Nadal Collides With Melzer; Bombers Berdych, Soderling Battle at French Open Semifinals

by Sean Randall | June 3rd, 2010, 8:47 pm
  • 245 Comments

Quickly, raise your hand if you had picked three of the four men’s semifinalists at the start of the week at the French Open. And if you picked all four, email me your address because we have some business to discuss (i.e., the future of the stock market, the winner of the next super bowl and of course when the next Rocky movie will be released.) ADHEREL

Needless to say it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the kind of topsy-turvy, bewildering Slam that the French Open has brought upon us the last 4-5 days. No Roger Federer. No Serena Williams. Just Jurgen Melzer, Tomas Berdych, Francesca Schiavone and Sam Stosur.

That’s all well and good for… Rome. But for a Grand Slam? What the heck happened?


Well, here’s what happened. The power game is taking over. At least on the men’s side it is. If you can’t hit the ball hard you are in grave danger at the highest of levels. That means you Roger Federer. The Swiss’s last two Slam losses have come to players who hit the ball harder than he does – Juan Martin Del Potro at the US Open and Robin Sodering earlier this week. And I could go on but I won’t.

And really it’s not surprise. In many ways it’s been a long time coming. But it finally seems to be here.

And tomorrow we’ll see it in full flight.

First it’s Tomas Berdych and Robin Soderling. Both long known and mentally fragile and underachivers, Soderling cracked that mold a a year ago with that Nadal win and now Berdych is following suit. Berdych is arguably playing better ball as the Czech has quietly yet to drop a set in five matches. Soderling gets the fanfare because he beat Rafael Nadal last year and then Federer this year. But Berdych beat him in Miami and I think he hits the ball just as hard as the Swede.

Their games are really quite even. Berdych maybe hits flatter while Soderling spinny-er. I give the edge to Berdych on the serve and backhand. Soderling gets the rest. Robin’s proven it on the biggest of stages whereas Berdych has wins but not of the quality of Soderling’s in Slam play.

Soderling is also ahead in their head-to-head 5-3, but Berdych rocked him in the Miami semifinal 6-2, 6-2. And that counts for a lot.

Most people are picking Soderling just because he beat Federer. But a lot of people have beat Federer this clay season. So on a whim I’ll say Berdych in straight sets.

Not having lost a set counts more to me than beating Federer on clay. Their most recent meeting doesn’t hurt either.

In the second semifinal, an all-lefty one, it’s Nadal v. Melzer. Rafa’s through to his fifth Roland Garros, but the 4-time champ also hasn’t dropped a set but still has seen better days on the clay.

Meanwhile, Melzer is an enigma. I have no idea why he has reached where he has reached. It just doesn’t add up aside from Novak Djokovic’s collapse from up a break and two sets on the Austrian Wednesday.

What does add up is that Nadal dominates lefties and he dominates Melzer. There  is no doubt Melzer is playing the best tennis of his life, and I really don’t think his five setter against Novak will have any affect on the match. against Rafa. But I do feel that internally he has to be satisfied with his semifinal run thus far. That’s his footprint to keep and he’s happy with it. So I’m picking Nadal in three.

That said, is anyone picking Melzer?


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245 Comments for Nadal Collides With Melzer; Bombers Berdych, Soderling Battle at French Open Semifinals

blank Says:

Sean,

These were my 4 picks. Now, your email please?

lol :-)

All kidding aside, I see that they are predicting rainy conditions for Sunday (I don’t trust the weather guys for any forecast greater than 1-2 days), but assuming it holds, it will be one heck of a match as Soda or Berdy will love it. That way the most likely match up with Nadal will be all the more interesting and competitive.


Sean Randall Says:

Impossible. There is not a single person who has picked the all four correctly. Especially Melzer!

Just like nobody walking this planet would have picked Schiavone v. Stosur at the beginning of the tournament. No one.

Stosur is not a massove surprise but Schiavone is completely from left field.


skeezerweezer Says:

Sean,

Agree in the one Mens Semis; Rafa vs …who? Rafa in straight sets…


tennislover Says:

“Well, here’s what happened. The power game is taking over. At least on the men’s side it is. If you can’t hit the ball hard you are in grave danger at the highest of levels”

Power has ALWAYS mattered but it is not the only thing. Far from it. There are so many factors that go into making a consistently dominant player. Let the giants dominate the game for a while before reaching that sort of conclusion. The last AO final was contested by two of the most skillful players in the game. Davydenko won the tour finals through brilliant ball striking which depended more on angles and placement than on brutal power……….

Pure power players are definitely capable of blowing the best of players off the court if they catch fire on a given day but they can not do it very frequently especially in the best of five format. They also run the risk of getting injured because of the way they play.

The top five players in the atp rankings are all very skillful players having extremely good movement and the top two who have been so dominant are both 6’1″ and they are not even close to Delpo, Soderling or Berdych in flat power-hitting. Federer doesn’t even have the upper body strength to hit flat strokes for a prolonged period. However, the other areas of their games are so strong that they very rarely rue their relative lack of flat power.

Soderling has been wonderful both last year and this year so far but he hasn’t won the FO yet. Nadal has won it four times and should win the fifth this year. I am not sure Soderling can produce another great performance against Nadal if he manages to reach the final. Once a year in a slam is difficult enough. Kudos to him for what he did to knock out two defending champions in two consecutive years. He has probably peaked a bit too early and may not even reach the final. Berdych, if he reaches the final, will probably be too overawed by the occasion and is not as strong mentally as Soderling. If the final is played in wet conditions, both of them stand a much better chance against Nadal and Soderling will definitely be a real contender then.

However, I do expect Nadal to flatten out his strokes a lot more and employ more variety to keep his opponent off-balance especially against Soderling. It would be interesting to see if Sean’s hypothesis holds good in the final especially if it is played in drier conditions.


Kimmi Says:

wow, what a grand slam for rafa this has turn out to be. all the top 10 in his half have gone down the drain, he did not need to play one to reach the final. the luck might continue if he gets berdych..why not…he can only play who is infront of him. ;)


funches Says:

In the Tennis Channel Racket Bracket contest, five out of 6,134 entrants had Melzer in the semis. Apparently his relatives entered.

No one had all four semifinalists.


Andrew Miller Says:

Kind of feel that Soderling and Berdych, like James Blake a few years ago, realize that they are in their prime tennis years. If they dont get it done now, they wont get it done in the future. They are also experienced enough to know that.

I think Sean’s right about the power game’s return.

I think Del Potro showed them how it’s done, and players like Isner, Querrey, Berdych, Soderling, Cilic etc are sensing they have a shot too. Del Potro might be more important, looking back, for being the break through player more than the heir to Federer or anything like that.


tennismoger Says:

Melzer plays w/that “slippery” lefty game but unless he plays the mach of his life he has nothing with which to hurt Nadal. He got past Nole because Nole didn’t put him away in set 3 & paid the price. Nadal will not waver in that way & even if it were to go to 5, Nadal would still not waver.

Sean, you could be right about Berdych being the hotter player but I hope not – only Soda has the goods to make this a very interesting final.


tennismonger Says:

Am I a tennismoger or a tennismonger?


tennislover Says:

The only real surprise is Melzer in the men’s section. Nadal HAD to be there. The only question was if he could lose a set on the way. He hasn’t despite unfavourable conditions in some of his matches. Soderling is always dangerous and the extra time he gets on clay seems to really suit his style of clobbering the ball taking huge swings.
Berdych has a huge game too and has taken advantage of the easy draw initially and the wet conditions in his last two matches.

I don’t care much for the ladies’ game but I like the fact that there will be a new champion.
Nadal is not going to allow any such wish on the men’s side to be fulfilled. In case he falters for some strange reason, I would really like Berdych to take it even though Soderling deserves it more. A slam win can potentially help Berdych’s career much more in terms of self-belief whereas Soderling seems to have no problems in that department.


