Aus Open Day 2:

Fabbiano (33) vs Zverev (4)
Royg (33) vs Pliskova (6)
Halep (1) vs Aiava (33)
Bedene (33) vs Federer (2)
Maria (33) vs Sharapova (33)
Djokovic (14) vs Young (33)
Delpo (12) vs Tiafoe (33)
Berankis (33) vs Stan (9)
Konta (9) vs Brengle (33)
Berdych (19) vs De Minaur (33)

Fabbiano, Royg, Aiava, Bedene, Sharapova, Djok, Delpo, Berankis, Brengle, Berdych
Bulge: zverev, pliskova, halep, sharapova, young, delpo, berankis, brengle, de minaur
teddy: fabbiano, royg, aiava, bedene, sharapova, young, tiafoe, berankis, brengle, de minaur
mikey: zverev, pliskova, halep, fed, shara, djok, delpo, stan, konta, birdbrain

Zverev, Pliskova, Halep, Federer, Sharapova, Djokovic, Delpo, Berankis, Konta, Berdych

Zverev (4)
Pliskova (6)
Aiava (33)
Bedene (33)
Sharapova (33)
Djokovic (14)
Delpo (12)
Berankis (33)
Konta (9)
Berdych (19)

I was watching a replay of Dimi v Novak today and in fact the real Novak was Dimi. I explain. Dimi is playing very similar to Nole. He is very quick and flexible and though he tries to get to the net a bitmore, his shots are not very aggressive. A lot of his strength is the retrieving skill.

I was not too impressed.

Tenez wrote:I was watching a replay of Dimi v Novak today and in fact the real Novak was Dimi. I explain. Dimi is playing very similar to Nole. He is very quick and flexible and though he tries to get to the net a bitmore, his shots are not very aggressive. A lot of his strength is the retrieving skill.

I was not too impressed.  

Welcome to my world!!!

I’ve been saying that about Dimi for years...that he is playing a DBH tennis despite the one hand on the BH.

He is simply not talented enough in the realm of ball striking, and hence weaponless.

So what else is he going to do but defend....and attack with the limited ability he has.

But we have to be kind to the likes of him, Ferrer..who want to attack but their weapons are toothless.

I think he is talented. I have seen amazing amazing rallies from him. However, that's a tennis he coudl not produce on tough, pressure points so he now plays within himself. A bit too much for my taste but with the success of Nadal, Djoko and Murray, it is not surprising they all take that route.

That's where Federer is different I guess. He has the mental strength to lay a risky game....and so much talent that teh risk is not that big either.

I can’t say I’ve ever seen Dimi play loose tennis.

In fact only Fed and Shapo do.

Again, talent is a big deciding factor there, which is why it was so funny when someone (I think it was Decima) was defending Nadal’s style of play as his choice, i.e. he has the talent but prefers to play 4m behind the baseline.

Anyway, it’s good to have Dimi around. A very fair player.

noleisthebest wrote:I can’t say I’ve ever seen Dimi play loose tennis.

In fact only Fed and Shapo do.

Again, talent is a big deciding factor there, which is why it was so funny when someone (I think it was Decima) was defending Nadal’s style of play as his choice, i.e. he has the talent but prefers to play 4m behind the baseline....

Yep Decima and his subjective logic.

Is it just me or has Novak lost a lot of weight? He looks like a famine survivor.

summerblues wrote:Is it just me or has Novak lost a lot of weight?  He looks like a famine survivor.

I have not checked but he was already very thin, completely fatless. To lose weight he d had to get rid of bones.

Looking at the draw again....it's ridiculously easy for Nadal. They simply could not have done it better had it been Nadal's team placing them by hand.

Tenez wrote:Looking at the draw again....it's ridiculously easy for Nadal. They simply could not have done it better had it been Nadal's team placing them by hand.

