OT: Pro Tennis Thread

[10spro]

I stayed up late until the wee hours of this morning watching Delpo-Federer and while the match had some brilliant rallies, Roger just destroyed my man. This is as good as I've seen Federer play in a GS event, his shots have an extra 'English' feel that I haven't seen for awhile in him. Del Potro kept playing deep to his backhand the whole night in order to set up his huge forehand only to have Federer respond every time by blasting his backhand deeper into Delpo's baseline that the Argentinian never had anytime to set up for his favorite shot. The Swiss served superbly too, in fact I am going to give him a slight advantage in the semis that everyone wants to watch. He looks very fit and has this look in him as if he was saying 'I want one more GS in me before I retire'.

I missed the Nadal match but looks like it was a much tighter affair and hey, this time Berdych showed gentlemanship at the end of their match.

[rhymes450]

I stayed up late until the wee hours of this morning watching Delpo-Federer and while the match had some brilliant rallies, Roger just destroyed my man. This is as good as I've seen Federer play in a GS event, his shots have an extra 'English' feel that I haven't seen for awhile in him. Del Potro kept playing deep to his backhand the whole night in order to set up his huge forehand only to have Federer respond every time by blasting his backhand deeper into Delpo's baseline that the Argentinian never had anytime to set up for his favorite shot. The Swiss served superbly too, in fact I am going to give him a slight advantage in the semis that everyone wants to watch. He looks very fit and has this look in him as if he was saying 'I want one more GS in me before I retire'.

I missed the Nadal match but looks like it was a much tighter affair and hey, this time Berdych showed gentlemanship at the end of their match.

I only caught half the Fed match on AO Radio but the way he's hitting his backhand seems to me to be usually a good indicator of his form and presumably it will be a crucial factor against Rafa. I caught most of Rafa's match. He took a long time to get going and Berdych, playing very well, had a set point to go two sets up. Early on, Nadal was receiving first serves yards behind the baseline, allowing Berdych to dominate. The Czech was also teeing off on Rafa's 2nd serve. After snatching the 3rd, Nadal, stepped in a whole lot more and ended the match playing very well with even more forehand winners than Berdych. He'll have to take more chances with the 2nd serve or up his first-set percentage against Fed. I suspect he will. Also be interesting to see his positon when receiving. In the past, I've seen him receive Fed's first serve from very close to the baseline on the deuce court and from much further back on the ad court. Hard match to call. Fed's form looks better and he seems to be serving great, but Nadal is always a tough match-up for him. Work is piling up for me this week, but I really hope to catch this one.

[grtwhtsk]

The semis were unreal....not sure, but hoping, that the final will be as good!

[rhymes450]

The semis were unreal....not sure, but hoping, that the final will be as good!

Agreed! Great semis, though I could only listen to the Djoko-Murray match on AO Radio, where the commentaries are sometimes eccentric enough to inspire emails with questions like, "Have you guys been drinking?". Good fun though. Very atmospheric and worth checking out if you want to pick up a bit of Aussie slang. The Rafa-Fed match was great, the result in doubt until the very last point and the quality of the tennis went off the scale at times in the 4th set. Rafa deserved the win on balance I felt, though I was kind of hoping Fed would at least take it into a 5th. Tough on Murray. Djokovic aparently took a big chance on a crushing forehand down the line at 5-5, 30-40 in the final set and made it. Haven't seen it but it reminds me a bit of Fed's awesome off-forehand against Tommy Haas at Roland Garros 2009. If he'd missed that single shot, he'd probably have retired without ever having won the French Open. Last year, before the French final, Federer described facing Nadal at Roland Garros as the "ultimate test". At this stage, Djokovic in the final of a hard court grand slam probably represents a similar challenge to Nadal. That fact alone makes it a not-to-be-missed sporting event.

[10spro]

I think Djoko has that mental if ever so slightly edge over Rafa the same way the Spaniard has over Federer. They just seem to able to grab that 6th gear when in need and pound on it. At least that's what I saw in Nadals' victory yesterday. The last two sets were just amazing tennis and I thought that Roger's backhand overall just wasn't as sharp as when he beat Delpo cleanly in the quarters. Must be Nadal's higher topspin but Roger just never seemed to be able to rip that backhand at will as he is able to do with other players. I felt he also rushed a few shots in the last set instead of keeping with his plan to grind it out and went straight for winners which against a torero like Nadal that chases everything, it better be damn perfect. He missed a few forehands too and they were key points when Rafa was serving.