Kimo Says:

I want Soderling vs. Rafa. I want a final where there’s a chance either man can win. That’s not gonna happen if Berdych wins today.


Oui Says:

all the top 10 in his half have gone down the drain

What the heck happened to Roddick? He was not in Fed’s half for once and he lets a qualifier beat him? A qualifier!!!! That’s a weak weak weak mind. He is a major one slam wonder and needs to retire. Ay caramba


skeezerweezer Says:

@tennislover

You all may be right about the power game coming back, but I think it never left. We just have a new level of it. JDP at USO was unbelievable.

Here, I am not convinced. Yet. If the surface played more like the USO, then, ok.

We have had not too many sunny days here this year. And Clay is a different animal.

Clay is by far the slowest surface, and helps guys with big swings get set and hit the crap out of the ball. Some of the other surfaces, like Wimby, especially the old Wimby, don’t allow that.

(On a side note this is why Rafa deserves so much credit on the Grass, he has adjusted. Taking shorter backswings and hovering the baseline more)

I wish NELTA was around, she had good insight on the Clay and the weather, conditions and how it makes a difference in play. She knows her stuff, and knows tennis.

Rafa in his interview said he likes the Sunny conditions, dry, hot.IMO makes his ball bounce into the crowd. Makes sense.

From what I understand, if it is damp, slightly raining, humid, overcast, etc, on the Clay, the ball plays “wet”, or heavy. Anyone ever crazy enough to play in the rain with wet balls, you know what I am talking about.

Furthermore, the person who has the stronger upper body strength conceivably has an advantage in these conditions provided of course the footwork and technique are there ( disclaimer for Rafa fans, NOT giving a excuse why Fed lost, Sod beat him fair and square, they both had to play under the same stuff, as Fed said himself ).

This is where the upper body, core, and huge whackers at the ball prevail. In Fed’s case, is upper body strength could not match up to Sod. Sod set up to that damp ball, with plenty of time to set up. and smacked the livin daylights out of it. And the rest is history….

So just sayin looking forward as you watch the Semi’s and finals, take note of the conditions. Of all surfaces, Clay with the weather is the most exciting that way. It’s just us fans have been spoiled by the usual sunny weather at RG in recent years….most of the time :)


contador Says:

hmm. sean is picking berdych. i have been feeling like berdych will make the final. i picked soderling to win over federer. federer was improving; his first serve was better UE count down. seemed like fed played too conservative. doesn’t matter now.

great line skeezerweezer, you make me giggle.

“Anyone ever crazy enough to play in the rain with wet balls, you know what I am talking about.”

i also think sean is right about the power game. C’mon fed, start working those biceps. you too, gulbis. get to the gym and grow some guns!

rafa is the incredible hulk. and that kind of shape does appear necessary. soda has developed his upper body too. i mean he wasn’t too bad in his physique last year, but this year, have a look at him in his interviews in the short sleeves!! i haven’t noticed anything particularly different about berdych’s upper body development but he certainly has undergone a mental makeover.

considering berych’s mental makeover and for some other illogical reasons, i think berdych wants to get to the final more than soderling.

is soda pop afraid? i dunno what it is, but i think berdych will win. i pick the czech in 5.

obviously nadal will be in the final. what can melzer do, even if he is playing giddy happy inspired tennis. he’s gonna lose to rafa in straights. the only thing that can stop rafa is his own knees, no player on tour can beat him on clay this year or even take a set, it’s clear.

so, back to the power game idea, where does davydenko fit in? davy won WEC. he knocked out delpo in london. davy was taking it to the power players until he got injured. just wondering.

he’s an exceptional talent, mighty davy.


Huh Says:

FOR THE TWO SEMIS:

VAMOS RAFA!

AND

C’MON SOD!!!


Thomas Says:

Im going to say that I hope Soderling wins the title. Why?

1.) It’ll give us a new champion, like when DelPotro took down Federer at the US Open last year. It should appeal to all of those fans who are sick of seeing the same guy win over and over and over … (what?! You mean it’s OK when NADAL wins over and over and over, not just some other guy … ?)

2.) Fed will remain No. 1 and break Sampras’ record of weeks at the top. (I’ve been told that rooting for Sod for this reason — because it will help someone you like — is a-OK.)

3.) It will ruin the week if not month (if not year) of a few select tards who happily have turned vindication into vindictiveness. I’m looking forward to the responses by all those who can dish it out but can’t take it.


Thomas Says:

By the way, if Rafa wins, which he probably will because he is in fact awesome on clay, you can spare me the taunts. I’ll just ask what a select few rafatards always seems to ask in regard to Federer: Well who did he beat to get there? One top-10 ranked opponent? Of course he wins when the draw is set up for him. blah blah blah


Huh Says:

Thomas:

The 3rd reason of yours doesn’t sound great to me. Don’t try to stoop too low like the tards, I know it’s tough to resist, but still we’ve to try to exercise self-control. Let’s wish all the four guys luck, even though we may be rooting for only two of them. I’m rooting for Sod to win the title, as well.


Huh Says:

BTW Thomas:

Your first two points were very good, liked them.


rg.nadal (planet Rafadom) Says:

I too think Berdy will prevail, albeit in 4 sets. Rafa shall win the title and reclaim the no.1 ranking and the world will be a better place once again.


Thomas Says:

@Huh
thanks. I will take your advice.


its all abt da game Says:

personally, i like the czech birdy more than sodalime..
at the same time, i want rafa to give a royal @$$ whooping to sodalime..
so, may the better man win and face the wrath of the matador..
for the sakle of prediction, well, czech birdy in 5..


rg.nadal (planet Rafadom) Says:

Mats Willander thinks Sod could win it and in future be world no.1. I am glad I am not drinking what he is drinking!


tfouto Says:

I think Nadal he’s favourite with Soderling or Berdych. But i am not certainly that Berdych doesn´t have a chance against Nadal. I mean, nobody give Berdych the possibility of getting in the semis, so why does Berdych doesn’t have a chance against Nadal? He has the game to challenge Nadal if he remains mentally strong. It can be too much pressure on the final, but on the other side he has nothing to loose. If he see’s Nadal on the other side, its like: what a heck i am certainly to loose, but let me play my best at least.

Another thing, i dont think Soderling will reach No.1 ever. No.3 perhaps, but not for long time.


Eskay Says:

Rafa is marathon man. If the race is short, a sprinter can beat him. Last year too, if the match had gone to five sets, the result could have been different. This year, if Rafa is to be beaten, the match should not go to five sets. But, Rafa must have been wiser after last year loss. It looks more likely that he might regain his title.


Polo Says:

dear friends, allow me to start the day with the first negative blog. I hate NBC!


Shailesh Says:

Sod takes the first set!!


Kimo Says:

Soderling is all over Berdych is you ask me. He’s hitting the ball a lot harder.


Bo Says:

The stands are almost half empty.


Kimo Says:

Soderling seems shaken after his serve was broken. He’s missing routing shots.


contador Says:

i second that, Polo. NBC coverage is basically canned chopped hash by commercials, commentators hype and drivel, with a small amount of actual tennis thrown in.

they used to do a better job. ESPN2 is slightly better. i actually prefer livestreaming with sound off and RG radio on, if it;s not matt cronin commentating.

today RG radio has been really great with craig gabriel and nic lester.

berdych is making a match of it now.


contador Says:

the upper tiers of chartrier have been full, but the lower is starting to fill up.

C’mon, let’s have a match! Tomas win this set!

soda for the third.

craig gabriel does a perfect impression of barry white : )


Kimo Says:

2nd set was the exact opposite of the first.


contador Says:

now goooooooo soda pop for the 3rd gpooooooo!


contador Says:

sb “gooooooo” not gpooooo

what i get for trying to type on laptop in bed.

no matter who wins this set. the 4th should be a dogfight. s/b unless…soda fizzles. berdych appears ready to fight.

therefore, the 5th

not good for nadal fans waiting for this to be over.


