Fognini's Revenge: Can He Strike Again?

First topic message reminder :

Some of you will remember the infamous Fognini debate discussed e.g. here, https://www.606v2.com/t8755-fogninniiiiiiiii, in which it was suggested that Djokovic was rusty in last year's semi final against Federer at the French, possibly losing it because he had several days without a match after his quarter final opponent, Fognini, withdrew after a tough 4th round match which he won 11-9 in the 5th.

Conspiracy theory fans have noticed Federer's placing in Djokovic half again. Some may have missed that Fognini once again appears in Djokovic's quarter.

Potentially amusing scenarios:
1) Fognini gets to the quarter finals again, and this year actually plays Djokovic.
2) Fognini gets to the quarter finals again, and this year actually BEATS Djokovic.
3) Fognini actually gets to the quarter finals, and pulls out again, and Djokovic loses to Federer again.
4) Fognini actually gets to the quarter finals, and pulls out again, and Djokovic beats Federer. Federer fans moan about Djokovic's extra rest.
5) Fognini gets to the quarter final, gets a bye as Djokovic pulls out, but then loses to Federer. Fognini fans claim he is the real champion.
And the most amusing of all:
6) Djokovic beats Fognini 11-9 in the 5th in a draining 5 hour marathon, before going on to lose to Federer due to fatigue.

In all seriousness I have to get this article in quick tonight. After all, Fognini has only ever once been to the second week of a slam, just lost to Darcis in the first round of Nice, was even upstaged by Seppi in Rome, lost in the first round of his last slam, and has generally indifferent form. In all likelihood he will lose to Mannarino in R1, Bellucci or Troicki in R2, or Tsonga in R3.

He is on court tomorrow at 10am UK time. No Sunday lie ins people. It's time to find out if Fognini is about to once again intervene in tennis history.

People on V2 unite behind Fognini. Fognini has denied Djokovic 4 slams in a row once (allegedly)? Can he do it again...surely not.

kemet, nicely said.

We just have to throw into the mix the jealousy that Social carries within his soul, because people do not like Djoko very much (majority will never love him), that all together Djoko has 2 fans here, and 1 has gone, so he has somehow convinced him self that if he attacks Fed fans, makes Djoko look better, more loved, more appreciated.

Thought I like social as he makes my day, everyday with his posts.

Oh I think it is pretty fair to say that Djokovic and Fed will never be anything but civil associates. Look that is fine, I am sure both are great people individual and both have a lot of pluses and few negatives. But I can't wait this matchup is going to happen I think and it will be a thrilla.

socal1976 wrote:Oh I think it is pretty fair to say that Djokovic and Fed will never be anything but civil associates. Look that is fine, I am sure both are great people individual and both have a lot of pluses and few negatives. But I can't wait this matchup is going to happen I think and it will be a thrilla.

That it would be if it comes to pass. Should they meet, Roger should refrain from the passive play that resulted in his Rome defeat or the same result will occur. What will work for him is a high degree of variation in his tactics and of course the French crowd. The crowd willed Roger to victory last year. I am sure you will remember that Novak served to get the match into the fifth set and Roger broke him.

Don't underestimate the French crowd. I know it can be very boorish at times (Exhibit A: Women's Singles First Round match between Serena Williams and Virginie Razzano), but from a Roger's perspective, the French public's near adulation of him (i.e. once he's playing someone who is not French) could work to his advantage once again.

No I don't doubt in the least the annoying tendencies of the parisian crowd who battle consistently with the New yorkers for the worst fans in all of tennis. I think novak has grown as a clay court tennis player over the course of the last two clay court seasons. Yes, Fed won a close match the last time they played but I feel like novak can direct enough quality heavy balls to Fed's backhand and make him hit with it till it starts to miss. I also think that Novak is better this year from last year in dealing with variety, his slice backhand is better, he feels more comfortable at net and can play the battle of drop shots as well. In short, he is improved this year in the forecourt. The only fly in the ointment has been his annoying tendency this year to go off boil with the forehand more often than he did last year.

socal1976 wrote:Oh I think it is pretty fair to say that Djokovic and Fed will never be anything but civil associates. Look that is fine, I am sure both are great people individual and both have a lot of pluses and few negatives. But I can't wait this matchup is going to happen I think and it will be a thrilla.

We don't even qualify to criticize them, compare to what they achieved and what did for society.

Goodbye Fognini, a straight sets defeat to Tsonga. 7-5 6-4 6-4.

Good Riddance, people who rail against drama queens, mtos, and delaying tactics should watch the montanes v. fogi 4th round match from last year. Odd if Nadal, Djoko, or Murray did any of the things to that extent that fogi did in that match they would be crucified. But fogi the all time king of delays and mtos has a bit of cult status among fed fans, maybe they secretly credit him as I do with give their yahweh the leg up in the semi.

Obsessed.

Can't deny that emancipator fair post.

God I hate it when people pretend they know these players. Its so sad.

socal1976 wrote:Good Riddance, people who rail against drama queens, mtos, and delaying tactics should watch the montanes v. fogi 4th round match from last year. Odd if Nadal, Djoko, or Murray did any of the things to that extent that fogi did in that match they would be crucified. But fogi the all time king of delays and mtos has a bit of cult status among fed fans, maybe they secretly credit him as I do with give their yahweh the leg up in the semi.

Hahahahahaha.... quality post....

socal1976 wrote:Good Riddance, people who rail against drama queens, mtos, and delaying tactics should watch the montanes v. fogi 4th round match from last year. Odd if Nadal, Djoko, or Murray did any of the things to that extent that fogi did in that match they would be crucified. But fogi the all time king of delays and mtos has a bit of cult status among fed fans, maybe they secretly credit him as I do with give their yahweh the leg up in the semi.

Who gives a $h1t about Fog? Apart from you.

As for delays, MTOs and wimpy retirements, well I know who's the GOAT there.

@ Socal

Being a Nole fan you complaining about Medical and MTO's, funny

Don't forget, egg & bacon chambers, secret food under the towel etc etc.

Hold on to your hats. ...could Fognini once again be about to influence a potential Federer-Djokovic semi. This times it's Federer he's playing tommorrow morning! Will Fognini get a shock win to give Djokovic a clear run to the final? Or will Fognini withdraw tonight leaving Federer with almost no practice at all before the 3rd round (he only played about 15 minutes I think in his first match). Or will Fognini take Federer to an Isner-like 5th set marathon, draining Federer of any energy before the semi?

Stay tuned. This could be a tight one. In favour of a Federer victory we have his GOATdom, 6 Wimbledon titles, the fact that he hasn't lost before the quarter final of a slam since a narrow defeat to Bjorn Borg at the French Open in 1981, Fognini's indifferent form and the fact that Fognini is more of a clay courter.

But on the other hand we have the fact that Fognini has history here. In 2010 he reached the third round and even took Benneatau to 4 sets, not to mention the fact that Fabio Fognini is a cool name, that Italy are currently up in sport, and that pigs really can fly.

So this could go either way. Anyone lucky enough to have a ticket for this one will be telling stories to their grandchildren for many years to come.

It's RF vs FF. May the best man win.

A straight sets win for Federer for me. Scoreline will be something like 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Yes, I forget the exact score, but if I recall Fognini got 6 games, so you were about right.

Djokovic lost a set to Fognini yesterday but responded to win easily. Is it me or does Djokovic have a habit of having first set TBs against weaker players, then waking up.

After the match Novak commented "If I'd had this kind of workout at the French Open in 2011 I would have easily dismissed Federer in the next round and walked off with the career and calendar slam."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19042371

Fognini is better taking up a contract with Vogue than playing tennis. Wasted talent!