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| PULSATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! I hope some folk stayed up to watch this. Worth it to the max. Nadal 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. If anyone wants an indication as to how brilliant this match was, just watch the last game. This sums up the entire match. Brilliant, but one where the tension was just so high and just never sure who was going to win what point. This - without doubt - has been the best match that I have seen to date this clay court season. Bar none. Just such amazing tennis by both players. Kudos to both of them, even the Princess. This is the type of stuff he needs to do to earn some respect. No BS from him today (except a second set index finger salute to the crowd after winning a good point) - the commentators didn't really like that gesture as well...he is a long way from that ranking yet. So Rafa will be #2 seed at RG after this one. Geoff, Skip, hope you folks recorded this match. Until later on....Len |
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| Wow that was simply amazing tennis - also Rafa keeps #2 and sent Novak back to Belgrade........... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WOW!!! Fantastic tennis! A real delight. How mentally tough is Rafa. Am astounded that someone this young has been so, so mentally strong for a number of years. |
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| VAMOS RAFA - 6-4 first set. Bloo.dy champion!!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| oooh the tension is just too much - Rafa 6-5 and serving for the set | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rafa has broken our girl............5-4 VAMOS RAFA - PUT HIM BACK INTO PLACE! |
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| And a final thought for now on the Rafa match - I wonder if Princess can SUSTAIN this form. Many times a player has come out blazing hot, to then either drop the intensity, or get in to a pattern to settle in for the match. Tsonga kept the intensity and shot making brilliance this year; Roger has done it on frequent, numerous occasions (US Open Final 2004 anyone: 6-0, 7-6, 6-0 against an inform Hewitt; and Fed against Rodd.ick at the AO in 2007); Philippoussis did it to Sampras in 1996 at the AO...I don't think Novak can do this regularly against a top player though. He doesn't have the game to do so. He can overwhelm lesser talented players, but will generally be in for a fight against Rafa and Roger...will be a test of his guts and I wonder what would happen if he gets into a match? Another retirement? Princess a couple of points away from a 4-0 lead. Vamos Rafa!!! Get stuffed Princess! |
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| For the Roger match, great to see him in another MS final this year. Amazing to think that he is considered in a slump after an SF at the AO, Final at Monte Carlo, QF and SF at the American MS events, QF at Rome and now final in Hamburg to defend his title. A strong match again by him despite occasional good patches of play by Seppi. Roger though still having a shocking break point conversion rate. First set he was 1/8. Doesn't matter as he won it 6-3, 6-1. Excellent second set. Don't care who he plays in the final tomorrow - just want to see him collect a big tournament this year. Would be nice to see him beat either Rafa or Princess. Just sad that if it is the Princess, there will be a new #2 player come the new rankings next week. |
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| Folks, the first three games in the Rafa v Princess match have just been absolutely incredible. Princess is up 3-0. I kid you not, credit where it is due at this point - he is playing inspired tennis. Amazing to see what he is doing so far to Rafa. Not just winning, but belting him. Reminds me very much of what JW Tsonga did to Rafa in the AO semi this year. Difference is the talent of ND is far superior. It looks like he and his team have done some serious homework right now as he is moving Rafa all over the court brilliantly. His change regular of direction from cross court shots to down the line shots, has been impeccable. Not that Rafa is playing terrible - not at all. Princess is just two gears above him and hitting deeper, harder, and playing smarter tennis. This play (and so far humbled) is what made me like ND up to the start of last year (Adelaide tournament)...he is so talented, but just so impossible to want to like again. I am though in awe of how quickly he can improve his game against particular opponents, especially after losing to them previously. Desperately wanting Rafa to kick into gear (as he won't be getting rhythm any time soon) and shows the Princess a few lessons on clay court tennis. |
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| Only just got in but the match is recorded. Not sure if The Princess will be inspiring so might wacth the replay..catch up tomorrow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interesting match with Federer and Verdasco...Verdasco seems to have taken a huge hint from Stepanek and is peppering Roger's backhand like there is no tomorrow. Roger's backhand is far stronger in this match than it was against Radek, however there must be only so much one can play it till they go crazy. Verdasco doing a good job. Only difference to him and Radek is that he is not a net charger and not coming in as much. I wonder if other players are taking these notes as well. Roger just not able to punish is brutally when playing off the backhand nearly 95% of the time. Entertaining match indeed. |
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| Yeah I do credit the glandular fever that Rogert had and am also (unfortunately) too well aware of the lingering after effects - they are not pleasant and regardless of fitness, diet etc. there is every possibility that some of the effects will linger (on and off) for years after the "recovery" has occurred. That said, I just can't shake the slight difference in his facial expression. Not sure what it is exactly yet, but there is something there that is slightly different and was just so freakin present in his match against Ivo and Radek last week, and again last night against Soderling. The boil / ingrown pimple / whatever that thing is - hard not to notice and not sure what they hey that is. Perhaps an after effect of the immune system when it has been totally rooted....at least he never complained or quit a match from a sore throat. Tonights matches look great and hope for some great results and tennis. As to who wins - I am not going to make any tips as I think there is enough support and "mocks" here to put some good results into effect ;-) Kiefer is an interesting prospect and in one of his annoying, occasional purple patches. He played strongly against Davydenko last night; as did one of my longer term fave players in Moya when he beat Safin. The dry courts seem to be favouring the fast court players a bit more this year too. |
