National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, Montreal, Canada - ATP 1000 Masters

[El Dude]

Here's a bit on Jodar's rise:

Rafael Jodar: ATP record set to be broken by teenage tennis sensation at Canada Open

The teenage Spaniard's rise to the top of tennis is set to be faster than the sport's modern greats

www.bbc.com

It is frankly astonishing. I'm not so sure, anymore, than Fonzie will be the better player. But I think both are the best bets to rise above the pack and really challenge Sincaraz. What impresses me most about Jodar is that he seems to have a champion's mentality. He seems focused on improving, and doesn't seem to get overly flustered when he loses. He also doesn't really seem to let up. Even his approach over the last couple years seems to be working for him: laying low playing college and then challengers last year until he honed his game, while Fonzie was floating on Cloud 9 hype.

 

[kskate2]

how about 3 yanks in the semi's and a Rafa. Really happy for Tien and Nakatomi making their first master SF.

 

[El Dude]

And here's a fun thing to consider: Sinner was born in 2001, Carlos in 2003, Jodar and Fonzie in 2006.

Roger was born in 1981, Rafa in 1986, Novak and Andy in 1987.

A very similar spread of years, with Sinner and Jodar separated by 5 years and a month, compared to Roger and Novak at 5 years and 9 months.

A new Big Four? Is it too soon?

 

[kskate2]

^ Maybe just a tad too soon.

 

[El Dude]

^ Maybe just a tad too soon.

I know. Not for Sincaraz, but for Joseca/Fondar. But...the idea is intriguing.

 

[El Dude]

Order of who I hope wins:
1. Jodar, 2. Tien, 3. Nakashima, 4. Shelton

Order of who I think is most likely to win:
1. Shelton, 2. Jodar, 3. Tien, 4. Nakashima

In some ways I sort of want Tien or Nakashima to win. Tien is a nice kid and I hope he wins some big titles, and Nakashima is a guy who has somewhat underperformed, and I know Andy Roddick likes. But I'm kind of feeling "Jodar fever" - not as a new personal favorite, but because the tennis nerd in me is enjoying his historic rise. If he wins this he becomes a serious darkhorse for the US Open.

Shelton just annoys me. I've tried to like him, but just don't feel it.

 

[mrzz]

Order of who I hope wins:
1. Jodar, 2. Tien, 3. Nakashima, 4. Shelton

Order of who I think is most likely to win:
1. Shelton, 2. Jodar, 3. Tien, 4. Nakashima

In some ways I sort of want Tien or Nakashima to win. Tien is a nice kid and I hope he wins some big titles, and Nakashima is a guy who has somewhat underperformed, and I know Andy Roddick likes. But I'm kind of feeling "Jodar fever" - not as a new personal favorite, but because the tennis nerd in me is enjoying his historic rise. If he wins this he becomes a serious darkhorse for the US Open.

Shelton just annoys me. I've tried to like him, but just don't feel it.

So you just invented the educated jinx.

 

[El Dude]

So you just invented the educated jinx.

Well, at least 'MURICA has the final. We've been screwing the rest of the world for the last 80 years, might as well continue.

On a serious note, is Brandon Nakashima the "late bloomer" breakout of the year? He's now #22 in the Race rankings...who knows, maybe he can sniff the top 10 at some point. Or he could just be "Vacheroting" it. But even Vacherot seems like a legit top 20 guy now.

 

[Murat B.]

Nakashima had all the answers tonight. He was solid.

I have seen a picture of Shelton serving. I don't know where. The picture screamed hip surgery .

 

[mrzz]

Nakashima had all the answers tonight. He was solid.

I have seen a picture of Shelton serving. I don't know where. The picture screamed hip surgery .

When I see him serving I always think of Coil-man from The Impossibles.

 

[Murat B.]

When I see him serving I always think of Coil-man from The Impossibles.

This is it. And it is not sustainable.