Djokovic v. Tsonga, Federer v. Isner; London Olympics QF Picks And Pans

Why wouldn’t any body pick cinderella Kei, he has been played quite well, n I believe he still has his magic strikes, ,, he proved it last night, David got a bagle!

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:01 am

SLICING AND DICING HACKING AND STACKING.
If big JI wont come to the mountain Fed will bring the mountain to big JI.
At the end of the day big JI will fall. INEVITABILE

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:23 am

Bummer Almagro hurt his shoulder. Me thinks Murray would have won anyway, but clearly Almagro wasn’t 100%.

August 2nd, 2012 at 8:12 am

skeezer: You could see that he wasn’t putting anything on his backhand, and even his forehand was all arm starting towards the end of the first set. I do think Murray is a better player, particularly on grass, but Almagro is the type of player that can make any match very interesting…if he’s healthy.

August 2nd, 2012 at 8:15 am

Agreed. The way Andy played today I think he would’ve won even if Almagro’s shoulder was fine. I see the Lendl effect more clearly than ever.

Gotta love the statistics: 81% first serve, 29 winners. If he maintains that 1st serve % he has a great chance.

August 2nd, 2012 at 8:21 am

murray finished quickly :)

August 2nd, 2012 at 8:21 am

Though he wasn’t challenged very hard, Murray played, and in particular served, well. I was afraid he’d lose concentration when Almagro had more or less given up, but he didn’t, and wrapped it up efficiently.
Did you see that forehand scoop round the net post?

August 2nd, 2012 at 8:31 am

Come on ferrer n lopes, bring medal for spain.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:22 am

Great win for Andy against against someone who was on paper supposed to be a more tricky oponent,looking in good form so far keep up the good work Andy.Meanwhile Seranas in devastating form,absolutely killing Wozniaki,served her a bagel 1st set.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:25 am

Andy was a totally different player from yesterday. Less windy, I think. Yep, he’d have won whatever, though undoubtedly the match would’ve been closer.
And my word that serving was incredible. Lendl magic seems to be working in all sorts of ways :)
Let’s Go Andy. Let’s Go!

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:27 am

Oh for an edit button…obviously did not mean Andy was “less windy” lol, though he might’ve been…

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:30 am

Looks like the Djoker’s going to make very short work of Tsonga – the frenchman’s generally a slow starter, but it looks like he’s already ready to use fatigue as an excuse to bend over and take a beating.

And Margot – for the Americans on this blog, it’s unlikely they know what you “didn’t” mean by “windy” :-)

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:36 am

I feel sorry for Wozniacki. She peaked too early and now on a downhill slide at the age of 22. It is not in the nature of her game to play more aggressively. She reminds me of Hingis who was very good and dominating until the powerful ladies (Williams sisters, Davenport) came into the seen and blew her away.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:39 am

scene (but you know what I mean)

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:40 am

Polo – I think Hingis was a MUCH better player, with a lot more capability to play the game than Wozniacki, but I see your point.

I think Hingis could have remained very competitive if she had added a couple of elements to her game, worked harder on her fitness (she was ravaged by injuries by 2001). I saw her play WTT last year, and even at age 31, she was the most entertaining player on either team.

I had never seen her play live, and was impressed with the movement, variety, shot placement and composure she showed in absolutely demolishing one of the (flying) Rodionova’s – who is a current professional, by the way. I’ve seen her play Venus Williams, and while she typically loses, she still puts up a hell of a fight, and is still quite a doubles player as well.

Anyway, Wozniacki is in even worse shape than Hingis was towards the (first) end of her career, because she has even fewer tools to compete. She’s the kind of player who has to completely re-engineer her game if she wants to have another window of opportunity to win a major, because the first is definitely closed. I just don’t think she’s athletic or talented enough to do it.

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:09 am

JWT is up a quick break in the second. Out to a 3-0 lead.

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:10 am

Serena is stronger than ever, yesterday Vera got a bagle , today Caroline got a bagle, wow!

