Good ay, and welcome to the AO Show for Week two of the US Open. Fritz and Tiafo on the verge of breaking an American men's drought on home soil, the women's Big Gun still firing as the championship race heats up, and demon bows out in the quarters in one of Australia's best US Open campaigns for the men in years. That's all ahead on the AO Show with me John hoovenas Viv Christy, our proxy content queen today. Welcome Viv, great to be here, Thanks for having me. John Breeze sunning herself note out on Miami Beach or something like that.

Good ay, and welcome to the AO Show for Week two of the US Open. Fritz and Tiafo on the verge of breaking an American men's drought on home soil, the women's Big Gun still firing as the championship race heats up, and demon bows out in the quarters in one of Australia's best US Open campaigns for the men in years. That's all ahead on the AO Show with me John hoovenas Viv Christy, our proxy content queen today. Welcome Viv, great to be here, Thanks for having me. John Breeze sunning herself note out on Miami Beach or something like that.

Yeah, she's having a well deserved break. She's had a very intense couple of weeks at the US Open and yeah, now enjoying some sunshine.

Yeah, she's having a well deserved break. She's had a very intense couple of weeks at the US Open and yeah, now enjoying some sunshine.

Good to have you filling in well. The man who does sects data for fun, Simon the Razor Ray. Welcome, Simon, Hey John, Hey Viv, thanks for having me back. You enjoyed their US Open so far?

Good to have you filling in well. The man who does sects data for fun, Simon the Razor Ray. Welcome, Simon, Hey John, Hey Viv, thanks for having me back. You enjoyed their US Open so far?

Yeah, it's been awesome. Yeah, going right back through qualifying and looking forward to hearing some of the first hand insights from Praidy, but from an Australian perspective. Fantastic to have so many numbers through and qualifying and the events just growing and growing from that point on, and.

Yeah, it's been awesome. Yeah, going right back through qualifying and looking forward to hearing some of the first hand insights from Praidy, but from an Australian perspective. Fantastic to have so many numbers through and qualifying and the events just growing and growing from that point on, and.

A few curve balls to have a look into as well. You mentioned Nicole Pratch's back the Australian Great with us on the AO show. Praddy five months off home shore, I hear.

A few curve balls to have a look into as well. You mentioned Nicole Pratch's back the Australian Great with us on the AO show. Praddy five months off home shore, I hear.

Four months, four months, four months. But yeah, no, it's been a fabulous stint. Started left straight into Rome and then just returned from US Open on Friday. So yeah, seen a lot of tennis, a lot of tennis balls hit, but as you said, it's great to see the results from the Australians at the US Open, obviously hitting them in and between the lines.

Four months, four months, four months. But yeah, no, it's been a fabulous stint. Started left straight into Rome and then just returned from US Open on Friday. So yeah, seen a lot of tennis, a lot of tennis balls hit, but as you said, it's great to see the results from the Australians at the US Open, obviously hitting them in and between the lines.

Well, there's so much to get stuck into and we must stay off the top of the show. As we record this Thursday morning Australian time, there are a couple of key matches ongoing are about to get going. First of all, Igosh Fiontek and Jess Pergola into a second set, Pegoula leading that one a set to love and upper break in this second set as well to one. We'll keep an eye on that one and the other men's quarter final, which won't be finished by the time we finish this record. But it's the rematch of the Australian Open Men's final between Janick Sinner and Danil Medvedev, so huge implications for both of those players, and very interesting what's going on the other side of the draw as well. So much to get into, and we're going to start with what's caught your eye? So Prady, you've been there on the ground and who or what's caught your eye over the first week and a half.

Well, there's so much to get stuck into and we must stay off the top of the show. As we record this Thursday morning Australian time, there are a couple of key matches ongoing are about to get going. First of all, Igosh Fiontek and Jess Pergola into a second set, Pegoula leading that one a set to love and upper break in this second set as well to one. We'll keep an eye on that one and the other men's quarter final, which won't be finished by the time we finish this record. But it's the rematch of the Australian Open Men's final between Janick Sinner and Danil Medvedev, so huge implications for both of those players, and very interesting what's going on the other side of the draw as well. So much to get into, and we're going to start with what's caught your eye? So Prady, you've been there on the ground and who or what's caught your eye over the first week and a half.

Well, it's probably for me a second catching my eye in the sense that Emma Navarro like absolute class player. And when I say second time catching my eye, she played against a Storm Hunter in Miami. Storm was playing lights out up for one in the first set, but the composure from Navarro was outstanding, the ability to problem solve. And then when I was watching her in her match against Coco Golf, she won the first set, she had chances to break it open in the second five three up, she loses that set, and then the composure to finish it off in three I thought was awesome. And then funnily enough, when I was scouting Navarro, there's no hole in a game.

Well, it's probably for me a second catching my eye in the sense that Emma Navarro like absolute class player. And when I say second time catching my eye, she played against a Storm Hunter in Miami. Storm was playing lights out up for one in the first set, but the composure from Navarro was outstanding, the ability to problem solve. And then when I was watching her in her match against Coco Golf, she won the first set, she had chances to break it open in the second five three up, she loses that set, and then the composure to finish it off in three I thought was awesome. And then funnily enough, when I was scouting Navarro, there's no hole in a game.

It's very, very.

It's very, very.

Difficult to chink the armor, and that's because all of us strokes her movement. And then I spoke about mentality.

Difficult to chink the armor, and that's because all of us strokes her movement. And then I spoke about mentality.

She's the real deal.

She's the real deal.

Here at the US Open. Wins against Splinkver in the first round, Rus in the second, Costuk was a big win three set of there in the third round, and then Gough in the round of sixteen.

Here at the US Open. Wins against Splinkver in the first round, Rus in the second, Costuk was a big win three set of there in the third round, and then Gough in the round of sixteen.

Yeah, and that win over Gough, that was her second win over her in a Grand Slam as well, second consecutive Grand Slam. So yeah, she's obviously not afraid of big name opponents or the big stages.

Yeah, and that win over Gough, that was her second win over her in a Grand Slam as well, second consecutive Grand Slam. So yeah, she's obviously not afraid of big name opponents or the big stages.

Let's hear from Emma following her quarterfinal victory of a Paula Bodosa with Duncan mcken's mccag thanks to Stan Well.

Let's hear from Emma following her quarterfinal victory of a Paula Bodosa with Duncan mcken's mccag thanks to Stan Well.

Emma, congratulations, this dream US Open run continues. Now, you were trailing five to two in that second set. What gave you the belief that you could come.

Emma, congratulations, this dream US Open run continues. Now, you were trailing five to two in that second set. What gave you the belief that you could come.

Back five one?

Back five one?

Believe it or not?

Believe it or not?

One?

One?

Five one?

Five one?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I think, you know, I felt like even at five to one, I felt like, you know, maybe I could come back and win this second and you know, I couldn't really picture myself playing in a third set, so I felt like, you know, maybe I'll run with that feeling and try to scrap out a few longer points and put some pressure on her surf. Yeah, and I was able to do it. I think maybe she had some unforced erahs that she's maybe not happy with, but you know, I think I put a lot of pressure on her, and yeah, try to make her earn it.

I think, you know, I felt like even at five to one, I felt like, you know, maybe I could come back and win this second and you know, I couldn't really picture myself playing in a third set, so I felt like, you know, maybe I'll run with that feeling and try to scrap out a few longer points and put some pressure on her surf. Yeah, and I was able to do it. I think maybe she had some unforced erahs that she's maybe not happy with, but you know, I think I put a lot of pressure on her, and yeah, try to make her earn it.

