ATP MASTERS: World Tour Finals, London 2014

Tenez wrote:Actually, If I were Fed, I'd rather play Nole in the semi.

1 - He will be fresher than in the final.
2 - If Fed wants to end up number one...Djoko needs to be stopped in th esemi...or before actually. (not sure what are the math on that).

I see your point.
Nole needs 3 wins in RR to secure number one.
Fed's only chance is for Nole to lose one of his RR matches, then beat him in the SF and win the whole thing.
Not sure if he needs any extra points from DC final.

From Fed's post match interview:

"As long as I could get back to World No. 1 for one more time, I think that would be very special.
I've been there and I know how much it would mean, because winning a tournament is a one‑week thing or a two‑week thing, but getting back to World No. 1 is an entirely different animal. I'll try to get there, but obviously Novak is going to dictate as well what's going to happen here.

I know against Novak, the matches and the rivalry is nice. I really enjoy playing against him.  It's very evenly matched. I played him more often probably in semis than in finals (NITB: ) most likely. I don't know if that's true, but that's kind of how it felt like.

I feel a special connection towards Rafa just because we did have a very strong, intense rivalry for many years, starting in 2004 maybe. Especially we played each other that many times in finals of slams, which hasn't been the case with the other players as much.  (NITB: I wonder why )

But then also I always like to look back and see who my tougher opponents)were when I was coming up. In the beginning I struggled against the likes of Henman, Nalbandian, Hewitt, Roddick. So for me those were really interesting players to play against. I was lucky enough that Andre Agassi played as long as he did because I got to play him also, I think almost 15 times."

noleisthebest wrote:It was interesting to read Fed's comparing his rivalry with Nole & Nadal.
One sentence stood out: he played most of his matches against Nole in the semi-finals.

I think they all know it

Agree. They are not stupid. When you are personally faced with 1 chance in 4000....it is a bit more than "bad luck".....or "just lucky" when it comes to Nadal.

That was quick! 1 and 1....I suspect Berdych was not 100%!

Stan 

Did the match start?

noleisthebest wrote:Did the match start?

Just went to tennistv and saw the score.
Did Berd really thrash Stan 6:1 6:1?

noleisthebest wrote:From Fed's post match interview:

"As long as I could get back to World No. 1 for one more time, I think that would be very special.
I've been there and I know how much it would mean, because winning a tournament is a one‑week thing or a two‑week thing, but getting back to World No. 1 is an entirely different animal. I'll try to get there, but obviously Novak is going to dictate as well what's going to happen here.

I know against Novak, the matches and the rivalry is nice. I really enjoy playing against him.  It's very evenly matched. I played him more often probably in semis than in finals (NITB: ) most likely. I don't know if that's true, but that's kind of how it felt like.

I feel a special connection towards Rafa just because we did have a very strong, intense rivalry for many years, starting in 2004 maybe. Especially we played each other that many times in finals of slams, which hasn't been the case with the other players as much.  (NITB: I wonder why )

But then also I always like to look back and see who my tougher opponents)were when I was coming up. In the beginning I struggled against the likes of Henman, Nalbandian, Hewitt, Roddick. So for me those were really interesting players to play against. I was lucky enough that Andre Agassi played as long as he did because I got to play him also, I think almost 15 times."

Roddick? an opponent? That's so kind of Fed!

noleisthebest wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Did the match start?

Just went to tennistv and saw the score.
Did Berd really thrash Stan 6:1 6:1?

Phew!
It was the other way round!

Tennistv have been messing up lately...they even showed Murray beat Nishi, no wonder I'm disorientated!

What a shame I missed Stan's match, I thought it would start about 3pm...He must've played a blinder!

noleisthebest wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Did the match start?

Just went to tennistv and saw the score.
Did Berd really thrash Stan 6:1 6:1?

Phew!
It was the other way round!

Tennistv have  been messing up lately...they even showed Murray beat Nishi, no wonder I'm disorientated!

What a shame I missed Stan's match, I thought it would start about 3pm...He must've played a blinder!

