Dubai, Acapulco, Delray.....

And Berankis wins his match, just brilliant!

Gulbis quickly earning the Earnest man title on tour, claiming some top 100 players, simply can't play tennis:

"I was really getting pissed to see who's in the top 100. There are some guys who I don't know who they are. Some guys, I'm sorry, with respect—they can't play tennis." and adds:
"I'm starting to enjoy tennis much more. Before I didn't like it, honestly. Ihad a couple of good wins and enjoyed it. Then I went on the wrong pathand was doing wrong stuff for my game. Now, I want to play maybe five more years and do the best I can. My goal is to really win something big.”

Davy, too has a few Earnest words about Tipsarevic and his improved level after the mid set toilet break (Davy bagelled Tips in the first set after breaking him in the first two games that lasted half )
“Really in the second set he went to the toilet and then come back playing better.I don't know what he did there,” laughed Davydenko.

Davy is such a great character....it's funny cause he is typically the kind of guy that would not appeal to the large audience but his game and personality is actually quite interesting......I would give him a microphone more often.

Glad Gulbis wants to do smthing. hopefully he will.

noleisthebest wrote:Don't know, rotla watched that one, but Tsonga Llodra started, 5 all.

Yes Baggy was break up in the 3rd but Delpo levelled in when Baggy was serving at 4*-2 and held to go 4-4. Also Baggy had 3 MPs on Delpo's server at 4*-5 but Delpo saved all those (rather Baggy squandered ). A very poor quality TB follwed where none of the 2 able to take points on serve and making Errors. But Depo just managed to hold on one in an import moment and seigzed the win.

Llodra beats Tsonga very comfortably. Perhaps Tsonga was tired due to back-to-back tournamnets. Llodra played well enough. He plays really well on those fast courts ( Remember Bercy 2010?). I'm so glad there is a good well paced fast outdoor hard court even in this age of roadrunning tennis. Dubai did well to speed up the surface last year.

Nadal crushing the qualifier. 5-2 and serving for the 1st set.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote: Dubai did well to speed up the surface last year.

Yes, wouldn't it be fantastic to have a Nole-Federer final?

I can't believe it!!!!
In Acapulco:wawrinks, Bellucci and Paire all out inthe first round!
Good, old Ferrer still clinging on reliably....

Didn't I say to Sphair that Bellu would probably not even make the 1/4 (that's why they put him on Nadal's side).

Stan probably injured himself in that last week final. As I said he was a break up in that 3rd set before he lost 6 games in a row.

And I have the feeling that old Davy might get the better of Fed if it gets to that.

Tenez wrote:And I have the feeling that old Davy might get the better of Fed if it gets to that.

That would be a good match but I'd be surprised if Davy beats Fed...

As for Bellucci and the draw....just terrible!
Did you see that Berankis won his match as a lucky loser and Reyndols lost his!!!! Now that Nishikori's retired, the draw has really opened up for Berankis, I find it fascinating how things happen like that, I hope he gets a few wins now and moves up the rankings so he doesn't have to qualify any more....

I find it fascinating how things happen like that

=================================

It happened to Nadal on every single draw of his!

Yes I want him and Gulbis to get up to decent ranking. Cause level wise there is absolutely no difference between a top 50 and top 250. It's so tough out there.....look even Berdych is struggling v #110!

I'm gong to tune in now, needed another espresso to defrost

Berankis v Sock.....that should be interesting.

I watched Sock last week, against Lopez I think. Berankis should handle him no problem.

Just noticed Nadal is playing Alund tonight, again, I mean, has he played anyone else except the entire pool of Argentinian tennis federation this year....

And it's Federer-Granollers time!

Granollers looks happy and enjoying the evening, one of the players that will make Federer look even better than some here claim he is

According to the commmentators, Granollers loved playing Federer in Dubai a few years ago and giving a good show (lost 6:3 6:4), said it inspired him to have his best season and reach number 21 ranking.

So far, Granollers doing his job well.

Fed's backhand sharp and stunning!

Fed beating Granollers exactly in the same score as in 2011 on the same court....so clearly he is not getting older than Grano.