This really is your home Slam.

This really is your home Slam.

You're born in New York City, and you've had friends and family watching you, including your grandma, who's been traveling to each of your matches. Can you tell us about her and the links she's gone to to what you play him up?

You're born in New York City, and you've had friends and family watching you, including your grandma, who's been traveling to each of your matches. Can you tell us about her and the links she's gone to to what you play him up?

Yeah?

Yeah?

I think I don't think my grandmother's missed a match of mind since you know, maybe I was fourteen or fifteen or whenever they started live streaming my matches. I think she's watched everyone. So my uncle and I have been driving her here from Connecticut every day and they drive her ear they watch my match, they drive back and watch the replay of my match, and then go to bed. So yeah, to say there's some dedicated fans is an understatement. And you know, she takes me after all my matches and you know, says some words of wisdom so just just so grateful to have her in my corner and have her here this week watching.

I think I don't think my grandmother's missed a match of mind since you know, maybe I was fourteen or fifteen or whenever they started live streaming my matches. I think she's watched everyone. So my uncle and I have been driving her here from Connecticut every day and they drive her ear they watch my match, they drive back and watch the replay of my match, and then go to bed. So yeah, to say there's some dedicated fans is an understatement. And you know, she takes me after all my matches and you know, says some words of wisdom so just just so grateful to have her in my corner and have her here this week watching.

Well, we can't wait to watch you in the semifinal. Best of luck and thanks again for joining us here on stan Sport Australia.

Well, we can't wait to watch you in the semifinal. Best of luck and thanks again for joining us here on stan Sport Australia.

Thank you. I have a crack mate, well a.

Thank you. I have a crack mate, well a.

Lovely touch of personality from Emma. So she didn't know it at the time, but the equation is now, Arina Sabolenka in the semi final, is there anything to suggest that she can't keep this run going? Pretty well?

Lovely touch of personality from Emma. So she didn't know it at the time, but the equation is now, Arina Sabolenka in the semi final, is there anything to suggest that she can't keep this run going? Pretty well?

She's obviously full of confidence and the players that we mentioned that she's beaten, you know, there's no doubt she would go out there against Sablenka and think she can get the win. I do feel though it's another occasion, like it's another big occasion. It's a semifinal to get through to a first Grand Slam. I mean, Zablenka has been there, done that before.

She's obviously full of confidence and the players that we mentioned that she's beaten, you know, there's no doubt she would go out there against Sablenka and think she can get the win. I do feel though it's another occasion, like it's another big occasion. It's a semifinal to get through to a first Grand Slam. I mean, Zablenka has been there, done that before.

You know.

You know.

But again, it's New York, it's and Emma was born actually in New York, and you heard her say in the interview there that her family's in Connecticut, so you know she'll certainly embrace the moment. For me, i'd kind of just tip Sablenka a little bit, just basically through experience.

But again, it's New York, it's and Emma was born actually in New York, and you heard her say in the interview there that her family's in Connecticut, so you know she'll certainly embrace the moment. For me, i'd kind of just tip Sablenka a little bit, just basically through experience.

I feel like she's got a bit of a point to prove at this US Open as well. You know, she's obviously a great competitor, came in with some really solid momentum, but you know, she was up a set in the final last year against Coco Goff and was so visially disappointed after she lost that match. I feel like she's, yeah, she's really apt to prove that she can she can take the title here.

I feel like she's got a bit of a point to prove at this US Open as well. You know, she's obviously a great competitor, came in with some really solid momentum, but you know, she was up a set in the final last year against Coco Goff and was so visially disappointed after she lost that match. I feel like she's, yeah, she's really apt to prove that she can she can take the title here.

Yeah, and she's been dominant so far at the event. Sabolenka interestingly enough, though, you know, I'd probably tend to agree with both Vivian and pretty Sabolenka starts as a firm favorite, but Navara does have that hardcourt victory over Sabolenka in twenty twenty four.

Yeah, and she's been dominant so far at the event. Sabolenka interestingly enough, though, you know, I'd probably tend to agree with both Vivian and pretty Sabolenka starts as a firm favorite, but Navara does have that hardcourt victory over Sabolenka in twenty twenty four.

I think back at Indian World, So.

I think back at Indian World, So.

Viv over to you, what's caught your eye this week?

Viv over to you, what's caught your eye this week?

Yeah, I think this.

Yeah, I think this.

Has been a tournament where we've seen a lot of resilience in different players. We saw Alix Stemonor reached the quarterfinals having not played any singles tournaments in the lead up. Paula Badasa she was five months ago, she was considering quitting tennis all together. She's had stress fractures in her back. Jess Pagoula has also had to manage her season really carefully after injury. But Carolina Mukova in particular, I mean, she had wrist surgery in February. She has had an injury mud career, as we know, didn't play any tournaments until Eastbourne, so middle of the year she reached the Eastbourne quarters. But yeah, has really found her footing here at the US Open through to the Semis without losing a set.

Has been a tournament where we've seen a lot of resilience in different players. We saw Alix Stemonor reached the quarterfinals having not played any singles tournaments in the lead up. Paula Badasa she was five months ago, she was considering quitting tennis all together. She's had stress fractures in her back. Jess Pagoula has also had to manage her season really carefully after injury. But Carolina Mukova in particular, I mean, she had wrist surgery in February. She has had an injury mud career, as we know, didn't play any tournaments until Eastbourne, so middle of the year she reached the Eastbourne quarters. But yeah, has really found her footing here at the US Open through to the Semis without losing a set.

Yeah, just recapping some of her victories. Osaka was that the big one in the second round, the top of our in the third, Paalini the fifth seed, who's well Prady you've probably seen it from the ground over the past two slams in the Olympic Games. Just how good a season she's had.

Yeah, just recapping some of her victories. Osaka was that the big one in the second round, the top of our in the third, Paalini the fifth seed, who's well Prady you've probably seen it from the ground over the past two slams in the Olympic Games. Just how good a season she's had.

Yeah, it's been an incredible rise, and you know, we all talk about it, but you know, the confidence I think just once she you know, tipped over and then that result at the French Open, you know, rolled into Wimbledon and the Olympics as well. But you know, it's interesting, like we talk about what's important for tennis players and I believe one of the most important things is consistency, the ability to show up every single practice session, every single match. She just has a fantastic attitude and she brings it on a daily basis, So you know, the fact that it's all come together credit to her. She's played a lot of doubles as well with Irani, so that sort of certainly helped, you know, the front part of her game, you know, confidence if she needs to come to net, take the ball out of the air, So you know, she's added that dimension. And wow, what I mean, it's an incredible.

Yeah, it's been an incredible rise, and you know, we all talk about it, but you know, the confidence I think just once she you know, tipped over and then that result at the French Open, you know, rolled into Wimbledon and the Olympics as well. But you know, it's interesting, like we talk about what's important for tennis players and I believe one of the most important things is consistency, the ability to show up every single practice session, every single match. She just has a fantastic attitude and she brings it on a daily basis, So you know, the fact that it's all come together credit to her. She's played a lot of doubles as well with Irani, so that sort of certainly helped, you know, the front part of her game, you know, confidence if she needs to come to net, take the ball out of the air, So you know, she's added that dimension. And wow, what I mean, it's an incredible.

