AO 2026 : Men's SF

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

It is the top 4 seeds  still standing.

Carlos vs Zverev

Nole vs Sinner

A little nervous for Carlos, I hope he comes with a good game plan that starts with staying away from Zverev's BH. Make it simple Carlos, don't complicate things.

[fedexpress06]

Zverev will have Fed's shotmaking, Rafa's tenacity, Novak's flexibility, and Pete's serve ready for Carlos.  Can't stand that fucker/twat. 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Exactly Fedex. He probably got up at midnight for this one.

[Miss_Vee]

I wouldn’t worry about Zverev beating Carlos, because the former will slip back into his comfortable position beyond the baseline in this upcoming match.  Zverev will try to make the change to be more aggressive, but I think Carlos has made changes also.  I see Carlos moving through to the final.

[sugarplum876]

Carlos got this, another late night for us .

[Miss_Vee]

Are we ready Lords, Ladies and gentlemen!  You can tell that I have been influenced by Britain….lol.  I’m not going to be able to stay awake tonight, so will not be watching Sinner/Djokovic.

[Miss_Vee]

Why is everyone so quiet?!🙄.  Carlos has taken the first set,,as Zverev was being so careful not to screw up…but he did just that.  Now Zverev has 3 break points on Carlos’ game in the second set.  Can Carlos get out of this one?

[Miss_Vee]

Zverev breaks!

[Miss_Vee]

Carlos broke back as Zverev was serving for the second set.  They are now in a tiebreak….lol.  If Carlos doesn’t win this math in straight sets, and it goes the full distance, it will not be finished by 7:30 pm, when Sinner/Djokovic match is scheduled to begin.

[Miss_Vee]

Carlos seemed to have issues with cramps in the 3rd set….not sure, because I had stopped watching the match. Fell asleep. Now Zverev won the 3rd and 4th set in tiebreaks.  5th set just started with Carlos serving.

[Miss_Vee]

Omigod!  Carlos had game point, and Zverev pegged him back to deuce.  Carlos lost serve by DF.  

[Miss_Vee]

Zverev leads by a break of serve, leading 3-2.  This has turned out to be a knock down drag out fight.

[Miss_Vee]

Alcaraz pulled it out!  I did not watch consistently, but it seemed that Zverev either choked when he served for the match, or he simply ran out of energy in the last few minutes, because he lost the last 3 games.

[Miss_Vee]

Carlos fell on his back….lol.  I think Carlos wins this championship on Sunday!

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I fell asleep after the first set, woke up at the beginning of the fifth set, Zverev was up a break the whole time until it 5-4 when he was serving for the match.

Apparently Carlos cramped in the 3rd set and received treatment. Zverev started shouting at the umpire that they always give Sinner and carlos special treatment.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Sinner-Nole about to start. Can Nole surprise us?

[Miss_Vee]

From all accounts on ESPN, Zverev didn’t choke.  Carlos raised his level at that moment, and in Zverev’s post match presser he admitted that that he couldn’t push off to serve well.  His legs were done….lol.  Took 5 hrs 27 mins to finish the match.  It’s an epic.  My PVR was set, that’s why I didn’t watch consistently.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Miss_Vee, Carlos knew Zverev would not close it out. Go back and watch him as the 5th set progresses, you could tell he was getting tight.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Novak, slow start.

[Miss_Vee]

lol Sek.  I will re-watch it, but that was my first thought about Zverev.  I had figured that he choked.  What a weak mentality.  Whatever, he provided Carlos a great match.  Hopefully Carlos will recover by Sunday.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Blake needs to shut up. He is giving an essay for each point played.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I am pulling for Novak to grab at least 1 set, but it is doesn't look like he will. 

[Miss_Vee]

No way I’m pulling for Novak. His time is up, and he has been a tremendous champion.  I want to see another Sincaraz final.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Novak can not upset Sinner, I am just looking for him to grab a set and make it competitive but right now he is not doing anything special to bother Sinner.

[Miss_Vee]

Um, Sinner was broken.  Bet he will try to get the break back.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Alright Nole, I see you. Sinner became a little passive in the set.

