Note from the founder (Matt):

New website, who dis? ‘The Racquet’ probably looks a bit different! But everything inside it is exactly the same as before: same shots of the day, same match reports, same stats, same contempt for Best-of-3 in slams, same GIFS of Benoit Paire RUINING inanimate objects etc etc. The time has come to release the paid version as we all get ready for, what looks like an absolutely epic, US Open. Today (Semi’s) and tomorrow’s (Final) TL;DR’s of Cincinnati coverage will be the last, free daily issues 😢. Going forward, the free subscription will get you: Weekly TL;DR recaps. If you choose this option you don’t need to do anything to keep getting them. The paid subscription ($5/month, discount below) will get you: Daily TL;DR recaps during all Slams, Masters 1000’s, ATP Finals (+ select 500’s like Queens/Halle).

Draw previews/breakdowns/predictions for the above tournaments (+ select 500’s).

Special editions (like the upcoming ‘Game, Set, Stats’ issue exploring which of the big 4 have gotten better since they turned 30, and why).

Weekly recaps for the smaller tournaments. To choose this option you can press/tap the subscribe button which should be below this note, and at the bottom of every issue. There is a pretty big initial discount made just for you early members. This won’t last very long. “What’s the plan for this longer term?” If enough people opt for the paid subscription, I’ll build out the following: The Racquet podcast, weekly YouTube videos, Twitch streams during tournaments, an iOS/Android app so you can get the issues delivered that way instead of email etc etc. But the focus behind the Recaps will always be priority No.1. I want to build this into an entertaining, ad-free, non-clickbait, stat and fact-based home for tennis coverage. So much sports news is just drama-hungry rubbish because the journalists/publications need to stand-out to get clicks. ‘The Racquet’ gets delivered straight to you, so there will never be a need for me to write incendiary, misleading information to get you in the door. I will strive to keep this honest, interesting, factual and as objective as possible. “What can I do to help?” This is the time to spread the word about ‘The Racquet’. So if you have any friends/family/mortal-enemies that like tennis, please tell them about it! Whether or not this whole thing survives (and becomes something bigger than just a newsletter) depends on people discovering, and signing up for it in the next month or so. Thank you all for reading the ‘Racquet’ coverage so far, as well as all the supportive comments/suggestions on Twitter/Reddit. If this doesn’t work out, it’s been a fun ride and I’ll always be thankful for your early support. Matt ✌️ Ready? Play.

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No Spoilers 🎥

If you don't want to see the results yet, and want to catch up with the highlights, stop scrolling now! Links (some may get removed):

Cilic 🎥 Djokovic

Federer 🎥 Goffin

Results 🎾

💥 = Beatdown \\ 🤕 = Injury \\ ‼️ = Upset

Djokovic d Cilic: 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Djokovic’s third 3-set match in 4 days. Djokovic’s third struggle in 4 days. Djokovic’s third win, while not playing his best, in 4 days. The passion and drive we have seen from him this week burns just as bright as in some of the Serb’s best years on tour. If anyone was worried that Wimbledon was just a fleeting moment of success, comeback-wise for Novak, this week should have firmly put those concerns aside.

An up and down, humid first set was a very good example of why Cilic is such a great player, and yet has a losing H2H of 2-15 against Djokovic. Marin created more break point chances than Novak (2 vs 1), served and returned better generally (it’s not often Cilic wins 73% of 2nd serve points, or 8/11, and still loses a set). And yet, Djokovic was the one converting his only break point to take a one set lead. Novak’s ability to dig out chances against an onslaught of offensive ability is unmatched, and was a source of constant frustration for Marin. Into set 2 and once again Cilic created more opportunities than his opponent (6 vs 3 break points), only this time he took them with aggressive groundstrokes dictating the play that Novak struggled to deal with. This was quite a scrappy set with Cilic going up the double break, only to give one break back, before serving out the set at the 2nd time of asking.

The decider saw some absurdly good returning from Novak make the difference, in the highest quality set either played today. There can’t be too many times Marin Cilic has landed 88% of his first serves, on a fast hard court, and only won 62% of those points. Djokovic kept managing to get returns back in play when it mattered, and whenever Marin missed a first serve he would go on to lose the point every time. Novak got the decisive break, for a 5*-4 lead, with a ludicrously good, line-licking forehand pass after getting yet another 1st serve return back in play. Novak’s mental strength and big point play was just too good today.

