Melbourne he has arrived at a very, very elite status. Novak Djokovic isn't looming so large in his eyes that it takes his belief away. Thiem came back after the huge win against Nadal with a very credible win over a seemingly rejuvenated, not to mention, reinvented Alexander Zverev. Dominic comes to the court today feeling that this is his destiny. It's about damn time too.

We started to track Dominic's ascent here on the forum a number of years ago. Who was it that saw him first on the radar screen? I remember klacr and I kicking it around at one point. But here he is and he is ready.

Novak looked absolutely indestructible against Roger Federer the other day but if Roger was at ninety percent that is enough to enable Djokovic to dominate Roger like a wet blanket. Such are the margins...Federer had the slimmest of margins and that was revealed at 1-4, love-forty on Djokovic's serve in the first set. Roger blinked and it was over. Is Novak at the absolute zenith of his meteoric career? It is hard to tell but the measure of the tape is this. The key might just be this. Novak is 32 years old and Dominic is 26 years old. The key mitigating factor is miles...kilometers in both of their lexicons. The legs.

Thiem has looked more and more impressive. Stronger and stronger. He's hungry and he is putting in the work. It has been a long two weeks and this is the climax. Novak has coasted in a draw gifted from heaven. Quick draw Milos Raonic in the semis hardly even caused Novak to break a sweat. He went through Roger like a hot knife through butter. He is largely untried. But Dominic has just gotten stronger and stronger and his highest hurdle will be the nerves. Novak has been here...so many times. Dominic is still on the learning curve. This match another huge mark on his report card...looming.

So take your pick. It's even. They start at zero to zero. It will be Dominic's nerves against Novak's legs. Who will serve the best on the big points? The big points. There is the acid test.

I hope that the match goes the distance. I have a date in town. Priorities. Inspired by Roger Federer over the years. Hopefully something rubs off. After all...he is the Living Proof. I will pull for Dominic here. I'm an American at heart. Americans like the underdog.

[stroke]

Should be a good one! Can Thiem bring out his inner Stan? That is the question.

If Thiem brings out his Stan, then he has a fighting chance.

Djokovic has been cruising and his default is to put everything back in play under pressure.

Only Stan has been able to break him down. Will Thiem be the next one?

Good thoughts. Thiem has a similar what I would call power clay court game similar to Stan, as does Tsitsipas. What Thiem had over Tsitsipas is experience and a serve that is simply better. As good as Stan moves, he does not move as well as Thiem. Thiem is the best candidate right now to take Novak under these conditions, hard court, best of 5 sets.

[arturohernandez]

Thiem is +340, Novak is -400.

Should be a good one! Can Thiem bring out his inner Stan? That is the question.

If Thiem brings out his Stan, then he has a fighting chance.

Djokovic has been cruising and his default is to put everything back in play under pressure.

Only Stan has been able to break him down. Will Thiem be the next one?

[arturohernandez]

The Ugly American...my best friend called from Hawaii this morning. He was watching the "Ladies" final and alerted me to as much. So we were watching it from opposite sides of the globe together catching up on life. He has had a recent bout of Bell's Palsy...a particularly nasty malady. Interesting to hear him deal with it. Here's a guy who absolutely prides himself on communication and leadership and when he first had it he sounded "mentally retarded". Ironically it was him who called me "Retardo" in front of a very nice Parisian couple that I was having the most interesting conversation with at a little sidewalk cafe. My poor friend. But he manages. That is what he does. I have never known such a character as my friend. Living large.

But the final was pretty bad tennis. Gabriella Muguruza double faulted so many times. Three times to almost hand the crown over to the American...who's name I do not know. Yeah...if you think I am critical you should get a load of "the Ugly American". He makes me look like a shrinking violet. But the tennis was pretty bad. Not good. Totally uninspiring.

Every time I see the pinpoint I cringe on tight points. It is so easy to lose the rhythm. Muguruza is also too tall. Just not mobile enough at 6 feet tall. She was easy meat for Kenin who could move her around at will. Halep would have been a better opponent.

[stroke]

Thiem is +340, Novak is -400.

[stroke]

The Ugly American...my best friend called from Hawaii this morning. He was watching the "Ladies" final and alerted me to as much. So we were watching it from opposite sides of the globe together catching up on life. He has had a recent bout of Bell's Palsy...a particularly nasty malady. Interesting to hear him deal with it. Here's a guy who absolutely prides himself on communication and leadership and when he first had it he sounded "mentally retarded". Ironically it was him who called me "Retardo" in front of a very nice Parisian couple that I was having the most interesting conversation with at a little sidewalk cafe. My poor friend. But he manages. That is what he does. I have never known such a character as my friend. Living large.

But the final was pretty bad tennis. Gabriella Muguruza double faulted so many times. Three times to almost hand the crown over to the American...who's name I do not know. Yeah...if you think I am critical you should get a load of "the Ugly American". He makes me look like a shrinking violet. But the tennis was pretty bad. Not good. Totally uninspiring.

The average fan is so unbelievably unaware of what is going on in professional tennis. I am somewhat active as an intermediate recreational tennis player so inevitably the subject comes up some as a lot of fellow players are fans too. A woman intermediate player I know once said in all seriousness she would have liked to see Serena in her prime play Roger. She thought Serena would win. I always just stay out of these discussions.

