ATP Masters 1000: Madrid

The draw is out.
Here we go:


http://www.protennislive.com/posting/2017/1536/mds.pdf

Rafa could be playing Fognini in Rd2 and Kyrgios in Rd3.  Quite interesting.  Hopefully Kyrgios does not lose before then.

Yes, the draw looks good, though bottom half more exciting, or better - top half looks flat with injured Murray and quiet Stan.

Though, Nishikori is injured too, I think.

Nadal-Kyrgios match is promising.

Although we have had two clay tournaments already - because Federer is not playing, Djokovic and Murray are as if they are not playing and so many are injired...it's been dull.

We could have had one decent match (Goffin-Nadal) had the idiot umpire not ruined it.

Young Chung is emerging from the distance again, not holding my breath, but one to keep an eye on.

Pouille needs to be freer in the head and stop thinking about his career as a safe&steady factory progress (i.e. get the FTF pressure monkey off his back asap)

But I am curious to see Nole the Lone Rider in Madrid. Not expecting much, just want to scan his face.

Interesting to see Murray v Thiem again. Murray tends to be better at Madrid and with an extra week or two, hopefully he can turn around the Barcelona result.

That was a prerty stupid loss for Chung in Munich vs Pella.
Made the same mistake as last week.

One easily put away shot he played safe cost him the match.

yes I saw the whole match and he turned defensive but I think it was tiredness more than mental. He is only 21 (soon) and clearly was lacking stamina.

In fact it happened at 3/0 and 4 BPs for 4/0 in the first set and both played a 30+ long rally which Chung won but it physically killed him and lost that game and his next serve.

he will get better after each match. Shame though as I would have fancied his chances v Zverev tomorrow.

I only saw the last few games.

Very good backhand, too.  But needs to build his game, he is good on the baseline but not sure of himself anywhere inside the court.

I watched bits and pieces, not the whole thing.  I thought Chung looked the better of the two, and on a couple of occasions I thought he would break through, but he just somehow could not win the critical points.

That said, he is also a bit boring.  I would say Nishi or Goffin are more watchable.

summerblues wrote:I watched bits and pieces, not the whole thing.  I thought Chung looked the better of the two, and on a couple of occasions I thought he would break through, but he just somehow could not win the critical points.

That said, he is also a bit boring.  I would say Nishi or Goffin are more watchable.

Good point. Though I like the fact he goes down the line more often than most.

I looked at the order of play, many high quality matches, I suppose ome benefit of having an aged tour.

Even WTA has a promising clash between Sharapova and  Bouchard!

Bouchard will get absolutely mullered!

Not the encounter she would've wanted to early on.

I have come from hating Sharapova to loving her. Her grunting against Bouchard sounds like music to me nowadays!

Tenez wrote:I have come from hating Sharapova to loving her. Her grunting against Bouchard sounds like music to me nowadays!

Me, too.

This Sven coach is good!

(another Swede?)
I remember Ivanovic winning her only slam with him.

The grunting is on a new level.
You can tell how much everything that went on affected Sharapova. Not the ice queen many thought she was.

Shanken, not stirred.

Hehe, at least noone can be accused of tanking here.

... wrote:This Sven coach is good!

(another Swede?)
I remember Ivanovic winning her only slam with him.

The grunting is on a new level.
You can tell how much everything that went on affected Sharapova. Not the ice queen many thought she was.

Shanken, not stirred.

Yes and to me this is a mistake cause lots of energy is lost through this grunting.

Yes, I'll never understand it...ESPECIALLY the blokes!!!

Or anyone else.

It's just a terrible habit, and I blame the stupid coaches.

Sharapova is very tight and a bit rusty, but fighting like a lioness.

The real,wuestion here is:
Who hates the other one more: Sharapova or Bouchard?

Probably Sharapova - she'd sell her soul to the devil in a flash for a Porche deal.. oh wait

That was a great match, better than 99% of ATP matches this year, mainly due to Sharapova's grit and heart.

And that's why TDs want her.

Now that she is out, the tournament is boring.

Nishi-Schwartzy was my match of the day tennis skills wise.

It hasn't disappointed!

Another good one Karlovic-Dimitrov.

Stan-Paire could has potential if Paire's beard & hair are all perfect in his head and the sun is shining the right way.

ps
Yes, I know Nole and Nadal are playing, but not expecting much drama there, as that's all they are able to provide at best.

