In between Grand Slams tennis thread

grohlisagod

I remember Petchey asked Pat Cash jokingly in commentary once about what calls he would challenge if Hawkeye had been around in his time and Cash said that it would have been a dodgy call on match point in the Australian Open final. Petchey wasn't quite so light-hearted about it then!

Don't remember Costa at all. I got the rest of them though. Not quite the same standard alright.

pconn062

Federer looking really good against Fish last night, especially in the first set. Think we're looking at another Fed-Djok final!

cgpg5

pconn062 wrote: »

Federer looking really good against Fish last night, especially in the first set. Think we're looking at another Fed-Djok final!

Delpo Djok will be interesting though. Generally wouldn't read that much into these games though but it would be great for Fed to bounce back.

Who'll get 4th seed at US? Tsonga or Ferrer? Djok and Fed will be hoping they draw this quarter in semis

grohlisagod

cgpg5 wrote: »

Delpo Djok will be interesting though. Generally wouldn't read that much into these games though but it would be great for Fed to bounce back.

Who'll get 4th seed at US? Tsonga or Ferrer? Djok and Fed will be hoping they draw this quarter in semis

Ferrer probably. He's significantly ahead in the rankings. As I said earlier, I fancy Del Potro to have a very good US Open if he stays fit. Should be a good match between himself and Novak.

cgpg5

grohlisagod wrote: »

Ferrer probably. He's significantly ahead in the rankings. As I said earlier, I fancy Del Potro to have a very good US Open if he stays fit. Should be a good match between himself and Novak.

Yeah I hope Delpo gets into Ferrer's quarter and I'm sure the top three hope he doesn't make their quarter. Would like (if possible) Delpo v Ferrer, Raonic, Tsonga v Djok/Fed and someone easy for Murray !!! Ah no I'd like see Berdych regain a bit of form too. They'd be crackers!

cgpg5

Fed Djok final. Be interesting. Djok swept aside Delpo easily.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Rafa has something called "Hoffa's Syndrome"

Sometimes after a forceful direct impact to the kneecap, the fat pad can become impinged (pinched) between the distal thigh bone ( femoral condyle) and the kneecap (patella).
As the fat pad is one of the most sensitive structures in the knee, this condition is known to be extremely painful. The knee pain is situated anteriorly on either side of the lower kneecap and is worsened by straightening (extension) of the knee joint. Hence the fat pad comes under constant irritation and may become significantly inflamed.

grohlisagod

What's up with Novak?

cgpg5

Nole hasn't bothered turning up.

A genius tactic ahead of flushing meadows?? :P

cgpg5

Federer is the champ. Better second set by Novak but Fed takes it in the breaker. Roll on the US.

the_djoker

Roger , just fûck off and retire you boring boring cûnt

cgpg5

the_djoker wrote: »

Roger , just fûck off and retire you boring boring cûnt

I really REALLY hope he gets a tough draw at the US. May aswell have got a bye to the semis at Wimby and the olympics

pconn062

This is the most I have enjoyed watching Roger for years, when he is on from like this he is pure class and he is playing by far the best tennis on the Men's tour at the moment. He is my favourite for the US Open closely followed by (wait for it....) Murray!

cgpg5

pconn062 wrote: »

This is the most I have enjoyed watching Roger for years, when he is on from like this he is pure class and he is playing by far the best tennis on the Men's tour at the moment. He is my favourite for the US Open closely followed by (wait for it....) Murray!

By far the best? Don't know. Hes lethal in the breakers but Novak was slowly coming back into it and had it been best of 5 the Serb may well have came back and won it. Slams are a different kettle of fish and that is the test for Fed next week.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Kerber choked away a set and 3-1 lead to lose the final to Li Na.

Not at all surprised. Kerber has good game but mentally she's a mess. She fluctuates so much in mood literally between points never mind games or sets. She did it at Eastbourne and now she's done it again. I can't say I like her much, so I'm glad Li Na won.