[don_budge]

I forgot it was even on. I totally believe uninspiring. I will be up for Thiem vs Novak. I think Thiem is ready to extend him. We will see.

You bet he is ready to extending him. Thiem has beaten Djokovic four of the last five meetings.

https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fedex-head-2-head/novak-djokovic-vs-dominic-thiem/D643/TB69

[don_budge]

Well, Muguruza is into the finals. Rather interesting if I do say so myself. Why did I pick her nearly two weeks ago? Is there something I knew beforehand? Was it just dumb luck? Not saying I'm Nostradamus but I'm certainly not a dummy. Glad to see Garbine do well. Marginal adjustments, big gains right!?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA

So klacr aka NostraCroix...what gives with the Muguruza? Have you had some input into that situation? She really struggled with the serve in the finals.

[stroke]

The Ugly American...my best friend called from Hawaii this morning. He was watching the "Ladies" final and alerted me to as much. So we were watching it from opposite sides of the globe together catching up on life. He has had a recent bout of Bell's Palsy...a particularly nasty malady. Interesting to hear him deal with it. Here's a guy who absolutely prides himself on communication and leadership and when he first had it he sounded "mentally retarded". Ironically it was him who called me "Retardo" in front of a very nice Parisian couple that I was having the most interesting conversation with at a little sidewalk cafe. My poor friend. But he manages. That is what he does. I have never known such a character as my friend. Living large.

But the final was pretty bad tennis. Gabriella Muguruza double faulted so many times. Three times to almost hand the crown over to the American...who's name I do not know. Yeah...if you think I am critical you should get a load of "the Ugly American". He makes me look like a shrinking violet. But the tennis was pretty bad. Not good. Totally uninspiring.

I forgot it was even on. I totally believe uninspiring. I will be up for Thiem vs Novak. I think Thiem is ready to extend him. We will see.

[don_budge]

Sofia Kenin. The American 2020 Australian Open Ladies Champion. The #14 seed.

[don_budge]

The Ugly American...my best friend called from Hawaii this morning. He was watching the "Ladies" final and alerted me to as much. So we were watching it from opposite sides of the globe together catching up on life. He has had a recent bout of Bell's Palsy...a particularly nasty malady. Interesting to hear him deal with it. Here's a guy who absolutely prides himself on communication and leadership and when he first had it he sounded "mentally retarded". Ironically it was him who called me "Retardo" in front of a very nice Parisian couple that I was having the most interesting conversation with at a little sidewalk cafe. My poor friend. But he manages. That is what he does. I have never known such a character as my friend. Living large.

But the final was pretty bad tennis. Gabriella Muguruza double faulted so many times. Three times to almost hand the crown over to the American...who's name I do not know. Yeah...if you think I am critical you should get a load of "the Ugly American". He makes me look like a shrinking violet. But the tennis was pretty bad. Not good. Totally uninspiring.

[stroke]

I thought Thiem battled through nicely. Sasha really struggles to attack. He is trying but it is just not in his nature to attack.

Or...

Back to the idea of height and movement. He is out of my range of the very best players in terms of height.

Maybe Brian can comment on biomechanics and height. But it just seems that all of the little adjustments needed to hit inside the court become very difficult for tall guys. So in a way it might discourage Sasha from attacking too much.

If Delpo was coaching, I would bring him in as a forehand specialist. Zverev needs a Delpo like forehand to move to the next level. He just loops it in and is not able to attack that way either. So what is left is someone who plans on the other person missing.

Thiem will miss some but he will make you pay for just getting it in by creating a forehand.

I will make a bold prediction.

Thiem in five over Novak. He did it at the FO.

The time is now and Thiem has the Wawrinka-like game to push Novak back and make him chase balls near the KIA and 1593 signs.

Deipo an interesting comparison, about same height and movement. Alex will never have a forehand like Delpo's, which to me is one of the top 4 in tennis, maybe just behind Fed and Nadal, but Alex does have a much better backhand and Alex will get better just as Thiem has. I still think Alex's game at his best is closer to Novak's, but obviously his return of serve and movement will never be as good.

[arturohernandez]

Beautiful 3rd set tiebreaker by Thiem to take a 2 sets to 1 lead. He is using his slice backhand very effectively in the rallies. He really has a nice one. Not as good as Roger's maybe but very good. Certainly better than Novak's or Rafael's.

I thought Thiem battled through nicely. Sasha really struggles to attack. He is trying but it is just not in his nature to attack.

Or...

Back to the idea of height and movement. He is out of my range of the very best players in terms of height.

Maybe Brian can comment on biomechanics and height. But it just seems that all of the little adjustments needed to hit inside the court become very difficult for tall guys. So in a way it might discourage Sasha from attacking too much.

If Delpo was coaching, I would bring him in as a forehand specialist. Zverev needs a Delpo like forehand to move to the next level. He just loops it in and is not able to attack that way either. So what is left is someone who plans on the other person missing.

Thiem will miss some but he will make you pay for just getting it in by creating a forehand.

I will make a bold prediction.

Thiem in five over Novak. He did it at the FO.

The time is now and Thiem has the Wawrinka-like game to push Novak back and make him chase balls near the KIA and 1593 signs.

[stroke]

Courier is just a naturally more likeable guy than Mac, but I have seen way worse than Mac with the post match interview.