As a Swiatek fan, I'll say that just about any draw would look challenging for her right now, given her current form. But I don't think this one is terrible. Raducanu and Kostyuk seem like the tricky ones to me. If Ostapenko is there in the fourth round, yes, I'll be extremely pessimistic. But it's Ostapenko; there's a good chance she won't get there. Rybakina would be dangerous, but she hasn't been in great form herself. While I wouldn't take Paolini lightly in the quarters, I'd much rather Swiatek face her than Sabalenka or Gauff, which could have happened instead. And if Swiatek does get to the semis, she'd only have to face one of Sabalenka, Collins, Tauson, Anisimova, Shnaider, Yastremska, Stearns, Eala and Zheng. A lot of them could have posed a danger to Swiatek in her section, but now they'll all be knocking each other out in their own section.
On the men's side, I actually think Arthur Fils in the fourth round would be Sinner's toughest test before the quarterfinals, not Lehecka or Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
Very top heavy draw for the women too. The first quarter yet again showcases both Saba and Qinwen (5/8 tournies this year) while the 2nd quarter (Paolini/Swiatek) is brutally stacked with notably way less Qs and WCs than the other three quarters. The Coco 4th quarter is a dream, she should have no troubles making a deep run.
As a Swiatek fan, I'll say that just about any draw would look challenging for her right now, given her current form. But I don't think this one is terrible. Raducanu and Kostyuk seem like the tricky ones to me. If Ostapenko is there in the fourth round, yes, I'll be extremely pessimistic. But it's Ostapenko; there's a good chance she won't get there. Rybakina would be dangerous, but she hasn't been in great form herself. While I wouldn't take Paolini lightly in the quarters, I'd much rather Swiatek face her than Sabalenka or Gauff, which could have happened instead. And if Swiatek does get to the semis, she'd only have to face one of Sabalenka, Collins, Tauson, Anisimova, Shnaider, Yastremska, Stearns, Eala and Zheng. A lot of them could have posed a danger to Swiatek in her section, but now they'll all be knocking each other out in their own section.
On the men's side, I actually think Arthur Fils in the fourth round would be Sinner's toughest test before the quarterfinals, not Lehecka or Davidovich Fokina in the third round.
‘penko could go out R1 or win the whole thing. Both have the same likelihood to my mind.
Very top heavy draw for the women too. The first quarter yet again showcases both Saba and Qinwen (5/8 tournies this year) while the 2nd quarter (Paolini/Swiatek) is brutally stacked with notably way less Qs and WCs than the other three quarters. The Coco 4th quarter is a dream, she should have no troubles making a deep run.
Whew, that sinner quarter is loaded.
I still find it so refreshing that in tennis we have major sporting events where men’s and women’s storylines are equally represented and interesting.
The big question is, do I pony up for TNT sports given I’m on holiday for week 1?
It’s genuinely irritating that discovery + have taken the tennis out of the basic package..but it’s the best slam to watch…