Nadal's route:
R4- Dolgo
QF- Cilic
SF- Dimitrov/Kyrgios

Fed's route:
R4- Querrey
QF- Del Potro
SF- Djokovic/Zverev

If you take into account Djokovic is still injured, has had to remodel his service motion, and hasn't played for ages (not even a warm up tournament cos he was injured for that); he's not a threat at all, very unlikely he'll even reach the second week.
I think Nadal's run in is harder, Cilic is harder for him to beat than the new no-BH Del Potro.
The only players who I thought had a shot at beating him before the final was Dimitrov and Kyrgios, and they've both ended up in his half, his bad luck.

Anyone watching Kokki v Medv.....a festival of choke!

Medvedev in particular.

DECIMA wrote:

Tenez wrote:Looking at the draw again....it's ridiculously easy for Nadal. They simply could not have done it better had it been Nadal's team placing them by hand.

Nadal's route:
R4- Dolgo
QF- Cilic
SF- Dimitrov/Kyrgios

Fed's route:
R4- Querrey
QF- Del Potro
SF- Djokovic/Zverev

If you take into account Djokovic is still injured, has had to remodel his service motion, and hasn't played for ages (not even a warm up tournament cos he was injured for that); he's not a threat at all, very unlikely he'll even reach the second week.
I think Nadal's run in is harder, Cilic is harder for him to beat than the new no-BH Del Potro.
The only players who I thought had a shot at beating him before the final was Dimitrov and Kyrgios, and they've both ended up in his half, his bad luck.

Why do you conveniently get rid of the first 3 rounds?

And the main point is that if Dolgo, or Cilic fail to reach their rounds who's left? Whereas In Fed's draw there are plenty of good players who can replace them.

Tenez wrote:

DECIMA wrote:

Tenez wrote:Looking at the draw again....it's ridiculously easy for Nadal. They simply could not have done it better had it been Nadal's team placing them by hand.

Nadal's route:
R4- Dolgo
QF- Cilic
SF- Dimitrov/Kyrgios

Fed's route:
R4- Querrey
QF- Del Potro
SF- Djokovic/Zverev

If you take into account Djokovic is still injured, has had to remodel his service motion, and hasn't played for ages (not even a warm up tournament cos he was injured for that); he's not a threat at all, very unlikely he'll even reach the second week.
I think Nadal's run in is harder, Cilic is harder for him to beat than the new no-BH Del Potro.
The only players who I thought had a shot at beating him before the final was Dimitrov and Kyrgios, and they've both ended up in his half, his bad luck.

Why do you conveniently get rid of the first 3 rounds?

Thought you were talking about the run-in. Can do R1-3 as well

Fed:
R1- Bedene
R2- Struff
R3- Gasquet

Nadal:
R1- Burgos
R2- L.Mayer
R3- Dzhumur

Bottom line is, Fed would gladly swap with Nadal. Not sure about the other way round.

Bedene is so boring.

Fed looking good despite amfew wild shots st the end of set one.

Court playing nicely, and Kyrgios will be tough to stop if healthy.

summerblues wrote:Is it just me or has Novak lost a lot of weight?  He looks like a famine survivor.

He looks the same to me.

But his tennis looks a little better no grunting, cleaner sound off the ball, better serve.

Impressive score after the long break, though Young looked pathetic.

DECIMA wrote:

Tenez wrote:Looking at the draw again....it's ridiculously easy for Nadal. They simply could not have done it better had it been Nadal's team placing them by hand.

Nadal's route:
R4- Dolgo
QF- Cilic
SF- Dimitrov/Kyrgios

Fed's route:
R4- Querrey
QF- Del Potro
SF- Djokovic/Zverev

If you take into account Djokovic is still injured, has had to remodel his service motion, and hasn't played for ages (not even a warm up tournament cos he was injured for that); he's not a threat at all, very unlikely he'll even reach the second week.
I think Nadal's run in is harder, Cilic is harder for him to beat than the new no-BH Del Potro.
The only players who I thought had a shot at beating him before the final was Dimitrov and Kyrgios, and they've both ended up in his half, his bad luck.

