Rogers Cup and Cincinatti

First topic message reminder :

Stats definitely not my forte but I have just been looking at how many points the big names have to defend in the the next couple of weeks.

Djokovic Canada W  Cincinnati F 1600
Murray Canada R16 Cincinnati R16 180
Ferrer Canada - Cincinnati R32 10
Nadal Canada - Cincinnati - 0
Federer Canada - Cincinnati W 1000

Very unlikely to be any shuffling at the top (would take a great fortnight by Murray (possible) combined with an epic fail by Djokovic (not going to happen)).

Murray, Ferrer and Nadal both have a great opportunity to strengthen their positions though.  This is the polite way of saying that two of them really should have done better last year! (Edit: Born Slippy has since pointed out that Murray withdrew from Canada last year (knee injury))

Really hope Federer does play Canada this year.  He has a lot of points to defend at Cinci and it could take the pressure off a bit.

Should be a fun fortnight.  Can't wait to see the big names out in force again

I think you're right Danny. It doesn't overly bother me although I hope they meet sometime in the future and Mr Murray grinds Ernests into the court. As I said, it's not that I'm bothered or anything.

I liked that point though!!

The switch comes on and Murray hits a great winner to break back. I see what you are saying Danny but sometimes that is Andy's body language.

What a point to break back!

This is fun to watch. What will Gulbis try next, mooning on Murray's second serves?

Murray has to divert a shot at Gulbis if he's at the net. That'll really please Ernie.

His superman left arm on the forehand really annoys me as a viewer. Put your bloody hand down!

Andy looks a bit more invested now. If he goes up another level Gulbis won't be able to stay with him.

"Directing traffic" I think Petchey said.

Hmmm... Murray about to exit.

And you know what's strange? I'm not sure I've ever been less bothered by a Murray defeat - if that's what ends up happening.

Vasek Popsicle's having fun though, he's taken the first set off of Berdych 7-5.

Meh well done Gulbis, Murray about 60% if that.

No complaints from me this evening. Gulbis played at a consistently higher level than Murray tonight and he deserved the win. Frustratingly Gulbis will probably lose tamely in straight sets in his next match. He needs to knit together big wins then he may be able to challenge for Masters wins - I have my doubts. Andy just never really got going tonight but hopefully he'll be far better focussed for the up coming US Open.

A flat performance from Andy but probably not a result that matters much in the grand scheme of things. I think Andy could bomb here and in Cincy but still produce the business in New York.

It's results like this that hinder his chances of getting to #1 though.

HM Murdoch wrote:

It's results like this that hinder his chances of getting to #1 though.

Spot on. He must look to get back consistency in Masters as he has it now at slams but he needs across th board consistency to get the No.1 spot.

The draw's really opened up for DelPo now. I wouldn't bet against him making the final if he's fit enough, especially if Popsicle can beat Berdych.

After a long break, Murray is by a mile the most susceptible to a defeat of the top guys. Always has been, probably always will be. He takes time to reach his peak.

I think he'll do very well next week, semis at least. And the bottom line is all that matters is New York.

 I've not seen the match, as I'm currently enjoying the hospitality of the Scottish Highlands

No surprise to me and remember last years wasn't exactly glorious for these two Masters

I maintain - whislt it's a great 5 weeks for Tennis, it's not for the top players

banbrotam wrote: I've not seen the match, as I'm currently enjoying the hospitality of the Scottish Highlands

No surprise to me and remember last years wasn't exactly glorious for these two Masters

I maintain - whislt it's a great 5 weeks for Tennis, it's not for the top players

I hope you are having fun.

As to your point it may not mean a lot in the grand scheme of things but losses like this only emphasises Andy will have a hard job to get to No.1 until he knuckles down and applies himself better more of the time rather than just slams. I am taking nothing away from Gulbis but Andy surely should expect more from himself.

On another note there could be quite a few changes in the top ten in the rankings by the end of the tournament.

Rafa will return to No.3 in the rankings (if I am not mistaken), Juan Martin Del Potro looks good to climb to No.6 above Berdych and if he goes on to win he may even displace Federer. There is even a chance Tsonga will fall out of the top ten as he is set to miss Cincinatti as well. It could open the door to Nishikoro or even Raonic if they have strong showings in Montreal and Cincinatti.

Team Flurray in operation. I'd love to watch that match.

Quite an interesting difference between two finallists in Vancouver.

Pospisil into the QF's of 1000 in front of a cheering crowd.
Evans in a challenger in front of about 20 people, playing 606v2 cult-hero Jimmy Wang.

Craig - I just think its the way Murray is. He needs matches to reach his peak and when he's rusty he's at risk. Wenger used to say about Bergkamp that he is like a machine in that all component parts need to be in optimum condition for him to be at his best, and if any part isn't he's not the same. I think it's similar for Murray.

Someone like Novak seems to always play at least pretty well, move pretty well, and not be susceptible to early defeats even after a long break. He's a different animal.