Year well for book of the quarterfinal win over the twenty second seat Beatrice Hudaje Meyer was comprehensive, and now viv she will face the winner of the match that we're currently watching as we record this, Jess Pagoula and Igish Fiontek.

Year well for book of the quarterfinal win over the twenty second seat Beatrice Hudaje Meyer was comprehensive, and now viv she will face the winner of the match that we're currently watching as we record this, Jess Pagoula and Igish Fiontek.

Yeah, you know, I can't say what would happen in that match. I think Lukov has you know, in some ways almost had a win already just by reaching the semi finals, backing up what she did last year at the US Open and Jesse. It would be a first Grand Slam semi final for her. So yeah, what Lo's at stake.

Yeah, you know, I can't say what would happen in that match. I think Lukov has you know, in some ways almost had a win already just by reaching the semi finals, backing up what she did last year at the US Open and Jesse. It would be a first Grand Slam semi final for her. So yeah, what Lo's at stake.

She's going to have her hands fully the way I would be tipping the winner of that match to be the firm favorite coming into that semi final.

She's going to have her hands fully the way I would be tipping the winner of that match to be the firm favorite coming into that semi final.

I'm going to throw open what's caught my eye this week. And that's been the deepest progress by American men for some time, for the best part of two decades. Taylor Fritz reaching his maiden major semi final after reaching four quarter finals previously, and Francis Tiafo. They'll play Saturday morning, our time in Australia for a spot in the final, and that hasn't happened since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer in two thousand and six.

I'm going to throw open what's caught my eye this week. And that's been the deepest progress by American men for some time, for the best part of two decades. Taylor Fritz reaching his maiden major semi final after reaching four quarter finals previously, and Francis Tiafo. They'll play Saturday morning, our time in Australia for a spot in the final, and that hasn't happened since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer in two thousand and six.

Wow.

Wow.

Yeah, well, it's been impressive. It feels like to me it's Fritz taking that next step. He's been around the mark.

Yeah, well, it's been impressive. It feels like to me it's Fritz taking that next step. He's been around the mark.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Party talks about consistency. I think it's a great point. He has been really consistent, but he's probably struggled to elevate himself into that very top Niche to progress to a semi final in the final to, if you like, take the last step or two on that pathway to Grand Slam Championship success.

Party talks about consistency. I think it's a great point. He has been really consistent, but he's probably struggled to elevate himself into that very top Niche to progress to a semi final in the final to, if you like, take the last step or two on that pathway to Grand Slam Championship success.

And now he's got a great opportunity.

And now he's got a great opportunity.

Taylor congratulations, a big breakthrough in your career. What made the difference today? What we were able to do to get over that quarter final hump?

Taylor congratulations, a big breakthrough in your career. What made the difference today? What we were able to do to get over that quarter final hump?

I think.

I think.

I mean I came out just feeling a bit different than I have in previous quarterfinals. I was much just looser, used to, you know, almost just used to being in quarterfinals. It didn't seem like such a such a big deal that it felt like before. And I served really well in some big, big moments of the match. She got myself some free points and kind of just hung hung in there and steve strong and some tape moments.

I mean I came out just feeling a bit different than I have in previous quarterfinals. I was much just looser, used to, you know, almost just used to being in quarterfinals. It didn't seem like such a such a big deal that it felt like before. And I served really well in some big, big moments of the match. She got myself some free points and kind of just hung hung in there and steve strong and some tape moments.

It's a huge day for you and your family because you and your mum, Kathy may have eight quarter final appearances combined, spanning from the nineteen seventy seven Rolling Garress Tournament so the twenty twenty four US Open, and today you reached the semifinals for the first time. So the forty seven year old curse has been lifted.

It's a huge day for you and your family because you and your mum, Kathy may have eight quarter final appearances combined, spanning from the nineteen seventy seven Rolling Garress Tournament so the twenty twenty four US Open, and today you reached the semifinals for the first time. So the forty seven year old curse has been lifted.

Taylor.

Taylor.

That's a cool one to talk about it your next family dinner, isn't it.

That's a cool one to talk about it your next family dinner, isn't it.

Yeah, it's funny. I never thought of I never thought of that that. Oh my mom's also lost all of her quarterfinalism. Yeah, I literally never thought of that until I saw something about that after the match. But yeah, I mean, I guess I did it. I can finally say I'm the best tennis player in the family.

Yeah, it's funny. I never thought of I never thought of that that. Oh my mom's also lost all of her quarterfinalism. Yeah, I literally never thought of that until I saw something about that after the match. But yeah, I mean, I guess I did it. I can finally say I'm the best tennis player in the family.

I guess tennis runs deep in the Fritz family.

I guess tennis runs deep in the Fritz family.

Yeah, and there's no question that shows up in some tennis IQ right, the conversations around the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table. So the pedigree's there. And from California, it's a big, big tennis state in the USA. He's had terrific guidance from also Paul Anacone. He's been a part of that team for a long time. David Naken was a part of that team as well, so you know, he seems that, you know, this is the break through for him. But I do want to touch on you know, we talk about nations and certain players coming through together, and we've seen this pack of US players where, you know, we're starting to see a lot more, you know, of the US players reaching the latter rounds of the Grand Slams. Tommy Paul, you know, Sebbie Carter, you know Ben Shelton made the semi finals of the US Open last year. So yeah, I think he's great for US ten especially at the US Open to have an American male through to the final Hunting Impacts.

Yeah, and there's no question that shows up in some tennis IQ right, the conversations around the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table. So the pedigree's there. And from California, it's a big, big tennis state in the USA. He's had terrific guidance from also Paul Anacone. He's been a part of that team for a long time. David Naken was a part of that team as well, so you know, he seems that, you know, this is the break through for him. But I do want to touch on you know, we talk about nations and certain players coming through together, and we've seen this pack of US players where, you know, we're starting to see a lot more, you know, of the US players reaching the latter rounds of the Grand Slams. Tommy Paul, you know, Sebbie Carter, you know Ben Shelton made the semi finals of the US Open last year. So yeah, I think he's great for US ten especially at the US Open to have an American male through to the final Hunting Impacts.

It's interesting that you say that, Pratty, because Tommy Paul and Francis tioff I both made a Grand Slam semi before Taylor Fritz did, and there was kind of this conversation about, you know, did he feel bad about that or was that eroding his confidence? But he said it actually inspired him, so.

It's interesting that you say that, Pratty, because Tommy Paul and Francis tioff I both made a Grand Slam semi before Taylor Fritz did, and there was kind of this conversation about, you know, did he feel bad about that or was that eroding his confidence? But he said it actually inspired him, so.

Yeah, it's amazing. Well, Shelton made the third round before getting knocked out by TFO. Other wins included Alexi Poppron, and we might just touch on that before we cut back to you Simon for your analysis, because Alexi was one of the stars for Australia and it was highlighted by that magnificent win over Novak Djokovic.

Yeah, it's amazing. Well, Shelton made the third round before getting knocked out by TFO. Other wins included Alexi Poppron, and we might just touch on that before we cut back to you Simon for your analysis, because Alexi was one of the stars for Australia and it was highlighted by that magnificent win over Novak Djokovic.

My two experiences against him earlier this year in Australian Open and Wimbledon kind of gave me the confidence to go out there tonight and believe that I could win and actually do it and believe it. So when I did it, it kind of felt that kind of proved me right.