It should be a great final, I am going to go with Djoko in 5 sets.

[rhymes450]

I think Djoko has that mental if ever so slightly edge over Rafa the same way the Spaniard has over Federer. They just seem to able to grab that 6th gear when in need and pound on it. At least that's what I saw in Nadals' victory yesterday. The last two sets were just amazing tennis and I thought that Roger's backhand overall just wasn't as sharp as when he beat Delpo cleanly in the quarters. Must be Nadal's higher topspin but Roger just never seemed to be able to rip that backhand at will as he is able to do with other players. I felt he also rushed a few shots in the last set instead of keeping with his plan to grind it out and went straight for winners which against a torero like Nadal that chases everything, it better be damn perfect. He missed a few forehands too and they were key points when Rafa was serving.

It should be a great final, I am going to go with Djoko in 5 sets.

Yeah, I felt Roger was pulling the trigger a bit too quick too, especially in the 3rd set breaker where he wasted a lot of points early on. Understandable too I guess, because he faces that dilemma of how much tennis to play with Rafa, knowing that extended rallies favour the Spaniard in general. And maybe that's the difference with Djokovic. He's the only player Rafa's met in his entire career who's more likely to win the longer rallies. Rafa's serve does a very good job of keeping Fed at bay but it's doubtful that he can roll in 2nd serves at 138 kph against Djokovic and get away with it.

[10spro]

I never really imagined that a player would match Nadal's prowess, mental and physical strength but Djokovic may have just done that. What an epic final, almost 6 hours of pounding the ball at each other, both players leaving their last drop of blood on the court. The Federer-Nadal rivalry is special but this one is developing nicely as well. Down a break in the final set, I thought Rafa would have enough to pack it in but the mental aspect in Djoko's game has improved so much the last couple of years and haven beaten Nadal in several finals last year just seemed to have pumped his energy level up when you least expect it. Amazing long rallies and gets as both dudes never gave up.

One of the best GS finals that I've watched, incredible tennis.

[rhymes450]

I never really imagined that a player would match Nadal's prowess, mental and physical strength but Djokovic may have just done that. What an epic final, almost 6 hours of pounding the ball at each other, both players leaving their last drop of blood on the court. The Federer-Nadal rivalry is special but this one is developing nicely as well. Down a break in the final set, I thought Rafa would have enough to pack it in but the mental aspect in Djoko's game has improved so much the last couple of years and haven beaten Nadal in several finals last year just seemed to have pumped his energy level up when you least expect it. Amazing long rallies and gets as both dudes never gave up.

One of the best GS finals that I've watched, incredible tennis.

Incredible match. Seemed to be heading towards a comfortable win for Djokovic until Nadal rebelled against his fate, saving the break points at 3-4, 0-40 in the 4th set and then coming from 3-5 down in the tiebreak. That easy backhand pass he missed when serving at 4-2, 30-15 in the 5th probably cost him the match. Had he held for 5-2, I doubt Djokovic could have recovered. Interesting to see if this will be another dent to Nadal's confidence or if he'll be able to take the positive view that he's getting closer to his objective of halting Djokovic.

[wco81]

Djoko is such a ham for the cameras.

You wonder if the other players like him or how they could.

[rhymes450]

Djoko is such a ham for the cameras.

You wonder if the other players like him or how they could.

Impressions on what I vaguely remember reading and hearing are that Fed's not crazy about the guy and Rafa seems to tolerate him, though I've heard talk that he wasn't overly impressed with the way Djoko celebrated the win in Madrid last year (and probably not with the Shakira video imitation either, at a guess). Murray is the same age and I've heard they get on ok. Best friends amongst the top four seem to be Rafa and Murray, who apparently share a liking for Pro Evolution Soccer and regularly get together to play Pes matches at tournaments:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis ... spute.aspx

[rhymes450]

It should be a great final, I am going to go with Djoko in 5 sets.

