Madrid Masters - Day 5 thread

[lydian]

Ok all...after the stupendous events of yesterday (i.e. Nadal didnt take Verdasco to the bakers on clay), we have another mouthwatering array of matches to watch today. And to see who can remain on their feet the whole match too!

12:00pm Dolgo vs JMDP
This should be very interesting...I'm going to go for a JMDP win though...think Dolgo will be tired from his exploits this event

2:30pm Verdy vs Berdy
We know the form...Fernando has a big win then tanks the next match. But then so does Berdy...ohhh a quandry. I'm going for Cloud9 Verdy!

6.00pm Djokovic vs Tipsy Battle of the Serbs!
If Novak can stay on his feet long enough he should have this one in the bag...its against the law in Serbia for Tipsy or Viktor to beat Novak. Or to miss the 'Family Djokovic Open' as well!

6.00pm Ferrer vs Federer
Metronome vs Flair. Oh dear Daveeed...expect to be doing some scampering today! Straights to The Fed.

Wonder which court Federer or Novak will get? We know the Centre Court is the slippiest...that wouldnt please Novak one iota!

[lydian]

JMDP takes the early lead....4-1

[Guest]

Can I turn this into I don't like Rafa's shorter shorts thread and that also I must emphasise the time between points and also his blue clay dislike?

[time please]

This is the first, and possibly the only match, I am able to watch this week.

The court is............................bright!!! I love the red clay but I think this is a nice contrast and great for Madrid to have something different to define it.

See that many of the players don't particularly care for it, but will have to speed read the rest of the threads.

I love watching Dolgopolov!!! And he breaks back.................go Dolgo!

[time please]

Oh Dolgo - shocking game for Delpo to break back

And the big guy takes the first set!

[lydian]

Indeed TP...I want Dolgo to win this myself.
But he had a long match against Tsonga and with the blood condition he carries (but doesnt talk about) his recovery power between matches is affected..so I wonder if he's a bit jaded today. That said, on this type of court Delpo is a real handful.

Come on Dolgo!

[reckoner]

I'm so jealous of those who can watch it!

[prostaff85]

Dolgopolov serving at 27%... Cannot get to Masters 1000 semis or finals with that.

[reckoner]

27%?! Oh dear, suddenly I feel better about being at work!

[reckoner]

GSM JMDP

[Guest]

Verdasco looks as if he is playing on fumes and is offering nothing in the way of any resistance. Such a shame. Hometown player and seems de-motivated.

[lydian]

The world no.1 is playing and no match comments....is the guy 'that' popular?

Tipsy having a great 1st set so far...into the TB and he's 4-0 up.

[lydian]

And Tipsy takes it 7-2!

[laverfan]

Djokovic looks so disinterested.

[Guest]

Well let's be honest Lydian.. he's not exactly exciting to watch.

Rafa and Roger, on the other hand, seem to bring a certain energy and serenity respectively to proceedings.

[LuvSports!]

i fear another downbeat interview from the 1st of the top 2 slating the clay once more

[Guest]

I find it quite refreshing to see a court where aggressive hitting is rewarded.

[lydian]

Yep emancipator, I agree, I don't find him particularly interesting to watch either unless he's playing Rafa or Roger, his game is too quietly and efficiently metronomic for me. Federer and Nadal have more flair/variety to their games in my opinion. He's carrying a fair bit of tape about his body...surprising given he's not played that much of late.

[Tom_____]

personally and surprisingly i actually find that with Djoko playing, out of the three i find Murray vs Djoko more interesting than Djoko vs Nadal or Fed.

Fed v Nadal has been a treat at times over the years.

[Tom_____]

This clay really is funny - slide; slip and nearly go down, then next time slide; dig in and trip up! - seems very inconsistent for the people who like to hit the ball on the slide.

[Tom_____]

also out of interest, given that this surface seems to favour big hitters who plant their feet and don't move much, i have just put £20 on Berdy to win the whole thing.

[laverfan]

Is Djokovic going to lose this to slap Tiriac?

[laverfan]

5-2 Tipsy. Come on Djokovic, fight!

[laverfan]

also out of interest, given that this surface seems to favour big hitters who plant their feet and don't move much, i have just put £20 on Berdy to win the whole thing.

What about DelPo?

[Tom_____]

Is Djokovic going to lose this to slap Tiriac?

I don'y know, but that guy in shades looks like he's doing well. Maybe his yellow shades turn the clay back to orangey brown?

[spuranik]

*Disgusting* body language from Djoker... We know you don't like but at least don't show it on court...

[lydian]

Good point Tom, forgot about Murray too. Guess I'm saying I don't find watching Novak vs non-top 4 as interesting as Nadal/Federer vs non-top 4.

Djokovic in melt down here, seems frustrated and out of sorts...like Nadal yesterday. Is it that the 2 guys who rely on movement more than any other player are most affected by these courts....odd performances from both really when you consider their prowess on the dirt normally.

Still, the large lady isn't singing yet!

[Tom_____]

also out of interest, given that this surface seems to favour big hitters who plant their feet and don't move much, i have just put £20 on Berdy to win the whole thing.

What about DelPo?

I think he relies on movement more out of the two, plus Berdy was long odds

[Tom_____]

MPx3

[lydian]

Utter meltdown....3 MPs!!!

[LuvSports!]

did not pick this at all

[lydian]

Djokovic wakes up!

[Tom_____]

All points saved and won without really moving,

Now Janko's turn to flip out imo

[lydian]

Can Tipsy hold his nerve here....he's not renowned for it

[LuvSports!]

dont choke now tipsy

[lydian]

So the crowd whistling at Novak woke him up?

[lydian]

Great serve Tipsy

[lydian]

MP #4!

[Tom_____]

Mp no.4

[LuvSports!]

deserved

[lydian]

Job done
Well done Tipsy.
And the march to #1 just got abit easier for the Swiss maestro.

[bogbrush]

Organisers now breaking Ferrers legs.

If Federer loses next up this tournament will be a commercial catastrophe.

[laverfan]

Tipsy. . Feel sad for Djokovic. Tough.

[Tom_____]

so, Nadal makes a net gain of 310pts on the no1 spot. lol

[laverfan]

Organisers now breaking Ferrers legs.

If Federer loses next up this tournament will be a commercial catastrophe.

:roflmao:

[lydian]

Yeah Tom....kind of weird hey.

[JuliusHMarx]

Interesting that we get a surface that is not 'homogenous' and the top 2 fall before the semi-finals.

[lydian]

Haha BB...but quite right, Tiriac will be rubbing his temples from aboard his 500ft super yacht.

[lydian]

Not really JHM...the 2 best movers were simply the most affected by this weird surface, it ate at their confidence to move as they would normally.

[lydian]

Petchy summarising it well enough on Sky...

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