ATP 1000: Monte Carlo (Daily Order Of Play)!

First topic message reminder :

Monte Carlo.... tennis is finally coming home!

After weeks of sleepless nights caused by travelless jetlag, tennis caravan is back to where it belongs and looks best: Europe!

Ahead are a few potentially historically huge months:

Novak Djokovic could be the first man after Rod Laver to hold all 4 slam titles.

He could also be the first man to achieve the Golden slam, if he wins the gold at the Olympics.

All grand dreams, very difficult to achieve, yet, for this grand dreamer, nothing is impossible

Back to Monte Carlo, and the first 1000 Masters even on clay:

Bar Federer's last minute wild-card change of mind, all the best players are in town:

*Legendary Rafael Nadal with his mind-boggling 7 straight tournament wins.
*Novak Djokovic with his mind-boggling 7 straight finals wins over Nadal
*Andy Murray , pressure free and hungry. Could surprise many.
*David Ferrer, the eternal bridesmaid...will give someone a great workout in the semi-final!
*Delpo? No Federer in the draw, may release the "old" smooth powerhouse.

and.....

everybody else except the Biggest clay question mark called Isner, who withdrew from the tournament needing rest and preparation for the remainder of the season.

Official website:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/


The Draw:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2012&Draw=ms

Easier to follow, PDF version of the draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/410/mds.pdf

Order of play for Wednesday, 17th of April (no PDF version yet):

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=410&Year=2012&Seq=5

Set in the glorious scenery of glittering, breath-taking sparkling Medditeranean vista, I will be there daily in spirit sighing and dreaming....

For Monte Carlo with its vintage charm, class and timeless air of dolce vita is my favourite tournament (let's leave that heart-breaker called Wimbledon out of this conversation just this once!)

I have bought a large vintage poster of Monte Carlo recently, and it hangs framed behind my desk reminding me of those days when the world took its time....and nobody moaned that much ....and ladies wore dresses when they played....and looked and behaved like ladies ....

http://img2.photographersdirect.com/img/16398/wm/pd1802170.jpg

Now, let's get into the mood, shall we?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFabjc6mFk4


AND, last but not the least...

GO NOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!1

Mad for Chelsea wrote:shhh you'll upset him

Don;t worry, not as much as I seem to upset you with some sensible observations. Murray having talent or not is completely trivial for me whereas for you it's all or nothing.

So yes I am happy to say Murray is the most talented player of the 4.

Tenez wrote:

Mad for Chelsea wrote:shhh you'll upset him

Don;t worry, not as much as I seem to upset you with some sensible observations.

Oh dear! I'm still wiping these tears of laughter from my face. When it comes to Andy, there are certain 606v2 posters (who strangely were the same ones on the old version - although they might now have different names like 'Hawkeye'!! ) who's brain activity disappears and becomes drowned in a sea of negativity

It most certainly is only very rarely "sensible observations"!!

Kohli

Court Central:
Gil-Simon

Simon will have an easy field day. Gil is not going to trouble him much at all.

Djokovic-Seppi

Can be interesting few games. Seppi often shows great character in playing top guys even tough he may lose in the end. I'm not expecting lot of break of serves in this match. Djo shall make it in 2 sets.

Niemenen-Kneedal

Easy breezy for Nadal. I expect Nieminen to create some good play in between and some opportunities to break Nadal's serve but fail to take any in the end.

Bellucci-Ferrer


Very interesting line up this one. I want bellucci to pull this one. But he needs to play his top game to do it, Ferrer is a terrier on clay. Bellucci's forehand needs to be firing.

Tomic-Dolgopolov

Repeat of the AO this year. But unlike AO I think this will be a st. sets win for Tomic. Dolgo is low on confidence and struggling a lot.

Benneteau-Melzer

Melzer shall see it through it in the end, though I won't be surprised if it goes to the 3rd set.

Cilic-Berdych

Berdy in 2. They met recently at the DC qtr. finals and Berdy steam rolled Cilic.

Nishikori-Mathieu

Rider match. Anyone's guess.

Tipsarevic-Montanes

Tipsy in 3.

