Tennis - General Discussion
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Kotetsu534
Member
Especially when the players may have to play 5 matches in 6 days, and since the tournament is limited to the top 8 ranked players the matches will be more competitive than average. You don't really want to ask players to play several three set baseline slug-a-thons in the last tournament of the year, where many of them will be fatigued or carrying injuries. But hey, that's WTA for ya.
Damn, Nadal is getting Rosol'd again (so far at least). Rosol won 100% of his first serve points in the first set, though the 6-1 first set was also aided by Nadal serving like shit
edit: yeah that was bound to happen. Blew it when serving for the match
edit: yeah that was bound to happen. Blew it when serving for the match
CHAMP
http://acehighlightshd.com/rafael-nadal-vs-lucas-rosol-basel-swiss-indoors-2015/
As if winning the last two matches wasn't enough confirmation of holding the belt again he does this coming back down 6-1 AND giving out 4-2 at the very end of the finish line
http://acehighlightshd.com/rafael-nadal-vs-lucas-rosol-basel-swiss-indoors-2015/
As if winning the last two matches wasn't enough confirmation of holding the belt again he does this coming back down 6-1 AND giving out 4-2 at the very end of the finish line
perfectchaos007
Member
Because Serena gets in the way
Dimitrov started off pretty hot but then his serve went to shit. Nadal was punishing him with some of those second serve returns. Haven't seen any of the second set though.
Rafa=FedKilla
Banned
Dimitrov's fighting spirit is pathetic. He's like the lead character of a romance novel, he puts up little resistance before succumbing to one's sexual desires.
I still enjoy seeing Dimitrov play a lot, but I agree it's clear he needs to work on his mental management, otherwise he won't return in the top 10.
He still hits some great shots, particularly enjoyed this one yesterday : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqe3XDgnQlg
He still hits some great shots, particularly enjoyed this one yesterday : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqe3XDgnQlg
I think maybe Maria should take a few months off of each season from here on out if this tournament is any indication. I mean, beating both Halep and Pennetta in straight sets given her last few matches against both women is seriously impressive.
It'll be interesting to see how things go for her from here. I guess a lot depends on her opponent in the semis. I'm guessing it'll either be Kvitova or Kerber. I feel like Kvitova's the more vulnerable of the two, but that doesn't mean much as everyone knows that if Kvitova has a good day she can blow anyone off the court.
Regardless of who it is, I hope she gets through it and that Muguruza is the other finalist. What a great year-ending match that would be, no matter who won it.
Other than that, it was such a nice surprise to see Aggie beat Halep and make it to the semis, too. It was so weird seeing her drop in the rankings and lose a bunch of matches earlier in the year, so it's great that she's seemingly righted the ship in many ways. Now to see if she can finally take things to the next level.
Finally, all the best to Flavia. She used to bore me, but after seeing her live a couple of years ago I really gained an appreciation for her. Plus, seeing her drive people like Maria nuts is impressive. It takes a certain kind of player to do that, and she deserves applause for it.
I do wish she'd been able to do the same against Serena at some point, but that's how it goes in this game, right? It's kind of like how Halep has success (some) against Serena but is a bit overwhelmed by Sharapova--at the moment.
Yeah it's certainly telling how sharp Maria's been here. And how she launched into a great Aussie early this season and then stumbled.
Halep seemps limp in important matches, although she admitted she was mentally done with the season after her first loss here. I hope she can regain that confident look. Needs to if she wants slams.
Halep seemps limp in important matches, although she admitted she was mentally done with the season after her first loss here. I hope she can regain that confident look. Needs to if she wants slams.
Thats how Maria tends to be, though, dont you think? Shes an amazing tennis player in many ways, but she has her off days, and shes also susceptible to certain types of playersboth of which can add up to some bad results if she isnt especially sharp.
So, for me, dips like we saw earlier this yearin Indian Wells and Miami, for instanceare almost inevitable. If she can catch fire and be sharp for one or two GS seasons per year, though (like she was during her run to the French a couple of years ago), she should be able to grab a few more GS titles before she calls it a day like Pennetta.
As for Halep, I still like her and I still think shes going to win a few (at least) GS titles in her career, but shes going to need to work on the mental side of her gameand quickif thats going to happen anytime soon. At the moment, though, she pretty much always falters when confronted with a big moment, which has to be worrying.
Also, even though shes got to be comforted by the fact that Serena and Maria and other big hitters are in the twilight of the careers, were already seeing some younger playerslike Muguruza, Bencic, maybe Bouchard if she can ever get her act together again--step forward as candidates to take their place, and some or all of those replacements could keep Halep from winning some/any GS titles down the road.
