ATP 500/250: Barcelona, Bucharest

Nishi is playing very well. I am not sure why he did not do better in IW and Miami!

If he keeps on playing like today he has a good chance for the FO!

He ran into an inspired Isner who said it was the best match he had played for some tme and the commentators said for years!
But yes he shouldn't have lost to Lopez.

Yes but he is still fragile...as opposed to the other 3 or 4 top players. I know he can beat them all....but he is more likely to lose on the way to finals.

Tenez wrote:Vesely losing a tight match having a few 2nd set points.

Shame...

Was he able to finish his points quickly?

He needed to play more aggressively from what I saw the other day, maybe he was tired after yesterday's match.

Tenez wrote:Yes but he is still fragile...as opposed to the other 3 or 4 top players. I know he can beat them all....but he is more likely to lose on the way to finals.

Funny you say that...because he had no trouble beating Stan and Nole in long back to back matches last USO.

Maybe slam format suits him better with a day of rest between matches.

He may be carrying an injury, too.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:Vesely losing a tight match having a few 2nd set points.

Shame...

Was he able to finish his points quickly?

He needed to play more aggressively from what I saw the other day, maybe he was tired after yesterday's match.

I only saw the last 6 points....not much in it.

I saw the score, 13:11 in the deciding TB, first set also TB...that was really close...

Vesely apaz served for the 1st set..

luvsports! wrote:Vesely apaz served for the 1st set..

Ah! not surprised actually....will need to sort that out.

Rnoleisthebest wrote:A moving interview from Federer that brought a tear to my eye...
Not sure who he gave it to originally,  just two paragraphs quoted here.

Sorry, can't translate it, super busy this weekend...google should do the job.

http://www.b92.net/sport/tenis/vesti.php?yyyy=2015&mm=04&dd=24&nav_id=984644

I think this is the whole interview.  Notice he says his goal for French open is this the semifinals,  and grass is the priority.

I don't think I've ever heard fed say his goal was anything but a win.

http://stefanstennis.free.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1529:roger-federer-qi-still-have-that-fireq&catid=41:fedberg&Itemid=93

Woooah...so much in that interview!

I like this paragraph a lot:

"Sure, staying back at the baseline you have a better feel. You have time and can control everything better, while in the front of the court everything happens very quickly. For each attack you have to be motivated and clearly analyze what is happening and why. I think good net players can distinguish between a super passing shot by their opponent and a bad approach shot of their own.

But if you're coming to the net, then you know that it works long term: your opponent has in mind that he is not allowed to play a short forehand, otherwise there is an attack. I have a feeling that you have to show your opponent it can happen at any time."

Playing tennis at the net is just supremely exilarating and sublime.
You have to be so quick in the mind...sometimes body is quicker than the mind, pure thrill!

One point won at the net both shortens and extends your life at the same time!

Very terse on the coaching question! Great interview.

truffin1 wrote: Notice he says his goal for French open is this the semifinals,  and grass is the priority.

I don't think I've ever heard fed say his goal was anything but a win.

http://stefanstennis.free.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1529:roger-federer-qi-still-have-that-fireq&catid=41:fedberg&Itemid=93

Yep...really weird!...not to think it...but to say it!

Tenez wrote:

truffin1 wrote: Notice he says his goal for French open is this the semifinals,  and grass is the priority.
I don't think I've ever heard fed say his goal was anything but a win.
http://stefanstennis.free.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1529:roger-federer-qi-still-have-that-fireq&catid=41:fedberg&Itemid=93

Yep...really weird!...not to think it...but to say it!

I just had a look at the original in German, and he actually says his goal is MINIMUM (or - at least) semi-final for RG.

yes it even says that in the english version though they made a typo......"at last" instead of "at least"

Tenez wrote:yes it even says that in the english version though they made a typo......"at last" instead of "at least"

You just can't get the staff!

They even ruined/butchered that poignant paragraph about him coming to terms with losing.

Also, going back to the whole importance of being numero uno, I like this final quote from Fed:

It is important in the setting of a tournament list of the top eight seeds. This helps the big names to go on in the draw in the early rounds. But in the end if I'm number 6 or number 10, who cares. I care for number 1. I go hunting for points to get the chance to come back to the first place of the world ranking with one or two Grand Slam tournament victories.

Just in case some people were still wondering...

Exactly!

Tenez wrote:yes it even says that in the english version though they made a typo......"at last" instead of "at least"

Even saying at least semis is odd to me based on his usual answers.   Edberg last year also said during the French that they were looking towards Wimbledon and French " I don't think is a big priority for Roger"..     

I think Federer knows it's not so much on his racquet on clay.... I have to think if he sees a Djoko/nadal semi though- he goes all out to try and get to final

yes..I agree. I think he knows clay is not best surface nowadays.