ATP 500/250: Basel & Valencia

No beating about the bush.

The draw is out and it's looking hot from the start:
Nadal-Rosol
Federer-Kuku
Stan-Dr Ivo

ATP 500, BASEL, indoor hard

Draw:



http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/basel/328/draws

Order of Play:
http://www.protennislive.com/posting/2015/328/op.pdf

ATP 250 VALENCIA, indoor hard

The Draw:



http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/valencia/573/draws

Order of Play:
http://www.protennislive.com/posting/2015/573/op.pdf

Match of The Day:

Nadal-Rosol.



Play it again Lucas. For old times' sake.

Rublev has another WC....playing Granollers!

Cool!
Didn't see it.
He should be able to beat him.

he could...but it's getting tough to play against the top 100. I am not sure he has made some progress recently and a few losses may have affected his confidence....but that's what is going to shape him into a champ.....or not!

Tenez wrote:he could...but it's getting tough to play against the top 100. I am not sure he has made some progress recently and a few losses may have affected his confidence....but that's what is going to shape him into a champ.....or not!

This may help

cool... that's a good achievement!

Wow, just 23 minutes for the first set from Rosol!
Only saw the last point.
Court must he quick.
Anybody watching?

It's strange to see Nadal made look slow by Rosol's fast, flat hitting.
All Nadal's muscles and fitness are of no use to him at all on a quick court.

Even thouh he is closer to the base line all he is able to do is retrieve the ball and do nothing else with it.
Djokovic is really superior in that department as he can at least redirect the ball using the pace and Murray has softer hands so he slices the ball in.

Actually, once Nadal drags Rosol into rallying, he is able to keep the ball in play and drain him even from the baseline.
There is no way he could do that last year.

Even some good half-volleys from him!

I love Rosol's FH, he just swats it with such pleasure!

At first, I thought Nadal came here just to pick up his appearance fee like in the past, but he's quite fired up and wants to win.
Rosol too good for him, striking the ball really well... although Nadal got used to the pace now.
Would be interesting it it was best of five.

I have a feeling Nadal is enjoying this match seeing he actually can play closer to the base-line.
So close yet so far atm.

Next year will definitely be very, very interesting as everyone will try to peak for European summer following Olympics games.

Actually, Rosol is better than Kyrgios.

One set all.

Rosol served for the match and was even 30:00 up...

And now broken at the start of the set.

Wow, just saw a close up of Nadal's moonballed FHDTL...it really is a live monster swerving left and right as it flies through the air...

3:0 up now in the third.

I can and I can't believe it...

Rosol can't get over losing the second set (and match), arguing with the umpire about Nadal's 30 seconds...

What an awesome point from him now, though...

It's been an entertaining match.

Now Nadal and Rosol having an open argument across the court about Rosol tapping his racquet on the ground before Nadal's serve.
They really hate each other's guts!

All that followed by an awesome point from Rosol, long rally that brings him 3  break back points.
Come on Rossy!
AND HE DOES IT!!!

noleisthebest wrote:Now Nadal and Rosol having an open argument across the court about Rosol tapping his racquet on the ground before Nadal's serve.
They really hate each other's guts!

All that followed by an awesome point from Rosol, long rally that brings him 3  break back points.
Come on Rossy!
AND HE DOES IT!!!

It gets even "better"!
Rosol says "sorry" three times in a row as he hits unreturnable projectiles past him for 40:00.

I can't wait to see the "handshake"!

Rosol continuing to tap his racquet on the ground during Nadal's service game.
Ouch!

...and now cracking the court open with his aces down the T!

What a game from Rosol!
Titanium to end all titanium!

TB!

And Nadal shanks his way out despite being a mini break down...

There was even a hand-shake in the end.
Poor Rossy...

Still, a great match had e-ve-ry-thing!

Great read. i missed it all due to eating out.

I only say one game....the first game Nadal got broken and it was obvious again that Nadal can't cope with pace. He was shanking while taking the ball early.....imagine if he had a SHBH....he woudl not make the top 200!

Rosol will regret that one. he shoudl have won..according to the resume I saw.

Tenez wrote:Great read. i missed it all due to eating out.