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| Part of quote from Federer about the retirement of Henin, after comments on her ability, etc "I can't imagine just saying goodbye. That wouldn't be my thing. I feel I still have so much ahead of me and so many possibilities in tennis. I just love the sport. It would break my heart to stop." Whole article and comments from others on WTA site. |
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| not just MC but Rome and now Hamburg. It looks nasty and as I said not one word from him about it | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I hope your right about Montanes gr. Karlovic should have put our little princess away. He had so many chances to do it. I hope Montanes can capitalise on his chance. Federer v Kiefer would be a very interesting semi final. Kiefer hasn't beaten Federer since 2002. 9 straight wins for Roger. But Kiefer is riding a wave. Just like Fish was before when he knocked Federer out in the semi in one of the other masters. |
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| Geoff, I hope you're not jinxing - every time I make a prediction, the opposite happens... Yes, the boil - I forgot completely about that but everytime Roger plays, I can't look at anything else. It seems to be getting better but it was absolutely 'in your face' (or on Roger's) during the Monte Carlo Masters.... |
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| I'm going to stick my neck out and say Federer/Kiefer Montanes/Nadal |
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| God you guys have been busy. Re RF no one and I mean no one has mentioned that Boil he has had on his right cheek which happened in MC and is still there. That must be painful and I think that must be causing him some distraction...but typical RF no mention of it at al. It was good sreeming some fo the vinatge Federer coming out ijnt he match last night. Once other comment my JB is through to the semis of the doubles with Mardy. Sure wish he was playing like has has been in the doubles when he was playing singles. How was old man Moya coing though in style. It should be a good match with Rafa though tonight. As for the Princess...no comment needed :-) |
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| Lets not forget , importantly I believe, that Roger was diagnosed with Glandular Fever at the beginning of the year. It can take months to fully recover from the fatigue effects of this. I agree also that Roger's focus level of the past 4 years would certainly be very difficult to maintain and now when he's not playing so well, rather than winning the pivotal points in matches, he's losing a larger percentage of them. That alone makes a huge difference. His form in the Monte Carlo final was in patches, brilliant, but unfortunately unsustained. I still find him a joy to watch, no matter whether his best is possibly behind him. |
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| Just looked at the order of play for today - another late night in store.... Doubles first then Federer-Verdasco Montanes-Djokovic Kiefer-Seppi Moya-Nadal |
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| Well I was hoping Karlovic was going to ruin the Serbian starlet's party but it was not to be! I watched a few games but it sent me to sleep. As for Roger, Len - I think you're right. He does look a bit bored lately but then again, he never has looked terribly excited about much when he is actually playing. I've always thought he had a bit of a sulky expression on his face. The think that it starting to bother me at the moment is Roger's game doesn't really seem to be getting better. Apart from winning Estoril (by retirement), it has been a very lean time for Roger. Yes, he's reached a final and a SF or two but it's been a struggle all the way. As you said, lots of breaks of serve, poor shot making, general disinterest, inconsistency and only occasional flashes of the old Roger. Yes, he probably must be feeling a bit burnt out and under enormous pressure all the time to perform well. Can you imagine what it must be like to have the world watching every shot you make and judging it by your previous record? In saying all that though, I think alot of us still expect Roger to pull the magic out of the hat. When I was watching him play against Stepanek last week in Rome, I fully expected him to win. Even towards the end of the match, a part of me (the disbelieving part who can't quite believe that Roger is human after all) fully expected him to perform a miracle and send Radek home. It seems that perhaps those days of Roger winning 95% of the time are over. More and more players are beating him now, instead of only a select few. This in turn, gives confidence to the rest who now know it can be done and this confidence is a powerful weapon. Maybe he is having a confidence crisis or still unwell and doesn't want that news known. Maybe he's just got the 'yips'..... I for one, really hopes he makes the final, preferably against Rafa. BTW Geoff - no jealousy at all, I think their comments are great - I am 'in admiration!' |
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| Hey Geoff...restraint in part was greatly aided by a very busy day with work. Unfortunately still going, but taking a chance to add a single post. I saw the last game of Princess #3 when he got belted by Montanes. The most amazing point was the final one...really one that anyone should see to display truly the meek effort he gave in losing 2-6, 1-6. My thoughts on watching this and a common link: 1. Princess #3 loses pathetically (when he is down) 2. The Princess is a pathetic loser (when he is down) Very tight match going on with The Princess against Karlovic. Sounds boring though as I have it playing the background and nowhere near exciting commentary suggesting me to get up and watch. Roger played pretty darned well again - some of those shots were simply sublime and vintage Roger. The scoreline was flattering, however he was not up against someone who is comfortable on clay. Soderling had no chance. Great shot making display by Roger though. Question to the folks on this thread: Including his Rome matches, has anyone got the sense (by facial expressions) that Roger looks somewhat disinterested? I dunno, but usually not that focused look he has had in the past. I know he has perhaps the best poker face of the past "x" generations....but he just "seems" to appear not really there all the time. Also, I cannot rememeber such a prolonged period in which he gains breaks, then loses them so rapidly and quickly (i.e. the following game)...maybe reading too much into this, but just very un-Roger like from the lofty standards he has set. He is due for a lean spell and entitled to one, but so hard to watch it happen... |
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| Can I detect a little jealous streak there..You are the one with the clever comments :-) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verdasco has just beaten Ferrer, who looked very sluggish and out of sorts. 90 unforced errors between them. Final score 7-6, 6-2. Loved one of the comments from the commentator at 5-2 in the second set and Ferrer was serving to stay in the match "Ferrer is firmly ensconced in the last chance saloon" Where do they come up with these gems? Now for Roger and Soderling... |
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