I don't think it's a lack of prep on Murray's behalf, I just think he knows what he has to do to peak for New York. I personally don't want him peaking now, as we've seen in the past that a Murray in optimum condition for pre slam masters can result in poor slams.

Good win for Nadal over Janowicz - I think its always good for the confidence of the top players to keep the younger up and coming players in their place. Whilst I have no idea how Nadal is going to get on at US Open this year it bodes well for him to make a good showing in this tournament.

Oh don't get me wrong Danny I am not panicking - I am sure he will be in tip-top shape for Flushing Meadows and raring to go. I'd just like him to strive for greater consistency in all of his matches.

I've accepted Murray will never be world number 1 and whilst it would be nice to see him turn up and dismantle someone like the other two members of the big 3 in their first match back from a break, it won't happen. He needs matches to get to his best although why that is I don't know.

On another note as I feel Murray's defeat has been over-analysed to death, Davydenko's having a solid week. With Ferrer and Berdych out of the way, is he now favourite to reach the semis from that quarter?

Team Flurray to serve for the opening set. I wonder if they broke Paes or Stepanek....

And they take the first set 6-3.

And they break at the start of the 2nd too.

If Fleming and Murray do win it is likely they will play Andujar and Nadal in the quarter-finals.  

Team Flurray win in straight sets 6-3 6-3 to move into the quarter-finals.

Craig, Nadal pulled out of the dubs, so next up for Andy and Colin is Quereshi and Rojer, the No 5 seeds.

Sounds like some controversy in the Raonic - Del Potro match.

Novak could have done with some umpiring like that at Roland Garros!

Del Potro appears to have physical worries again too.

Get down on it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23611660

^ Very poor from Raonic. Apparently he admitted afterwords that he knew he stole a point from Del Potro by his sneaky behavior. So did everyone apart from the umpire.

Novak wouldn't have done such a thing. He moaned at the FO just to make everyone think he was hard done by. But he knows the rules and I doubt he would ever blatantly steal a point from anyone let alone Rafa. He has way too much at stake to do something like that. I still think Novak has a lot to learn but no way is he that stupid!

JuliusHMarx wrote:Get down on it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23611660

Ha ha! That's why I like Novak. He's like the young kid brother desperate for attention. Look at me, look at me.... please, please look at me!

The routine has developed somewhat since R2. Last night it featured a large wig!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/08/32/Montreal-Thursday-Djokovic-Gasquet-Nestor.aspx

hawkeye wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:Get down on it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23611660

Ha ha! That's why I like Novak. He's like the young kid brother desperate for attention. Look at me, look at me.... please, please look at me!

He does seem to need to be liked, doesn't he?

I suspect if he were offered the choice between ending his career with 10 slams but be unpopular or 7 slams and be universally loved, he'd choose the latter.

If you gave Andy the choice between ending on 6 and being hated or 5 and being loved, he'd pick 6 and being hated straight away! He doesn't seem to care at all what people think of him.

I like that we have such different temperaments at the top of the game.

HM Murdoch wrote:The routine has developed somewhat since R2. Last night it featured a large wig!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/08/32/Montreal-Thursday-Djokovic-Gasquet-Nestor.aspx

I don't blame it on the sunshine, or the moonlight, or indeed, even on the good times. I blame it on the boogie.

Marc Bolan had a much more positive view on the boogie, JHM. Especially on a Saturday night.

hawkeye wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:Get down on it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/23611660

Ha ha! That's why I like Novak. He's like the young kid brother desperate for attention. Look at me, look at me.... please, please look at me!

Yep, he's like the little boy that no one played with, and now grown up and trying to over-compensate. Please love me, please watch me. Sad really.

Team Flurray!!

Next up is Quereshi and Rojer. How are they the number 5 seeds? I've never seen them do anything!!

Jahu wrote:Yep, he's like the little boy that no one played with, and now grown up and trying to over-compensate. Please love me, please watch me. Sad really.

Or else he's like someone that enjoys entertaining the crowd and making people smile. Nice really.

Davydenko pulls out. Pospisil through to the semis

Pffffffffffff Raonic is going to end up winning this tournament by default.

Just catching up on results - well Ernie did say this week that unless he thought he could definitely crack the top 10, he wouldn't still be playing tennis. He seems to be a little more motivated of late and obviously caught Murray 'cold'.

Rafa seems to be back with a roar!

It's the final everyone wanted, Marinko Matosevic v Ernests Gulbis.

gulbis is great ryan, i really want him in the final.

Team Flurray in operation I reckon they've got a great chance v those 2. I've never seen either of the opponents play but I reckon they're only ranked this highly because they play a lot of tournaments compared to the others ranked about them. For example, Rojer's played 29 tournaments in the last year and only one person in the top 30 has played more.

First set to team Flurray

Gasquet showing a fine example of how not to play against Novak. Lots of short loopy balls and second serves... And standing about 50 yards behind the baseline.

Novak having the time of his life, and looking pretty damn impressive too.

Game, Set, Match Fleming/Murray

Straight sets win for Team Flurray 6-3 7-6. They have the Bryans next I think.