Bagel incoming.
Printable View
Bagel incoming.
No bagel! It is 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Congratulations to Djokovic! :clap:
^ Hahaa..Seeing the way Berdych played the opening few games of the 3rd, I thought he had given it all up. Though he tried his best , the result was never in doubt. With the way he's playing and with no one in near sight of defeating him (Except probably Federer in one odd day), Djokovic has the unique chance of sweeping all the masters and the grandslams this year. While its close to being improbable I would definitely say he's got a shot at it.
Cha Bagel miss aagiruchu :lol:.
Ditto. Feels like 2011 all over again. In 2011, it was Fed who denied Djoko a shot at the RG title, something that doesn't look possible on current and recent form of both on clay. I had thought Djoko would follow up 2011 with a calendar slam in 2012 but he regressed into a self doubting phase. Now he's back and all the others in the big three have dropped their level a bit. Murray less so but then he wasn't even a threat to Djoko in 2011 and he's not at his 2012-13 level yet. Yup, might just do it this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arvind Srinivasan
Top Monte-Carlo "hotshots"...
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Ten...Hot-Shots.aspx
This clay season is going to be very interesting. If Nadal drops out of the top four, there is a 25 percent chance that he could meet Federer or Djokovic in the quarters itself. I wonder if Djokovic would prefer facing him at an earlier stage than the final. The pressure of a finale might get to him. But all said and done, this is the year for Djokovic to get the coveted RG title, I feel. He's playing like a dream, the field is weak which guarantees him a place in the final if he plays to potential.Quote:
Originally Posted by crimson king
Djoker the joker (2008) :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1XDj4d7nKw
Fit of Laughter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94xyOpETYYs
Fognini ousts Nadal 6-4, 7-6 in Barcelona!
At 27 and in the long run with fitness by his side, Djokovic is more poised to overhaul Federer's trophy count. Federer is at 84 in 33. Djokovic is 52 or 53 at 27.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arvind Srinivasan
Yes. Federer did a stupid thing by defeating djokovic in 2011. He was in awesome form then.
Coming to this year, Form wise i think it will be Novak. But then again when it comes to clay grandslams and 5 setters my money would be on Nadal.
Siva sivaa... enna solreengO? Federer doing a "stupid" thing? அப்படி எதுவும் நடக்காது, நடக்கவும் கூடாது!! He is almost like God almighty! How can anyone use the word "stupid" in the same sentence that has Federer's name in it? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
By the way, tomorrow's final match in Barcelona will feature reigning champion and first seeded (ranked 5th in the world) Kei Nishikori who defeated unseeded (ranked 28th in the world) Martin Kližan; and unseeded (ranked 66th in the world) Pablo Andujar who defeated 3rd seeded (ranked 8th in the world) David Ferrer!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
Djokovic does have a shot. But I feel this achievement in the making is still a long way off from even being discussed. Probably after 2016. As far as this clay court season is concerned, Nadal is still the favourite albeit not by much of a distance though since Djokovic comes a close second and I find no one else to be in the picture. I want Federer to win Roland Garros but critically speaking, his chances are minimal if not zilch. Federer could have taken the FO'11 to a decider. Had a break in the first, let it go, lost the set and was looking down the barrel after that. He played well actually. Just not enough to get him over the line.Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
Mutua Madrid Open draw-
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CD7yfZPWYAAcM01.jpg
Nadal/Murray/Berdych and Nishikori into madrid semis
1. He is motivated
2. He is Fit
3. He has age on his side.
He will be only 28 this May. And he has another good 3-4 playing years with him and i cant see much competition coming in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arvind Srinivasan
I had a dream that Djokovic is winning the first 3 slams this year. Lets see how right/wrong I am. :lol:
Well, Fed failed to meet Nadal in the Rome semis but it didn't turn out the way it was expected. Fed beat Berdych while Nadal played pretty horrid tennis to lose to Wawrinka.
Rafael Nadal is entering unfamiliar territory
After losing to Stan Wawrinka in straight sets Friday night in the quarter-finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, the Spaniard’s seeding fate in Paris was sealed: He will be seeded no higher than seventh at Roland Garros, where he will attempt to win his tenth title.