David n lopes closed first set, second set 32,

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:12 am

Ferrer/Lopes are IN THE SEMI, GREAT SO FAR, for spain!

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:24 am

Congrats for Ferer and Lopes

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:25 am

Djokovic versus Murray – that could be a cracker of a match tomorrow.

I hope Murray wins. Then he has a shot at completing the unofficial 5th leg of the “Murray Slam” – losing every slam final without ever winning one (just the French Open to go…).

Fed vs Isner – Fed has to keep Isner moving and slice low – two areas where Isner gets into trouble. He doesn’t move that well, and due to his height, low balls are difficult for him to get down to. But he (Fed) has to serve well to win.

Now that he is out of the doubles, energy shouldn’t be a constraint for Fed. Just today and tomorrow then the old man gets a day off.

BTW, anyone noticed how often everyone (including commentators) mention that Hewitt is 31, he is so brave to do so well at this late age, blah blah blah. Nobody seems to mention this as much about Federer, that at ALMOST 31 (he turns 31 next week), he is right now world No 1, still winning slams, and beating all the top players!!

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:44 am

Kei brings us some drama, go!

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:45 am

JMDP wins this one. I am surprised he hasn’t done better on grass yet.

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:51 am

BTW, Nadal is still listed as playing in Toronto next week. The draw should be out tomorrow, so we’ll know for sure.

August 2nd, 2012 at 10:58 am

guys any idea when are the semis and finals played? semis tomm and finals on sunday????

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:03 am

semis tomorrow, finals on sunday (best of 5, no tie break in 5th).

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:10 am

Come on kei, breaks back!

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:10 am

Lovely to see both Nole and Andy get to the semis. I slept through Andy’s match it was over so quick and to darn early, but glad to hear he wasn’t windy. ;) Nole played very well, nicely focused. He didn’t hit 14 and 16 aces like he did in the previous two matches but he won 79% of first serves and even 47% receiving points. The second set was much tenser, but he got it done. Alright!

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 am

too darn…

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:15 am

Has there ever been a time in tennis when it does not matter who are ranked numbers 1, 2 or 3 yet when this player enters, he/she automatically becomes the favorite to win? Is Serena the only one?

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:15 am

thanks trufan

for all the noise abt roger’s cupcake draw including that jinx sean randall, roger’s qf opponent is the toughest of them..almagro chickened out..tsonga was a spent force after playing marathon…and its roger who has landed up with a monster serving man like isner who is yet to lose a set…pls spare some mercy to the old aged No1!!!!

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:17 am

I think I would root more for Isner if he looked more like he cared/wanted to win. The guy always looks so lethargic out there.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:22 am

The only thing in the draw that Fed will have that is easier is the semi final – if he gets there. Whoever he gets is less of a challenge than playing Djokovic, and now the resurgent Murray.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:27 am

Its windy out there today. Big John just gifted a break. Eeek,,,,

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:34 am

hmm, did not see the match but surprised from the scoreline of tsonga- nole.

Read elsewhere that jo may seemed jaded on court- did others think this also?

definately wasn’t the contest i imagine most expected it to be.

Either way, murray v novak will be ALOT closer i imagine, a real 50/50.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am

hmm, did not see the match but surprised from the scoreline of tsonga- nole.

Read elsewhere that jo may seemed jaded on court- did others think this also?

definately wasn’t the contest i imagine most expected it to be.

Either way, murray v novak will be ALOT closer i imagine, a real 50/50.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am

All of Isner’s matches are so ugly to watch. All you see from him are aces, bad groundstrokes and bad movements. The points are short but the matches are long because he cannot be broken and he cannot break.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am

Jo-Wilfred always looks jaded on court to me.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 am

that was a good game under pressure from feddy bear…come on feddy…win this in straight sets…dont get into the habit of making life tough for fed fans…;-) and as i say this u hit an unbelievable glorious backhand down the line…!!!

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am

first set Fed.

Come on!!