Andjuar Wawrinka (playing in the carpark)

I like to see Wawrinka go through but he may not. Andjuar is high on confidence after Morroco win. But could feel tired coming into this MC straightway.



Lets hope for some good tennis.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Cilic-Berdych

Berdy in 2. They met recently at the DC qtr. finals and Berdy steam rolled Cilic.

Interesting. I saw Cilic defeating Nalbandian in front of a home crowd in Buenos Aires. That was also Davis Cup QF.
Maybe Cilic has a twin brother (playing for Serbia)?

prostaff85 wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Cilic-Berdych

Berdy in 2. They met recently at the DC qtr. finals and Berdy steam rolled Cilic.

Interesting. I saw Cilic defeating Nalbandian in front of a home crowd in Buenos Aires. That was also Davis Cup QF.
Maybe Cilic has a twin brother (playing for Serbia)?

Ahh... you got me there. My mistake. It was delpotro not berdych.

You're right he got steamrolled by Del Potro on Sunday - forgot about that... But his excuse was two 5+ hour matches on Friday and Saturday.

Maybe if he's fit he can challenge Berdych. Let's see!

The usual suspects, including Berdy will be through

I no longer have much faith in Mario

Another 'youngster' who seems incapable of doing anything consistent

Wawrinka is always a dark horse as on his day he's a Top 8 player

banbrotam wrote: ............................................................................

..................................................................

Wawrinka is always a dark horse as on his day he's a Top 8 player

yep, and with an absolute beauty of a backhand when functioning well ....

banbrotam wrote:

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Never doubted his court coverage and ability to retrieve and run.

I know. The question is what's the innate (talent) part and what's the acquired one.

I think his anticipation is the innate part but there is a huge work behind those big legs.

Tenez. Do us all a favour and actually watch Murray's racquet skills rather than getting blinded by his retrieval skills. Or do you think all players can do some of the wrong footing variety of pace and spin?

Is that not a skill?

Can you elaborate what racquet skills are talking about?


Not sure what they are, but they certainly are not which have kept him at#4 for 4 years now. He is #4 because of his skill to run and retrieve and outlast.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Court Central:
Gil-Simon

Simon will have an easy field day. Gil is not going to trouble him much at all.

Djokovic-Seppi

Can be interesting few games. Seppi often shows great character in playing top guys even tough he may lose in the end. I'm not expecting lot of break of serves in this match. Djo shall make it in 2 sets.

Niemenen-Kneedal

Easy breezy for Nadal. I expect Nieminen to create some good play in between and some opportunities to break Nadal's serve but fail to take any in the end.

Bellucci-Ferrer


Very interesting line up this one. I want bellucci to pull this one. But he needs to play his top game to do it, Ferrer is a terrier on clay. Bellucci's forehand needs to be firing.

Tomic-Dolgopolov

Repeat of the AO this year. But unlike AO I think this will be a st. sets win for Tomic. Dolgo is low on confidence and struggling a lot.

Benneteau-Melzer

Melzer shall see it through it in the end, though I won't be surprised if it goes to the 3rd set.

Cilic-Berdych

Berdy in 2. They met recently at the DC qtr. finals and Berdy steam rolled Cilic.

Nishikori-Mathieu

Rider match. Anyone's guess.

Tipsarevic-Montanes

Tipsy in 3.

Andjuar Wawrinka (playing in the carpark)

I like to see Wawrinka go through but he may not. Andjuar is high on confidence after Morroco win. But could feel tired coming into this MC straightway.



Lets hope for some good tennis.

I reckon Dolgo will beat Tomic today, also Niemenen to give very stiff resistance in the first set. Seppi, such a nice guy, shame he always runs into top guys in the first round...did you know that Seppi played Djokovic in the first ever final of Serbian Open ?

noleisthebest wrote:
I reckon Dolgo will beat Tomic today, also Niemenen to give very stiff resistance in the first set. Seppi, such a nice guy, shame he always runs into top guys in the first round...did you know that Seppi played Djokovic in the first ever final of Serbian Open ?

Not aware of that. Dolgo already a break up 3-0. I'm still with Tomic though I can't watch his tennis. He will bore Dolgo into submission.

