Rome Masters 1000 match thread

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

So off we go again and Madrid isn't even done yet!

The home of gladiatorial sport sees the leading claycourters lock battle once again to the wonderful tree-lined backdrop. Rome Masters has been going since 1930 and seen many illustrious winners down the years including, some may not know, the current coach of Stanislas Wawrinka - Magnus Norman back in 2000 who beat none other than Gustavo Kuerten.



Can Nadal win his 7th title? Can Novak win his 3rd? Can Andy break his clay final duck? Can Roger get to another final...he's never won in Rome although held MPs in 2006.

It seems Rome always gives us great matches and interesting player arguments too!

Here's the interactive draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?EventId=416&Year=2013

[lydian]

Tomas gives Novak the Berd in that game and squawks his way to 3-1!

[HM Murdock]

Berd has been playing doubles this week, hasn't he? I wonder if fatigue may come into play?

[Silver]

lydian, you're on fire today. Unlike the Berd's mildly singed tail-feathers...

Is the stage set for yet another miraculous Novak recovery from MP down?

[JuliusHMarx]

Berd is flying. Djoko needs to bite the bullet - which one? - the one in the chamber of course.

[Jahu]

HMM, yes with Stepanek. He could crash and burn.

[CAS]

Berdych showing how much Talon he has, this would be a hard defeat to swallow for Novak

[JuliusHMarx]

3 sets though - certainly won't be a swift victory for Berd. If he loses from here, he'll feel a right t!t.

[lydian]

Cheers Silver. Perhaps so...you wonder how much Trill is left in Berd's beak.
Djokovic is loitering within tent to capitalise on any Berd fatigue.

haha JHM

[lydian]

4-3. Can Berdy hold 2 more times or will he get knocked off his perch?

[JuliusHMarx]

Djoko must fight back if he's going to clip Berd's wings, although Berd might get fatigued - he's no spring chicken.

[JuliusHMarx]

Can Djoko rattle Berd's cage?

[lydian]

Getting tight now....40-15 to deuce.
Tomas could be on a wing and a prayer here...

[JuliusHMarx]

5 -3 I'm not doubting Tomas now.

[lags72]

After putting up virtually no resistance in the first set, it's good to see Berdy now showing some real pluck ........

[lydian]

But no! Our little (well big) feathered friend slams the cage door shut in Djokovic's face...just one more service hold unless he can b(r)eak here.

[lydian]

lol JHM

[lydian]

& lol lags...

[lydian]

Tomas at 15-30...2 pts away.

[JuliusHMarx]

Great touch from Berd - he really just feathered that one.
(I'm not actually watching, just got the scoreboard up, so I may have made that shot up just for that lame gag.)

[lydian]

Pegged to 5-4.

Here's the big one then.

Please Tomas don't Tank.

[JuliusHMarx]

One more game. Can Tomas cook Djoko?

[Silver]

Fantastic serving! 3 MPs...

[CAS]

this will be a major major choke, 40-0-Deuce

[lydian]

Choking....!!!!

[Silver]

4th MP for Novak to save? No! Victory for the Berd, wow.

[CAS]

Kudos Tommy, its about time he beat Novak. Can he beat Rafa as well? Im not so sure but less see!

[laverfan]

Well done Berdych. Very nervous at the close though.

[Chydremion]

There goes Federer's chance to win his first Rome masters. Berdych always has to spoil everything for Federer.

[lags72]

Another routine win for Djokovic with Berdy not seriously testing him.

Jeez there are times when I really do get fed up (or do I mean bored ?) with the way nobody outside the top five is seemingly capable of breaking the stranglehold of those above them.

We're well accustomed to it in the Slams, but it's a pattern that looks destined to continue in the Masters too.

In 2012 we had the same old familiar names taking all the MS titles : Djoko (x 3) ; Federer (x 3) ; Nadal (x 2) ; with Ferrer providing the one temporary interruption in Paris.

And so it goes on in 2013 ...........

wrote the above towards the end of the 2nd set. Was on the point of deleting, given how things panned out, but then decided - FWIW - to post anyway .....!!!!
Can the Berd actually go on to take the title - or is it now definitely Rafa's if he wants it ....?