Still a tough match. Who said he had an easy draw. He needs to keep focus

and he is already in semies…

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am

Polo,

You’re last 2 posts seem “jaded” to me, :)

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am

@skeezer: Hahaha! I did not wake up on the right side of the bed. Your comment may just correct that.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:48 am

I could do with a break for the Maestro.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:51 am

‘For me, this could potentially turn out to be the best match of the day, or a dud. And that depends on Tsonga’s fitness.’

sean called it early.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:52 am

Well played Nole, see you in the semis. Wish it’d been the final…:(
Brando @11.39 JW very “off” and showed up briefly in the second set but soon faded. Nole too good.
MMT @9.36 Lol. Two nations separated by a common language….;)

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:53 am

Almost. Big John on his ass for a moment. But he is a great server. #2 and #3 maybe lucky that Isner is drawn in Feds quarter. In Hinsight he has the toughest draw.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:57 am

@Polo

Its all good :). We could be all watching and debating Synchronized Swimming instead, things could be alot worse….

That said I agree Isner’s game is limited, no fault of his, he is 10 feet tall with Giraffe legs, don’t think he can Moonwalk very good either.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:02 pm

@Margot:

Thanks for that. I expected nole to win, but in a tight 3 setter. this was a surprise though- from nole’s side he seems to have played very well, while on JW side maybe he was a bit jaded.

Either way, andy v nole will be a contest for sure.

Hope muzza pulls off the win- as team GB could do with the gold. :-)

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:16 pm

luckiest match point return ever!

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:29 pm

Fed does it!! hour and 25 minutes, with few rallies, so he should be fresh for JMDP tomorrow.

Its Fed’s medal to lose now!!

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:29 pm

sub023,

Djoke’s return at the SF in USO on match point against Federer was no less lucky….

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Fed was a naughty boy on that last point.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Uhh…I wasn’t talking about that match at all, why bring it up?

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Fed is 12-2 on DelPo. Other than two tough losses (that went the distance) to DelPo in Fall 2009, he has never lost to him. That was when DelPo was at his peak form – he hasn’t really hit that form yet. And this is grass – they only met once on grass, Wimbledon 2007 (but that match is hardly relevant since it was so many years ago).

Fed absorbs DelPo’s pace very well. I would be surprised if he even loses a set.

The other semi is the one that is nearly impossible to predict.

This is where Fed did get lucky…… at the SF stage.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:35 pm

Remember that Fed is 8-0 in semi finals contested in Wimbledon courts.

Both this matches should be entertaining, hope DelPo doens’t fold like the early ones this year and test Fed for the final. I think we’ll have a batle for #1 on Sunday, Fed and Djoko in the finals and another classic between Delpo and Murray for the bronze.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:36 pm

JMDP is 3-7 against Nadal (all three wins in 2009), 1-4 against Djokovic, and 1-5 against Murray (lone win in 2009). He hasn’t really fared well against the big four (combined 7-28 against Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, with 6 of those wins in 2009, never on grass).

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:39 pm

Would be fun to see Fed Djoke best of 5 on sunday, with No. 1 ranking (and Olympic gold) on the line.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:40 pm

Feel bad for Isner, he was playing real tough there in the 2nd. too bad it had to end like that, but Fed made a really good cut at the return and if it didn’t hit the net it was going to be very low for Isner, so it is what it is.

Wasn’t happy with Feds overall service games, his serves weren’t getting very good location overall. The wind could have been a factor in that.( ok, did notice 2 really great serves from him to set up match point ). Hey, whining a bit, after all,…..he came through. Just thinking that when he plays Delpo he has to serve better.

Go Fed!

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:42 pm

A little bit of luck there at the end, but I’ll happily take it if it means Federer gets through to the medal rounds. Now to go one better.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:47 pm

some great semis set up. haven’t seen hardly any tennis on TV. it doesn’t get the coverage of other sports. but, can’t really complain when we get so much throughout the year.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:48 pm

I think Isner is tougher on grass than DelPo. Fed has had much better success returning Delpo’s serve than Isner’s. And they both struggle with movement on grass, and are super tall.

