Miami Masters 1000 Thread.

[temporary21]

First topic message reminder :

Cue the 80's music! Roll up roll up for all things Miami!

[HM Murdock]

Yeah, HM, instead of salivating over Djoko bagel record

But it's so tasty!

Ironic too, given that bagels are packed with gluten.

[Haddie-nuff]

HM no statistics will give you the picture of what happened in that match.I watched it in its entirety I did not believe before that Novak had any chinks in his armour.. I have news for you he has and Dolgopolov exposed them to the limit.
Ask temp or LF who also watched.. never have I seen Novak's demeanor as it was yesterday..  he was nervous, frustrated and confused...he was outplayed, outwitted by the unorthodox tennis that Dolgopolov played who's shot making was astounding. My husband who never watches tennis could not tear himself away from the match in those first two sets.. !!.  Yes I do feel sorry for Dolgopolov.. and I will say any players watching will have noticed what Dolgopolov was doing.. mix it up.. Sorry HM but Novak looked worried and he needed to be. The third set well?? its what you want to make of it I suppose.. seeing his feet so heavily bandaged..Ill leave it at that.As I say Novak won..good for him
But I ll say this...I just hope Rafa was watching

[It Must Be Love]

Djokovic actually lost a point due to code violation, he was already on a warning, and then he smashed his racket up when he lost the break in the first set, and the next game started with Dolgo 15-0 up.

[HM Murdock]

Haddie, believe me, this is no shock to me!

Novak has long been vulnerable to the onorthodox and the varied. Federer is the prime example but I also remember Tomic taking a set off him at Wimbledon, I remember Haas playing a clever game against him, Murray too. Even Stepanek at his ripe old age can cause Novak nightmares.

I think all players must know that this is the way to play him, I just don't think many are capable of doing so!

The majority of players park themselves on the baseline and hit fairly standard ground strokes. It's tough to beat Novak that way.

[Silver]

Hardly any players on tour have the variety that Dolgo has, though. The blueprint to beat Novak is there, but barely anyone can execute it! It's why he's the #1.

Kinda surprised to see Raonic go out. I know the servefests are a lottery, but you'd expect him to pull through those sorts of matches given his improvement this year. And we were denied another Milos vs Kei barnburner

Edit: Thoroughly beaten to the punch by HM himself. Blast!

[Haddie-nuff]

Well I wont argue that HM .. but I have never seen him so blatantly exploited and vulnerable. That WAS a shock to me. Novak has a way of "sucking" you into his game and most players are only satisfied that they can keep with him. So often I have shouted at the tv to Rafa .. mix it up!! He rarely shows such emotion on court.But he couldn't deal with his own feelings and Dolgopolov at the same time.
On the other side I wonder just where Dolgopolov would have been had he not had to fight with the hereditary condition he has.. such a talented young man who appears so cool on court. We could do with a few more like him

Anyways !! onwards and upwards Novak

[temporary21]

He was really irate yesterday, right up until 0-3 bp to the Dog. He played a brilliant point and from then on dug in as hard as he could and rode the storm. Thats what makes him the number 1 and the best player on the planet right now, he has a level of which can only be beaten with at least 2 hours of unerring superb tennis, or a custom made lightening fast court. Guts is what he has, and its something thats never given any appreciation, its not as pretty but its a trait far more impressive to me than slicing and dicing, as good as that is too.

[temporary21]

In any case, thats wy losing to him at the mo shouldnt be a sign of panic. For the dog to get that close shows how good he is.

See you in the top 15 soon.

[HM Murdock]

Edit: Thoroughly beaten to the punch by HM himself. Blast!

But I think you phrased it better!

Really though, it's not just Novak. The methods of beating all the top guys have been known for a long time.

But knowing what to do and actually being able to do it are two very different things!

[sirfredperry]

Dolgo can be a real handful and, as others have quite rightly pointed out, it's the unorthodox than can derail even the toughest of opponents.
Just a simple thing like approaching the net more often can sometimes be enough. How many times do you see players get away with just floating their returns back, knowing that their opponent will stay back and not volley?

[Haddie-nuff]

Edit: Thoroughly beaten to the punch by HM himself. Blast!

But I think you phrased it better!

Really though, it's not just Novak. The methods of beating all the top guys have been known for a long tim

But knowing what to do and actually being able to do it are two very different things!

