Re: ATP 1000: Monte Carlo

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:16 pm

Don't you just love it when Nadal "goes for it" with his forehand and misses by an inch or two Bubbly

Dimi holds 5:2!!!!

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:20 pm

What Dimi needs to do is improve his CC FH. He shoudl be able to take Nadal out much more than he does now...That would really open up the court.

Djoko does that quite well.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:26 pm

Tenez wrote:What Dimi needs to do is improve his CC FH. He shoudl be able to take Nadal out much more than he does now...That would really open up the court.

Djoko does that quite well.

He is a great material for the right type of coach.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:27 pm

And Dimi takes the set YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Somersault

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:29 pm

Dimi is not playing that great. Nadal seems tired bizarrely...The FH UEs are characteristic of Nadal's tiredness.

I still expect him to recover...especially since Dimi is not really hurting him.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:31 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:What Dimi needs to do is improve his CC FH. He shoudl be able to take Nadal out much more than he does now...That would really open up the court.

Djoko does that quite well.

He is a great material for the right type of coach.

For the right conds rather. Players needs lungs...nt a coach nowadays.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:32 pm

Yes it's a strange match, noone is really dictating it, except for Nadal when he gets the chance to go for Dimi's BH.
Somehow, though, Dimi is managing to bamboozle Nadal with his "on the go" survival style.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:33 pm

T, do you remember what happened on this day last year?

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:41 pm

Dimis's BH holding really well now, what a point to open that 3rd game! Magic

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:53 pm

noleisthebest wrote:T, do you remember what happened on this day last year?

Is it the site anniversary? the day I got banned?

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:07 pm

Tenez wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:T, do you remember what happened on this day last year?

Is it the site anniversary? the day I got banned?

http://www.ja606.co.uk/comments/viewAllComments/109014

Feels like it happened ages ago.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:14 pm

That forehand he should've put away so easily and instead netted it will haunt Dimi...unless he can break now.
COME OOOOOOOOONN DIIIIIII-MIIIIIIIIIIIIIII diva

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:21 pm

Yep...seems like a long time.

I cannot say I have been impressed by Dimi's performance. I was impressed by his fitness though and his mental strength but his shots were lacking depth and pace....too spiny but I guess that was the only way to go on that surface v Nadal.

His is fighting hard cause he is trailing with nothing to lose...Had he had to serve it out we may have found a different outcome.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:21 pm

Dimi....

by luvsports! Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:22 pm

Great effort dimi, that will give him confidence for sure!

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:23 pm

I think Dimi will weakened Nadal for Tsonga and that is a good thing.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:24 pm

Allez Gasquet. I think he can go all teh way here....but I know he won't!

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:24 pm

Tenez wrote:Yep...seems like a long time.

I cannot say I have been impressed by Dimi's performance. I was impressed by his fitness though and his mental strength but his shots were lacking depth and pace....too spiny but I guess that was the only way to go on that surface v Nadal.

His is fighting hard cause he is trailing with nothing to lose...Had he had to serve it out we may have found a different outcome.

The thought that crossed my mind was the genuine surprise how he managed to make the match competitive with such play.
I was comparing him with Fed's lack of success against Nadal and was amazed how this rough mumbo-jumbo style from Dimi worked better than the finely tuned game of Federer.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:26 pm

Tenez wrote:I think Dimi will weakened Nadal for Tsonga and that is a good thing.

At least he's exposed Nadal's far from his "unbeatable" form. It's the knees, of course Winking

by paulcz Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:39 pm

That is pity for Dimi, he should win it. Although he looks mentally stronger it is still missing a bit to have this extra confidence which Nole has.

I saw second set till 5:2 for Grigor and then I just checked the sad result. This clay looks really slow and a bit softer, I saw Grigor so many times being sliding when going for winners. But when the points really matters he did not went for winners and played percentage, which does not work. Mori surprisingly also was not able to dictate more game over Dimi's BH.

I will look at the third set in the evening.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:45 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:Yep...seems like a long time.

I cannot say I have been impressed by Dimi's performance. I was impressed by his fitness though and his mental strength but his shots were lacking depth and pace....too spiny but I guess that was the only way to go on that surface v Nadal.

His is fighting hard cause he is trailing with nothing to lose...Had he had to serve it out we may have found a different outcome.

The thought that crossed my mind was the genuine surprise how he managed to make the match competitive with such play.

But that is also the kind of play that made Djoko successful v Nadal on clay. Long and safe rallies...with Djoko simply lasting longer so in that respect Dimi used the right tactics but came physically short.

I was comparing him with Fed's lack of success against Nadal and was amazed how this rough mumbo-jumbo style from Dimi worked better than the finely tuned game of Federer.

