Hi All,
What a pleasure to watch these two first 1/4 finals today! Pretty much the same scenario as far as the score is concerned. Shapovalov and Monfils came back from two sets down to push their opponent to a fifth set which seems to be a must! But what a disappointment! The Canadian has lost his nerves, composure to challenge Rafa, who was suffering physically. One more time, this game shows how the mental is one of the key of the success! Rafa is unique in this area, a warrior, whatever happens. He prooved it again today. This champion is amazing, he confessed during the after match interview that he was "destroyed" at the end of the match, which has pushed him to shorten the rallies by focussing on his serve and going as much as possible to the net. And it worked out. And that he was happy to reach the semis one more time. What an humble guy. He won 20 Grand Slams and still behave like a teenager trying to proove something.
Amazing! The other guy who failed was Gael Monfils. But this time, this is more than logical. Age difference played. But not only. He made the wrong choices in the last set, he should have gone for more winners, should have shorten the points like Rafa did. He did not and Berrettini really played his best in the last set. He deserves to be in semis, no doubt about it. The after match interview on the Rod Laver Arena was troubled by a stupid french supporter (probably drunked) who insulted the Italian during his speech. Shame on him.
What is sure is that the clash btw the Italian and one of the game legend will be a must to watch on Friday! Do not miss it!
In the other two 1/4 finals, we can guess that Medvedev and Tsitsipas will go through but Sinner might create a big upset ! The greek does not seem as good as the player who beated Federer few years back or who challenged Djoko in last year French Open. Let's see...but that will be fun to watch.
On the women side, sorry but i have not much to say. Except than Barty and Swiatek should be in the final on saturday, but everthing is possible...
Anyway, we had a lot of good clashes so far, sure it will go on.
We love tennis, let's enjoy the show from Melbourne till end of the week.
Take care.