Well HMM as we know as in life nothing stays the same..it WILL happen of that you can be sure.. what we dont know is WHEN!!!

[HM Murdock]

Well HMM as we know as in life nothing stays the same..it WILL happen of that you can be sure.. what we dont know is WHEN!!!

I don't see people beating him tactically for a long time. There are just not enough players with the right skills or mentality to do it.

I do however, suspect that his baseline superiority may begin to narrow in the not-too-distant future as his own levels begin to drop.

Nothing drastic but, similar to what we've seen with Roger and Rafa, a gradual increase in the number of 'surprise' defeats.

He turns 28 in May. If he is still showing comparable dominance as he approaches 29, I'd be (pleasantly) surprised.

[sirfredperry]

Difficult to say just when the extreme physical nature of the game will catch up with Djoko, Rafa and Andy M. Yes, Fed is still going strong at 33 but his is a different type of game to others in the big four.
But on the other hand you have a scurrying, Duracell bunny, batteries-still-working David Ferrer still doing the business at 32.
Not sure if Andy, Nole and Rafa will still be doing as well at 32/33, or will they be able to adapt their games?

[Haddie-nuff]

Ive watched the different styles of play evolve over many years..(now who would have guessed ) Roger's style would inevitably be kinder on the body than Rafa, Novak and Andy. I never witnessed so many injuries in the past as there are today. Surgery is an everyday word in the world of tennis it seems.
The game is now so physical.. serving faster, hitting harder players bigger.!!
In comparison even as late as the 70/80's.
Im pretty sure that the three you mention sirfred will not be able to change their games ...however as I say there are a few lessons to be learned from yesterday and I think,it may well suggest to the young ones coming through,  that there is a need to be less orthodox in their play.Apart from his blisters I dont see that Dolgo's game would be too harsh physically.. food for thought.
Though physical fitness has to be a priority for any future players, speed around the court is a great weapon. Even as long ago as Borg and Becker who proved that. But as I say..things will change again.. as the history books have shown..but it will happen
And we will marvel at the new blood that bring something new..

[Haddie-nuff]

An article on the subject of change.. by the Master himself

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/02/rod-laver-wimbledon

[HM Murdock]

Not sure if Andy, Nole and Rafa will still be doing as well at 32/33, or will they be able to adapt their games?

I think they are already trying to do so.

Rafa was saying recently that he's trying to hit harder serves. Novak has been working on his volleys and his serve. Andy changed his coaching team to move away from muscles and strength to lighter movement and easier agility.

All of them seem to want to get away from attrition and be able to win points quicker.

[socal1976]

Djokovic is ripe for the taking. Frankly he dropped sets to Klizan and Darcis, Dolgo missed a major opportunity to bounce Djoko out of this tournament and get a great win. Unless we get a complete turnaround of form the next round or two he will be out. Even for Novak these sort of ups and downs in energy and focus over the course of single match happening over and over again is not a good sign. I don't think it is a major issue, just that I think he wants to stop playing and get ready for the clay. He has played a lot of tennis for a quarter of the season. I am not saying he wanted to throw any of these matches, or that he is hurt, I think subconsciously he hasn't been that focused on this tournament and he needs a break.

Dolgo didn't even play a great match, if he just played at his regular level and didn't start making a lot of errors at the end of the second set he would have won this match

[Haddie-nuff]

I think Dolgo would have won Social to be honest if he hadn't been side tracked by the blistered feet.. you could see him wincing towards the end of the second set and then the MTO the heavy bandaging didn't appear to help.
I was entertained by Dolgo's play and I would suggest that he took Novak by surprise .. OK if everyone wants to say that Novak isn't playing well Ill buy it.. but you cannot take it away from Dolgo..he was great

[socal1976]

I actually don't think Dolgo played that well. I am not saying he is not a real talent, he is. But I mean he came as close to beating Djoko as Klizan. Djoko is ripe for the taking, I think Djokovic got lucky and should of lost. This one match doesn't mean I don't respect Dolgo's ability I do and think he should be a top 15 or top 20 guy.

[Jahu]

Yeah, HM, instead of salivating over Djoko bagel record

But it's so tasty!

Ironic too, given that bagels are packed with gluten.

Oh, you naughty daddy

[Jahu]

Would Thiem beating Andy today, compensate for Dolgo's loss last night, in the sense of young boys hope?