Its the movement that gets players on grass, not the low bounce, especially these days when grass is playing slower, and courts are harder (so bounce is not THAT low). Taking those little steps, and many of them, is key on grass. That’s where Hewitt excels, even now.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I was shocked to see the Olympics be a 750 event (750 points for the winner). Why? There is actually more competition than in some of the master’s tournaments (where seeds get a bye in the first round – no bye’s here). and the top 48 players are playing (except injuries) – whereas in Toronto, for example, direct entry is only to the top 38.

Given the prestige of the tournament and the fact that it is only once every 4 years, they should have made it 1500 points, like the YEC.

August 2nd, 2012 at 12:53 pm

How come Fedex is #2 at the live atp rankings?
http://live-tennis.eu/

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Trufan
it is what it is.

The past winners are not exactly tennis all time greats , wait untill Fed wins the trophe.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:11 pm

Nadal got 400 pts for winning Olympics in 2008. Before that I guess it was even less.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:17 pm

@trufan,

You make a good point…

BTW….Isn’t Tennis relatively new to the Olympics?

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:21 pm

Blank,

In 2008, the ranking system was a bit different – slams were 1000 points, masters were 500. So Nadal’s 400 translates to 800 points in today’s system.

And yes, I agree with you Sienna – Olympics has had strange winners, even when all top players played (at least in the recent few olympics). I guess national spirit can push players more than anything else??? I am not sure. Maybe they are less focussed in olympics – goofing off to watch other sports? Its certainly an interesting observation – as to why Olympics winners are not always the top players of that era. Doesn’t happen in other sports.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:29 pm

Oddsmakers have interesting odds:

Murray is nearly 2:1 to beat Djokovic, but Djokovic has better odds of winning the Gold than Murray! How can that make sense? Here are the outright odds of winning gold:

Roger Federer 6/5
Novak Djokovic 7/4
Andy Murray 9/2
Juan Martin Del Potro 14

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm

Well, Tsonga is doing very fine in doubles right now, so I guess he has the energy and game to spare. Llodra/Tsonga will be the second set of Frenchies into the men’s doubles semis unless they implode; Gasquet/Benneteau made it through earlier. Good for the Frenchmen then! The other teams already through are, of course, the Bryans, and also Ferrer/Lopez.

Meanwhile Andy M and Robson are doing well in mixed dubs.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:36 pm

Could anyone explain what I am seeing in

http://live-tennis.eu/official_atp_ranking?

It says that even though Fed and Djoko are in the SFs, Djoko has surpassed Fed as of now..How is that possible given that Fed is ahead of Djoko by 75 points?

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:40 pm

trufan: Until 2007/2008, the Masters tournaments did not have first round byes (at the 64 player level) for top players and most Masters tournaments (and some non-Masters tournaments such as Basel) had best-of-five set finals. This was how previous generations of players had to play these events (though the size of draw and length of finals match has changed in history, e.g., Indian Wells). Because of complaints from players such as Nadal, the first round byes were introduced and all Masters finals were cut down to best of three sets for ATP events. For example, Toronto was a 64-player draw without a bye for top players until 2007 (thus a player had to win six rounds to win the title, though the final was best of three sets). However, Masters events such as Rome used to have both six rounds and best of five set finals (see link for 2006 draw). Miami and Indian Wells still have 128 player draws with first round byes for top players (so six rounds have to be won for the title) but it used to have best of five set finals. Unlike the ATP, the ITF does not have byes in the first round of Grand Slam and Olympics for top players.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?e=416&y=2006

The World Tour Finals has much tougher competition that any Olympic tournament and even the Grand Slams. 11 out of all 12 modern Olympic gold and silver medalists were not even ranked top 5 players when they won their medals (No. 2 Nadal in 1988 was the only top 5 player and his final opponent was ranked No. 15). In the Olympic tournaments before 2008, most of the top 10 players did not bother to show up: e.g., in 1996, when No. 6 Agassi won his gold medal, 7 of the top 10 players did not show up, including Sampras, Coruier, Todd Martin, Chang, Becker, Muster, etc. — this was for the Atlanta Olympics held on American soil. Unlike the World Tour Finals, which has a history of prestige, there has been insufficient histpry and prestige relating to this Olympic tennis event.

