Re: Miami Thread

[Tenez]

Tenez, have you considered this as a reason as to why the courts have been slowed:

They ensure the matches go on for longer, which means more people can take part in 'in-play' betting; thus more money is made.

It's a good point but I believe it kills betting actually cause it makes the physical player almost certain to win....whereas on faster surfaces more upset would happen.

[N2D2L]

Tenez, have you considered this as a reason as to why the courts have been slowed:

They ensure the matches go on for longer, which means more people can take part in 'in-play' betting; thus more money is made.

It's a good point but I believe it kills betting actually cause it makes the physical player almost certain to win....whereas on faster surfaces more upset would happen.

Why would that kill betting?

[N2D2L]

Tenez, not sure if you've heard of him, but there was a poster on MTL and 606 (the original) called Nameless.
He was probably my favourite Nadal-hater, I mean even he admitted himself he acted like a d*ck at times, but some of his posts were gold.

Let me find his ' tennis rules' thread.

[summerblues]

Just my luck - I miss the set that Rao wins but will get to see him bageled....

[Tenez]

Tenez, have you considered this as a reason as to why the courts have been slowed:

They ensure the matches go on for longer, which means more people can take part in 'in-play' betting; thus more money is made.

It's a good point but I believe it kills betting actually cause it makes the physical player almost certain to win....whereas on faster surfaces more upset would happen.

Why would that kill betting?

Cause the risk is too high to bet against the physical players while the return is too low. I'd rather bet when it is 50/50 or even 80/20 than 95/5.

[Tenez]

Tenez, not sure if you've heard of him, but there was a poster on MTL and 606 (the original) called Nameless.
He was probably my favourite Nadal-hater, I mean even he admitted himself he acted like a d*ck at times, but some of his posts were gold.

Let me find his ' tennis rules' thread.

Yes I remember his pseudo....can't rememver exactly what he was about. Is he the one who came up first with Nadull?

[Tenez]

Just my luck - I miss the set that Rao wins but will get to see him bageled....

Rao still lacks composure. He needs to acquire it. It is essential to his game. he has the shots he does not need to go 100% each shot, the right pace.

[N2D2L]

Genius thread this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A75658945

[N2D2L]

Tenez, have you considered this as a reason as to why the courts have been slowed:

They ensure the matches go on for longer, which means more people can take part in 'in-play' betting; thus more money is made.

It's a good point but I believe it kills betting actually cause it makes the physical player almost certain to win....whereas on faster surfaces more upset would happen.

Why would that kill betting?

Cause the risk is too high to bet against the physical players while the return is too low. I'd rather bet when it is 50/50 or even 80/20 than 95/5.

Yes, but do people who bet on tennis know that?

[N2D2L]

Tenez, not sure if you've heard of him, but there was a poster on MTL and 606 (the original) called Nameless.
He was probably my favourite Nadal-hater, I mean even he admitted himself he acted like a d*ck at times, but some of his posts were gold.

Let me find his ' tennis rules' thread.

Yes I remember his pseudo....can't rememver exactly what he was about. Is he the one who came up first with Nadull?

Well I'm sure that phrase itself many people have come up with, but he came up with the idea of a player being 'Nadulled'.

'Nadulled' aka:
1st set Nadal's opponent hits big, dominates, and takes by a break.
2nd set early on Nadal's opponent dominates, some 'mugs' (his words.. not mine) think that Nadal will therefore lose. Nadal then breaks around 6-8 games into the 2nd set, and takes the second set.
3rd set Nadal breaks quite early, and then clings onto his serve to edge the 3rd set, or Nadal's opponent dominates and then f*cks up at 5-5/5-6 to hand Nadal the match late on in the 3rd.

[Tenez]

Yes a great poster though he was not posting much on 606 towards the end .What was your pseudo on 606?

[N2D2L]

Yes a great poster though he was not posting much on 606 towards the end .What was your pseudo on 606?

Amritia3ee

[Tenez]

Tenez, have you considered this as a reason as to why the courts have been slowed:

They ensure the matches go on for longer, which means more people can take part in 'in-play' betting; thus more money is made.

It's a good point but I believe it kills betting actually cause it makes the physical player almost certain to win....whereas on faster surfaces more upset would happen.

Why would that kill betting?

Cause the risk is too high to bet against the physical players while the return is too low. I'd rather bet when it is 50/50 or even 80/20 than 95/5.

Yes, but do people who bet on tennis know that?

I think so..but we all know anyway that the courts were slowed for Nadal and not betting. Cause the TDs are more interested in getting the fans on court than the punters.

[Tenez]

Yes a great poster though he was not posting much on 606 towards the end .What was your pseudo on 606?

Amritia3ee

you were not posting much either I believe.

[N2D2L]

Yes a great poster though he was not posting much on 606 towards the end .What was your pseudo on 606?

Amritia3ee

you were not posting much either I believe.

Not that much no, but quite a bit in the last few years of it.

