Australian Open 2014 : MOTD : Day 10 QF day2

The schedule is out and I'm still not done with all my calculations. The days are running faster than my calculator.

1. Simona Halep (ROU) [24]
vs.
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [33]


2. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [33]
vs.
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [30]


3. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [12]
vs.
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [33]


4. Andy Murray (GBR) [31]
vs.
Roger Federer (SUI) [33]




My picks:


1. Halep
2. Azarenka
3. Dimi
4. Fed

Dimi, Fed.

You called it today with Stan ROTLA. Follow your heart eh? Might follow your example.

Cibulkova (showing that short women can also play tennis!)
Azarenka
Dimi (heart not head)
Fed

Cibulkova, azarenka, nadal, Murray

1. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [33]


2. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [33]


3. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [33]


4. Roger Federer (SUI) [33]

Can I just ask, from what you guys have seen, if Fed and Nadal both get to the semis, would Fed's game better now with the new racquet? From what I've seen and heard, the backhand looks so much more consistent, and he has more power. That surely has to help against Nadal's high bouncing topspin right? And it's not as much of a 'weak' spot?

Polly 81 wrote:Can I just ask, from what you guys have seen, if Fed and Nadal both get to the semis, would Fed's game better now with the new racquet? From what I've seen and heard, the backhand looks so much more consistent, and he has more power. That surely has to help against Nadal's high bouncing topspin right? And it's not as much of a 'weak' spot?

In theory- but I think the more realistic time period where it would really help him in a matchup with Nadal is down the road..  The comms aren't lying when they say any player, even ultra talent like Fed, needs a decent period of time with the new racquet.  Its under intense pressure where the lack of time with the racquet will show, and it would be under intense pressure in a Nadal match.  Federer hasn't faced anything like the spin and kick up Nadal creates with the new racquet yet..  He needs more time IMO--  I would love for this matchup to happen at US Open or even Wimby.. but right now- it's a tough call..  IF Fed beats Murray though and really finds his form + confidence.. it might be a close one.. I hope!!

Polly 81 wrote:Can I just ask, from what you guys have seen, if Fed and Nadal both get to the semis, would Fed's game better now with the new racquet? From what I've seen and heard, the backhand looks so much more consistent, and he has more power. That surely has to help against Nadal's high bouncing topspin right? And it's not as much of a 'weak' spot?

In theory- but I think the more realistic time period where it would really help him in a matchup with Nadal is down the road..  The comms aren't lying when they say any player, even ultra talent like Fed, needs a decent period of time with the new racquet.  Its under intense pressure where the lack of time with the racquet will show, and it would be under intense pressure in a Nadal match.  Federer hasn't faced anything like the spin and kick up Nadal creates with the new racquet yet..  He needs more time IMO--  I would love for this matchup to happen at US Open or even Wimby.. but right now- it's a tough call..  IF Fed beats Murray though and really finds his form + confidence.. it might be a close one.. I hope!!

I can't say it will make THAT much difference. Maybe for his confidence.  He is still going to be going for lines while the talentless pusher pushes balls back time and again.

Thanks truffin, that's very true. Unless Fed feels like he's got nothing to lose, and would then play freely. I might be hoping for too much too soon! Wouldn't it be great though if Nadal's usual tactics of going to the backhand would turn out to be a new strength. One can only dream...

Halep, Azarenka, Nadal, Federer

Radwanska ready to serve Azarenka some freshly made hot polish  

Radwanska does it.   So easy on the play. No shrieks, no grunts, no battering of the poor balls...

Dimi
Roger

Will watch at least the first set of Rafa vs Dimi, may go sleep after that, and will wake up to watch Fed.  I imagine Fed will now lose in straights and I will be kicking myself for not having watched Stan instead.

Dimi break and now 3-0 up.. come on Dimi

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Dimi break and now 3-0 up.. come on Dimi

He has the game to do it.   He is also going to be a Slam champion one day.  Nadal is on his way to decline.    This season is the one where he loses all those lovely points of his too.

PUSHER.

lmao, see ya Nadal.  First set to Dimi.  Dimi has to keep on the pressure and keep up the service games.

One of the most enjoyable sets of Nadal grand slam tennis in a while.  I think I will stick around for one more set.