My two experiences against him earlier this year in Australian Open and Wimbledon kind of gave me the confidence to go out there tonight and believe that I could win and actually do it and believe it. So when I did it, it kind of felt that kind of proved me right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, you know, Feather in his cap there there's not a lot of players that can say they've beaten Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam, you know. But for me, where it started was, I believe at the Olympics in Paris. So on the clay there he had Leyton Hewitt in his corner, riding every single point with him, and he went out there he beat Jarry in the first round and it was a quality win, quality and even I was quite surprised. I was like, wow, you know, I didn't really expect that from from Alexi. And then he clearly has taken that into the US Summer swing and you know, well, winning the Canadian Open, thousand events, beating the players that he did, he comes in confident to the US Open and he delivered. So yeah, there's a lot to like now. And again I'm coming back to the word consistency. He's showing up, you know a lot of the time with his A game and believing in it, and also too, when he is challenged, he has the ability to come a little bit off the gas, bring his margins in. But yeah, Jesus, the future looks bright for him right now.

I mean, you know, Feather in his cap there there's not a lot of players that can say they've beaten Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam, you know. But for me, where it started was, I believe at the Olympics in Paris. So on the clay there he had Leyton Hewitt in his corner, riding every single point with him, and he went out there he beat Jarry in the first round and it was a quality win, quality and even I was quite surprised. I was like, wow, you know, I didn't really expect that from from Alexi. And then he clearly has taken that into the US Summer swing and you know, well, winning the Canadian Open, thousand events, beating the players that he did, he comes in confident to the US Open and he delivered. So yeah, there's a lot to like now. And again I'm coming back to the word consistency. He's showing up, you know a lot of the time with his A game and believing in it, and also too, when he is challenged, he has the ability to come a little bit off the gas, bring his margins in. But yeah, Jesus, the future looks bright for him right now.

Let's hear from the Australian following his fourth round loss to Francis Tierfo.

Let's hear from the Australian following his fourth round loss to Francis Tierfo.

Look I'm telling everybody now, like, if you would have told me at the start of the summer that I would have been twenty three in the world with a Master's title and second week of the Slam for the first time, probably would have taken it. Considering the position I was in, you know, if I hadn't wont many, mate, if I hadn't want to match in Montreal or Sincy, I probably would have dropped to outside the outside none in the world. So considering all that, I think it was a very successful summer.

Look I'm telling everybody now, like, if you would have told me at the start of the summer that I would have been twenty three in the world with a Master's title and second week of the Slam for the first time, probably would have taken it. Considering the position I was in, you know, if I hadn't wont many, mate, if I hadn't want to match in Montreal or Sincy, I probably would have dropped to outside the outside none in the world. So considering all that, I think it was a very successful summer.

Gee, the contenders for the new can Metal are really starting to tally upfit.

Gee, the contenders for the new can Metal are really starting to tally upfit.

Yeah, they certainly are.

Yeah, they certainly are.

We've got gold medalists in doubles, We've got demon thrue to the quarterfinals of Grand Slams, and yeah, there's a lot to like about Australian tennis. And I wouldn't like to be making that decision.

We've got gold medalists in doubles, We've got demon thrue to the quarterfinals of Grand Slams, and yeah, there's a lot to like about Australian tennis. And I wouldn't like to be making that decision.

Plenty of water to go into the bridge over the last couple months of the season. Simon over to you. What's caught your eye?

Plenty of water to go into the bridge over the last couple months of the season. Simon over to you. What's caught your eye?

Well, you asked me to take a look John at the rematch if you like, of the Australian Open Women's singles final between Jung and Sabolenka. And for me, this is a little bit of rinse and repeat in what I saw in this match. So when I watched the match yesterday, it felt like it was absolute one way traffic, and I think it's now getting to the point where mentally in this matchup, I'm not sure where the Young believes, whether she thinks she's got a strategy to be able to go with Sabolenka or threaten Sabolenka in terms of what she brings to the table. So back to January, Young overall serves fifty three percent from a first percentage in the final. Yeah, and in the final of the Australian Open yesterday against Sabolenka. In that US Open quarterfinal serves at forty four percent and in set one serves at thirty one percent first serve percentage. So in my mind, if you can't find a way too, I think you need to threaten Sabolenka.

Well, you asked me to take a look John at the rematch if you like, of the Australian Open Women's singles final between Jung and Sabolenka. And for me, this is a little bit of rinse and repeat in what I saw in this match. So when I watched the match yesterday, it felt like it was absolute one way traffic, and I think it's now getting to the point where mentally in this matchup, I'm not sure where the Young believes, whether she thinks she's got a strategy to be able to go with Sabolenka or threaten Sabolenka in terms of what she brings to the table. So back to January, Young overall serves fifty three percent from a first percentage in the final. Yeah, and in the final of the Australian Open yesterday against Sabolenka. In that US Open quarterfinal serves at forty four percent and in set one serves at thirty one percent first serve percentage. So in my mind, if you can't find a way too, I think you need to threaten Sabolenka.

But if you can't threaten.

But if you can't threaten.

Her, you've at least got to go with her early because I think she's, again just a personal opinion, I think she's a terrific downhill skier, sort of a flat track bully. When she's in front, you're in trouble. She loves to be in front and swinging away and feeling like she can dominate on second serve return. So I think it's trouble early. And then it was a bit of a dre in the headlights from Jung. Really there were some really uncharacteristic errors. She lost her way on serve completely. She's yielding court position. So what Sabolenka does when you're serving at thirty one percent in a set against Sabolenka, that just enables her on second serve return to do one or two things. Option A, she wants to expose your movement, get the point completely on her terms. So straight away she'll expose you with width and she'll either hit a cold winner or she'll force you at n range and the point is completely on her terms. There Option B, if she's got something a little more tricky to contend with on second serve, she'll go deep through the middle and she'll get young to retreat so to yield ground from the baseline. Either way, it means the points on her terms almost entirely thereafter. So again I'll come back to my one of my opening statements. If you can't threaten sable Anka or certainly go with her early you're in trouble. And I think Young's found that out twice in very similar circumstances in the Australian Open final and yesterday in the US Open quarter final.

Her, you've at least got to go with her early because I think she's, again just a personal opinion, I think she's a terrific downhill skier, sort of a flat track bully. When she's in front, you're in trouble. She loves to be in front and swinging away and feeling like she can dominate on second serve return. So I think it's trouble early. And then it was a bit of a dre in the headlights from Jung. Really there were some really uncharacteristic errors. She lost her way on serve completely. She's yielding court position. So what Sabolenka does when you're serving at thirty one percent in a set against Sabolenka, that just enables her on second serve return to do one or two things. Option A, she wants to expose your movement, get the point completely on her terms. So straight away she'll expose you with width and she'll either hit a cold winner or she'll force you at n range and the point is completely on her terms. There Option B, if she's got something a little more tricky to contend with on second serve, she'll go deep through the middle and she'll get young to retreat so to yield ground from the baseline. Either way, it means the points on her terms almost entirely thereafter. So again I'll come back to my one of my opening statements. If you can't threaten sable Anka or certainly go with her early you're in trouble. And I think Young's found that out twice in very similar circumstances in the Australian Open final and yesterday in the US Open quarter final.

So if you're Jenng's coach, pratty, how do you get a player back in a mindset that it can actually do some harm to the sable anca game? Where do you start?

So if you're Jenng's coach, pratty, how do you get a player back in a mindset that it can actually do some harm to the sable anca game? Where do you start?