“I’m going to be ranked lower than ever playing Roland Garros, so that will mean the chance to play against very tough opponents,” Nadal said. “At the same time, if I go to Roland Garros and I lose and I don’t play well, life continues. It’s not the end of the world.
“I won so many times there… It’s normal that I could lose. Losing is part of life. I can be there, play bad and lose early, but I’m going to fight to change that and try to fight again to have a good tournament.”
Other unfamiliar territory for the Spaniard is that of his title drought leading into the Grand Slam on clay. This is the first time in 10 years that Nadal has not won a European ATP World Tour clay-court title in the lead-up to Roland Garros.
Here is a look at his year-by-year titles during the European clay court circuit:
2014 – Madrid
2013 – Barcelona, Madrid, Rome
2012 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
2011 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona
2010 – Monte-Carlo, Rome, Madrid
2009 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
2008 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Hamburg
2007 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
2006 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
2005 – Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
Nadal's loss to Wawrinka halted his chance to win at least one clay-court title leading into Roland Garros for the 11th straight year.
“I didn’t have enough luck,” he said. “In some moments, he played aggressive. He hit amazing shots in a lot of moments. He was on fire for a moment; lots of amazing shots. I congratulate him. I lost in the quarter-finals, but I had two weeks in a row playing well.”
Despite not hoisting a trophy prior to Roland Garros, Nadal won his 65th ATP World Tour title, his 46th on clay, in February in Buenos Aires. Prior to his victory in Argentina, his most recent title before that win was at the 2014 Roland Garros (d. Djokovic).
“The only thing that I am sure of is I’m going to try,” said Nadal. “The goal in Paris will always be the same one. I feel I’m playing well. I am confident that if I am able to play without nerves – I didn’t play with nerves today, I didn’t play with nerves most of the time the last three weeks, and that’s the most important thing for me.
"If I am able to control that, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to fight for it."
The 2015 Roland Garros draw will be made next Friday, 22 May. The tournament begins 24 May.
Did You Know?
Nadal dropped to No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday, putting him outside of the Top 5 for the first time in a decade (No. 7 – 2 May 2005).
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Ten...-Reaction.aspx
Well, if it wasn't nerves, then what was it that cost him the first set from set point in the tiebreak? Of course, I am sure Rafa knows what the problem is and would just rather not admit to it openly in public and thereby concede a weakness. But he's losing some of these matches in his head. Wawrinka has played better than this. But Rafa's forehands were so short that he really didn't do enough to bother Wawrinka.
French draw looks good for Fed.
1R - Falla
2R - Granollers
3R - Youzhny/Karlovic
4R - Cuevas / Monfills
QF - Wawrinka
SF - Nishikori/Berdych
F - Nadal/Novak/Murray
A dream draw for Fed. Other than Monfills he shouldn't have much trouble reaching SF. However at this stage in Clay nothing is given.
The same draw in Wimbledon could have done wonders.
With Nole, Nadal set to meet in QF this FO seems to be much more wide open.
Monfils will be difficult. Federer's lost twice in a row against him with both on clay. Monfils will move heaven and earth to win this....
Federer wins 1R against Falla 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
He was average overall, however BP conversion (3/17 or something) as thru' his whole career is major concern.
Mats Wilander in the commentary box was proving yet again what a comedy piece he is.
The other commentator asks Mat, if he sees Federer losing a step compared to 5-6 years?
Mats reply, not really, if anything he has improved to what 5 or 6 years ago with his new racquet.
His poor results in majors last 5-6 years are due to his lack of mental strength/confidence.
The height of it was, back 5-6 years ago there were not players like Cilic who could take it to him...
So his point is Federer dominated in a weak era. A much better version of him struggles in stronger era....
Mat, were you able to hold a racquet when you were 33-34 & play at a level Roger is doing after having played more than 1200 matches on the tour.
Don't embarass yourself further....
Leander Paes: The Prince Of India
"ATPWorldTour.com pays tribute to Leander Paes, who has recorded his 700th doubles match win".