Absolutely right on the money. He played well, cut down on those UEs which have been hampering him so bad off late. But Berdych could be injured/ill too, because actually  I didn't expect this scoreline.

In that case, I look forward to Stan- Nole.
Stan will be playing to keep Fed's no 1 dream alive.
I don't see Cilic or Berd beating Nole, although Cilic will make it tough.
That should be Wednesday afternoon... then Cilic-Stan showdown for a place in the SF.

Tenez wrote:Federer...just because I want him to win.
I am aware that he really struggles lining the matches one after the other. In that respect he is quite different from a Ferrer for instance who is of the same age and seems to be running even more.
I am pretty convinced he refuses to take anything which coudl be borderline to recover like most do from a previous match.
He has shown a good run in Montreal Cincy but if I remember he was helped by a fast surface and short rallies. Not teh case in London or against roadrunners.

Yes, that has become very obvious this year.
The physical lapses after one set are almost customary, even against Raonic yesterday although it was a quick 6:1 set.

Unless he gets his adrenaline going, the one against Nishi will be very tough for him.

Murray...not sure what's wrong with him.
He'll bust himself against Fed on Thursday.

Wow!
Stan-Berd lasted only 58 minutes. I feel sorry for people who paid for the tickets.

Cilic Nole shoudl be interesting. Hope Cilic can deliver....though Nole will do his best to contain him.

Sorry everyone....


IDEMO NOLE MAJSTOREEEEE!!!!!

noleisthebest wrote:Wow!
Stan-Berd lasted only 58 minutes. I feel sorry for people who paid for the tickets.

I was going to check the score of the first set and it was finished. Berd looked totally devasted. He said that he hadn't have the timing and hadn't felt the ball. The bouncing is quite low and the ball gets a lot of a rotation. I see that Berd lacks behind the top and also with the second pack.

Nole's match with Cilic looks as decisive. NOLE, IDEMO!!

Well, at least you can be proud of Czech women, Paul, they have just won Fed cup!

I like the way this court is playing, much livelier than Paris.
Shame Nadal is not playing!

I admit, Goran in stands is much more interesting than Cilic...

noleisthebest wrote:Well, at least you can be proud of Czech women, Paul, they have just won Fed cup!

Absolutely, the Czech women are stronger than Czech men

Nole seems to be having no trouble controlling the ball here, unlike Marin who is often a step too slow and firing out of panic as he gains no advantage with his serving.
Very similar to Raonic.

noleisthebest wrote:I like the way this court is playing, much livelier than Paris.
Shame Nadal is not playing!

Exactly. I am also ok without Nadal. I like the game how Nishi and Stan play. A bit surprised with a bad performance from Murray, he looked  as if he lost his belief.

Nole on fire!

noleisthebest wrote:Nole seems to be having no trouble controlling the ball here, unlike Marin who is often a step too slow and firing out of panic as he gains no advantage with his serving.
Very similar to Raonic.

After a nervous start, Nole is on his focus. Cilic looks quite nervous. Nole is all over the all court atm, hopefully keeps his focus till the end.

Nole very sharp.
I can't wait to see his match with Fed.
Should be a feast.

I don't think Cilic is too worried about this match now.
He is going through the motions and saving himself for the other two matches.

Strings are ruling the skill.
Tennis ain't tennis any more....

noleisthebest wrote:Nole very sharp.
I can't wait to see his match with Fed.
Should be a feast.

Hopefully we will see that final. Fed's footwork is  another dimension against Cilic. I wonder how Cilic could win their USO match.

Fed was spent after that 5 setter with Monfils.

Come on T, get out from behind the sofa!

Nole's kept Marin's FH guessing so cleverly all match, totally ruined his timing and confidence on it!

I am not watching.....just saw 61 41 ...and that's enough for me.

noleisthebest wrote:Fed was spent after that 5 setter with Monfils.

Surely, Cilic also benefited from faster surface. He looks frustrated that he can't hit through Nole, just as all big hitters are.

I don't think USO was faster than O2.
O2 is not that slow at all, but it favours good movers and Cilic looked so heavy on his feet, unable to settle and feel the ball.
To be honest Nole, Nishi, Fed and Stan would make a great SF line up.
Murray looks lost in the space and time.
He is a mix between Nole and Nadal, and right now he is looking like a very confused player.

