NOL1E!

March 5th, 2013 at 7:44 am

Anyone see the exho last night? I watched the first set. I think Nadal is back. And if he plays that way on hard courts consistently, he can do serious damage and preserve his knees at the same time. Looks like he’s a bigger threat at Indian Wells than initially expected.

And Del Potro, well, can’t say I wasn’t impressed by him either. His forehand was huge as usual, but his backhand was steady and he continues to move great for a guy of his size. Hopefully he’ll continue his good form and do some damage in his own right. He still doesn’t have a Masters title, does he?

March 5th, 2013 at 9:03 am

Ben my only hope for Rafa is that he can continue to play well on any surface win or lose,it may only be an exho,but it sounds quite positive if both Rafa and JMDP can play so well on a HC,and certainly positive if your a Rafa fan,after so long of the tour.

March 5th, 2013 at 9:15 am

It is interesting to note that so many people believe that Rafa can still win his first HC event after an injury layoff of 7 months. This shows the confidence that he exudes. Proud to be a Rafa fan. Wish him all the best for this event as well as the remainder of the season.

March 5th, 2013 at 10:56 am

My pick is Murray. What is his chance to be number 2 after IW?

March 5th, 2013 at 11:15 am

Why the Arrogant One not leading this poll?

Have the Arrotards finally seen the light? Or are they sleeping?

March 5th, 2013 at 11:19 am

Steve27: I think if Murray wins IW he will overtake Federer at number 2.

March 5th, 2013 at 11:43 am

Would it be strange if Rafa lands in Ferrer quarter?

March 5th, 2013 at 12:01 pm

I would be surprised if Novak does not win the title. If someone got to beat him it has to be either Rafa or Murray. I don’t see anyone outside these two have a chance against Novak. I doubt if Roger should even be in this list. I would replace him with either Berdych or Del Po. They have a better chance to reach the finals compared to Roger, let alone win the title.

March 5th, 2013 at 12:12 pm

I think Nole is the strong favorite. After that I’d go with Federer, though only because Murray hasn’t done so well at IW (hopefully he’ll turn it around this year) and this is Rafa’s first tournament back on hard courts. I’d love to see the big 4 make the semis.

March 5th, 2013 at 12:28 pm

Nole has to be favorite in ANY HC event due to his form and level of play. He deserves it. After him I fancy MUZZA- I believe IW suits Andys game very, very well despite the odd results over the last few years. Then surely fed has the best chance from the rest, after all he is defending champion. My guy: I’ll be pleased IF he gets to qtrs. Just glad to see him back in these big events!

March 5th, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Nadal Nation,

Thank you for your votes. My IW status =knee dependent.

March 5th, 2013 at 1:16 pm

Brando that sounds about right,i think the QTRS or Semis would be a fantastic result on his 1st tourney back on a HC,and the way he played in that exho against Delpo sounds quite promising going by what everybodys saying.

March 5th, 2013 at 1:21 pm

Of course for the BG 4 to make the semis then Rafa has to wind up in Ferrer’s quarter; otherwise Fed, Nole or Muzza may have a tough match on their hands in the QF.

The luck of the draw could play a big part in determining how far these boys go. Djokovic not making the final would be a surprise. If Fed gets Ferrer in his half and doesn’t meet someone like Berdych or Delpo he should reach the finals without breaking a sweat. However, if Nadal winds up as his WF opponent, oh boy!

March 5th, 2013 at 1:36 pm

alison. Go over to the other thread”Highlights World Tennis Day”. I have posted vid of singles match

March 5th, 2013 at 1:47 pm

I would say that favorite are in this order:
1.Novak
2.Andy
3.Rafa
4.Federer
and then others…
Ofcourse, its just my personal opinion.
Rafa is back and he will do damage

March 5th, 2013 at 2:04 pm

Steve27: I think if Murray wins IW he will overtake Federer at number 2.
–
Please..get over your Arro-obsession. The train has move on and so should you.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:08 pm

@ “Humble” Rafa

“Have the Arrotards finally seen the light? Or are they sleeping?”

