Rome Masters 1000 2015

First topic message reminder :

Djokovic has been drawn in the same quarter as Nishikori and the same half as Murray. Djokovic could get Almagro in his first match as well.

Nadal drawn in the same quarter as Wawrinka and same half as Federer. Seems as though Nadal has a better draw.

That will rely a fair bit on his 5 set ability to keep it up and on his serve. He might need some luck I think

Fed gets 590 points and is 5'th now at the Race.

HB, agree that Fed actually looked quite good too. If he can play at this level, he might be able to go fairly deep at RG.

The first set was actually quite close (though I thought Nole looked a touch better there too) even though Novak was playing very well.

Djoko getting boooooed taking the trophy. Some day he will be loved 

Well done Novak! The career slam is surely nailed-on now.

And congrats Fed on yet another near-miss at Rome, good result. I missed all results/matches from Friday, so I was surprised to see him in the final.

Great win for djokovic, what a year he is having. To think this week he had to beat almagro, belucci, nishikori, ferrer and federer. Not one easy opponent on that list.

Really hope he gets the French open!!

Great win for Novak, Roger had to be so aggressive to win this match and he couldn't keep Djokovic on the back foot. Novak beat up Roger's second serve while defending his own second serve exceptionally well. Also he just didn't give Roger a lot f second serves to begin with. If Novak plays like this at RG he will be very tough to stop. A great last two matches against Ferrer and Fed, doesn't drop his serve against those two shows how well he is serving. Novak serves well then lights out.

socal/Jahu - stop it, or use the Foe button, or something.

JHM, I did not start anything, the boo is there, Fact and proven.

Sheathe your sword (Quintus) 

There is a very short booing - how do you know it's for Djoko? Maybe it's the other guy in the lineup - maybe he used to play for Roma's rivals. Maybe someone in the crowd shouted something and the people near him booed that person - who knows? You said Djoko was booed - you don't know that for certain - personally I doubt it.

I watched the trophy presentation and the crowd was very warm and cheering Djokovic especially when he broke out in Italian. I didn't hear any booing. And besides if a few people out of 15000 boo it doesn't mean he was booed or booed by significant percentage of the fans. When I watched the trophy presentation I saw a lot of appreciation and didn't hear any boos. And no one else but Jahu mentioned it. It is not in the coverage of any of the press. He just made it up like a lot of the nonsense he posts on this site.

A very good performance from Novak. No wobbles, no hiccups, but great focus from start to finish. The improvement of his serve during the 'Becker Era' is quite something. It's Federer-esque in the way it utilises placement and variety.

The return of serve was always good but even that seems to be hitting new heights.

I'm having very mixed emotions about RG.

On the positive side, things are set up almost perfectly. I'm far from the eternal optimist when it comes to Novak but I would have to say he is the favourite now.

On the negative side, if he doesn't do it this year, it will be a huge blow. Arguably the biggest missed opportunity of his career.

I'm also thinking that my blood pressure will benefit if Novak is not drawn in the same half as Andy...

HM Murdoch wrote:A very good performance from Novak. No wobbles, no hiccups, but great focus from start to finish. The improvement of his serve during the 'Becker Era' is quite something. It's Federer-esque in the way it utilises placement and variety.

The return of serve was always good but even that seems to be hitting new heights.

I'm having very mixed emotions about RG.

On the positive side, things are set up almost perfectly. I'm far from the eternal optimist when it comes to Novak but I would have to say he is the favourite now.

On the negative side, if he doesn't do it this year, it will be a huge blow. Arguably the biggest missed opportunity of his career.

I'm also thinking that my blood pressure will benefit if Novak is not drawn in the same half as Andy...

