Djokovic may be gone today, and if not, the way he’s playing, I’d be kind of surprised if he gets by Roddick, who I expect to get by Gonza no problem. I do think Cilic was an awfully tough contender, but Djoko is looking shaky against Robredo. Is there some kind of injury? The announcers are talking about one - ankle? Anyhow, he won’t get by with this injury, casual play, and negative body language against Andy, who is confident, eager and will have the crowd behind him here. At this point, I have to say I expect a Roddick vs. Fed semi-final.

Jane, seems to be a hip/thigh thing happening today for Novak, though he has recovered to win the second set.

Sean, thanks for the injury update. Even if Djoko’s taken the 2nd set, he looks pretty questionable.

I’m surprised you think Andreev will challenge Fed. I can’t see it. Mind you I didn’t see any of Andreev’s matches here, but Fed looked much better in that Step match.

I agree with your take Sean! Federer’s tougher challenges will be today and if he gets by, against Davydenko. If Federer does not drop a set to either of those guys he will get to the finals against Roddick/chockovic without much problem.

J,
I replied to you on the other thread.

S,

Hi - yes I saw that and replied to you there as well. I am happy to see Djoko is at least hanging in there and trying his best to pull out the W. He’s just gone up two sets which is a good sign. Now he just needs to continue in this vein in the next set so it doesn’t go 5.

Don’t know if you read Matt Cronin’s analyses at the USO website, but he predicted that Robredo would take a set today, and he also thought that Cilic vs. Djokovic would go 5 sets. I like his takes on matches and he’s usually darn close in his picks.

Anyhow, keep your fingers crossed. Even if Novak loses to Roddick next round - no shame in that. Andy has been in the top ten for, like, ever!

J,
With a set up and a break up in the 4th set now, he may survive today, but, like you said, he may not get past Roddick/Gonzu, if he does not recover overnight.
About the crowd, it’s better for him if the crowd is against him from the beginning. If the crowd is oneutral or on his side at the beginning, and then if it goes against him in the middle or at the end, that could be mentally devastating.
But first, he has to recover by day-after-tomorrow noon. Also, it partly depends on how long Roddick-Gonzu match goes tonight.

S,

Yes, maybe with some physio and rest Djoko willll be fresher in the quarters. He played until 1:00 am Monday morning and is playing first today, so that is a quick turn-around considering his competitive match with Cilic. But they all have those quick turn arounds at this point in the tournament because of the night matches. I guess all the top guys get a night match at some point. Djoko will want to close this out in 4 sets though. He has to keep holding.

S, recover? Novak needs to step his game up. Looks like that hip injury isn’t an issue.

Latent, if Fed waxes both Igor and Nikolay then too good. He might very well win this title.

S,

Novak just got broken back. That is the thing I’ve struggled with watching his last two matches. He does all that work to get a break and then gets broken right back. I know it happens, but I wish he could close out better. Robredo’s coming back strong here.

Another horrible display of bad attitude from Djokovic… seriously, I dont get how this guy has fans at all.

Wow, Djokovic is just hanging in there. Good for him. It’s the first humid day in NYC in quite some time.
Looks like I’ve been missing a decent match.

“Mr. Vaidisova”
The Cheek! How dare you suggest Stepanek is anything less than all male.

NachoF,

“Another horrible display of bad attitude from Djokovic”?

Can you point out the instance you are talking about?

And what’s this? “seriously, I dont get how this guy has fans at all.”
What if I say the same thing about Federer and his fans? How would you feel? Good?

c’mon robredo - force the fifth set! any bets on a medical time out in between set 4 and 5 by you know who?

Doh Djoko! I guess this is not your tournament. Well hang in there and finish it out. I’ll be cheering you on.

did i call it or did i call it?

fifth set and medical time out!

novak - you’re so predictable….

S Green Says:

NachoF,

“Another horrible display of bad attitude from Djokovic”?

Can you point out the instance you are talking about?

