The finals at the 2020 US Open were a real tonic for all those who missed tennis through the break this year. All four participants contributed so much to the drama and Naomi Osaka & Dominic Thiem were worthy champions. The Last Word On Tennis team of host Andy Watson, Damian Kust, Ryan Schick & debutant Elias Laradi felt compelled to come together to discuss the finals but also look ahead to the Italian Open this week.
Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Azarenka
The team discuss Azarenka’s fast start and how a match so one-sided can turn around so quickly. Osaka’s improved maturity is also commented upon along with Azarenka’s return. Elias and Damian disagree about where Osaka could go from here in terms of what she can go on to achieve in her career.
Dominic Thiem vs Alexander Zverev
We knew from the second that Djokovic was defaulted that we would see a new Grand Slam champion. This final certainly served up some serious drama. Neither man seemed to want to grasp the initiative towards the end of the match. There had seemed little chance of the Austrian winning his maiden Grand Slam title in his fourth final, but the team talk about how Thiem came back from two sets down. Damian suggests that the defeat won’t affect the German too badly in future, however.
The transition from hard to clay
We ask the experiences of former tennis player Elias about moving from hard to clay. Damian gives his European perspective on persevering the clay and grass seasons. Ryan is asked if tennis takes a massive run and hide on US TV when the tennis is mainly European clay.
Italian Open Preview & Predictions
With Nadal & Djokovic back in the main draw, on different sides of the draw, the team find it difficult to predict anything other than the top two in the final. As usual, the women’s draw is more open. The added interest of many players who didn’t compete in the US Open returning is also a talking point.
The team finish off by answering the special Last Word On Tennis Podcast quiz question too. This time the topic is around US and French Open winners. Let us know how you do in the comment section!
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Main photo image from Getty.
