1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,147 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB Again Sport. 3 00:00:13,187 --> 00:00:16,467 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining US men's finals day at the ASB 4 00:00:16,627 --> 00:00:17,387 Speaker 2: Tennis Classic. 5 00:00:20,707 --> 00:00:26,347 Speaker 3: Mensik makes that one this time six the ASP Classic. 6 00:00:26,507 --> 00:00:31,547 Speaker 3: Third seed is through to the final and twenty twenty six. 7 00:00:33,387 --> 00:00:33,707 Speaker 1: Games. 8 00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:36,907 Speaker 2: Sebastian Bias. 9 00:00:39,187 --> 00:00:44,747 Speaker 3: Eventually makes his way through. He will meet Yaku Mensic 10 00:00:44,787 --> 00:00:48,907 Speaker 3: tomorrow here on set A court. He's through to the decider. 11 00:00:49,067 --> 00:00:51,067 Speaker 2: Here. There you go. Those are the semi finals yesterday. 12 00:00:51,187 --> 00:00:55,147 Speaker 2: Seventh seed at Argentinian Sebastian Bayers up against rising check 13 00:00:55,227 --> 00:00:58,947 Speaker 2: star the third seed Yakub Minshk in the decider. One 14 00:00:58,987 --> 00:01:02,547 Speaker 2: of our best players ever, Michael Venus. Among his many 15 00:01:02,587 --> 00:01:07,667 Speaker 2: achievements French opened doubles champion in twenty seventeen, Wimbledon doubles 16 00:01:07,707 --> 00:01:11,227 Speaker 2: finalist the year after that, and bronze medalist at the 17 00:01:11,387 --> 00:01:14,547 Speaker 2: twenty twenty one Olympics in Tokyo. He's been part of 18 00:01:14,547 --> 00:01:16,747 Speaker 2: the Sky Sport commentary team this week and he joins 19 00:01:16,827 --> 00:01:18,787 Speaker 2: us now. Michael, thanks for taking the time. This is 20 00:01:18,827 --> 00:01:23,427 Speaker 2: shaping as a pretty intriguing final. Can you compare and 21 00:01:23,547 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 2: contrast these two players for US? First of all. 22 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:30,507 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely Mensik. Obviously, he's one of the rising players 23 00:01:30,547 --> 00:01:33,267 Speaker 4: on the tour, the young guys. You know, he had 24 00:01:33,267 --> 00:01:36,587 Speaker 4: a great year last year, especially winning the ATP Masters 25 00:01:36,587 --> 00:01:40,667 Speaker 4: in Miami, and he's yeah, he's looked good this week. 26 00:01:40,667 --> 00:01:42,707 Speaker 4: You see how he plays. He's got a massive serve, 27 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:46,427 Speaker 4: a lot of firepower, moves well. And then contrasts he's 28 00:01:46,467 --> 00:01:51,867 Speaker 4: playing Sebastian Bays Argentinian. He moves very well, just an 29 00:01:51,907 --> 00:01:56,107 Speaker 4: all court player, does everything very effectively, and he's come 30 00:01:56,147 --> 00:01:59,707 Speaker 4: through some matches against some great players like Ben Shelton 31 00:01:59,747 --> 00:02:02,267 Speaker 4: this week in straight sets. He won that semi final 32 00:02:02,267 --> 00:02:04,627 Speaker 4: against Marcus Grin, who's had a great start to the year. 33 00:02:05,507 --> 00:02:08,347 Speaker 4: So I think it's gonna be some rarely entertaining points 34 00:02:08,347 --> 00:02:11,187 Speaker 4: today and two guys who are obviously full of confidence, 35 00:02:11,347 --> 00:02:13,267 Speaker 4: being in the final hair and looking to try and 36 00:02:13,307 --> 00:02:15,267 Speaker 4: lift this title before heading over to Ozzie Open. 37 00:02:15,507 --> 00:02:19,427 Speaker 2: Both of them had big days yesterday. Rain obviously threw 38 00:02:19,587 --> 00:02:21,827 Speaker 2: a bit of chaos into the schedule. They both finished 39 00:02:21,827 --> 00:02:25,707 Speaker 2: their quarter finals and played their semis yesterday. How big 40 00:02:25,707 --> 00:02:30,307 Speaker 2: a factor will such a big Friday have on today's action. 