I wouldn't worry, although I empathise, because I felt the same way about Andy at Wimby 13'

You're correct. The only person who can beat him is himself

I seriously think the only player who now has a chance is actually Murray. Before everyone laughs, if we accept that Rafa simpy isn't himself, it realistically leaves Berdych who actually would be my second favourite to do the best against Novak in a final. Roger simply will not have the energy as has been apparent in the last few slams and I don't think Kei has the fitness just yet

My fantasy is that a relaxed and swinging Murray takes advantage of a nervous Novak. I kid myself (and now you can laugh ) that because he's beaten Nole in two final's Novak will be slightly inhibited (forgetting the 83 defeats on the trot )

I'm fooling myself of course, a final appearance for us Murray fans will have us getting CC's 30 year old whiskey out, never mind the popcorn

It's the ideal time for Novak, all of his rivals are simply not in his league on this surface - but of course a defeat would have devastating affect, which in itself brings it's own pressure

banbrotam wrote:My fantasy is that a relaxed and swinging Murray takes advantage of a nervous Novak. I kid myself (and now you can laugh ) that because he's beaten Nole in two final's Novak will be slightly inhibited (forgetting the 83 defeats on the trot   )

I'm fooling myself of course, a final appearance for us Murray fans will have us getting CC's 30 year old whiskey out, never mind the popcorn

I actually don't think this is too far-fetched! Not probable perhaps, but certainly plausible.

Andy's historic travails on clay have always been surprising because his game would appear to lend itself to the surface. His recent results should give him confidence and there's little pressure on him at RG. He could well come out with a "nothing to lose" mindset and swing freely.

That could give Novak problems. Novak is the better player on clay but if he's nervous and plays in an inhibited way, it will be tight. He'll need his best tennis.

HM Murdoch wrote:Andy's historic travails on clay have always been surprising because his game would appear to lend itself to the surface. His recent results should give him confidence and there's little pressure on him at RG. He could well come out with a "nothing to lose" mindset and swing freely

Andy's insistence on only playing in events that the big three were at, was largely his undoing. Very admirable, but some us told him to go away and win a couple of 'easy' clay court events where the three weren't at

It's no coincidence that he now has a new confidence and realise, like we all do, that he can play on this surface

Mind you and improved service (goodness knows where this has come from and I've now probably spooked it!!) and a forehand that stays solid at all times, does help

I'll be honest, I'd rather Andy next plays Novak at Wimbledon as he could rightly think that he would have a very good chance, given that he's now fully fit. A defeat at RG, although expected makes it harder to turn the run around

I'll go for the first Roger/Andy clay court battle, which turns into a five set epic, that Andy loses because he trips up over Roger's ego on match point  

banbrotam wrote:I seriously think the only player who now has a chance is actually Murray. Before everyone laughs, if we accept that Rafa simpy isn't himself, it realistically leaves Berdych who actually would be my second favourite to do the best against Novak in a final. Roger simply will not have the energy as has been apparent in the last few slams and I don't think Kei has the fitness just yet.

Murray, I can kind of understand given his form although I think he's really up against it when surrounded by the players you've mentioned. But Berdych? You're seriously putting him above Nadal, Federer and Nishikori as players that could beat Novak? I disagree in the strongest possible terms. He is Nole's bunny and always has been.

Murray, Federer and Nadal will all give him a lot to think about in a one-off match. I don't think it'll be enough, though.

slashermcguirk wrote:Great win for djokovic, what a year he is having. To think this week he had to beat almagro, belucci, nishikori, ferrer and federer. Not one easy opponent on that list.

Really hope he gets the French open!!

There is a bit of nervousness around Djokovic, very similar to Nadal. He lost one set each to Bellucci, Almagro and Nishikori. Perhaps it is related to his break/vacation. He needs to stay focussed for RG and not allow opponents to come back like he does.

@Silver... you were researching CYGS! What are your findings?

Banb is right, I think the best hope of stopping Djokovic at RG, is Murray.
However I have a feeling that Murray may lower his game when up against Djokovic, I think he has a mental block of some sort. Nadal and Federer may actually raise their game if they face Djokovic, but Djokovic's form is comfortably above both Nadal and Federer. Federer will need to finish up the match in 4 sets or he'll get tired, which is tough to do.

The ship sailed for Federer at RG after 2011, he's turning up now in hope of some kind of natural disaster sweeping about 6 players out of the event.

It's now Djokovic's to lose; I am sure Nadal will bring every ounce of his competitive juices to the tournament - if nothing else because to go out early there would be shattering - but I suspect Djokovic won't even have to face him.

The long range weather forecast is looking not that warm, and lots of cloud. Rafa needs it to be scorchio with not a cumulus nimbus in sight.

Taken from an Article by NBC sports...re 2013 FO Final

Rain or shine, clay or mud, Sunday or Monday, Rafael Nadal rules Roland Garros.

