Miami Open - 2019

I managed to catch a few of the last few games of Tsits-Shap the other morning and I have to admit, Dennis's got something.

He is mischievous and I love it.

I can't wait for him to grow up!

I love Fed's comment before his SF with Anderson, 

'If you beat me at Wimbledon, you've got my attention

It manages to convey a combination of respect & menace whilst reminding Anderson that Fed's the top dog in one snappy phrase - and not even in his mother tongue.  I wonder if he sits and thinks these things through beforehand.  Like anyone he's fallible but it is impressive how he gets so much right on and off the Court.

Shapo in 3

Fed in 2

barrystar wrote:I love Fed's comment before his SF with Anderson, 

'If you beat me at Wimbledon, you've got my attention

It manages to convey a combination of respect & menace whilst reminding Anderson that Fed's the top dog in one snappy phrase - and not even in his mother tongue.  I wonder if he sits and thinks these things through beforehand.  Like anyone he's fallible but it is impressive how he gets so much right on and off the Court.

Nice one, barry.
It can't be anything but brains.

He is shewd. Those eyes as he rocks from side to side, twirling racquet in his hands waiting to receive...

Give it to me baby kind of thing.

The way he disassembled Medved last night, sent him into frustrating self-destruction.

It's a great feeling. And of course it translates into his communicative side, why wouldn't it?

Rafa, Nole are of the same kind, though RAfa verges on the simpleton side of things. No poetry there. But I like his interviews none heless.

I’ve always thought that the greatest talent demands high intelligence (it’s certainly been my own experience in business  ).

Federer is highly intelligent, no question.

Ok, why was that about? I guess it said Rafa had an IQ around 170?

bogbrush wrote:Ok, why was that about? I guess it said Rafa had an IQ around 170?

Yep that's right, didn't know you were fluent in spanish.

And still a cunt.  High IQ and cuntery isn't a good combo.

Daniel2 wrote:High IQ and cuntery isn't a good combo.

Well I'm halfway there 

Fed off to a brisk start. He looks quite sharp here.

Double bagel incoming?

sphairistike wrote:

summerblues wrote:Surprised Tsitsipas lost to Shapo.  I watched the first set and Tsitsipas looked in control.  Comfortable on his serve, always threatening Shapo's serve.  He was much more consistent than Shapovalov.  Either his consistency dropped, or Shapovalov must have cut down errors or became more aggressive.  Overall, it was quite entertaining to watch two young good SHBHs.

I was actually surprised the match started like that and Shapo seemed to be playing worse than previous rounds as I really thought Shapo, despite younger, should beat Tsi relatively easily.

I was probably a little unclear.  Before the match, I was also thinking Shapo had a good chance to win.  But going to bed after seeing the first set I did not expect him to turn it around.

BTW, sphair, I somehow seem to recall you were Canadian.  Is that correct, or am I imagining it?

barrystar wrote:

'If you beat me at Wimbledon, you've got my attention

It manages to convey a combination of respect & menace whilst reminding Anderson that Fed's the top dog in one snappy phrase

LOL, not bad.

Jahu wrote:Shapo in 3

Fed in 2

Well done.

Fed looked ok but Kev was very poor for long stretches and was missing an awful lot.  Midway through the second when he played better Fed all of a sudden struggled to keep him at bay.

Still, a relatively easy win.  Now it is getting interesting.  I am quite looking forward to Fed vs Shapo.  Shapo is one of a handful of guys I would not totally mind if he beat Fed (well, maybe not in a slam).  Still rooting for Fed, obviously.

summerblues wrote:Fed looked ok but Kev was very poor for long stretches and was missing an awful lot.  Midway through the second when he played better Fed all of a sudden struggled to keep him at bay.

Still, a relatively easy win.  Now it is getting interesting.  I am quite looking forward to Fed vs Shapo.  Shapo is one of a handful of guys I would not totally mind if he beat Fed (well, maybe not in a slam).  Still rooting for Fed, obviously.

 I always hope anyone who takes Fed out should win the tournament. So if Shapo can beat Fed, I sincerely hope he wins his 1st masters. 

As I said before, I'm looking for a break-through year in 2019. The new guards to wins TMS and Slams. It's been a long long...wait.

