ATP Masters 1000: SHANGHAI

yes that was close......but glad he did. The rest of the week should give us more information.

Kimmy, you are now Donald...I am so ignorant I really thought Donald Trump was the guy running Playboy and was wondering how he was getting away with it in his USO presidential ambitions....

I am sorry but I'll call you Donald Duck. He is more real to me.

Yes....3 great returns! I am really curious to see how he is going to evolve from now on. he was close to go out today...but Karlo was a very tough challenge.

DONALD TRUMP wrote:

Does this mean he has or has not declined?

Tenez wrote:yes that was close......but glad he did. The rest of the week should give us more information.

I wouldn't mind seeing Stan-Nadal.

Cilic and Raonic are chokers.

yes but what a shame we are again deprived of a new Nadal/Fed version.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:yes that was close......but glad he did. The rest of the week should give us more information.

I wouldn't mind seeing Stan-Nadal.

Cilic and Raonic are chokers.

Actually, Stan used to be a choker as well.
Amazing transformation.

Tenez wrote:yes but what a shame we are again deprived of a new Nadal/Fed version.

I am actually not sure I'd like to see it any more...I never enjoyed that rivalry, although it was potent, symbolic and perfectly compatible.

Now, that contrast has grown and matured in such a way there is no bridge between the two any more.

There would be a lot of negative emotion in both of them, and no damage would be undone.
Nadal would come a winner even in a loss, by the sheer fact he was given a chance to play Federer.

It's best left in a dark room, door locked, key thrown into a river.

noleisthebest wrote:Nadal also running fast as a bullet.
I hope those who say he is declining are watching this match.

He'll be ready for clay 2016. The more he wins, the quicker he'll get there...
And as I type this, stupid Karlovic DFs and gets broken, Nadal wins the set from 1:3 to 7:5

We were too busy watching all his matches this year and not just cherry picking the odd good moment. Speed alone really isn't a good case for decline, either.  Unless you can tell us exactly how fast he is running compared to 2011 or even last year.  But you can't.

Still, let's not get hung up on facts like his ranking position and that he's had the least successful year of his career since he started winning trophies.

noleisthebest wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:yes that was close......but glad he did. The rest of the week should give us more information.

I wouldn't mind seeing Stan-Nadal.

Cilic and Raonic are chokers.

Actually, Stan used to be a choker as well.
Amazing transformation.

Exactly.....It's all about confidence for an attacking player....and confidence is down to weapons.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:yes but what a shame we are again deprived of a new Nadal/Fed version.

....
It's best left in a dark room, door locked, key thrown into a river.

interesting...I would have liked to read the news though: "Peak Federer beat declining Nadal"!

Murray loses first set to Isner in the TB.
Same with
Tsonga and Ramos.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:yes but what a shame we are again deprived of a new Nadal/Fed version.

....
It's best left in a dark room, door locked, key thrown into a river.

interesting...I would have liked to read the news though: "Peak Federer beat declining Nadal"!

The agony would maybe only be worth it if they met in a slam final. And how likely is that to happen?!

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:yes but what a shame we are again deprived of a new Nadal/Fed version.

....
It's best left in a dark room, door locked, key thrown into a river.

interesting...I would have liked to read the news though: "Peak Federer beat declining Nadal"!

The agony would maybe only be worth it if they met in a slam final. And how likely is that to happen?!

not very.

I've never been a fan of Murray being part of the "big four", but the way he deals with big servers does set him apart from the rest.

It will be interesting to see if he or Stan can win another one or more.

Because Murray had all the hype, and slam SFs ans Fs, (do you remember years of "will Murray ever win a slam?"), he somehow appears to be more entitled to big 4 than Stan, who just came and won his two slams by storm, unhyped.

But the manner with which Stan won them make his worthier than Murray's.

FedererKing wrote: Speed alone really isn't a good case for decline, either.  Unless you can tell us exactly how fast he is running compared to 2011 or even last year.  But you can't.

Still, let's not get hung up on facts like his ranking position and that he's had the least successful year of his career since he started winning trophies.

Federer was in the same position in 2013. According to you, he should be ranked outside top 500 now, such is the rate of declining in today's tennis.
Yet, he is back in slam finals, playing sublime tennis people all over the world can't get enough of.

Btw, Tenez provided convincing evidence for speed changes in the game over the last few years.
Not that I needed convincing as it's quite obvious even to a naked eye.

We are in for a very exciting and interesting 2016, provided nobody gets injured in the meantime.

I can't decide whether the court in Shanghai is too slow or Nole is too fast.

noleisthebest wrote:I've never been a fan of Murray being part of the "big four", but the way he deals with big servers does set him apart from the rest.

It will be interesting to see if he or Stan can win another one or more.

Because Murray had all the hype, and slam SFs ans Fs,  (do you remember years of "will Murray ever win a slam?"), he somehow appears to be more entitled to big 4 than Stan, who just came and won his two slams by storm, unhyped.

But the manner with which Stan won them make his worthier than Murray's.

Murray winning another slam will have to be down to a bit of luck like in his previous 2. Stan is different, it's in his racquet..not sure it is on his mind.

Do people remember that last year in this same tournament, Fed faced 2 MPs in his first round....before going on winning the tournament beating Djoko on the way? 

Real shame he did not win that first round.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:I've never been a fan of Murray being part of the "big four", but the way he deals with big servers does set him apart from the rest.

