Tripp’s Tennis Talk

Establishment d Outsiders; Cincy Thursday

153 combined quarterfinal appearances from the 16 remaining players (9.56/player) set up a great weekend of tennis in Cincinnati. The top 2 WTA seeds are out, but 3 of top 4 ATP seeds are still around. Six of the eight ATP players have won a 1000 already. Four of the eight WTA have won a 1000 already. An established field of experienced players that have won big tournaments before take us into the last few rounds.

”I am sad to not play well here” - Coric d. Nadal; Wednesday in Cincy

On Wednesday at the Western & Southern Open, Borna Coric defeated the #2 seed Rafael Nadal 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3. How did both players look during the match? Where has Coric been the last few years? Why is Nadal's Cincinnati record so poor and what are his worst tournaments on tour? Is Nadal healthy? What happens next in "El Race?" I discuss all the angles from Nadal's match today and play Rafa's post-match press conference audio in its entirety.
Also on today's pod: Paul and Shapovalov played a strange one. Jabeur escapes McNally. Raducanu rolls. Swiatek gets back on the horse. Stefanos Tsitsipas finally at long long last won a sporting contest that involved hitting a little yellow ball back and forth. 7 of the 8 Canada singles semifinalists are gone; only Pegula remains. Go Gators.

”3 Ways” Out Of Cincinnati - Tuesday Recap

3 players who made the semifinals or better last week are already out this week; Pablo Carreno Busta, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Dan Evans. Tennis is hard, you know?
Meanwhile, Anett Kontaveit won a professional tennis match. Naomi Osaka did not win a professional tennis match. Simona Halep gets another W. Coco Gauff takes a tumble. Meddy didn't look great doing it, but he won a big-tournament professional tennis match for the first time in a while. The Williams sisters go 0/4 in sets won today and only one of those sets reached 5-5. Time marches on. If you get the title reference in the quotation marks, you get a cookie. And a cheese coney.

”On To Cincinnati” - ’22 W&S Open Preview + Monday Recap

I predict the 2022 Western & Southern Open, recap the Monday scores, and look ahead to Tuesday's order of play.

Adieu Canada ft Matt Zemek

Matt Zemek of Tennis With An Accent joins me to discuss the 2022 National Bank Open / Omnium Banque Nationale.

”Feeding Hubert” - Canada Semifinal Saturday

Jessica Pegula was in a winning position in one of the biggest matches of her career and then hit 5,000,000 unforced errors. Simona Halep started negative and ended positive; she's now back in the top 10. Casper Ruud will not be world #2. Hubert Hurkacz wants to join Medvedev, Alcaraz, Tsitsipas, Zverev, and the Big 4 as active 2x Masters 1000 champions. Pablo Carreno Busta is in his first 1000 or Slam final. Dan Evans is not in his first 1000 or Slam final. Pliskova did not get back to the Canada final. Haddad Maia got into the Canada final. Aren't these descriptions awesome? Match audio is courtesy Tennis TV.

”Move It Or Lose It” - Canada QF Day

We have bleary eyes here in the podcast booth. Pablo Carreno Busta is good at making semifinals of hardcourt 1000 events. Evans and Paul provided a surprising entertaining and compelling match. BHM is for real. Pliskova's path is a long and difficult one but it once again results in victory. Simona holds off Coco. Pegula is into her third Masters semi of the year. Ruud is rude to Canada and Felix is inexplicable. Nick's hot streak gets iced. The losers today were all tired.

”I Swallowed A Seed -- KABOOM!” - Canada Thursday

Belinda Bencic could be a 2-time Canadian Open champion. Gael Monfils makes and breaks your heart. Nick Kyrgios is engendering trust - for now. Gauff and Sabalenka practiced their faults and ball tosses in a match situation. Bia Maia atones for Wimbledon. Iga Swiatek does not atone for Wimbledon. 8 of the 16 singles matches went the distance today. Three top-8 seeds into the Men's Quarters and one into the Women's. It's been a good Wednesday and Thursday for watching tennis. Canada is the land of opportunity this weekend for the players that are left. Who will earn the trophy?

Seeds That Didn’t Sprout - Canada Wednesday Recap

It was a day of upsets at the Canadian Open. 7 of the 14 top-8 seeds lost their opening round matches today. Iga Swiatek is the exception that proves the rule. Carlos Alcaraz couldn't handle the pressure (his words). Stefanos Tsitsipas needs a new coach. Nick Kyrgios is the best player in the world right now. Daniil Medvedev is not the best player in the world right now. Coco Gauff needs to work on her serve. Serena is a legend.

Canada Tuesday Recap

Originally published August 9, 2022. Recapping the scores and stories from Tuesday in Canada.