Well, before I think you get into mindset, is she just needs to get more first serves in. It's as simple as that. Like, so if she's going, you know, too close to the lines and missing, well, then bring it in a little bit. Is she going you know, too hard that she can't control and find that margin that she needs. Okay, we'll take a little bit of pace off, but you know, I agree, you know, well the numbers tell us with Simon in a round like you can't give Zabelenka a lead in the point. And then also too, we've spoken about the serve, Well what about Zabilenkas serf right, So if she's on with serve it can turn into full domination, which obviously happened in those couple of matches.

Well, before I think you get into mindset, is she just needs to get more first serves in. It's as simple as that. Like, so if she's going, you know, too close to the lines and missing, well, then bring it in a little bit. Is she going you know, too hard that she can't control and find that margin that she needs. Okay, we'll take a little bit of pace off, but you know, I agree, you know, well the numbers tell us with Simon in a round like you can't give Zabelenka a lead in the point. And then also too, we've spoken about the serve, Well what about Zabilenkas serf right, So if she's on with serve it can turn into full domination, which obviously happened in those couple of matches.

Well, I think you know, Sabolenka is then able to serve with great effectiveness, particularly out wide on the juice court.

Well, I think you know, Sabolenka is then able to serve with great effectiveness, particularly out wide on the juice court.

Really targeted.

Really targeted.

Did a great job in yesterday's match of targeting the Jen fourhand return. So serves out wide on the juice court seventy percent of the time and wins more than eighty percent of those points. So I do tend to hark back to serve and return, but that's where I think it starts, and it's an area or an aspect of the Sabolenka game that is so dominant.

Did a great job in yesterday's match of targeting the Jen fourhand return. So serves out wide on the juice court seventy percent of the time and wins more than eighty percent of those points. So I do tend to hark back to serve and return, but that's where I think it starts, and it's an area or an aspect of the Sabolenka game that is so dominant.

So and that's why I say.

So and that's why I say.

If you can't protect your own service game, you're in trouble because you know it's going to be a handful or a heck of a task to try to break the Sablenka serf. It's an absolute strength of her game.

If you can't protect your own service game, you're in trouble because you know it's going to be a handful or a heck of a task to try to break the Sablenka serf. It's an absolute strength of her game.

Let's hear from Sabolenka the Australian Open Champion twice champion with Duncan Mackenzie mccawg. Thanks to Stan.

Let's hear from Sabolenka the Australian Open Champion twice champion with Duncan Mackenzie mccawg. Thanks to Stan.

Congratulations you are playing so well and hitting the.

Congratulations you are playing so well and hitting the.

Ball so hard.

Ball so hard.

Do you hear the ooze and the rs from the crowd while you're inside Arthur ash Stadium. You're just locked in in the zone all the time.

Do you hear the ooze and the rs from the crowd while you're inside Arthur ash Stadium. You're just locked in in the zone all the time.

I'm just trying to be in the zone and I'm just trying to focus on myself and and bring my best Danis make sure people experience this feeling so of me hitting the ball so hard. But honestly, sometimes I don't feel I don't feel that I'm hitting like that heavy shots and then I see he starts and I'm like, oh my god, that's really heavy. So yeah, that's I'm really happy that people enjoying worship we play.

I'm just trying to be in the zone and I'm just trying to focus on myself and and bring my best Danis make sure people experience this feeling so of me hitting the ball so hard. But honestly, sometimes I don't feel I don't feel that I'm hitting like that heavy shots and then I see he starts and I'm like, oh my god, that's really heavy. So yeah, that's I'm really happy that people enjoying worship we play.

I hope they do.

I hope they do.

They do, they love it. Next up, you're playing Emma Navara. She's going to be getting a lot of American support. You made reference to that on court, saying that drinks are on you. What have you got to do to persuade some of these Americans to get behind you?

They do, they love it. Next up, you're playing Emma Navara. She's going to be getting a lot of American support. You made reference to that on court, saying that drinks are on you. What have you got to do to persuade some of these Americans to get behind you?

That's I mean, I don't know. I honestly believe that the drink is gonna have I'll have to bring a little more support. But yeah, it's going to be a great, a great fight against Emma, and I kind of like know what to what to expect from the crowd. And I hope that the lesson. The lesson was laurened last year, and I hope I'm gonna do better with handling my emotions during the game.

That's I mean, I don't know. I honestly believe that the drink is gonna have I'll have to bring a little more support. But yeah, it's going to be a great, a great fight against Emma, and I kind of like know what to what to expect from the crowd. And I hope that the lesson. The lesson was laurened last year, and I hope I'm gonna do better with handling my emotions during the game.

I've got some good news for you though. Earlier in the week, I interviewed Ben Stiller and I asked him, who are your favorite players? What you saw it? Yeah, I saw and he said his favorite player to watch is you because he loves your energy and he loves your focus.

I've got some good news for you though. Earlier in the week, I interviewed Ben Stiller and I asked him, who are your favorite players? What you saw it? Yeah, I saw and he said his favorite player to watch is you because he loves your energy and he loves your focus.

That's awesome because I love him. I love his his movies. It's always been our favorite movies with my family. So when I saw that, I sent it to my mom and I was I translated her. She's like, oh my god, that's awesome. So thank you so much, and I hope to see you in the next game.

That's awesome because I love him. I love his his movies. It's always been our favorite movies with my family. So when I saw that, I sent it to my mom and I was I translated her. She's like, oh my god, that's awesome. So thank you so much, and I hope to see you in the next game.

Well, that's what I was gonna ask. Wouldn't that be really cool Ben came into your player's box and supported you.

Well, that's what I was gonna ask. Wouldn't that be really cool Ben came into your player's box and supported you.

It would be so cool, And I really would like to take a picture with him.

It would be so cool, And I really would like to take a picture with him.

Good to have Ben Stiller in your corner, Viv. He really gets around his tennis at the USO.

Good to have Ben Stiller in your corner, Viv. He really gets around his tennis at the USO.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I love watching all the celebrities at the US Open, and there are always so many of them. But yeah, he's often at the tournaments, isn't he Indian? Wells US Open?

I love watching all the celebrities at the US Open, and there are always so many of them. But yeah, he's often at the tournaments, isn't he Indian? Wells US Open?

Yeah, said he was a late comer to tennis. I think it was his wife that got him into it, So he'd never had any interest or experience with the game until he's thirties, and I guess in the second half.

Yeah, said he was a late comer to tennis. I think it was his wife that got him into it, So he'd never had any interest or experience with the game until he's thirties, and I guess in the second half.

Of his life so far making up for lost time.

Of his life so far making up for lost time.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We mentioned the upset before of Alexi popperin defeating Novak Djokovic, but Alcaraz was also in there too, the upset of Carlos Alcaraz in the second round by the Dutchman Baltic Fon de Zoon Schrup. And Carlos Alcarez now has a chink in his armor.

We mentioned the upset before of Alexi popperin defeating Novak Djokovic, but Alcaraz was also in there too, the upset of Carlos Alcaraz in the second round by the Dutchman Baltic Fon de Zoon Schrup. And Carlos Alcarez now has a chink in his armor.