I am not the first to remark on this, but it is quite extraordinary that alongside Federer in the SF are two players who were born after Federer started on the Main Tour.

Are there any babies just born or about to be born somewhere in the world now who will grow up to play Auger Aliassime or Shapovalov in 2038 or 2039?

summerblues wrote:Fed looked ok but Kev was very poor for long stretches and was missing an awful lot.  Midway through the second when he played better Fed all of a sudden struggled to keep him at bay.

Still, a relatively easy win.  Now it is getting interesting.  I am quite looking forward to Fed vs Shapo.  Shapo is one of a handful of guys I would not totally mind if he beat Fed (well, maybe not in a slam).  Still rooting for Fed, obviously.

That's not how I saw it. Anderson only just kept the 2nd set interesting by fighting off double-break chances and then had one of those return games where he swiped everything and it went in. Fed recovered his poise to close it out.

Up to 6-0, 2-0 it really was brutal and Federer was messing him about.

I guess he brought it on himself for getting his attention.

bogbrush wrote:I’ve always thought that the greatest talent demands high intelligence (it’s certainly been my own experience in business  ).

Federer is highly intelligent, no question.

Agree. No doubt. Tactful but also brutally honest. Hardly ever puts a foot wrong. The guy is really smart and just like with his tennis knows instinctively which moves to make off the court.

DEC1M7 wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Ok, why was that about? I guess it said Rafa had an IQ around 170?

Yep that's right, didn't know you were fluent in spanish.

Didn't read the article but IQ of 170? That's patent nonsense.

Federer looking better as the HC season progresses. 

If he can just get to W in good physical shape and confident he will be the favourite or second favourite in my book. The BH is still not at 2017 levels and the FH is still a little erratic but overall a significant improvement on second half of last season. 

Of course his stamina over 5 sets is the real question. I've felt for a long time that Federer can still keep up for about 2 hours and then he starts to fade. 2017 confounded that to some extent but then he did come off a long break and was probably physically fresher than he had been in years. Even that season he looked physically more spent as it progressed. If he can navigate the early rds at W (say get to quarters semi) without dropping more than 1 set then he's gonna be hard to beat. Conditions of course will play their part. Ideally rainy (keeps grass alive and slick and low bouncing) until the final weekend when it should be blazingly hot to speed up the ball.

Emancipator wrote:

DEC1M7 wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Ok, why was that about? I guess it said Rafa had an IQ around 170?

Yep that's right, didn't know you were fluent in spanish.

Didn't read the article but IQ of 170? That's patent nonsense.

For my part at least I was being highly sarcastic. Thought that was pretty clear, there aren't many of us with an IQ in that region.

bogbrush wrote:

Emancipator wrote:

DEC1M7 wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Ok, why was that about? I guess it said Rafa had an IQ around 170?

Yep that's right, didn't know you were fluent in spanish.

Didn't read the article but IQ of 170? That's patent nonsense.

For my part at least I was being highly sarcastic. Thought that was pretty clear, there aren't many of us with an IQ in that region.

LOL, sorry, should have noted that even w/o reading the article - chapeau to both of you

summerblues wrote:

Jahu wrote:Shapo in 3

Fed in 2

Well done.

Happy they both won

barrystar wrote:I am not the first to remark on this, but it is quite extraordinary that alongside Federer in the SF are two players who were born after Federer started on the Main Tour.

Are there any babies just born or about to be born somewhere in the world now who will grow up to play Auger Aliassime or Shapovalov in 2038 or 2039?

It's just nuts.

How many generations Federer has traversed. 

started against the remnants of Sampras and Agassi, Ivaniesevic's cohort

Then his own with Hewitt, Safin, Roddick etc

Then Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Stan etc,

Then raonic, nishi, Dimi etc

Then Kyrgios, Thiem, Coric etc

and now Shapovalov, FAA etc

Would love to see a Federer - FAA final.

FAA so far looks the real deal. Already setting youngest ever records. Potentially a true phenom but of course could equally fizzle out after a quick start. But physically, if he can continue to move the way he does, at 6.5 he could take the game to a new level of physicality and power. Most impressively he is cool under pressure. I believe he's beaten his first 5 top 20 opponents. Even Rafa was 2-3 against his first 5 top 20 opponents (but the two included Federer and Roddick). Also like the fact that he is an attacking player, goes for winners, not a grinder. Seems reasonably comfortable at the net too.