Sinner needs to get back to his game and boss Nole around.

[Miss_Vee]

I know Sek.  Novak is serving very well.  Sinner needs to run him ragged, take his legs out.

[sugarplum876]

I have no nails left, finally took a little nap .carlos I knew it was going to be a little battle but wasn’t expecting this, anyways .carlos I need a mani thank you.

On Friday, January 30, 2026 at 6:50:40 AM UTC-5 Sekasi_ChangeIsComing wrote:

[sugarplum876]

So Missvee tell me why is Sasha mad at Carlos, do you think he was right for being upset at Carlos taking the “ cramp” time out?

[Miss_Vee]

Oh dearie me, sugar.  You cannot let that happen…lol.  I used to be like that over Venus and Roger.  I now get nervous for Rybakina…..used to be Osaka, but I can watch a little at times.

I’m having the sense that Sinner seems vulnerable in this match vs Nole.  Hmm…

On Friday, January 30, 2026 at 7:06:09 AM UTC-5 sugarplum876 wrote:

[Miss_Vee]

Sugar I really don’t know the full story, because I had fallen asleep somewhere between the first and second set.  Woke up in the third set, to see Carlos having some issues.  Then I saw a small video clip of what had occurred minutes before.  It seems as if Carlos thought that he was injured and sat down at a changeover. Then it turned to be cramps. I heard the commentators say that Sasha was right to be upset.  I don’t know the full story.  Will check it out.

[Miss_Vee]

Carlos thought he had an injury….thought maybe the adductor.  That’s what I just from his lips.  Zverev thought that Carlos was cramping, and that’s what it seemed to be at the time.  He was guzzling pickle juice and received treatment on his thigh muscles.  Zverev was pissed and said that players cannot be treated for cramps if it wasn’t a changeover.  Zverev is correct.

However during his post match presser, he declined anymore discussion on the topic, choosing to have the match be treated for what it was…a great match.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Alright Miss_Vee, don't blame for this match going 5, I only said wanted Nole to win 1 set to make it competitve. What is going on with Sinner?

[sugarplum876]

Yea Missvee I watched the match, but what’s your opinion, I love my Carlos and don’t like Sasha much, I like his tennis not the person, but I think he had the right to be upset.

[Miss_Vee]

I don’t know, but Jannik Sinner isn’t sharp, and he has reverted to being predictable in this match with Novak.  However Novak has fresher legs and seems to be up to this task.  Jannie must hold his serve now.  He cannot get broken out of the gate, because Novak is determined to get to this final.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Sugar, Sascha had the right to be upset. That being said, reports show Carlos could barely move for 2 sets and was throwing up, but both sets went to TBs. Why didn't Sascha step up and quickly win those sets? 

He was up a break in the 5th right from the start but could not close it out. I started watching at the beginning of the 5th set when Sascha was up a break, but it was Carlos pumping himself up, Sascha was more worried about losing, his body language was clear to Carlos.

[Miss_Vee]

Jannik has to believe as Carlos did that he will win this match.  Jannik hadn't been truly tested either, except for the day he had cramps, and maybe this is the reason that Jannik isn’t as sharp, because it takes a long time to truly recover.  So he may not be at his peak level.

[sugarplum876]

Sek, I completely agree with you, just wanted to hear other opinions, he is chomp ,could not closed the match even when Carlos was literally falling apart.

[sugarplum876]

Novak is playing light out, but he old now lol .

[Miss_Vee]

Jannik has flubbed so many breakpoints, and I hope that he keeps the faith.  It’s obvious Novak is not serving as well as in the 4th set, so Jannik has to take these opportunities when they arrive on his raxquet.  

On Friday, January 30, 2026 at 8:51:13 AM UTC-5 sugarplum876 wrote:

[nadals]

Never thought I’d find myself rooting for Djokovic, but here I am…

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

I am staying away, this is working my nerves more than the Carlos match. Will Nole choke for once?

[Miss_Vee]

lol nadals.  Well, I said Alcaraz will win this one.  So we shall see now.

[sugarplum876]

He shut me up 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

A big earthquake down under. I cannot believe.  

