ATP 1000: Miami

come on fog, dolgo, BLAKE! simon and nishi

luvsports! wrote:come on fog, dolgo, BLAKE! simon and nishi

aaaand Nole

he doesn't need my help or wishful predictions

Strange match between Haas and Dolgo. It's quite windy and Dolgo has completely lost his confidence. But Weldone to Haas to still produce the goods at 34/35.

Nothing very interesting today. Llodra Paes v Dimi & unknown caught my eye...that's how bad this session is. Looks like all the big names bar Djoko are on the other side.

This Somedev did well to go all the way from Qualif. Ranked 250 at 28....He might be talented but could have lacked the finance to travel the world and cumulate points.

Tenez, he was in the top 50 last year I think, but struggled with injuries.

He's a solid player, if Djokovic has an off day he'll take advantage- but I suspect Djoko will play well and rip him apart.

Ah good on him. I felt his name rang a bell.

he was the most successful collegiate player at a US uni ever I believe, with a 44-1 record. I remember googling him during his 5 setter vs janowicz at aus in that infamous umpire rant from the big pole.
Only turned pro in 2008 at 23.

Immediate break for Djoko.

Novak's forehand beginning to look like a weapon. Very exciting.

blake levels the match, come on blake!!!

Some nice matches today (start 3 PM UK time) :

Gasquet-Youzhny - the battle of SBHs
Goffin-Almagro - guile vs laser groundstrokes
Dimtrov-Murray (two weaponless all-courters battling it from the baseline)
Raonic-Querrey (run for cover)
Seppi-Bellucci Baseline bonanza
Falla-Berdych Theguy who took Fed to 5 sets in Wimbledon vs in form Berd, could be interesting.

I am surprised by your dislike for dimi nitb, I think he is a nice player to watch and does have potential.
For me the last three matches, as you suggest for the 4th match, are ones where we should all "run for cover"

luvsports! wrote:I am surprised by your dislike for dimi nitb, I think he is a nice player to watch and does have potential.
For me the last three matches, as you suggest for the 4th match, are ones where we should all "run for cover"

What makes you think I dislike him?
I'm more upset with how he deteriorated from what he used to play like a few years ago, that's all. But, it's not quite all his fault, the conditions have changed so he adapted his game to them sadly.

Youznhy Gasquet looking good. Old school

Absolutely fascinating watching the two play almost 80% of their shots with their BH.
Both are very strong, but Gasquet has more flair and variety on it. Dr Misha loses it with a few outbursts, and after Gasquet breaks him, the racquet thankfully gets smashed on the ground this time...

...and a brilliant game from Youzhny to break back, c'mon let's have 3 sets of this feisty battle

Yes good day of tennis today.

We have seen over the 2013 tournaments, Rao and Dimi reaching consitently 4th round. Something which was rarer in 2012. Of course we woudl expect that...but Dimi getting a 5/2 lead over Djoko and Rao beating Murray twice already shows that the gap at teh top is narrowing.

Yes, it's good that they are getting established a bit. They all need a big win to propel them maybe.
When I saw Murray was playing Dimitrov , my immediate reaction was, great! but then I though, how is Dimitrov going to hurt Murray? He just appears to be weaponless against strong base-liners.
It's going to be even tougher with this humidity and wind, I hope he serves well, that should be a good start for anything more.
One thing which is good about Dimi, he is no choker and he'll give it his best shot, who knows ?

Gasquet through in straights, will be playing the winner of Almagro-Goffin, who are out next on the same court.

I am not sure we can call Dimi no weapon though I agree eh has a bit less than maybe we think he has.

He still creates the opportunities a bit more than the typical roadrunner.

Tenez wrote:I am not sure we can call Dimi no weapon though I agree eh has a bit less than maybe we think he has.

He still creates the opportunities a bit more than the typical roadrunner.

From what I could see recently his only weapon was his serve. BH was a huge liability, FH average. Baseline game so-so, but toothless against beep-beeps.

Well wasn't he 5/2 up against beep beep? I think his mind let him down more than his weapons actually that day.

I think you underestimate Dimi.
His Bh isn't bad, it's just too inconsistent.

Tenez wrote:Well wasn't he 5/2 up against beep beep? I think his mind let him down more than his weapons actually that day.

Djokovic was playing poorly that day.
Dimi choked 5-2 up.

Tenez wrote:Well wasn't he 5/2 up against beep beep? I think his mind let him down more than his weapons actually that day.

I actually saw the match and Novak was utterly horrible, so bad I don't remember ever seeing him play like that. Spraying balls EVERYWHERE, like he was trying to tank and tank obviously...so I wouldn't read much from that result. It wasn't anything like when Tomic gave him trouble.

I just hope Murray doesn't slaughter him completely. I would love to be wrong, of course.

Almagro through in straights, as per Seppi's golden tradition, Seppi Bellucci slogging it in the third set.
Dimtrova Murray just started.

COME ON GRIGOR

Dimi holding his own against Murray from the baseline, lovely pace from both wings, breaks him, serving at 3:1!

