Wimbledon Draw

Tenez wrote:

... wrote:His tennis is very much like Nole's in terms of the game, though he is very bad at the net and doesn't venture there much..not even in an exho!
Actually, there was nothing impressive about him.

So you mean he is really like Nole!

Nah, Nole is the daddy for Zverev in terms of flair...however crazy it may sound. Even at the net!!!

Zverev is so dull it's unbelievable!

Jahu wrote:

... wrote:
My kind friend once more gave me tennis tickets so I went to Boodles yesterday.

I stopped reading there, no friend gives tickets for free 

Glad you had a good day.

It was ok...I can't believe I'm saying it but I didn't want to go.

I stopped buying tickets  to go there a few years ago.

Now amd then I'd close my eyes and enjoyed listening to birdsong, it's a beautiful venue.

All you golf lovers should visit it.

You yahoo would LOVE it but for a different reason!

Loads of Annabells, overtanned, overgroomed middle aged tipsy ladies desperate for attention, loads of stuffy be and wannabe businessmen...I felt sick!

Even behind me there was a row of about 10 Russians who wouldn't stop blabbing and cracking stupid jokes non stop.

You're so sensitive, actually one can not get a sense of what you like or enjoy, you're all so refussing of the world.

Settle down girl 

Why isn't Chung playing Wimbledon? He is such a recreational player!

Ankle injury unfortunately.

gallery play wrote:Route to the final

Djoko:
Klizan, Escobedo, Delpotro, Monfils or Lopez, Berdych, Fed

Fed: Dolgo , Lajo, M. Zverev, Dimi, Rao, Djoko

Murray: Quali, Brown, Foggi, Kyrgios, Tsonga/Waw/Verdy, Nadal

Nadal: Millman, Young, Khacha, Karlo/Muller, Nishi/Cilic, Murray

Looking at this, the draws are relatively even. 

Novak has the tougher of the early rounds, with both Klizan and DP being very tough for R1 and R3. However, he then has relatively good draws for R4/QF. Murray has a reasonably easy start but then has probably the toughest R4/QF opponents. Nadal has an easy start but then a bunch of giant servers from R3 onwards. Fed has an easy start (an out of sorts returning from injury Dolgo is not a tough draw on grass) but Zverev and Dimitrov are relatively tricky.

Overall, I think Rafa has slightly the worst draw and Novak slightly the best, however there isn't a complete imbalance as can sometimes be the case.

Slippy wrote:Overall, I think Rafa has slightly the worst draw and Novak slightly the best, however there isn't a complete imbalance as can sometimes be the case.

I agree with that. Delpo has not played for a while and he is a bit static for grass.

For me Djko is the favourite for the tournament. Had he played Fed in the early round no...but after 5 matches my money woudl be on him.

I think Fed is the clear favourite. Novak just got hammered by Thiem at the last slam and I can't see him turning that around on his worst surface. When he comes up against one of the top guys, I don't think he will be able to produce.

He has won it 3 times....i would not call that his worst surface....

Me neither. Djokovic is a real threat this year.

Nadal draw isn't all that straightforward - he's got Khacha in R3 and Cilic potentially later.

R3 is his biggest risk what with the grass still present then.

I wonder whether Djokovic will have the confidence and intensity to win a tough match against one of the top players. Monbye doesn't count.

Hopefully not 

Emancipator wrote:I wonder whether Djokovic will have the confidence and intensity to win a tough match against one of the top players. Monbye doesn't count.

Hopefully not 

Yeah, that's my view. I think it's hard to see him beating one of the top guys here.

Fair enough, I guess I'm just so stoked for Federer to claim #8 / #19 that I'd like him to get a seedless procession!

Sad fanboy, I know....

Agree re draws - fairly well balanced this time.

