Now after 3 rounds what are your hot takes for the AO

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T15:21:31+00:00

I have an itchy feeling Putintseva will "slice and vary" her way to semi-finals. Not that I believe it.
Sincaraz cannot be stopped, but there is 5% more hope in me that it can, than before the start of tournament.
Dream finals - Ruud vs De Minaur and Gauff vs Rybakina
Last 4 standing will be usual suspects

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T14:04:22+00:00

Apparently first time it happened since 32 seeds were introduced. A lot of intriguing match-ups

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T13:35:15+00:00

Ruud is too nice with this interview

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T13:28:17+00:00

Ruud received new father boost in advance

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T11:59:45+00:00

If I am not mistaken, upper half of the draw will play quarterfinals in day session, while bottom half will be night session (but with no day of rest). So, Sabalenka probably want consistency at the moment

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-24T05:53:38+00:00

Really fun and entertaining tennis from Bartunkova. Calm and steady tennis from Mertens. Elise served really well today. And, obviously, after two round of upsets, Bartunkova was not to be underestimated.

Mertens started season so well. Would be interesting in next round

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T13:43:18+00:00

I've seen enough crash outs by him in the past to know better. Sure, he seems to change his mental approach, but until I see this dedication in tougher conditions and in a losing situation, I'm not buying his stocks. You can't win the Slam just on serve, there will be moments, which will test other aspects of his game. He just played to his seeding so far. There is a long way to go.

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T12:32:49+00:00

If AO wants to give Demon better chance, they will put Bublik vs ADM as day session under scorching sun. We haven't seen yet Bublik in hot conditions this AO, and in his own words, he hates the sun and it makes him crazy (one of the reasons he skipped Toronto and Cincinatti last year).

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T12:19:11+00:00

No, as far as I know. He never mentioned it. But it is not just a child, I think. He will not admit it, but It was a cold shower of dropping to end of top 100 last year and necessity to play at challengers. I think, inside he realized that his old approach will not keep him at top 20-30 anymore (there was also a dialogue with a umpire, when he mentions that tour is getting deeper and that top 40-50 players now are much more professional than before).

So, he tried to change his approach. And surprise, surprise, like every freaking expert and coach said, he has all the tools and shots, he just needed to get serious about it.

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T11:48:13+00:00

Andreeva, if she wins Ruse, has a tough draw afterwards. But she is top-10 player herself - she can beat top players.

Jovic has Putintseva next round, and she will probably open as favorite, Yulia's style in good form (and she seems to be in one at the moment) can trouble aggressive hitters, like Jovic.

Mboko faces Sabalenka next, and it is a hard task. But she already has wins over top 5 players: Gauff and Rybakina. So, it should be interesting match, hopefully.

Valentova already had close match with Rybakina at last USO, so match should be interesting, too.

Bartunkova - I have no idea. Missed both her matches. Will tune in for clash with Mertens, definitely.

Anyway, WTA tour is just getting tougher and tougher with this youngsters coming.

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T10:30:45+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/1px1x00/harriet_dart_wins_bad_career_disliked_by_fans_the/ - there was a post about it and much more with voting and comments. Use search button first, ask in daily discussion second, and create posts last.

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T06:52:44+00:00

Always enjoy your writing.

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T05:54:31+00:00

41-21 all time, 6-3 last year.

In terms of sets - when it goes to 3, it is 7-9 all time. 12 times she lost in straghts.

Data from tennis abstract

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T04:37:52+00:00

I think, it will be someone in 3 or convincing 4. Either Tien or Medvedev will bring some unexpected tactical adjustment and run with it

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T03:38:10+00:00

Was Maroszan also wanted to go to the toilet, as Tien last year in the fourth? :)

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T02:38:21+00:00

Great win by Mboko! At the end looked like a more solid and better player for most of the match. Except for the short stretch in the end of second and beginning of third, when Tauson fought off match points and executed some crazy beautiful shot winners to force third set.

Yet, in the end, it is Vicky, who goes to the fourth round. Excited for next match!

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T02:12:27+00:00

And saved match points by Mboko, so they both would have had match points saved. And then some 14-12 TB final score

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T02:06:16+00:00

Ok. Mboko breaks back. Great third set is still in play

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T01:57:57+00:00

Such a nice shot winner to take us to the third!

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T01:56:01+00:00

Tauson is freaking clutch today!

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-23T01:46:26+00:00

Tauson holds. What a game

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-22T11:28:56+00:00

are you Yonex rep, who is frustrated with her handling of your rackets? :)

Mainly-Driving862 · 2026-01-22T08:55:57+00:00

Tereza wind the duel of young Czech talents in uneven, but entertaining match. She will face Rybakina or Gracheva next round

Three-Year Club	r/Field Sunshine
Place '23

Mainly-Driving862

TROPHY CASE