Rome Masters - Day 5 thread (QF)

[lydian]

Some great matches:

CENTRALE
Not Before 1:30 PM
[7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)...Nadal will clip the BerdMan's feathers today, straights 7-5 6-4 type score.

Not Before 4:00 PM
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) ...Nole to tame Ali today to prove "he's the greatest!", similar score to Rafa

Not Before 9:00 PM
Roger Federer (SUI) v Andreas Seppi (ITA) ...The Swiss will roll over the plucky Italian...6-2 6-2

SUPERTENNIS ARENA 12:00 noon
[6] David Ferrer (ESP) v [16] Richard Gasquet (FRA) ...Reeshard will have woken up today stiffer than David Cameron's shirt collars, Ferret will destroy him with metronomic precision! 6-4 6-2

[bogbrush]

Yep, that's about right.

This event may as well be given to Nadal now imho.

[lags72]

I agree bb, and said as much before the tourney got started.

I think his name's already on it in the same way it was always on Barcelona.

No, I haven't forgotten that it was a reasonably comfortable win for Novak last year ; but Nadal is determined to get this one back to take himself into RG full of beans. And I've no doubt he will.....

[bogbrush]

I just think Djokovic isn't the same as last year. He may not even make the final.

[invisiblecoolers]

@ Lyd I expect a double upset tomorrow.

Berdych downs Rafa 6-4 6-4.

Tsonga downs Nole 6-4 6-3

If the above results dont go that way

Fed will retire b4 match against Seppi sighting Back ache.

So one set of fans gonna atleast be disappointed tomorrow

[bogbrush]

I expect Fed to beat Seppi, and if Djokovic wins he may withdraw and give him the best chance to beat Nadal.

Or stubborn Federer will beat Djokovic, convinced he can do the job himself.

Actually, the second sounds a lot more like Federer!

[Seifer Almasy]

I can't wait for the day that Nadal slows down and his 1 dimensional game is exposed bare...

[lags72]

invisible - brave as always with your predictions

At least you can never be accused of playing safe ....!!

Let's see if your double whammy comes good..... and if so, we will smother you in credit and glory.

[10IS]

I can't wait for the day that Nadal slows down and his 1 dimensional game is exposed bare...

I feel for you. Its almost been a decade since you have been waiting for that day. That day when when Nadal slows down and his zero dimensinal game is exposed will be here soon. In a couple of years. By then. Nadal may have used that one dimesion to win around a dozen slams. What a disgrace.

Here is to that day

[Seifer Almasy]

It isn't my fault they decided to slow all the courts down. Nadal should never have won Wimby or the US... it is a travesty that they messed with the surfaces. Clay, yes he is king but we don't want that 1 dimensional defence moonballing game everywhere. People don't look back at brute force players with the same level of awe that they do to genius like Federer.

No one is going to care. And Nadal's day is coming to an end. Very soon. Cheers to that!

[invisiblecoolers]

invisible - brave as always with your predictions

At least you can never be accused of playing safe ....!!

Let's see if your double whammy comes good..... and if so, we will smother you in credit and glory.

Cheers Lags , someday my upset predictions have to come true , I wish its tomorrow, coz I want Nole-Rafa semi for FO.

[LuvSports!]

Cheers Lags , someday my upset predictions have to come true , I wish its tomorrow, coz I want Nole-Rafa semi for FO.

even though im not religious, amen to that!

[reckoner]

Good article lydian - as always I tend to agree with your picks, but to be different, I'll go for Berd-brain, J-Willy, Reeeshard and TMF.

Controversial? Hell yes!!

Did invisiblecoolers beat me to it further up the thread? Hell yes!

[CaledonianCraig]

I think lydian's predictions are pretty much spot on.

[barrystar]

I think Lydian is about right too - but they are 4 pretty lop-sided QF's on this surface I'd say.

[lydian]

Woooahhh reckoner...you're a risk taker!
Hope you're holiday going well, and you've got the coke and popcorn lined up for the first match...
Updated the predictions accordingly with more poetic licence.