Federer also plays more like that nowadays, especially on clay but clearly he cannot do as much running. If he coudl he woudl not have lost a single set v Rafa.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:51 pm

I would love to see Fed beat Nadal on clay this year. I haven't seen many of their matches on clay, except that Madrid final.
Despite all the analysis and explanation, I will never understand why Fed didn't beat him more often. A bit like seeing a plane in the sky, I know all the maths and physics behind it, but still don't understand how it's up there!

by paulcz Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:04 pm

Paulcz wrote:
Tenez wrote: But that is also the kind of play that made Djoko successful v Nadal on clay. Long and safe rallies...with Djoko simply lasting longer so in that respect Dimi used the right tactics but came physically short.

As I wrote many times Moribundus does not lose with Nole because Nole overlasts him, but due to the fact that he dictates the game with him. Nole plays 2 meters more at the front of the court than Dimi did today on BH side. Please compare their game of these two with Nadal.

Having watched the third set, it showed that Dimi could not win it by digging so deep on the court. Too pasive game, just percentage tennis, that does not work with Mory at all. Especially balls from Dimi's BH were too short and slow to cause any damage to Mori. The positive thing was that Dimi won many points at the net. He did not do many UE from BH side except some slices. Playing slices into Mori FH was the last nail in that match.It was a good match from Dimi, but my feeling is that if he does not move more to the front of the court he must do horrible effort to win the points. I had feeling that even Nadal looked a bit frustrated how tough moonballing can be. Good to him to know it.

Nole's positioning on court with Mori is absolutely different. Nole hits especially BH most of the time inside the court, Dimi was more than two metres behind BL even when playing FH. Nole is totally different league. Except Nole there is nobody who can outplay Mori on clay atm.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:19 pm

noleisthebest wrote: A bit like seeing a plane in the sky, I know all the maths and physics behind it, but still don't understand how it's up there!

Good analogy.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:24 pm

paulcz wrote: Fed plays as much aggressive as his opponent allows him to do.

I'd say he plays as agressive as the conds allow him to do. If the conds are right his opponents have/had no say.

Fed does not play percentage tennis at all.

Well he had to learn to be patient, first with Hewitt and then a bit more with that beep beep generation.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:44 pm

perfect TB from Fognini. Strange set.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:51 pm

Tenez wrote:perfect TB from Fognini. Strange set.

I just saw a few random points in the first set. Fognini has been playing very well this year, a tough nut to crack when he's on, esp on clay. He does not bash the ball and can last forever, nice all-court game when he wants to play it, too.

I think have forgiven him that RG Houdini act now Winking

I hope Gasquet is not rallying with him from the baseline, or even worse, 3m behind it!

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:07 pm

Disappointing lack of fight from Gasquet, sending THAT backhand so meekly to the net too often....and it's not like Fognini is moonballing it to him...
MP Fognini, C'mon Richieeee!!!!

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:13 pm

Yes, weird performance from Gasquet. He allowed Fognini to play ver4y well. I doubt his next round will be as easy.

Gasquet had teh forst set point but after that he went downhill.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:14 pm

Tenez wrote:Yes, weird performance from Gasquet. He allowed Fognini to play ver4y well. I doubt his next round will be as easy.

Gasquet had teh forst set point but after that he went downhill.

I don't know why he is so wobbly inside, he's such a talent, complete waste as far as I am concerned....Just imagine Serena's spirit inside him!

He would've probably been a great player in a different era.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:21 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:Yes, weird performance from Gasquet. He allowed Fognini to play ver4y well. I doubt his next round will be as easy.

Gasquet had teh forst set point but after that he went downhill.

I don't know why he is so wobbly inside, he's such a talent, complete waste as far as I am concerned....Just imagine Serena's spirit inside him!

He would've probably been a great player in a different era.

He is actually more consistent than ever but I think he had a bad day...his mouvement was particularly poor.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:22 pm

What did you tell him when you were "coaching" him in Wimbledon last year?

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:27 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJ4OWVcLlY Somersault

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:29 pm

noleisthebest wrote:What did you tell him when you were "coaching" him in Wimbledon last year?

ATP 1000: Monte Carlo - Page 4 2033450363

Can't remember but I was pretty impressed by his focus.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:35 pm

This is going to be one very boring match...but nice of Nole to come to the net now and make it a bit more easy on the eyes...

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:13 pm

Pretty comfortable first set for Nole. No ankle-nerves any more, good to see. Should be primed for Sunday.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:30 pm

Yes, we need to have Nole fit for Sunday....unless he plays Tsonga of course! Winking

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:32 pm

Tenez wrote:Yes, we need to have Nole fit for Sunday....unless he plays Tsonga of course!

Of course

I had a self-loathing thought/dilemma today: would I be happier if Nadal lost to Dimi today or Nole won MC : Run

What do you think of Tsonga's chances?

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:39 pm

Nimi 1:5 down and still looking pumped, love it Applause

!

