Madrid Masters - Day 5 thread

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

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!

[Tom_____]

Organisers now breaking Ferrers legs.

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

you have to say thats true.

If the three top players fail to make the semis of a masters event that they have been winning consistently in previous years, you have to attribute that to the changes. Plenty of premium value corporate tickets for this weekend would also drop in value.

[JuliusHMarx]

So it's their movement that sets then apart from the others? Take that away and other players catch up

[Tom_____]

So it's their movement that sets then apart from the others? Take that away and other players catch up

I know you're not being serious, but its their tendency to hit the ball while on the slide with interest that makes them susceptible to this surface, as they rely on finding balance and power in a stretched position that most people would be unbalanced by.

[lydian]

What point are you trying to prove? Why don't we say take away Borg's movement, or Sampras' serve, or Edberg' volley, or Federer' FH?
Movement is a talent just as important as any individual shot. Nadal and Djokovic have amazingly fast feet, and footwork is the basis of their game.

[JuliusHMarx]

I think part of it is that having decided beforehand they didn't like the surface, they just thought, to some extent, 'bollox to this, I can't be @rsed' (or the Spanish and Serbian equivalent). Whereas lesser ranked players, who either need the money or the points, or their first Masters title (i.e. those players to whom it mattered more) knuckled down and got on with it.

Whether that's sensible from Rafa & Djoko, or diva-like, or both, is up for debate.

Maybe it's a bit like the clay courters not bothering with Wimby a few years back.

[touch(A)parabola]

The best possible scenario (and that's how I wanted). One Serbian wins, and Nole protects himself. Great judgment Nole! It's all about calculating the needs.
Next year, you and Nadal do not have to defend that many points in Madrid. Let Federer and Murray to play without you. Well, if Murray does not play Madrid the next time, than we would know that is intentional. Lets hope he feels positive.
In a year from now, we can retrieve this discussion.

Rome, the red normal clay, the Sergio… here we come.

[Tom_____]

I think part of it is that having decided beforehand they didn't like the surface, they just thought, to some extent, 'bollox to this, I can't be @rsed' (or the Spanish and Serbian equivalent). Whereas lesser ranked players, who either need the money or the points, or their first Masters title (i.e. those players to whom it mattered more) knuckled down and got on with it.

Whether that's sensible from Rafa & Djoko, or diva-like, or both, is up for debate.

Maybe it's a bit like the clay courters not bothering with Wimby a few years back.

So Djokovic saving 3mps from 0-40 down was him 'not being @rsed'?

peculiar logic.

Looking miserable on court does not mean they didn't want to win - i think they looked miserable because they felt hampered by the court, simple as that

[lydian]

JHM, seems you don't want to acknowledge that Nadal and Djokovic rely on explosive movement outwide more than other players so they are more affected by lack of traction here. Movement they developed and were able to exploit on 'normal' courts. Agree with Tom, it's not about being ar5ed or diva behaviour, it's about being pi55ed off at the courts...and they're hardly alone in their comments about it. At the end of the day the runaway players on clay of late, and last years finalists, have both failed to reach the semis here...since when did either player display a cant be ar5ed attitude at a Masters event, or any other?

[JuliusHMarx]

JHM, seems you don't want to acknowledge that Nadal and Djokovic rely on explosive movement outwide more than other players so they are more affected by lack of traction here. Movement they developed and were able to exploit on 'normal' courts. Agree with Tom, it's not about being ar5ed or diva behaviour, it's about being pi55ed off at the courts...and they're hardly alone in their comments about it.

I wasn't avoiding acknowleding it, I simply didn't realise I was supposed to acknowledge it. I acknowledge it. Hence my comment that because the court was not 'homogenous' (in respect to traction), they lost relatively early. Losing that movement appears to have been a leveller - not a criticism, just an observation.

[bogbrush]

The best possible scenario (and that's how I wanted). One Serbian wins, and Nole protects himself. Great judgment Nole! It's all about calculating the needs.
Next year, you and Nadal do not have to defend that many points in Madrid. Let Federer and Murray to play without you. Well, if Murray does not play Madrid the next time, than we would know that is intentional. Lets hope he feels positive.
In a year from now, we can retrieve this discussion.

Rome, the red normal clay, the Sergio… here we come.

Brilliant thinking! Lose matches, then you have an advantage next year!

[lydian]

Federer in cruise control here...Ferrer has nothing to hurt him.
Could be a trip to the bakery tonight.

[Guest]

Federer looks sharp.

Nole is lucky to have avoided him in Dubai and now here.

[Guest]

Federer looked awful against Raonic; rusty, tentative, shanking balls al over the place.