Kimo Says:

Is Soderling hurt or something? What’s wrong with him?


contador Says:

whoa no! berdych got the break.

really, i want soda to win!

somehow didn’t think it would happen.

better for soda if it would rain. rain man


contador Says:

he acts like he can’t breathe or has a headache- something. he keeps pinching the bridge of his nose.

long rallies are not good for soda pop today.


contador Says:

robin needs a MTO


tfouto Says:

I have a theory about Soderling. He’s not so mentally strong as people think. Against Federer and Nadal, he just have this focus rigid expression because he’s nothing to loose and exceeds himself. And this mental tricks that his coach give him works against Fed and Rafa and he his almost obssessed with this big players. But against weaker players his doubts come to surface. He’s still a bit unstable mentally.

I wonder what Borg and Wilander will say now about his no.1 ranking sooner that people think.


contador Says:

maybe the towel over head, fluids and a tylenol will do


contador Says:

who is the ump? sexy, sexy voice


its all abt da game Says:

why are people so obsessed about what borg and wilander said??
oh come on, they are just being patriotic and favoring their countryman..
they know well it is not possible..
they are just 2 oldies wishing that sweden’s glory days come back (and those were some glory days)


contador Says:

not too much variety in this match

french crowd doesn’t even sound into it


tfouto Says:

its not an obssesion, i am just curious what they will say when they realize that Soderling will never get to No. 1. Perhaps they will say they are patriotic.


Kimo Says:

Looks like Berdych is mentally tougher than Sod today. If he goes on to win I just wish he’s just as tough against Rafa.


Kimo Says:

contador, I doubt anyone expected variety from this match.


tfouto Says:

Rafa will win against either one of them. I am Federer fan, but Rafa will win RG. No doubts.


its all abt da game Says:

i just lost a bet to my friend..
he said berdych will serve out the set,
while i, due to confidence in the abilities of the meltdown king, predicted that he will lose serve..
amazingly, against the norm, berdych held the serve..


contador Says:

sure. you are right.

it’s more boring than i imagined.

better watching, imo when one of these guys plays someone with a different game.

i thought it might be at least more interesting than watching this match than watching rafa steam toll melzer, who did well to get to the semi final.

soda appears done.


contador Says:

i should put more effort into typing.

have to go to work anyway.

fight soderling fight!


dangerouspaul Says:

the sod suffering the postwin federer syndrom…winning against him means very often to say goodbye in the next round. maybe he can turn it around. hopefully. berdych doesn’t convince me at all.


Kimo Says:

contador, I wou;dn’t say Soda is done just yet. In last year’s semi he was 1-4 down in the fifth set and then won five games in a row to win the match.


Steve Says:

Just heard that Fed and Nadal had a heated discussion in the halls yesterday, Nadal allegedly told Fed he should have put more effort in his match against Sod. This probably means he’s scared of Sod, or he just loves to hit the easy topspin FH to Federer’s backhand all day long.


JCZ Says:

Come one Soda pop! The last thing we need is another final with a first time finalist being all nervous and overcome by the situation and not doing well. I want a slugfest with Nadal and Soderling.


its all abt da game Says:

@safetypole..
ofcourse..
berdych does not convince you people you have a misplaced perception that sodalime can beat rafa black and blue..
may your belief save you!!


its all abt da game Says:

oops..
your name is dangerouspole, not safety pole!!!


Steve Says:

Sod needs some heavy showers on sunday if he’s to beat the boring clay king


contador Says:

right again Kimo. looks like soda will take the 4th.

have not be livestreaming. was getting ready to leave for work.

so i don’t know if soderling is coming alive or berdych was getting nervous.

commentators say that soderling is “hobbling.”

oh no. berdych broke back


contador Says:

yay!!!!!! soda! wins the 4th, perfect!


Steve Says:

set for Sod


Dan Martin Says:

We’re going 5 – I love 5 set matches


madmax Says:

I don’t know whether it’s me. But I am bored silly watching this match – berdy and soda. I dont want to be disrespecful, but just power hitting and aces. God. It makes me miss Federer even more.

Berdy is definitely playing better (more winners, less UE’s), then old faithful – the serve – comes to soda’s rescue.

I’m bored.

Even if soderling eeks this one out, i think he’s too nervous to beat the finalist.

Berdy is not going to play as well as he is playing in this match, should he reach the final.

2 sets all. But seriously bored.

Makes me realise how brilliant federer is with his variety of shots.

Federer! c’moon! sort it out for wimby.

power hitting may be the way of the future – makes me realise how great novak and murray are as well (both big hitters, but with a lot more finesse).

This reminds me of clunk, clunk, clunk!


madmax Says:

safety pole?

giggling here! (released some of the boredom!). Thanks ‘It’s all!’.


Steve Says:

I miss Federer too, more than anything in the world <3 Don’t ask, don’t tell policy here, right? just joking


contador Says:

i don’t think berdych is as mentally weak as people think anymore.

could be wrong. we’ll see in this decider who wants to be in the final more.

i got the # of sets right, anyway.


madmax Says:

Steve,

tapping fingers. bored and more bored. going to make a salad!


contador Says:

exactly, i love 5 setters too!


tfouto Says:

yes madmax. Future may be power hitting but it will be really boring watching tennis comparing to today.


JCZ Says:

Allright and Soda breaks to start the 5th. Maybe Berdych is starting to cave. This should be over quick.


madmax Says:

chopping onions, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, looking at the colours, it’s lovely.

great weather here in UK.

Another old faithful serve from soda.

bored.


madmax Says:

both nervous. break back.

eating salad. juicy salad, but not juicy tennis!


JCZ Says:

@madmax: geez man, if you’re that bored then you could just not watch. Come on, try to enjoy the power. It has its charms.


madmax Says:

i’ll try JCZ, want some salad?


tfouto Says:

this game is boring in variety, but its unpredictable right now. Breaks and counter-breaks. anything is possible.


madmax Says:

great point by soda, JCZ. best so far…there’s hope!


contador Says:

hahaha chop, chop, whack tennis.

best chopper must win to play the incredible hulk. just saying rafa has the biggest muscles, by far.


madmax Says:

whack, whack, whack.

sorry JCZ, but my salad looks more interesting right now. may be if i finish eating it, I’ll feel revived!

stupid shot from soda. stupid, stupid shot. clunky and more clunk.


Kimo Says:

Steve said:

“Just heard that Fed and Nadal had a heated discussion in the halls yesterday, Nadal allegedly told Fed he should have put more effort in his match against Sod. This probably means he’s scared of Sod, or he just loves to hit the easy topspin FH to Federer’s backhand all day long.”

WOW. If that is true then this is BIG NEWS. What’s your source and can you please elaborate?


Steve Says:

Thinking about rules that prevent power taking over everything in the tennis world, what about only allowing strings of.. paper? I’m not a string specialist. Hmm.. I do know that Chinese women make their legs longer, so why not forcing players to shorten their legs, max. 1.90m

And allowing only a certain amount of protein every day. Does anyone know about Nadal’s training regime? Seriously, what does he do or eat?


JCZ Says:

I was wrong. Berdych is not letting up…
Madmax, I will take some salad if you don’t mind. Balsamic vinagrette will do for the dressing.


contador Says:

yep, this is more fun suddenly. the end is near.

either could win. the one more ready for a GS final!

would be huge for either man


Steve Says:

Barbara Schett mentioned it, got it from rf.com


its all abt da game Says:

max,
i can gather you are a huge fed fan..
and i can deduce you are an anti nadal fan..
the way you said “Even if soderling eeks this one out, i think he’s too nervous to beat the finalist”
it clearly shows you don’t want to accept rafa will be in finals..


its all abt da game Says:

oh by the way max,
i’m glad i could be of service to a gentleman by releasing your boredom.. :)


contador Says:

rafa like cookies


Steve Says:

@its all abt da game

I also think he could be too ‘nervous’ to beat Rafa on sunday, doesn’t mean Rafa only wins if Sod is nervous though.


contador Says:

can’t rule out berdie just yet.


its all abt da game Says:

steve..
i agree..
though the bigger question is will he be at phillipe chatrier on sunday???


jane Says:

Soda with the break – the last one?


