Australian Open 2013: Matches of the day : Day 8 21-Jan-2013

summerblues wrote:
He was particularly dreadful today, but I think you rate him a bit too high in general. Other than his serve, I am yet to see anything extraordinary. In my mind he is a slightly better version of Isner in general (but replace "better" with "worse" for today's specific performance).

Yes I have! And same of Harrison. Lots of UEs today and even his serve was average. DId they give him punctured balls to serve with?

I could not quite envisage that. The previous encounters v Fed were really close (TB in teh 3rd). We saw today what he can do with his FH...but way too far and few in between.

He will have his days but will they be when it really matters? not sure!

Unnoticed is the fact that despite the straightfoward win of Murray over Gilles the "wreck" (as read in the papers), he got broken twice. Has Murray also got a shoulder problem like he seemed to complain in his previous match v Berankis?

Murray looks quite under-cooked and it is only January!!!

Not heard him complaining of any niggles.

any score updates??

Federer is really relaxed these days.
After the "roadrunners" episode, which was probably noticed only by tennis fanatics, he has a go at Nadal in front of the entire Laver crowd and millions of TV viewers...did you see how even Luthi kind of didnn't know where to look....Mirka seemed amused, probably has to listen about it every day.
Forget about Federer's memoirs, I want to hear Mirka's story!

legendkillar wrote:Murray looks quite under-cooked and it is only January!!!

Not heard him complaining of any niggles.

Yes but look at last year he complained of groin injuries during teh whole clay season including the French but then comes to Wimbledon and almost wins it...then wins the USO.

noleisthebest wrote:Federer is really relaxed these days.
After the "roadrunners" episode, which was probably noticed only by tennis fanatics, he has a go at Nadal in front of the entire Laver crowd and millions of TV viewers...did you see how even Luthi kind of didnn't know where to look....Mirka seemed amused, probably has to listen about it every day.
Forget about Federer's memoirs, I want to hear Mirka's story!

Yes I think he seems a bot more outspoken now than then. Talking about LA did not seem taboo anymore. Saying about doping "it is not fun to be a professional athlete nowadays" was pretty outspoken as it insinuates that drug is everywhere...or that everybody can be a suspect.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Federer is really relaxed these days.
After the "roadrunners" episode, which was probably noticed only by tennis fanatics, he has a go at Nadal in front of the entire Laver crowd and millions of TV viewers...did you see how even Luthi kind of didnn't know where to look....Mirka seemed amused, probably has to listen about it every day.
Forget about Federer's memoirs, I want to hear Mirka's story!

Yes I think he seems a bot more outspoken now than then. Talking about LA did not seem taboo anymore. Saying about doping "it is not fun to be a professional athlete nowadays" was pretty outspoken as it insinuates that drug is everywhere...or that everybody can be a suspect.

forgot the link!

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/8zZDFsODphZytz2wgYrDHw-3HC-s7DeG.html#ooid=8zZDFsODphZytz2wgYrDHw-3HC-s7DeG

Yes, they are all brave now... sheep mentality!

Tenez wrote:

legendkillar wrote:Murray looks quite under-cooked and it is only January!!!

Not heard him complaining of any niggles.

Yes but look at last year he complained of groin injuries during teh whole clay season including the French but then comes to Wimbledon and almost wins it...then wins the USO.

Federer said yesterday he was feeling it physically and said the last time he felt like that was the Olympics. Dare I say he is leading everyone a merry dance given the strength of his performances thus far and in some people's eyes is favourite?

legendkillar wrote:

Tenez wrote:

legendkillar wrote:Murray looks quite under-cooked and it is only January!!!

Not heard him complaining of any niggles.

Yes but look at last year he complained of groin injuries during teh whole clay season including the French but then comes to Wimbledon and almost wins it...then wins the USO.

Federer said yesterday he was feeling it physically and said the last time he felt like that was the Olympics. Dare I say he is leading everyone a merry dance given the strength of his performances thus far and in some people's eyes is favourite?

