Dubai draw published .....

First topic message reminder :

Hard to see any problems at all for either Djokovic or Federer until 3rd round at very earliest.

Djoko would seem to have only Delpo to cause any serious concern as things progress (unless Rosol decides to put on a show, that is .... )

As defending champ Federer will have to face potential issues with the improving Tomic, and of course with Berdych and Tsonga.

I've obviously missed some news wrt Murray not playing after making last year's Final ..... could someone please remind me why he's giving it a miss this year...?

The Special Juan wrote:Thanks

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Llodra's SS win over JWT yet. 6-4 6-2 is very impressive indeed.

7-6(3), 6-2, to be pedantic. Perhaps the exertions of beating Berdych at Open13 after saving MPs got to Tsonga. - http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/02/8/Marseille-Sunday-Tsonga-Denies-Berdych-For-Title.aspx

He is also biting the trophy, so Nadal has competition now.

Llodra isn't exactly an easy opener on a fast hardcourt either.

LLodra really did some dazzling stuff today and had JWT all confused, he just doesn't play a style that many others play but he is very effective with it and it makes you wonder why a few others don't try it. He really does have dazzling hands and some unorthodox shots with that lefty action of his.

socal1976 wrote:LLodra really did some dazzling stuff today and had JWT all confused, he just doesn't play a style that many others play but he is very effective with it and it makes you wonder why a few others don't try it. He really does have dazzling hands and some unorthodox shots with that lefty action of his.

With Clement (and now Benneteau) he has played many doubles, which when combined with the natural gut use is a sight to behold.

The second set here was fun to watch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20uyWHmFf1Y

All four top seeds in action today.

Any upsets seem unlikely, although Kamke is pushing Berdych right now.

Hard to see the biggest paycheque going to anyone other than Novak this week

Maybe (or maybe not ....) a chance for Granollers to snatch a memorable victory over the Swiss One to tell the grandchildren about....? There might not be many more opportunities. After all, Benneteau has done it (twice in fact), and Granollers is not only close to Benne rankings-wise but also has a distinct age advantage.

As Lydian would say, agricultural tennis of Granollers will more than likely lose on a fast HC.

Did someone mention the Seed Plough of Tennis?

If Federer lost to boring-as-muesli Granola on a fast HC then he'd have to announce immediate retirement.

Marcel's new racquet below:

Looks an interesting piece of equipment lydian ......

It was clearly highly effective against Montanes, but somehow wasn't quite up to the job in today's meeting with the Fed.

I assume the new racquet comes complete with a nice shiny bag, courtesy of his sponsors ....?

(Ps .... I take it you really don't like Marcel .....!!)

Indeed lags, the agriculturally adept Granollers isn't fit to plough any furrow in tennis and thankfully Fed showed him the errors of his ways in plying such trade in this sport of agility and elegance. Its not just the tractor-like movements, its the farmyard grunting and the perma-pained expression with every shot that suggests he's on his way to the slaughter house. I'd rather stick pitch forks in my eyes than watch any of his games. As one commentator said in the Olympics of another similarly agriculturally afflicted athlete...."he moves with all the grace and speed of a wardrobe". If you could cross an IKEA wardrobe with a wooden ox-drawn seed plough and teach it tennis you'd have Granollers as its love child.

Thanks for that fulsome analysis of the Granollers technique (if that's a suitable word...) lydian.

Can't recall the last time I saw him in action, so to speak ; but if I do happen to chance upon one of his matches at some future point, then I shall have those colourful images firmly in mind. Although best avoided at all costs, from what you say .......!!