Kimo Says:

Sod breaks to go up 4-3. Will he be able to close it out?


Daniel Says:

Soderling 2 games away from a second final. Nerves from now on.


JCZ Says:

Come on Robin Bo Carl!
That is one weird name he has…


contador Says:

he will i think if he truly wants a final with rafa.

visualize soda visualize or i pray berdych makes a comeback here.

i’m a soda fan and i don’t want to watch him lose another FO final.


Daniel Says:

Both are not serving good this last 2 games. thier arms must be weighting a ton.


contador Says:

Robin Bo Carl? what?


JCZ Says:

contador, you don’t sound like a Soda fan. You should want your man in the final regardless


contador Says:

go bode miller! another skiier into tennis. but he lost his match in hawaii.


JCZ Says:

@contador: seriously, that is his name. It is strange
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soderling


Eskay Says:

Berdych not there to take on big boys. His time will come. But today it is all Sod. Beware Rafa.


Daniel Says:

One game from Nadal’s revenge match. I wonder who thr crowd will cheer for: Nadal to reclaim his title and complete an unprecedent Clay Slam, or Soda to win his first and beat Nadal in a Clay Sam final?


JCZ Says:

Daniel: I don’t think the French like the Spanish too much, its a neighbor competition thing. They may be behind Soderling.


Kimo Says:

Daneil said:

“One game from Nadal’s revenge match. I wonder who thr crowd will cheer for”

Well, judging by last year’s match, they’ll be behind Soda. Big time.


Daniel Says:

match point! Soda was smart to start attacking returns, he did this all 5th set.


Eskay Says:

Berdych a beaten man. Sod has arrived. Big stage man. Will there be a new champion.


contador Says:

nah. i don’t. he’s one of my faves. gulbis, nole, and mostly federer.

however it looks like

contador is afraid.

soda is not afraid!!!!!!!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Daniel Says:

Yeah!!!


JCZ Says:

It’s on baby! Honestly I think I prefer this over another Rafa-Fed final with a very predictable outcome. Fireworks on Sunday. (sorry Melzer for totally ignoring you.)


Kimo Says:

Berdych choked in the fifth set, but it doesn’t matter coz Soda would have won anyway. That is why I wanted Soda to win all along. He has the nerves to be able to compete with Rafa. He’s beat him once and he knows he can do it again.

Congrats Soderking :)


Daniel Says:

At least Nadal will enter his match agaisnt Melzer with some small thoughts in his mind. If he knew Berdych won, it woud be total different mind set.
The final promises, the good part is Soda can play better then he did today and Nadal doesn’t have Berdych’s serve to save him as Berdy showed a lot of aces today before 5th set.


Steve Says:

I always thought it’s more that French like elegancy, and Nadal is everything but elegant (with all respect).


its all abt da game Says:

the meltdown king shows why he is the meltdown king..
well, so it is official..
its time for some royal @$$ whooping at phillipe chatrier on sunday..
oh, by the way, borg and wilander are happy for sure.. :)


jane Says:

Congrats to Soda – another spot in the finals; great effort from Berdych too for his best slam result to date. Personally, I didn’t find that match boring, though I saw only the final 3 sets. Soda hit a lot of winners but so many errors too. I wonder if those could catch up with him on Sunday? In any case, great effort from him; he seems so happy in his post match interviews, nice to see.


tfouto Says:

Nadal will beat Soderling in straight sets, or at least 4, i think…


Daniel Says:

The pressure is all in Nadal now. He will have to prove last year was a fluke. Can you imagine if he loses to Soderling in the final?!


Steve Says:

Nadal needs good weather on sunday, otherwise Sod will be all over his service. If it’s dry, Nadal’s serve spin will be effective.


Kimo Says:

the grudge match of all grudge matches is ON!!!(Unless, Melzer does the unthinkable)

But keep in mind that Melzer beat Ferrer and Verdasco very convincingly, not to mention Djoko. Maybe he’ll push Rafa today, at least Rafa’s cross court forehand goes to his forehand.


contador Says:

thanks JCZ.

thought i had read wiki on soda recently. somebody updated.

well now. that does give more options for nicknames, anyway.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am afraid. now i won’t watch the final for sure. had berdych won, i could have sat back and watch a flogging just fine.

soda bo carl has a good shot at it! visualize the headlines all around the word robin! you go win, babeee!


madmax Says:

It’s all about da game!

NO WAY.

Just a feeling. No more than that. Of course, always federer. But respect to nadal.

I am just someone who likes a bit more variety…when it comes to watching tennis.

After watching the match today, ‘It’s all’, I appreciate FEDERER, MURRAY, DJOKOVIC, MORE and MORE. Do you understand that?

I don’t like the grunting, (in men’s or women’s game), I like to watch beautiful shots full of variety. Not just power hitting with top spin, all the time. I like the volley, overhead smash -how many of those did we see today? count them on 2 fingers.

Congrats to both sod and berdy today, for some great power hitting.


Eskay Says:

Prediction is very difficult. If he gets nervous, which is not improbable, Rafa may fall again. After R.G last year, Sod had beaten Rafa again in London masters. He will enter finals with no nerves, having been the victor last year. It all depends on Rafa. If he does not change his game (i.e., short balls, standing 6 metres behind base line), he is gone. If he were to win, Sod will catch public imagination, ahead of Andy and Djokovic. Just as Delpo did last year.


Kimo Says:

I hope that Soda wins the tournament so that we can have two fresh champions crowned at Roland Garros for both Men’s and Women’s singles. When was the last time that happened?


contador Says:

soda won me over last year at the FO final,

1) by beating rafa and not being overwhelmed by the achievement

2) his respect for roger federer and post match speech after losing to roger was so charming. i hoped robin bo carl would keep going and get back to the FO final and win!!

love you soda!!


thark Says:

“the meltdown king”?

c’mon that’s not necessary – berdych played well.

but this is soda’s year! rafa had best wear a couple extra watches for luck on sunday – he is playing incredible tennis but he is NOT unbeatable and RBCS knows it!

oh and for the record – this is not about fed’s record people – soda deserves a slam!


madmax Says:

steve,

i had a look at the rf.com website/barbara schett comment and there is nothing. I think without this being substantiated, it cannot be taken seriously. Pure conjecture for the fans, perhaps?


Steve Says:

Just thinking how great/how dirty this camera job is. The French love showing the audience, imagine your job is to zoom in on people in the stadium. French love doing that!! Just like the Spanish.


madmax Says:

thark,

yes, for soderling, this would be wonderful news. he has been around for quite a while, may be this is his time.

I wonder what magnus will be saying to him now? I wonder how he is going to contain his excitement? wonder if he will take “Kalms” before he goes onto the court on Sunday?


van orten Says:

hows the weather forecast for sunday ;-)


dangerouspaul Says:

leaning back and enjoy melzer vs nadal now. see how it goes.


madmax Says:

van orten,

heavy rain sunday. 24C, wind 12 –


Kimo Says:

Van Orten, is that your real name?


thark Says:

tfouto Says:

Nadal will beat Soderling in straight sets, or at least 4, i think…

you have unbelievable conviction, or at least some conviction, sorta…


jane Says:

If Soda wins this slam he will move up to top five in the rankings, deservedly.The weather forecast for Paris is 80% chance of rain on Sunday. Plus Soda has beaten Nadal in their last two outings. His chances look quite good, presuming Rafa gets there. Nadal will compete to this utmost too, though, so it could make for a very exciting final – if it’s even played. If it’s really raining hard, however, the whole final could be delayed. In any case, Melzer vs. Rafa now. Melzer’s drop shot is truly fab.


tfouto Says:

if its sunny i think so. I think it will repeat last year final. Soderling losing in the final against the number 2. Altough i would prefer Soderling to win, but i dont think so.


