Masters 1000: Cincinnati

Tenez wrote:I saw the last 4 points. Pretty good from what I saw.

The ease with which he dismantled a well-playing Murray was superb.
His BH was gorgeous. Everything was smooth.

noleisthebest wrote:Yes, FK is changing his name tomorrow

And "Etemelancolique" for the other one!

Translation please! We ain't all Frenchies!
It's neck and neck between us in the Athletics, just in the lead we are

luvsports! wrote:Translation please! We ain't all Frenchies!
It's neck and neck between us in the Athletics, just in the lead we are

"summerblues"

Anyways...good night all...NITB back to her sofa tomorrow

Fed had righted a lot of wrongs this year. Fantastic play and fight from Fed. If nadal would actually show up when conditions don't suit him, maybe some more wrongs can be corrected. Really though- all that is needed is Us Open victory and as Cahill said tonight- this could end up being the most satisfying year of the goats carreer.

Cahill, pat McEnroe and Gilbert were oddly going on and on about the easy volleys fed missed without acknowledging fatigue was partly at fault- leading to some casual technique flaws. Fed corrected them in his after match Espn sit down. Once again he said he is exhaisted, wish he wasn't so tired the week before the open, but since he has so much match play in- he'll take an easier practice schedule than usual leading up to is open.

I undersrand it's because of ratings, but at same time from fairness - just don't understand why these touries continue to have such ridiculous schedules. The 1st semi is at 1 pm and the next is all the way at 9pm! So fed or raonic have to turn around and play an early afternoon match against a more than well rested opponent under New conditions- just like last week. Ridiculous.

noleisthebest wrote:Anyways...good night all...NITB back to her sofa tomorrow

Ouch....that's painful.....It has always been a drama for me to quit the riviera.

truffin1 wrote:Fed had righted a lot of wrongs this year.  Fantastic play and fight from Fed.  If nadal would actually show up when conditions don't suit him, maybe some more wrongs can be corrected.  Really though-  all that is needed is Us Open victory and as Cahill said tonight-  this could end up being the most satisfying year of the goats carreer.

Cahill, pat McEnroe and Gilbert were oddly going on and on about the easy volleys fed missed without acknowledging fatigue was partly at fault- leading to some casual technique flaws.  Fed corrected them in his after match Espn sit down.  Once again he said he is exhaisted, wish he wasn't so tired the week before the open, but since he has so much match play in- he'll take an easier practice schedule than usual leading up to is open.

I undersrand it's because of ratings, but at same time from fairness - just don't understand why these touries continue to have such ridiculous schedules.  The 1st semi is at 1 pm and the next is all the way at 9pm!  So fed or raonic have to turn around and play an early afternoon match against a more than well rested opponent under New conditions-  just like last week.   Ridiculous.

3 very good points Truffin.

It's a tough situation for Federer. He has one hand on the trophy with 640 points to gain yet he might be tempted to pull out and get a rest  because of the USO and poor schedule of the cincy semi/final.

What will he do? I think he will try to win Cincy. If he beats Rao...either Benetteau or Ferrer will be tired too.

A win at Cincy might give him a good chance to get back on the year end 1 race.

Tenez wrote: Ouch....that's painful.....It has always been a drama for me to quit the riviera.

Every time I say goodbye I die a little.... 

I suspect Fed sees that with the way things are working out he might have a chance to get back to #1, possibly even make YE #1.

That is probably why he is trying harder this week than he otherwise would. I just hope he does not overdo it and end up too tired at the USO, that would be a real shame.

It is a real shame Fed could not win that Wimbledon final. That would have been an extra 800 points for him (an an extra 800 points less for Nole), and less pressure to get points from these smaller tournaments.

That match was winnable too. Nole played very well, but he still is not totally at home on grass. Fed kept it close even though his FH was not doing much work. Oh well.

Speaking of Nole, nitb what is your take on his poor showings in Canada and here? After Canada you were guessing he was saving himself to complete his set of Masters tournaments. But then he played just as poorly here.

