The Olympics will be set up more like a Masters 1000 event than like a Grand Slam. Because there will be less players but with higher rankings, and best of three sets, not five, for a victory.
It will be odd to watch Men's tennis at Wimbledon be decided in best of three sets. But the result will be more exciting tennis matches and a less predictable tournament. Less of a fitness match and more pure Poundtown.
The best of five sets that is used in the four major tennis tournaments is designed for the all-around better player to survive. Winning three sets off a superior opponent is extremely difficult. Best of three matches can get away very quickly. You go down and set and a quick break, next thing you know you're off court and going home in under an hour. Best of five gives good players time to get knocked down once, regather, and raise their level. Best of three doesn't.
Will Roger Federer be able to translate his best of five success at Wimbledon to best of three success on the same surface at the Olympics? One legitimate criticism of post-age 30 Roger Federer is that he doesn't start matches as well, and ends up quickly behind more often than he used to. However, Federer's recent record at Master 1000 events indicates no struggles in adapting to the best of three format. In fact, he has won more best of three formatted tournaments in the past three years than Grand Slams.
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