-By James Buddell, ATP News, May 27, 2015
http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Ten...s-Tribute.aspx
Nadal Says He Asked to Have Carlos Bernardes Not Officiate His Matches
https://youtu.be/FOY1scQtjZA
- See more at: http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2015/N....jnCERnOp.dpuf
Rafael Nadal confirmed the rumors that started to circulate last week when Simon Briggs of the Telegraph wrote this piece. Basically, the piece suggested that Nadal used his influence to get Bernardes banned from his matches after the pair had a disagreement in Rio.
Nadal confirmed this rumors after his first-round victory in Paris on Tuesday.
While Nadal’s revelation will likely be met with some disappointment in the ATP, Briggs himself wrote in the article that the organization has seen to it that umpires who have had run-ins with players have been removed before.
Still, many will agree that it’s a slippery slope we are treading when star players get to have a say in who officiates or doesn’t officiate their matches.
Nadal explained the incident, and what led to his request from the ATP in full in his press conference in Paris today.
Q. Can you tell me what happened with Bernardes? Is it true the situation he cannot umpire your matches, or do you know anything about it? Because I read it, but I have no exactly the clue what happened.
RAFAEL NADAL: Is easy, no? There is a lot of umpires on the tour. I respect a lot Bernardes. I consider him a great umpire and a good person, but I think when you have some troubles with the same umpire, sometimes it's easy to stay for a while away, no? I think that's the real thing. I think is better for both of us if we are not in court at the same time for a while after what happened in Rio de Janeiro. That's it. No problem with him personally.
Q. But not your request?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yes, it was my request, and the ATP talking about -- well, I asked if it's possible, but nothing personal against him 100%. I respect him like umpire, I respect him like person, and I consider him a good person more than that. So for me is not -- I am not happy with that situation. That's the first thing. Because I would love to have Bernardes on the court again. Will happen, but, you know, I think for both of us it is better to have a break, you know. We had some problems. For me he hasn't -- he was not enough respectful with me in Rio de Janeiro . That was my feeling when I put my shorts the other way. He wants to put me warnings four times, that's fine. But if I put my shorts other way and I ask him if I can change my shorts, I can put my shorts the right way, and his answer is, Yes, but you will receive a time warning. For me, that's not fair, you know, (smiling.) When something like that, something like this did happen on court, that I think is not fair. I think is, you know, shows not respect, because I cannot play a full game with the shorts the other way. So it's better. It's better to be away for a while. That's all. No personal problem with him, no? Seriously, I'm not saying that because I am in front of you. I respect him, I like him, but he was not right. And I believe that is for relationship and everything is better to be away for a bit.
Later in the day, Novak Djokovic was asked if he'd ever encountered similar experiences in his career with umpires, and he replied that he's had his differences but never felt the need to ask to be kept away from an umpire.
"There are some chair umpires in some matches that I remember that I wasn't very happy with how they did their job, but I never thought of requesting a chair umpire not to ever or whatever, for a certain time, be a chair umpire in my matches," Djokovic said. "I don't think that's fair. I don't think that's fair to them. You know, they do their job as best as they can. Of course, sometimes they do it better or worse."
To be fair to both Djokovic and Nadal, it didn't appear that Djokovic was briefed on the story about Nadal before he was asked the question. He was asked the question in a press conference, and the reporter who asked made no mention of Nadal's comments or situation. Whether or not Djokovic knows about Nadal and Bernardes' rift was not made clear.
Nadal will be in action again on Thursday when he faces his compatriot Nicolas Almagro in the second round.
- See more at: http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2015/N....jnCERnOp.dpuf
http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2015/N...des-Not-O.aspx
Mats Wilander is a @@#$ ba@!#u!!. Avan pesaradhai ellam edhukku kekkuringa,omega !?