It will be interesting to see if he or Stan can win another one or more.

Because Murray had all the hype, and slam SFs ans Fs,  (do you remember years of "will Murray ever win a slam?"), he somehow appears to be more entitled to big 4 than Stan, who just came and won his two slams by storm, unhyped.

But the manner with which Stan won them make his worthier than Murray's.

Murray winning another slam will have to be down to a bit of luck like in his previous 2. Stan is different, it's in his racquet..not sure it is on his mind.

Yes, it mirrors his tennis: hard work!

Stan on the other hand comes out of nowhere and blasts Nadal&Nole away with fantastic tennis and steals the show!

wow...what a point from nishi and KA in that TB

Tenez wrote:wow...what a point from nishi and KA in that TB

Yes, he can play so well when he attacks, has that deadly combo of quick hands and light feet.
But often chooses to grind...

I can't watch the match atm, but Go Rao!!!

nadal is going to find Rao's serve a piece of cake compared to Ivo's.

Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

Tenez wrote:Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

anyone is fast against Raonic. He is too limited in his game. I know Tenez, you'll be highly positive about his chances, today and beyond too , but somehow I don't see that. Not even a glimmer. 

At best he will remain like what a Ferrer or Berdych are. Can win some 250/500s some occasional master's SF/final or slam QF/SF... but that's about it. He won't win anything above ATP500. 

Others off his and younger generation will take over.

Tenez wrote:Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

I just started watching and had the same observation. Hitting flatter with good depth and very powerfully, moving fast alongside baseline standing closer to it.
Definitely, better than before.
Will that be enough in current state of affairs?

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

anyone is fast against Raonic. He is too limited in his game. I know Tenez, you'll be highly positive about his chances, today and beyond too , but somehow I don't see that. Not even a glimmer. 

At best he will remain like what a Ferrer or Berdych are. Can win some 250/500s some occasional master's SF/final or slam QF/SF... but that's about it. He won't win anything above ATP500. 

Others off his and younger generation will take over.

Any commemts on Nadal?
Do you see him win anything soon or next year?

noleisthebest wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

anyone is fast against Raonic. He is too limited in his game. I know Tenez, you'll be highly positive about his chances, today and beyond too , but somehow I don't see that. Not even a glimmer. 

At best he will remain like what a Ferrer or Berdych are. Can win some 250/500s some occasional master's SF/final or slam QF/SF... but that's about it. He won't win anything above ATP500. 

Others off his and younger generation will take over.

Any commemts on Nadal?
Do you see him win anything soon or next year?

If he has to go past Djokovic then no. Even Murray might be too much.

Can he beat Fed? Absolutely if its b05. Fed sure can in bo3 but it will be like 50:50. Fed is playing slower than ever as I see. Nadal was tough for Fed even when Fed was at his peak best. 

Nadal will be dangerous on clay, he has to be. That's his best chance. But he won't beat Djokovic even there.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Tenez wrote:Is anyone watching Rao/Nadal? It looks to me Nadal is very fast today.

anyone is fast against Raonic. He is too limited in his game. I know Tenez, you'll be highly positive about his chances, today and beyond too , but somehow I don't see that. Not even a glimmer. 

At best he will remain like what a Ferrer or Berdych are. Can win some 250/500s some occasional master's SF/final or slam QF/SF... but that's about it. He won't win anything above ATP500. 

Others off his and younger generation will take over.

Oh - I thought you were talking about Nadal..and my response was about Nadal. 

Regarding Rao he is the youngest top 10 and before his injury he was doing quite well. We'll see. I don;t think he is outstanding, but he has the game to trouble the best.

A regulation win for Nadal over Milos. He is the Baby-Berdych. Will stay in top-10, but that's about it.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:A regulation win for Nadal over Milos. He is the Baby-Berdych. Will stay in top-10, but that's about it.

/

Stan -Cilic!
I don't remember ever seeing them play before.
Looking close.

Does Stan have a new coach?

I haven't looked at the rankings, recently, does Nadal have a chance to reach 4th seeding for AO?

Wow, a 26 hard hitting shot rally between Cilic and Stan...and Stan does not even look puffed out!!!

It must be an awesome feeling to bomb BHDTL on the rise from mid-court like Stan just did, oh yesss!!!

After a long time, Cilic playing some good tennis.

What a cool TB!
6:6 atm

7:7

Stan saves 2 set points, then Cilic saves a match point, and we have the third set...
Nadal laughing from his massage table...

Stan serving for the match looking quite fresh, animated and energised.
I hope he'll have something left for tomorrow.

noleisthebest wrote:I haven't looked at the rankings, recently, does Nadal have a chance to reach 4th seeding for AO?

Not really. He's 2000 points behind 4th placed Stan.

We all know Raonic is a limited tennis player.
Nothing to see here.

Hopefully Wawrinka can send the moonballing Dinosaur back to Valencia or wherever he's from...

Match of the Day:

Wawrinka-Nadal

Djokovic-Tomic could be interesting too, provded Tomic does not choke. His FH looked good yesterday.

Quite a battle between Kev and Tsonga.

Kev enjoying his baseline hitting, rally length doesn't seem to bother him.

Both players going over 25 seconds.
Will Tsonga's gutsiness pay off in the end?

It does!
Tsonga in the SF.

Nadal playing well!

nadal is clearly trying to take the ball earlier....