The Random Tennis News Thread

[The Special Juan]

First topic message reminder :

There's not really a thread up for random tennis news that perhaps doesn't require it's own topic.

First of all, it's sad to hear of the death of Brad Drewett, Chief Executive of the ATP. I don't know if anyone's mentioned that and I've missed it.

Secondly, here's an interesting bit of tennis gossip about Evert and Connors: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/05/04/tennis-connors-evert-idUKL3N0DL05G20130504

[lydian]

This is interesting reading, it's good to hear about what things have been employed to turn Goffin's career around. Anyway, I google translated this French interview with Goffin's new coach Thierry van Kleemput to understand what has changed. I can't post a link to a translated page so have copy/pasted below. Reading between the translation lines comes out a picture of psychological training and change in approach. I included posters comments on the article at bottom too as they were interesting too. This story was written before his win at Kitzbuhel...think their sights will be set higher now!

http://blog.lesoir.be/amortieetlob/2014/07/27/thierry-van-cleemput-serenite-eviter-les-frustrations-et-ne-pas-oublier-que-le-tennis-est-circonstanciel/

Thierry Van Cleemput:
"Serenity, avoid frustration and do not forget that tennis is circumstantial"
Published on July 27, 2014 by patrick haumont

While David Goffin will compete this Sunday the final challenger Tampere, I spoke at length this morning with Thierry Van Cleemput, his coach.


My first question will be very short: there was a click, a particular event which explains the 14 consecutive wins of David? Or it is due, "simply" to build confidence?

Thierry Van Cleemput: neither one nor the other. We continued to work by focusing on certain aspects which I will discuss later. To understand, we must plunge around Easter. When we established schedule, we obviously knew that David had a lot of points to defend. It was therefore essential to introduce a series of challengers in this calendar. Unfortunately, the first series (Vercelli and Bordeaux) has not gone as well as hoped.

Why?

It is not that I have to explain that we can very well play tennis while not winning many games because you do not trust. You can also very well s' lead and do not reproduce this good tennis when you're competing.   But even when things are not going well, do not panic, keep a line, a goal. So we  tried to stay calm while understanding, in part, the frustration of fans of the medium. Even me, sometimes I lose patience, but we absolutely had to keep the line.

But you still focusing on certain aspects?

Yes, we have worked extensively with the psychological aspect of his psychiatrist trainer Fabrice Dezanet.

Fabrice Dezanet part of the team for many months. What have you changed in the psychological approach?

We work more evenly. After each tournament, I do a debriefing to Fabrice and it was he who then sees David with him to discuss the approach to have. Attention, it is not a guru and he did not accompany us in the tournament. It does not tell us how we need to work more but it gives us advice on how to approach things.

The second aspect on which you are focused?

The behavior of David.

What do you mean by behavior?

On the field, game, we stressed the fact that David had to be ambitious on all points. At his level, you can not wait that point you will be given, must go get it. Sometimes, too, David is frustrated due to factors beyond his tennis.  Frustration is never ideal on a sports field. Instead, we must successfully exit a game by saying that it was the right thing. We tried to take advantage of the opportunities that  presented themselves. Even if we lose in this case, there is no advance and frustration. If, against, we will not get the item or if it is frustrating on external factors, it is not enough advance.

Sometimes, too, David gave the impression of staying in his shell. I wrote on this blog that was probably revolt.

Yes, this is not the word I used, but your analysis is interesting. David is sometimes mounted on a plot by giving the label favorite when he was the underdog. So it was a little on the inside, with a little sometimes tends to change things, rather than the cause. Face Jurgen Melzer, being led, he returned and was largely equal game, but when he had the opportunity to pass it off again in his errors. Now, it is very important to note that this is not as the analysis. It is obviously easier to analyze than a match live.

In this sense, we never say enough that, except in very rare case, no player does not try anything to win. Just from the outside, you can have a different and distorted impression?

Absolutely. And this is due to the frustration of the public, fans, environment. Sometimes when I watch a match, David or another player, told me: "but what does it do? "Then I have to explain what we see from the outside is not always easy to change from within and is not always an accurate reflection of what actually happens.

This frustration of the fans, the public comes from two facts: Roland Garros 2012 and eighth-finals, and the fact that David is by far the first male Belgian player ...

