OT: Pro Tennis Thread

[10spro]

Wow, Djoko is having that psychological edge now for sure on Federer. Too many unforced errors when it mattered most for the Swiss and you could tell that the Joker had an inner confidence in him even when he was down. He's officially taken Fed for the #2 spot now.

Different story for Nadal-Del Potro, the Spaniard was solid and came through with some incredible passing shots. The Argie didn't play badly, he was simply playing against the best in the business.

[rhymes450]

Wow, Djoko is having that psychological edge now for sure on Federer. Too many unforced errors when it mattered most for the Swiss and you could tell that the Joker had an inner confidence in him even when he was down. He's officially taken Fed for the #2 spot now.

Different story for Nadal-Del Potro, the Spaniard was solid and came through with some incredible passing shots. The Argie didn't play badly, he was simply playing against the best in the business.

Pretty good synopsis of the 2 matches. Djoko's in the form of his life, but Fed showed enough to prove to me at least that he's still in the mix.
Delpo's comeback is really on track, which is great to see but he probably needs a few more weeks or months to withstand the kind of intensity Nadal unleashed yesterday, after a poor start.

Almost ready to go for what should be a very good final. Djoko's recent form has proved too much for both Murray and Fed in 2011. Be interesting to see if Rafa can take the wind out of his sails.

[10spro]

Beating the #1 and #2 players in the world is no easy feat and Djoko is playing with such aplomb that he knows he can reach where Nadal and Federer have been. He had a break point against him in the second set where the Spaniard could have served for a 5-5 tie but the Serbian held in tight.

Don't know what happened to Nadal's serve in the last set as he was playing rather well. A lot of amazing rallies in this final, the joker is playing the best tennis of hs life and is still unbeaten this season.

[rhymes450]

Very significant in that it was Djoko's first three-set win over Rafa and first victory over him in a final of any kind. The way he managed to turn the match around at the beginning of the 2nd set was something you wouldn't have backed him to do in the past so I guess something has clicked psychologically. Nadal's first serve completely abandoned him just when it looked as if he might be in a position to kill the match off. On to Miami...surely Djoko can't win these two tournaments back-to-back. Has that ever been done I wonder?

[rhymes450]

Turns out that winning back-to-back at Indian Wells and Miami is pretty easy

5 players have done it since Courier in 1991.

Even if Djoko wins the Australian Open-Indian Wells-Miami "triple", he'd share that achievement with Sampras (94), Agassi (2001) and Federer (2006).

[10spro]

Watched 2 third round matches at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The afternoon match between Del Potro and Soderling was the match to watch and Delpo showed flashes of his US Open win a couple of years ago as he just destroyed the #4 ranked in the world. Robin is no slouch of course but Delpo was hitting winners out of his a$$, served admirably and if he can continue playing like this, I would not be surprised if he makes it to semis.

The night match saw Djokovic toy with Blake as he played an almost flawless game against the American. Always knew that he had a solid backhand but his most improved stroke so far has to be that rolling forehand that's hit with such an angle that's very difficult to return.

He looks very sharp so far this year.

[rhymes450]

Watched 2 third round matches at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The afternoon match between Del Potro and Soderling was the match to watch and Delpo showed flashes of his US Open win a couple of years ago as he just destroyed the #4 ranked in the world. Robin is no slouch of course but Delpo was hitting winners out of his a$$, served admirably and if he can continue playing like this, I would not be surprised if he makes it to semis.

The night match saw Djokovic toy with Blake as he played an almost flawless game against the American. Always knew that he had a solid backhand but his most improved stroke so far has to be that rolling forehand that's hit with such an angle that's very difficult to return.

He looks very sharp so far this year.

I caught the Delpo V Soderling match from 4-1 in the 1st. Delpo was pretty much all over the Swede, who had a nightmare match on the backhand wing. Next up for Del Potro is Mardy Fish. I like Fish as a player but I doubt he can stop Delpo in this mood.

Djoko is on fire and I agree about that angled topspin forehand. Generally, I think he's hitting his forehand from the forehand side much better than in the past

[rhymes450]

Federer v Simon Miami QF coming up at about 21.00 central european time, which I think is around 3 in the afternoon in Miami. Snowed under with work but might try somehow to steal time to see at least some of this. Their 3 matches to date have all been very entertaining with their diametrically opposed styles. Nadal v Berdych starts 3 hours later (I think).

[rhymes450]

Some days, you just can't beat tennis for sporting drama and today was one of those. Epic Miami final. (no spoilers from me...just in case)

[10spro]

Well Federer tried, but just couldn't solve Rafa on clay in Madrid. I thought he brought enough game to pull the upset but ultimately the Spaniard's strong mental game and incredible passing shots were too much for the Swiss player. Key point of the match was in the third set when Fed was serving to tie the game 2-2 and played a drop shot but the incredible 'garra' and speed of Rafa not only got to it but pulled another amazing angle drop shot of his own to stun Roger. Federer was never the same player since that point.

If Djokovic advances to the finals and there's no indication this year why he shouldn't, it should be a great match up with Nadal.