I think he was referring to the physically draining match against Del Potro. He's gotta have felt drained against Murray in the OG final and he certainly played like he was as Murray completely overpowered him physically.

noleisthebest wrote:

legendkillar wrote:

Tenez wrote:

legendkillar wrote:Murray looks quite under-cooked and it is only January!!!

Not heard him complaining of any niggles.

Yes but look at last year he complained of groin injuries during teh whole clay season including the French but then comes to Wimbledon and almost wins it...then wins the USO.

Federer said yesterday he was feeling it physically and said the last time he felt like that was the Olympics. Dare I say he is leading everyone a merry dance given the strength of his performances thus far and in some people's eyes is favourite?

I think he was referring to the physically draining match against Del Potro. He's gotta have felt drained against Murray in the OG final and he certainly played like he was as Murray completely overpowered him physically.

So what do we put his feeling physically down to in Australia?

Could well be the heat or age. Who knows.

legendkillar wrote:
Could well be the heat or age. Who knows.

That's quite unlike him to say something like that during the tournament. I think it's the back most probably.

djoko running away with it as expected.

Tenez wrote:

legendkillar wrote:
Could well be the heat or age. Who knows.

That's quite unlike him to say something like that during the tournament. I think it's the back most probably.

It is and even Courier was slightly dumbfounded by it too. If I was a true Murray devotee I would ask what is the difference between Federer citing physical issues and Murray doing something similar? I know the answer and that is because Murray is reliant on his physical strength and I agree he should be more prepared to avoid injuries. That said I think Murray looks under-cooked and un-prepared. I think that is more poor planning than an injury niggle.

If Feds back is playing up, do you expect him to maybe miss part of February if it becomes a hinderance?

legendkillar wrote:
So what do we put his feeling physically down to in Australia?

Could well be the heat or age. Who knows.

Just the back caused by the sheer wear and tear. Cold weather - and it can easily get triggered in to spasmatic pain. It's manageable, but unnerving as it can progress into stronger pain and then affect your game.

legendkillar wrote:If Feds back is playing up, do you expect him to maybe miss part of February if it becomes a hinderance?

I think that's the reason he has such a light schedule already anyway. He can do well without playing too much. I mean his game is there now and can reach his peak pretty quick...but if the back is a problem we may shorten his career pretty quickly. No point carrying on when you know you cannot deliver. Sad as his game is still the best out there...by a mile.

Tenez wrote:

legendkillar wrote:If Feds back is playing up, do you expect him to maybe miss part of February if it becomes a hinderance?

I think that's the reason he has such a light schedule already anyway. He can do well without playing too much. I mean his game is there now and can reach his peak pretty quick...but if the back is a problem we may shorten his career pretty quickly. No point carrying on when you know you cannot deliver. Sad as his game is still the best out there...by a mile.

True very true. I think the fact he has managed his schedule so well and still managed to stay at the top for donkey's years is a testament to itself. I think that is why the case of Nadal is intriguing. The guy's body is spent and he is what 26? I would be surprised if he continued on into his 30's because a lot of success driven players don't want to hang around and experience decline. The fact he is now going on a Clay based diet to me indicates the end is nigh.

Not many big events in February. Hopefully Feds can get some much needed rest in.

Results and points table as on 22-Jan-2013

A summary for the day. :

Rotla: -23, 18, 33, 19, -19
Tenez: -23, 18, 33, 19, 19
nitb: 23, 18, -33, 19, 19
SB: 23, 18, -33, 19, 19
Luvspots: 23, 18, 33, 19, 19 [ Fantastic!! A full score ]
LK : 23, 18, -33, 19, 19

Points as on 22-Jan-2013

Rotla: -15 + 28 = 13
Tenez = 230 + 66 = 296
nitb: 170 + 46 = 216
SB:
Luvspots: 64 + 46 = 110
LK: -156 - 26 = -182 + 54 = -128 + 46 = -82

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No of correct Predictions:

Rotla: 20/40 + 3/5 = 23/45
Tenez: 25/40 + 4/5 = 29/45
nitb: 26/40 + 4/5 = 30/45
SB:
Luvspots: 26/40 + 5/5 = 31/45
LK: 19/28 + 4/5 = 23/ 32

Luv sportz gets the 2nd full score for this AO.