Are you kidding me?? you are seriously gonna pretend you haven’t noticed anything particularly bad about his attitude??… Im not gonna fall into that… it has been very obvious throughout the match… on several points you can even hear the crowd furiously booing at Djokovic because of his attitude…. if you really feel Roger has the same deplorable attitude as Djokovic then thats your opinion (but you are horribly wrong)

Explain “attitude.” You are really pissing me off.

S Green Says:

Explain “attitude.” You are really pissing me off.

The kind of behavior he was displaying right before he got booed???

S,

Djoko’s chances of winning this now are so-so I think; Robredo has a newfound wind and Novak looks spent. I hate to say it, but what do you think?

NachoF,

It’s true Novak has had some negative body language today, but all the players are different I guess. I admit it does make me frustrated when he gets like that - Safin does it and Murray used to do it. It’s not good for the players. But I still like Novak’s tennis a lot and I assume a lot of people like his game; in fact I like all those guys I just mentioned.

I am guessing S didn’t want to read your comment right now.

It’s rough when you like a player who is losing and you have to read a lot of negative things. You probably know what I mean as a Fed fan; lately a lot of negative stuff has been written about him too. Anyhow…

Right now looks like even if Djoko makes it pass Robredo he’ll get knocked to the ground by Roddick’s serves
(even if he gets Gonzo I still see him losing)

Which should set up for the match of the tournament, Roddick v.s. Federer.

NachoF,
What did he do? Did he say anything to anyone? Has he violated any ITF rules?

In my eyes, he’s had cramp in his upper thigh and cannot bend. Later, he twisted his ankle. Obviously, he’s had the effect of Cilic match that went for 4 hours till 1:00 am in the morning. He’s not feeling well. His body language is expressing the pain.
You may have heard scattering boos, and I hear resounding applause. And cheers and boos have nothing to do with his illness. Crowd support depends on a lot of factors such as home crowd (like for Murray against Rafa at Wimby, or for Fish/Roddick here) or if the player is under dog and playing well, etc.

I noticed an instance of generosity from Djokovic: he gave away a point to Robredo even when the umpire called it out.

ANSWER THIS: First define what attitude is and then provide me examples (not just one isolated) that can be labeled “horrible display of bad attitude.”

blah,

“Which should set up for the match of the tournament, Roddick v.s. Federer.”

If this happens, who do you pick??

Wow, this is definitely not what I had expected to see (even considering Novak’s form hasn’t been at its tightest thus far). It’s tough to imagine him not ultimately pulling through (especially at this point), but Djokovic looks like hell today. I’m watching a lo-res feed online, but at one point I saw a good view of his eyes, and he did not look right. Whatever he’s going through, if it isn’t resolved in the next 36 hours or so, his week isn’t gonna get any easier.

Von,

thanks for the welcoming words on the other thread. I hope you are enjoying the tournament as always. Today bodes well for your man’s run.

Djoko pulls it off, despite playing 50%.
That’s what a champion looks like. He’s looking forward to bagel Federer in the semi.

Well I am happy he fought through, but I definitely don’t like his chances against Roddick now. Funny Novak- even he doesn’t like his chances, but I am sure he’ll try his best! Well good heart today Nole!

And kudos to Robredo for playing a great tournament.

Guess Fed’s on now.

Jane,

It’s still too hard to pick right now. Federer hasn’t faced anyone who could really challenge him yet so it’s hard to tell whether he’s back. Gonzo is nothing to sneeze at, Roddick can’t be looking ahead. If I have to pick right now I would say Roddick in 5 sets. And if Roddick wins that, I don’t see anybody stopping him from winning the final. It would be the ultimate redemption.

If that match happens, I am confident the winner would go on to win the slam. I don’t see Nadal with enough fuel left and I don’t think Murray or Del Potro is ready.

S, did you hear his postmatch with Barkan, he announced that no matter who he plays next (either Roddick or Gonzo) that they will be fitter than him? There’s your attitude.