I missed out on my favourite gym class. It wasn't a difficult choice though  

Tenez wrote:
I only say one game....the first game Nadal got broken and it was obvious again that Nadal can't cope with pace.

Amazingly, he got used to it as the match went on! Started hitting the ball flatter and longer and Rosol could not feast on the usual short and loopy ones as he must have done in the first set. There was some good ball-striking from both during a few points.
Nadal had no choice but to adapt.
I think he'll find it difficult to last long in that mode, unless he learns to take the ball early properly, not just keep it in play...which will probably be more than enough for most players as he is still super fit and physical.

Tenez wrote:was shanking while taking the ball early.....imagine if he had a SHBH....he woudl not make the top 200!

That would not be a pretty sight...

I just wish people appreciated SBH properly. How tough it is to play in today's conditions, to comprehend the level of skill and talent needed for SABR-ing and volleying...

It really is men vs. boys.

But for Amri & co it's a just a "pretty shot"...

Just started watching Dimi-Stakh.
Funny, but I don't and can't see Dimi as a SBH-er, hs game is that of a DBH-er.

Stakh's BH on the other hand is the real thing.

Dimi is (a very) poor man's Djokovic.

Enjoyed some of Stakh's volleys - real beauties.

Some he squandered.

Is this Federer's last Basel?

He sounded like he wasn't going to play next year in his interview yesterday, mentioning how he wishes tournament tournament all the best etc...it was just I hint I felt, nothing direct.

Basel looks like O2 with the blue flood-lit court. Shame O2 doesn't play as quick.

Goodal and Koening commenting how Federer never did well in five setters, esp for somebody as dominant as he has been.

Shame they don't have the word "Why?" in their vocabulary...maybe it's written in their contract...

noleisthebest wrote:Is this Federer's last Basel?

He sounded like he wasn't going to play next year in his interview yesterday, mentioning how he wishes tournament  tournament all the best etc...it was just I hint I felt, nothing direct.

Basel looks like O2 with the blue flood-lit court. Shame O2 doesn't play as quick.

that's not how I read that interview....in fact he was mentioning in 10 or 20 years......

Nice roaring start from Fed.

I don't know if it's clingy t-shirt, but his back, and lats definitely look fuller and stronger.

I'm not complaining ...

noleisthebest wrote:Goodal and Koening commenting how Federer never did well in five setters, esp for somebody as dominant as he has been.

Shame they don't have the word "Why?" in their vocabulary...maybe it's written in their contract...

Exactly!

Beautiful, light feet from Federer.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Goodal and Koening commenting how Federer never did well in five setters, esp for somebody as dominant as he has been.

Shame they don't have the word "Why?" in their vocabulary...maybe it's written in their contract...

Exactly!

But at least they leave plenty between the lines for those able to read it.
Mercer is particularly good at it.

Did not realise they started......Hasn't continental europe moved the clock back?

fed is not in a mood to rally. It's clear he wants to arrive fresh in the latter stage of tournaments.

Tenez wrote:Did not realise they started......Hasn't continental europe moved the clock back?

It has, 18.40 there now.

Tenez wrote:fed is not in a mood to rally. It's clear he wants to arrive fresh in the latter stage of tournaments.

What makes you say that?
That he is running through the match?

Kuku is giving him a nice hitting session. Just what he needs.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Is this Federer's last Basel?

He sounded like he wasn't going to play next year in his interview yesterday, mentioning how he wishes tournament  tournament all the best etc...it was just I hint I felt, nothing direct.

Basel looks like O2 with the blue flood-lit court. Shame O2 doesn't play as quick.

that's not howI read that interview....in fact he was mentioning in 10 or 20 years......

This one?
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/video/federer-happy-to-be-home

Fed is making Kuku look like a journeyman.

BHDTL winner followed by a SABR and a smash...oh yesss!
I get a rush of blood into my face just watching it, I can just imagine how he must be feeling playing it!

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:fed is not in a mood to rally. It's clear he wants to arrive fresh in the latter stage of tournaments.

What makes you say that?
That he is running through the match?

Kuku is giving him a nice hitting session. Just what he needs.