Do you think it is due to his marriage and kid? When will he be back (will he be back at all?).

summerblues wrote:It is a real shame Fed could not win that Wimbledon final.  That would have been an extra 800 points for him (an an extra 800 points less for Nole), and less pressure to get points from these smaller tournaments.

That match was winnable too.  Nole played very well, but he still is not totally at home on grass.  Fed kept it close even though his FH was not doing much work.  Oh well.

Yes poor loss down to an average Federer.

8 Wimbledon title, 18 slams, number 1 ranking......there was lots at stake there! maybe too much pressure? probably not as he managed to win that first set. Annoyed the way Nole calls the trainer and Fed loses his serve for the first time in that second set.

Just realised how absurd was the schedule!

Not Before 3:00 pm
[6] David Ferrer (ESP)
v
Julien Benneteau (FRA)
H2H
Not Before 7:00 pm
[9] Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
v
[5] Maria Sharapova (RUS)
WTA
Not Before 9:00 pm  
[5] Milos Raonic (CAN)
v
[2] Roger Federer (SUI)
H2H

Tenez wrote:Just realised how absurd was the schedule!

Not Before 3:00 pm
[6] David Ferrer (ESP)
v
Julien Benneteau (FRA)
H2H
Not Before 7:00 pm
[9] Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
v
[5] Maria Sharapova (RUS)
WTA
Not Before 9:00 pm  
[5] Milos Raonic (CAN)
v
[2] Roger Federer (SUI)
H2H

That's what I was saying-- there is no possible way any TD can lay out that schedule and think the final is going to be playing in fair terms.  Just like last week.

Waking up and seeing the score - very cool indeed. Looks like Fed took Raonic apart even more easily than at Wimbledon.

Absolutely impressed by Fed's game, look at the highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT2MoKec49w

Fed is just like lightning on the court.

paulcz wrote:Absolutely impressed by Fed's game, look at the highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT2MoKec49w

Fed is just like lightning on the court.

Yes but he looks very tired at the end...Ferrer will know how to exploit that. You might see tonight Ferrer beat Federer for the first time.....

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:Absolutely impressed by Fed's game, look at the highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT2MoKec49w

Fed is just like lightning on the court.

Yes but he looks very tired at the end...Ferrer will know how to exploit that. You might see tonight Ferrer beat Federer for the first time.....

Feru is not the youngest either. Fed will need to break Ferrer's spirit as soon as possible. An earlier break for Fed and the match can go quite quickly. Fed knows what to do. Fortunately the match starts at 4p.m. their time.

4pm start...That's very little resting time. less than 16 hours.....a tough one after playing 10 matches in 13 days!!!!

But at least it proves again Fed's consistency is back.

It's impressive how  Fed dismantles Raonic and exposes how fragile he is as a player.
Isner's or Ivo's serve never collapse like Raonic's.

Look forward to today's final.
I read somewhere  that this is Fed's 8th final this year?
It has been a pleasure to watch him play freely in Cinci, what a difference since last year's back problem.
He looks so light and invigorated, full of hunger for competition.
It's like he's got a second lease on life.

Tenez wrote:4pm start...That's very little resting time. less than 16 hours.....a tough one after playing 10 matches in 13 days!!!!

But at least it proves again Fed's consistency is back.

I thought fortunately for us, Europe fans and yes, less than 16 hours, thats killing for every player. It shows not only Fed's consistency is back, but his game is also close to an absolute brilliance.
Fed is just a phenomenon  

summerblues wrote:Speaking of Nole, nitb what is your take on his poor showings in Canada and here?  After Canada you were guessing he was saving himself to complete his set of Masters tournaments. But then he played just as poorly here.

Do you think it is due to his marriage and kid?  When will he be back (will he be back at all?).

It appears he has had a longer than he should have done break after Wimbledon.
I watched his match against Monfils only and his BH was terrible.
To me, the state of his BH is usually a good indictor of his form.

I admit, I didn't expect such poor back to back tournaments, as he he has never had that happen before.
At the same time, I don't expect the slump to last long as he said he has been training very hard.