TomA Says:

Omg, so off it that Berdych crumbled in the end. Now Soderling will destroy Nadal! The Spaniard will not be able to withstand the Swede’s bludgeoning strokes and relentless power and attack. Nadal will be forced back well behind the baseline, running and defending like crazy. And yes, he’s the best defensive player ever, and we know he’ll come up with some amazing winners from these defensive positions. But he can’t win the match that way. Soderling will be patient and eventually crush Nadal’s spirit. Even before this match, mentally Soderling has the big edge. He won’t be overawed by the occasion because he made it to the final last year, and he has no respect for Nadal, unlike with Federer. He knows exactly how to beat Nadal, and believes that he can win, and will. Nadal on the otherhand will be feeling really intimidated and overwhelmed by his opponent.
In order to win the final Nadal will need to: Serve and return very well, hit flatter and deeper, and really hang tough in every point. He must play with confidence and belief that he CAN beat his nemesis. First set is crucial for him.

Prediction: Soderling wins 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 and becomes #4 in the world.


Kimo Says:

Melzer hitting some insane winners early on.


madmax Says:

Jane,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/40

here’s the link for paris – heavy rain shower – it says.


its all abt da game Says:

oh well,
i don’t want to be a spoilsport..
but don’t you think you should not pray for “heavy rain?”
because heavy rain means the match may be postponed to monday..
so, you should pray carefully..


Eskay Says:

Melzer one down. But he was two down against Djoker. Can he come back and win. Doubtful.


Kimo Says:

This match will be over in a flash.


Eskay Says:

Melzer trying to attack net. But he is not an expert there. But right thing to do. Something different. It might work.


andrea Says:

just saw the sod/berdych match scores. what a battle!


margot Says:

well congrats to Sodapop for gutsing it out, even though not playing anything like his best, but dear lord, sean is this REALLy the future of men’s tennis? No finesse, no variety just whacking serves and, when Birdie started missing his whacking serve, he lost? Surprised face…
Polo: why don’t u like NBC, is Mary Carillo on there too?!
Weather forecast for Sunday is not good.


madmax Says:

It’s all about –

d’uh?

whose praying for rain?

van orten asked for the weather forecast.

for what it’s worth i didnt think soda would play that well today, thought berdy would pip him,

no question that rafa gonna get through and more than likely, win on sunday, rain or no rain.

are you praying for rain? if so, why?


van orten Says:

@kimo
why ?you like that name or does it reminds you of someone ;-)


van orten Says:

nadal looks after every point that melzer makes like the end of the world is near…


Kimo Says:

Melzer breaks back. He’s trying to fight, which is admirable, but futile, I’m afraid.


madmax Says:

uk commentator just said the following inbetween the nadal/melzer match, said to follow the link as youtube just been posted on an austrian match (presumably link was melzer? It’s shocking!

You probably all knew about it anyway – to do with Koubek?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-btFWv3-yH4


margot Says:

Meltzer has more variety in his little finger than Sodapop and Birdie put together! Shame he’s gonna lose whatever he does!


jane Says:

I am not praying for rain; that’s for sure. A nice day, with sun and mild-medium temperatures, much like today there actually, would make the match enjoyable to watch imo.

Melzer with a break back and rushing to the net after his first serves; he’s a player very willing to mix it up. But too many errors from his end so far. Rafa is playing as consistently as ever, but with more winners as well. “Slow and steady” often wins the race.


Eskay Says:

Rafa is sweating so much. And Melzer is not sweating that much at all. What is the reason?


Kimo Says:

Van Orten, it reminds me of Michael Douglas’s name in “The Game”. It was Nicholas Van Orten.


its all abt da game Says:

no, max, hell no!!
i’m not praying for any rain..
i just want a good match with no interruptions..
though beating sod in conditions favoring sod, that would be cool!!
not to speak of the fire of vengeance!! :)


Kimo Says:

Eskay, That’s just Rafa being Rafa. He sweats.


Eskay Says:

Thanks Kimo. I thought Melzer making him work harder than what he would like to . I do not think the match will last much long.


van orten Says:

@kimo
yeah i heard about that movie for sure before

nadal seems beatable. melzer just misses his chances as usual when someone plays nadal. he got the break leads 30:0 and gets broken again right away. death sin against el matador. breaks your neck. nadal is the specialist in achieving that


Kimo Says:

margot said:

“Meltzer has more variety in his little finger than Sodapop and Birdie put together! Shame he’s gonna lose whatever he does!”

I agree. It probably has to do with the fact that Melzer is a little shorter, so he can’t generate as much power as those two. So he had to compensate for his average power with variety.


JCZ Says:

So is it now that Melzer shows up? Two sets down? You never know… Yeah right…


Eskay Says:

Rafa attacking Melzer BH worked. Melzer rushing to net too worked a little. Melzer in identical situation he was against Djoker. But result perhaps may not be similar.


madmax Says:

i wonder why it has taken so long for melzer to come through. he is such a good player, but outclassed by rafa.


Kimo Says:

Looks like Rafa is wrapping up this match already.


madmax Says:

yet the stats show players are very close, tho’ more UE’s for Melzer.


Kimo Says:

madmax, to answer your question: height. Melzer is a little bit too short for modern tennis. Had he been playing 30 years ago, he might have been something. But at this day an age, he’s just not good enough.


ánima Says:

What a pity the first semifinal, Berdych could have won, but he choked.

I really hope Nadal win on Sunday (don’t think Melzer have any real chance today).

If Soderling is the real pick for the future (according to some pundits) I will switch for other sports…


madmax Says:

some nice shots from him though kimo. This match has more variety than the soda/berdy match and is much more enjoyable to me – at least it’s not just about aces and power hitting – a lot more coming to the net – though melzer doesn’t have a chance (sorry), he is trying.


JCZ Says:

They are not close at all. Just look at winning %

For 1st Serve
Rafa: 75%
Melzer: 52%

2nd Serve:
Rafa: 62%
Melzer: 39%

Total points:
Rafa: 73
Melzer: 46

And the most important, break points
Rafa: 5/7
Melzer: 1/2

He is getting schooled, there is nothing close about it.


Eskay Says:

To me it looks that Rafa has added speed to his service last few months. Last year he was serving around 180-185, this time it is 190-195.Though it would be still better if he served more aces.


margot Says:

kimo: why don’t big guys have this variety? Generalisation, I know, cos I immediately thought of Sampras…but…is it because they whack the ball so hard they don’t need to bother with the rest of their game? Sorry that sounds so trite!


Ty Says:

Looks like once again NBC has taken it upon themselves to TELL us the result of the Soderling-Berdych match instead of, you know… SHOWING the damn match. If you buy the rights to something, the least you can do for tennis fans is show it to them, right? Instead we get Rafa beatdown hour.


Kimo Says:

margot said:

“is it because they whack the ball so hard they don’t need to bother with the rest of their game? Sorry that sounds so trite!”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I know, it’s sad, but it’s also true. Everything in life is like that. For example, do you know how to write with your left hand? (I’m assuming you’re a rightie) My guess no, and you never bothered to learn how to write with your left hand because you don’t need to.


zola Says:

Ty
Can’t agree more. I actually called the channel to complain. NBC should not be allowed to broadcast GSs anymore, They totally ruined it.

Thank God for the internet and for Eurosport. They have better commentators too.


van orten Says:

watchin nadal play a match like this is so boring. he needs to be finally pushed on sunday. is sod the man to break his neck? it would have a bigger impact than last year


Skeezerweezer Says:

Zola,

For sure! I don’t have Tennis Channel and when NBC goes to televise it is delayed. WTF? I know tennis can take a lot of TV time but:

Why not play it live, most everyone can record it no?