[N2D2L]

1st serve percentage so so important for Raonic here.

[Tenez]

Important for Rao to hold his serve at the beginning of the 3rd...I guess he knows and that's probably why he won't...  

[summerblues]

Not everyone liked it, but Nameless had a good sense of humor.

[N2D2L]

Not everyone liked it, but Nameless had a good sense of humor.

I did not like him initially, he himself said that he acted like a d*ck at times, and I think he'd also be the first to admit sometimes he crossed the lines of what was acceptable... but yes he was a brilliant poster.

[Tenez]

There were a few with a good sense of humour...DrSincere, sugardaddy, Impartial, etc....

[N2D2L]

3rd set forehand winners:
Nadal 9-1 Raonic

[Tenez]

3rd set forehand winners:
Nadal 9-1 Raonic

Isn't what I keep telling you? Nadal grows wings when he sees his opponent tiring. Only 4 FH winners in the first 2 sets!!!!!!

[N2D2L]

He kept on missing with his forehand in the first 2 sets, not a good display.

[noleisthebest]

Looks like I didn't miss much last night...

I played a score guess before I checked it this morning, so went with 6:4 6:3 for Nadal, and was surprised to see Raonic get a set with two breaks of serve.
I knew he could serve, but don't remember him being a great returner.
Was Nadal injured?

Look forward to both SF matches tonight, hopefully Berd can blast and crunch his FH like last night and pretend he is still playing Dolgo  

[Daniel]

Nadal had four forehand winners in the first 2 sets and that is abysmal. He has a serious lack of talent, hence how far behind the baseline he was. Raonic threw it away like I knew he would. He simply doesn't have the belief.

[N2D2L]

Rafito is the world's most talented player.

[Tenez]

The Djoko Nadal final will be an important one for the race to number 1. The court is so slow that it will give Djoko a good assessment about his chances to trouble Nadal on clay this year.

I thought Rao played terribly yesterday in the last 2 sets lacking key composure and went for too much when he did not to. I know this is what Nadal's game force you to do but I am sure Ljubici will teach him that next time. This is what Djoko does best. Never goes for too much but stretches Nadal a bit more after every shot...until the killing blow. Rao has easy power and could have done the same.....but I recognise it is a thin line!

[truffin1]

Rafito is the world's most talented player.

You must be joking. Not even a Nadal fanatic can really think that.



For pretend- I'll ignore that he dopes and pretend that he's naturally as good as he appears---  okay- he's had an all time great career, one of the most successful ever-- but he is not the most talented player in the world, nor has he ever been.  He might have the most effective style under the conditions he plays in, and he is talented-- but there isn't one iota of truth that he is the most talented.

[Tenez]

Amri knows that Nadal is not even top 50 when it comes to talent. Take Davydenko for instance, half the weight, half the arms and legs size, not as mobile or powerful but with his talent alone, that is taking the ball early and great timing, he made Nadal look average if not stupid at times, before he got injured.

What's Davydenko ranking? currently 71!

Again, last night, Nadal as powerful if not more than Raonic, three times as much experienced, 10 times more mobile....but guess what he loses the first set....and had to rely on his superior stamina to overcome the youngster.

If stamina is talent then yes...but shot making wise, Nadal is poor, very poor.

Nadal might be talented but he is not using his talent much so I am not sure on what amri base his belief from.... fanship I guess.

[N2D2L]

Amri knows that Nadal is not even top 50 when it comes to talent.

Nope, I don't believe in fiction.

[Tenez]

Amri knows that Nadal is not even top 50 when it comes to talent.

Nope, I don't believe in fiction.

You are just mixing up stamina and talent...that's all.

[noleisthebest]

Nishikori withdraws from today's semi with groin injury!!!

Nole's second w/o this week, must be a record.
And I really looked forward to this match...Shame for Nishi, I hope it's nothing serious, but not surprised, he comes across as quite fragile physically/health-wise.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/03/nishikori-withdraws-miami-semifinal-left-groin-injury/51038/#.UzW7bssgGSM


A cool tweet following Kei's w/o:

Paging Roger Federer: Thousands of fans in Miami looking for a nice match to watch against a guy named Novak. Are you available?
5:42 PM - 28 Mar 2014

[Tenez]

Nishikori withdraws from today's semi with groin injury!!!

Nole's second w/o this week, must be a record.
And I really looked forward to this match...Shame for Nishi, I hope it's nothing serious, but not surprised, he comes across as quite fragile physically/health-wise.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/03/nishikori-withdraws-miami-semifinal-left-groin-injury/51038/#.UzW7bssgGSM

A cool tweet on the news:

Paging Roger Federer: Thousands of fans in Miami looking for a nice match to watch against a guy named Novak. Are you available?
5:42 PM - 28 Mar 2014

It's really bizarre. He keeps having withdrawals....didn't he have one in IW last week as well?