Yeah, anybody with a brain can see Fed has slowed down. And slowed down since 2008 or so. LOL @ Fed not having had to face strong players like Cilic in his prime. Yeah, like how Nadal was such a weakling in 2006 and 07 Wimbledon? Or how Safin, Hewitt, Roddick grand slam winners all were hopeless? Sure, the Big Four era is a strong one but there is nothing to show that Fed too is playing better than in his prime. Since the Big Four era is strong anyway, why does it bother the Rafa-Nole fans so much that it doesn't have a prime Fed?
The argument is,
Nadal was still a baby in grass till 2008, infant in hardcourt till 2010 & continues to be developing on indoors till date.
Novak didn't mature until 2011 so any beatings by Federer prior won't count much.
Murray didn't break through till 2012 Olympics, so any prior beatings by Federer naturally won't count....
Once they all showed up a much improved version of Federer (supremely primed version) struggles against everyone of them..
And 'Mad Foolander' is not alone in this argument...
They simply can't digest Fed is still ranked as high as No.2 in the world.
Federer has not only lost a step, his biggest weapon FH has declined considerably that it doesn't penetrate as much.
His serve (still solid) has lost that extra bite that it used to have.
Yeah, that too, but more recently. He first began to shank it wildly in 2013. Then after changing racquets he got back some control but the power is gone. Even against Granollers, though he won, there was no depth on the forehand and it didn't bother Granollers at all. All inevitable given his age. Would love to hear Foolander's explanation for Fed's victory over Djoko in 2012 Wimby. Oh, I go it, ONLY because roof was closed, right? Whatever. I would readily accept that Nadal gets to Fed, it's just a bad match up for Fed and has been since Miami 2004. But I don't see anything to suggest that once Djoko and Murray matured, Fed was simply not good enough to touch them. Fed still beats Djoko once in a while in 1000 and 500 events, beat Murray in AO last year. If he can do that in his 30s, isn't it insane to pretend a 23-24 year old Fed was lucky not to have to face them in their prime?Quote:
Originally Posted by omega
Right, Nadal troubled Federer on his least fav. surface in their very first meeting @ 2004 Miami masters.
Federer being the undisputed No.1 & Humble Bull ranked 30+ won in straight sets.
Quite mysterious that it took him another 5 years to win AO & 6 years to win USO. Right we get that, he was still developing his hardcourt game.
Never showed up in these grandslams while Federer was trashing everyone.
Just look @ 2013 alone, an injury bothered year when they met 4 times. Compare that to Bulls bad years 2014 & 2015 when they have met just once...
Thats how it goes. Cherry picker knows when to pick cherries..
Olderer to meet his recent clay nemesis Clownfills in the 4th round on Sunday.
The last 2 meetings (Davis Cup 2014 & Monte Carlo 2015) Clownfills has been able to get Olderer in straight sets.
Just like the Davis Cup match this would be in front of his home crowd, if anything even at a bigger stage. Will be a tough match.
I expect a much better performance from Federer this time around. Roger in 4 sets or Monfills in 5 (yet another).
Dheivame :notworthy:. Never stop writing here boss.
Quote:
Originally Posted by omega
Got to agree. At times his FH is so unreliable that I sort of hope he gets to his BH wing. That's improved a lot with the larger racquet.Quote:
Originally Posted by omega
Unfortunately, except on grass, his BH is not a weapon the top guys would fear. At Rome, Djoko simply ran around his backhand and kept hitting low off forehands to Fed's backhand slice until he eventually put it out of his reach. Fed is not as comfortable driving his backhand as Wawrinka, who would have simply spanked a winner if anybody tried to open up his backhand corner so much. Never was, in fact, but earlier he had such a massive forehand and could run around his BH.
Fed's BH slice is a great shot in any surface other than clay off-course where it doesn't skid for it be effective.Quote:
Originally Posted by crimson king
He mostly mixes it up with a combination of slices & drives at varying lengths/ angles finally opening up the court for the winner/drawing the error.
These days mostly he just ball bashes ending up feeding quite a few sitting ducks.
Overall I am still impressed with his level of play @ 33 in clay especially even if he loses to Monfills today.
no problem dude. he is winning :).Quote:
Originally Posted by omega
Roger into QF. He will play Wawrinka tomorrow.