Novak needs to stop doing post-match on court interview and just stick to the imitations.

“Looks like that hip injury isn’t an issue”

We have seen this with choker boy, haven’t we. As soon as things start going wrong, out come the trainers and time-outs. He is a real drama queen.

Unless the trainers have performed the greatest miracle since Moses split the Red sea, I dont know how players like Jankovic and Jerkovich do this drama so frequently. He did similar bull crap at the Aus open, inspite of winning all the matches in straights. Finally he took that well-earned medical time-out in the final against Tsonga.

It is a joke that his fans will point out the 1 medical time-out a year that Nadal takes or 1medical time out Federer took as a junior or some other such trivial stat. I hope some other classy youngster like gulbis or cilic displaces this classless brute soon. Hell, even Hewitt is a better trade than jerkovich! They should put this guy’s picture in the entry for cheating. Cannot expect more from a kid who has been raised by boorish parents like his. Very sad state of affairs!

S Green,

You can be very sure Im not gonna fall into this childish argument….You can say the sky is green and want people to prove otherwise but Im not gonna be one of them…. if you feel good by being in denial be my guest…. carry on

————————————————-

Anyway, awesome tennis from Robredo today!.. wow, I didnt know this guy was so fit! he looked like he could have gone for 10 sets easily!

S,

I fully agree that winning at far from his best is a champion quality; but based on his performance thus far, I don’t think he’d be very likely to bagel anyone left in the draw.

Hello, everyone.

Novak will also likely have more than 48 hours to recover for a night match, so he shouldn’t have excuses. Upset stomach? Ankle? Should both be fine by then, plus he should get an emotional lift from the Robredo win which showed me he can gut one out. But again to remark afterward that he won’t be at his best come Thursday is something he shouldn’t say.

And remember, the winner of this tournament will have to win matches on back-to-back days. If Novak is spent now, as he announced to the crowd, how the hell is he going to win on Saturday and then Sunday?

Djokovic was definitely trying to get some time to rest, one can especially see that from him going for the wrist band, as Courier pointed out. But he did roll his ankle during an exchange and as someone who has done that a lot of times, it’s not fun (hurts like hell) at all. I think he had a legitimate excuse to call the trainers this time.

It won’t matter if he runs into Roddick anyhow. He’ll get run out in straight sets if he’s still in this condition.

Come to think of it, I am pretty confident with picking Roddick to win now. It sets up perfectly for him. He fought off Gulbis, gets to play a huge Gonzo forehand, can “upset” the #3 in the world and has a chance to defeat his greatest enemy en route to the final right at his venue of choice.

Sean,
That’s a fact: They will be fitter if Roddick-Gonzo match is over in 3 sets, even 4. Yes, if their match goes into a 5th setter and past 1:00 am, then Djoko will be on their level, fitness wise.

Sean,

“to remark afterward that he won’t be at his best come Thursday is something he shouldn’t say.”

I agree that Novak could use better PR skills; he can be too candid in his interviews and the press know it and bait him. He needs someone to help him in that regard.

But I am happy he gutted it out regardless of the time out or whatever.

As I said, I don’t seeing him getting beyond the quarters, unless by some miracle Gonza were to win.

I just think the guy is human - he makes mistakes, he dramatic, and all that. But I love him anyhow. It’s tough to explain why we like players sometimes, but to me Djokovic is a fun and frustrating player to watch, much like Safin was, much like Murray can be.

People will trash em, but whatever. I loved Johnny Mac, even when he was getting booed. I’ll stick by Novak.

Sean,

I agree that this is a dangerous match for Federer. How quickly he finds form (which he hopefully will) could be a big factor. If he sinks his teeth into it early, though, it could just as easily be a quick 3…

Ra:

“Von, thanks for the welcoming words on the other thread. I hope you are enjoying the tournament as always. Today bodes well for your man’s run.”