41 00:02:32,507 --> 00:02:35,387 Speaker 4: Yeah, I don't think too much physically, I think these 42 00:02:35,387 --> 00:02:38,707 Speaker 4: guys are in great condition. You know, they are prepared 43 00:02:38,707 --> 00:02:41,707 Speaker 4: to play best of five set matches next week and 44 00:02:41,827 --> 00:02:44,507 Speaker 4: some serious heat over there if it turns out like that. 45 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:47,827 Speaker 4: So I think it's more the mental side. I think 46 00:02:47,907 --> 00:02:50,347 Speaker 4: Thursday being such a long day with the rain, not 47 00:02:50,387 --> 00:02:55,027 Speaker 4: sure if you're getting on off they started stopped, so 48 00:02:55,067 --> 00:02:57,187 Speaker 4: it's just dealing with that, and then obviously the two 49 00:02:57,187 --> 00:02:59,947 Speaker 4: matches yesterday. Mentally, you go out there, you're not sure 50 00:02:59,947 --> 00:03:02,547 Speaker 4: how long that first match is going to be. You 51 00:03:02,627 --> 00:03:05,027 Speaker 4: play that and then you've got to reset quite quickly, 52 00:03:05,707 --> 00:03:07,867 Speaker 4: change the mind set for the next match, be prepared 53 00:03:07,867 --> 00:03:11,267 Speaker 4: for that, and then go again. So I think it's 54 00:03:11,267 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 4: more going to be a mental freshness that they'll be 55 00:03:14,347 --> 00:03:17,627 Speaker 4: looking for. I think physically there'll be no issues at 56 00:03:17,627 --> 00:03:17,947 Speaker 4: all there. 57 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:21,987 Speaker 2: Minsik is the third youngest finalist in Auckland this century, 58 00:03:22,107 --> 00:03:26,467 Speaker 2: only just turn twenty. What do you predict for his future? 59 00:03:29,347 --> 00:03:31,827 Speaker 4: Yeah, he looks like a lot of these young guys 60 00:03:31,827 --> 00:03:34,707 Speaker 4: in this next generation. They have so much firepower, but 61 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:38,227 Speaker 4: not only that, they all move so well. So it 62 00:03:38,387 --> 00:03:41,747 Speaker 4: just it's really hard to one start the point in 63 00:03:42,307 --> 00:03:46,067 Speaker 4: even a neutral position against those guys and then from there, 64 00:03:46,427 --> 00:03:48,827 Speaker 4: even if you're able to They're able to just defend 65 00:03:48,867 --> 00:03:50,587 Speaker 4: and make you even play even more balls, and you 66 00:03:50,667 --> 00:03:54,267 Speaker 4: have to play four good shots, you know, to finish 67 00:03:54,347 --> 00:03:57,667 Speaker 4: the point. So I think he's got a whole lot 68 00:03:57,707 --> 00:04:00,107 Speaker 4: of upside and you can see that with the results 69 00:04:00,147 --> 00:04:03,587 Speaker 4: he's already had. And you know, I wouldn't be surprised 70 00:04:03,827 --> 00:04:05,787 Speaker 4: in the next few years as he keeps developing and 71 00:04:05,827 --> 00:04:08,667 Speaker 4: improving to see him up in the top ten and 72 00:04:08,707 --> 00:04:11,027 Speaker 4: then from there, who knows what's possible. 