As usual the WTA tournaments prior to a Slam tell you absolutely nothing about who's favourite. Although Na and Rodriguez seem to have a good relationship going. He was very good with his advice after she lost the 1st set. Won't be any use to her in the Slams right enough, but we'll see.

pconn062

cgpg5 wrote: »

By far the best? Don't know. Hes lethal in the breakers but Novak was slowly coming back into it and had it been best of 5 the Serb may well have came back and won it. Slams are a different kettle of fish and that is the test for Fed next week.

Before Wimbledon I would have agreed with you but the way Fed dismissed Djok in Wimbledon in a best of 5 was hugely impressive. And yes I believe at the moment he is playing the best tennis on the Men's tour. But I guess we will have to wait and see, should be a cracking tournament anyway.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

^ I think it's a combination of Federer improving his game these past few months and Djokovic not really being 100% in it, for whatever reason.

Last year Djokovic was unplayable and Federer had a pretty poor year, by his own high standards. Since the Australian Open this year Djokovic just hasn't had the same intensity about his game. We still saw it a bit during RG, like when he saved MP's against Tsonga, but generally speaking he doesn't seem to be all there at the moment.

Roger and his team have obviously sat down and said what we're doing is not working, we need to change some things, and they did, and now he's looking like a class above everyone again.

I'd compare it in a way to Wozniacki's reign as #1. She played amazing defence and didn't lose her matches, rather than actually winning them. Hardly anyone could break her down. After a year of it someone finally figured out THIS is how you beat her and now everyone is beating her.

Djokovic had close to a year where you literally could not beat him. You could throw the kitchen sink at him and he would keep clinging on until the other player blinked. Eventually something had to give and although he still wins most of his matches there are quite a few players have figured out how to play him. Took him 5 sets to beat Seppi at RG.

Of course I'm not saying Wozniacki is half the player Djokovic is, but I think how everyone else approached playing them is a valid comparison.

It's hard to call the US Open. I think Djokovic is still a better player than the rest of them if he switches on again, but if not Federer is looking pretty good at the moment. It'll probably be Djokovic, Federer, Murray in the SF's anyway. Really depends on who lands in which side of the draw.

Scanlas The 2nd

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

^ I think it's a combination of Federer improving his game these past few months and Djokovic not really being 100% in it, for whatever reason.

Last year Djokovic was unplayable and Federer had a pretty poor year, by his own high standards. Since the Australian Open this year Djokovic just hasn't had the same intensity about his game. We still saw it a bit during RG, like when he saved MP's against Tsonga, but generally speaking he doesn't seem to be all there at the moment.

Roger and his team have obviously sat down and said what we're doing is not working, we need to change some things, and they did, and now he's looking like a class above everyone again.

I'd compare it in a way to Wozniacki's reign as #1. She played amazing defence and didn't lose her matches, rather than actually winning them. Hardly anyone could break her down. After a year of it someone finally figured out THIS is how you beat her and now everyone is beating her.

Djokovic had close to a year where you literally could not beat him. You could throw the kitchen sink at him and he would keep clinging on until the other player blinked. Eventually something had to give and although he still wins most of his matches there are quite a few players have figured out how to play him. Took him 5 sets to beat Seppi at RG.

Of course I'm not saying Wozniacki is half the player Djokovic is, but I think how everyone else approached playing them is a valid comparison.

It's hard to call the US Open. I think Djokovic is still a better player than the rest of them if he switches on again, but if not Federer is looking pretty good at the moment. It'll probably be Djokovic, Federer, Murray in the SF's anyway. Really depends on who lands in which side of the draw.

I really don't think it's got anything to do with other players figuring him out. His level has simply dropped IMO. The only player that could beat 2011 djokovic is max form Federer and that's including clay.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I really don't think it's got anything to do with other players figuring him out. His level has simply dropped IMO. The only player that could beat 2011 djokovic is max form Federer and that's including clay.

