ATP 250/500 2015 (Vienna/Stockholm/Moscow)

noleisthebest wrote:Thiem has improved a lot since last year, better footwork which is protecting his BH now.

Really good to have a decent young SBH-er.

He is our seed of hope!!!

GO THIEMMY!!!!  

On women's circuit, SHBH has totally disappeared, not 1 in top100.  francesca schiavone was the last of those special women.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Thiem has improved a lot since last year, better footwork which is protecting his BH now.

Really good to have a decent young SBH-er.

He is our seed of hope!!!

GO THIEMMY!!!!  

On women's circuit, SHBH has totally disappeared, not 1 in top100.  francesca schiavone was the last of those special women.

Suez-Navarro is still going I think, very nice player, ranked 10.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Good match being played by Thiem-Goffin. Awesome ball striking. But both of them need to be bit better on shot-selection at times.

what do you mean?

At times they go for really strange shots, shots one may not have for given the circumstances. Example: See the missed volley by Goffin on the 1-set set-point which was an easy put-away but I don't know what was he trying to do.

Other times, see the point they play to get broken, they attempt outrageous shots. Success of such shots is close to nil. How can one do that given the circumstance. See how Thiem got broken in 1st set after being 3*-2 up. Th point he played on the BP was ridiculous.

I haven't seen the whole match, but Goff netting a volley shows how hard it is to handle the fast spinny balls these days, esp if he had to hit it from under the net.

I assume it was Thiem that went for outrageous shots and missed, that's how he lost to Verdasco un Wimbledon, when he was a break up in the fifth set.

Signs he was tired.
Unfortunately, he often plays quite behind the baseline and wastes a lot of energy.

noleisthebest wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Thiem has improved a lot since last year, better footwork which is protecting his BH now.

Really good to have a decent young SBH-er.

He is our seed of hope!!!

GO THIEMMY!!!!  

On women's circuit, SHBH has totally disappeared, not 1 in top100.  francesca schiavone was the last of those special women.

Suez-Navarro is still going I think, very nice player, ranked 10.

Right on that nitb. Its so rare I couldn't even think of it. Maybe she is the only 1 in top 200 too.

Thiem will go for the hatrick in his native tournament of Kitzbutzel. Up to 21 in the rankings now. Go Thiem!

Fabio playing some gorgeous clay tennis!

Nadal trying all his pathetic little intimidating body language antics but Fognini buying none of it and showing it!

He's really matured into a decent competitor, about time!

Every time I watch him I get into an opera mood, and I am not an opera person at all!
(just don't mind being a diva now and then )

7-5 Nadal.

Fognini unlucky in that last game....such a  shame.

When Nadal gets time in the FH now he actually lifts the ball so high with spin it drops vertically on the baseline but looks to be going a least a metre out a split second before it.
That's his "improvement".

Fognini totally spent after only one set.

That's what happens when Nadal can take as much time between the points as he is allowed/needs/wants to.

Depressing.

Not to mention the new "heights" of his moonballing now that his drained opponent is in the ropes

Forza Italia! Fog from 3-1 and looking like 4-1, now 4-3 up!

Fognini is playing some good tennis, but in between some really ordinary misses.

Nadal's retrieving is unbelievable, today he can get anything game in play.

Fonga blew it.. he could have won both sets. But instead decided to lose it. Just a tad stronger in the mind and needed to stay focused.

Lol Murray out in the first round against Gaba and he served for the match!
Lotta upsets in D.C.

Match of The Day:

Baghdatis-Gulbis
Paire-JJ

Match of the Day:


Wawrinka-Brown
Robredo-Baghdatis
Pouille-JJ
Mannarino-Mahut
Simon-Vasselin
Herbert-GG Lopez

Isn't Rub playing in Russia?

He got the WC but lost to Bolleli in 3 from a set up.

I hope he doesn't go Coric way but fills out naturally.
There is no rush for him.

It is pretty bad physically right now.

Looks like Pouille filled up.

Won 4 TBs in a row. 2 v Berankis, 2 v JJ.

He is qualified for the 1/4F.

I got a little disappointed with Pouille in Wimbledon, saw him play doubles with Mannarino.

He couldn't volley to save his life, was really strange, heavy feet, too.
He has a nice game, but it's quite simple atm.
Lot of work ahead of him.
His coach keeps him very relaxed, which is good.

Match of the Day:

Pouille-Agut
Wawrinka-Kohlschreiber aka Agut (Stan won a very close three setter vs Brown yesterday)
Simon-Muller

Tough day for Agut!

It should be a decent match, about 3 pm uk time.

Would be good to catch up with Pouille, I haven't seen him play singles for a while, and Gutty is a good test with his light feet and good ball-striking.

I just saw Bolleli beat Berdych in two sets yesterday, which makes Rubi's 1:2 loss to Bolleli in R1 a bit more palatable now.

I look forward to the rest of the season, still lots of good tennis to be played.

I meant he is playing Pouille and Stan in the same day while having to fly from Russia to France to meet both.

I think Pouille will struggle.

noleisthebest wrote:I just saw Bolleli beat Berdych in two sets yesterday, which makes Rubi's 1:2 loss to Bolleli in R1 a bit more palatable now.

I look forward to the rest of the season, still lots of good tennis to be played.

What was wrong with Berds? Did he not fancy staying in Russia?

No idea.
But that's the problem with these small tournaments.
Most top players just don't bother. A bit unprofessional.

He must want to secure his place at the WTF (don't know what the situation looks like there) but that's Berd: make as much cash as he can and qualify for WTF.

Not hungry enough.
Ot maybe - simply human.

I thought about it...as soon as I asked "What's the matter with Tsonga ?" the other day.