This all is just another proof of the strength of current field and that with most top 30-50 players catching up physically, it's difficult to dominate in slow playing conditions as the game takes huge toll on players physically, fatiguing them mentally, as well.

I don't think Nole will ever recover from his 2012 AO final in some ways.

That makes Fed's resurgence in 2014 even more interesting (and not just his, but almost all other "old" SBH-ers).

I have no reason to doubt Nole will not do well in USO, but it won't be easy. As I said, 2014 has shown us that the physical level has evened out and I think now enabling shot-makers to be on the rise again.

Not necessarily dominate (as that's virtually impossible now) but be regularly in SFs and Fs.

Btw, did anyone catch the cat/babes- fight between Sharapova and Ivanovic last night?
Apparently, the claws were out and Sharapova lost her cool completely:

http://www.si.com/tennis/2014/08/16/maria-sharapova-mocks-ana-ivanovic-medical-break

I still consider Fed's serve as the best currently. Variety, placing, kick, it is magnificent.

Made it back from Paris just in time for the final -  Roger.

Fed's FH is still off, he needs to keep his serve and is going to take points at the net.

Pretty lame from David - two DFs in that game.

The stats are bizarre. Ferrer hitting more FH and BH winners than Federer!

David cannot make Federer nervous. Fed feels comfortable against him

paulcz wrote:I still consider Fed's serve as the best currently. Variety, placing, kick, it is magnificent.

Yes and that larger frame helps him quite a bit.

Amazing game from Fed to take the first set. I mean when Fed's FH is off, is still perfect shot    That is really nice tennis, everybody who plays tennis must enjoy it.

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:I still consider Fed's serve as the best currently. Variety, placing, kick, it is magnificent.

Yes and that larger frame helps him quite a bit.

Fed's serve has always been the best on the circuit, here is no change

He is back to having the best FH in the world too....by quite a healthy margin!

paulcz wrote:

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:I still consider Fed's serve as the best currently. Variety, placing, kick, it is magnificent.

Yes and that larger frame helps him quite a bit.

Fed's serve has always been the best on the circuit, here is no change

Dunno....he says it gives him more easy power.

dont wait too long with breaking back please, we don't want a third set

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:

Tenez wrote:

paulcz wrote:I still consider Fed's serve as the best currently. Variety, placing, kick, it is magnificent.

Yes and that larger frame helps him quite a bit.

Fed's serve has always been the best on the circuit, here is no change

Dunno....he says it gives him more easy power.

That's visible, but it is still one apect, even pretty important re Fed's back

Yep....it does not look good. Fed seems completely knackered. Over aggressive....

Tenez wrote:Yep....it does not look good. Fed seems completely knackered. Over aggressive....

yeah, and he should have break Ferrer straight away this set  

Ferrer senses that Fed in the ropes.

is fed saving energy for the 3rd? I dont think he will have anything in the tank in that 3rd.....that looks like Fed Stan MC all over again.

how sour would it be if he loses another final...

Tenez wrote:is fed saving energy for the 3rd? I dont think he will have anything in the tank in that 3rd.....that looks like Fed Stan MC all over again.

He surely went in a saving mode. Feru wants it desperately, but I am still for Fed

gallery play wrote:how sour would it be if he loses another final...

Please stop it  

gallery play wrote:how sour would it be if he loses another final...

...to David.  How can he lose to David?  Depressing.

summerblues wrote:

gallery play wrote:how sour would it be if he loses another final...

...to David.  How can he lose to David?  Depressing.

Especially after being totally in control.

Certainly is depressing, despite having the best form of all topplayers, he'll be no contender for the USO title. Physically he's too fragile.
Anyway, he still can win today

finally a love game again. That'll give him strength

Yeah, I am hopeful he wins today still - if nothing else, David can still choke it away.

USO will be tough.  I think he is a contender though.  He made the Wimbledon final and could have won it, he will have a chance to win the USO.

chances here. Ferrer is also showing signs of fatigue