Go DIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Dimitrov really impressive tonight, playing with so much heart, he must not lose this match!

I hate Murray's c'mon-ing opponents' UEs, disgusting!

noleisthebest wrote:I hate Murray's c'mon-ing opponents' UEs, disgusting!

Yes....not nice.....and his long grunt well after hitting the shot to break his opponent's timing.

All the winning ugly tricks from Brad.

But Dimi again choked big time.

This is the best I've seen Dimitrov play in a long time. Especially nicely surprised with the forehand.
How old is he, 22?

Dimtrov Tomic and Raonic could provide great trivalry, so different in style...

Dimi plays nice tennis, but I can not see him win this match. He is not focused on the ball in these matches. Perhaps he is going to improve it.

I suppose court in Miami is faster than in IW, no extra layer of paint here....

paulcz wrote:Dimi plays nice tennis, but I can not see him win this match. He is not focused on the ball in these matches. Perhaps he is going to improve it.

He needs to improve his backhand asap, that's what's holding him back, I think. But I really like his forward movement, plays with the right mindset, and it's not easy in these conditions, I am really impressed with him going for it!
It would be great if he could beat Murray tonight, that would mean so much to him.

lucky Murray!

What went thorugh Dimi's head with that inside out forehand when he had the entire court open for the CC one...

I've got the stream with sky's commentary atm, not as horrible as tennistv.

noleisthebest wrote:What went thorugh Dimi's head with that inside out forehand when he had the entire court open for the CC one...

That was a poor concentration on the ball, nothing else. He has great shotmaking and move, but his mindset is below average. Just to improve it and his is close to top 10.

I hope Dimi's fit enough to last at least one more set at 100%
At the moment it looks so close yet so far

COME ON DIMIIII

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:Dimi plays nice tennis, but I can not see him win this match. He is not focused on the ball in these matches. Perhaps he is going to improve it.

He needs to improve his backhand asap, that's what's holding him back, I think. But I really like his forward movement, plays with the right mindset, and it's not easy in these conditions, I am really impressed with him going for it!
It would be great if he could beat Murray tonight, that would mean so much to him.

Such a win would help him very much. He has everything game wise, but he more thinks about Fed than focuses on the ball. His head must be in pretty mess during the match.

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:What went thorugh Dimi's head with that inside out forehand when he had the entire court open for the CC one...

That was a poor concentration on the ball, nothing else. He has great shotmaking and move, but his mindset is below average. Just to improve it and his is close to top 10.

All players have those moments, Murray used to be really bad like that before Lendl.

I think this comment from Murray can explain the extra zeal from Dimi tonight:

"Grigor is probably a better athlete. But I think, like tennis IQ, Bernard knows how to play tennis. He has very
good anticipation. He has great feel. Grigor has very good feel, as well. Bernard is a really big guy. He kind of hunches over a bit, but he's 6’4”, 6’5”. That can help, too. It’s tough to say who’s better. They have had similar results. Maybe Bernard, he's done better in the Slams and obviously won a tournament. Grigor has played well this year.”

he will be 22 in may.

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:What went thorugh Dimi's head with that inside out forehand when he had the entire court open for the CC one...

That was a poor concentration on the ball, nothing else. He has great shotmaking and move, but his mindset is below average. Just to improve it and his is close to top 10.

It was a bit of poor concentration but really amplified by Murray's shank. The ball must have had a very weird bounce that surprised Dimi.

Poor Dimi, he must be thinking after all those great points and forehands...and what's he's got to show for....0:3 down in the 2nd...the match is going to slip fast out of his hands if he doesn't snap out of the disappointment phase asap.

noleisthebest wrote:

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:What went thorugh Dimi's head with that inside out forehand when he had the entire court open for the CC one...

That was a poor concentration on the ball, nothing else. He has great shotmaking and move, but his mindset is below average. Just to improve it and his is close to top 10.

All players have those moments, Murray used to be really bad like that before Lendl.

Of course Murray is not any mental star, but is more focused on the ball. Although when he should close the match, he stopped swinging and just punched and run. Dimi is much more active player with the bigger swing, but to improve that focus on the ball. I like his serve, move, forehand and his BH slice is really nice. But when seeing his eyes, he looks like a teenager on some village tourney.

Really the main difference in this match is Dimi's confidence. Had he been a bit more relaxed and confident he woudl have won that first set...though it woudl have been against an under par Murray.

But this confidence shoudl improve. Not guaranteed but it's very likely it will. However I am pretty sure he has not that grace and calm Federer managed to develop in his career. I hope I am wrong but in those tough moments he will more likely break down.

What Federer did at 20 in SW19 v Sampras center court was really something special. Dimi chokes from 5/2 up at IW and Miami in a 3rd round. Not quite the same.

Dimi is still young and very passionate. Not hardened, soulless pro like Murray.
I like young players when they are in this phase, still full of enthusiasm and playing their game, no matter what, same as Paire.

He seems keen to work hard, so that's a good sign. Also great hope that a young an upcoming player is playing SBH, I know what you mean with him having Fed in the back of his mind, who doesn't

Can Dimi break now?