ATP 250: Queens, Halle

I have just realised grass season has already started....life is cruel!



ATP 250: Queens, grass
Since its inception in 1979, there have been seven different players to complete the Queen's Club-Wimbledon title double in the same year, including John McEnroe (81, 84), Jimmy Connors (82), Boris Becker (85), Pete Sampras (95, 99), Lleyton Hewitt (2002), Rafael Nadal (2008) and Andy Murray (2013). In 2013, Andy Murray became the first three-time British champion since Francis Gordon Lowe (1913-14, '25).

Players: Murray, Tsonga, Dimitrov, Gulbis, Berdych, Wawrinka, Hewitt
Draw:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/311/mds.pdf
Order of Play:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/311/op.pdf



ATP 250, Halle, grass
The Gerry Weber Open is one of five grass court events on the ATP World Tour calendar, and gives players their first chance to play on the surface in the lead-up to Wimbledon. The Gerry Weber Open has crowned five German winners since the inaugural event in 1993: Michael Stich (1994), Nicolas Kiefer (1999), David Prinosil (2000), Tommy Haas (2009 & 2012) and Philipp Kohlschreiber (2011). Roger Federer won his sixth title in 2013.

Players: Federer, Nadal, Raonic, Gasquet, Nishikori, Haas, Youzhny, Janowicz
Draw:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/500/mds.pdf
Order of Play:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/500/op.pdf

Apparently Nadal says he wants to do better this year on grass. He said his knees were not good last year...pretty amazing for someone who had his greatest run on HC of his life a few weeks later.

Also bizarre to hear Toni say last year there was absolutely nothing wrong with his knee.

However I am looking forward to a Nadal/Federer final in Halle.

Nadal v Rao on grass should be as good as a FO if Nadal gets past Kholi!

Nadal loses: injured
Nadal wins: great

Top 10/20 look a bit different after RG:

1 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 12,500 0
2 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 12,330 0
3 Wawrinka, Stan (SUI) 5,480 0
4 Federer, Roger (SUI) 4,945 0
5 Murray, Andy (GBR) 4,840 3
6 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 4,680 0
7 Ferrer, David (ESP) 4,190 -2
8 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) 4,125 -1
9 Raonic, Milos (CAN) 3,245 0 21
10 Gulbis, Ernests (LAT) 2,725 7
11 Isner, John (USA) 2,690 0 23
12 Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 2,645 -2
13 Dimitrov, Grigor (BUL) 2,435 -1
14 Gasquet, Richard (FRA) 2,355 -1
15 Fognini, Fabio (ITA) 2,155


Interesting comment from Kafelnikov yesterday that this was Nadal's last RG.

Tenez wrote:Apparently Nadal says he wants to do better this year on grass. He said his knees were not good last year...pretty amazing for someone who had his greatest run on HC of his life a few weeks later.

Also bizarre to hear Toni say last year there was absolutely nothing wrong with his knee.

However I am looking forward to a Nadal/Federer final in Halle.

Me too.

I just saw a bit of tennis in Halle, what a contrast grass is to clay.
Every year, I find the transition quite a shock even to watch, I can imagine what it must be like for players.
I can't remember the week of two 250 tournaments have been packed with big names, basically only Nole is missing (currently beaching in Ibiza...).
Yes, it would be interesting to see Fed take on Nadal, as grass should remain grass and not turn to sand in only one week there.

Tenez wrote:Apparently Nadal says he wants to do better this year on grass. He said his knees were not good last year...pretty amazing for someone who had his greatest run on HC of his life a few weeks later.

Also bizarre to hear Toni say last year there was absolutely nothing wrong with his knee.

However I am looking forward to a Nadal/Federer final in Halle.

Well, I believe a Nadal injury when I see it.   His knees - right... I'm sure there is some reason that he was so useless on grass the past two years, but whatever it is, it's not his knees, that's for sure. Did he say last year, that he'd want to do better than in 2012? I must admit, I am a bit afraid.   Him winning RG was bad enough, but him winning Wimbledon would be so much worse.   

However, I'm half on my way to Halle and will see him for myself.   It will be my first ever ATP live tournament and I'm pretty excited.    It didn't really fit my schedule, but since I want to see Fed live before he retires, I chose to go anyway.

Do you believe that both, Fed and Nadal can make the final? Nadal is of course unpredictable and I'll do my best to cheer him the NITB way.   Fed can be erratic too, that's why I chose to go for the first rounds already...

Autumnleaf wrote:

Tenez wrote:Apparently Nadal says he wants to do better this year on grass. He said his knees were not good last year...pretty amazing for someone who had his greatest run on HC of his life a few weeks later.

Also bizarre to hear Toni say last year there was absolutely nothing wrong with his knee.

However I am looking forward to a Nadal/Federer final in Halle.