Altogether. And, again, I understand the frustration though, sometimes, some comments seem to me very far from reality. You know, tennis is very circumstantial. The eighth final at Roland Garros has obviously put David in the light. And, logically, we waited a lot of it, and immediately all the time. If he had not been drafted as lucky loser, it seems today that its progression is linear and that the results follow a consistent line. Obviously I do not regret this result in 2012 but it's complicated in a sense things. On the other hand, being maintained in the first Belgian this light. If there were four Top 50 in front of him, it seems that the young Goffin follows the best and he would not pressure. Now, I repeat, this is all circumstantial. Our role is to work for David handles these situations.

David received a wild card to Kitzbuhel (ATP 250, he will play against De Schepper) which begins Monday. What's next program?

David is a patient there for a day or two and has accumulated a lot of matches. It does not go to Cincinnati (August 10 to 17) but will start with qualifying Winston Salem (ATP 250, August 17), then the final table of the U.S. Open (August 25) and Saint Rémy de Provence s' he loses in the first week in New York, and the Davis Cup against Ukraine (note: we will know in a few days  where the meeting will be played), then rest. Then the Challenger Orleans (September 22) or perhaps a week in China, then Ethias Mons (29 September). The goal is to be fresh enough to address the last appointment of the season.

What objective ranking?

In late 2014, the Top 100 in order to secure a place at the Australian Open. In late 2015, the Top 50.

In the medium term, David should be constant in the big tournaments, right?

Yes, I think he has the level to eventually be able to reach several quarterfinals on the ATP Tour and eighth Grand Slam.

So it remains a potential candidate for Top 20.?

I do not like talking like that, but yes, you're right, it is in the second round of Grand Slam several times is that it has the potential Top 20. When I say this, I say it will not be, but we will do everything to make it so. Again, tennis is very circumstantial. We must therefore prepare his players for it to be able to be there when an opportunity presents itself. Thus, it was said he had a lot of bad prints, which is not true. But he also had some favorable draws he has not benefited. It also said he often lost matches accuracy. This is not quite true, but he also won some great fights. In other words, he stop crying when things do not turn out but we also try to see things as  they are. Without embellishing or blackening.

In this sense, the 14 victories the last three weeks have all been there is really no big fights.

Not false and it is true that David loves this kind of situation (note: who would not like it ;-) But if you look at the stats service, you will also see that the service is much better. However, there has not been, either, any particular event. David gained confidence, and when confidence is there, everything is better, it makes sense.

Remains to stay the course and move on to the next level?

Yes, of course, nothing is won! Ever. But beware, the level of Challengers may be very high, that of Scheveningen, for example, was very high. The difference is that Challenger, you can have some hesitation on the Grand Tour, no.   There is no tolerance.

But are you confident?

Yes, I am confident because we are in the line, we are calm, we are in no hurry. We set goals and micro-objectives. We remain focused. There is no question that we options for solutions in the short term, it will count in the end, it will be the entire career of David. I can not guarantee results at the minute, but I can guarantee that we do and we do everything to make David's career is that it can be.

With, if I have understood you correctly, three keys: keep calm, never forget that tennis is circumstantial and not frustration?

Altogether.

Why, after leaving Reginald Willems, David asked to work with you?

First of all, let me say that we are continuing the work that we put up with Reginald. He should ask David but I think he chose me because I'm a mark of his training in his youth.

You will remain his coach long?

I want to be quiet at least in 2014 and 2015. Afterwards, we will take. Anyway, I'll stay if I continue to give him something.



13 Responses to Thierry Van Cleemput: "Serenity, avoid frustration and do not forget that tennis is circumstantial"

bsna said:
July 27, 2014 at 14 h 41 min
It is done. Nieminen in two sets, dominated. Probably Monday, David will he ranked around the 78th spot. What has changed is aggression on all points, and, suddenly, he left out the search at any price perfect shot. May be missed and continues to play without being paralyzed by what just happened. He tjs there filigree this difficulty to keep the break (first set), you want to pick up the lines without too much security and find the first ball (only, against Nieminen). It concludes with a first! Of these three weeks, we note that perfectionism was stored in drawers. Congratulations to the entire team.

