Monte Carlo Masters thread

[It Must Be Love]

First topic message reminder :

http://www.montecarlorolexmasters.mc

All the top players are playing, with the exception of Andy Murray, who's busy getting married.

Beautiful tournament, love scenery, and a nice start to the European Clay Court season.

[temporary21]

Put simply, I cant see anyone else beating Rafa on clay. To that end hes still playing pretty well. Hes rolling his bh too much though, hes gotta put his body weight into it. A better bh takes the heat off his fh and all of a sudden he will hit the down the line better

[LuvSports!]

I think Nishi on form could maybe do something, but over 5 sets will be tough.
He was routing Rafa in Madrid last year 6-2 and 4-2 or something before getting injured. Literally hitting him off the court and making Rafa look silly.

[Jahu]

Yeah but like Ninja, also Berdy, Gael and so many others, have only a 1-2 match streak where they can beat anyone, and run out of steam by the SF/F on a GS.

But a few of them can take out any of the top 4, in a shock exit.

[LuvSports!]

Did you not see his run at the US Jahu? Beat your mate Djoko handsomely, as well as Stan and Rao. Not bad.

[Jahu]

Yes, very NOT bad, thought he crashed in the Final, but sure Cilic played a great SF and in the Final Ninja was flat.

Something about peaking at the QF/SF/F that the younger guys are missing compared to the top 4 dinosaurs.

[laverfan]

If there is no Fognini enroute to the RG final, Djokovic has a very good chance of holding RG 2015.

Seriously, I would also like to see him beat McEnroe's 1984 season, if possible.

[HM Murdock]

This is a very good article about how Djokovic plays Nadal

The only way Rafa can break this pattern is either to hit good backhands (and I really think that Rafa's backhand has withered over the years) or to go DTL with his forehand.

It Rafa's FHDTL is not working, then this match up is on Novak's racquet.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Saturday-Djokovic-Nadal-Brain-Game.aspx

[It Must Be Love]

This is a very good article about how Djokovic plays Nadal

The only way Rafa can break this pattern is either to hit good backhands (and I really think that Rafa's backhand has withered over the years) or to go DTL with his forehand.

It Rafa's FHDTL is not working, then this match up is on Novak's racquet.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/04/15/Monte-Carlo-Saturday-Djokovic-Nadal-Brain-Game.aspx

The FH DTL was non existent today unfortunately.

[Belovedluckyboy]

Rafa beat Novak at the FO last year with his FHDTL shots, we know that, don't need the article to tell us!

The problem is Rafa is not confident to hit that shot now, hence he's hitting CC all the time and Novak just has to wait there and returns CC or DTL as he wishes. It's not unlike 2011 all over again. Back then, Rafa had only his CCFH; his BH went haywire and any good player could exploit that wing, attack it and it would break down.

[It Must Be Love]

https://i.imgur.com/nFlMweA.jpg

^That is a really good game of 'Where's Wally- Nadal Edition'.
Try to spot where Nadal is sitting in the crow... oh wait a sec he's on the court.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I really expected Nadal to move in a bit more he was passive too much. Nadal is not nearly as comfortable on his FH as he once was. Djokovic played class from 0-2 to 6-3, poor Nadal must be hating Novak in the clay masters I think the H2H will be in Novaks advantage in a year if they play 3-4 more times!

[laverfan]

If I were UT or Nadal, I would watch Djokovic v Federer matches and analyze them to the nth degree to look for strategy and tactics. Nadal can physically match Djokovic, provided he has the appropriate strategy. If he is comfortable by the time Rome is played, he may be able to make life tough for Djokovic.

If 2011 is anything to go by, Djokovic will clean up, before Nadal can solve this problem, yet again!

If Murray can stop playing slugfests with Djokovic, Nadal will have an ally in Murray.

Monfils or Isner (or even Federer) can blow away Djokovic on a good day for them.

The question for Nadal/UT is how badly do they want to solve Djokovic at this point in their career(s)?

[Belovedluckyboy]

Rafa looked a bit slow on court, there're some shots that he either couldnt reach or gave up chasing. Novak moved very quickly on court, reached almost everything, Rafa attest to that. I think Rafa's fitness is not there yet, more so after two long matches.

I feel as long as Rafa can find his FHDTL and adjusts his position at the baseline, he can beat Novak. Afterall, he came close to breaking Novak in the first set in that 7th game, had he taken that game who knows,he might pocket that first set. In crucial moments, he's still not clutch, unlike that warrior Rafa of the past. He's improving match by match, I'm sure he has a better idea where his game is at right now and I think after Rome with many matches played, he should be ready for FO. Lets see how he fares at Barcelona. I feel the court at Barcelona is playing slower than MC, the MC court looks quicker this year, suits the game of Novak and even Berdych. Novak hardly needs any adjustment from HC to clay this year.

[HM Murdock]

https://i.imgur.com/nFlMweA.jpg

^That is a really good game of 'Where's Wally- Nadal Edition'.
Try to spot where Nadal is sitting in the crow... oh wait a sec he's on the court.

Very good.

[Matchpoint]

Djokovic even out - moon-balled the king of moon-balls. Incredible.

[Belovedluckyboy]

So we have a newly anointed king of moon balls?

[Belovedluckyboy]

Actually this Novak win is expected, I mean if the no.1 ranked player could not beat a subpar Rafa who's just back from a long break and lacking in confidence, that won't bode well for the whole tour, when Novak could bagel most of them!