You’re very welcome. I missed your eloquent input. I’m enjoying those matches time permits me to watch. I’m burnt out from working too much on a case and up late at nights trying to catch up on each day’s taped matches and extra work. At this point you can say I’m tennis saturated. I’m hoping for the best for Andy tonight. Good luck to your guy with his upcoming match, which is in about 5 minutes. Enjoy.

blah,

I agree on your take; I think if Roddick beats Fed in the semis, he gets the trophy. For once he wouldn’t have to face Fed in a slam final, and that’d be a great hurdle for Andy in itself. I’d be super happy for Roddick to win another slam - shut some of his critics down, as you say “ultimate redemption.”

Hi Ra -

You’re back - long time no talk. I like Roger’s chances against Andreev, although Igor is a grinder, which could wear Fed down.

Sean,
I agree with you that if every thing works out for Djoko and he gets to the semi and is stretched to another 5 setter, he’s done. He won’t do well in the final. The biggest challenge for him right now is how to get ready for Thursday. I don’t expect him to win the Championship. It will be good enough for me if he gets to play against Federer in the semi.

You know what’s attitude? Fed is broken in the opening game and he goes to argue with the umpire. That’s a loser’s attitude right there.

S Green Says:

“You know what’s attitude? Fed is broken in the opening game and he goes to argue with the umpire. That’s a loser’s attitude right there.”

You are hilarious.

I think it would actually be good for Roger if he’s seriously challenged before the semis and survives. I don’t think Andreev or even Davydenko is a really on Andy’s current level and it would probably be better for Federer to really have to play through a match before he runs into Roddick (if he does)

Ra,
That was an outburst of my anger. I take back my words and apologize for hurting reasonable people’s sensitivity (I include you in that category; there are not many here, though).

Alright, I’ll bite.

Personally, I think Novak has come a long way in terms of attitude. He still has his off days, but, all in all, I feel that his maturity level is on the up and up. That’s definitely commendable.

Federer has his share of attitude issues along the way, too. Seriously, though, if Federer is a “loser”, there haven’t been all that many winners in the history of humankind.

Hi jane, hi S. Always good to see you here.

S,

don’t sweat it. I’m sure we all have our outbursts in some way or another. I (for one) am thankful that mine aren’t out on Arthur Ashe for all to witness and criticize.

Ra,

Glad the voice of reason is back!

I agree with you that Novak has come a long way since 2006 in terms of attitude and whatnot. He is still candid, and personally that’s something I like about him. But there are times he could reel it in a little and know when to hold back.

And as blah correctly points out, he had a legitimate time out call today with the ankle roll.

But people label players and stick with it, without watching them evolve. Personally I disliked Fed more when he didn’t show any emotion. Now that he’s losing occasionally and gets feisty out there, I like it better.

He hasn’t found his form so far, but it’s still early.

Federer serving to stay in first set! That sounds strange, doesn’t it?

Roger’s holding easily after the first break, but hasn’t been able to break back. He’s a little impatient to get the points over with perhaps?

Fed needs to learn Andreev’s serve.

Smart, smart play from Federer to take advantage of Andreev’s nerves on that breakpoint.

I think Andreev broke himself there actually, while Fed stayed steady. But that’s all it takes.

Yup. Igor had 30-0 serving for the set, went for a bad drop shot and never won another point in that service game. Maybe he gets it back together, but GAG!

Somebody just caught fire out there…

And his name is Gilles Muller. Ha.

Yeah, don’t get me wrong. Andreev blew that for himself, but on the actual breakpoint, it looked to me like Fed totally baited him into that long.

Colin:

You haven’t been watching tennis, this year? That is par for the course.

Jane:

Can you provide instances when Safin/murray took medical time-outs when their opponent was giving them a tough time? What jerkbich does borders on cheating. What is the count this year? How many matches as he taken a medical time-out, often when his opponent has won the 1st set? You have to be really fanatical not to see this trend and push it as just frankness!