[lydian]

I can't wait for the day that Nadal slows down and his 1 dimensional game is exposed bare...

Can you please explain what this so-called 1 dimensional game is as it seems to have earnt him 10 majors and 20 Masters?
Most players would give their right arm to be as "1-dimensional"...

[Josiah Maiestas]

One Dimensional : A person that rests their life on same tactic to get them through a match because they lack variation.

Examples : Nadal, Ferrer, Murray.

Thanks

[lydian]

Its my belief that Nadal plays with more variation than most other players, Djokovic included - he uses backhand slice alot, volleys and attacks the net, uses a variety of serves, drop-shots, uses different types of FH and BH. Yes against Federer, Nadal knows what works well - and as they say you dont change a winning game. But I'm not going to waste time arguing with you JM, we all know your stance vis-a-vis Nadal.

[reckoner]

Woooahhh reckoner...you're a risk taker!
Hope you're holiday going well, and you've got the coke and popcorn lined up for the first match...
Updated the predictions accordingly with more poetic licence.

lol yeah that's me, living on the edge! Day's going well thanks, hope you enjoy the day's play!

[lydian]

Cheers reckoner, I think the Djokovic match will likely be the best today. Tsonga was ripping the ball yesterday so will be interesting to see how he copes with Novak later...I can see a chance of an upset there.

Also interesting that Fed will see him play first and know the result before he takes to court.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Seppi has literally 0.1% chance of advancing over Roger despite his obvious good talents, I like Seppi, but ya know what Roger's like when he's playing someone in their backyard, brutal.

[lags72]

It's a while since I picked up a racquet, but, now that I think about it, I reckon I was a bit of a one-dimensional player myself in my youth. And, as a tactic, it saw me through a fair few matches.

But, unlike the examples quoted (Nadal, Ferrer, Murray) it somehow didn't get me to the very summit of the sport with millions of bucks along the way. And yet I often wonder why that might be .....

(could it perchance be linked in any way to my comparative lack of talent, technique, skill, ability, fitness, tactical awareness and all-round athletic prowess.... ) )

[lydian]

lol...lags, you and me both. To be fair, its abit of an oxymoron really. Most of these top players compare to most of us have an infinite amount of variation they can call upon. But like most sportsmen at top level they also have a killer shot/move/tactic, etc, that works for them. So what are they supposed to do...always use infinite variation to win but dilute down their core strength(s) or not? Or use both approaches? Nadal has an amazing FH, there is no other word for it (as does Federer), so he'll find ways of using it to maximum effect - especially as a left-hander. Nadal uses his FH just like Federer - CC and DTL, and will pounce on any short balls. His BH is also used CC and DTL...like Federer. The difference is that Federer comes to the net more, takes the ball earlier and has a heavier serve. Nadal uses more variation on serve with angles and spins (he has to), uses drop-shots more and has amazing retrieval qualities to keep the point going. Yes he also has the power to overwhelm players, and stamina to match...but thats no different to Djokovic or Federer. Infact Federer overpowered JCF last night for example (as well as took the ball earlier).
My point is that these top players can all call upon variety when needed but they also use what gets them the win...in reality I dont believe that Nadal is actually 1-dimensional in his armoury but he will focus on driving 1-tactic to the hilt if its gets him the win. Thats different.

[lydian]

It comes down to how much Roger wants to meet Djokovic in the SF if Novak wins ahead of time today. Seppi is incidental to the result.
Looking at Fed's form though, I think he'll feel confident against Novak...so unless his hip is giving him jip then he'll sail through Seppi and I feel sail (well 3 sets perhaps...) through Novak too. At the end of the day Novak does not like playing Federer on form...not one bit and I feel Novak's Mount Everest form of 2011 isnt there the same in 2012. Maybe that was always going to be the case.
The only guy who can stop Federer this week is Nadal IMO.

[lags72]

Good insight there lydian re variation.

Quite apart from the actual degree of variation employed, I would just add that for me another key factor is the ability of the top guys to produce their killer shot at the crucial moment and when under the greatest pressure.