Oh come on Amrit, Djokovic is a proper player and has cruised his first match.

Nadal's got nothing until the semi.... but then I think that's how it was last year too and Federer had a beast of a draw.

In terms of the QF draw I think for Rafa, Cilic is harder than Del Potro; as the tactics for Nadal as a lefty against JDP is easier to execute while Cilic has no big weakness. Cilic also probably has a marginally bigger serve.

As for Djokovic, I agree historically and as a 'big name' it looks tougher for Fed, but in reality Djokovic is a player who has been having mental troubles, hasn't played for 6 months (and no, it's not like Fed and Nadal last year because he was too injured for warm up tournaments), and has had to remodel his serve, and he says his elbow still isn't 100%.
I did see him in an exhibition in a 'tiebreak' before the AO, and he lost to Hewitt who has been retired for a good few years. Retired Hewitt was crushing the Djokovic remodelled serve. No way is Djokovic getting to the semi, if he played Federer or Nadal now he would struggle to win more than 5 games in the match.

DECIMA wrote:In terms of the QF draw I think for Rafa, Cilic is harder than Del Potro; as the tactics for Nadal as a lefty against JDP is easier to execute while Cilic has no big weakness. Cilic also probably has a marginally bigger serve.

That is not how you analyse the opponent,

Nadal-Cilic H2H 1:6
Nadal-Delpo H2H 9:5

Cilic has a  big weakness - his head, Delpotro doesn’t, he is an excellent competitor.

Again, Fed would probably gladly swap with Nadal’s draw, not sure about the otjer way round,

DECIMA wrote:
As for Djokovic, I agree historically and as a 'big name' it looks tougher for Fed, but in reality Djokovic is a player who has been having mental troubles, hasn't played for 6 months (and no, it's not like Fed and Nadal last year because he was too injured for warm up tournaments), and has had to remodel his serve, and he says his elbow still isn't 100%.

Djokovic is a bit more than a “big” name, he has won 12 slams and has a positive H2H with both Nadla and Federer.
He is Nadal’s nightmare, and even Toni said he is the most difficult player Nadal has played.
Nole is “only” 30.

His remodelled serve looks good. He also beat Thiem convincingly in that same event he lost to Hewitt, probably out of charity.

Unless Dzumhur takesmoit Nadal, I hope Kurgios makes the QF and rises to the occasion.

noleisthebest wrote:

DECIMA wrote:In terms of the QF draw I think for Rafa, Cilic is harder than Del Potro; as the tactics for Nadal as a lefty against JDP is easier to execute while Cilic has no big weakness. Cilic also probably has a marginally bigger serve.

That is not how you analyse the opponent,

Nadal-Cilic H2H 1:6
Nadal-Delpo H2H 9:5

True, but that H2H is because Del Potro used to have a decent backhand to back up his FH, now it's a huge weakness and Nadal can target it at will.

noleisthebest wrote:His remodelled serve looks good. He also beat Thiem convincingly in that same event he lost to Hewitt, probably out of charity.

Hewitt was destroying his new serve. Thiem was jetlagged and had a virus in that exhibition, he was really suffering.

I thought the rule was 2 serves if interruption after first serve. Why did Bedene get 2 serves after that baby cried?

I'm confused, isn't Kyrgios scheduled to meet Dimitrov rather than Nadal?

bogbrush wrote:I'm confused, isn't Kyrgios scheduled to meet Dimitrov rather than Nadal?

Yep in R4 I believe.

DECIMA wrote:
Hewitt was destroying his new serve. Thiem was jetlagged and had a virus in that exhibition, he was really suffering.

He was playing awful indeed. now I know why.

How's Fed? The score often doesn't mean much as for all I know he might be just trying things out, shortening points etc.

bogbrush wrote:How's Fed? The score often doesn't mean much as for all I know he might be just trying things out, shortening points etc.