Well, like I said, I think it's a combination of people figuring him out and him not being at 100% at the moment.
Federer has improved his game this year, since around RG I would say. But he's still having way to easy a time beating Djokovic. So I agree with you there that his level has dropped a lot since January. Even in January he wasn't playing his best tennis but his intensity was there.

I'd love to see a match between current form Federer and 2011 form Djokivic.

Scanlas The 2nd

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I really don't think it's got anything to do with other players figuring him out. His level has simply dropped IMO. The only player that could beat 2011 djokovic is max form Federer and that's including clay.

Well, like I said, I think it's a combination of people figuring him out and him not being at 100% at the moment.
Federer has improved his game this year, since around RG I would say. But he's still having way to easy a time beating Djokovic. So I agree with you there that his level has dropped a lot since January. Even in January he wasn't playing his best tennis but his intensity was there.

I'd love to see a match between current form Federer and 2011 form Djokivic.

I think that's what we got at RG 2011 semi final. Has to be the highest level of tennis I've ever seen. Both players hitting the baseline and hitting the ball on the rise.

grohlisagod

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I think that's what we got at RG 2011 semi final. Has to be the highest level of tennis I've ever seen. Both players hitting the baseline and hitting the ball on the rise.

First set was phenomenal. Federer played amazing and Djokovic still nearly pegged him back. Stunning match.

walshb

I am surprised that Paddy Power has Novak as slight favourite for the U.S. Open.

KINGVictor

walshb wrote: »

I am surprised that Paddy Power has Novak as slight favourite for the U.S. Open.

Well it is quite a reasonable call in my opinion. Novak is definitely not as good as he was last year a la the famous Novak 2.0 but he is still a force to be reckoned with. He recently won the Rogers cup and he was runner up at Cincinnati. Yes, logically Fed should be the favourite but in a Grand slam and especially on hard court, I will give him a slight edge(just only) over the other top 2 seeds.

Personally I wont be surprised if Novak will win his 7th GS which would be quite a remarkable achievement considering that he had only 1 GS title just 2 years ago.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

So, next up Davis Cup.

Delpo has been told to rest his wrist completely for 15 days by his doctors. He says he wants to play against Czech Rep. but how likely that is, I don't know? Big blow for Argentina if he's out. Nalbandian is already out as well. Not sure I fancy their chances without either of them.

Federer is playing for Switzerland too, don't think he was expected to.

RosyLily

Delpo and Nalbandian out is a big blow for Argentina. All the pressure will be on Juan Monaco's shoulders imo since he's the highest ranked after Juan Martin and has had a great year. It's being held in Buenos Aires so you hope that the crowd will go crazy for their team and spur them on.

Other SF is USA vs. Spain. Nadal's absence is regrettable but their team is excellent- Ferrer (#5), Almagro (#12), Granollers (#21) & Lopez (#10 in doubles). As for the USA, it's looking like Isner, Querrey & Bryan Bros. Looking forward to this tie. It's in Spain so the crowd should be wild!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Juan Carlos Ferrero announced today that he's retiring, the Valencia Open at the end of October will be his last tournament.
Hasn't been around the top levels of the game for a while but RG champion 2003 and former Word #1, and all round nice guy.

They're dropping like files!

RosyLily

Sad to see all these players I grew up with retiring! I liked watching Juan Carlos; he has a lovely game and was so fast on court. He seems to have loads of projects to keep him occupied- the Valencia Open, his academy, his foundation etc.

Good luck Mosquito!!:)

cgpg5

Is Federer next? :pac:

cgpg5

With all the slams finished for another year here's a question for ye. Will any player realistically challenge the big 4 in the coming 12 months do ye think? (Nadal may struggle so change it to 3 in that case). Frankly I think all slam finals will contest 2 of these 3(4) and I think Murray and Djok may pull slightly away from Fed. I would love for Daveed to win the French though. Incredibly unlikley but it is the one slam Murray/Djok/Fed could be caught on a hop! Saying that alot can and will happen but just thought it'd be interesting...

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Delpo is playing Davis Cup now. Hope his wrist holds up.