I do not see Djokovic beating Federer if Fed plays anywhere near as well as he has been playing lately.  Fed is the favorite for me (crazy at almost 36, but here we are).  I can only see Fed lose in one of two ways:

1.  Fed himself is not playing well.  This could happen for variety of reasons (injury, tiredness, who-knows-what).

2.  Fed loses to Rafa.  Rafa is the only player where I do not feel certain that a well playing Fed would defo win.  After their match in Miami I thought their further matches would be boring, with Fed now having the answers, but having seen Rafa on clay I am no longer so certain.  Rafa played well at AO (which was an awfully close match) but nowhere near as well at IW/Miami.  He then upped his form starting somewhere around Barcelona.  It could be that in his current form he is difficult for Fed - even with Fed's new BH.  Also, I am not sure if Fed's new BH will be quite as game-changing on grass as it was on hard courts as he relies on taking the ball awfully early, and that is harder to do on grass.

I concur regarding Rafa's form and if he finds his grass court game he will be tougher to beat now than at IW/Miami.

However Fed 'should' beat him - in theory he should have too much game for Rafa on grass. In the past I felt the matchup + his mental demons made the task bigger than it needed to be. Hopefully this time around he won't come in with mental scars and the matchup aspect, albeit it might still be slightly problematic on grass, should not be as big a factor as in the past. So it should come down to who is the better grass court player. That 'should' be Federer every time.

With Djokovic it's nearly always been about who plays better on the day. One doesn't neutralise the other in the way that Rafa used to to do to Roger. In 2015 Federer just didn't turn up and in 2014, whilst he played a good match, it wasn't quite at his top level, whereas Djokovic played one of his best matches.

He was v v good vs Zverev though.

Call me crazy but I am not worried about Djokovic.  Rafa is the problem because of the match-up, but there is no match-up problem against Djokovic.  If anything, I feel that it is Djoko that needs to play at a higher level than Fed in order to beat him - i.e., if they both play "equally" well, Fed will take it.

Most of the losses that Fed accumulated against Djokovic in recent years came while Djokovic was far superior to Fed in terms of overall level of day-in-day-out performance.  And yet, Fed kept many of those matches quite close.

I just see zero reason to think Djokovic would be a major roadblock.  Sure, crazy things happen and he could win, but it is not something that keeps me awake at night.

Rafa, on the other hand...

Yep you are crazy.

Tenez wrote:Yep you are crazy.

I knew someone would do that

Once again, Nadal is suddenly being made into a grass hero when he's lost the last 4 years to rank 100s.  It's frightening watching you guys discuss him like it's still 2008/.  The only good news for Nadal is his draw is pathetically easy again.  But he could still crash out early like the other times.

Federer has beaten Nadal the last 3 times (or is it 4?) - including at slow hard court Aussie Open.  Why would he be favourite to beat Federer on grass?  What planet are some of you on?  Nadal isn't even remotely favourite to make the final.

Federer's problem isn't Nadal.  It's his crushing draw that sees him play Dolgopolov first round (a player that can beat him), Raonic, Isner, Djokovic, Dimitrov, both zverevs.  All of those players are capable of beating Fed on grass and some have done in the past.

summerblues wrote:

Tenez wrote:Yep you are crazy.

I knew someone would do that

i follow your analysis.

For Djoko to beat Fed a few trends must significantly change: Fed has an off day (not likely in a semi), Fed is injured (could be, but not relevant at this point) or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing) OR Djoko comes up with some of the best tennis he played in a long time (could be, but even if he does: it's probably still on Fed's racquet).

Realistically: if (that's a big if) Federer brings his form and fitness of AO 17 to the grass, who's going to stop him?

Daniel wrote:Once again, Nadal is suddenly being made into a grass hero when he's lost the last 4 years to rank 100s.  It's frightening watching you guys discuss him like it's still 2008/.  The only good news for Nadal is his draw is pathetically easy again.  But he could still crash out early like the other times.