Maybe the better question would be: What's the matter with those who are willing to go beyond what now looks  an almost eery dedication and professionalism.
Sure, money and even chase for glory are valid  motivators...
Could anything else drive them?

It must be a strange place to be. Definitely not easy and natural. It doesn't feel human.

One step beyond, another step or just - the next step?

Tenez wrote:I meant he is playing Pouille and Stan in the same day while having to fly from Russia to France to meet both.

I think Pouille will struggle.

Oh I see, now!
Tough day for him, indeed.

But what excuse do I have? Just came back from holiday...

I have been watching a bit of thiem....the conds are slow. he could do with a bit more flatter FH. His mouvement is not gracious but we are asking a lot for a young player.

He is overall a very good and complete player.

Wawrinka withdraws from his QF match giving a bye to Kohli. He is carrying some injury since the start of American HC season. 

Even in DC I read that he asked Fed to play Doubles as he was exhausted.

Just got back...Gutty too quick for Pouille.
Lucas has got to improve his footwork. It's not bad, but is costing him.

Breaks Him with ease, serving for the match. Really like his FH.

Tenez wrote:I have been watching a bit of thiem....the conds are slow. he could do with a bit more flatter FH. His mouvement is not gracious but we are asking a lot for a young player.

He is overall a very good and complete player.

He's got a good, proper SBH game and calm, nice competitive spirit. Only 21, yes we mustn't be too hard on him!

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Wawrinka withdraws from his QF match giving a bye to Kohli. He is carrying some injury since the start of American HC season. 

Even in DC I read that he asked Fed to play Doubles as he was exhausted.

Stan is not a natural athlete like Fed and as so many other players, can't last the whole season in these gruelling conditions.

He had a great season.

Simon-Muller looking good.

Why is Muller playing his BH with two hands?

That whole era of big servers (Roddick etc) should have played with a single hand.

Gillou's game is maturing beautifully.

He used to counterpunch almost exclusively, but now timing the ball better & with more confidence, he is showing all his talent with some nice all-court shotmaking tennis.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Wawrinka withdraws from his QF match giving a bye to Kohli. He is carrying some injury since the start of American HC season. 

Even in DC I read that he asked Fed to play Doubles as he was exhausted.

Mmmmhh not sure I buy Stan's injuries in the USO. He played ok actually. Certainly improved with the rounds. He must be tired though...or bored.

From being 0/4 down in teh first set Thiem comes back to 3/4 and 0/30 on Sousa serve....but misses an easy volley to go 15/40....loses the game. 5/3 Souza.

Has another BP at 5/4....but got a bit passive. 6/4. Unlucky actually as I heard he should have never lost his first service game being 40/0 up...but a HE call threw him off.

Thiem a break up in the 2nd 4*-2
 Go Thiem..

but broken back.....again that SHBH...as good as it is Sousa simply turns around his an tries to hammer it knowing that it is a risky shot for Thiem to pull a winner with it.

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Wawrinka withdraws from his QF match giving a bye to Kohli. He is carrying some injury since the start of American HC season. 

Even in DC I read that he asked Fed to play Doubles as he was exhausted.

Mmmmhh not sure I buy Stan's injuries in the USO. He played ok actually. Certainly improved with the rounds. He must be tired though...or bored.

There were some talks about him being injured. It may not be stopping him from playing all together, but he doesn't seem to time the shots well off the FH and also slow to get to many balls.
 He also retired midway in the match against Kyrgios ( banged the girlfriend one)..

So maybe..

Tenez wrote:but broken back.....again that SHBH...as good as it is Sousa simply turns around his an tries to hammer it knowing that it is a risky shot for Thiem to pull a winner with it.

Sousa must lose this... else its a disaster..

In the gym (fitness is essential these days ) hope to catch up soon!
Go Domi!

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:but broken back.....again that SHBH...as good as it is Sousa simply turns around his an tries to hammer it knowing that it is a risky shot for Thiem to pull a winner with it.

Sousa must lose this... else its a disaster..

He certainly had more opportunities...but again when it matters, on important points...it's better to have a dhbh.

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:but broken back.....again that SHBH...as good as it is Sousa simply turns around his an tries to hammer it knowing that it is a risky shot for Thiem to pull a winner with it.

Sousa must lose this... else its a disaster..

He certainly had more opportunities...but again when it matters, on important points...it's better to have a dhbh.

Yes.. DHBH is much safer and stable shot.. its much easier to keep hitting again and again off two hands than one...

Thiem makes some of the most outrageous shots to give the point to opponent... strange...

What is his coach doing?

Ahh his volleying needs very serious work..

well wasn't to be again. 5/3 up in TB...and lost 4 points in a row. I felt his loss v Kevin Andersson in USO was a bit similar. Not winning the big points.

Tenez wrote:well wasn't to be again. 5/3 up in TB...and lost 4 points in a row. I felt his loss v Kevin Andersson in USO was a bit similar. Not winning the big points.

That's a shame...

Still, not bad for a 21 yo SBH-er.
He'll be very good in 2-3 years.

Raonic looks like his got over his injuries.

I think he lost a little bit of weight in the legs, too.

Gutty reminds me of Simon a little.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:well wasn't to be again. 5/3 up in TB...and lost 4 points in a row. I felt his loss v Kevin Andersson in USO was a bit similar. Not winning the big points.

That's a shame...

Still, not bad for a 21 yo SBH-er.
He'll be very good in 2-3 years.

I think he is going to progress much quicker.,,,,bar injury. But his problem on key points will always be there......like Federer's and all other SHBH. That's what I tried to explain on v2....but clearly, they did not want to see it.