73 00:04:11,347 --> 00:04:14,387 Speaker 2: We lost second seed in world number thirteen, Caspar Rude 74 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:16,947 Speaker 2: in the round of sixteen. It was only well, it 75 00:04:17,027 --> 00:04:19,627 Speaker 2: was his only match of the tournament after he had 76 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:23,227 Speaker 2: a first round by disappointing. What did you make of 77 00:04:23,347 --> 00:04:25,307 Speaker 2: Caspar Root's early exit. 78 00:04:28,027 --> 00:04:30,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean obviously Casper would be disappointed with that 79 00:04:31,027 --> 00:04:35,987 Speaker 4: result heading over to Australia. I think we've seen with 80 00:04:36,027 --> 00:04:39,667 Speaker 4: Casper he's obviously a great player. With his game style, 81 00:04:39,747 --> 00:04:42,827 Speaker 4: he tends to need a little bit more time so 82 00:04:42,867 --> 00:04:45,387 Speaker 4: he's able to really set up behind the ball and 83 00:04:45,507 --> 00:04:48,827 Speaker 4: use the spin that he has. Sometimes on these faster 84 00:04:48,947 --> 00:04:52,347 Speaker 4: courts like we have here, the ball just shoots through 85 00:04:52,387 --> 00:04:54,387 Speaker 4: a bit quicker and it's really hard to get behind 86 00:04:54,427 --> 00:04:58,707 Speaker 4: it and use that spin, and I think sometimes just 87 00:04:58,747 --> 00:05:03,987 Speaker 4: the conditions, it's really tough for a player of his 88 00:05:04,147 --> 00:05:08,507 Speaker 4: style to really get his teeth. 89 00:05:08,227 --> 00:05:09,467 Speaker 2: In it and do well. 90 00:05:09,507 --> 00:05:12,347 Speaker 4: And I think maybe if he could have got through 91 00:05:12,387 --> 00:05:15,947 Speaker 4: that first match, potentially maybe it could have built some 92 00:05:15,987 --> 00:05:18,707 Speaker 4: confidence that he could have found a way, but it seems, yeah, 93 00:05:18,827 --> 00:05:21,067 Speaker 4: just early on he struggled a little bit here. 94 00:05:21,707 --> 00:05:24,027 Speaker 2: What have you made of the overall standard of the tournament, 95 00:05:24,067 --> 00:05:25,747 Speaker 2: the means tournament this year, Michael. 96 00:05:27,547 --> 00:05:31,107 Speaker 4: Yeah, obviously there's been some big names here. You know, 97 00:05:31,187 --> 00:05:35,387 Speaker 4: having Ben Shelton back, he's great player. You have Monfe's 98 00:05:35,547 --> 00:05:38,947 Speaker 4: back for you know, his last year on tour. So yeah, 99 00:05:38,987 --> 00:05:41,827 Speaker 4: there's been some really exciting players, some different players. Petty 100 00:05:41,867 --> 00:05:44,827 Speaker 4: Pericard one of the biggest serves on tour. And then 101 00:05:44,867 --> 00:05:47,987 Speaker 4: you've got a bunch of guys who you know moving 102 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:51,867 Speaker 4: wild Bays. You know, Casper has a different style. If 103 00:05:51,867 --> 00:05:55,347 Speaker 4: he had played a little bit better or got through 104 00:05:55,387 --> 00:05:58,267 Speaker 4: some matches, that would have provided some good contrast also, 105 00:05:59,787 --> 00:06:01,227 Speaker 4: and then you see some guys who have come through 106 00:06:01,307 --> 00:06:03,147 Speaker 4: qualifying and done well. I think it just shows the 107 00:06:03,227 --> 00:06:07,067 Speaker 4: level of the ATP, how deep it goes and how 108 00:06:07,307 --> 00:06:09,747 Speaker 4: it really depends on the day how guys are feeling 109 00:06:09,747 --> 00:06:12,667 Speaker 4: in that, but there's so little in these matches anyone 110 00:06:12,707 --> 00:06:15,387 Speaker 4: can win, and it's I think it's a great sign 111 00:06:15,427 --> 00:06:15,867 Speaker 4: for tennis. 112 00:06:16,267 --> 00:06:18,147 Speaker 2: Just quick look ahead to the Aussie Open over the 113 00:06:18,187 --> 00:06:21,027 Speaker 2: next fortnight. It feels like in the mean singles, we're 114 00:06:21,027 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 2: on track for another installment of Carlos Alcarez Againstjanick Cinner. 