Monday Match Analysis

Rafael Nadal won his record 13th French Open title in a dominant straight-set victory over Novak Djokovic on Sunday in Paris. The victory is Nadal's 20th slam, tying Roger Federer for the all-time record. I breakdown how Nadal turned this highly anticipated final into a one-sided showcase. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

1:00 - Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman Post-Match 15:45 - Novak Djokovic vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas Post-Match 31:20 - Djokovic vs. Nadal Preview Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are set to clash for a 56th time in the 2020 Roland Garros final. Nadal seeks his record-tying 20th major title, and add to his 6-1 record against Novak at the French. Djokovic looks to become the first man to hold all four major titles, twice. My preview and prediction for Sunday's historic final. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Jannik Sinner blasted his way to the quarterfinal at Roland Garros with a four-set victory over five-seed Alexander Zverev. This is Sinner's first French Open main draw, and the first to reach the QF in a debut since Rafael Nadal in 2005. After the match, Zverev admitted to having fever and breathing difficulties prompting concern about Covid-19 protocols at the French Open. In another feature match from Sunday, Dominic Thiem had to battle hard for 5 sets with young Frenchman Hugo Gaston, ultimately prevailing. Gaston had beaten Wawrinka in the third round and his unorthodox tactics bothered Thiem as well. Finally, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have stormed through the first week: are there any takeaways to be had? Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

*Audio file corrected!* On this week’s Mailbag: Is Matteo Berrettini underrated, Roberto Carballes Baena’s win over Denis Shapovalov, a potential Jannick Sinner vs. Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka’s upset at the hands of Hugo Gaston, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev’s quarter, court conditions and the favorites, early round efficiency, has Daniil Medvedev peaked and his loss to Marton Fucsovics, court conditions again, Alexander Zverev’s recent slam success, Mats Wilander criticizes Murray, Kyrgios comes to Murray’s defense and insults Karen Khachanov, deep analysis of Nadal’s forehand down the line and forehand on-the-run, who has a better chance at beating Novak Djokovic: Tsitsipas or Rublev, and more! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Two weeks removed from the US Open, it's time for more grand slam tennis. I preview the 2020 French Open, including a discussion about the unique conditions (new Wilson balls, cold weather, night matches). As always, I preview quarter-by-quarter: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev are the top seeds. Expectations are high for Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini and Denis Shapovalov. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Novak Djokovic won his record-setting 36th Masters 1000 title in Rome on a Sunday with a victory over Diego Schwartzman. Earlier, in the quarterfinals, Schwartzman took out Rafael Nadal in straight sets. On today's show, I'll examine Novak Djokovic's new love affair with the drop shot, and why Schwartzman could take advantage of a compromised Nadal. Plus, the first and only edition of the 2020 French Open Power Rankings. Finally, the Twitter question of the week: who is the 4th favorite to win Roland Garros? Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Hall-of-fame tennis journalist (tennis.com) and author Steve Flink joins the show to discuss the major storylines of the 2020 US Open. The dramatic final between Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, the Novak Djokovic default, Rafael Nadal's decision to stay home in Spain, Denis Shapovalov's growth, Naomi Osaka's captivating run and Serena WIlliams' missed opportunity. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

On this week's Mailbag, Gill Gross answers your comments on: Novak Djokovic's motivation post-US Open default, Stefanos Tsitsipas's recovery after heartbreaking loss in New York, lower temperatures at the French Open, a resurgence for the single-handed backhand, if tennis is enhanced by commentators, getting introspective on my life as a YouTube tennis analyst, thoughts on Lorenzo Musetti, will anyone currently on tour win 10 majors, will fans lose interest after the Big 3 retire, Andy Murray expectations, Andrey Rublev's tactics, parent coaching, comparing Roger Feederer's Wimbledon 2019 loss to Alexander Zverev's US Open 2020 loss. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

After three losses in major finals, Dominic Thiem triumphed in Sunday’s US Open final against Alexander Zverev, becoming the first new grand slam champion since 2014, and the first player in the open era to come back from two sets to love down in a major final. The match was riddled with nerves from both players. The tennis was not beautiful, but the psychological struggle made for quite the spectacle. I discuss what this means for both players career moving forward, examine the momentum swings in the match, and what ultimately separated Thiem from Zverev in a tight 5th set. To finish things off, I discuss the match with Jeff Salzenstein of tennisevolution.com. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support

Novak Djokovic was in the first set of his Third Round US Open match with Pablo Carreno Busta. After getting broken for 6-5, Djokovic took a ball out of his pocket and hit it towards the back wall, where it struck a lineswoman in the throat. The incident resulted in an immediate match penalty against Djokovic. I breakdown why this happened, if the correct call made and is the correct rule is in place? Then (22:06), I welcome Mike McIntyre of the Match Point Canada podcast to discuss the incredible success of Canadians at the 2020 US Open. Never before had a Canadian made the quarterfinal of the Open. Denis Shapovalov has achieved the feat with his win over David Goffin, and now Felix Auger-Aliassime and Vasek Pospisil are one win away from joining Shapo in the QF. Finally, I break down the current US Open field, including a revised pick for the title. There are no former grand slam champions remaining in the draw, meaning Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Matteo Berrettini, or perhaps someone else will win their first career grand slam. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/monday-match-analysis/support