Today he looks sharp.

Just shows what a talent he is, adapting so quick to completely new conditions.

[lydian]

Yeah looks sharp alright...but Ferrer is such a good match up for Federer, rarely troubled by him. Agree, Novak would have struggled tomorrow against Fed.

[graf_the_greatest]

Or knows that now that there is no real competition he can win another Masters tournament

[spuranik]

Or knows that now that there is no real competition he can win another Masters tournament

Just like he did in Indian Wells, right?

[lydian]

Ferrer spraying some bad errors here as well...
But Fed in this form is hard to beat, far too much for Ferrer.

50% job done.

[graf_the_greatest]

One swallow does not a summer make

[Guest]

Yes of course, it's only Federer that wins when there is no competition.

But Nadal winning a million Barcelona's has nothing to do with competition right?

Funny how this cheeky Federer fella has managed to amass 70+ titles while simultaneously waiting for the best players in the world to lose early

It's really quite sad that Fed haters have to look for excuses as to why Fed is so successful.

[spuranik]

Ferrer spraying some bad errors here as well...
But Fed is this form is hard to beat, far too much for Ferrer.

Yes, I always find it interesting how well Fed manages Ferrer, even on clay.

I think Fed doesn't give him the rhythm that he thrives on so much... He makes life for Nadal and Djoko tough because of rhythm he gets from them..

[laverfan]

Set Federer.

[Guest]

One swallow does not a summer make

How about 16 slams? Does that constitute a summer?

[graf_the_greatest]

I don't hate Federer, I just don't think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Is anything other then blind love perceived as hatred?

[laverfan]

One swallow does not a summer make

Do 19 masters make a summer or 20 masters make a spring? Your personal biases seem astonishing.

[Guest]

Dont't start complaining buddy. You started the unprovoked digs.

[spuranik]

I don't hate Federer, I just don't think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Is anything other then blind love perceived as hatred?

That's true. Actually Graf is the greatest thing since sliced bread...

[graf_the_greatest]

I was actually talking about this season. God, I seem to have walked into Federer-land. All I said was he'd probably win because none of the other Top 4 are around. You'd think I said 'death to Federer' the way everyone appears to be responding.

[laverfan]

I don't hate Federer, I just don't think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Is anything other then blind love perceived as hatred?

There was Borg before Federer. There will be others.

Navaratilova before Graf. BJK before Navaratilova. Margaret Court before BJK....

There is an illustrious line of sliced bread vendors before Borg, including Laver, Pancho, Hoad, Budge, Tilden,....

They made a mean dough.

[spuranik]

I was actually talking about this season. God, I seem to have walked into Federer-land. All I said was he'd probably win because none of the other Top 4 are around. You'd think I said 'death to Federer' the way everyone appears to be responding.

Weren't top 4 around in Indian Wells?

[Guest]

Didn't two members of the top four lose early? or maybe that was in a different tournament. Besides, Fed'd been doing pretty well this season.

[Chazfazzer]

Ferrer's serving like me at the moment - excessive double faults!

[graf_the_greatest]

Oh God! OK, you guys win, Federer is Wonderful!

Can we move on & forget it now.

[laverfan]

Nice hold from Ferrer. Better serving now.

[Guest]

Yeah why not. Let's comment on the tennis like we we're all doing until you decided to interrupt with snide remarks

Ferrer doing well to keep things even in this set.



emancipator

[Guest]

Oh some beautiful FH's from the Fedster

[laverfan]

If Ferrer can control his UEs, he would have a better chance of pushing Federer.

[graf_the_greatest]

Thank you for educating me emancipator. You seem like a very reasonable person.

[Guest]

0-30 danger for Ferrer

[Guest]

wow what a BH from Ferru

[laverfan]

Nice DHBH from Ferrer.

[laverfan]

Good hold from Ferrer.

[Guest]

It is my job to emancipate the minions.

I..am..the..emancipator



emancipator - intergalactic tennis correspondent and hunter of the evil creature BOO (oh BOOOOOOOO0000000oooooo........)

[Guest]

WOw that was a Djokovic return. Fed must be a little traumatised

[spuranik]

Clearly better tennis in this set..

[Guest]

Ferrer just imploded at the end of that game

[laverfan]

Ferrer just throws it away.

[laverfan]

Too many UEs from Ferrer.

[spuranik]

Too many UEs from Ferrer.

Yeah... Got the feeling that he was trying hard to lose.

[graf_the_greatest]

Boring match

[laverfan]

Boring match

Absolutely routine. Ferrer should have just given a W/O. What a waste of time?

BTW, Ferrer is Wonderful!.

PS: Yet you watched such a boring match.

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