Recapping Day 6 Matches [2024 Paris Olympics]
Tommy Paul (USA) vs Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
Charlie was not to be stopped. Captain America’s chase for a medal comes up just short and loses one round before the medal rounds. He had his chances, but it was not to be today. This match featured a lot of long rallies, both players getting to the net, and a lot of variety. Tommy was trying to force the issue a lot, it was just Carlos had an answer for everything. The final set included Tommy serving for the set at 5-4, but Carlitos hit a ridiculous FH on the run pass from according to the commentator “he hit that from the Eiffel Tower”, and also a set point in the second set at 7-6 in the tiebreak where he approached again to the Alcaraz FH. Carlitos overall just too strong, and there’s a few points Tommy will want back.
Result: Alcaraz (ESP) 6-3 7-6 (7)
Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) vs Alexander Zverev (GER)
Musetti never flinched in this match, and I kept waiting for him to. He executed his strategy perfectly, using more topspin backhands than I thought he was going to. He was going big on his FH especially after the serve, and not allowing Z to be in control. When Z was in control, he was content playing defense, using his slice, and making Z uncomfortable. He put a ton of Z returns back in the court and made Z really dig in and earn his points, which Musetti did more of than him. Musetti also served really well, hitting his spots, almost like a Federer like approach. If he can add a serve like that, and his net game continues to get better then he could be a force on all surfaces. He has the hands and touch to do that, he just needs to get more comfortable moving forward and at the net. Between sets, the DJ played the Maradona song, and the whole crowd was singing. When that happened, it was pretty much over for Z.
Result: Musett (ITA) 7-5 7-5
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs Casper Ruud (NOR)
In this one it was a battle of finding the other players backhand. Both players have pretty big forehands, and their backhands just rolling cross court. Felix was able to do a better job of this consistently over time. He is more naturally aggressive, which is why Casper has been working on going after the forehand more. Today he was also more consistent on a point to point basis. Less sporadic errors from Lix compared to Ruud which, going into the match I wouldn’t have seen coming. But Lix forced those errors by attacking his backhand early and often. He served at a high rate and got more free points than Casper, which was expected, but he dominated this one for the most part. There was a slip up in the middle of the second when the finish line was within site, and Ruud raised his game to played some crazy points and take the 2nd set in a breaker. But Lix came right back out and went to work with an early break, sticking to his patterns, and never looked back. Lix is playing really well and is no walk in the park for Carlitos next round.
Result: FAA (CAN) 6-4 6-7(8) 6-3
Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
Tsitsipas has the game to trouble Novak on clay, for some reason he just can’t get over the finish line. Today it was 4-0 in the 2nd set and he was playing sick, hitting his topspin backhand, moving Novak (who at least acted hurt) with his forehand when he had the chance. Was serving well. And then it came time to close again and those past demons caught up with him. 5-3 40-0 serving. It is just a mental block or something with Novak that he doesn’t seem to be able to get over. He has the game, is right there, just when it is closing time, that game isn’t there anymore. For a while it seemed like today would be the day, but for now Novak has Musetti to get ready for.
Result: Djokovic (SRB) 6-E 7-6(3)
Iga Swiatek (POL) vs Qinwin Zheng (CHN)
The stunner of the tournament. This was the one match I would’ve said no reason to even play. Zheng somehow with more energy than Swiatek throughout the match, even though she had played grueling matches the days leading up to today. Did Danielle Collins break her when she called her out for her “insincere, and fake behavior”? Zheng used her athleticism to her advantage, extending rallies, especially with a high loopy ball shorter in the court that made 1ga uncomfortable. Iga even got up 4-0 in the second, and still collapsed, which is very unlike her. Once she gets going there’s usually no stopping her. But today, just seemed sporadic. Aussie Open finalist Zheng, will now be the favorite in the final.
Result: Zheng (CHN) 6-2 7-5
Donna Vekic (CRO) vs Anna Schmiedlovaa (SVK)
Donna Vekic showed no real signs of fatigued and played the best match I have ever seen her play. She hardly missed and was hardly losing any points on serve. She’d throw up a moon ball and it would hit the line, her dropshots were on, her forehand unstoppable. It was unbelievable from Donna Vekic. She absolutely took the racquet out of Schmied’s hand. Running, playing defense, and looking pretty dejected throughout out. A tough situation for her as she had never been this far in this big of a tournament. But it didn’t matter who Vekic played today, she was going to be better than her.
Result: Donna Vekic 6-4 6-0
Fritz/Paul (USA) vs Evans/Murray (GBR)
It is time for Murray to say goodbye to Hollywood. A historic career he had and one that gets overshadowed by the big three, but put him in any other era and he has a career similar to Agassi. It once was a big 4 you know? Pretty cool moment for Fritz and Paul though, and probably the biggest achievement for Fritz since being JJ Kroot and I to get to semis of 14s clays. Gold ball, Gold medal, same thing. They move on and play in the semifinals tomorrow, and are just 1 win away from an all American gold medal match. In this contest it was all TP and Claylor all the way. Getting double breaks early in both sets but Murray just never goes away. They kept breaking in the 2nd just struggled to hold. The Americans would get a lead and Murray/Evans climb right back, and in the back of everybodies heads they were thinking about the other comebacks. But not today. More Americans my age retire tennis legends
Result: TP/Fritz 6-2 6-4
Krajicek/Ram (USA) vs Machac/Pavlesek (CZE)
One way traffic for the boys in blue. Rajeev and Krajicek are making a case for why they should be full time doubles partners on the ATP tour. Of course their opponents aren’t playing with normal partners either, but they are destroying the draw. They got a break at 3-2 in the first and never looked back. What has been so impressive about these guys is their ability to break serve. They are picking targets and ripping them. Their ability to serve was always on lock but the question was if they get broken once, can they get it back? And absolutely they have proven that, breaking multiple times every match so far. Another day at the office for Raj and Kraj.
Result: Raj/Kraj (USA) 6-2 6-2
