US open prediction game: Day 4

Tenez wrote:is that a tactical break from Misha? The last thing Fed wants is his back to cool down.

no...he looks in pain.

fed serving and volleying on second serve is very bad news.

at least Bh is not shaking much

take the fukin set man

Everything i see is bad news. His timing, shot selection , movement, focus and the FH?!?

taken 2:2 go go gooooooo

Goes to 5

This really isn't what fed wanted...  two 5 setters ... first 2 rounds.  I knew it wasnt gonna be easy as soon as I saw the draw.  It's a nightmare.  Only good thing was kyrgios going out,.

as bad as Youzhny looks...I am not sure fed is any fitter.

What also worrying is that Mika brings back all Fed's good shots..
This is a very slow court

They're not that good tbh... A lot of them are not being hit anywhere near the pace or precision as usual.

ok fuk it, bit of Net luck is welcome.

Now that was the worst overrule ever. The ball was inside the line!

Daniel wrote:They're not that good tbh... A lot of them are not being hit anywhere near the pace or precision as usual.

The few good DTL BH's he hit all came back. The court doesn't skid

I'm still hanging on to this memory.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/rogerfederer/9371775/Wimbledon-2012-Roger-Federer-dismisses-back-injury-concerns-and-says-hell-be-fighting-fit-for-quarter-finals.html

I don't see fed going much fuirther like this.  Nadal would def have beaten him like this.. so would a few still in the draw.  Just hope if he does meet Nadal he doesnt come in this crap form.  Rather he bow out.

Under the circumstances, Fed's shown some heart.  Tomic should learn this lesson.  But won't.

Still... i have t say Fed's chances have evaporated this year.  Let's face it.  It will be a bigger miracle than Aus Open at this rate.

Pretty good!!! WIn@!!

If someone clears Nadal, Fed will win this USO!!! In 5 sets he can beat these other second class players.

Ok jacket on, back hurts I guess.

Jahu wrote:If someone clears Nadal, Fed will win this USO!!! In 5 sets he can beat these other second class players.

This AO maybe, but this USO?

Edit: ah, you changed you post just in time

Feds a cool guy with these interviews, keeps it fun and light.

Jahu wrote:If someone clears Nadal, Fed will win this USO!!! In 5 sets he can beat these other second class players.

Shapovolov in the form I saw... or Cilic in the form I saw... or even some of the others can beat Fderer in this form.  He's also 36 and has played 10 sets already.  It's wishful thinking to believe he can do it from here.  The odds are very low. And you're getting ahead of yourself.  Youzhny was supposed to be a walk over.  What makes you think Kohl will be? Or Lopez? or Millman?

gallery play wrote:What also worrying is that Mika brings back all Fed's good shots..
This is a very slow court

true. Fed said it in his previous interview.

bogbrush wrote:I'm still hanging on to this memory.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/rogerfederer/9371775/Wimbledon-2012-Roger-Federer-dismisses-back-injury-concerns-and-says-hell-be-fighting-fit-for-quarter-finals.html

I really don't think it is going away this time. it would be a miracle.

gallery play wrote:

Jahu wrote:If someone clears Nadal, Fed will win this USO!!! In 5 sets he can beat these other second class players.

This AO maybe, but this USO?

Edit: ah, you changed you post just in time

Daniel confused me with his AUS Open text, sorry

Tenez wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I'm still hanging on to this memory.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/rogerfederer/9371775/Wimbledon-2012-Roger-Federer-dismisses-back-injury-concerns-and-says-hell-be-fighting-fit-for-quarter-finals.html

I really don't think it is going away this time. it would be a miracle.

It'd be in keeping with the whole of the year!

But, yes.

Daniel wrote:

Jahu wrote:If someone clears Nadal, Fed will win this USO!!! In 5 sets he can beat these other second class players.

Shapovolov in the form I saw... or Cilic in the form I saw... or even some of the others can beat Fderer in this form.  He's also 36 and has played 10 sets already.  It's wishful thinking to believe he can do it from here.  The odds are very low. And you're getting ahead of yourself.  Youzhny was supposed to be a walk over.  What makes you think Kohl will be? Or Lopez? or Millman?

Oldie needs to take it match after a match, not in form obviously, but every match might feel better.

He should get some horse pain killers

If Thiem goes out I still can't imagine Federer not making the semi.

Mat W is talking so much shit it's unreal.  Apparently, Fed played poorly because he has a great record v Youzhny.  Get this idiot away from TV.