Carlos has no excuse, Sinner was a bigger threat IMO.

[nadals]

Sinner will always be a doper in my eyes. Glad the Djoker sent him packing. 

[sugarplum876]

Nadals ,exactly!

[sugarplum876]

I hear the the temperature is going to be pretty nice for the finals the cooler that is has been. Sinner missed his chance 😁

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

But final is at night isn't it?

Word on the street is Sinner was under the weather. Nole earned the win. Grandpa Nole.

Sugar and nadals, let's agree on one thing, Sinner is not a doper. 

[sugarplum876]

Sek what is he? An incidental one?

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

It was a member of his team who i believe he got rid of.

My initial observation was Darren's name has been linked to more than 1 top player dopping. 

But I moved on. The player I would put a question mark on is Iga. She has not been the same since her issue came up.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

So I’m done with this AO don’t care who wins tennis can be such a letdowns sometimes smh 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Bianca, we have to get Carlos over the finish line. Please send all the positive energy his way. 

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Sek the jig is  up….Novak and his chemist have a new undetectable energy drink to keep up with these younger  guys in the later stages of slams ….he will out be denied

[Notorious S.T.A.R.]

SMH

Djokovic falls into the easy draw of the top 4 seeds.

I think pretty much all his matches were night matches, so he never had to deal with the heat.
Gets a 4th round walkover.
Getting his butt kicked in the QFs, still advances due to injury.

As such, has less milage on his legs when facing Sinner (who is rumored to be under the weather).

Carlos it is all up to you now.

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Here is Nole trash talking Sinner: "He had won the last five matches against me. He had my mobile number, so I had to change my number for tonight."

lol. Carlos needs to save tennis, he can not lose to this guy again.

[sugarplum876]

Sek, I don’t think I will watch the match, it would be an incredible thing if  grandpa Novak wins it, but we have seen stranger things happening, like sports betting messing lots of people up. 

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

I wouldn’t watch it Sugar who needs to watch Novak celebrate and showboat what en he pulls this off 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

Sugar and Bianca, are you saying the match is on Nole racket?

[Notorious S.T.A.R.]

Sek wrote: " Sugar and Bianca, are you saying the match is on Nole racket? "

-----

I wasn't asked, but I would say that it just looks like everything is falling in his favorite

[sugarplum876]

Bianca, I won’t watch.

Sek ,is definitely in Carlos racket but which Carlos are we going to get? Tye wam free spirited one of the one who shows too much respect to Novak? That’s my only concern .if Carlos plays his game he got this.

[sugarplum876]

On*

[Miss_Vee]

Sek, as I had mentioned before, I think Sinner was slightly off.  Even in his quarter final match, I remember one if the commentators saying something about Sinner looking slightly green…lol.  They were posing the question of how well Sinner had recovered from the cramps in the 3rd round etc.  He was having full body cramps.  I’m telling you that both Carlos and Sinner needed to be in Australia 2 weeks before AO.  Carlos experienced cramps badly last night also, and vomited a couple of times in his towel last night, during that gruelling match.  Fed, Nadal, and those generation of players were always or usually in Australia 10-14 days ahead of AO.  These entitled young men, think they don’t have to play lead up tournaments, or even good exos.

Given these circumstances, if Carlos hasn’t fully recovered by Sunday night….Nole will lift that championship trophy.  I will not be watching that match either.

[realtennist...@gmail.com]

Seek I just don’t like the vibe I had the same about Amanda vs Pegula something just doesn’t feel right ….Nole wants that slam and Carlos &Sinner are drinking the kool-Aid and believing the media hype that they are the next Nadal/Roger is a perfect storm for a disaster 

[Sekasi_ChangeIsComing]

As many times as Carlos has lost to Nole, I think he knows to come on court expecting a battle. 

The only thing that can get in his way is cramping mainly die to nerves. It is a big moment for him to complete the career GS. 

Nole has no pressure, win or lose, all this is bonus for him. He said it was very important for him to beat Sinner and also get back to a GS final. 

Pressure is on Carlos, so hopefully he is able to contain that.