Nishi's ball-striking is beautiful to listen to.

If only he had a bit of flair.

Wish i was watching.

Djoko barely ecapes Almagro on 3, Almagro was 3:1 up third set or 4:1 forgot, what a pussy.

Djoko had his erotic guru on the box.

well in fairness almagro is one of the few natural clay court players in the draw 
so its not so surprising that he managed to push djokovic to the edge

Fognini is where he is by no mistake.
Yes he has flair and talent, but God was not generous with brains.

Jahu wrote:Djoko barely ecapes Almagro on 3, Almagro was 3:1 up third set or 4:1 forgot, what a pussy.

Djoko had his erotic guru on the box.

I saw a few games in the second set. He was horrible. Ugly tennis, opponent clapping, the package.
I hope Simon knocks him out tomorrow.

I can't stand seeing his brother and guru.

What an embarrassment.

This clay season will be forgetful for Novak and his followers, I think you all have to wait for the US Open for him to reach a higher standard of play.

Hopefully Stan or someone else can save tennis in these next 3 tournies

... wrote:

Jahu wrote:Djoko barely ecapes Almagro on 3, Almagro was 3:1 up third set or 4:1 forgot, what a pussy.

Djoko had his erotic guru on the box.

I saw a few games in the second set. He was horrible. Ugly tennis, opponent clapping, the package.
I hope Simon knocks him out tomorrow.

I can't stand seeing his brother and guru.

What an embarrassment.

I heard his younger brother was jealous of his success, don't know why he would be though

Where did you hear this?

I'm the only one who "hears" these things 

Well his brother is a total tennis disappointment, Djoko did his best to push him fwd, a few matches together, wildcards etc, good bro2bro help, but he ain't got Djokos tennis in him.

Guess Rafa will sweep clay this year.

AceofDeath wrote:This clay season will be forgetful for Novak and his followers, I think you all have to wait for the US Open for him to reach a higher standard of play.

Hopefully Stan or someone else can save tennis in these next 3 tournies

Not sure it is a question of surface. He simply is desperate for consistency and results. But to be fair he never was consistent....despite having consistent results.

Just beyond the 7-second mark, put it on the slowest speed option :P
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo9RfzAWdFc

Right in the Mummy Daddy region!

Left ball gone for good 

Just tuned in, Coric serving for thr match.

He and Murray are making this court look super slow.

Very different picture earlier between Lopez and Djokovic.

Murray looks utter garbage, absolutely no assertiveness.

They'd better get some use out of that "World number 1" title, it won't be around for long.

It's probably his elbow still hurting.

Lets hope Korgi is in the mood.

Thiem playing about 10 metres behind the baseline. He really is a talentless hack. So gutless.

He is next Dimi, inconsistent, when he grows up a little, will fuk a few celebs and keep rolling on the tour for nothing. Disappointing.

Thirm has a better BH, Dimi better FH.
Everything else is similar, both very good at defending, but Thiem slightly more aggressive.

Thiem seems like the new Berdych - perennial quarter finalist. All of this generation are rubbish. The likes of Thiem will probably pick up a slam or two simply because the big five will eventually disappear and the rest of the competition is rubbish.

Thiem's aggression pays off.

He reminds me a bit of Federer when he is in that rampant mode.

He has a similar powerful natural forward urge. Nothing calculating about him.

I've put £4 on Kyrgios and am off to playing now. 

If Rafa loses today does Fed get the number 4 seed at RG?

Love the way Nick plays. Such deft touch. That BH is beautiful. So smooth like Nalbandian.

Nadal battering Nick.

Thiem, talentless? Jog on.
Top 10er, shbh, 23. Sure...

Talentless was a big OTT but certainly not a special talent. \Don't like the fact that he plays so deep behind the baseline. Those kinds of players are just not interesting. Baseline retrievers.

I am also not a huge fan of Thiem.  I forgive him a lot because he has a SHBH but other than that the main thing he has going for him is that he is strongly built - sort of like Stan.

His game is so-so.  Ugly FH, and playing from miles behind the baseline.  Unlike Dimi, he is not that great around the net.  Still, he playes with a SHBH, so I will take him over most others.

Nadal vs Goffin, take two.  What do we think, does Goffin have a chance?  I am not optimistic.