Federer has beaten Nadal the last 3 times (or is it 4?) - including at slow hard court Aussie Open.  Why would he be favourite to beat Federer on grass?  What planet are some of you on?  Nadal isn't even remotely favourite to make the final.

Federer's problem isn't Nadal.  It's his crushing draw that sees him play Dolgopolov first round (a player that can beat him), Raonic, Isner, Djokovic, Dimitrov, both zverevs.  All of those players are capable of beating Fed on grass and some have done in the past.

Dolgo? Dimi? Isner? Zverev's? Come now, you're talking about huge upsets.

gallery play wrote:....or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing)....

It doesn't quite matter how long one rests....It's the 5 5setters in 10 days that are killing when one is 36 soon.
This is the very reason Fed lost in the 2 finals there v Djoko...now he is 3 years older. Sure with a better BH but....

Tenez wrote:

gallery play wrote:....or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing)....

It doesn't quite matter how long one rests....It's the 5 5setters in 10 days that are killing when one is 36 soon.
This is the very reason Fed lost in the 2 finals there v Djoko...now he is 3 years older. Sure with a better BH but....

You do realize he played 3 5 set matches at the AO?  The break he had prior AO helped him a lot.  It's why cyclists who compete in the Giro Italia don't win the Tour de France, or cyclists who want to win the Tour don't compete in the Giro. Even though there's 5 weeks inbetween.

gallery play wrote:

Tenez wrote:

gallery play wrote:....or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing)....

It doesn't quite matter how long one rests....It's the 5 5setters in 10 days that are killing when one is 36 soon.
This is the very reason Fed lost in the 2 finals there v Djoko...now he is 3 years older. Sure with a better BH but....

You do realize he played 3 5 set matches at the AO?  The break he had prior AO helped him a lot.  It's why cyclists who compete in the Giro Italia don't win the Tour de France, or cyclists who want to win the Tour don't compete in the Giro. Even though there's 5 weeks inbetween.

And he didn't play a single 5 setter in either 2014 or 2015 - dropped one set on his way to the final in both years. Hard to blame fitness for his losses to Novak.

gallery play wrote:

Tenez wrote:

gallery play wrote:....or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing)....

It doesn't quite matter how long one rests....It's the 5 5setters in 10 days that are killing when one is 36 soon.
This is the very reason Fed lost in the 2 finals there v Djoko...now he is 3 years older. Sure with a better BH but....

You do realize he played 3 5 set matches at the AO?  The break he had prior AO helped him a lot.  It's why cyclists who compete in the Giro Italia don't win the Tour de France, or cyclists who want to win the Tour don't compete in the Giro. Even though there's 5 weeks inbetween.

Maybe you right. I just know that at his age every match hurts....they were hurting when he was 30.

Slippy wrote:

gallery play wrote:

Tenez wrote:

gallery play wrote:....or exhausted (not likely, given how well-rested he starts the whole thing)....

It doesn't quite matter how long one rests....It's the 5 5setters in 10 days that are killing when one is 36 soon.
This is the very reason Fed lost in the 2 finals there v Djoko...now he is 3 years older. Sure with a better BH but....

You do realize he played 3 5 set matches at the AO?  The break he had prior AO helped him a lot.  It's why cyclists who compete in the Giro Italia don't win the Tour de France, or cyclists who want to win the Tour don't compete in the Giro. Even though there's 5 weeks inbetween.

And he didn't play a single 5 setter in either 2014 or 2015 - dropped one set on his way to the final in both years. Hard to blame fitness for his losses to Novak.

I still do. His level in that 2nd Wimby final was really down compared top the semi. versus Djoko you need 2 or 3 long rallies and all your edge goes away. And when those long rallies come at the end of a tournament.....much tougher.

It was Fed who said that playing him earlier in the tournament woudl probably be better than playing him for the last match. So already then he was aware of that. They all say that winning a slam is down to energy management. Somthing the youngsters don't know how to nowadays.

