Re: ATP Masters 1000: Madrid

by noleisthebest Wed May 07, 2014 9:05 pm

I can't believe Almagro let the match go like that...

Murray looked unusally happy and smilling to himself all evening. Terrible tennis, though.

by Tenez Wed May 07, 2014 9:09 pm

He just won by beating Almagro on one leg as he himself did not feel great....That's what made him happy.

by Tenez Wed May 07, 2014 9:39 pm

The surprising score today is Nadal/Monaco 61/60.....Monaco shoudl/could have been 3/0 up in that first set...Nadal was lacking so much confidence.....and then Monaco failed to convert those games and completely lost faith it seems as I did not watch after the first 4 games.

by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Thu May 08, 2014 4:07 am

Tenez wrote:The surprising score today is Nadal/Monaco 61/60.....Monaco shoudl/could have been 3/0 up in that first set...Nadal was lacking so much confidence.....and then Monaco failed to convert those games and completely lost faith it seems as I did not watch after the first 4 games.

Too much respect for Nadal, what will such a player be able to do? Monaco and Ndal are good buddies and I don't think Monaco wanted to upset Nadal 1 bit. How else will they Play some video games on X-BOX?

by raiders_of_the_lost_ark Thu May 08, 2014 4:16 am

Tenez wrote:He just won by beating Almagro on one leg as he himself did not feel great....That's what made him happy.

True, that's what even I felt. He was just happy to be winning despite playing so poor.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 10:49 am

Dimi-Copil match yesterday looked liked it was some proper fun!

Hope to see more of Copil on a regular basis, esp on grass.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 10:52 am

Match of the day:

Berdych - Dimitrov

Interesting H2H, Dimi won both of their previous matches. I think Dimi will cause Nadal more trouble than Berd. Quite excited about that one, in fact.
Unless Nimi performs a miracle...which is not that impossible if he is 100% fit.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 11:30 am

noleisthebest wrote:Dimi-Copil match yesterday looked liked it was some proper fun!

Hope to see more of Copil on a regular basis, esp on grass.

Yes..saw some of it an it was a good level. Copil's SHBH was the weak side.....Tended to slice instead of attack too many times.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 11:33 am

Rao Nishi should be good too...though I feel Nishi can cope with Rao's serve. I'd say 2 straight sets for Nishi.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 11:48 am

I like Nishi, but not Raonic, can manage him only in minimal doses against Murray or Nadal.
I read that Giraldo (aka baby Nole/Aggassi) played well vs Tsonga, so could be an interesting one against Murray.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 11:54 am

Tenez wrote:

Yes..saw some of it an it was a good level. Copil's SHBH was the weak side.....Tended to slice instead of attack too many times.

From what I saw in that clip, he likes to attack, but obviously trusts his FH more for it.
There seems to be a group of young SBH-ers without "the team" struggling to make the break-through: Strakh, Golub, Copil.
I am sure they will have done much better 10 years ago.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 12:21 pm

noleisthebest wrote:I like Nishi, but not Raonic, can manage him only in minimal doses against Murray or Nadal.
I read that Giraldo (aka baby Nole/Aggassi) played well vs Tsonga, so could be an interesting one against Murray.

I know your views change, which is good, cause not so long ago Nishi was a crap player abusing gamesmanship according to you.

I like Rao for bringing a potential good serve. He started pretty good but got a few injuries which dragged him down.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 12:23 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Tenez wrote:

Yes..saw some of it an it was a good level. Copil's SHBH was the weak side.....Tended to slice instead of attack too many times.

From what I saw in that clip, he likes to attack, but obviously trusts his FH more for it.
There seems to be a group of young SBH-ers without "the team" struggling to make the break-through: Strakh, Golub, Copil.
I am sure they will have done much better 10 years ago.

Certainly. Stakh is really talented but seems very inconsistent....which somehow is contradictory with "talent".

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 12:30 pm

Tenez wrote:
I know your views change, which is good, cause not so long ago Nishi was a crap player abusing gamesmanship according to you.

I like Rao for bringing a potential good serve. He started pretty good but got a few injuries which dragged him down.