Just watching the Fed-Andreev match. I think this could be the end of Fed at this Open…

24 unforced errors… at the beginning of the 2nd set! 3 loose points that gave away the first. Is this the same Fed as before, or did aliens do a swap this year?

Latent Talent,

I was talking about Safin and Murray getting mentally down on themselves. I wasn’t talking about the medical time outs.

I think Novak has had a few of those this year but I am not keeping track.

Look, I know you’re a tennis fan but I also know you have a hate on for Novak whereas I like him. So we’re not going to change each other’s minds.

I am not fanatical, though; I admit to Novak’s faults: getting too negative at times, being dramatic, serving inconsistently at times. But he’s a character and shows his emotions; I like that. He is a superb shot-maker; I like that too. I find his game, when it’s at its best, very exciting to watch - his matches with Rafa, even though he’s lost many of them, have been stellar and very well fought.

Anyhow, I am not gonna convince you so fair enough; can we agree to disagree?

Latent - yeah, I know. I was sort of thinking in terms of US Opens. The BBC radio commentator just said that there will be people in the crowd who don’t follow tennis closely, and who’ll have come here expecting to see this superhuman guy Federer, and they must be in shock.
I do think that many of the people who have been seriously saying Fed will win the tournament, are in denial. Maybe he will win it, but that would be a surprise.

Fed’s making too many errors right now - he’d better be careful as Andreev seems pretty collected, though he does tend to overhit. Roger needs to get this set.

To add on Novak, what’s the big deal with playing a five setter. Why is so difficult for HIM to recover, when many players have played five setters and won their very next match.

Congrats to Joko. To have two almost back to back nearly four-hour matches and to win them both get my admiration at any rate. I don’t think he should have given away his physical fitness possibilities, but it could be that when you’re that tire, you’re likely to say anything and he didn’t say anything about his _mental_ fitness. Congrags to Tommy as well. I’d love to see Joko make it to the final again, but he’ll have to go through a lot of people to get there. Since I like several of the people he’ll have to go through it’ll be interesting to see what happens. There is also Rafa-who must be working on being the iron man- to contend with as well. For me, it’s been pretty exciting!

“Fed’s making too many errors right now ”
The theme of his 2008 season. I really want him to end his season, like now.
If Fed or an American do not make it into the final, CBS and USTA will cry.

Sean,

As you know Djoko has issues - not with fitness or training imo - but with breathing. He had his septum operated on but I’ve read that he has an underdeveloped thorax (through a link Sar provided here a while back) and others, including Luke Jensen at the AO, have speculated whether it’s asthma that Djoko suffers from as it seems to be exacerbated by heat, humidity and stress.
So that might be one reason why it’s tough for him to recover.

Plus Djoko has stated in interviews that he has a weakish immune system and tends to get sick more easily than others. That might be another reason.

I don’t think it’s necessarily more difficult for him to recover from a 5 setter than all players, but maybe some are just tougher than others. Isn’t that the way it is with people? Some are more prone to injuries, some to illness, some are survivors. That’s life.

I know you don’t particularly care for Novak either, as you’ve admitted recently, but why fan the flames?

This is just TERRIBLE…. so many forehand errors!

I think it’s a timing thing with Roger’s forehand, but he held anyhow.

Ra:

“..don’t sweat it. I’m sure we all have our outbursts in some way or another. I (for one) am thankful that mine aren’t out on Arthur Ashe for all to witness and criticize.”

Then I’ll have to send you out on the porch to give yourself a good spanking. We talked about this before a couple of months ago.

Novak only invites the flames when he tells the crowd that he won’t be fit for the Thursday night match. You just won a four hour match, you got 48 hours off, what’s the big deal? If anything he should be saying that his improved fitness got him through.

Andreev needs to get this done now. If Fed wins the second set tiebreak I think he’ll win it. Again, Andreev doesn’t do well against the top players and there’s a good chance he’ll flinch again.