In the AO Fed was lucky to have Misha Zverer in the 1/4 (short sets of little rallies) and 2 day rest before the final! That's huge!

It wasn't fitness that cost Fed against Djok.  It's the fact he isn't as good as he was in 2006 coupled with nerves.  He was a bag of nerves esp on serve.  The service game cost him big.

Daniel wrote:It wasn't fitness that cost Fed against Djok.  It's the fact he isn't as good as he was in 2006 coupled with nerves.  He was a bag of nerves esp on serve.  The service game cost him big.

"Djok" was a beast in 2015 Wimbledon final. Saw it live.

He destroyed Fed physically in two sets, "battered"  his BH to death. Fed couldn't breathe.

He had no chance.

Now is different story with the neo bh.

I'd love to see them play the SF.

seems like it will rain almost all second week... which means lots of indoor tenis in late rounds...

naxroy wrote:seems like it will rain almost all second week... which means lots of indoor tenis in late rounds...

Hello an welcome naxroy.

I suppose it's not bad news for good players, but it's going to be difficult to keep the schedule + pressure on organisers to have more matches on CC and it looking/playing horrible in the final rounds.

Hello, yes, I am new. lurker in the last year.

naxroy wrote:Hello, yes, I am new. lurker in the last year.

So, who's going to win it?

wimbledon?

my wish: Nadal (I know he´s not the most popular around here)

my thought: its pretty open between murray, federer and djokovic, but nadal could well fit in second wagon of contenders.

if he manages to get through young, khachanov and muller, then he could be considered a candidate.

If grass is as slow as many claim here, then he has a good chance

Hi Naxroy.....welcome here. You know us iy seems so an intro would be welcome.

naxroy wrote:wimbledon?

[b[my wish: Nadal (I know he´s not the most popular around here) [/b]
my thought: its pretty open between murray, federer and djokovic, but nadal could well fit in second wagon of contenders.
if he manages to get through young, khachanov and muller, then he could be considered a candidate.
If grass is as slow as many claim here, then he has a good chance

well done for braving it into the horn's nest!

We do have at least one die-hard Nadal fan here.

Do you like any other players?

Hi naxroy. Grass may not be what it used to be but some of the claims of its slowness are part of strategic jinxing.

Rafa vs Khachanov (if they both get there) should tell us where Rafa stands. Khachanov is the type of player who would have given Rafa trouble here the last few years. If Rafa beats him easily, then he will be dangerous in the second week.

Welcome Naxroy,

It's good to have fans of other players too so don't feel you have to temper your opinions. We like arguments and controversy here 

Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

bogbrush wrote:Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

I guess being Spanish helps!

bogbrush wrote:Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

How dare you, did you just accuse Rafito of being a butt-picker?

DECIMA wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

How dare you, did you just accuse Rafito of being a butt-picker?

Amei, do you acrually ever watch any tennis or do you spend all your time "defending" Nadal?

... wrote:

DECIMA wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

How dare you, did you just accuse Rafito of being a butt-picker?

Amei, do you acrually ever watch any tennis or do you spend all your time "defending" Nadal?

Someone has to do the satanic rituals on his behalf.

DECIMA wrote:

... wrote:

DECIMA wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Yeah, vigorous debate is welcomed. Just ask Danel or Veejay who spend half their time arguing with the forum runner.

It's good to know more about new members. On that theme, what was it that first attracted you to butt-picking moonballers?

How dare you, did you just accuse Rafito of being a butt-picker?

Amei, do you acrually ever watch any tennis or do you spend all your time "defending" Nadal?

Someone has to do the satanic rituals on his behalf.

Don't flatter yourself...

I first started liking butt picking moonballers in 2004 davis cup final


theres a lot to enjoy about tennis, and rooting for nadal doesnt make me dislike his rivals.

I do enjoy reading anti-rafitos, its funny how excuses and theories blossom to explain his succes over the years

in the end the claycourt moonballer has reached 12 slam finals and 16 masters finals off clay.