Eva says:
27 July 2014 à 20 hours 10 min
Thank you, Patrick, for this very interesting interview. And congratulations to David and his team for the past 3 weeks and, in particular, for the win against Nieminen.

Mike1 said:
July 27, 2014 to 21 pm 56 min
Thank you very much, very interesting interview. I understand the line T. Van Cleemput: in short, we calm down, not get carried away. 3 reactions nonetheless. I find little ambitious goal of ranking for 2014. Top 100? According to my calculations, even if it wins over any points by December, it will be 551 or 104 th. It has nothing to defend by the end of last season in August. I think we should aim for a top 70 or even top 60 ATP tournaments have access to the Australian season when the cut is fairly low. Then I found that David was in all matches in recent weeks very enterprising. Now he was favorite in almost every game, if we except today. I do not think the wait is one of his faults instead. His game is really short of funds at the top 30. We saw today against Nieminen is yet a metronome on the circuit. But I remain convinced that there are improvements to the service (regularity) and on the fly. In the small game too (amortized ...). I hope it works the above, with the ambition to really make a top player. For the base and talent are. For me it has to return one day in the top 20, it would be a failure there is no aps. Finally, the circumstantial tennis? Mwouais .... But ambition professionally Is not limit the bad days? The Top 10 are still there, even when they do not feel the ball. For David, the ambition is that it loses more against a player beyond the top 150, as has been the case this year.

haumont patrick says:
July 28, 2014 at 7 am 30 minutes
@ Mike It is not because the objective is relatively low as David can not exceed the widely. So Thierry said and fixed the Top 100 but knows that David can do much better, but it makes sense in his remarks. As for the wait, it is obviously not talking about three challengers but matches before this period. As tennis circumstantial, if you read, Thierry said that what matters is the whole career and, in this case, actually periods of luck and bad luck blur. But over a short period, it is circumstantial effect.
@ Guibert indeed a toilet in an ATP 250 can not refuse. In Cincinnati, he would have had to go through qualifying. So, the choice seems more than reasonable.

Mike1 said:
July 28, 2014 to 21 pm 36 min
Patrick thank you for that clarification and once again for these interviews that I adore. For the "circumstantial" appearance (I think the catch-all term but is), let's be clear: the players of his age or even younger (Dimitrov, Raonic, more recently Thiem) come to be much more regular and efficient, not for 2 months but the past 2 years. Is that they are more likely or less bad luck? Perhaps, but it does not obvious at first (certainly David was injured). Do they have more talent? It is not clear when you see the tennis he just played. That David is the first Belgian and because of this he has more pressure than another is, I'm sorry, a poor excuse for the aforementioned players are also alone in the world in their country and yet they pierce. So for me everything is for it pierces and that is why I think that the stated objective is really very low profile. I understand the idea to take away the pressure but do not overdo it. We are no longer in kindergarten. For me, it must leave a purely Belgian comfortable routine and find a foreign coach ambitious and hard which will make this gem a true warrior. I'm not sure in the current structure, there happen. And it's not the 3 challengers who have earned rank changed my opinion sorry. I had, like others elsewhere, mentioned in this blog after his defeat against Meltzer after RG.

bsna said:
July 29, 2014 at 8 am 41 min
Indeed, the argument of the Belgian pressure alone does not hold water. Denis Istomin is one Uzbek, this does not prevent it from moving. But more broadly, we feel the coach on the defensive, annoyed compared to clear issues P.Haumont; tangled in issues of potential output in 2015-2016 he brings nothing of the work of psychologist. There is nothing to do, it is a narrow way of looking at things, it is satisfied with the bare minimum (100th, 50th place): this is the career that is sought. A well Walloon thinking tennis. May Day! Air!

haumont patrick says:
July 29, 2014 at 8 am 58 min
@ Mike and I respect BSNA quite your views but I find you very hard with Thierry. He just regain control of David who has just signed its best winning streak. Certainly Challenger but it was the obligatory passage points to defend and regain confidence. Thierry gives clear goals that are actually necessary rankings, 1 to enter the Grand Slam tables, 2 to enter ALL tables (including ATP 1000). Give as objective the Top 50, does not mean that we do not aim higher. And if you read between the lines, Thierry himself said, that I do not ask him, he saw David go into quarters tournaments circuit and 8th Grand Slam. That's when I said, so it has the potential Top 20? And he answers clearly yes. The medium-term objective is obviously the top 20. The Walloon thinking tennis, Bernadette, you surprise me a bit because Justine Henin is Wallonne (world first), Dominique Monami is Wallonne (Top 10) Rochus the Walloons (Top 50 both), Steve Darcis is Wallon (Top 50), David Wallon and has been Top 50 and will probably top 20. Not so bad, right? Thank you in any case your opinions which give this blog its wealth.