When did I say Nishi was crap? I only remember disliking his gamesmnship.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 1:09 pm

I think you said he was a pusher/retriever...I might be wrong.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 1:54 pm

Rao squandering 4 BPs....but playing some good shots.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 1:55 pm

and converting in his 5th....He is returning well.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 1:58 pm

Impressive first set from Dimi...making Berd play with no confidence.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 2:01 pm

[quote="noleisthebest"]

Tenez wrote:

I like Rao for bringing a potential good serve. He started pretty good but got a few injuries which dragged him down.

As far as I know he's played continually, all players carry injurues and play through them.
I remember his early, simple game and it was OK, nothing more than that, plenty of other interesting players on tour to watch.
I have never been a fan of 1D players, especially the ones with big serves, so don't think that one is going to change in a hurry.
He is nothing special and quite over-hyped.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 2:07 pm

Rao's serve...oh dear....He is so nervous....serving for the set he makes 2 DFs. he had over powered Nishi and then when it comes to closing it...his dropping shoulders drop further down.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 2:37 pm

Berd regains control of the centre spot on the baseline and blasts Dimi away into the 3rd set.
Dimi needs to work on his BDTL asap.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 3:15 pm

Berd, in his full rampant FH mode, takes the 3rd set with ease.

Dimi's BH weakened as the match went on as he was probably tired from yesterday's tight 3 setter against Copil.
Although he has filled out considerably compared to last year as well as got fitter, he is still wasting a lot of unnecessary energy rallying longer than he needs to.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 3:38 pm

Yes I think Dimi was tired from 2 successive days of 3 setters. And you are also right that he does rally too much cause he stands too far away.

As predicted...but closer than thought (thanks to Rao saving tons of BPs), 2 sets for Nishi.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 4:34 pm

Murray losing 0:3 to Giraldo and still smiling Laugh

Maybe it's some kind of a bet... maybe he is trying to impress Mac as the new potential coach...
Surely it can't be the referendum about Scottish independence! Run

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 4:43 pm

This Giraldo is a swinger...as in "swinging the racquet"...I specify if ever there were some twisted minds in OTF.

by Tenez Thu May 08, 2014 4:50 pm

I am curious to see Giraldo/Nadal.

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 5:07 pm

Seeing Murray with this silly grin is even funnier than his previous grumpy, self-flagellating self!
I can't stop laughing every time he does it Laugh

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 5:25 pm

Swinger or not, Baby Nole is rocking and rolling musicalnote

I really enjoyed watching him play today.
Next: Agut. Will be tough, but he can do it!
In the absence of Daddy Nole, I may as well cheer for the Baby version...

by noleisthebest Thu May 08, 2014 11:13 pm

So...we have QF with a difference tomorrow, starting at 2.30 PM UK time:

Nadal-Berdych (can Berd finally do it and shut that ugly crowd up with a nice Shhhh! once more? Please, Berd, DO IT!!!)
Agut-Giraldo (now, who would've thunked about this one, hey? I'm going to love it as I have quite a soft little spot for Agut - he is our new Ferrer, but a much better ball striker, great, fiery competitor, due to his size not a lot of power, but some excellent consistency...and what to say of Giraldo aka Baby Nole, christened as The Swinger by our dear Tenez today! Well, I say GO GIRI!!!!! swing it baby! diva

)
Nishikori-Lopez (yuk, yuk, yuk! how did Thiem dare get ill and give Feli the Deli a w/o !!! Grr

I am so disappointed as I really looked forward to this encounter...but can't blame poor Domi too much, after all, he had to play 3 qualifying matches, so, in a way, he's already won Madrid Winking

... in short (pun intended) GO NISHI! )

Last but not the least...

Ferrer- Gulbis (now, I have just realised this match preceeds Nishi's, but who cares...main thing, the little guy won (Ferrer beat Isner)....HOURAAAAAH!!!! That doesn't mean we'd want him to win tomorrow, too...no!!! We want Earnie, our gorgeous champagne bohemian boy to have a go in the semi...and he'll need all our support for that...which, alas, I know won't be enough, but still..... EEEEEAAARNIEEEEEE!!!!!! go and show that grinder how it's done at least for one set !!! Cool

)

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 12:33 pm

Any brave predictions for today?