Having said that he looked stiff today on his serve..again. I'll check the stats

And yes....2 Aces in 2 sets is really poor by his standrad....especially on those fast courts....and one DF. Something is still hampering him so clearly when he talks about regaining the top spot he is taking the piss.

When you think that in 2013 his Ace/DF ratio was 3 to 1 far from the 11/1 of 2008....this 2 to 1 Ace/DF ratio today is simply terrible.

Good first set from Nole

I noticed his toss was a bit odd on his second serve, not quite the smoothest and relaxed motion, but didn't pay much attention in general, just had feasted on the backhand.

Nole really sharp and crips from the base-line, great depth, poor Agut, he's got no chance

Btw , whoever designed this UPS delivery guy outfit for Nole should be forced to wear it 24/7

I'll give Agut one thing, he dresses well!

Nole, the generous soul he is, indulges the crowd with a bit of drama.
Job done in the end, Seppi next.

I love the picture of Maradonna and Federer holding each others by the chicks. 2 geniuses being just happy kids. Somewhere in the link below.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Media/Photo-Landing.aspx?gt=Dubai&q=Dubai+Duty+Free+Tennis+Championships|Dubai

I saw that...Maradona is hilarious...so bursting with life, always ready for action!

In Delray it rained so no matces were played, in Acapulco it didn't so Almagro, Ferrer, Nadal, Fognini, Zeballos, Lorenzi (who seems to be in some rolling form!) etc all through.

Delpo beats Brands in straight sets and sets up a likely semi with Djokovic.
Berdych, a break up against Tursunov seems to be on course to potentially play Fed tomorrow, should be a super Friday!

Berd through, as well.

After a tricky start, Nole off and away with a break against Seppi

And first set bagel it is for Nole....How does he hit those corners with such ease.....I'll have to get hold of some of that donkey cheese cost what it may!!!!

I wonder how a poster from the old 606 days formerly known as Saint Seppi is doing these days....

Nole looking very confident and relaxed, all working for him, nice!
Seppi, the opposite....funny how balance in a tennis match can spill like that from one extreme to the other....

noleisthebest wrote:And first set bagel it is for Nole....How does he hit those corners with such ease.....I'll have to get hold of some of that donkey cheese cost what it may!!!!

How does he run to those corners?....that needs stronger donkey cheese.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:And first set bagel it is for Nole....How does he hit those corners with such ease.....I'll have to get hold of some of that donkey cheese cost what it may!!!!

How does he run to those corners?....that needs stronger donkey cheese.

In case you are not watching the match, he's not moving a lot, standing right in the centre of base-line and making Seppi run.

you right...not watching....

Tenez wrote:you right...not watching....

I wonder if LF will dig out the running stats for THIS match

Anyway, T, you'll be pleased to know Nole is serving for the match, so Fed and Davy out any minute!

Sweet point to end the match 60 6:3, super Nole

So, the sped-up court in Dubai suiting Novak to a tee. Tomorrow's match against Delpo should be a proper test.

straights sets for djoko imo. DP will disappoint again

No problemo for Fed against Davy whatsoever....in straights under an hour.
I love watching their fast exchanges. Probably the fastest pair to watch like that, although Nole can notch up a gear when he needs to like that.

I wonder how fast can Federer actually go? Maybe Dolgo could be a good match, but don't remember seeing the two play.

Semifinals starting with Nole Delpo at 1PM UK time (which I won't be able to watch ) and then Fed Berd at 3 PM.

they played back in basle in '10 i think.

Berankis beats Sock in three sets (from a set down) yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!

Vasselin next.

good win for gulbis as well!

luvsports! wrote:good win for gulbis as well!

Brilliant! I thought he was a gonner at 0:3 in the 3rd set, great turnaround!

I can't believe Nadal is playing another Argentinian tonight. And if he beats him, he is probably playing Zeballos!

And as usual....guess who's the life and soul of the party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOAC9iIWlQ4&feature=share&list=UUY_5h5zaSwN7Or4kIJDYNXA