[rhymes450]

In the space of a few months, Djokovic has turned the tennis world on its head. Federer had reacted to Nadal's 2010 triple-slam salvo with a win in the World Tour finals and most fans were keen to see if he could challenge Rafa for the top spot in 2011...but obviously not on clay...nobody could touch Nadal on clay or so most people thought, including me. This is going to be the most interesting French Open in years. Even Murray, by coming nearer than anybody to breaking Djoko's run and taking a set off Nadal in Monte Carlo, has shown that he's learnt a few clay-court tricks and can challenge the best. Can't wait for this one.

[10spro]

Rhymes, I am giving Djokovic the #1 spot. If not he's pretty damn close to it. He beat Nadal in all four finals this year and the last two events on the Spaniard's favorite surface. Clay. He's about to beat Mac's record of 42 consecutive wins without a loss and he's in 'Fuego'.

Very solid, strong groundstrokes and more importantly his mental game is as good as it has ever been. Great season by the Serbian.

[rhymes450]

The RG semi-final line-up couldn't be better. Rafa, having started in relatively poor form, played a lot better against Soderling. Have to fancy him against Murray, who's been the revelation on clay this year.

The other semi is even more interesting IMO. The last player to beat Djoko was Federer and I think his game matches up better to Djoko's than Nadal's does. Guess Djokovic will try to make Fed play as many backhands as possible and Fed will be looking to impose his forehand on the proceedings.

Two immense battles in prospect.

On the women's side, I haven't seen all that much but my impression is that the two most complete players in terms of variety and court-coverage have reached the final.

[10spro]

The RG semi-final line-up couldn't be better. Rafa, having started in relatively poor form, played a lot better against Soderling. Have to fancy him against Murray, who's been the revelation on clay this year.

The other semi is even more interesting IMO. The last player to beat Djoko was Federer and I think his game matches up better to Djoko's than Nadal's does. Guess Djokovic will try to make Fed play as many backhands as possible and Fed will be looking to impose his forehand on the proceedings.

Two immense battles in prospect.

On the women's side, I haven't seen all that much but my impression is that the two most complete players in terms of variety and court-coverage have reached the final.

If there's a guy that may just cut the unbelievable run that Djokovic is having is the Federer. He's been so solid on Clay the past 10 days, don't think he's lost a set yet and look sharp. But I am sure that the Serbian has other things in his mind. He's been playing as if he's best in the world as I posted before, and in my mind he already is regardless of what happens this weekend.
Nadal got a huge wake up call in the second round when he almost lost in 5 sets and hasn't looked back since then. he should be able to handle Murray.

Sharapova should win the women's side with the top 4 gone already, but Li Na is a fighter, she may surprise a few people.

[sportdan30]

When is the Federer match? Would love to watch it live.

[10spro]

When is the Federer match? Would love to watch it live.

As I post this, he's up 2 sets to 1. Going into 4th set.

[sportdan30]

When is the Federer match? Would love to watch it live.

As I post this, he's up 2 sets to 1. Going into 4th set.

Ahh well. I guess I'll catch the final. Should be a great match either way.

[10spro]

I got up early to watch Nadal-Federer. It's the French Open finals, a beauty so far.

[Rodster]

One helluva finals today, the best two are slugging it out. Just when you would think Roger was dominate then Nadal fires back. This is like a heavyweight fight

[10spro]

The weather decided to give Federer a break because Nadal definitely isn't. The Spaniard is one tough dude on clay. Federer looked so good in the first set where he was hitting winners out if his arse until Nadal started hitting higher and heavier balls and the Swiss started to miss more.

[rhymes450]

Sense of Deja vu about this with Fed producing some amazing winners but Rafa forcing him into too many errors. Fed looked like taking the first and probably needed it. And then after recovering the break in the 2nd, he goes and loses his own serve again. Looks like they're coming back on court. Can Fed somehow claw his way back here? Looks a bit doubtful from where I'm sitting

[10spro]

Sense of Deja vu about this with Fed producing some amazing winners but Rafa forcing him into too many errors. Fed looked like taking the first and probably needed it. And then after recovering the break in the 2nd, he goes and loses his own serve again. Looks like they're coming back on court. Can Fed somehow claw his way back here? Looks a bit doubtful from where I'm sitting

If Nadal wins the 2nd set, it's game over for the Swiss. You're not going to beat the best clay player in the world in the next 3 sets the way Nadal is playing. Regardless, give credit to Federer for beating Djokovic in the semis.

[rhymes450]

Sense of Deja vu about this with Fed producing some amazing winners but Rafa forcing him into too many errors. Fed looked like taking the first and probably needed it. And then after recovering the break in the 2nd, he goes and loses his own serve again. Looks like they're coming back on court. Can Fed somehow claw his way back here? Looks a bit doubtful from where I'm sitting

If Nadal wins the 2nd set, it's game over for the Swiss. You're not going to beat the best clay player in the world in the next 3 sets the way Nadal is playing. Regardless, give credit to Federer for beating Djokovic in the semis.

Yeah, absolute mountain facing Fed now. If he turns this around, it'd be the highlight of his career, and that's saying something. Power outage where I'm living (nice timing guys ) so I'll be following it on internet until my laptop battery runs out. Damn and blast!

[rhymes450]

Crikey! The power's back and so is Fed, at least for the time being. Serving for the 3rd set!

[10spro]

Crikey! The power's back and so is Fed, at least for the time being. Serving for the 3rd set!

He gets it. Now he can only hope for darkness and hope the game will be postponed for tomorrow. Rafa started hitting a few unforced errors. Close game.