He's playing well, taking his backhand on a lot. Some unforced errors probably because he's not in the highest gear, but a good start overall.

Bedene is playing well too, some great returns, his first serve is accurate as well but his second serve has been exploited.

bogbrush wrote:How's Fed? The score often doesn't mean much as for all I know he might be just trying things out, shortening points etc.

Routine win, no sweat.

Tenez wrote:I thought the rule was 2 serves if interruption after first serve. Why did Bedene get 2 serves after that baby cried?

I didn’t even notice that.
Too busy smiling at Fed’s comment.

Tiafoe wearing the ugliest outfit in the history of tennis.

Not even Fed could pull it off!

Fed has still great shots but flexibility and speed around the court is now showing 37. Well showing 34...He is still amazingly quick for a 37yo.

Not his best match but Bedene played a role.

Djoko was as quick on his feet as ever.

noleisthebest wrote:Tiafoe wearing the ugliest outfit in the history of tennis.

Not even Fed could pull it off!

Which one was Fed's worst?

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Tiafoe wearing the ugliest outfit in the history of tennis.

Not even Fed could pull it off!

Which one was Fed's worst?

I can’t remember.
He makes even the binbag look good.

But I do remember stg horrible, I think last year. Lots of red but all the wrong way.

I thought the worst outifit was sleevless on Ginepri....or Stepanek's slit shirt.

Delpo likes those long rallies.

Tenez wrote:

At least the colours were ok, he even coordinated the tape...

Sleeveless look definitely does not go with tennis. Was it Nadal that started it?

As for poor Step, he’s had his faor share of horros shirts....probably to detract from his face.

Though with those crazy loud outfits it can sometimes be a thin line between horrible and great...Like in this case:



I bet he had fun wearing it!

There a short Stepanek was wearing which was purposely cut through to let air in.

DECIMA wrote:In terms of the QF draw I think for Rafa, Cilic is harder than Del Potro; as the tactics for Nadal as a lefty against JDP is easier to execute while Cilic has no big weakness. Cilic also probably has a marginally bigger serve.

We'd love to take you seriously!

Tenez wrote:There a short Stepanek was wearing which was purposely cut through to let air in.

I don’t remember that one.

Maybe that’s his secret with the ladies, he is too hot!

DECIMA wrote:
As for Djokovic, I agree historically and as a 'big name' it looks tougher for Fed, but in reality Djokovic is a player who has been having mental troubles, hasn't played for 6 months (and no, it's not like Fed and Nadal last year because he was too injured for warm up tournaments), and has had to remodel his serve, and he says his elbow still isn't 100%.

And what would be more dangerous than a fit Djokovic who has nothing to lose and wanted to prove he is back at the very top?

Glad Stan won.

Nole-Monf is going to be a better indicator of where Nole is, though I don’t remember Monf has ever beaten him in I think 13 matches.

That is an amazing stat.

noleisthebest wrote:Glad Stan won.

Nole-Monf is going to be a better indicator of where Nole is, though I don’t remember Monf has ever beaten him in I think 13 matches.

That is an amazing stat.

Worlds best roadrunner always beats guy who runs all the time even when he doesn't need to? No surprise there.

Interesting title “best roadrunner”.

I thought Nadal was better as a roadrunner.

noleisthebest wrote:Interesting title “best roadrunner”.

I thought Nadal was better as a roadrunner.

Nadal found his master in that department. Sure with more gutsy shots from Nole....but only just.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Interesting title “best roadrunner”.

I thought Nadal was better as a roadrunner.

Nadal found his master in that department. Sure with more gutsy shots from Nole....but only just.

I disagree.
It is because No,e is a better player than Nadal in general that he was able to beat him in the forst place.
But for the pure roadrunning, scrappying plus lucky shots landong on a line from lost positions, surely Nadal is better.

That’s why it took Nole so long to beat Nadal in RG, long after he caught up with him in fitness.