Yeah...just very aggressive. he doesn't losing a few points....he thinks he can win enough just attacking.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Is this Federer's last Basel?

He sounded like he wasn't going to play next year in his interview yesterday, mentioning how he wishes tournament  tournament all the best etc...it was just I hint I felt, nothing direct.

Basel looks like O2 with the blue flood-lit court. Shame O2 doesn't play as quick.

that's not howI read that interview....in fact he was mentioning in 10 or 20 years......

This one?
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/video/federer-happy-to-be-home

yes. Will have to listen to it again.

Match of the Day:

Nadal-Dimitrov (have they played before? I can't see Dimi being able to hurt Nadal - no weapons, plus Nadal is fitter)

Goffin-Mannarino, should be a nice battle of backhands, provided Manna is not injured as he had a few funny results recently

Wawrinka-Karlovic, time to see how good a returner Stan is

Tomic-Cuevas, plenty of skill on display, is Tomic going to continue his more mature competing? Cuevas will be a very tough test

Anderson-Coric, last year, Coric broke through and beat appendix-stricken Nadal in Basel (feels like ages ago), but I doubt he'll be able to deal with Kev's power, we'll see...

Kvitova in full flow is great to watch.

Ball-player not a ball-basher  a la Safarova who looks like a weight-lifter.

Kvitova is one of the very few normal looking players among women.

noleisthebest wrote:Match of the Day:

Nadal-Dimitrov (have they played before? I can't see Dimi being able to hurt Nadal - no weapons, plus Nadal is fitter)

Goffin-Mannarino, should be a nice battle of backhands, provided Manna is not injured as he had a few funny results recently

Wawrinka-Karlovic, time to see how good a returner Stan is

Tomic-Cuevas, plenty of skill on display, is Tomic going to continue his more mature competing? Cuevas will be a very tough test

Anderson-Coric, last year, Coric broke through and beat appendix-stricken Nadal in Basel (feels like ages ago), but I doubt he'll be able to deal with Kev's power, we'll see...

Was it last year that Coric beat nadal? I thought it was 2 years ago...

noleisthebest wrote:Kvitova in full flow is great to watch.

Ball-player not a ball-basher  a la Safarova who looks like a weight-lifter.

Kvitova is one of the very few normal looking players among women.

Yes I like her too....but it's too much make or break tennis. I like to see an effort to keep the ball in court.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Kvitova in full flow is great to watch.

Ball-player not a ball-basher  a la Safarova who looks like a weight-lifter.

Kvitova is one of the very few normal looking players among women.

Yes I like her too....but it's too much make or break tennis. I like to see an effort to keep the ball in court.

Very few players have that ability among women atm. I know of only one in fact.

There are 3/4 groups in women's tennis:

talented ones with weapons who are not doped (Kvitova, Ivanovic). They have no choice but to go for broke despite their size. Women are now fitter than men, they all look like bouncers, deformed by the form of their muscles. You should've seen Safarova who was bashing the ball faster than Kvitova a lot of times. Pure draining UE drawing tennis of the highest quality.

talented ones with no weapons: Radwanska who I can't stand watching as she retrieves ad nauseum.

talented doped ones: Serena, Navarro

the bashers (all doped): pretty much 90% of the e tire WTA

There is only one dope-free talented woman player with brains - Aleksandra Krunic. She is tiny, max 45 kg, but absolute pleasure to watch. I saw her beat Errani in Wimbledon this year. It was a fantastic match. Superb flying tennis. Lightest of light feet, super quick hands, amazing ball-timing.
But again, who has heard of Krunic...
And why can't players like her survive?

Men's tennis is different and much better.
There I enjoy cerebral tennis played by Simon, Mannarino and a few others.

Ivanovic might not be doped any longer but she was a serious case before when she was at the very top.

And I am not sure about navarro being doped. Though I have not paid much attention.

I don't watch women much if at all, but every time I have a quick glance I can't help,being shocked by the size of their backs, bendy shape of their legs (from sheer shape of the muscle), shoulders, arms...growling and yelling...

That aside, Navarro reminds me of Cuevas. Same stamp of a player.