Yeah, that was I mean, even from the first round, I thought lee two hours he played a great match, but Alcaraz was off. There was no question, and I thought, you know what, he's going to have to go to the practice cord and make sure that you know, he's a little bit more fine tune than he was in the first and yeah, to be upset there. He For me, he just lacked competitiveness almost in a way. There was this complacency or acceptance about making these just random unforced errors as far as I'm concerned, and a player of that quality that was surprising to me. So I don't feel like in the match, he he really took it on from a from a competitiveness standpoint. It was almost like a like he was accepting that it was okay to play the way that he was not willing to really change too much. And you know, is it the fact of how long of a year it's been. Normally he would have had a break after Wimbledon. I saw he went off with his mates and had a couple of days out on the water as you do in the Mediterranean, but clearly that wasn't enough.

Yeah, that was I mean, even from the first round, I thought lee two hours he played a great match, but Alcaraz was off. There was no question, and I thought, you know what, he's going to have to go to the practice cord and make sure that you know, he's a little bit more fine tune than he was in the first and yeah, to be upset there. He For me, he just lacked competitiveness almost in a way. There was this complacency or acceptance about making these just random unforced errors as far as I'm concerned, and a player of that quality that was surprising to me. So I don't feel like in the match, he he really took it on from a from a competitiveness standpoint. It was almost like a like he was accepting that it was okay to play the way that he was not willing to really change too much. And you know, is it the fact of how long of a year it's been. Normally he would have had a break after Wimbledon. I saw he went off with his mates and had a couple of days out on the water as you do in the Mediterranean, but clearly that wasn't enough.

He needed.

He needed.

He needed some time out, probably just to get back to training, fine tune out of the practice court, because that's what he normally does, instead straight off to the Olympics like a lot of the other players. I'm not making excuses for him, but we've got to remember he's young and he's used to doing things a certain way. And as we know, you know the champions over year after year after year, they have to be agile, you have to be able to adapt. So you know, I think the all the team and himself will will walk away from that match. There's a lot to learn and as we've seen from him time and time again, he's used these type of experience to come back stronger.

He needed some time out, probably just to get back to training, fine tune out of the practice court, because that's what he normally does, instead straight off to the Olympics like a lot of the other players. I'm not making excuses for him, but we've got to remember he's young and he's used to doing things a certain way. And as we know, you know the champions over year after year after year, they have to be agile, you have to be able to adapt. So you know, I think the all the team and himself will will walk away from that match. There's a lot to learn and as we've seen from him time and time again, he's used these type of experience to come back stronger.

It's kind of an exceptional year, isn't it.

It's kind of an exceptional year, isn't it.

I mean Roland Garross tired or Wimbledon title, Olympics final.

I mean Roland Garross tired or Wimbledon title, Olympics final.

I mean, there's been so much tennis.

I mean, there's been so much tennis.

Yeah, I just wonder whether the tank has run dry or the emotional upheaval of that loss to Djokovic in the final of the Olympics when he went and he went in as a really dominant favorite and was obviously looking for that incredible kind of trifecta of championships or two Grand Slame championships in the Golden to go with it, and just the toll that that has maybe taken on a young person. And I think the other thing that I certainly appreciate more when you see an al KaAZ boo out early like that, is how remarkable Again, the likes of Federer and the Dala and Djokovic have been over such a long period of time because for two decades we didn't really see many of those losses. It was nearly always those guys at the business end beating up on each other. And that's the challenge it's in front of him again, coming back to the theme of the day, which is consistency of performance.

Yeah, I just wonder whether the tank has run dry or the emotional upheaval of that loss to Djokovic in the final of the Olympics when he went and he went in as a really dominant favorite and was obviously looking for that incredible kind of trifecta of championships or two Grand Slame championships in the Golden to go with it, and just the toll that that has maybe taken on a young person. And I think the other thing that I certainly appreciate more when you see an al KaAZ boo out early like that, is how remarkable Again, the likes of Federer and the Dala and Djokovic have been over such a long period of time because for two decades we didn't really see many of those losses. It was nearly always those guys at the business end beating up on each other. And that's the challenge it's in front of him again, coming back to the theme of the day, which is consistency of performance.

And then Jack Draper, who's advanced to his first major semi final with a win over Alex Demonor Overnight and viv Well. Injury actually affected both players because at one stage Draper had some physio treatment on his right hamstring, but Demon's body just not being able to hold together enough to go the distance.

And then Jack Draper, who's advanced to his first major semi final with a win over Alex Demonor Overnight and viv Well. Injury actually affected both players because at one stage Draper had some physio treatment on his right hamstring, but Demon's body just not being able to hold together enough to go the distance.

Yeah, I watched.

Yeah, I watched.

I watched a lot of that match, and it seemed very different to the match before. He just seemed like he was lacking that movement that you know we all love him for. And Vraper was treated for injury, as you say, but it didn't seem to impact him too much. You know, Alex fort as he always does. He took five set points for Jack to close out the first set. But yeah, I think he may have just run out of steam there at the end. But incredible tournament given the challenges he had coming in.

I watched a lot of that match, and it seemed very different to the match before. He just seemed like he was lacking that movement that you know we all love him for. And Vraper was treated for injury, as you say, but it didn't seem to impact him too much. You know, Alex fort as he always does. He took five set points for Jack to close out the first set. But yeah, I think he may have just run out of steam there at the end. But incredible tournament given the challenges he had coming in.

I just want to say, I'm very proud of myself of what I've achieved all things, considering doing everything I could to be in this position and today it wasn't meant to be, and but yeah, I'm proud of my efforts. Jack is never easy to play in the best of times, and the way he can spread the court being a lefty and really move you around the court. It takes a toll on the body. Accumulation of matches takes it all as well. Oh yeah, it's just.

I just want to say, I'm very proud of myself of what I've achieved all things, considering doing everything I could to be in this position and today it wasn't meant to be, and but yeah, I'm proud of my efforts. Jack is never easy to play in the best of times, and the way he can spread the court being a lefty and really move you around the court. It takes a toll on the body. Accumulation of matches takes it all as well. Oh yeah, it's just.

What.

What.

Yeah, he played well. He deserves the when he moved me around the court and served grade and in the few chances that I had, I wasn't able to execute.

Yeah, he played well. He deserves the when he moved me around the court and served grade and in the few chances that I had, I wasn't able to execute.

And yeah, hey everyone, John, just chipping in here in the future because as I mentioned earlier in the episode, we were keeping an eye on the.

And yeah, hey everyone, John, just chipping in here in the future because as I mentioned earlier in the episode, we were keeping an eye on the.

Live match, the quarterfinal match between Yannick Sinner and Danil Medvedev. Now at the time of this recording, I'm back with Simon Ray. Welcome back, Razer, Hey John, good to be back. It's the same result in that Yannick Sinner has once again triumphed. But we couldn't have seen a more diametrically opposed match in the score line and style to the one that we saw in the Australian Open final.

Live match, the quarterfinal match between Yannick Sinner and Danil Medvedev. Now at the time of this recording, I'm back with Simon Ray. Welcome back, Razer, Hey John, good to be back. It's the same result in that Yannick Sinner has once again triumphed. But we couldn't have seen a more diametrically opposed match in the score line and style to the one that we saw in the Australian Open final.

Yeah, a little bit different, wasn't it. But unfortunately for the camp of Danil Medvedev and all of his supporters, just some of the same themes again creeping up in terms of maybe his achilles here and weaknesses.

Yeah, a little bit different, wasn't it. But unfortunately for the camp of Danil Medvedev and all of his supporters, just some of the same themes again creeping up in terms of maybe his achilles here and weaknesses.

We know how hard they are to find. In the Medvedev game.

We know how hard they are to find. In the Medvedev game.