The man they call "Rafa" won his record seventh French Open title Monday, returning a day after getting rained out to put the finishing touches on a 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic. He denied Djokovic in his own run at history - the quest for the "Novak Slam."

However may the sun shine on the righteous  

2012*

Of course it makes all the difference, the rain was not as wet that year

Rafa doesn't need scotching sun though, remember last year when he had cramps during the FO final, because the weather had suddenly turned hot and humid? Rafa can win on a cloudy day, no issues. It's only when the ball is soaked in moisture ( rain, or heavy at night because of more moisture at night) that he has problems. I really can't see anyone hammering Rafa off the court over five sets at RG, when Rafa has more time to make changes to cope and when he doesn't have any physical(injury) issues, unless his fitness level is still not up to par yet. His opponent may have to grind to beat him.

That's what he can do like no other.

If Rafa can trick the organisers into make the baseline 3 inches longer and the sidelines 5 inches wider he may still be in with a shot at defending. Maybe with age his confidence has waned when he has to win long rallies and hold his serve.

Are people comparing 2015 Nadal to 2012? Why would they do that?

Rafa is on course for having a worse year than Berdych and Raonic someone should tell NBC alot has changed since 2013, how can I tell them?

Im sure you'll find a way

Says you have to be living in an American state to write them a message, the thing with tennis in America is they hardly get to watch live tennis because other 'sports' like baseball and poker are shown, they probably don't know that Rafa has lost in all of the 4 clay events

Josiah Maiestas wrote:the thing with tennis in America is they hardly get to watch live tennis because other 'sports' like baseball and poker are shown, they probably don't know that Rafa has lost in all of the 4 clay events

We (Americans) do sometimes get the occasional OWL from across the pond, for example

Other unfamiliar territory for the Spaniard is that of his title drought leading into the Grand Slam on clay. This is the first time in 10 years that Nadal has not won a European ATP World Tour clay-court title in the lead-up to Roland Garros.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/05/19/Rome-Friday-Nadal-Reaction.aspx

You do know that NSA is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient - thanks to Snowden. . You may want to check with Merkel's office, if you do not believe me.

So Rafa will not even make the WTF based on some comments here?

LF, I always thought you were in Australia. Suckered in by the name! I could only find 6-1 at best on the grand slam, but that was after Monte Carlo and partly into Rome. Very stingy from the bookies.

Congrats on your promotion, Overlord Julius

Did Fed really ask Fergus Murphy if he spoke English in his match with Berdych? Sounds a bit harsh?

Yes he did BS. http://tenngrand.com/2015/05/15/federer-asks-fergus-murphy-if-he-can-speak-english/
Not the best form from Feds there.

Hardly surprising. If you can swear at an opponents parents in fron tof th whole world then this kind of arrogant behaviour is just normal.

Swearing at parents of the opposition? Link?

ZZ wrote:Hardly surprising. If you can swear at an opponents parents in fron tof th whole world then this kind of arrogant behaviour is just normal.

ZZ's back!!! But Rafa isn't despite ZZ's boasting

Hahahaha, still at the end of the alphabet, double Z.

He is a Djoko fan, just pretending to be a Rafa fan.

ZZ is just a troll, not a Nadal fan, the 'boasting' on behalf of Nadal is obviously not sincere.
Also posted last year about how great Federer was, before randomly coming online this year and hurling insults at Federer, seems more likely to be trying to give Nadal fans a bad name than support Nadal.

It Must Be Love wrote:ZZ is just a troll, not a Nadal fan, the 'boasting' on behalf of Nadal is obviously not sincere.
Also posted last year about how great Federer was, before randomly coming online this year and hurling insults at Federer, seems more likely to be trying to give Nadal fans a bad name than support Nadal.

bizarre way for someone to get their giggles.....

It Must Be Love wrote:ZZ is just a troll, not a Nadal fan, the 'boasting' on behalf of Nadal is obviously not sincere.
Also posted last year about how great Federer was, before randomly coming online this year and hurling insults at Federer, seems more likely to be trying to give Nadal fans a bad name than support Nadal.

yeah ok

youre a bit sad and desperate aren't ya policing the forum

I'm not policing anything, just pointing out what is distinctly obvious.

What happened to Kneel Before Nadal?

He/she has choked while kneeling too often