That was so quick that it was nearly useless to go in O2 today. Well done Nole

Tenez wrote:I am not watching.....just saw 61 41 ...and that's enough for me.

Oh, T

What do you think about Fed - Nishi tomorrow?

paulcz wrote:That was so quick that it was nearly useless to go in O2 today. Well done Nole

Yes, Nole's match was even quicker than Stan's.
Moët should give every ticket holder a free bottle of champagne as compensation!

noleisthebest wrote:I don't think USO was faster than O2.
O2 is not that slow at all, but it favours good movers and Cilic looked so heavy on his feet, unable to settle and feel the ball.
To be honest Nole, Nishi, Fed and Stan would make a great SF line up.
Murray looks lost in the space and time.
He is a mix between Nole and Nadal, and right now he is looking like a very confused player.

I have a feeling that the bouncing is a bit lower, which Berd said after his match. It also depends on the ball. We will get know and find out.

These 4 winners  seem to be clear movers from the groups and I also like it.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:I am not watching.....just saw 61 41 ...and that's enough for me.

Oh, T

What do you think about Fed - Nishi tomorrow?

I think Fed should win it. Well I am hoping so though I have not seen Nishi play for a while....before the USO actually as I only saw the last 4 games of that semi v Djoko.

noleisthebest wrote:I don't think USO was faster than O2.
O2 is not that slow at all, but it favours good movers and Cilic looked so heavy on his feet, unable to settle and feel the ball.
To be honest Nole, Nishi, Fed and Stan would make a great SF line up.
Murray looks lost in the space and time.
He is a mix between Nole and Nadal, and right now he is looking like a very confused player.

mmhhh not sure of that logic. Paris and O2 are meant to be exactly the same....just the camera angle might be different. To me it looked Stan had plenty of time to hit his shots.

I am sure it's different from Paris, Paris balls were bouncier.
What I mean is, fast players can make the court play fast, Nishi did it against Murray.
It should be a very good match against Fed tomorrow.

We have had 4 very flat ones so far.

I reckon Murray and Berdych are injured. They showed a bit of Stan-Berd after Nole's match...Berd was horrible. He was moonballing BHs and spraying most basic ground-strokes.

He should have let a reserve play.

Easy one for Fed!

Yes quite easy.

I think his new frame gives him a new FH as well as BH! he can now spin the ball and find cross court FHs angles which would have been more difficult to execute with the smaller frame. He makes his opponents run as well nowadays....were are before he was trying to force the pace....much riskier.

It's such a shame it took him so long to adopt the new larger frames!

Yes, that's is a great shame, not to mention the back last year.
Many would have given up.

I am so glad he conquered it all, he is a moral number one.
He'll have some regrets, but at the same time be so happy he can play this well now. You can see the fire is as strong as ever.
He should have another 2 good years, not a lot of milage on his clock

2015 could be his finest year.

Tenez wrote:Yes quite easy.

I think his new frame gives him a new FH as well as BH! he can now spin the ball and find cross court FHs angles which would have been more difficult to execute with the smaller frame. He makes his opponents run as well nowadays....were are before he was trying to force the pace....much riskier.

It's such a shame it took him so long to adopt the new larger frames!

I noticed that too. He has so many more options now, amd spares a lot of energy like that as he goes for the placement.
I bet even he is excited and loving the sense of exploring adventure.

"were are before..." Whereas before I meant.

Yes it is like learning a new game....well new shots. And that's what he likes I am sure.

Tenez wrote:"were are before..."  Whereas before I meant.

Yes it is like learning a new game....well new shots. And that's what he likes I am sure.

I didn't even notice it...read is as "whereas" straight away.
Brain is one marvellous computer!

Auto spell-check used to drive me mad...until I finally worked out how to turn it off!

Murray-Raonic starting.
Anybody home?

Murray playing 3m behind the baseline on his own serve.
I really don't get him....

Something's wrong with Murray, he is too passive even for his own standards.