Rogers Cup Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

There doesn't seem to be a Rogers Cup thread up so I thought I'd stick one up. I suppose the biggest question is "How will the Djokovic, Murray and Del Potro do after competing in the Olympics on Sunday?"

Looking at the draw ( http://www.rogerscup.com/men/english/singlesDraw.php ) Tomic could play Djokovic 2nd round, Del Potro v Stepanek/Dolgopolov 2nd round and Murray v Raonic 3rd round possibly.

[laverfan]

Ridiculous scheduling.

Does ATP have the onus of managing individual player schedules? Why cannot the players manage their own? The calendar for 2012-2013 was out almost in the middle of 2011, IIRC.

[laverfan]

iC, are the doubles in Toronto being played indoors?

[lydian]

Yes LF but the players are also obliged to play the Masters events as you know or forfeit points/fines. They will also be likely paid appearance money to turn up in their contracts. It is ridiculous scheduling but there wasnt much they could do unless they moved USO back and that wasnt going to happen. Olympic Tennis always makes the middle part of the summer a nightmare.

[laverfan]

Each country was allowed 4 players in each event, with Singles being 64 total players and doubles being 32 and XD being 16, IIRC.

Fedal withdrew, irrespective of points and/or appearance fees. The players who were exerted the most are Tsonga(360-SF), Murray(10), Del Potro (45), Djokovic (1000). Three of these four are gone. The points they were defending are in parentheses. Why did Murray and Del Potro have to show up? It would have forced ATP to look at scheduling if these two had withdrawn.

It also clearly shows the effort required to win the Olympics event, which gets ignored by posters who consider Olympics Tennis as an irritant to scheduling.

Toronto/Cinci could have played a combined event, moved a week, etc. Cancel one of the lower HCs, many options to choose from. Washington and other 250s had some good participation.

[carrieg4]

The consequences are harsh if you withdraw without injury though...

"Q. What if a player is injured and can't play in a Grand Slam or ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament?

A. If eligible to play in one of the Grand Slam or ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, a player must count the points from these tournaments, even if it is 'a zero pointer' because he missed the event. Just as in Formula One and numerous other sports, if a competitor misses a race or an event, he loses his chance to earn points. Players with direct acceptance who do not play an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament will be suspended from a subsequent ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, which will be the next highest points earned ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event within the next 12 months. If an injured player is on site within the first three days of a tournament to conduct promotional activities over a two-day period, a suspension will not be enforced but a 0-pointer will be counted on a player's ranking. "

From the ATP website. Federer obviously has his age / length of time on tour exemption from this.

[laverfan]

Berdych-Gasquet up on Livescores.

PS: http://www.rogerscup.com/men/english/orderOfPlay7.php

[Guest]

Got my Sky Sports on!!

Come on Gassy!!

[Guest]

Come on tennis fans. Pack that stadium in

I hope IC is there

[Guest]

Flip me

Grosjean has aged well!!

[Guest]

Gasquet breaks in the opening game.

Berdych looking flat out there.

[Guest]

I want the Grosjean beauty regime!!

Gasquet consolidates the break. Berdych hitting some crap out there

[Guest]

Berdych having a mare out there. If Gasquet takes the match to him he could take this in 2.

[Guest]

Is Petchy joking??? Berdych doing the right thing?? He has been broken twice!!

[Guest]

Lovely passing BH by Gasquet. On a big point at 15-30.

[User 774433]

I'll make a special 'Flop Of The Week' section, it can be dedicated to Berdych by the looks of things

R1 Wimby
R1 Olympics
R1 Toronto?

Anyway watching this on TenSports unlike normal, American commentary- nice change.

[Guest]

Gasquet 4-0.

LK's TV has now been hijacked by Mrs LK.

[User 774433]

Berdych can hold here 15-0

[Guest]

In some interesting pictures, Federer is practicing in Cinncy

[User 774433]

Gasquet 4-0.

LK's TV has now been hijacked by Mrs LK.

Don't worry
This will probably be covered (unless things change) in flop of the week in great detail
Better than Sky Sports PR friendly commentary

[User 774433]

Uh oh.
Now Gasquet making loads of errors.

This has been a really poor match.

[laverfan]

Rain, bliddy rain.

[laverfan]

Monaco-Fish starting back up.

[laverfan]

Fight Berdy.

[Guest]

LK has managed to access Sky Go

[Guest]

Arghhhhhhh Berdych!!! Just awful netted FH!!!!

[laverfan]

Berdy.

[Guest]

Monaco takes the first set 6-2

Berdy just a lacklustre performance. Come on lad, but some elbow grease into it.

[laverfan]

A third set in Berdych-Gasquet would be nice.

[Guest]

I feel Berdy couldn't go the distance

[laverfan]

Fish breaks. Berdy on the brink.

[Guest]

That was awful

Berdy's head has gone

[Guest]

You would've thought those conditions would favour Berdy with the power. Gasquet not the best retriever. I feel Gasquet hasn't had to do much to lead in this match.

[Josiah Maiestas]

the Berd flew over the cuckoo's nest.

[Guest]

The Berd has been shot down!

[Guest]

What a powderpuff performance by Berdych. Awful.

[Guest]

Maybe Djokovic can up the performance stakes.

[lydian]

Berdy...such a shame the mind cant match his shots. One of the best talents ever to be wrapped upside in a choker. Frustrating actually.

[Guest]

Cowan what are you smoking???? Nadal ahead of Murray for the US Open???? No disrespect but for Nadal to come back from injury and win his least favourite Slam?

[User 774433]

Cowan what are you smoking???? Nadal ahead of Murray for the US Open???? No disrespect but for Nadal to come back from injury and win his least favourite Slam?

Nadal has more experience in the latter stages, certainly if he was fully fit would have belief. Despite his Olympics victory, we have to remember Murray hasn't beaten a Top 3 player in a slam since AO 2010.
Of course a lot depends on Nadal being fit. He should play the 250 before USO, I think it's Winston Salem.

Let's see.

[laverfan]

Djokovic looks knackered but is carrying on very well.

[socal1976]

Well the rain just doesn't want to cooperate, oh well at least Novak looks safely through whenever they play again and he has a real shot with the draw opening up wonderfully for him. Still there are a lot of dangerous players left, but he really should win it now.

[Guest]

Looks like play is about to commence at last!

[Guest]

Djokovic to serve for the match. Toronto could make up for barren Grass season.

[lydian]

Yep, Novak looking sharp.

[Guest]

GSM Nole.

Seems that he is peaking. Signs that he is much more at home on the hard stuff.

[Guest]

Isner and Kohlschreiber coming up. Battle of 2 of the best servers in the game.

[Guest]

Whoa Kohlschreiber breaking Isner.

Certainly floated under the radar this year.

[Guest]

Isner holds and Kohly still has the break.

[Guest]

Kohly serving very well.

Isner seems to have caught Berd-flu!

[Guest]

Isner holds to love. Was holding his side before the last point.

Both bar the break are holding quite comfortably.

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