Anyway, Rafa has made progress in this tournament, held his nerve in the third set to win his two matches before the SF, went toe to toe with Novak in the two sets even though he had more difficulties holding serves in the second set, I feel the next step is to find his calm while serving for the set or the match, so that he won't end up being stretched into a third set unnecessarily; following that of course makes the necessary adjustments to his game like getting that FHDTL working, his ROS etc.

[sirfredperry]

I still think Rafa will win the French, and you could argue he's due a good Wimbledon after his woes there in the last three years.
Last year was the first in which Rafa failed to win an April tournament, yet he still took the title at RG. His whole year, it seems, is geared to triumphing at the French. However, apart from 2011, this MUST be Djoko's best chance of getting an elusive French crown. Don't think he'll do it, but he has a great opportunity.

[Belovedluckyboy]

Novak is the only one other than Rafa who has the opportunity to win the FO, Imo. Still, Rafa is too strong at the FO, so it's tough for Novak.

I think Rafa is on his way back to his normal to good level once his confidence is back and I think he's gaining that confidence after playing the matches here at MC. I feel he will do well at Barcelona, hope to see him beating Ferrer or Kei in straight sets there to tell us all that he's finally back. He needs match plays, win or lose, before playing at the FO.

I also feel that Rafa is determined to do well at Wimbledon this year,he signs up for Stuggart and Queens, that means he's playing two warm up events on grass, just in case he loses early in the first one?

[Jahu]

Come on Berdy, deck him

[Belovedluckyboy]

Poor quality match. Both serving so poorly, Novak looking 'half dead', still Berdy couldnt take advantage! What top ten player? Novak can play with one eye closed and still could win, at least the first set.

Berdych is really poor in the rallies, can't keep the ball in court after just a few exchanges! Novak is only playing at 60% and Berdych still couldnt take advantage. Its no wonder he got bageled by the big four, when they're playing close to or at their 100%

[Jahu]

Break him NOWWW

[Jahu]

Come on guys, I know no body cares for Djoko, but let's pretend we are interested in this match, even with non-tennis comments on this thread

[Silver]

The Berd is making a much better fist of this than I thought he would.

If I were UT or Nadal, I would watch Djokovic v Federer matches and analyze them to the nth degree to look for strategy and tactics. Nadal can physically match Djokovic, provided he has the appropriate strategy. If he is comfortable by the time Rome is played, he may be able to make life tough for Djokovic.

Not an option, I'm afraid. Different skillsets.

[Belovedluckyboy]

Fed himself also has problems with Novak on slower courts, I dont think Rafa needs to look at how Fed plays Novak. Rafa can deal with Novak; what do people expect from a Rafa who's still making progress in his comeback? Dont expect him to beat a top form world no.1, not so soon.

[Jahu]

Djoko broken, come on Berdy take the set.

[Jahu]

Berdy takes the set, super play, Djoko flat.

Keep it up.

[Jahu]

So where is the 6:1, 6:0 people said DJoko will do today?

Some experts we have here, more of medical experts, than tennis ones

[Jahu]

Oh Berdy, still the best thing on you is your GF

3:0 Djoko up.

[Jahu]

Djoko broken but 4:1, come on wake up Berdy.

[Jahu]

Berdy gifting the match with UE's.

Djoko crying for some crowd support.

[Jahu]

Djoko wins.

Berdy the better player.

Nadal to win the FO.

Fed Wimbledon.

Andy USO.

Summer is coming

[CAS]

so impressive Novak now has the same amount of Masters titles as Federer, why is it he has unbelievable consistency at 1000 level but he's let slip so many slams in the last 3 years? Over 5 sets I would have thought it was harder to beat him

[socal1976]

Very impressed by Berdych the coaching change seems to have been a positive he could be a darkhorse slam candidate this year. Novak I think thought he had the tournament won considering how he has dominated tomas in recent years. And he had to have a bit of an emotional letdown after beating his nemesis Nadal in the semis.

[CaledonianCraig]

Berdych is no mug on clay and take into account the amount of tennis Novak has played in the last few weeks and that is why it went to three sets. You always felt that Novak would end up victorious and at the moment you just cannot see him losing. Well done Novak as he continues to rack up records and titles.

[socal1976]

so impressive Novak now has the same amount of Masters titles as Federer, why is it he has unbelievable consistency at 1000 level but he's let slip so many slams in the last 3 years? Over 5 sets I would have thought it was harder to beat him

Yes, he has lost some opportunities the last 3 years at slams, but I do think you have to look at the competition he has faced. Nadal on clay a number of times, Murray playing inspired tennis at wimby. And the loss to Murray at the USO in very tough conditions. He has had contemporaries that can challenge him and have the game, at slams to beat him hell Nadal is still favored at RG despite recent results and his down form. What Novak is better than both guys at is durability from injuries and doing it across surfaces that is why he keeps racking up the Masters at a breakneck pace.

[LuvSports!]

I hope none of that comes true bar the feds wimby win yazoooo.

[Silver]

So where is the 6:1, 6:0 people said DJoko will do today?

Some experts we have here, more of medical experts, than tennis ones

Gotta hold my hands up, I thought Berdych was going to blasted all over the back wall. Wrong!

He still lost, but I guess a three set defeat is more than nearly everyone else has managed this year

Congrats Novak & fans

[Jahu]

Luv, amen brother amen

[laverfan]

Djokovic kept his cool, but Berdych played very well for 2 sets. Good match.

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