Indian Wells final: Fed vs Treebeardless (Isner): match thread

[Guest]

Hello



Oh minions I have returned after many dark and distant forays into the outer reaches of the milky bar galaxy. There is a storm brewing. Your Sun is emitting solar flares with more frequency; beware! There are many dark rumours surfacing; a creeping blackness skirts the outer edge of the universe threatening to engulf and decimate all in it's path. The council of Elders are receiving reports of the re-emergence of the unholy creature BOO (oh BOOOOOOOO, why oh BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?).

Meanwhile back on planet earth (my home, my place, floating around in a sea of space) another titanic battle will ensue shortly: TMF vs Treebeardless (aka John Isner).

Will The Mighty Federer gain revenge and cut Johnny boy down to size? Or will Johnny continue to rise.. and rise.. ?

Follow all the action on this thread - exclusively.



emancipator - ps. does anyone know what time it starts (GMT)? My body clock is a little messed up

[socal1976]

I think Fed wins. I think Isner had the much tougher semi and maybe he has a feeling of satisfaction after a big win like that. Any type of complacency will be cruelly punished by Fed. Look for Fed to win in two very tight sets with maybe just one break of serve and a tiebreaker. Isner has to continue to play big man tennis and try to shorten the points at any opportunity.

[Guest]

Ok ok I know the timings. Starts at 8pm GMT

[sirfredperry]

It's after the women's final which is now on but is only in the third game at the moment, according to the scoreboard I'm following. Isner has already beaten Fed this season but Rog will be favourite. Murray is far more used to the big occasion than Isner and he found it difficult to follow up a victory over Djokovic with a good display against Fed.

[CaledonianCraig]

I'd be surprised if this isn't a win for Roger Federer. He is in the zone at the moment and whilst Isner is in the form of his life I think he'll find two big matches in two days just a little too much.

[gallery play]

The wind seems to affect Federer more than yesterday..

[bogbrush]

Going to be all about keeping it in court. Pity.

[gallery play]

Good hold there. It must be scary to play a service game against Isner, you simply must hold..

[Guest]

some tasty forehands from fed to close out that game

[gallery play]

Pfff, the wind is quite unplayable

[Tenez]

Yes - I thought it was the same yesterday though.

[gallery play]

Here we go again...

[noleisthebest]

why oh why does that Yank have to commentate, has anyone told him it's not for the radio broadcast and that he does not need to blab non-stop, also not all the people who watch Tennistv are Americans and are able to use their brains....

[noleisthebest]

I'm gong to complain to tennistv now, I know they won't publish the comment but at least I'll let them know

[gallery play]

Leyani divides and conquers, almost as big a star as Federer

[bogbrush]

I'm liking Isner's chances.

[Henman Bill]

Missed the first 7 games, what happened?

[bogbrush]

Isner's had 3bps in 3rd game.

[Henman Bill]

No breaks so far then..who's playing well/bad, notable tactics shots working well etc? Or nothing much to report?

[Tenez]

I'm gong to complain to tennistv now, I know they won't publish the comment but at least I'll let them know

He is really annoying...Robbie blanks him at times.

[Tenez]

I'd be really surprised if Isner were to win it.

[gallery play]

I'd be really surprised if Isner were to win it.

Who knows? Karlovic once won a set of Federer in which he won just a single point on Federers serve

[noleisthebest]

I'd be really surprised if Isner were to win it.

I wouldn't. Saw him do it in DC recently. He played well. Watch for his returns when he gets hold of them.

[Guest]

looks like a tie break

[Tenez]

I'd be really surprised if Isner were to win it.

Who knows? Karlovic once won a set of Federer in which he won just a single point on Federers serve

Is that true!

Still I think Fed will break the next serve. Isner serving in the sun.

[gallery play]

yep, 6 love games for Fed, lost one point on serve in the tie and GSM Ivo.
(cincy 2008)

[noleisthebest]

That musician saddo in Fed's box is worse than the commentator.

[noleisthebest]

Is the crowd cheering for Fed, I've got the headphones off but heard a lot of noise when he got the set point?

[gallery play]

FED! you gotta win the rallies man!

[Tenez]

That musician saddo in Fed's box is worse than the commentator.

Who's that?

[noleisthebest]

One thing's for sure, Isner's no choker, and no dummy.

[gallery play]

One thing's for sure, Isner's no choker

Definitely!
He knows when to deliver

[noleisthebest]

That musician saddo in Fed's box is worse than the commentator.

Who's that?

NO idea, but he looks very much in love with himself...

[Guest]

wow that was close!

[Jahu]

Fed takes it nicely the first set.

[noleisthebest]

Great tie-breaker...

[Henman Bill]

Isner bottled it for me, on the lob. That's a high volley/smash you should be confident of winning the point on 70-80% of the time. Only leave it if you're sure.

[Tenez]

Federer's returning skills are so underestimated by some. I think he is better than most. Especially when it comes to return fastest serves.

I would say only djoko is better in that departmnent. But I don't think he stands as close as Fed. Nalby would be right up there with Federer too.

[Guest]

Fed looked kind of tense in that set. I think he'll relax now and finish this off in straight sets.

[Guest]

Phew, that was FAR more suspenseful than last night.

[Guest]

Fed looked kind of tense in that set. I think he'll relax now and finish this off in straight sets.

Understandable, Isner beat him recently. Even the GOAT is intimidated by those unreal serves.

[gallery play]

How many BH's has Federer hit? 4?

[Tenez]

A bit more I think but he certainly finds the time to move around it.

[gallery play]

Fed is looking to break the 50 second barrier to close a service game

[Jahu]

Fed breaks 4:3.

[gallery play]

Yep, that's what to aim for when Isner's at the net, straight to the body

[Guest]

now begins isner's deconstruction, apparently.

[Henman Bill]

FEderer 1.01
Isner 40

On Betfair

[bogbrush]

Another Fed friendly intervention by the Ump

[Henman Bill]

I think Federer's been seeing Isner's serve better. wihot seeing dividends yet Maybe he'll pounce here though

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