Or, like Tennis Channel play it live and then play it the workin people who can’t see it live, after the evening news? Ugh!

Thank God for Streamin…


JCZ Says:

Wow, the Tuna breaks back.


Kimo Says:

OMG. Rafa is actually CHOKING!!!!


tfouto Says:

will Mezler win the game now? :)


jane Says:

Melzer – can he come back from 2 sets and a break down against Rafa too? :)

Last year, when Rafa lost to Soda, it was mainly cloudy and cool; the average temperature that day was around 16 degrees C and it was partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Here’s a link to the data:

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LFPG/2009/5/31/DailyHistory.html?

It was a very exciting match – two tiebreakers. Just like with Fed, Soda put Rafa on defense, pushing him back and coming into net. Here are the highlights in high def.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a43Q22VDP_U


tfouto Says:

perhaps he’s choking on the idea of having to play with Soderling…


Eric Says:

MELZER


tfouto Says:

right Melzer…


Kimo Says:

It’s official: Soderling is in Rafa’s head.


sar Says:

Crowd really hates Nadal.


madmax Says:

JZC,

i was talking about the sets in terms of closeness, the stats flashed up on screen over here – and it was close – 73% first serves for melza, 72% first serves for Rafa, and the rest…

wow, this is getting a bit more interesting.

melza, use the surf, use the surf!


Kimo Says:

sar, I only got interested in this match when I saw Melzer fighting. Rafa’s play just doesn’t inspire me, and I’m sure many in the French crowd share my view.


tennisfansince76 Says:

this is a french open from the twilight zone. unfortunately I haven’t been watching since last fri as i am at an undisclosed secure location w/ no cable. tennislover you really know your stuff. I have been wondering if the power game is coming back around. it would be interesting since when fed came into #1 his game, style, and results were a refutation of dinosaur tennis. he used his magic wand slice backhand to blunt, deflect and carve up power. he amply demonstrated his technique in dismantling the ultimate lumbering dinosaur Mark Philopoussis on grass no less. now we have seen a few times ( delpo at USO ) where he has been just slugged off the court. well we’ll have to see what happens. I for one don’t want a return to 90’s tennis. the post mac era at wimby was atrocious.


van orten Says:

i really believe nadal hates the crowd too..did you see his face during the la ola stuff..he hates them..


its all abt da game Says:

yo!!
melzerminator showing he can really uphold musterminator’s legacy!!
but rafa will win..
he has a freakingly awesome record in tiebreakers..
oh as i wrie this he messed up an overhead..
did he see the moon??
did it remind him of moonballing??


jane Says:

Melzer has been fighting this entire event. He beat Ferrer who’d been hot on clay all season. He also spoke about how he changed his tennis with his coach, to get more solid from the baseline so he had that to rely on and use along with his variety at the net, drop shots etc.


Kimo Says:

OMG. 2nd DF from Rafa at a critical point. I knew he hated Soda but I didn’t know he feared him that much.


its all abt da game Says:

tennisfansince76..
what was atrocious about 90s??
how the hell did you become a tennis fan since 76 if you hated 90s??


jane Says:

Nice lob from Rafa. Funny reaction from Jurgen when he missed the dropper.

I posted this above, with a link, so it’s in moderation. In any case, last year, when Rafa lost to Soda, it was mainly cloudy and cool; the average temperature that day was around 16 degrees C and it was partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon.


Eric Says:

Kimo, do you really think Nadal is standing there thinking “Gee, I really don’t want to play Soderling on Sunday! Soderling, Soderling, Soderling!” Maybe he is just having an off spell. Anyway, looks like Melzer’s amazing attempt to get back in the match is about to end.


Kimo Says:

Oh man!!! Melzer has some serious balls to try a dropper on match point!!!


Eric Says:

Or he could be in it for a few more minutes…excellent.


van orten Says:

nadal officially does not enjoy playing ..has he ever smiled once on court???? toughest man to beat just because he seems so focused aggresivly


Kimo Says:

OH Melzer so unlucky with the net chord.


Eric Says:

aaaand Melzer nets the ball….again. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.


ánima Says:

At least Melzer has provided some thriller at the end…

I agree with the posts saying the crowd doesn’t like him, one can feel it just watching the match.
Probably he doesn’t like the place either.


van orten Says:

nadal gets always away with it..its tough to digest for his opponents ..i never seen a match where he lacked luck. u know that bit his opponents need to finish him off on a day like that.boring boring boring to watch …i hope the final on sunday will be better


jane Says:

Congrats to Rafa – no sets lost yet. Kudos to Melzer for a great run and a spirited effort today, especially at the end.


Rsutherland Says:

So I have a question…If Nadal loses the final, will 3 Masters and French finalist mean he is the ‘winner’ of the clay court season, or will that mean it is Soderling who won the French but won nothing in the Masters. How does that work.
Will Federer let us know?


madmax Says:

enjoyed this match much, much more.

Great stuff!

Melzer can hold his head up high – he put in a fight, but the best player today won. Rafa is amazing to hold his nerve, he is just brilliant.


Skeezerweezer Says:

Congrats to Rafa fans!! Another straight set win. Dominating :)


Dan Martin Says:

Melzer is #15 in the world – he should be proud. Rafa is where he belongs in the final and he gets a chance to avenge last year’s loss. Should be fun for the fans


tennisfansince76 Says:

i’ve kept my eye on tennis since 76. that doesn’t mean I always liked what I saw. and come on. you have to admit wimbledon tennis was awful during the becker/edberg/sampras eras. very little tension. just watching aces, unreturnable serves, and high volley winners go by in a blur until one player coughed up a double fault or a few too many second serves. it was not good stuff. agassi rafter matches got me back into it. that and the whole agassi 99 gs run.


Sazzy Falak Says:

I know Wimbledon has a unique way in deciding players’ seed. Rafa, on the other hand was not playing Wimbledon last year…

Is there any possibility for Roger and Rafa to be in the same half of the draw this year?


van orten Says:

soederling wins the french he will be the winner of the clay season. believe me rafa will say no but losing to soederling would be a mental amarggeddon for rafa. right now he thinks he is unbeatable and the best so it would be tough for him not to win this. and soederling i think knows that. no need to talk about federer. he is out of the tournament and already training on grass.
it’s nadal vs THE SOD


Eskay Says:

Finals would be exciting. I didn’t want to see Rafa Roger final. This one is most exciting. I think Soderling has edge.


its all abt da game Says:

dan,
melzer will be 16..
he will have 2125 points and that will get him to 16 only..

well tennisfansince76,
i loved what i saw in 90s..
i may have been a kid during edberg becker era,
but it is their serve and volley that got me hooked..
to me serve and volley was great..
not saying baseline slugging is bad but i will give my money to watch edberg becker once again at centre court.
because during a serve and volley game, a long rally in between was like a preecious gem and everyone enjoyed it better..
in the end it is down to individual taste my friend..
and i loved evrything about 90s..


Fot Says:

There is no way Rafa and Roger will be in the same half at Wimbledon because they will be either 1 & 2; or 2 & 1 (depending on what Nadal does in the final). So they will be in opposite halfs.

On the match. First, I applaude The Tennis Channel for broadcasting the first match live. I can’t stand NBC for ‘tape-delaying’ the match in my area (central time zone). Right now, if you cut on NBC, it’s just 3-1 in the 3rd set (yet the match is over in reality!). It sucks. I had to follow the match live on the French Open site by watching the scoreboard. NBC gets a “D” in their broadcast. And no one even showed the double’s final for the women yet!

As far as the final. I remember when Roger was winning alot of the slams, many folks said it was boring and they wanted to see ‘new’ people win. Well, the slams have basically been dominated by Roger and Rafa…so I’m pulling for the ‘new’ guy to win his first on Sunday. On the women’s side, I want Sam to win her first title. Whether or not these wishes happen – I don’t know.