This Olympic event offers only 750 points to the winner. This is less than the Beijing event, where Nadal got 800 points.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:42 pm

Federer is now 50-6 for the year so far. The last time he won 70+ matches in a year was in 2006!! Looks like he will get 70+ wins this year. Just for reference, Djokovic’s 2011 (a GREAT year by any standards) was 70-6, and Nadal’s best year (2010) was 72-10. Only in 2008 did he (Nadal) win more matches – 82-11.

These seasons still don’t even come close to Federer’s top 3 – 2004 (74-6), 2005 (81-4), or 2006 (92-5 – his best year ever, perhaps the best year anyone has put together ever). His 2007 wasn’t shabby either (68-9 with 3 slams and all 4 slam finals, with the YEC).

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:44 pm

interesting take by jo on today’s match:

“Today I was a bit tired so it was mission impossible,” Tsonga told reporters.

Guess he didn’t have enough left in the tank to give a good challenge today. He MUST have been exhausted, as this article mentions, from having played the raonic match and then singles and doubles!

Unlucky jo- hope he wins in doubles!

good article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/other-sports/7405684/Djokovic-Murray-through-to-final-four-in-tennis

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Good stats Dave. Just one thing – Miami and IW are 96 player draws, not 128.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm

Given that all top players play the Olympics now (maybe Federer started that trend in 2004, when he played while ranked No. 1) – there is no reason for Olympics to be less than 1000 points, a masters series event. And given the status and stature of the event, that its every four year, global event, best of 5 final, I still think it should be 1500 points.

The reason players didn’t play earlier was because they didn’t give ANY points in those years.

Agree that the YEC is the top 8 players of the year – but they only have to play a max of 5 matches, now all best of 3. Yes, all 5 matches are against fellow top 8 players, so I can understand the 1500 points for that.

There is no downside to making Olympics 1500 – especially now that all top players play here. In fact, if it was 1500 points, you can be darn sure all top players will show up.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:57 pm

He did win in doubles Brando, easily in fact, so I guess he couldn’t have been *that* tired, though he probably was somewhat tired. My take is that Jo is a slow starter sometimes. He started slowly against Nole at the FO too; it was the exact same result in the first set of that match, 6-1 to Nole. However, as we know, Tsonga came back in that match and nearly won it. Again, it was the same thing today; Jo came back into the match in the second set, which was very closely contested, and was up a break, only he couldn’t hold on to it this time, but I’ll bet if he would have forced a third set, it would’ve been a cracker. Hard to say since that’s hypothetical of course. The 3 keys for me in the match today were that Nole played cleaner; he returned considerably better (not surprisingly), and Jo was not able to take advantage at net (surprisingly). Nole was 15 of 19 net points, for 79% whereas Jo won 14 of 26 for 54%. This match was also very similar to their Rome match, only the reverse. There it was tight first set, easy second; here it was an easy first, tight second.

I like Jo. He’s gone a year now without a coach. I am wondering if he should consider hiring one? It might help him to have someone guiding him tactically, to go that extra step? That’s what I was thinking anyhow. Hope he gets a medal in doubles. But I’d also like to see Ferrer and Gasquet gets medals of some sort. Likely, the Bryans will prevent one of the three from getting one, as I can’t see them not winning a medal.

August 2nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm

Nadal has just posted on facebook that he will not be playing in Toronto.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:10 pm

^ Aww, that’s too bad. I wonder if they’ll have a depleted field in Toronto this year. I mean I wonder if all these guys playing this weekend are going to head over and play? Hard to say. I presume so, but it seems feasible that one or two of them might pull out?

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:11 pm

@contemperory: I don’t know what those rankings are based on. My best guess is that the site is trying to provide worst-case scenario projections based on current performance (i.e., assign points to each player based on the assumption that they will not go any further than the round they are currently in).

