Grass - 2017

Maybe he'll wear his Sharapova wig and try to hoodwink the officials  

Murray 1
Djok 2
Nadal 3
Federer 4 (one more match).

So Fed-Djoko or Fed-Murray SF? At least no Nadal SF it seems.

Can Shap knock out ex-Wimbldon finalist?

Good serve, both 1st and 2nd.

Just need to work on his return, esp the bh side.

... wrote:Good serve, both 1st and 2nd.

Just need to work on his return, esp the bh side.

Amd just after I wrote that, he makes three great bh returns...very strong arm!

Shap is really brilliant!

He can do almost everything woth his bh. Suoer volleys and slices, too.

Even Mercer compares his serve to Goran's.

Emancipator wrote:Maybe he'll wear his Sharapova wig and try to hoodwink the officials  

wouldnt that be lovely 

Have you heard about Becker being bankrupt? Sad and weird really.

Thiem ain't winning anything on grass, Haase sends him home in 2, deservedly 

Becker is a tax cheat, has coached a tax cheat, been caught, divorces, tax evasion etc, he has enough of money, no worries, just a little show in London for German Tax authorities.

Daniel wrote:Murray 1
Djok 2
Nadal 3
Federer 4 (one more match).

That means that Fed and Nadal won't be in the same draw...of course should Fed win his next match.

Jahu wrote:Thiem ain't winning anything on grass, Haase sends him home in 2, deservedly 

Becker is a tax cheat, has coached a tax cheat, been caught, divorces, tax evasion etc, he has enough of money, no worries, just a little show in London for German Tax authorities.

totally agree,i dont for a minute believe that becker is bankrupt either
im sure djokovic was paying him well,and he gets a big fat cheque to commentate on various tv channels 
i think that he just declared himself bankrupt to avoid playing tax or outstanding bills
a lot of high profile athletes and coaches are tax cheats,mourinho,ronaldo,bekker,djokovic etc

... wrote:Shap is really brilliant!

He can do almost everything woth his bh. Suoer volleys and slices, too.

Even Mercer compares his serve to Goran's.

Really impressive....much more than Rublev as a matter of fact.


But what impressed me most is his returns. So rare to be that good at that age...in that respect reminds me Federer returning Pete's serve at Wimby.

Veejay wrote:

Jahu wrote:Thiem ain't winning anything on grass, Haase sends him home in 2, deservedly 

Becker is a tax cheat, has coached a tax cheat, been caught, divorces, tax evasion etc, he has enough of money, no worries, just a little show in London for German Tax authorities.

totally agree,i dont for a minute believe that becker is bankrupt either
im sure djokovic was paying him well,and he gets a big fat cheque to commentate on various tv channels 
i think that he just declared himself bankrupt to avoid playing tax or outstanding bills
a lot of high profile athletes and coaches are tax cheats,mourinho,ronaldo,bekker,djokovic etc

Well he was a cheat on the court as well.....so I guess you both re right.

Tenez wrote:

Veejay wrote:

Jahu wrote:Thiem ain't winning anything on grass, Haase sends him home in 2, deservedly 

Becker is a tax cheat, has coached a tax cheat, been caught, divorces, tax evasion etc, he has enough of money, no worries, just a little show in London for German Tax authorities.

totally agree,i dont for a minute believe that becker is bankrupt either
im sure djokovic was paying him well,and he gets a big fat cheque to commentate on various tv channels 
i think that he just declared himself bankrupt to avoid playing tax or outstanding bills
a lot of high profile athletes and coaches are tax cheats,mourinho,ronaldo,bekker,djokovic etc

Well he was a cheat on the court as well.....so I guess you both re right.

really? how did he cheat?
i was very young when bekker was playing so i wouldnt have been aware of it 
the article in the sun claims that has real estate worth multiple millions 
this kid shapovalov is really good!