I knew The Melzer/Nadal match would turn out like it did. Was actually surprised Melzer got it to a tiebreak in the 3rd! But Nadal isn’t playing that ‘unbeatable’ tennis yet so Soderling has a shot if he plays good. Maybe it will help him in the fact that it’s not his first slam final like it was last year. But we will see. You can never underestimate Nadal though.


its all abt da game Says:

oh i am going now..
just one thing..
THE SOD will be taken to SWORD by the MATADOR


madmax Says:

Is there any possibility for Roger and Rafa to be in the same half of the draw this year?

June 4th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

Sazzy,

No.


madmax Says:

presumably you’re talking about wimby?


Kimo Says:

Rsutherland said:

“So I have a question…If Nadal loses the final, will 3 Masters and French finalist mean he is the ‘winner’ of the clay court season, or will that mean it is Soderling who won the French but won nothing in the Masters. How does that work.
Will Federer let us know?”

Actually, Agassi will let you know. In 1995, He won DC, Montreal and Cincinnati, then went on to lose the final of the US Open to Sampras. His record for the summer hard court season was 26-1 thanks to that loss. In Open he writes: “Reportters ask how it feels to win twenty-sic matches in a row, to win all summer long, only to run into the giant net that is Pete. I think: HOw do you think it feels? I say: Next summer I’m going to lose a little bit. I’m 26-1, and I’d give up all those wins for this one.”

Have I answered your question?


Sazzy Falak Says:

FoT and madmax, thanx…


margot Says:

Spirited fightback from Meltzer, fun while it lasted! Wonder how it will go on Sunday. Hope it’s exciting and competitive, whatever. I think Sodapop will want it very, very badly, it slipped out at interview b4 the match that he would rather play Rafa.
cheers, kimo.


Mr. Perfect Says:

Yes soderling will be the bigger champion if he wins FO

Quick question : who won 99 FO?

now repeat that question for the 3 clay masters.

can every poster do that without googling.

you will then know which matters more.


rose Says:

Mr. Perfect say:

Quick question : who won 99 FO?
IDK..i must google it now

now repeat that question for the 3 clay masters.
i know this one: Rafa-no goggle needed it :)


Mr. Perfect Says:

at the masters, the players are bigger than the tournament. but the GS are bigger than any player.

another quick question.

Sampras 6 GS more than Agassi. Agassi has 6 more MS titles than sampras. but agassi gets no mention in the GOAT discussion. hell, connors who won almost 50 titles more than sampras is just a footnote in GOAT discussion.

Tennis is a game in which some points are bigger than others. similarly GS are much bigger than any other tourney you would put out there.

rafatard, i mean, rland, let this go. Federer stated a fact. rafatards can keep the propaganda to spin it into saying roger is arrogant or whatever, but if you are a real tennis fan, you know it is a fact.

GS >>>>>> MS

get over it. maybe if soderling shoves that fact down your throats on sunday, you will believe it?


Mr. Perfect Says:

are you serious? rafa did not even turn pro in 99.


rose Says:

lol ..someone needs a chill pill..


Mr. Perfect Says:

I forgot to include this for rafatards.

Use your brain. if you donot have one, take help from someone who has it.

F*$k! who won the clay masters in 99? answer = rafa!

priceless! this is pathetic even by rafatard standards!

back to mothership on tennis talk or rn.com rose!


Mr. Perfect Says:

and someone needs to get a lobotomy and get a atleast a bird brain implanted!


rose Says:

lol..some posting in this blog really cracks me up ….wowww..who knew tennis can become personal :)
anyhow cant wait for this sunday ..nadal vs sodapop will be a good one !!!


Mr. Perfect Says:

this is the problem when you have people who donot even know the FO 99 men’s champ as fans.

it is not just about drooling at men wearing shorts and showing bisceps. they do play a game too. ever notice that?

dont worry, there are lot of people laughing at your stupidity too!

please go back to doing whatever you do with rafa’s poster in your room. if you know your tennis history, please share it. else STFU!


Huh Says:

Sorry Kimo, but I can’t resist this. To say that Soderling is in Rafa’s head is laughable!! Soderling has to be at his absolute best if he wants to even stretch Rafa, let alone beat him. Anyway, I’m glad that it’s a

RAFA V. SOD FINAL. :D :D :D

Berdych gave me goosebumps today, he was playing scary tennis, but thank God, Soda won.

SODA POP HOP HOP!

SODA POP HOP HOP!

And by the way, need I say I also am really startin to hate the partisan Parisians?

I’M READY TO CHEER FOR SODA ALREADY. HOPE THAT HE’S ABLE TO MAKE A MATCH OF IT.

GO SOD!!!


Huh Says:

Dear aleish 17:

CONGRATS ON RAFA’S WIN!

VAMOS RAFA!

And hey Mindy, Anna and Ezorra(wherevEr ye are):

CONGRATS! YOUR GUY’S AMAZING!
CONGRATS TO ALL OTHER RAFA FANS TOO.


Mr. Perfect Says:

It is as much a fact that soda is in rafa’s head as the statement rafa is in roger’s head.

and it was funny to see rafa choke against melzer. it is by no chance a given that rafa is going to beat soda pop.

if soda wins though, it will shut the rafatards up with their stupid excuses.


thark Says:

“Mr. Perfect Says:

this is the problem when you have people who donot even know the FO 99 men’s champ as fans.”

i’m not sure what you mean by that.

1. some people became fans more recently and weren’t following the game in ’99.

2. being a good fan isn’t about being knowledgable – it’s about bringing enthusiasm and positive energy to the sport, supporting the players, and being sportsmanlike when your guy/gal goes down to someone else – being a great fan involves carrying yourself with the same demeanor we expect from a great player. there are plenty of knowledgeable people who fall short in that regard, using their knowledge only to belittle other fans or players.


Mr. Perfect Says:

being sportsmanlike is going on for a year that bad knees were the reason soda beat rafa last year?

i hope rafatards are listening.


Mr. Perfect Says:

or trying to be a smart @$$ when asked a simple question?

tell me what sort of a person replies 99 FO champ = nadal? do you have some advise for them Dr. phil? oops, i meant thark!


Mr. Perfect Says:

if you truly donot know the 99FO champ. no problem. but to say you donot know 99FO champ, but that rafa won clay masters in 99, is stupid and moronic.

what kind of an idiot does that?


Mr. Perfect Says:

it is always easy to jump in a discussion and start preaching, but you should really understand where the discussion is at.

so any advise for that idiot who came up with that spectacular answer? i will be waiting.


Huh Says:

Mr. Perfect:

If Rafa was really and absolutely in Fed’s head, he would have never been able to beat Rafa in Madrid in straight sets last year, so I’m not buying it.

And it’s even more disagreeable to me to say that Sod is in Rafa’s head. And lest you’ve forgotten, I must remind you that Rafa kick Sod’s butt in the HC in the beginning of the season.

And I must tell you even though you might have no intention of insulting Nadal, SOME of your opinions come across as downright disrespectful to Nadal. He has surely not harmed you. Despite that Fed fans here are trying to convince others that Rafa’s afraid of Sod, it’s so strange! Denigrating the opponents of their faves used to be the norm for anti-Feds here from mid 08-09, but now it has seemingy become the norm for my fellow Fed fans. It’s detrimental to a healthy discussion here, display of such rigid ideas.