Raphael said:
July 29, 2014 at 11 am 59 min
I personally think that this view is quite interesting. However, I am of those who clearly said he had to go "elsewhere", and I have not changed my mind suddenly. But we must acknowledge the perfs made, there was clearly a "cap" of crossed. Now, the process is long and it does not make a Top 20 David suddenly .... as it did not become "null" conceding defeats against players ranked outside the Top 200 at the beginning of the season, as it did not become the new terror of the circuit despite its 15 (and many left for 16! ) consecutive wins. He is now in a phase of stabilization, although first settled in the Top 100 (to the 70th spot late in the season, it is quite playable without injury) before you see above, Top 30 or even 20 .... Congratulations anyway to David and his coach!

guibert said:
27 July 2014 à 22 M 45 min
Is it a good idea to go to Kitzbuhel. It seems a WC, it can not refuse. But starting from Finland on Monday morning, what is the time to adapt to the altitude when we know that the bullets fly easily? And with all that, he renounces the qualifying Cincinnati, the possibility to defend points last year (1/8th finals) and Federer invitation to train with him for some time on the preparation drive. What is the meaning?

Eva says:
July 30, 2014 till 18h 02 min
Yes, especially renounce participate in training of Roger Federer - not necessarily renewable occasion - seems a great sacrifice!

This has been very successful in Kyrgios to rub Roger Federer in spring training ...

That said, I do not have all the data in hand or pretend to be objective ...

Mike says:
July 29, 2014 at 11 am 44 min
Patrick also thank you for your point of view I respect perfectly well. I would like to clarify an important point: I think Thierry VC as an excellent technician, someone with a good head on his shoulders and a nice guy. So far be it from me to criticize its jurisdiction, which would also allow me for me? But I think any coach Staff AFT may be the right man to David. David knows all too well the structure, with all that that entails. Once again David reminds me a lot Gasquet: talented, precocious, introverted, irregular etc .... In France it is considered that Gasquet is an eternal hope, even if it's too hard I think. It was top 10. But he will never win a GC, nor even reach a final GC because he waited too long to look elsewhere. He just drilled when he left the bosom of the FFT which rotates with the same coaches, the same vision etc. .... Maybe this is also why France has so many good players in the top 100, but no winner GC. It is time to say that David is our great hope for a long time and be ambitious for him. For example to stop saying that having been eighth in RG there 2 years earlier was damaging. I'll never understand is how you can do a feat a negative event.

[kingraf]

Rory continues to boss the break up... poor Caroline, if only I could be there to lend a shoulder to cry on, a bed to lie in, a home to hide in.

[HM Murdock]

Rory continues to boss the break up... poor Caroline, if only I could be there to lend a shoulder to cry on, a bed to lie in, a home to hide in.

That's very generous of you to show such concern. Nice to see someone putting the needs of another person ahead of their own.  

[kingraf]

No need to thank me. I'm just doing what any kind, good natured person would do in this situation.

[YvonneT]

So, Judy Murray confirmed for Strictly this year. I think it's a terrible idea - not least because she really shouldn't class as a celebrity for being the mum of someone famous. Yes, her life is more than just Andy's mum but being a tennis coach & Fed Cup captain is not exactly celebrity status.  It also feels like right now Murray could do with just concentrating on his tennis without the distraction of his mum embarrassing herself so publicly. Who is advising these people!!?

(I'll add, I think Judy does get some unfair criticism and downright rude remarks made about her, but I think she could avoid some of it by staying the background more).

[HM Murdock]

I wonder if Jez Green will be in the audience, snarling and fist-pumping when Judy gets good scores?

[The Special Juan]

Nadal's out of the USO.

[HM Murdock]

Nadal's out of the USO.

The stars are aligning for Federer!