Federer saying his back is fine and in the past, but his preparation coming to tournament due to the back was poor... and he's struggling. "I was struggling to get my legs behind the ball. It just wasn't happening.  And then I was thinking about all the [things going wrong with my game].  "

Wilander's a fool.

Daniel wrote:Mat W is talking so much shit it's unreal.  Apparently, Fed played poorly because he has a great record v Youzhny.  Get this idiot away from TV.

Mats is Fed biggest fan, of course he will not say Fed is fucked up.

So good news: Federer's back is fine.  And he's stated it's not a problem now.

Bad news: His preparation was poor, his concentration is poor, and his belief is suffering.

Donald Young shows some heart these days. Ok, it's Monfails but still.

Daniel wrote:Federer saying his back is fine and in the past, but his preparation coming to tournament due to the back was poor... and he's struggling. "I was struggling to get my legs behind the ball. It just wasn't happening.  And then I was thinking about all the [things going wrong with my game].  "

Fed is worse than Matt when it comes to commentate on his form. fed will only admit to problems after the loss...and only if it is obvious...but will deny the obvious while he is still in it.

Daniel wrote:So good news: Federer's back is fine.  And he's stated it's not a problem now.

Bad news: His preparation was poor, his concentration is poor, and his belief is suffering.

Fed always lies.

@Tenez Well, I happen to actually believe what he says.  Federer knows how his back is more than you do :P And there is no evidence he's lying.

Daniel wrote:Federer saying his back is fine and in the past, but his preparation coming to tournament due to the back was poor... and he's struggling. "I was struggling to get my legs behind the ball. It just wasn't happening.  And then I was thinking about all the [things going wrong with my game].  "

I suppose you can make an argument that what Wilander says may not be as daft as it seems. A drift in focus if you're missing might be more likely against a guy you can't really take seriously.

Daniel wrote:@Tenez Well, I happen to actually believe what he says.  Federer knows how his back is more than you do :P And there is no evidence he's lying.

That's really what puzzles me. There is more than "evidence"....Even I can feel his pain!

Oh well, at least he's still in it. Maybe there can be a real miracle and Nadal gets booted out.

Oh dear, what was that.  First I checked the score, it was 5:0 in the first set, then Fed a break up in the second.  I was glad it was going to be an easy match for a change.  The next time I check, they are in the fourth set

Who is Fed going to beat if he barely beats Youzhny?  Lopez and Kohlschreiber are beatable, but they are also both more difficult opponents than Youzhny or Tiafoe.  And if Fed somehow stumbles through to the SF and finds Rafa waiting there, he will be slaughtered - unless his form reappears between now and then.

This just confirms that players should know when to retire.  Fed is clearly a has-been who should have retired long time ago instead of embarrassing himself here.

This USO is showing us how the old guard will ultimately be replaced by the new one:  They will just fall apart with injuries accumulated in their old age.

Ok, so what are the silver linings?

First, if Fed plays the day session on Saturday, I will get to see him.  And in his current form, it could be another close nail-biter (unless he goes out meekly ).

Second, he is now on the way to become the first player to lift a slam trophy while having dropped 14 sets.

Third, following Fed's first two performances, bookies now have Rafa as the favorite for the title.  This will ease the pressure on Fed and increase the pressure on Rafa.

All in all though, things are looking gloomy.  Not only it looks like Fed is nowhere near the form to win this, Rafa's road to the title is opening up nicely.  I just hope that if Rafa makes the final, it is not Cilic who he will be playing.  Because Cilic would just cry and go home.  So, Shapovalov for the title!  If Fed went out early but Shapovalov actually won the whole thing, it would ease the pain somewhat.

I have never seen Rublev play, and now I am going to see him live on Saturday!  I just hope Saturday is not a washout.  There is some rain in the forecast though apparently just for "afternoon showers".

Rafa is not looking very good at all either.  Standing far back and throwing a lot of short balls with little bite in them.  Daniel just took the first set in spite of making a good effort trying to choke away his service game.

I heard that Rafa did not look all that good in the first round either.

Mr. Nobody "no weapons" Nobody is now a set and a break up against Rafa.  I expect Rafa will turn it around - either he will up his game or Daniel will realize he has no business beating Nadal.  But regardless, this is very poor Rafa here.

Rafa breaks right back, but he has been really poor so far tonight.  I do not think I have seen him play this bad this year.

Rafa takes the second set .  Still playing quite poorly, but managed to hold it together just enough to break Daniel and then serve it out.

Looks like Rafa is finally turning this match around.  Time for me to check out.

I have the feeling Fed could pull out any time now.