For example, you actually give an impression of underestimating the grit, determination confidence, self-belief and attitude of Rafa, it’s a fact, otherwise you’d never have made such an outageous claim, particularly when you’ve no proof. You are only giving more and more reasons to the anti-Feds and Nadtards to spew more and more venom on Fed, that’s true, no kidding here. You are saying Rafa’s kinda afraid of Sod thinking probably of the two times that Nadal beat Sod last year, one of which was at WTF. So what if Sod beat Rafa last year at WTF? The surface favoured him. It happens, one can’t always perform at a superhuman level in his less fave surface. Apart from that Rafa was not at his 100% either, otherwise he’d have certainly been able to make it more competitive. I’m not attributing Rafa’s losses against the top 10 guys last year solely to Rafa not remaining at 100%, but stillit’s no secret that it played a part in the crushings which he received last year at the hands of the top 10, and Rafa had problems at the personal level as well. It sure is not easy for a guy of 23 to recover fast from his parents’ divorce. That too must be considered as one of the factors for his drubbings in the late 2009. The guys like Sod,Cilic, Nole fair and squae beat him, I’m not denying, but I think Rafa could have been able to at least make his matches more competeive if he were fully fit and frsh and happy. Just like what has happened to Fed in 2008, Rafa in 2009 was also looking disturbed and it’s anybody’s guess that it reflected in his performances too. Even when Rafa was bagging the clay titles of 2009, he wasn’t exactly looking the happiest person in the world. Hs celebration also had kind of lull, his spirit was missing a bit too, it was obvious. However I would never hesitate to say here that Sod just overpowered Rafa last year at RG, it was so impressive perfomance by him, Rafa tried everything in that match, but became helpless, all credit to Sod for that. But basing on such sole victory, it’s not possible tp declare the presence of the so-called Robin complex in Nadal’s mind. Nadal surely dislikes Sod, but that doesn’t mean he has ever denied his apprecation for Sod as a fine player. That day belonged to Sod, so he beat Nadal, simple. So where is the question of him fearing Sod? Everyone beats everyone. Sod has also beaten Fed twice this year! But does that gve you the right to say that Sod is in Fed’s head? No! Same yardstick must also apply to Rafa. If Sod keeps beating Nadal again and again and again, that’d be one thing and then may beyou can say that Sod is in Rafa’s head. But until then, you cannot. Of course you have your opinions. I gave mine. TAKE CARE.


Mr. Perfect Says:

when have exhibitions counted as real matches?


Mr. Perfect Says:

huh:

if you cant read and comprehend english that is fine. read what i wrote carefully. spare me the lectures and do that to the rafatards anna, mindy and rose, who you want to rush to congratulate. let them stop demeaning soda’s victory last year with stupid reasons. (you have done that too, if he cant get over their divorce, then ask him to sit in mallorca and cry a river, if he gets spanked by nole, delpotro, cilic and soda, i will call it a spanking.


Mr. Perfect Says:

oh and include that sutherland guy in it too. he wants federer to come and explain why 1GS means more than 3MS. are you kidding me?

it is match between soda and rafa, why did that rafatard drag roger into this? you have some words for him? or your opinions only for those who counter such stupid posts?


aleish17 Says:

Congrats to Rafa!

Looking forward for the match this Sunday. Soderling is not an easy opponent but here’s hoping that Rafa will pull it through.

So many negative comments about Rafa. But anyways, keep it coming and thank you!

@ Huh: thanks! im just very happy that Rafa won today. I just hope he will be playing his best tennis tomorrow. I know you’re rooting for Sod but I definitely want to see Rafa dominate Sod on sunday. So, may the better tennis player on Sunday wins (ooh and BTW, i hope it’s Rafa). lol

If Rafa wins, that would be soooooo GREAT!!!!! And that would mean that he played better than Sod. If he lose, then that would mean Sod played better.

Win or lose Rafa ( but please more for the win!!!)lol Vamos!!!


Huh Says:

MR. PERFECT:

You are one clear Rafa-hater. You are living in a fool’s paradise being a bitter anti-Nadal. All your posts evoke some sick hatred and jealousy of Nadal. You really suck! Shame on you! I pity you. Behave properly or there’s no escaping the real Rafatards if Rafa beats Fed again in a GS anytime soon (though I hope not). Enjoy your ugly ride of slamming Nadal (being a particular Fedtard, that you are!) unjustly while it lasts. And don’t think that I can’t see what is your language (if anything, it’s extremely classless) and what is your linguistic capability (pretty low). If you had any knowledge of English, be it reading/writing/comprehension/understanding/vocabulary, you’d have never associated the word ‘perfect’ with yourself. There’s nobody who’s perfect but unless one’s most imperfect, he’d not name himself Mr.Perfect (as is obviously the case with you). No wonder they lack even the most basic knowledge/art of perfection and end up embarassing themselves, just like you. Fine example of imperfection from you, way to go!!!

Your hatespeak is exposed here and you’re disgraceful and coward enough to accept, it hardly means I don’t know comprehension. You are more and more sounding like an ABSOLUTE idiot here who has no idea, whatsoever, of even his own words, let alone others! Hell, you’re indeed an idiot! Talk of the pot calling a kettle back, that’s indeed you claiming me as someone lacking English comprehension, it’s high time you realise your inabilty to distinguish between a lecture and a friendly chat(that I was having with you).

And FYI, I am already tired of your @$$ fetish! Sounds like coming from a real pervert when you always keeping talking about @$$. Are you here to even contribute something worth read or just to spew venom, eh?

And how the bloody hell did you think that you’ve the free pass to talk to me in such disapproving, disrespectful and brazen manner? You really though I couldn’t and wouldn’t hit back, didn’t you? Well, go and direct your garbage against the ones who’re too good not to even consider defending themselves against your idiotic and meaningless posts, I’m, not the one to take the unjustfied heat on me silently. I would retaliate and retaliate with vengeance. You don’t own this site, thus you’ve hardly any right to ask others to post anything which is even fully in disagreement with you, let alone slightly. Stop being delusional and stop being nasty. Learn to treat others with dignity and not with disdain, when you’re the one responsible to have given them the reason to defend themseleves against your vicious, hostile and irresponsible attacks. I warn you against having such a condescending attitude towards others. Don’t interact with me if you don’t want to. I hardly care for hateful persons like you. If you can’t handle the heat created by your own self, then don’t create it; coz you’d suffer otherwise, none else.

YOU SUCK BIG TIME!


Huh Says:

Hi aleish 17! :P

I also hope Sod wins tomoro, just as u want Rafa to win! Hope tomoro’d be an exciting final.

C’MON SOD! :)


Huh Says:

Mr. Perfect:

Now don’t again come up with your moronic BS that I lectured you in my 11.15 a.m. post or something.


Cindy_Brady Says:

Mr Perfect is far more intelligent than Huh and his ridiculous long winded replies. Past Grand Slam champions are what future generations of tennis fans will point to and measure current champions against. Not master series or 500 event winners.

Further more, there is a “mob – clique” group on these blogs who are fearful of different points of view. Huh is the least talented poster of the group but the most vocal. He likes to rally the troop behind his opinions like they are spun from gold.

Good for you Mr. Perfect, don’t be a “Lemming” follower like huh is. Be your own man, not a pimple faced boy.


Huh Says:

Hi Cindy:

Your words carry as much weight as your falling hair. So have fun. And yeah, please form an alliance with the self-styled perfectionists and the self-righteous ones, and don’t forget to invite the liars and the exaggerators to accompany you in their dark crusade against me. The victory is mine. :D

And please don’t talk of intelligence and the ways of measuring it, you need brain for that, unfortunately you don’t have one!


Huh Says:

Cindy:

You have won a prize! The Ugly Lady Award, that is! ;)


Huh Says:

Congratulations to the Ugly Lady Brady for the award!


Cindy_Brady Says:

Huh,

You can spew all the hate and venom you wish. I rise above that sort of immature conduct. At least if you’re going to insult someone, do it a funny way. It’s painful for me to read such lame attempts at humor. You are full of fail.

Like I said above, you have no skillz. Your last 3 posts prove that. What a dorky twit you must be.

By the way, since this is a tennis blog about the French Open I’ll comment on that.

I give Soderling a puncher’s chance tomorrow. Nadal has shown some vulnerability in nerves and consistency. Robin is just the type to make him pay if he isn’t sharp. Maybe Sod learned something from last years final. Magnus and him may have formulated a better plan than people think. Let’s hope so. Please make it a close 5 set final and the have the best player win.

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