115 00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:27,187 Speaker 2: Does that feel like the most likely outcome in a 116 00:06:27,227 --> 00:06:28,307 Speaker 2: fortnight or so from now? 117 00:06:30,787 --> 00:06:32,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. I think it's really hard to 118 00:06:34,027 --> 00:06:38,507 Speaker 4: look past those guys, just how dominant I've been, and 119 00:06:38,587 --> 00:06:42,187 Speaker 4: again it's just the quality of ball striking off both sides, 120 00:06:43,387 --> 00:06:45,787 Speaker 4: backed up by their movement. It just seems like to 121 00:06:45,827 --> 00:06:48,307 Speaker 4: get past them and just to even when the point 122 00:06:48,307 --> 00:06:50,987 Speaker 4: that guys are having to work so hard, and then 123 00:06:50,987 --> 00:06:53,587 Speaker 4: the thought of having to do that consistently over five 124 00:06:53,707 --> 00:06:56,387 Speaker 4: sets to beat those guys, I just find it hard 125 00:06:56,387 --> 00:07:00,747 Speaker 4: to see anyone being able to do that. But that's 126 00:07:00,787 --> 00:07:03,027 Speaker 4: the beauty of sport. You never know what's going to happen, 127 00:07:03,067 --> 00:07:06,027 Speaker 4: and let's see if something changes over there. But if 128 00:07:06,027 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 4: it does, I'm sure that would be an unbelievable final. 129 00:07:08,587 --> 00:07:13,347 Speaker 2: Yeah, another in another installment in the burgeoning rivalry. All right, Michael, 130 00:07:13,387 --> 00:07:16,187 Speaker 2: to finish Bayers Menshick. I don't think they've ever played 131 00:07:16,187 --> 00:07:18,707 Speaker 2: one another, so we've got no frame of reference. Who 132 00:07:18,747 --> 00:07:19,747 Speaker 2: have you got this afternoon? 133 00:07:22,307 --> 00:07:23,947 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think it's going to be a tight match. 134 00:07:23,987 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 4: But after seeing Bayers play yesterday how he dispatched Ben Shelton, 135 00:07:30,627 --> 00:07:33,027 Speaker 4: big servant and he was able to get into points 136 00:07:33,067 --> 00:07:36,467 Speaker 4: and win that match in straight sets. And then also 137 00:07:36,507 --> 00:07:39,067 Speaker 4: seeing how well he played in the afternoon about against 138 00:07:39,547 --> 00:07:43,027 Speaker 4: Marcus Garon, I think if he brings that level today, 139 00:07:43,107 --> 00:07:45,187 Speaker 4: I see him lifting that title here. 140 00:07:45,547 --> 00:07:48,347 Speaker 2: I've really enjoyed your coverage on Sky across the tournament. Michael, 141 00:07:48,347 --> 00:07:50,547 Speaker 2: thanks for joining us with your analysis this afternoon. Really 142 00:07:50,587 --> 00:07:51,227 Speaker 2: appreciate it. 143 00:07:51,587 --> 00:07:52,827 Speaker 4: Thanks mate, Have we go on You have a. 144 00:07:52,787 --> 00:07:55,587 Speaker 2: Good one too, Michael Venus one of the Sky Sport 145 00:07:55,667 --> 00:07:59,147 Speaker 2: commentary team of the ASB Classics, So we'll keep eyes 146 00:07:59,187 --> 00:08:02,907 Speaker 2: on Sebastian Bayers against at Yakuba Mensick in the final 147 00:08:03,067 --> 00:08:04,907 Speaker 2: Oussie Open starts tomorrow. 148 00:08:05,867 --> 00:08:09,027 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 149 00:08:09,147 --> 00:08:12,427 Speaker 1: to news Talks at B Weekends from midday or follow 150 00:08:12,507 --> 00:08:14,067 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.