Sean, did he say “I won’t be fit” or did he make a joke and say whoever he’s playing will be fitter than him? I thought it was the latter. Was it not a bit of self-deprecation? A joke based on his struggles? That’s how I interpreted it anyhow.

Well, Igor didn’t flinch, Fed just played a better tiebreak (expect that horrible volley!).

With Muller through imagine the opportunity the winner has in this one.

Jane, I didn’t think Novak was joking there. He said the other guy will be the fitter than him on Thursday.

Can’t believe Muller! Another marathon.

whats wrong with fed……??????

Wow. It sure was nice of that net-chord to close that out for Federer since he didn’t seem up to doing it himself despite the opportunities he created…

Von,

ha! Yes, I remember that well. I may or may not comply; I’ve never been one to spank and tell.

Sean,

You’re nit-picking I think; you’ve complained in the past how Novak doesn’t gut out tough matches and 5 setters when the odds are against him, like they were today, and now he does it and you’re picking on what he said after the match.

Well I taped it and when Novak said he he totally laughed after; maybe there was some honesty there, but Novak will come out into the quarters and try. Don’t slag him too much okay? A few of us like him!

Ra,

“I’ve never been one to spank and tell.” You’re a class act that’s for sure!

And let me clarify: when I say the odds are against him, I don’t mean Tommy was a tough opponent. However, he did struggle late the other night and came out first thing today. He lost the first set. His hip/thigh was injured. He rolled his ankle the first round. And it was hot and humid, not the best conditions for him. So once he lost that first set I’d think a poll would’ve picked him to lose, no? That’s what I mean.

He should’ve could’ve would’ve done better. But players struggle sometimes; look at Roger today.

But the champs find a way through to the next round, and even if they lose here and there early, it only shows us they are human. Personally, I like the human Roger better than the superhuman one.

Sean,
Why don’t you play against Cilic for four hours till 1:00 am in the morning, do interview, ride to you motel, take shower, eat dinner, chat with the family and team for some time, go to bed around 4 or 5 am, sleep all day, wake up to see your doctor, come back to the court next day, and play another 4 hrs, and let’s see how many points you win against Djoko? This is a high-school-dropped-out level of reasoning for the same.

3rd set - Roger’s found his form. At the net.

S Green, cry me a river. That’s part of what bugs me about Novak, because he brings those things up when he really doesn’t need to. Roddick did the same schedule after Gulbis, then playing Seppi. How much did he bring up the late night schedule or his soreness the next day?

It’s just too much drama with Novak. And judging by the NY crowd obviously it’s not just me he rubs the wrong way.

Sean,

That’s your personal preference; as you say he “rubs [you] the wrong way.” There was nothing “wrong” with what Novak said in his post-match interview. Who cares if the crowd love him or not; it’s not a popularity contest. It’s a tennis match. The crowd has hated Johnny Mac, they’ve booed Safin’s implosions and Roddick’s outbursts. So what? The crowd has also loved ALL of these guys at other times, including Djoko.

They are all different human beings and players; to me, that’s good. Be kinda boring if they all acted the same and said the same things. Be kinda boring if there was no drama. It’s those tense situations when things get exciting.

Different strokes, different folks.

Can we just be nice here for a minute (gag I know) - we are seeing all these guys struggle, the ones who were at the Olympics in particular. How many of them are left in the draw?

Blake, Nalbandian, Monfils, Davydenko (was he there?), and Wawrinka, Ginepri, and Melzer, off the top, are all out. Murray doesn’t count because he left China so early. But Rafa, Roger and Novak have all struggled here; let’s give them a little credit for fighting and staying in it, trying their darndest.

Fed’s been good at net, but the baseline still needs work. The serve continues to bail him out of tough spots.

Credit also to Andreev for staying in and playing hard, just like Robredo. Two guys we think of as clay-courters have showed us they can play elsewhere too.

Well kudos to Roger for hanging in and getting the win.

Where’s Mary? Like that “Still the One!” song?