Dolgo is a better player, love his aggression!

Slow start to my predictions for the day .. Simon a break down in opening game.

Awesome tennis from Dolgo !

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Slow start to my predictions for the day .. Simon a break down in opening game.

I'll switch to that one after Dolgo Tomic mathc, I love watching upset Simon

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Can you elaborate what racquet skills are talking about?


Not sure what they are, but they certainly are not which have kept him at#4 for 4 years now. He is #4 because of his skill to run and retrieve and outlast.

Reasoning a fan is too tough a job. See his post above, He laughs hysterically when you mention Murray's great fitness.

noleisthebest wrote:Dolgo is a better player, love his aggression!

Yes but he is all hit or miss guy. Either its a great winner or a very stupid error. He needs to balance out things. Shot selection is poor at times.

If Dolgo beats Tomic and Nole beats Seppi, expect a super match ! Dolgo is going to be ultra aggressive as this is the best of 3

Great match so far, love this matchup. Tomic needs to wake up and realise slice ain't gonna do it for hi today....

Dolgo on fire.. he is looking to avenge his AO loss. Simon breaks to get things back on serve 2-2.

Yep lags, one of the great SHBHs down the years...Guga, Gasquet, Stich, Federer, Haas, A.Costa....to name but a few

I love the "box of frogs" aspect with Dolgo...you never know what you're going to get, I suspect even he doesnt know how he's going to play each match until he starts swinging the racquet.

Briliant tennis from Dolgo, takes the first set almost with ease (27 mins). Tomic not bad, just slow and tactically pretty lazy.

Set to Dolgo with a fiery winner of the backhand, 6-2. Strangely his 1st serve is very high till now, in fact brilliant. 85%. Very unusual for him.

Tomic looks awake now, still not enough. Needs to mix it up with either dropshots or coming to the net ASAP!

Has enyone just seen that insane inside out super pacy slice forehand from Dolgo

noleisthebest wrote:Tomic looks awake now, still not enough. Needs to mix it up with either dropshots or coming to the net ASAP!

He hasn't yet brought out his most lethal weapon,.. boredom

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Tomic looks awake now, still not enough. Needs to mix it up with either dropshots or coming to the net ASAP!

He hasn't yet brought out his most lethal weapon,.. boredom

Dolgo a complete joy to watch today, Tomic good but looking dull compared to very eager and on fire Dolgo!

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Can you elaborate what racquet skills are talking about?


Not sure what they are, but they certainly are not which have kept him at#4 for 4 years now. He is #4 because of his skill to run and retrieve and outlast.

Reasoning a fan is too tough a job. See his post above, He laughs hysterically when you mention Murray's great fitness.

Actually "he' laughs hysterically at those posters who imply that the reason Murray is in the Top 4 is 99.99% due to "because of his skill to run and retrieve and outlast". It's been asked many times and we never get an answer - if it's that easy, why on earth doesn't everyone else do the same thing

Then again these are the same posters who denigrate Nadal's skills - so it's a pointless argument. Suffice to say, anyone who has watched the "touch" shots that Murray processes, that can only come from those with the unique ability to change pace almost at will (i.e. a skill only given to the truly gifted) and still laughs at the suggestion that they might be a talented player, is obviously on another planet

None of this makes him (necessarily) effective against the Top 3 - just in case any of you think that I'm suggesting this, but we should be celebrating that we have a player who strokes the ball as if it's favourite Teddy Bear, rather than as if it needs a good caning

As I say, let's leave this subject - I've deliberately refused to get involved with Tenez's 'anti-Murray' nonsense recently. I'm happy that those who have played the game think he's very skilful. Significantly, his biggest knocker is 'grinning Greg' - and I'm more than happy for Tenez to be share many of the same theories

Tomic very talented, but lazy with his game at the moment. Needs to release his forehand a lot more and reduce the slice counter-punching. And get considerably fitter.

And Tomic breaks serving for the 2nd set!
Let's see what Dolgo's made of now...