And even forgetting about the absolute chasm in ability between ourselves (or any recreational players) and the top pros, it's also what has historically separated the very elite multi-Slammers such as Federer and Nadal from so many of those lower down the rankings.

How often do we see a match - or read a (reliable) report if we haven't had the chance to watch - and say to ourselves .... if only he (insert player ranked 30 or 40 here) had converted those crucial bp's he could have maybe gone on to actually get a win over Nadal or Fed. But invariably it simply doesn't happen. The big boys just have that uncanny ability not only to produce an ace, a spectacular pass, or a great DTL shot etc etc, BUT to produce it at the key moments.

Your initial instinct is to feel it's bad luck for the opponent - which is some ways it is, at that very moment in time at least. And you have to sympathise. And then, you remember that they've been producing 'the magic' for match after match, week after week, even year after year.....

[lydian]

lags - the best always seem to find a way, to be able to elevate themselves at key moments, not shrink back from them. For Nadal, at crunch moments he becomes even more aggressive.

Ferrer v Gasquet, currently standing at 5-5 so Reeshard is doing well to not be rolled over so far through tiredness.

[bogbrush]

The one problem for a home player taking on Federer is that most of the time he soon finds he isn't even the strong crowd favourite.

[lydian]

I would agree most of the time BB except for countries like Spain, Italy...they tend to be very passionate about their own. And after what Seppi did yesterday they'll be cheering him on. That said, I dont think it makes a blind bit of difference to Federer...if anything it probably drives him on. But I do agree that he is popular around around the world and many crowds take him to their hearts...i.e. put their tennis preference before their patriotism.

Ferret takes first set 7-6.

[lags72]

bb - yes, that has been a big bonus for Federer through most of his career, and perhaps uniquely so.

In the days of Borg and Connors, most tennis 'purists' would enjoy Borg's playing style far more than Jimbo's. But on home turf Jimbo was always assured of huge partisan support, not least under the lights at those raucous night sessions they had at the USO. I actually believe it was a key factor in Borg never actually claiming a USO title, in contrast to the warmly sympathetic and near-worshipping environment he enjoyed at RG and SW19.

[lydian]

Ferret breaks for 5-3 to serve for the match....UPDATE: and wins!

Berdy to serve first vs Nadal.

[laverfan]

GasMasquet gone after beating Murray. Ferrer

[lydian]

Nadal breaks Berdy immediately for 1-0.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Expected start by Nadal, feeding on Berdych's sloppy start.

[lydian]

I always think Nadal is a slow starter if anything...if thats the case then its really ominous news for Berdych.

[laverfan]

Berdych will not get many break chances. If he is unwilling to take a risk, his chances start disappearing quickly.

[laverfan]

Will Berdy fight back for this set?

[laverfan]

Too many errors.

[lags72]

to anyone still watching - what prospect, if any, of Berdy turning this around ....??

[Josiah Maiestas]

lol, Nadal just got embarrassed in that game.

[lydian]

Berdych is broken back.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Take over commentating duties lydian, we know the result now.

SICK of clay courts.

[lydian]

lol..JM...at the end of the day Berdych hasnt beaten Nadal in 6 years.
Since then Nadal has beaten him across clay, grass and hardcourt - at least twice on each and 6 times on hardcourt!
So its not about it being clay...

5-4 to Berdych.

[lydian]

Nadal breaks for 6-5 and will serve for the match.

[lags72]

Hey lydian - spot on with with your scoreline prediction (just have to switch the order of sets around, but that would be nitpicking ....!!)

[bogbrush]

Seriously lame game from JWT there.

[barrystar]

That's a duff start against the world No. 1.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Djokovic looks clueless, and his tactics are predictable, he will win this but he doesn't play much like last year, Federer should have his way with him in the semis, unless Seppi finds some magic potion.

[lydian]

Hey lydian - spot on with with your scoreline prediction (just have to switch the order of sets around, but that would be nitpicking ....!!)

Cheers lags! (sorry I had to dash off after that last post...)
Please dont ask me for 6 lottery numbers though!

[laverfan]

Tsonga leaving mid-court balls to be hammered. 3 SPs. One saved.

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