That game at 4-2 was like dejavu! Nadal was struggling to hold serve at that same point against Querry in the 4th set before going to win 6-3! So many missed chances by Andreev!!!!

Anyway putting things in perspective, after watching Djok’s and Fed’s 4th round matches, you’d think that Nadal had an “easier” 4th round in comparison.

“Where’s Mary? Like that “Still the One!” song?”
Jane, Yes! I think it’s so funny TPTB are sending that message out. “Dear God, Let it be an American and/or Federer in the finals!”

It was nice to see both players hang in there.

Courier just said, “His feet is off” according to my closed caption(I don’t like to hear their voices). What proud school produced him?

At the rate the matches are playing out a Fish/Roddick final may be possible! Nonetheless, I’d say Federer will now have the easiest route to the semi finals.

Robredo gave Nole the smackdown in his press conference.
Courier is saying(why I turned the volume up I don’t know) about Robredo having a case. About what Nole calling the trainer out during the match?

Yeah I guess; actually Courier “yes and no” and he said everything Djoko did was within the rules. He had a hip injury first set and then rolled his ankle near the end of the second. And he suffered through his usual breathing problems in the heat and humidity. Notice he doesn’t often have those issues at night matches. But Djoko played within the bounds. Piss Tommy off though I guess - too bad.

Controversy galore; I think Djoko courts it a little too closely!

Is it true that Murray will be the new number 4 with Davydenko going out today? I haven’t looked, but I heard a rumor.

Phew! That was close…. Federer is just not playing great tennis…. at least Djokovic was tired, but Federer has no excuse, hes missing like its nobody’s business.

Hmmm… after a quick glance at the rankings, it seems very possible. That’s solid. Congratulations to him.

Mary,
It is neither Robredo nor Courier decides whether a player can get a medical timeout or not. Following ITF rules, the umpire uses his discretion to determine whether the request is legitimate or not. The trainer / medical team can come to the side of the court upon the chair umpire’s approval. And the umpire decided it was legitimate. End of the story.

Robredo should have lost the match in straight sets. Luckily he broke once in the 1st set and won that set. That changed the equation. That Robredo’s whining about the loss because Djoko took medical timeout sounds unconvincing, as if he had been on roll/ rhythm or something. If it had been medical condition, he would have won at least once in their previous 4 meetings, in which Djoko never took timeout. On top of that, Djoko took timeout when he was still ahead in the match, not behind, and you could see the pain in his body language. The 2nd time was not even timeout. It was between the sets. When you lose, you look for excuses, instead of giving credit to the player who played better despite medical condition. What else an appreciative loser can do?

thank god robredo outed djokovic in the presser - doing the show is right. what a drama queen. the ‘woe is me’ head down, shuffling around the base line in between points like he was a concentration camp victim…i mean, get it over it buddy. it’s tennis, not the oscars.

Ra,
That’s what Murray said in his last interview. If Davy lost before semi and Murray gets to the semi, he becomes the new No. 4.

You know what? This is how I see it:

This is Murray and Roddick great chance to win this GS.

Though I would love to see Roger win the tournament, the reality, as I see it now, is:

Nadal is physically and mentally way too spent. (He won’t win the tournament).

Djokovic looks physically spent right now. (I think he won’t win the tournament either)

Federer could win it. He is physically okay, but he is not the same player mentally. He kind of looks unsure about himself.

Roddick and Murray look physically strong and fit, and at this stage of the season, best of five sets matches, it is a huge advantage.

Roddick has the best chance to win a GS in a long, long time. He can defeat Roger. The only “handicap” is: “Does he believe in his heart and mind he can defeat him in a GS tournament?”.

He can do it now, and he must believe it.

If he finally gets to the final, he could face Murray (I see Murray getting to the final) and there, Murray would probably feel the pressure of a first GS final.

Roddick could take advantage of that, and he would win the tournament.

This is his great, great opportunity, and he should know it.

Roddick/Fish final? Hmmm…Two guys who DIDN’T go to Beijing!

matt,

what you wr