Bouncing around when receiving serve to distract his opponent (but would complain to the referee when opponent were doing the same), shoulder aggression at change of ends. Would insult his opponent when under pressure.

Used all the little tricks to intimidate his opponents. I coudl not stand him.....just another connors. probably worse.

That's what I like about grass. A youngster with raw talent can play as well as those top players....if not better. On any other surface berdych woudl have won convincingly until Shapo beefs up.

There the basic shots are really comparable. Shapo here has clearly better and quicker hands than Berds.

How did Shap lose the first set, he was up a mini break when I left...now he looks tired...and Berdych full of himself and annoying.

Come on Denis!!!

Shap is moving well on grass, and really natural in every part of the court.

He knows he's good and plays with no calculation.

Nice to see.

Tenez wrote:

... wrote:Shap is really brilliant!

He can do almost everything woth his bh. Suoer volleys and slices, too.

Even Mercer compares his serve to Goran's.

Really impressive....much more than Rublev as a matter of fact.
But what impressed me most is his returns. So rare to be that good at that age...in that respect reminds me Federer returning Pete's serve at Wimby.

Yes, as you said, Rubi is a basher..and it's hard for him to play his game in slow conditions.

The alternative is to play like Zverev, but he is probably 15kgs lighter etc...

And Shap runs out of steam in the end...ugly, boring Berdych goes through.

I wish he'd retire.

amazing how quickly things can change in tennis,he was still very much in the match,2mins later its game over 
he definitely has a lot of positives to take away from his run at queens

What I like about Shap is that he is natural, he doesn't sweat.

Compare him to Thiem for example.


He just knows how to play.

Shap sucks, move on, nothing to see here, except if you're attracted to him and underage boys 

Thought he would beat Berdy, good last 2 sets.

Good lesson for Thiem today, no mucking around, every shot must be played at your best.

Jahu wrote: Shap sucks,move on, nothing to see here, except if you're attracted to him and underage boys 
Thought he would beat Berdy, good last 2 sets.
Good lesson for Thiem today, no mucking around, every shot must be played at your best.

He may suck for you, but Shap and Rublev are the only two players that brought any spark to tennis courts in the  last three months.

And that super girl Ostapenko! I love her.

Everyone else is either tired or sick and tired.

In the sea of fixed matches, tankings, pathetic wn1 and wn2 (can't decide who is worse), only Nadal, drugged to his eyeballs "is shining" from the dark.

( http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/06/french-anti-doping-authorities-criticize-itf-lack-cooperation/66878/ )

So, yaaaaaaay (insert a flapping kermit) let's all change our nicks to DECIMA and burn ourselves alive from joy!

Very interesting article which could insinuate that the ITF is actually protecting its players. I remember 2009 was the only year the AFLD was authorised to test blood samples during the FO.....and who won that year (or lost early rather)? and the following year the ITF refused the same blood tests during the tournament.

Yes, I remember you mentioning that.

To me, it was obvious from day one, but most on this forum think the sport is clean...

Anither thing ai don't get...I must be really stupid!

Wow, wonderful news!
Shap gets a wild card for Wimbers (Canadian citizenship pays off!)

And I nearly mentioned during the match today how I wished he got a WC.

Here are some others, the list is yet to be completed.

1. HAAS, Tommy (GER)
2.	KLEIN, Brydan (GBR)
3.	NORRIE, Cameron (GBR)
4.	SHAPOVALOV, Denis (CAN)
5.	WARD, James (GBR)

Mind you, when you see the others (with the exception of Haas) it makes you wonder...

Who on earth is Norrie Cameron!!!???


Can I get one, please?

yes they said it during the match.

Tenez wrote:yes they said it during the match.

must've been while I was out,

Still, great news. No one will want him in R1.

How far do you see him go...realistically?

Wouldn't it be great if he could just xome and go through the draw like young players used to in the past?

I can see him do well. He has what it takes....but could easily lose too to a consistent player....or to a karlo.