[N2D2L]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

[noleisthebest]

I don't remember. Feel sorry for the fans...they should move Nadal Berd match forward, but probably won't because of TV rights etc....

[noleisthebest]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

  

[N2D2L]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

  

Not sure what's funny here, it's a choice for me of seeing my favourite player being humiliated at the hands of Djokovic, or a victory for my second favourite player; obviously I will choose the latter.

[Tenez]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

  

Not sure what's funny here, it's a choice for me of seeing my favourite player being humiliated at the hands of Djokovic, or a victory for my second favourite player; obviously I will choose the latter.

Don't worry, Nadal is fitter and more talented.

[noleisthebest]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

  

Not sure what's funny here, it's a choice for me of seeing my favourite player being humiliated at the hands of Djokovic, or a victory for my second favourite player; obviously I will choose the latter.

Amri, you are a real cracker sometimes!

[N2D2L]

I am supporting Berdych then for the semi tonight.

  

Not sure what's funny here, it's a choice for me of seeing my favourite player being humiliated at the hands of Djokovic, or a victory for my second favourite player; obviously I will choose the latter.

Don't worry, Nadal is fitter and more talented.

Have you forgotten, he is in permanent decline now unfortunately.

[N2D2L]

Amri, you are a real cracker sometimes!

You know I am right

[noleisthebest]

We need a proper Nadal fan here asap!

Where is Wooffie when you need her...shall I hop over to the caramel eyes website and invite her?

[paulcz]

So, now it is just up to Berd to give all proper tennis fans good match with a good result this evening. I am looking forward to see a damn aggressive and focused Berd in Miami.

[noleisthebest]

I hope so, too.
He played some very good points yesterday, but as soon as Dolgo showed his teeth, Berd withdrew and surrendered initiative.

He is a lot better than before, but I don't think he will ever fix that problem.

[paulcz]

I hope so, too.
He played some very good points yesterday, but as soon as Dolgo showed his teeth, Berd withdrew and surrendered initiative.

He is a lot better than before, but I don't think he will ever fix that problem.

He can do it, I am convinced. If he had a bit lighther body, he would move much better. 90 kilos is too much for such a slow surface. I know what I say. I have even two more. But if Stan could do it, Berd is not worse player.

[noleisthebest]

Yes, the thing with Stan, he can pull off great winners from both wings DTL, Berd dictates only with his FH and Nadal always gets into his head by making him run and going for too much. He has to play a lot more aggressively the whole match, fearlessly.
Berd needs a rock solid first serve to have any chance.

Mind you, with Amri supporting him tonight, that just may do the trick and get Berd across the line!

[paulcz]

Yes, the thing with Stan, he can pull off great winners from both wings DTL, Berd dictates only with his FH and Nadal always gets into his head by making him run and going for too much. He has to play a lot more aggressively the whole match, fearlessly.
Berd needs a rock solid first serve to have any chance.

Mind you, with Amri supporting him tonight, that just may do the trick and get Berd across the line!

Berd's BH is not bad, my problem with Berd is legs and then keeping his focus. These both need each other.

All Nadal fans are going to be insane, unless they already are   

[bluenose]

I guess it's time for me to weigh in now.  Of course I was sorry that Milos lost the match but actually I was rather pleased by what I saw.  Remember, he has been working for less than a year on 3 things: 1) improving disguise and variety on serve 2) developing aggressive tactics including s&v and net play 3) improving movement and rallying skills.  That's a lot of tweaking!  And it can mean some confusion in a high pressure situation against the world no. 1.

He was out-rallying Nadal for a good part of the match - that was the biggest thing.  He can do it.  And he showed some good net skills and was willing to impose himself.  The serve let him down the most, probably because it gets the least attention in practice.  It looked like at the end of the first set Milos realized Nadal was there for the taking and he got frazzled.  He was over-excited and his forehand went walkabout.

I look at every one of these big boy matches as a huge learning experience for Milos, and he is a good learner.  Plus, as Tenez has remarked many times, you can't prepare to play Nadal because you can't get a practice partner with that spin who is also a lefty.  You only learn from actually playing him, and I think Milos has taken away some major lessons about how to do that effectively.  Last time, in Montreal, he was basically helpless.  This time he saw how to hurt.  When he has balanced his "new" game he'll be a real threat.

ATP says Nishikori retired, not withdrew.  Did he actually show up for his pay cheque but not play?

[Tenez]

We need a proper Nadal fan here asap!

Where is Wooffie when you need her...shall I hop over to the caramel eyes website and invite her?

She will love Nadal's decline. Knowing her she will seize this as her chance to be her last and unique fan when everybody else will have deserted him. ...well I can picture both her and Amri fighting to be that very last fan of his!

[Tenez]

So, now it is just up to Berd to give all proper tennis fans good match with a good result this evening. I am looking forward to see a damn aggressive and focused Berd in Miami.

Let's see Paul whether all you said about "new Berdych" happened to be true. This is the test!.....I am not counting my chickens  ....

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