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:51 pm

Very relieved to see Nole back to his old self mentally, tennis wise, not bad.
All coming nicely together at the right time.

Good, easy win, I thought Nimi was going to put up a bigger fight, but obviously didn't have much left in the tank after having to play and endure all Delpo threw at him in three sets yesterday.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:52 pm

So, the semis start at noon UK time tomorrow:

Nadal - Tsonga
&
Djokovic - Fognini (that's if he turns up Winking

)

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:05 pm

noleisthebest wrote:What do you think of Tsonga's chances?

thin cause he hates playing him.

by Tenez Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:07 pm

it's meant to be bad weather tomorrow in MC...if not rain.

Time we get a reverse weather situation.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:13 pm

Tenez wrote:it's meant to be bad weather tomorrow in MC...if not rain.

Time we get a reverse weather situation.

Oh, I hope not Sad

I can't imagine this view being darkened by clouds....

ATP 1000: Monte Carlo - Page 4 Monte_carlo

by paulcz Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:30 pm

Paulcz wrote:
Tenez wrote: But that is also the kind of play that made Djoko successful v Nadal on clay. Long and safe rallies...with Djoko simply lasting longer so in that respect Dimi used the right tactics but came physically short.

As I wrote many times Moribundus does not lose with Nole because Nole overlasts him, but due to the fact that he dictates the game with him. Nole plays 2 meters more at the front of the court than Dimi did today on BH side. Please compare their game of these two with Nadal.

Having watched the third set, it showed that Dimi could not win it by digging so deep on the court. Too pasive game, just percentage tennis, that does not work with Mory at all. Especially balls from Dimi's BH were too short and slow to cause any damage to Mori. The positive thing was that Dimi won many points at the net. He did not do many UE from BH side except some slices. Playing slices into Mori FH was the last nail in that match.It was a good match from Dimi, but my feeling is that if he does not move more to the front of the court he must do horrible effort to win the points. I had feeling that even Nadal looked a bit frustrated how tough moonballing can be. Good to him to know it.

Nole's positioning on court with Mori is absolutely different. Nole hits especially BH most of the time inside the court, Dimi was more than two metres behind BL even when playing FH. Nole is totally different league. Except Nole there is nobody who can outplay Mori on clay atm.

by noleisthebest Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:34 pm

Dimitrov after today's match:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVa7vlb3xLs

Nadal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXwy1ZaX1gw

And Tsonga, before tomorrow's match (honest to the bone, as usual)

"It's an incredible challenge. If I win, I'll be a hero. If I lose, I'll just go back home like everybody else."

by luvsports! Sat Apr 20, 2013 8:49 am

Dimi needs to get fitter, if he is cramping in bo3, think about bo5!

highlights of the rafa dimi match (sounds a bit off)
part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf75iK6TqDU
part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=j9TfKk2Qze4&feature=endscreen

7.45 point wowzer, I think I became a proper fan of dimi after watching that, just brilliant!!!!

by Tenez Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:19 am

One might hope that Dimi my have learnt from this match but the truth is that there is nothing to learn, he just needs to get fitter.

I note that though Federer probably shanked more on the BH than Dimi at the same age, Fed did try the flat CC BH whereas we saw none of it from Dimi.

I think it is extremely important against Nadal to let him know that he can be hurt by the CC BH (for RHanders) cause then he doesn't simply seats on his BH waiting for the ball there, and it makes the CC FH a more efficient weapon against him (again Djoko, SOd, Delpo, Davydenko, do that well).

What is more apparent than ever though watching Nadal is, like Djoko, he is able to force his opponent to run even from an outside, unbalanced position. This is why when you play against them, the difference in ground covered is not that much (between the attacking player and the retriever). That's due to the strings and slow conds.

I liked Cowan saying watching Tsonga yesterday that he regreted that a FH winner was a rarity nowadays, despite today's amazing powerful players. He blamed it on the conds obviously.

by luvsports! Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:23 am

But on clay does it matter? Isn't it supposed to be slow? Correct me if im wrong but wasn't it always slow?
Just speed up the other courts.

by Tenez Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:51 am

Yes clay is slow and I like it as is. But those strings and softer balls have made it much slower than in the past.

You have plenty of players who could SV to the final and even win it that way (Noah), and those who did not win their final had only themselves to blame (Mc/Edberg). Howeverm the new strings have made all surfaces slower. If you provide harder, heavier and therefore faster balls, we woudl retrieve conditions like in the past. Now IW and clay are simply ridiculously slow allowing Nadal way too much time to inject his spin from 5m behind teh baseline. That was not possible before the string technology. In the late 90s players you did not have successful moonballers on clay, you had Agassi, Courrier, Medvedev, all able to blast winners.

Nowadays, noone can hit winners on that surface.

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