They clearly have not seen the light and they are not sleeping. The “Arrotards” are still out in full force and make him a surprising second on the poll. Considering the “Arrogant” one’s title drought and the slow and high bouncing IW court, he should be fourth behind your “humble” self and Andy. The devotees of your “humble highness” are not doing too badly. Andy gets half your votes despite making the last two hard court major finals.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:16 pm

@Brando-I think your guy is more then a ready.
Happy to see him back also, even if this means Novaks chances of wining Roland Garos are smaller now…but, hey-if Nole wants to be a top dog he has to beat Rafa at RG-simple as that.
Also, I do not belive that Rafa will be danger on clay only-he has two Wimbys, US Open…people have a short memory.It will be him and Novak again but this time with the Andy in the mix and sometimes Federer.Interesting times coming…(also maybe Delpo finally gets good and Bedrych-field is wide open)

March 5th, 2013 at 2:16 pm

@ courbon

I agree with your 2:04 post. It sounds just about right.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:18 pm

Giles thanks very much i just watched it,i know it was only an exho but im delighted to watch him play on a HC so well,it looked reminiscent of the USO in 2010,im wondering if this is a new or rather old strategy,win or lose its just great to see him playing so well again,i cannot wait for IW now,i will be delighted if he reached either the QTRs or semis,that would be amazing for his 1st HC tourney back.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:29 pm

Courbon thanks for such a nice and positive post about Rafa, i dont know what will happen going forward,but it will just be fantastic to have all the top guys playing at the same tourney again.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:33 pm

@Rogerafa:Even if I putted Novak first, I have a felling that Andy may win this one.Lets see the draw in 4-5 hours then we can ‘see it’ better.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:35 pm

Courbon im actually surprised that you would favour Rafa over Roger at IW though,BTW i dont know if you saw my post on the other thread,but regarding the lottery win,you have got yourself a deal lol.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:36 pm

@Alison:I just think that Rafa downplays his chances and he is quite ready.I’v seen you post-but have you see what Wog Boy wrote?And I just wrote replay to you on that post about 20min ago-have a look and come back to me.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:38 pm

Courbon which post?which thread?not with ya.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:46 pm

^If its the Novak no 1 thread its gone,and i cant find it anymore^.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:47 pm

@Courbon:

I wrote you a long answer in the Novak thread. Since I still can find it, I could repost it here.

March 5th, 2013 at 2:59 pm

Mat4 i cant find that thread either.

March 5th, 2013 at 3:00 pm

It’s here: http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-03-02/11725.php

March 5th, 2013 at 3:05 pm

@Alison;Yes, it was Novak NO1 tread but its just gone.I’ll explain then-Wog Boy thinks that I should watch my kids, Mat 4 write novel and he should go alone with you tom Wimby…hmmm.Which I replied that you should remind Skippy him that you have a husband …

March 5th, 2013 at 3:05 pm

@Mat4:Thanks for that-very insightfull.Half of the things I did not even realised they are happening over the years.His future game is probably evolving more for faster surfaces, isn’it?
Once more, thank you for that answer-really educational.

March 5th, 2013 at 3:23 pm

courbon,

I have wife too, so we are safe … we will not talk around..

March 5th, 2013 at 3:53 pm

As a fan of Rafa its been quite refreshing these last few days,to actually be discussing his tennis,rather than the knees or the injuries or all the other drama,focusing on the positives for a change.

March 5th, 2013 at 3:55 pm

Wogboy bring the wife and kids too,money will be no object.

March 5th, 2013 at 3:56 pm

@courbon:

First, a bit of credit where credit is due: Skeezer here was the first to notice Novak’s improved volley and transition game. He wrote a few years ago about Novak’s training and the “quality time he spent on the net”.

I am also grateful to TF76 and TL for their insightful remarks (although they could be the same person, since tf76 doesn’t post any more), and you can find also a lot on fuzzy yellow balls and youtube in general.

Novak’s game doesn’t have to change to adapt to fast surfaces: he already is the second best player on fast hard courts, where he just doesn’t have to hit that hard to win points. He has won the YEC twice, Paris, made 6 semis in a row at the USO, and the only man that stopped him there was Federer, and the wind… His game, where he doesn’t have to run around the ball to hit an IO FH but can rely on his BH, where he can flatten his shots, is already adapted to fast hard courts.

I see his future improvements in the following:

- improved net play to finish points;

- better use of the FH after he has stepped in the court (the way Federer uses it, and a bit like he did against Berdych),

- better use of the spin not only for angled shots (he has added spin and angle both to his FH and BH), but to control the FH (two sequences are revealing: a “slapping” of the FH against Harrison at the AO, and a FH to FH rally in the second set against Berdych).

With a more potent FH, he could really become the best hard court player ever.

March 5th, 2013 at 4:03 pm

Thanks alison … if you insist.

March 5th, 2013 at 5:22 pm

Wogboy yeah i insist,to be quite honest theres a better chance of me platting fog,or Liverpool winning the Premier league,FA cup,league cup and champions league all in one season,than there is of me ever winning the lottery,but the offer still stands for you,Courbon,and Mat4 and your lovely families.

March 5th, 2013 at 5:43 pm

@alison:

Liverpool almost did it in the seventies, but the FA cup eluded him. So, don’t be so sure…

March 5th, 2013 at 6:20 pm

@courbon:

This analysis is much, much better than mine, and it certainly deserves attention:

http://www.changeovertennis.com/stray-shots-why-djokovic-dominates-the-hard-courts-the-occasionally-magnificent-seven-and-more/

March 5th, 2013 at 6:26 pm

Well now we know the answer: Nadal in Federer’s section. Possible QF looming. Potentially mouth-watering.