He's so solid, he's so relentless from the back of the court. But when we take a look at his ability to win points and behind his second serve, it is not a strength of his game. And it is an area that Janick Sinner exploited tonight, exploited in the final of the Australian Open, and has exploited in fact six of the last seven times these two gentlemen have played, it's gone in Sinner's favor. So whilst it overall might be seven to six in Medvedev's favor, the recent matchups in this series, in this exchange between these two, it's been one way traffic really, with the exception of the Wimbledon matchup, it's been six to one to center in their recent matchups.

He's so solid, he's so relentless from the back of the court. But when we take a look at his ability to win points and behind his second serve, it is not a strength of his game. And it is an area that Janick Sinner exploited tonight, exploited in the final of the Australian Open, and has exploited in fact six of the last seven times these two gentlemen have played, it's gone in Sinner's favor. So whilst it overall might be seven to six in Medvedev's favor, the recent matchups in this series, in this exchange between these two, it's been one way traffic really, with the exception of the Wimbledon matchup, it's been six to one to center in their recent matchups.

All right, So take us for a closer look, because in that Australian Open final, Medvedev came steaming out of the blocks, taking the first two sets and then eventually going down in five. As he tied into the match. Today, Sinner took the first set, Medvedev took the second, and it was back in the Italians favor. To see out the match.

All right, So take us for a closer look, because in that Australian Open final, Medvedev came steaming out of the blocks, taking the first two sets and then eventually going down in five. As he tied into the match. Today, Sinner took the first set, Medvedev took the second, and it was back in the Italians favor. To see out the match.

Yeah, well, I think it's a great point you make in terms of the way he fired out of the blocks in that Australian Open final Neil mivdive. It's not a strength of his game, is the work that he does and behind his second serve it is an area that he's gettable. And so if you go and you look at that Australian match and its entirety, what did he doing behind his second serve against Cinne, Well, he won forty five percent of those points. Then we fast forward for tonight, So let's take a look at the macro view overall. First of all, forty two percent of his second serve points tonight. So in that Australian Open final, though you mentioned he came rifling out of the blox, he sure did. In set one he served at eighty six percent from a first serve percentage perspective. So that just simply means, well, Cinner doesn't get a look at the second serve. There's no damage to be done because there's no second serves available to take full toll of. But tonight it was really different. So in set one, Tonight comes out and in the first set he serves at forty six percent to Neil Medvedev. It's almost just over exactly, and he wins thirty one percent of those second serve return points. Then let's go to the third set, because this is really where the gap in the match was sets one and three. It was one way traffic. He serves at fifty four percent, and that's just not going to get it done again against Sinner because he only wins thirty six percent of those second serve points. So how does Sinna do it? Well, it's time to make a statement. He decides tonight tactically that any look he gets at the Daniil Nevadev second serve, he's going to make a statement. So there is not a single second serve return tonight in the match that Sinner takes from behind the baseline.

Yeah, well, I think it's a great point you make in terms of the way he fired out of the blocks in that Australian Open final Neil mivdive. It's not a strength of his game, is the work that he does and behind his second serve it is an area that he's gettable. And so if you go and you look at that Australian match and its entirety, what did he doing behind his second serve against Cinne, Well, he won forty five percent of those points. Then we fast forward for tonight, So let's take a look at the macro view overall. First of all, forty two percent of his second serve points tonight. So in that Australian Open final, though you mentioned he came rifling out of the blox, he sure did. In set one he served at eighty six percent from a first serve percentage perspective. So that just simply means, well, Cinner doesn't get a look at the second serve. There's no damage to be done because there's no second serves available to take full toll of. But tonight it was really different. So in set one, Tonight comes out and in the first set he serves at forty six percent to Neil Medvedev. It's almost just over exactly, and he wins thirty one percent of those second serve return points. Then let's go to the third set, because this is really where the gap in the match was sets one and three. It was one way traffic. He serves at fifty four percent, and that's just not going to get it done again against Sinner because he only wins thirty six percent of those second serve points. So how does Sinna do it? Well, it's time to make a statement. He decides tonight tactically that any look he gets at the Daniil Nevadev second serve, he's going to make a statement. So there is not a single second serve return tonight in the match that Sinner takes from behind the baseline.

Wow.

Wow.

Every single time he.

Every single time he.

Gets a look at that second serve tonight of Danil Nevadev, he is on on top of or inside the baseline and he's saying to Daniil, here I come. Furthermore. The vast majority of those second serves he directs straight into the mevative backhand. It's a fantastic backhand. The nevative backhand. But what he's doing, Ciner is he's saying, I'm going to put you on defense straight away. I'm going to back you up into your backhand corner. I'm coming after your second serve. I'm going to be inside the baseline. And this match, anytime I get a look at your second serve, mate, this is going to be played on my terms. That's the message he sent all night long tonight, particularly and sets one and three, and that was the gap in the match.

Gets a look at that second serve tonight of Danil Nevadev, he is on on top of or inside the baseline and he's saying to Daniil, here I come. Furthermore. The vast majority of those second serves he directs straight into the mevative backhand. It's a fantastic backhand. The nevative backhand. But what he's doing, Ciner is he's saying, I'm going to put you on defense straight away. I'm going to back you up into your backhand corner. I'm coming after your second serve. I'm going to be inside the baseline. And this match, anytime I get a look at your second serve, mate, this is going to be played on my terms. That's the message he sent all night long tonight, particularly and sets one and three, and that was the gap in the match.

Even though he got the championship here in Melbourne, those first two sets would have been clearly in the front of his.

Even though he got the championship here in Melbourne, those first two sets would have been clearly in the front of his.

Mind, no question about it. And for Danil really I think to be competitive against Cinner. I mentioned the recent history between these two. So of the seven matchups, most recent matchups, it's six to one in Sinner's favor, the Wimbledon matchup being the exception to that recent rule. The Neil comes out and serves it, as I said, eighty six percent in the first set of that Australian Open final and and forces Sinner to come up with something really sets them back on his heels. I don't think it was the young or the approach from Mevedev that youngick Sinner was anticipating or was thinking that was going to a lot of other end Absolutely. The other thing that I think is prevalent now and is becoming more of a trend as we examined more of these matchups between these two. The Neil Mevedev, Let's face it, when he's returning serve. Now we know about the weapon that Sinner's got on his service game. When he's returning Serve, his one would, I think, is to be four and five and six meters behind the baseline. That's where he wants to be. But Sinner poses a really different challenge to him because he knows if I retreat to that extent, if I give up that much ground against this guy, his shot making and his weapons and his physicality is such that I'm just going to be running all night. So he's smart, Daniel. He knows straight away what Sinner forces him to do is he forces him to adopt a different approach on his own return game Danil. So tonight, more than half of the time you'll see Danil trying to return like Sinner does. He's up on top, on top of the baseline, tight to the baseline. So straight away, I think the matchups starting to go in Sinner's favor because even before they take to the court, he's forcing Medvedev to adopt a different tactical approach to what is I think his preferred methodology exactly exactly. And then if those first serve numbers and what did I say there were tonight and set one, Set one tonight, Danil Medvedev he serves at forty six percent, Set three he serves at fifty four percent. If he doesn't have an elite serving night against Jarni Center, I'm not sure he can get it done based on the baseline exchange. And so it proved tonight in the match.