Well, I believe a Nadal injury when I see it.   His knees - right... I'm sure there is some reason that he was so useless on grass the past two years, but whatever it is, it's not his knees, that's for sure. Did he say last year, that he'd want to do better than in 2012? I must admit, I am a bit afraid.   Him winning RG was bad enough, but him winning Wimbledon would be so much worse.   

However, I'm half on my way to Halle and will see him for myself.   It will be my first ever ATP live tournament and I'm pretty excited.    It didn't really fit my schedule, but since I want to see Fed live before he retires, I chose to go anyway.

Do you believe that both, Fed and Nadal can make the final? Nadal is of course unpredictable and I'll do my best to cheer him the NITB way.   Fed can be erratic too, that's why I chose to go for the first rounds already...

Well done. Make sure you get a good seat! It's quite impressive!

I think Fed should make the final. Nadla I am much less certain! Fed is not that erratic on grass. He should be rested and the real danger is Rao on this surface and he is on Nadal's side. So interesting!

Autumnleaf wrote:However, I'm half on my way to Halle and will see him for myself.   It will be my first ever ATP live tournament and I'm pretty excited.    It didn't really fit my schedule, but since I want to see Fed live before he retires, I chose to go anyway.

Enjoy Halle.  Are you there for a day only or for a few days?  Should be fun either way.

Autumnleaf wrote:Do you believe that both, Fed and Nadal can make the final?

I would not be surprised if Nadal just shows up and goes out early so he can rest before Wimbledon.  If Federer plays like he played earlier in the year, he should make the final, but one never knows with him these days.

Of course, now that I predicted this, Federer will lose in his first match and Rafa will win the title...

Fed never lost before the Final in Halle...well since 2005 if I remember correctly. I also remember him saving 2 MPs in the first round at the peak of his career there.

Have a nice time, AL.
Live tennis is very different from TV. As Tenez said, try to get as good a seat as possible, better to see one day in style than two from high up.
It doesn't get much better than watching (and hearing) Fed play on grass from close-up.

Matches of the day:

Wawrinka-Baghdatis
Murray- HP Mathieu
Monfils-Nishikori
Kohlschreiber-PH Herbert

Tenez wrote:Fed never lost before the Final in Halle...well since 2005 if I remember correctly. I also remember him saving 2 MPs in the first round at the peak of his career there.

Ollie Rochus! I've seen that one. 2006 i guess. Not sure if it was the first round

Edit: i checked, it was the qf: http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Match-Facts-Pop-Up.aspx?t=500&y=2006&r=5&p=F324

BTW: all tough matches that year in Halle. Just before a majestic appearance at Wimbledon

BTW2: he won Halle too in 2005 and 2004.

I'm enjoying watching young Herbert. Nice temper, natural, complete player.
He has a lot of potential, but needs a lot of work, too. A bit more of explosiveness would not go amiss.
He knocked JJ out yesterday.

Still... prefer Paire, who is so close and yet so far.

gallery play wrote:

Tenez wrote:Fed never lost before the Final in Halle...well since 2005 if I remember correctly. I also remember him saving 2 MPs in the first round at the peak of his career there.

Ollie Rochus! I've seen that one. 2006 i guess. Not sure if it was the first round

Edit: i checked, it was the qf: http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Match-Facts-Pop-Up.aspx?t=500&y=2006&r=5&p=F324

Good memory....I think he was also 2 MPs away from losing v another player in the first round. I do remember a first round! Gasquet?

Soderling in 05 first round....he saved 2 MP. I think he also saved 2 SP v Gasquet the following year (TB) first set and then Gasquet (2nd round) won the second set in a close TB too.

So certainly not plain sailing for Federer in the first rounds but that essentialy due to fatigue et getting to grass after long gruelling clay seasons.

Tenez wrote:Soderling in 05 first round....he saved 2 MP. I think he also saved 2 SP v Gasquet the following year (TB) first set and then Gasquet (2nd round) won the second set in a close TB too.

So certainly not plain sailing for Federer in the first rounds but that essentialy due to fatigue et getting to grass after long gruelling clay seasons.

Can't be the case this time. Although i read somewhere he had special training for his back before he stepped on the grass.

Monfils - Nishi looking interesting.
After going down 1:6 in the first set (which I haven't seen), 3:1 up in the 2nd, making Nishi looking helpless.
He is one fascintaing player, indeed.

I like Monfils too. I can't say I like his game but he has great shots. If anything those great shots drive me mad as I don't understand why he dos not have a more balanced game.

But he must be so full of energy, it must be difficult to channel it into a moderate and contained game.

Yes, from that point of view he is a bit similar to Dolgo, both find it hard to focus and be disciplined.
So good when they are, though.

Watching Herbert play against Kholi today, it finally dawned on me what a huge gap young  players need to bridge in order to switch from being talented to translating it into winning.
And so much talent gets lost in that transition period where the likes of Granollers make it and Paire don't.