March 5th, 2013 at 6:39 pm

Andy and Nole in the same half. Murray could finally get to play Delpo again in the QFs. Nole gets Tsonga and Ferrer has Berdy. Let’s hope all the seeds make it at least to the QFs.

March 5th, 2013 at 6:41 pm

“Well now we know the answer: Nadal in Federer’s section. Possible QF looming. Potentially mouth-watering.’

YAY!

March 5th, 2013 at 7:11 pm

mouth-watering.
—
People have poor memories. Mouth watering can quickly turn into nightmare for the Arrotards.

March 5th, 2013 at 7:14 pm

@skeezer – Roger could also get Benneteau in rnd 3 and potential SF vs Berdy (ouch). Hopefully it will go better this time. Raonic is in Nole’s section but he has to get past Tsonga. I’m still curious to see a match between him and Djokovic.

March 5th, 2013 at 7:27 pm

Fed has a monkey on his back lately, in the form of T-Berd. It appears that Fed’s doomed to get either Tsonga, or T-Berd in most of his draws. Over the past 2 years Fed’s draws have been filled with the big hitters and servers, Tsonga, T-Berd, DelPo and Raonic.

I’d like to see a stat on how many times Fed has drawn Tsonga and T-Berd.

March 5th, 2013 at 7:37 pm

HR, why do you call Fed fans Arrotards?

March 5th, 2013 at 7:38 pm

Indian Wells draw is out!

Rafa and Roger in same quarter! :)

Nole and Andy in same half.

March 5th, 2013 at 7:56 pm

Rafa and Roger in same quarter!
Rafa and Roger in same quarter!

Unbelievable! Can’t get enough of this.

March 5th, 2013 at 7:58 pm

Exho in LA is filled with lot of joking around.

Good to see Sampras still hitting overhead smashes.

On the IW draw, Fed could have a potential meeting with his buddy Wawa. If that happens, I hope Stan does not give his all and tire out Fed, which happens most times and sets up Fed for losing in his next match, should Fed beat Stan.

March 5th, 2013 at 8:49 pm

Draw challenge guys, not quite ready to pick but here are instructions—-challenge.atpworldtour.com join group tennis xfans. If u already have an account just log in and If u don’t create an account and the. Find the group and join. It is a public group so no approval required

March 5th, 2013 at 8:58 pm

Sampras still has a badass serve

March 5th, 2013 at 8:59 pm

@the DA,

It seems Feds draw is getting tougher and tougher. Since when did his fans have to worry about the likes of Benneteau? lol,…. its all good. ;)

March 5th, 2013 at 9:57 pm

Thanks Kimberly!

Hey all you guys / gals sign up! Its a lot of fun. No pressure, no abuse, lol

March 5th, 2013 at 9:58 pm

It seems Feds draw is getting tougher and tougher. Since when did his fans have to worry about the likes of Benneteau?
–
Don’t talk trash about the B-man.

March 5th, 2013 at 10:07 pm

^B man to who or whom ?

March 5th, 2013 at 10:12 pm

Nole with Bruce Willis – perfect, both die hard. ;)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535556_424604007627989_593145300_n.jpg

March 5th, 2013 at 11:05 pm

Hooray, I have my personal pigeon in the first round, and then DelPoop in second. After that, it is straight ahead to the next installment of the FeDavy dynasty in the 2013!

March 5th, 2013 at 11:45 pm

Ben Pronin Says:
Anyone see the exho last night? I watched the first set. I think Nadal is back. And if he plays that way on hard courts consistently, he can do serious damage and preserve his knees at the same time. Looks like he’s a bigger threat at Indian Wells than initially expected.

March 5th, 2013 at 9:03 am

Anyone who saw the exho wouldn’t write Rafa off on any surface. In his first match on h/c for almost a year, (indoor h/c, his least successful environment) he was pretty impressive. If he continues to play like that, everyone watch out, Rafa is back. He seemed to be hitting winners at will and played aggressive tennis very successfully against a big hitter like Delpo.

March 6th, 2013 at 11:31 am

@the DA
A bit worried about our Andy. He’s bound to be so rusty we’ll probably be able to hear him creaking. Do u think I should rush over to IW with some WD40?

March 6th, 2013 at 1:33 pm

@ Margot – hehe..probably not WD40 since he’s been training hard for 3 weeks, but maybe a placard saying “FOCUS” will do the trick.

March 6th, 2013 at 1:52 pm

Margot,

:-)))

March 6th, 2013 at 2:49 pm