[bogbrush]

I wonder if Jez Green will be in the audience, snarling and fist-pumping when Judy gets good scores?

Please God make it so.

By the way, was Miles already on notice at the point of that picture?

[LuvSports!]

23 matches and counting for Goffin!

[lydian]

LS ...not a bad transition to HC from his clay success so far.

It's crazy that he had to qualify though ranked at #50....half the entrants are lower ranked than him, including his first main draw round opponent and defending Winston champ Melzer, who he beat today, at #67. Interestingly, Goffin served 8 aces in 10 service games...not an area he was renowned for.

Nice write up here: http://www.bloggersodear.com/2014/8/18/6031637/defending-champion-jurgen-melzer-ousted

[CaledonianCraig]

So, Judy Murray confirmed for Strictly this year. I think it's a terrible idea - not least because she really shouldn't class as a celebrity for being the mum of someone famous. Yes, her life is more than just Andy's mum but being a tennis coach & Fed Cup captain is not exactly celebrity status.  It also feels like right now Murray could do with just concentrating on his tennis without the distraction of his mum embarrassing herself so publicly. Who is advising these people!!?

(I'll add, I think Judy does get some unfair criticism and downright rude remarks made about her, but I think she could avoid some of it by staying the background more).

Sorry but can I list some of the other non-entities to pass off as celebrities to appear on Strictly? Strictly gets its guests from various avenues and Judy is involved very closely in tennis being Fed Cup Captain and a prominent figure in coaching so that does put her on the same level as many other sportsmen to appear on the show. As for her participation in some way impacting on Andy's game well...just....   . His game/mindset has never been at a lower point than it is right now and that is down to him and nothing his mother does will have no effect on him. And embarrassing him? Wait until you see her perform as she may make him very proud indeed.

[lydian]

Fair enough but take Andy Murray out of the equation and you would have never heard of Judy Murray...

[HM Murdock]

...you would have never heard of Judy Murray...

This does not make her unusual in the annals of Strictly contestants!

Fair play to her, I say.

She's probably getting paid £25,000+ for a few weeks work and gets the chance to show the wider public that there is more to her than fist-pumping tennis Mum.

That said, I can barely stand to watch the show anymore. It's so tired. I tend to lose interest once Aliona is out.

[NeverDefendedTitleOffClay]

Sorry but can I list some of the other non-entities to pass off as celebrities to appear on Strictly? Strictly gets its guests from various avenues and Judy is involved very closely in tennis being Fed Cup Captain and a prominent figure in coaching so that does put her on the same level as many other sportsmen to appear on the show. As for her participation in some way impacting on Andy's game well...just....   . His game/mindset has never been at a lower point than it is right now and that is down to him and nothing his mother does will have no effect on him. And embarrassing him? Wait until you see her perform as she may make him very proud indeed.

Maybe you need to get your head out of Murray's bum?  You seem to take any and all discussion on him as an attack on yourself. So much so that you are unable to form any comment without a severe bias.  You're like a snarling rottweiler that Murray owns.

Judy Murray is bloody awful, and I'd not want my mum going on a show like that if I was in the public eye.  But, of course, she can't wait to be seen.  She constantly ingratiates herself with everything and everyone that can get her on TV.  She's a vain idiot. Just one look at her behaviour during Murray's games is enough for me. It's probably also why Murray has severe issues with self control on court. Perhaps you need to direct your "anger management" speech to him ?

[CaledonianCraig]

Aw diddums - it really breaks your heart seeing her celebrate her son winning Wimbledon, the US Open and Olympic gold. Never mind perhaps that explains your anger. I wonder if we should open a book on how many posts you get to before you are banned?

[LuvSports!]

goffin 63 61 win over mayer !

[The Special Juan]

Very impressive, especially considering the summer L. Mayer has had.

Where's Florian these days?

[The Special Juan]

If we needed any more proof Novak was totally insane....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1JFT1rBAE

[HM Murdock]

If we needed any more proof Novak was totally insane....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1JFT1rBAE

It was only this week that I finally realised what this ice bucket challenge thing is!

Decent moves from Novak but perhaps the most bizarre recommendations!

Rory McIlroy challenged George W Bush on his. I'd love to see that happen!