Peace Dove

, The Swinger, Kamikaze and Humble Terrier for me tennisball

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 12:43 pm

What about Nadal Berdych? I can't see Nadal losing....sadly.....however he will probably find it harder v Agut or Giraldo.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 12:53 pm

Tenez wrote:What about Nadal Berdych? I can't see Nadal losing....sadly.....however he will probably find it harder v Agut or Giraldo.

is for Berd (bird)

That's my bravest prediction. It comes more from Nadal's lack of confidence he's displayed this season than Berd's ability to beat him.
I think/hope it will be closer than usual. I actually don't remember watching the two play, I know Berd beat him in Madrid when it was indoors, and the incident with the crowd, but haven't seen any of their matches I think.
I am imagining the in-form Nadal would easily manoeuvre Berd and destabilise his confidence (read serve), because that's all it takes to unpin his game.
But because on paper Madrid is "faster", maybe that will help if he gets off to a good start.

I just want to see that crowd silenced.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 2:34 pm

Just caught a few minutes of Ivanovic -Halep that included Ana's on court coaching session and the point that followed it.
Quite intersting, the guy was telling her: don't panic, she is a worker, she is a runner, come to the net, keep encouraging yourself, go for your shots.
Ana was crying and I tought she must have just survived a bagel or stg....but all it was was her serve got broken in the previous game!

I then watched one point and she did as the coach told her, winning it.

It's a gift when a player has clarity of thought and doesn't need a coach to disperse the fog between the ears.
With women it gets even more complicated and the problem exaggerated Winking

It's often a thin line between winning and losing, stg I've been mulling over and may write about.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 3:09 pm

Started watching at 2:2. Nadal back to his retrieving best. Haven't seen him like this for a while...nothing wrong with him physically.

Berd trying to be gutsy, but needs to try even harder. Can't be easy for him.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 3:24 pm

Nadal breaks, the bicep at its dopest best.

So...the next question is: who would you prefer tomorrow: Agut or Giraldo?
I'm going with The Swinger!

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 3:45 pm

But Berdych is terrible....all the easy points which could have given him BPs or even GP he missed.

He is really poor mentally....in 2014 like in his 10 previous years!

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 3:47 pm

But Nadal's power when completely off balance is ridiculous....looks like he has finally had his full dose of magic potion!

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 3:49 pm

I think he is a little better now. He won't panic and collapse completely like he used to.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 3:51 pm

Tenez wrote:But Nadal's power when completely off balance is ridiculous....looks like he has finally had his full dose of magic potion!

That's the first thing I noticed.
Still, it's only the fact that he's got a wobbly customer across the net that's allowing him to throw his weight about.
If it was Nole, he'd look just as ridiculous as in Miami.

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 3:55 pm

Berdych's FH is so much over rated as well. Nadal's BH is more powerful nowadays!

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 4:04 pm

Berd's FH is simple. A bit like Stan's BH.
It got him to where it did, but not further.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 4:09 pm

I missed most of the match so far, just caught a point in which Berdych IS RALLYING from the baseline Doh

What is he trying to prove...looks bad.
Soderling was a legend compared to him. I wish he was still around...

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 4:13 pm

You are right, this is the same Berd. Nothing has changed. If anything, he is playing safer than before, as safe as someone of his size possibly can.

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 4:15 pm

He looks so robotic, stiff, and predictable.....the opposite of Rafa's zippy ball!

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 4:32 pm

Tenez wrote:He looks so robotic, stiff, and predictable.....the opposite of Rafa's zippy ball!

Excellent comparison!
You deserve a pay rise, T! Cool

ATP Masters 1000: Madrid - Page 3 5dead9ede687e6fc70b7cdbac0f99a63

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 5:09 pm

you know how to talk to me.

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 5:47 pm

what a horrible game this Bautista Agut.

by Tenez Fri May 09, 2014 6:07 pm

Giraldo squandered 6 BPs in 2 games....so instead of losing 64 he should have won that second set 63!

Agut has nothing to offer to Nadal!

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 6:24 pm

Tenez wrote: you know how to talk to me.

by noleisthebest Fri May 09, 2014 6:27 pm

Tenez wrote:what a horrible game this Bautista Agut.

I saw him on C1 against Ferrer first time last summer. Certainly more entertaining than Ferrer, quite light-weight but very dogged as a competitor.

I hope to catch some of it now.
Come on, Giri diva

...oh!

Just saw it's finished! What a shame. How did Giri lose?
Did his serve let him down?
He was superb against Murray yesterday.

by Sponsored content

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30