[Silver]

I'd agree with that; top 15 - 20 player. Hard to say where he'd be without the disorder, but unfortunately it is what it is.

I'm always amazed at Dolgo's service action whenever I watch him play, it comes out so fast and he hits it well. Somewhat reminiscent of Almagro in terms of an understated serve with good placement.

Anyone putting money on the upsets today? It does look like it could be two foregone conclusions, but at least we'll see where both Murray (form) and Thiem (development) are.

[It Must Be Love]

Somewhat reminiscent of Almagro in terms of an understated serve with good placement.

That's a good spot actually, both with quick actions which are difficult to pick.

[Jahu]

Come on Thiem, take a set at least.

[Jahu]

Andy broken

[Jahu]

Thiem takes first set 6:3, what a beauty.

[LuvSports!]

Thiem!!!!

[Jahu]

Thiem hitting winners faster then Andy serving

[Jahu]

Thiem broken, don't you do a Dolgo all over again!!!

[temporary21]

Andy moves like Woody from toy story at the moment, he looks soo stiff with eveything he does. Hes using his guile here moreso than his tennis, hes need to think about putting a slice or something in to change the look of his balls

[It Must Be Love]

He's moving well from what I've seen, I think his problem is sometimes playing a bit too passively and letting Thiem dictate.

[It Must Be Love]

Thiem is not a bad mover either, but he doesn't have the reliability and consistency on shots as Murray does.
I've been impressed still, he's generated pace well off both wings.

[temporary21]

That he is, its why Mark notes all the time how well his opponents playing, hes feeding them. I do like this Thiem though, he looks the sort of guy who could be the next big thing. His serve isnt quite to snuff yet.

[Jahu]

get the break back Thiem, NOW!!

[Jahu]

Yes, Thiem breaks back.

[LuvSports!]

back on serve

[Jahu]

Thiem gifts second set.

Don't be scared boy.

[LuvSports!]

[temporary21]

Eves it is, I do wish Muzz would lean on a shot or two though

[Jahu]

If Andy wins, will be a repeat of last night Djoko match, dodging a bullet, totally.

[temporary21]

Perhaps Ferrer will take advantage of Novaks poor...

Im sorry I couldnt help it, I love you Ferrer but its just a complete nightmare of a match up

[Jahu]

Thiem to bag a couple of GS in next 5 years or after 5 years.

[temporary21]

I think Thiems slam pedigree will depend a lot on the shape of the game post the top 4 in maybe 4 or 5 years. He'll probably have dimitriv and co to content with.

[Jahu]

Dimi is overrated, just because he pretends to play Fed style, and no GS till he has Sharapova as GF, no chance.

Thiem meltinggggg

[Jahu]

Break him Thiemmmmm!!!!

[Jahu]

So same as yesterday.

These young boys need some bigger nuts.

Andy serving for the match 5:1.

[temporary21]

Done and dusted, still not playing great, but some guts and guile taking him through.

[It Must Be Love]

Murray has looked really edgy in Miami so far.

[summerblues]

Well, at least Thiem took a set off Andy, hoping for a win was too much.

Just checked Djoko vs Ferrer H2H - it is 13-5 now but Nole won the last 7.  Cannot believe it was once just 6-5 for Nole.

Isner and Nishi apparently never player before.  I hope Nishi can win - I quite like his game.  I have not yet seen him in Miami but heard some people say here that he has been looking good.

[laverfan]

I was hoping Del Potro would be match-fit, but very unlikely. IMBL's threat of feigned divorce from Nadal would have accrued a new fan for Potro, but iC may be it.

Ferrer may no the able to take Djokovic, but may take a set off of him.

Nishikori should win v Isner, in three close sets (but I am bit concerned when he threw in 40+ errors v Ferrer).

Berdych can take Murray out.

Thiem played pretty well vs Murray. Under Bresnik, he is improving nicely. @Jahu/IMBL ... he is a very good mover too, but needs a bit more stamina to play with the big boys. He played a very good match v an in-form Mannarino.

Unless we get a complete turnaround of form the next round or two he will be out. Even for Novak these sort of ups and downs in energy and focus over the course of single match happening over and over again is not a good sign. I don't think it is a major issue, just that I think he wants to stop playing and get ready for the clay. He has played a lot of tennis for a quarter of the season.

I think Fatherhood and Family have added to an already full plate. He cannot afford such walkabouts in slams.

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