[ListenUp]

Very impressive, especially considering the summer L. Mayer has had.

Where's Florian these days?

He's been off injured for months - but I can't remember offhand what the problem is.  

[ListenUp]

Speaking of injured Germans, Philipp Petzschner has been back playing for a couple of months, after what seemed like his nth injury break (shoulder). He's 30 now, so he'd now be battling time as well as his body. Currently ranked outside 500 in both singles and doubles, he's been playing a few Challengers and is in US Open qualies. He could meet Gerald Melzer in the 2nd round.

[The Special Juan]

If we needed any more proof Novak was totally insane....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1JFT1rBAE

It was only this week that I finally realised what this ice bucket challenge thing is!

Decent moves from Novak but perhaps the most bizarre recommendations!

Rory McIlroy challenged George W Bush on his. I'd love to see that happen!

I've seen a few tonight and most of them are brilliant. I reckon Boris Johnson will end up doing it (alas not George "Dubya").

[The Special Juan]

Very impressive, especially considering the summer L. Mayer has had.

Where's Florian these days?

He's been off injured for months - but I can't remember offhand what the problem is.  

Ah that's a real shame. Cheers.

[lydian]

Mayer is #26 ranked and in great form having won his last tournament, ATP Hamburg 500, yet Goffin destroyed him 63 61. In fact he's been handing out loads of bakery products this past month. Has the broader forum woken up to Goffin yet despite me being called all 'misty eyed' by others for continuing to hold a candle for this guy?

And why do I hold the candle...because in my opinion he's one of the most naturally raw talented players on tour and is only starting to realise his potential, getting over the early shot to prominence vs Federer, building his strength and then coming back from surgery after breaking his wrist at the end of last year.

His winning streak stretches to 24 matches, losing only 2 sets in 50 played since Wimbledon. He's 2nd in the Open Era for consecutive sets won at 37 to Borg's 39 in 1980. Then Johnny Mac at 35. Federer once won 29 consecutive sets, Nadal 28 and Djokovic's longest set streak is 18. So this run is remarkable for any player, not just a guy written off by most after disappearing into the >100 rankings. I'm telling you with the right draw at USO (avoiding top 10 seeds in first round) this guy could define the term 'dark horse'.

[The Special Juan]

If we needed any more proof Novak was totally insane....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1JFT1rBAE

It was only this week that I finally realised what this ice bucket challenge thing is!

Decent moves from Novak but perhaps the most bizarre recommendations!

Rory McIlroy challenged George W Bush on his. I'd love to see that happen!

George did it!!!!!

[lydian]

Make that 25 matches in a row...Goffin beats Nieminen in 3 sets.
Plays Jerzy next in QF.

Winston-Salem is a tough one to win for a 250 event...64 man draw, so that's 6 matches needed to win it consecutive days! Plus 2 matches qualifying in Goffin's case...crazy. The winner is probably screwed for USO next week!

[bogbrush]

...you would have never heard of Judy Murray...

This does not make her unusual in the annals of Strictly contestants!

Fair play to her, I say.

She's probably getting paid £25,000+ for a few weeks work and gets the chance to show the wider public that there is more to her than fist-pumping tennis Mum.

That said, I can barely stand to watch the show anymore. It's so tired. I tend to lose interest once Aliona is out.

Is it only me who think Bruno has evolved to look like a miniaturised version of Frankie Howerd, but on speed?

[CaledonianCraig]

Well Dan Evans is going to drop a shed load of ranking points at this US Open. Last year he reached the Third Round at Flushing Meadows but this year he has lost in the first round of qualifying. Better news for James Ward as he progressed through to the second qualifying round.

[lydian]

Evans will drop from 177 to 266(ish)...ouch.
Could be game over for him.

Yep, the IDS of British tennis, Ward, could rise nicely up the rankings as only defending 10pts over the few weeks. If he qualified and won a first round match he could break the top120. That said, he's already at his career high ranking.

All in all, the usual disappointing British showing though.

[Born Slippy]

Yeah, I think that was probably Evans' big chance to make it this year. He was high enough to be seeded in most challengers and on the verge of direct entry to slams but has done very little since February. As it is now, he will be back to futures and low challengers and outside the qualifying cut-off for slams. Will be a big effort to get back.