[CAS]

Yeah Federer had more chance against Novak for sure, all the matches I have watched Berdych Djokovic and hoped for the Czech to win and has folded. The one time I didn't mind him losing he comes back from 6-2 5-2??!!

[lydian]

...and the Berd is released with an Ace!!!

After being 6-2 5-2 up Djokovic is left with egg on his face after that comeback.

[JuliusHMarx]

Nice the see the older generation finally come through.

[lydian]

Fed bt Berdman in Blue Madrid last year though.

[Haddie-nuff]

Somebody had tweetabix for breakfast... fly berdy fly

[HM Murdock]

Wow.

This year was Novak's chance to really shape his legacy.

And he's naffing it up.

This is feeling like an strange period in tennis. Dare I say... transitional...?

[JuliusHMarx]

Somebody had tweetabix for breakfast... fly berdy fly

Tweetabix - good one! Obviously you're feeling quite chirpy

[lags72]

Yeah Federer had more chance against Novak for sure, all the matches I have watched Berdych Djokovic and hoped for the Czech to win and has folded. The one time I didn't mind him losing he comes back from 6-2 5-2??!!

Well, yes up to a point.

But worth remembering it's still 11-6 in Fed's favour - and Berdy has yet to topple him on clay......

Anyway .... the Fed's Roman escapade could well end tonight .....

[Haddie-nuff]

Well I nearly had Shredded Tweet but what a change to see that the Berdy didnt get choked..

[The Special Juan]

Wow.

This year was Novak's chance to really shape his legacy.

And he's naffing it up.

This is feeling like an strange period in tennis. Dare I say... transitional...?

Transitioning to who?

[lydian]

This Berd2.0 is like Feathers McGraw ... tough, no-nonsense.

I still cant believe how Djokovic lost that from 6-2 5-2...amazing.

[LuvSports!]

how did novak play? I hear he served for the match in the 2nd set. Did he blow it, berd play lights out or bit of both?

[The Special Juan]

This Berd2.0 is like Feathers McGraw ... tough, no-nonsense.

I still cant believe how Djokovic lost that from 6-2 5-2...amazing.

I can't wait until he puts a red rubber glove on his head.

[CAS]

Yeah Federer had more chance against Novak for sure, all the matches I have watched Berdych Djokovic and hoped for the Czech to win and has folded. The one time I didn't mind him losing he comes back from 6-2 5-2??!!

Well, yes up to a point.

But worth remembering it's still 11-6 in Fed's favour - and Berdy has yet to topple him on clay......

Anyway .... the Fed's Roman escapade could well end tonight .....

I was more worried about Rafa, I would rather Federer played Novak in the final than Rafa. Berdych I can't see beating Rafa at all, but then again I would never have thought Berdych would beat Novak either

[HM Murdock]

Wow.

This year was Novak's chance to really shape his legacy.

And he's naffing it up.

This is feeling like an strange period in tennis. Dare I say... transitional...?

Transitioning to who?

No-one in particular. Novak, Andy and Roger are not looking at all dominant. Rafa is getting the results but still looks vulnerable.

The younger lot are getting big wins but not backing them.

The second tier players (4-20ish) are getting some good results but not backing them up.

Things feel more open than they have in quite a while.

I wonder if we are moving to a period of non-dominance?

[lags72]

It's on days like this you can take comfort that your points lead at the top of the rankings is as big as it is .........

[HM Murdock]

It's on days like this you can take comfort that your points lead at the top of the rankings is as big as it is .........

But eroding away at a rate of knots.

[Haddie-nuff]

:

This Berd2.0 is like Feathers McGraw ... tough, no-nonsense.

I still cant believe how Djokovic lost that from 6-2 5-2...amazing.

I can't wait until he puts a red rubber glove on his head.

[lags72]

Steady on, HMM ..... I'd say that's a tad pessimistic just now.

But an 'early' exit at RG .... and things could start looking tricky.

[lydian]

This Berd2.0 is like Feathers McGraw ... tough, no-nonsense.

I still cant believe how Djokovic lost that from 6-2 5-2...amazing.

I can't wait until he puts a red rubber glove on his head.

Berdy McGraw 2.0

[CAS]

come on Daveeeed

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