HAHAHAHAHA!  Nadal throws his break away with a double fault.

Nadal showing his class again 
Fist pumping and screaming after every point.  Oh, it's going to be GLORIOUS watching this guy decline.  Watching this ego disintegrate.  Watching him lose his mind.

Nadal complaining and arguing with umpire too...  how unusual.  Bed for me... when I awake I hope to see that nadal has been sent packing.

Come on Dimi... u doing great...

Very nervy TB from Dimi - those first two points were just terrible.

Its okay.. Dimi can still do it..

Oh Dimi.. don't lose it..You can do better.. Just don't lose heart.. no matter what happens.. just play a good match.

Ohh dimi.. showing severe nerves... missing those easy ones.

A single handed BH can't go so far back and take the balls so late.. Its very difficult to take the balls rising above the shoulder with a single hand.. 

Dimi needs to step in.. come on dimi

2 BPS... come on dimi....

And a break back.... COME ON DIMI!!!

Oh oh.. DImi.. you missed a very crucial point. He had the set on his racquet , got the return he wanted.. it was a winner written on it.. but you made it wide..



Ohh come on.. not again..

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Radwanska does it.   So easy on the play. No shrieks, no grunts, no battering of the poor balls...

Glad she did!

Nadal was right there for the taking. No way is that GOAT talent. Dimi just got nervy. Easy forehands on set points in the 3rd. He's not playing lights out though, and if he was , this would be a straight set loss for nadal

Dimi is playign too far back.. and that's not working..

Very disappointed by Dimi actually. he can't put away a limping Nadal cause he has no composure!

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Dimi is playign too far back.. and that's not working..

yes....and no composure.

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Dimi is playign too far back.. and that's not working..

yes....and no composure.

I hope he learns from today's match and takes all positives. So does Nishikori even if he didn't take a set off Nadal. 

I only hope Dimi doesn't lose the 4 th set badly.

truffin1 wrote:Nadal was right there for the taking. No way is that GOAT talent.  Dimi just got nervy. Easy forehands on set points in the 3rd.  He's not playing lights out though, and if he was , this would be a straight set loss for nadal

That was painful and the kind of shots that can damage a career! Had he won it...his confidence would have been sky high and would have probably won it in 4....now it's going to be with him for a while!

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Dimi is playign too far back.. and that's not working..

yes....and no composure.

I hope he learns from today's match and takes all positives. So does Nishikori even if he didn't take a set off Nadal. 

I only hope Dimi doesn't lose the 4 th set badly.

As I say in my following post those are actually scares more than lessons!

That's where Fed was so strong......beating Pete Sampras at 19 facing so many tough points, yet won it in 5!

Tenez wrote:

truffin1 wrote:Nadal was right there for the taking. No way is that GOAT talent.  Dimi just got nervy. Easy forehands on set points in the 3rd.  He's not playing lights out though, and if he was , this would be a straight set loss for nadal

That was painful and the kind of shots that can damage a career! Had he won it...his confidence would have been sky high and would have probably won it in 4....now it's going to be with him for a while!

Every player suffers close losses, especially during the initial years of their career. What defines them is how they come up next time. That's what make champions. Dimi can do it, will he is the big question.

If they get scared, they will never get ahead. They know how to play against anyone, just need to learn how to win against anyone.

Being able to deliver winners on key points means being relaxed on key points. That what makes the difference between champs and not champs. He can overcome that but it's likely it (nerves) will always be there or thereabout.

Yep even limping Nadal is a danger nowadays. before he would have been easy meat.

Ohh poor Dimi.. he could have done so much better. But well played, I hope next time when they meet, Dimi won't get scared on those key moments.   

  Dimitrov, Played well

Murray Fed should be interesting! Probably the Final?

Tenez wrote:Murray Fed should be interesting! Probably the Final?

No, the winner of Stan vs Berdych will have a chance too.

unless nadal fixes his blister...then he is still the hot favourite.

Where is everybody?

Fed won the first set with relative ease...Murray playing much tighter in the second set. Lots of volleying from fed: 14/18!

Come on Rog, teach that schoolboy a lesson!

And Murray trying to get aggressive to save a BP....misses....winners/pressure not a good ratio!