Australian Open 2017 OT
- Thread starter Diamond
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greenleaves
Member
Biggest upset ever at AO? Djokovic hasn't really been the same since the French Open win.
killer_clank
Member
This means Murray is almost definitely not losing no 1 any time soon.
Maybe his motivation isn't as high as it used to be pre career slam.
What? That's a bit silly. It's just hard to stay at the top for so long and I wouldn't be surprised if he's just lost a little bit of desire to stay at the top.
mordecaii83
Member
Wow, that match was a great watch! Glad I caught the last 2 sets.
Chakvetadze's take https://twitter.com/VladasLasitskas/status/821995916269879299
milanbaros
Member?
What does it mean for Murray's number 1 reign? Think this guarantees his lead will be 1,600 by the end of the tournament.
autumnleaf
Member
All the top players suffer a defeat like this eventually, usually on their way down. Djokovic has more Slams in him but he'll probably not dominate again like he did.
Good for Murray though, he's going to hold that number one spot for a while now and suddenly looks like he could add a couple more slams to his record.
Good for Murray though, he's going to hold that number one spot for a while now and suddenly looks like he could add a couple more slams to his record.
Spiritreaver
Member
RIP
killer_clank
Member
I'm hoping for a Murray Nadal slam final after all these years
Nadal's body is hanging together with spit and best intentions. I'd like to see him in another slam final but I doubt it'll happen.
PhantomZone
Member
Well done Istomin, glad Novak got knocked out, time for some new blood.
PedroPanache
Member
Yeah, he's been my favourite player for so long, but he just doesn't look like he's capable of putting it all together over two weeks anymore; too much grind and the body falls apart. Sure, there are glimpses of him in his pomp, but he's just too vulnerable to a guy on fire on match day. Still, a Nadal vs. Murray final would be fascinating. I'd love to see it, but I don't think it'll ever happen. Prove me wrong, Rafa!
Still, now that Djokovic is mortal, it opens it up and, as much as Djokovic has deserved his incredible success, it's nice that the draw seems a little unpredictable after his defeat. You'd think Murray, obviously, but the Aus. Open has a tradition of throwing up a random winner. It's been all too predictable in recent years.
EDIT: I'm kind of hoping that this year is when the new guard start to rock the old guard and take some slam titles from them. Despite that, I'll take Stan and his fabulous backhand for this year's Aussie Open, though. Dude just sets himself on fire in slam finals and explodes all over the court. 3 for 3. Against all time greats, no less.
AdventureRacing
Member
Certainly makes for a fun tournament. Murray has been playing great but he isn't as dominant as Djokovic was at his best. I feel like this increases the chances of someone different winning dramatically. Has certainly made the tournament super interesting.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
WHAT in the FUCK did I just wake up to?
Randy Monk
Member
Amazing game, some awesome rallies and smashing winners. If you get a chance, watch some highlights or better yet get the full match replay. Djoker played well too, Istomin was just the better player on the day.
Thanks. I sure will, looks like a classic!
Kotetsu534
Member
Aga had no serve whatsoever while Lucic was playing lights out on both serve and return. Wasn't even remotely close. By the end of the match Aga was likely ~50% points won behind 1st serve.
I really thought Djokovic had saved it during the third set when Istomin began cramping - he'd been poor but after 3 hours his opponent's legs were going. Then it got crazy. Istomin was super clutch behind his serve, but still, seeing Djokovic make so many routine errors when it counted was strange, and he didn't connect with his forehand much. His second serve was doing little all match. Basically, his defense was there, but his attack was weak and he looked scared to commit on his forehand, while Istomin won the important points. Amazed he held up physically for five hours.
The bottom half of the draw is super open now - it was probably the softer half even with Djokovic. In Djokovic's section Dimitrov and Gasquet will face off knowing they'll face either Carreno-Busta or Istomin in the 4R for a place in the quarters. There they could face Thiem or Goffin (maybe Karlovic?). Nadal, Raonic or Zverev likely awaits the winner for a place in a Slam final. Of all those players, only Nadal and Raonic have ever been to one before, and Nadal hasn't been there since 2014.
I really thought Djokovic had saved it during the third set when Istomin began cramping - he'd been poor but after 3 hours his opponent's legs were going. Then it got crazy. Istomin was super clutch behind his serve, but still, seeing Djokovic make so many routine errors when it counted was strange, and he didn't connect with his forehand much. His second serve was doing little all match. Basically, his defense was there, but his attack was weak and he looked scared to commit on his forehand, while Istomin won the important points. Amazed he held up physically for five hours.
The bottom half of the draw is super open now - it was probably the softer half even with Djokovic. In Djokovic's section Dimitrov and Gasquet will face off knowing they'll face either Carreno-Busta or Istomin in the 4R for a place in the quarters. There they could face Thiem or Goffin (maybe Karlovic?). Nadal, Raonic or Zverev likely awaits the winner for a place in a Slam final. Of all those players, only Nadal and Raonic have ever been to one before, and Nadal hasn't been there since 2014.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
Someone on MTF just pointed out Istomin saved MPs in the qualifiers.
anything happen to him after that tourney?
killer_clank
Member
There's been rumours about his personal life swirling around for months, but I dunno. Could probably just be the mental edge declining after the career GS but I kind of don't buy that either given that the way he was winning titles going after Federers total didn't seem that crazy. Weird turnaround.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
There were rumours about his personal life you can probably find if you're willing to go looking.
I definitely think it can be a factor. Failing at Roland Garros for so long, being this close, and then finally winning it. Having won every possible big title in his career. Sure, everybody is different, but keeping the will to win after such an accomplishment is something hard to control. You can't just go "Well I'm going after Federer record now I guess" and keep playing like nothing happened.
On top of that if he has personal problems I can't imaging what it's like in his head.
Diprosalic
Banned
I cautioned people here that things go fast in tennis when they were ready to crown him GOAT. he has to win 5 GS post 30 now to match Federer. That's a lot.
I still think that he can do it with this lackluster upcoming generation.
I still think that he can do it with this lackluster upcoming generation.
Diprosalic
Banned
Betfair odds to win AO:
Murray 2
Raonic 7.8
Wawrinka 8.2
Nadal 13
Dimitrov 21
Federer 29
Nishikori 40
I'm gonna put a tenner on Federer and buy Oti a Switch if he wins.
Murray 2
Raonic 7.8
Wawrinka 8.2
Nadal 13
Dimitrov 21
Federer 29
Nishikori 40
I'm gonna put a tenner on Federer and buy Oti a Switch if he wins.
Must admit I'm surprised Nadal has better odds than Federer considering how they've both played the past year - or I've just not been paying attention as much as I thought. They've both fallen from grace quite dramatically, but Federer always seemed more consistent to me.
On a different note, watch Istomin lose the next round. It's the plight one must bear by knocking out a top dog.
IISANDERII
Member
Serbian friend of mine says he has employed a relationship specialist and it's such a serious matter that this specialist travels with the team to tournaments and is sometimes in the player box.
Anyway, Istomin is a very talented player, nice to see him shine again.
😘
I dont get it. What are these rumours? Something about his relationship with Jelena?
Lone_Prodigy
Member
Wow I thought Djokovic had it after going up 2-1 in sets. Props to Istomin.
Where's John Dunbar.
Where's John Dunbar.
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