🎾

Federer d Goffin: 7-6(3), 1-1 Ret’d

Both players started well in an even first set that came alive at 5*-6 with Goffin serving to stay in it. Federer created 3 break points, one of which with an incredible cross-court flicked forehand. But each time he was put under pressure Goffin responded with brilliant offensive forehands to save the set. David’s ability to hold his groundstrokes until the last minute, making them particularly hard to read, is always a pleasure to see, especially under pressure like this. Into a tiebreak and Federer’s pace of shot and intensity went up a notch, drawing an early error from Goffin’s racquet to secure a double mini-break. Roger never relinquished the early breaks and cruised to a 1 set lead.

Into the 2nd and Goffin’s serve, which had been even more lightweight than usual throughout the match, looked like it was slowing further. The Belgian’s average speed for the match was 101mph on his 1st serve, which was more than 10mph slower than in his match vs Del Potro yesterday (112mph). Unfortunately this was due to a shoulder injury that had steadily gotten worse, forcing David to retire at 1-1 in the 2nd. Federer continued his week of good serving, landing 71% of his 1st serves, winning 75% of them as well as 69% of his 2nd serve points.

Shots Of The Day 😮

Perfect open stance backhand from Djokovic. Cleaning the line. Full Point

Djokovic with an outrageous pass to win the decisive break in the 3rd set. Full Point

Amazing defence from Novak and great composure from Cilic to calmly finish the point after so many chances to end it. Full Point

Amazing flick forehand from Federer to set up break point at the end of the 1st set. This was a very good approach from Goffin… Full Point

— Another Angle.

Interview & Press Best Bits 🎤

Djokovic post-win :

On-Court Interview (Video)

“Very different conditions today… Very humid, the court played faster, lots of unforced errors from both of us for a set and a half.”

“I didn’t take my chances in the 2nd.”

“The 3rd set was really good… I was happy with how I played (in that set).”

“I’m aware I need to raise my game for the final.”

“It’s gonna be tough (the final), it’s my 6th! Hopefully this time I can get the win.”

“We haven’t played each other for quite some time, which is unusual, because I’m used to playing Roger, over the course of almost 10 years, I have played him so many times. Played him the most after the rivalry with Nadal.” Source

Federer post-win:

“It’s like fresh, you know. It’s not like we have played in the last few weeks and everybody knows what to expect (vs Novak). ‘I mean, we know how we could look like, but we’re not quite sure, the fans, you guys, us, as well, to be honest.” Source

“A lot has happened since, you know, with injuries both of us have been fighting, and we both came back strong again. So I think that’s what’s nice about this time around with Novak in the match.” Source

“I did realize that he (Goffin) wasn’t serving very big, especially up the T. After he called the trainer, looking around and seeing his demeanor even on the return games, he looked unhappy.” Source

On-Court Interview (Video)

Schedule - Sunday ⏰

CINCINNATI FINAL 🏆

Federer vs Djokovic

Overall H2H: 22 - 23 📊 Hard Court H2H: 17 - 17 📊 Cincinnati H2H: 3 - 0

Prediction: Federer in 3.

Feel like Novak’s tougher & longer matches this week could make the difference, as well as Djokovic’s 2nd serve looking vulnerable at times in his previous matches. However if anyone is going beat Federer in Cincinnati, or be the first player to break his serve here since 2014, it’s the best returner in the game. Neither have found their best tennis this week. Hopefully both do tomorrow.

⏰ (NB 4pm Local, 9pm UK)

Extras & Stats 🔍📊🎤

Djokovic arguing with umpire Fergus Murphy about a time-violation, after the shot clock ran to zero just as he was starting his service motion: Video

“Out of respect to Goffin , I don’t want to answer that question to be honest”. Novak rightfully shutting down a silly question about facing Federer in the final before Fed and Goffin had even played their match: Video

“Don’t worry about it, it WILL be back”. A fan says sorry about Federer losing the RF logo on the hat they want signed. Video

The Federer vs Djokovic match tomorrow is their first encounter since the 2016 Australian Open.

Federer is going for his 99th career title.

Djokovic has never lots a semi-final in Cincinnati (6-0)

Djokovic is going for the unprecedented ‘Masters Sweep’ tomorrow (winning all 9 Masters 1000 events).

Federer has a 66% win rate in career finals.

Federer has won 100% of his Cincinnati finals (7/7). Djokovic 0% (0/5)

11 of their matches that have taken place in a final have been won by Djokovic, 6 by Federer.

Djokovic is already guaranteed to be at least 7th when the rankings come out next week. 6th if he wins tomorrow. He is 4th in the race and would move up to 3rd with the title.

LOL 😂

— TFW they give you Rafa’s sweaty towel. doublefault28

— Some say Marin is still on court to this day… (TennisTV)

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GAME, SET, MATCH 👋

— The Racquet is created, and written, by Matt.

— You can find me on Twitter here.

See you tomorrow for the Cincinnati Final Recap 🏆!