Good call BTW

[10spro]

Best game of the day at Indian Wells was the night match between Federer and young Canadian Milos Raonic. It went the distance as the great Swiss played the break points with more aplomb and confidence. Milos' booming serve created enough headaches for the great Fed, they were high quality rallies in the match and in the end a break of service in the last set was the difference.

The day match between my man DelPotro and Verlasco was close too with Delpo winning it in two. His backhand looks solid and looks much flatter as he's creating enough space to set it up for his always potent forehand. If he can stay strong mentally, he should be among the faves this coming weekend. Of course Nadal, Federer, Djoko and Tsonga have other ideas as well.

Last week In Montreal, they were a couple of legends' matches with I. Lendl vs P. Cash and A. Agassi vs M. Chang. Andre looked very fit, this guy could easily hit with the top guys in my mind even today with his new hip. Chang is aging well too ( hard to believe he turned 40), he may have lost a step here and there but his never say die attitude towards the game is still there. I would have loved to watch Jimmy Connors perform too, but he withdrew due to injury. Still a lot of good tennis in them.

[rhymes450]

Caught the 2nd set of Delpo v Verdasco. Verdasco has a made a habit of getting really tight on match/set points. On the only set point he had on serve, he missed the first serve by a good yard and a half. Did you see those spectacular forehand winners that clocked in at over 100 mph? Awesome power off the ground. Pity he can't seem to get his head together on the big points.

Saw a bit of Ryan Harrison v García-Lopez. Thought he was quite different to other American players...more of a counterpuncher. Great defensive work and very fast around the court. Bit of a temper though...broke another racquet! Be interesting to see how he does against Simon.

[10spro]

Caught the 2nd set of Delpo v Verdasco. Verdasco has a made a habit of getting really tight on match/set points. On the only set point he had on serve, he missed the first serve by a good yard and a half. Did you see those spectacular forehand winners that clocked in at over 100 mph? Awesome power off the ground. Pity he can't seem to get his head together on the big points.

They were impressive, and as you know the Spaniard has enough game to scare the top guys but seems to lack the finishing touch. His mind does seem to waver on and off.

[rhymes450]

Last week In Montreal, they were a couple of legends' matches with I. Lendl vs P. Cash and A. Agassi vs M. Chang. Andre looked very fit, this guy could easily hit with the top guys in my mind even today with his new hip. Chang is aging well too ( hard to believe he turned 40), he may have lost a step here and there but his never say die attitude towards the game is still there. I would have loved to watch Jimmy Connors perform too, but he withdrew due to injury. Still a lot of good tennis in them.

Might be just as well that Connors didn't show up. Agassi's biography suggests that the chemistry between them wasn't great.

I enjoyed the following video of Cash v McEnroe last year, not so much because of the quality of the tennis (there were some nice moments) but because Cash had a microphone link to the match commentators, making for a bit of fun and some interesting insights into the way he was thinking during the match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwVDN_ci ... re=related

Back at Indian Wells, Djokovic looked very impressive against Almagro and seemed to have another gear or two to move into if necessary. Maybe John Isner can unsettle him with some big serving and big hitting, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Attractive quarter final lineup today with Rafa v Nalbandian and Fed v Delpo. Nadal looked very good against Dolpgopolov so I think Nalbandian is going to have to put in a huge performance to have a chance and I'd make Fed favourite to take out Delpo, presuming he's fully recovered from the flu.

[10spro]

The artist is baaaack. Great game by Federer under very tough windy conditions to take Rafa in 2. I thought his backhand was superb and he played his forehand so well catching the ball on the rise as his timing was outstanding catching the Spaniard off the wrong foot several times. I haven't seen Rafa's erratic backhand to misfire as much as today and the Swiss knew that. Good match considering the weather conditions out there and kudos to J. Inser for booming his way to the finals in a tight match against Djoko.

[wco81]

Federer is 31 now?

He's still one of the best but he's not going to get back to the top or win the majors unless Nadal or Djoko get hurt or falter badly.

It's more likely another player rises to the top than Federer climbing back.

[10spro]

Federer is 31 now?

He's still one of the best but he's not going to get back to the top or win the majors unless Nadal or Djoko get hurt or falter badly.