Tenez wrote:I can see him do well. He has what it takes....but could easily lose too to a consistent player....or to a karlo.

Yes, that's the word I was looking for.

The "consistent" or "steady".

They are so annoying.

I hope he makes at least 2 rounds.
Wouldn't mind seeing him vs Nadal, come what may!

Tenez wrote:Have you heard about Becker being bankrupt? Sad and weird really.

Call me a conspirasist, but isn't it odd the bankruptcy came from a uk bank just before Wimbledon?

Becker said he's surprised by the bank's move as apparently he told them he'd repay the debt. (probably was sorting out cashflow).

how much do you reckon djokovic was paying him as a coach?
i reckon he must have gotten at least $500-$1 million per season

Veejay wrote:how much do you reckon djokovic was paying him as a coach?
i reckon he must have gotten at least $500-$1 million per season

No idea.
He probably got a lot as he was very successful with Nole.

I know Becker has an odious side to him, but he also has stg human and charismatic, as well.

Not that calculating and perfect like some...and it cost him more than once.

Probably impulsive and not much self control (gambling, women...) which is strange knowing his flagging work mentality.

He got emotionally attached to Nole, I liked that.

I have a feeling he is partly instrumental in bringing Aggasi through Steffi.

Nishi retires again!!!

How many retirements and walkovers has that man had in his career!!!?

It's getting embarrassing.

On another matter, Rubi in the last 8 at Halle, playing a otjer countryman -  Katchanov next.

Cilic also ploddong steadily under the radar.

He is very good on grass.

... wrote:

Tenez wrote:Have you heard about Becker being bankrupt? Sad and weird really.

Call me a conspirasist, but isn't it odd the bankruptcy came from a uk bank just before Wimbledon?

Becker said he's surprised by the bank's move as apparently he told them he'd repay the debt. (probably was sorting out cashflow).

Erm, isn't this something he owed from 2 years ago that he's kept promising (and failing) to pay? The judge described him as having his head buried in the sand.

Yes i am surprised by Cilic talent on grass though i can see why his shots would hurt there but i am surprised cause i would not consider him having quick hands...a key element in grass. But i guess a bit like Berds...his shots make more harm than expected.

Veejay wrote:how much do you reckon djokovic was paying him as a coach?
i reckon he must have gotten at least $500-$1 million per season

1M + 10% of endorsements, and Djoko pays cash to Becker, so Becker can look poor and bankrupt.

What a rip off. Lets see whether Agassi can bring him back. Not that i want him back....though.

Agassi said he is working for free with Djoko.

Agasi aint't doing anything, Djoko has no coach problems.

Fed just started, a quick 6:3, 6:4 to crush this russian git.

Why does Nishikori even bother?

Got to show off your gear a little, you get paid to play and show your sponsors.

Slippy wrote:

... wrote:

Tenez wrote:Have you heard about Becker being bankrupt? Sad and weird really.

Call me a conspirasist, but isn't it odd the bankruptcy came from a uk bank just before Wimbledon?

Becker said he's surprised by the bank's move as apparently he told them he'd repay the debt. (probably was sorting out cashflow).

Erm, isn't this something he owed from 2 years ago that he's kept promising (and failing) to pay? The judge described him as having his head buried in the sand.

People owe money longer than 2 years...

Whether he promised and all that is probably just a journalistic plot.

I am not excusing him, but it does look fishy he if forced to get his head out of samd just before Wimbledon.

And don't ask me why, cos I don't know.

Zverev is a tough cookie.

I like grass in Halle (and Stuttgart)...nice and fast.

Good job Germans are keeping the old tradition.

LTA have sold themselves off...

Fed is not playing well.

No conofidence, no flow...stuck to the baseline. Very rusty.

I would actually like to see a TB in the first set.

Fed brings his best tennis then.

Who is the flat-chest cutie in Fed box?

Fed misses a overhead Djoko style, been some time since he missed one.