Mind, no question about it. And for Danil really I think to be competitive against Cinner. I mentioned the recent history between these two. So of the seven matchups, most recent matchups, it's six to one in Sinner's favor, the Wimbledon matchup being the exception to that recent rule. The Neil comes out and serves it, as I said, eighty six percent in the first set of that Australian Open final and and forces Sinner to come up with something really sets them back on his heels. I don't think it was the young or the approach from Mevedev that youngick Sinner was anticipating or was thinking that was going to a lot of other end Absolutely. The other thing that I think is prevalent now and is becoming more of a trend as we examined more of these matchups between these two. The Neil Mevedev, Let's face it, when he's returning serve. Now we know about the weapon that Sinner's got on his service game. When he's returning Serve, his one would, I think, is to be four and five and six meters behind the baseline. That's where he wants to be. But Sinner poses a really different challenge to him because he knows if I retreat to that extent, if I give up that much ground against this guy, his shot making and his weapons and his physicality is such that I'm just going to be running all night. So he's smart, Daniel. He knows straight away what Sinner forces him to do is he forces him to adopt a different approach on his own return game Danil. So tonight, more than half of the time you'll see Danil trying to return like Sinner does. He's up on top, on top of the baseline, tight to the baseline. So straight away, I think the matchups starting to go in Sinner's favor because even before they take to the court, he's forcing Medvedev to adopt a different tactical approach to what is I think his preferred methodology exactly exactly. And then if those first serve numbers and what did I say there were tonight and set one, Set one tonight, Danil Medvedev he serves at forty six percent, Set three he serves at fifty four percent. If he doesn't have an elite serving night against Jarni Center, I'm not sure he can get it done based on the baseline exchange. And so it proved tonight in the match.

There you go.

There you go.

So Janick Sinner advances to play Jack Draper in the men's semi final. A very quick preview, Well, I think of obviously a really different challenge for Youick Sinner, with the lefty factor and Draper and the entire nation of Great Britain riding in behind.

So Janick Sinner advances to play Jack Draper in the men's semi final. A very quick preview, Well, I think of obviously a really different challenge for Youick Sinner, with the lefty factor and Draper and the entire nation of Great Britain riding in behind.

Him, that'll be certainly headline news over there. I think it's a different challenge. I think Draper is riding the crest of a wave. But gee, I think Draper will have to recover well and be at his absolute best to even make that competitive go five, and then you've got to be able to do it for five sets because those are the questions that Sinner's going to ask of you. So it's as tough a task as there is in the game, I think for Draper to get that to go the distance against Sinner.

Him, that'll be certainly headline news over there. I think it's a different challenge. I think Draper is riding the crest of a wave. But gee, I think Draper will have to recover well and be at his absolute best to even make that competitive go five, and then you've got to be able to do it for five sets because those are the questions that Sinner's going to ask of you. So it's as tough a task as there is in the game, I think for Draper to get that to go the distance against Sinner.

And then we were keeping an eye on the women's as well. At the start of this podcast, we told you that Pegoula took the first set. Well, she actually went on to win in straight six two six ' four over Igosh Fiontek, the top seed sent packing in the quarter finals.

And then we were keeping an eye on the women's as well. At the start of this podcast, we told you that Pegoula took the first set. Well, she actually went on to win in straight six two six ' four over Igosh Fiontek, the top seed sent packing in the quarter finals.

Yeah, and this was really about a you know, in some ways an uncharacteristic display I thought from swim on Tech in terms of the number of unforced eras and the slight panic that it looked like we saw from her from the back of the court, and really the dominance. We know about how great a returner Swontek is when she's at her best. Pagoula wins seventy seven percent of her first serve points tonight, so that element of breathing space in her service game. Really, anytime she landed the first serve, she's winning four out of five of those points. It's just not numbers that we typically see from the opposition of eager so and then I mentioned, you know, uncharacteristic unforced eras off, particularly the foehand side tonight, and we know about Pagoula's ball striking, and Pigoula, to her credit, still had to have the composure and the steely resolve if you like, to serve out that match at a set in five four, and was able to do so.

Yeah, and this was really about a you know, in some ways an uncharacteristic display I thought from swim on Tech in terms of the number of unforced eras and the slight panic that it looked like we saw from her from the back of the court, and really the dominance. We know about how great a returner Swontek is when she's at her best. Pagoula wins seventy seven percent of her first serve points tonight, so that element of breathing space in her service game. Really, anytime she landed the first serve, she's winning four out of five of those points. It's just not numbers that we typically see from the opposition of eager so and then I mentioned, you know, uncharacteristic unforced eras off, particularly the foehand side tonight, and we know about Pagoula's ball striking, and Pigoula, to her credit, still had to have the composure and the steely resolve if you like, to serve out that match at a set in five four, and was able to do so.

Earlier in the episode, you said, the winner of that's probably going to go on to win the thing. You're still sticking with it.

Earlier in the episode, you said, the winner of that's probably going to go on to win the thing. You're still sticking with it.

Well, I've been in team Pagoola all the way through, so I'm certainly not going to not going to jump off at this eleventh hour.

Well, I've been in team Pagoola all the way through, so I'm certainly not going to not going to jump off at this eleventh hour.

Yep, Let's ride her home for two more victories potentially.

Yep, Let's ride her home for two more victories potentially.

Raiser, thanks for jumping back in the studio.

Raiser, thanks for jumping back in the studio.

Thanks for having me back to regular.

Thanks for having me back to regular.

Programming over John So, as we approach the business end of the US Open, it's almost time for the semifinals and for the USA they're just one step away from contending for their first Men's Grand Slam winner in twenty one years. But before we get too far down that track, Taylor Fritz and Francis Tiafo have to battle it out for a spot in the final. Victoria Rudnikov has more.

Programming over John So, as we approach the business end of the US Open, it's almost time for the semifinals and for the USA they're just one step away from contending for their first Men's Grand Slam winner in twenty one years. But before we get too far down that track, Taylor Fritz and Francis Tiafo have to battle it out for a spot in the final. Victoria Rudnikov has more.

In what will be the most important match of their lives so far. Fritz and Tiafo are on the verge of new territory, a major championship decider that would.

In what will be the most important match of their lives so far. Fritz and Tiafo are on the verge of new territory, a major championship decider that would.

Be awesome for the fans as well as to be guaranteed that one of us is going to be gone in the finals.

Be awesome for the fans as well as to be guaranteed that one of us is going to be gone in the finals.

After falling short four times since Wimbledon twenty two, Fritz has finally been able to break through to the semis.

After falling short four times since Wimbledon twenty two, Fritz has finally been able to break through to the semis.

And a lot of my previous quarterfinals, I've come out like a little bit like nervous, but today I just felt really like good from the star ray to go. I mean, I came up with a lot of servers when I when I needed them, and you know, played some some big points well, and you know, super pumped to make it into my first semi.

And a lot of my previous quarterfinals, I've come out like a little bit like nervous, but today I just felt really like good from the star ray to go. I mean, I came up with a lot of servers when I when I needed them, and you know, played some some big points well, and you know, super pumped to make it into my first semi.

After falling short four times since Wimbledon twenty two, Fritz has finally been able to break through to the semis.

After falling short four times since Wimbledon twenty two, Fritz has finally been able to break through to the semis.

I've just been in this situation enough times. I think a question I got asked pretty much every time I lost in my quarterfinals was what's it going to take to go further. And the answer I gave was always, just keep putting myself in these situations and I'll become more comfortable in these situations and get better. And you know, that's that's definitely what happened.