Excellent umpiring from Cedric...as usual

I agree NITB, Tomic needs to get his head screwed on properly, as he could be a very good player. His forehand when he's aggressive with it is very good, though his (topspin) backhand is still a bit one-dimensional at the moment. Anyway, he breaks Dolgopolov (who goes walkabout) to love and will serve for the second set.

fiery dolgo burning on the inside

And Tomic takes the second set. Gloriously beautiful Monte Carlo, sunny day, coffee in front of me, third set and more lovely tennis from two great players, it doesn't get better for an april morning, does it

eugh, nasty passage of play for Dolgopolov there, and it costs him the second set. Now, how can he respond? His form hasn't been the best of late, and I think this one has swung Tomic's way.

http://9gag.com/gag/3894919

banbrotam wrote:
Actually "he' laughs hysterically at those posters who imply that the reason Murray is in the Top 4 is 99.99% due to "because of his skill to run and retrieve and outlast".

This 99.99% figure is your own calculation, don't try to thrust your findings on others.

banbrotam wrote: It's been asked many times and we never get an answer - if it's that easy, why on earth doesn't everyone else do the same thing

Firstly as I said above, please keep your finding as your own treasury, don't thrust it on others. Its your finding that running, retrieving and outlasting are easy. I nor anyone hasn't mentioned anything like that.

banbrotam wrote:Then again these are the same posters who denigrate Nadal's skills - so it's a pointless argument. Suffice to say, anyone who has watched the "touch" shots that Murray processes, that can only come from those with the unique ability to change pace almost at will (i.e. a skill only given to the truly gifted) and still laughs at the suggestion that they might be a talented player, is obviously on another planet

Nadal is Nadal, Murray is Murray. If you talk about Murray, keep on with Murray, don't bring Nadal here.

banbrotam wrote: None of this makes him (necessarily) effective against the Top 3 - just in case any of you think that I'm suggesting this, but we should be celebrating that we have a player who strokes the ball as if it's favourite Teddy Bear, rather than as if it needs a good caning.

You and Murray's teddy bear can celebrate it if you want to, everyone don't have to join in.

banbrotam wrote:As I say, let's leave this subject - I've deliberately refused to get involved with Tenez's 'anti-Murray' nonsense recently. I'm happy that those who have played the game think he's very skilful. Significantly, his biggest knocker is 'grinning Greg' - and I'm more than happy for Tenez to be share many of the same theories

There are also some who have played tennis and think his skills are not good enough. Shall I bring out the names?

Dolgopolov mixing the sublime - a beautiful flicked backhand topsin on the half-volley (I think only about four other players in the game could have played that) - with the ridiculous - an overhead which flies yards long - and he's in trouble here at deuce.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Dolgopolov mixing the sublime - a beautiful flicked backhand topsin on the half-volley (I think only about four other players in the game could have played that) - with the ridiculous - an overhead which flies yards long - and he's in trouble here at deuce.

... then again 2 more great shots to hold serve. If Dolgo can only keep up that consistency.

trouble is, having watched Dolgo a fair amount over the last three years or so, I'm not convinced he'll ever really have that consistency: too much of a maverick IMO, which is why I see him constantly hovering around the 10-15 mark in the rankings, but never breaking into the top 5 (I'd love to be proved wrong though).

Tomic I see as ultimately being the higher ranked of the two, IF (decent-sized if) he can screw his head on.

What a great match! Can Tomic come back?

Yeah Tomic a bit of a unstable head like young Murray. If he can get his teen arrogance under check he could do some serious damage in coming years.

Dolgo needs to settle his game, its all over the place and when it gets tight he comes up with silly shots.

Tomic really lazy now, playing some completely meaningless patterns...

another example of Tomic's mental problems here, this match should have been his for the taking, but he's thrown it away. Dolgopolov to serve for the match at 5-1, what a turnaround!

Simply wonderful variety and creativity from Dolgo

and Dolgo has it!

should do wonders for his confidence that. Djokovic up next, could be interesting.

Nole time

Djokovic breaks first up, just finding his feet, Seppi with a couple of ordinary forehands, but Djokovic looks good already. I'm just not sure how Seppi is going to hurt Djokovic, he doesn't really have the weight of shot or the consistency to do so.

Nice bit of cat and mouse there with Seppi coming out on top, Djokovic with a slip but he's fine.