It's more likely another player rises to the top than Federer climbing back.

At this point of his career, I don't think being #1 matters to him as much as winning a GS event. He's fit, doesn't have a grinding game like Nadal's and I easily see him playing at a top level until 34-35. Nadal wasn't hurt last night and simply was beaten by a better Federer who adjusted to the weather conditions better than the Spaniard but also executed very well his game plan while displaying some of his old artistry at best.

[rhymes450]

Federer looked in great shape last night and has since the US Open really, where he was unlucky not to at least reach the final. Time will tell whether he can add to his Grand Slam tally but I wouldn't bet against him. The French will be tough for him but Wimbledon and the US Open look like realistic targets and he has the bonus of the Olympics being played on grass. He can't go on forever but he seems to be moving as well as ever and maybe better than ever when he's forced to defend. He hit some great emergency sliced forehands to stay in the rallies yesterday.

Fair dues to Isner. Beating Djokovic in this type of tournament is a great achievement. I'm guessing that even Fed in this form won't want things to go the tiebreaker way. Isner is no slouch off the ground either. I didn't see the match but that was some win against Federer on clay in the Davis Cup and he took Rafa to five at Roland Garros too, which suggests that he's more than just a big server. Looking forward to the final.

[rhymes450]

Disappointing final in Monte Carlo, where Djokovic was very below par. Big win for Nadal. He was playing very well from what I saw of the matches. Breaking that 0-7 streak against Djokovic will be a big weight off his shoulders, I'd say.

[10spro]

Disappointing final in Monte Carlo, where Djokovic was very below par. Big win for Nadal. He was playing very well from what I saw of the matches. Breaking that 0-7 streak against Djokovic will be a big weight off his shoulders, I'd say.

It's a start rhymes. As you said, I am not sure Djoko was moving well at all, whether because he was tired or Nadal was just in his zone. It was a one sided match, a building block for RG in May.

[10spro]

Just a great comeback for Djokovic and Federer in today's quarters at the French Open. Especially for the number 1 player in the world as he looked fatigued and frustrated in the fourth set. Tsonga with all 15.000 fans cheering for him had a couple of match points to spoil Djoko's quest for the straight GS but just couldn't pull the finishing shot as the Serbian started playing more aggressively. Even during the tie breaker in the fourth set I thought that Tsonga was playing better. But Djoko started loosening up and once he edged the Frenchman in the tiebreaker, you could tell he got the confidence back to win the match.

Delpo started his match with Federer like a man on fire. Was hitting winners from all angles until he ran into some knee issues which affected his movement in the end. A pity.

It's the usual faces in the semis, and the way Rafa has been playing, my money is going to him to go all the way.

[rhymes450]

Just a great comeback for Djokovic and Federer in today's quarters at the French Open. Especially for the number 1 player in the world as he looked fatigued and frustrated in the fourth set. Tsonga with all 15.000 fans cheering for him had a couple of match points to spoil Djoko's quest for the straight GS but just couldn't pull the finishing shot as the Serbian started playing more aggressively. Even during the tie breaker in the fourth set I thought that Tsonga was playing better. But Djoko started loosening up and once he edged the Frenchman in the tiebreaker, you could tell he got the confidence back to win the match.

Delpo started his match with Federer like a man on fire. Was hitting winners from all angles until he ran into some knee issues which affected his movement in the end. A pity.

It's the usual faces in the semis, and the way Rafa has been playing, my money is going to him to go all the way.

Very dramatic day at RG. For a long time it looked as though both Fed and Djoko were on the way out. Djokovic's capacity to come through tight matches is impressive. I suspect Fed would've bitten the dust if Delpo had been fully fit but all credit to him for getting out of a hole. Agreed that Rafa looks like favourite to take the title. Been impressed by Ferrer too.

[rhymes450]

Nadal's played some of the best tennis I've ever seen from him to get to this final and Djokovic has had to draw on just about every trick and plan B in his repertoire to get there. Intriguing Roland Garros final. Hope I can find a bar in Poland where the folks are prepared to take their attention off Euro 2012 for a few hours.

[10spro]

Whoever wins tomorrow, they'll set a record worth mentioning. Rafa will eclipse Borg's record in RG but he will lose a set in doing so.