So, for me, dips like we saw earlier this yearin Indian Wells and Miami, for instanceare almost inevitable. If she can catch fire and be sharp for one or two GS seasons per year, though (like she was during her run to the French a couple of years ago), she should be able to grab a few more GS titles before she calls it a day like Pennetta.
As for Halep, I still like her and I still think shes going to win a few (at least) GS titles in her career, but shes going to need to work on the mental side of her gameand quickif thats going to happen anytime soon. At the moment, though, she pretty much always falters when confronted with a big moment, which has to be worrying.
Also, even though shes got to be comforted by the fact that Serena and Maria and other big hitters are in the twilight of the careers, were already seeing some younger playerslike Muguruza, Bencic, maybe Bouchard if she can ever get her act together again--step forward as candidates to take their place, and some or all of those replacements could keep Halep from winning some/any GS titles down the road.
Roger was lucky to get through against Kohlschreiber yesterday. Finally getting his first serve back towards the end of the third was all that pulled him through really.
Kohlschreiber played as well as I've ever seen him. Especially his serving during the second set. Was firing aces down and racing through his service games not giving Roger a sniff.
Kohlschreiber played as well as I've ever seen him. Especially his serving during the second set. Was firing aces down and racing through his service games not giving Roger a sniff.
Definitely agree. It really seemed like he was going to lose, I was surprised he managed to snatch it away. Kohlschreiber was really crushing his forehand in the last two sets.
For the WTA we've got Muguruza v Radwanska and Kvitova v Sharapova in the semis. Should be a good couple matches.
perfectchaos007
Member
I hope Goffin can at least be competitive against Fed
Well, this game has been competitive at least
lol pretty much
This is pretty much exactly like his last match, although I'd say Kohlschreiber was playing much better. Roger is garb right now
Goffin found a weakness, we got a match boys and girls
Don't jinx it bro, they have to meet!
perfectchaos007
Member
Federer has turned it up in the 3rd set. He may bagel Goffin here
Yeah he just really felt like turning it up, awesome preperation for Nadal
No way Federer's losing this flow until the match is over
Goffin didn't hug
Kotetsu534
Member
Yay Aga! As superb an effort as she made to come back after losing a very tight first set, she did as well not to burst into tears during the interview afterward. She's got extremely tight in more or less every third set this year, especially when ahead. Hopefully some success will see her relax more from here on. I think her game is as good as its ever been (check out the way she played coming back from 1-5 in the tie-break against Halep on Thursday, those forehands, woof), but her mental strength is quite a bit weaker than it once was.
This has been a very enjoyable YEC considering Serena's withdrawal and all the injuries that the players are carrying. Sharapova has played ridiculous tennis in her three matches, both her striking and mental fortitude at top notch despite not playing a full match for half the year. Aga/Halep's first set was top drawer tennis and drama, and both groups saw crucial final match 'saves' for Aga and Kvitova by Sharapova and Safarova. No boring dead rubbers (my main problem with the round robin format).
Muguruza seemed to run short of energy after playing so many matches in both singles and doubles. I think having such a slow court is a bad choice giving the intensity and proximity of the matches.
This has been a very enjoyable YEC considering Serena's withdrawal and all the injuries that the players are carrying. Sharapova has played ridiculous tennis in her three matches, both her striking and mental fortitude at top notch despite not playing a full match for half the year. Aga/Halep's first set was top drawer tennis and drama, and both groups saw crucial final match 'saves' for Aga and Kvitova by Sharapova and Safarova. No boring dead rubbers (my main problem with the round robin format).
Muguruza seemed to run short of energy after playing so many matches in both singles and doubles. I think having such a slow court is a bad choice giving the intensity and proximity of the matches.
Kotetsu534
Member
It wasn't even a very unfair result by the standards of round robin differentiation - all three of Halep, Aga and Pennetta were 1-2 in W/L, but Aga took a set off Maria in one of her losses meaning she was ahead on set differential. I'm sure there was a scenario a couple of years ago in the men's WTF where Berdych knocked out Murray (?) on game differential, which is much more of a coinflip.
At least it still produces exciting matches. Last year's ATP finals were horrible with only one competitive match, otherwise filled with 61 61 shorelines.
Diprosalic
Banned
yeah :/
I would say that they're both average at best honestly. Wouldn't be surprised if Nadal wins in 3 though