DEC1M7 wrote:https://www.abc.es/deportes/tenis/abci-tenis-torneo-acapulco-rafa-nadal-esta-radicalizando-sociedad-y-no-gusta-201902262207_noticia.html#vca=rrss&vmc=abc-es&vso=tw&vli=cm-general

Thanks for the interview, dec. (Un)fortunately I can only trawl through the article on the wings of my Latin/italian. That won't do Rafa's words justice, no?
Maybe you can find it in English.

It is cool isn't it? I remember Federer a long time ago saying he hoped he stayed around long enough to play a young guy who would one day change the game. I took it at the time as a slight swipe at Nadal & Djokovic but actually it's amazing if he got to play Felix who later went on to be a Great.

Ah Fed, we will miss him so much when he's gone.

Felix in 3

Fed in 2

Felix breaks in second set.

If he gets to the final he must be youngest masters finalist since ?Sampras - does anyone know without looking it up.

Rafa got to Miami final aged 18 but Felix's B'day is in August (apparently same date as Fed) so he'd be younger.

That was solid to hold for 5-2.

Gotta say the more I see of this kid the more impressed I am. Definitely the most potential I've seen in a youngster since at least Del Po, maybe even since Djokovic.

True, he seems settled down, not once did he loose his cool nor show any nerves, well mature for his age.

2nd serve is a weakness - too many doubles

That was a poor game - gives the break back

Not a bad run to this Miami for Felix, could of taken this 2nd set, but sure Isner is an old dog.

Shame about Felix.  He was serving for each set, yet lost in straight.  I hear he served three (!) DFs while serving for the first set.  That is rough.  He is damaged goods now

Emancipator wrote:Definitely the most potential I've seen in a youngster since at least Del Po, maybe even since Djokovic.

Really?  I first saw him last summer and I did not feel that way.  I was more impressed by both Shapo and, especially, Kyrgios when I first saw them.

But Felix has been hyped for many years now.  I think I had heard about him before I had heard of Shapo, even though he is one year younger.  So maybe you are right.  In any event, I agree he looks good, it is just that I was not quite as mesmerized as you are.

summerblues wrote:Speaking of Isner, his scores in Miami so far:

7:6, 7:6
7:5, 7:6
7:6, 7:6
7:6, 7:6

Add another 7:6 7:6 to it.  Shame about that 7:5 set vs Ramos-Vinolas.

Emancipator wrote:If he can just get to W in good physical shape

Good that there is an extra week now between RG and W, or else he could be too tired after his RG title.

Good luck Roger!  Hoping for an exciting match.  Not the end of the world if Shapo wins, so not as stressed out as usual.

bogbrush wrote:Up to 6-0, 2-0 it really was brutal and Federer was messing him about.

When Kev broke back I remembered that Nole was 6:1 and 1:0 with a break up vs Agut.  Some nervous moments after that.

summerblues wrote:Shame about Felix.  He was serving for each set, yet lost in straight.  I hear he served three (!) DFs while serving for the first set.  That is rough.  He is damaged goods now

There is always an Achilles heel.

I agree, those things (failed pressure points) can damage long term.

Shapo looking nervous the first game.  Maybe the hold will calm him down.

Shapo is trying to get used to Federer's pace.

This is very easy going for Fed so far.

I don;t think it is nerves as much as Fed taking the ball early and giving Shapo a tiny less time that he would like to time the ball properly.

Shapo is going to learn quick though cause he has the talent. But one thing for sure he has not got Fed's mental strength.

Tenez wrote:I don;t think it is nerves as much as Fed taking the ball early and giving Shapo a tiny less time that he would like to time the ball properly.

Shapo is going to learn quick though cause he has the talent. But one thing for sure he has not got Fed's mental strength.

Commentator saying just that now with HE stats on his side.

Federer is playing amazingly.

Some great tennis by both.
Shapo has no chance with his returning, though.

Fed playing very well and putting pressure on Shapo no doubt, but Shapo is also overawed.  He can play better than this.

5:1 that could easily have been 6:0.