[The Special Juan]

He'll still pick up a fat paycheque at Wimbledon every year you'd think.

[Born Slippy]

He won't get a wildcard next year. Won't meet the ranking criteria unless he can get back up again.

[The Special Juan]

Does he have to be top 250 or something? I think he can do that.

[The Special Juan]

Djokovic to open v DL Schwartzman, Fed v "Mad dog" Matosevic.  Poor old Ryan Harrison will face yet another seed in the 1st round.

[The Special Juan]

Serena plays some fat burk in the first round (yes, I can say that).

She gets Kvitova in her half, Aggie and Halep are in the bottom.

Ana lands in Serena's quarter....  (AO anyone?)

Serena-Ivanovic
Kvitova-Bouchard
Kerber-Radwanska
Sharapova-Halep.

Genie's not getting that far but the other 3 could be corkers. Kvitova could play Azarenka in the 4th round. You'd have to fancy the Belarusian if she's fit again.

[The Special Juan]

Hev opens v Cirstea, may play Bouchard next round. I'd fancy Hev in that one!!

[The Special Juan]

Djokovic-Murray,
Wawrinka-Raonic,
Berdych-Ferrer,
Dimitrov-Federer.

What better chance for Andy to prove his fitness by beating Tsonga then Djokovic then Wawrinka then Federer? (My bet is that 2 of those 4 don't make it).

[The Special Juan]

Sir Andrew opens against Haase. Berdych gets Hewitt.

[The Special Juan]

Looks like a good draw for the Fed though. He's got Ferrer as his SF and there's every chance Murray and Djokovic will knock lumps out of each other.

[The Special Juan]

Murray's route:

Haase (should win that easily)
Stepanek (BO5 on a hard court is different to BO3 on grass but it might be a bit tricky)
Verdasco (if he makes it)
Tsonga (Murray should win that, but then again he should have won in Montreal)
Djokovic (no)
Wawrinka (he won't make the SF)
Federer

[Josiah Maiestas]

Raonic with another fluke draw..

Qualifier
Becker/Qualifier
Probably Rosol
Nishikori (legs)/Mayer

   Weaker than any draw a top 4 will have

[Josiah Maiestas]

Saying that Kyrgios could bludgeon through to the 4th round with that quarter. He probably will lose with a bagel now

[lydian]

Will be a big effort to get back.

Evans and effort aren't good bedfellows from what I've seen...
It's an oft used term but he really is a waste of talent IMO.

[The Special Juan]

Interesting what Russell Fuller is saying about Evans. Apparently the LTA are getting annoyed with Evans' lack of commitment. So am I!!

[The Special Juan]

It's all over for Goffin. Janowicz has broken The Streak.

[lydian]

Had to happen eventually and given Goffin has played 6 matches at WS it's good he steps back to recharge for a good USO showing.

[Danny_1982]

Murray's route:

Haase (should win that easily)
Stepanek (BO5 on a hard court is different to BO3 on grass but it might be a bit tricky)
Verdasco (if he makes it)
Tsonga (Murray should win that, but then again he should have won in Montreal)
Djokovic (no)
Wawrinka (he won't make the SF)
Federer

I'm pleased with this. Yes its tough, but it will be fun to watch. He's not going to win it, but lets see if he can step up a bit and offer hope for 2015 slams.

[lydian]

Verdasco is something of a bogeyman for Murray as he seems to like Murray's game, much depends on which Forehando turns up. If USO is fast then FV has the ability to blow people off court. Probably won't happen though as he's older, brittle and lacking confidence more than Murray right now.

[Silver]

Murray's route:

Haase (should win that easily)
Stepanek (BO5 on a hard court is different to BO3 on grass but it might be a bit tricky)
Verdasco (if he makes it)
Tsonga (Murray should win that, but then again he should have won in Montreal)
Djokovic (no)
Wawrinka (he won't make the SF)
Federer

I'm pleased with this. Yes its tough, but it will be fun to watch. He's not going to win it, but lets see if he can step up a bit and offer hope for 2015 slams.

That's how I'm looking at the route as well. Looking forward to seeing what Murray can do with the pressure (relatively) off, given nobody expects him to be within a donkey's roar of the final.

I'll be joining BB behind the sofa during every Fed match despite the easy draw.

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