Fed's double match was canceled because opponents withdrew... so Fed hit the practice courts.   A couple of fans on his site were at the practice and said all was great- but he suddenly pulled up wincing after a low volley and he and the team got out of there quick...................   Looks like we are back to the back problem- just in time for wimby...smh.

fingers crossed just a spasm.

Yes, I hope it's nothing too bad, it can just be a little strain.

Talking of Federer, really disappointed with this statement from Halle:


"I was very happy for him because it’s tremendous what he proves on clay every year. You have to raise your hat to him."


No amount of pressure from sponsors would make me say I'm happy for Nadal, let alone take my hat off to him...

I'd like to raise my fists or boot to him.

Indeed. You'll never hear Gulbis say something so cheap.

truffin1 wrote:Fed's double match was canceled because opponents withdrew... so Fed hit the practice courts.   A couple of fans on his site were at the practice and said all was great- but he suddenly pulled up wincing after a low volley and he and the team got out of there quick...................   Looks like we are back to the back problem- just in time for wimby...smh.

fingers crossed just a spasm.

He is very much like a piece of fine china nowadays.

noleisthebest wrote:Indeed. You'll never hear Gulbis say something so cheap.

And here is the latest piece of Earnestness:



He is already out of Queens, btw...

We need a successful Gulbis to make up for Federer's decline!

WWWHHAAAATTT??????
 
A Peter Gogosomethin' beat Raonic 4 and 4?
 
Depressing!

But of course that was overlooking Nadal's luck!

Tenez wrote:WWWHHAAAATTT??????
 A Peter Gogosomethin' beat Raonic 4 and 4? Depressing!
But of course that was overlooking Nadal's luck!

depressing is the word!



I think that Gojowicz is the guy who beat Stan in Davis Cup recently.

Some nice matches tomorrow:

Queens
Berdych-Mannarino
Murray-Stepanek
Dimitrov-Vasselin
Dolgo/Gulbis-Vasselin/Benneteau
Halle
Fed-Sousa (just for Fed's sake, I can't really imagine Sousa play on grass)
Nadal-Brown ...that could be a real good one if Dustin plays well.

Disappointed that BBC are not showing Queens this year.

They are showing Queens, BBC 2 everyday until 6. Then it's on the red button

Thanks. I don't have a TV
I had a look online but could not find it, it was there last year...will try again tomorrow.

Federer stepping on court......grass season has officially started!   

Fed looking fine, no sign of any back trouble.
You can see he loves playing on grass, some very nice shots already.

Lovely variety amd confidence on the BH...grass looking worryingly non-existant around the baseline already!

Some old-sounding guy commentating on Eurosport.
I've heard the voice before but can't remember the name, what a breath of fresh air!

No hype, no selling....just nice, timely, calm insightful technical comments.

Is he already playing? joining.....

noleisthebest wrote:Some old-sounding guy commentating on Eurosport.
I've heard the voice before but can't remember the name, what a breath of fresh air!

No hype, no selling....just nice, timely, calm insightful technical comments.

David Mercer?

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Some old-sounding guy commentating on Eurosport.
I've heard the voice before but can't remember the name, what a breath of fresh air!

No hype, no selling....just nice, timely, calm insightful technical comments.

David Mercer?

I thought it was him, but not sure.

Sousa is a good first match opponent for Fed, esp as he's got a strong FH and is going for Fed's BH with it most of the time.
Quite 1D on grass....a typical modern player with baseline game, making the most of strings by playing angles.
I am curious to see how Fed's going to solve him.
Had a couple of BPs and hasn't converted them...

What is going on with Fed's returning?

Whatever it is, he needs to fix it asap as he'll probably be playing Karlovic tomorrow if he wins this one.

Fed finally starting to hit the ball with some proper conviction!
It's got to pay off.
Come on, Roger!!!!  

Some worrying, bread and butter FH misses...I suppose one needs time to reset the timing for grass...

noleisthebest wrote:Some worrying, bread and butter FH misses...I suppose one needs time to reset the timing for grass...

yes..and the courts look bad already.

noleisthebest wrote:Fed finally starting to hit the ball with some proper conviction!
It's got to pay off.
Come on, Roger!!!!  

And it does pay off!
As soon as Fed turned on the pace and started rushing him, Sousa gets into grunting, missing mode.
I suppose the first set was just some kind of warm-up.
Having said that, Fed played luke-warm against Gulbis, as well. He needs to turn that scenario off permanently in his head or he is not going to have much joy...

Grass should really be the place where he plays best as it minimises the physical grind, if he can't play his game here...then where?
Just needs a few matches under his belt.

Maybe a touch rusty and a split second slow on some BHs, but it's still all very much there!

What a FH to break!

It's amazing to see what a fast playing Federer does to his opponent: from a confident, hard-hitting, even all-court playing Sousa in the first set, he transforms back into the grunting, panicking, baseline basher...

He is good isn;'t it? And the whole thing looks effortless.