What doesn’t make sense, though, is that by that logic, Federer and Djokovic should each receive 270 points (for a 4th place finish, which is the worst either guy could do at this point), and that would leave Federer ahead by 75 points, as you suggest. That site, however, show Federer gaining only 180 points, while Novak picks up 270 for a 4th place finish. Federer will gain at a minimum 270 points this week.

Canada points don’t drop off until August 13th, so…yea, I’m not sure. I’d just ignore for now since neither guy has lost yet.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:18 pm

All the the talk and whining that Murray and Djokovic got the tougher draws was just a bunch of hot air. Fed got the tougher and healthiest of the QF opponents in Isner. Murray got an injured Almagro and Djokovic got a knackered Tsonga. Why aren’t the whiners complaining now?

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:19 pm

It is conceivable, though quite unlikely, that if Murray plays well down the home stretch of the Olympics and in Canada, he could put himself in position to overtake Nadal in the rankings. Remains to be seen whether Murray will play in Canada, though. He is also defending only 10 points there, so plenty of ground to make up.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:21 pm

ferrer, monfils and verdasco have also withdrawn from canada open.

I expect more to do so, unfortunately.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

The ball barely dribbling over the net like that is a lot more lucky than Djokovic hitting a great return he’s done plenty of times before and after. But obviously we need to insult Djokovic in order to preserve Federer? Is that the word? I don’t even know.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:23 pm

@the mind reels:

murray will have to WIN olympics, canada open AND cincy in order to be seeded 3 at USO.

IF he wins olympics and canda open, he will be no.3 for a week.

He would need to WIN cincy in order to remain so, otherwise rafa would be back to no.3.

All in all, i DO NOT SEE HIM WINNING ALL 3 ATM.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:28 pm

Brando hopefully Rafa after so much time off,will be fit and fresh and ready for an asault on the USO,just hope he does not go there too undercooked,whats after Toronto,is it Cincy the week after?

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:36 pm

@contemporary

I think it must be a mistake in the site’s formula, probably because the Olympics are not a normal tournament. Either that or I am missing something about the points rules (which get complex) but I just combed through ’em again and don’t think that’s the case.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm

@Brando: true, though that also assumes that Nadal will play Cincy. All I said is that it’s conceivable, though highly unlikely!

@Ben Pronin: I’m not here to preserve anyone’s honor or anything, but I disagree with your statement that a let cord is luckier than an eyes-closed all-out rip of a return.

Djokovic smacks his return an inch higher and the ball goes out. Federer smacks his return an inch lower and the ball goes into the net. In either case, an inch here or there makes the difference. Both were “lucky” (or genius) to make the shots they did.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:40 pm

Djokovic didn’t close his eyes.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Nole hit a return like that yesterday in the Hewitt match; it was in the final set. Awesome one.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:50 pm

I don’t understand why people are talking like it’s rare for Federer to clip the cord.

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Fed up first tomorrow. I wish I had tickets to Center court tomorrow! Murray Djoke is going to be a cracker…..

August 2nd, 2012 at 2:57 pm

He did it against Roddick, too.

Nadal has pulled out of Toronto.

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:00 pm

@Ben Pronin: OK — though that doesn’t change my comment.

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Here’s the full tennis schedule for tomorrow!
http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/schedule/daily-schedule.aspx

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 pm

nole has done that shot PLENTY of times- the only thing unique about it was that he went for it at MP.

It CANNOT be called lucky when he has played that shot on various occasions.

has he been lucky all that time when he makes that shot then?

LMAO- NOTHING LUCKY about it- it just was unique that he did it on MP, that’s all!

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:07 pm

the williams sisters had a really tight doubles match (NOT!!!!!)

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:15 pm

trufan: “Just one thing – Miami and IW are 96 player draws, not 128.”

You’re right. I don’t know what the correct term is, so I’ll re-phrase it to: 96 players draw size in a 128-player, seven round grid, with 32 seeded players getting a bye to second round.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?e=403&y=2005

******

the mind reels and trufan: despite what Ben Pronin said, even Djokovic admits that he was lucky with that shot, which was a risk and a gamble. Go to around 1:30 of this clip to hear it from Djokovic’s mouth. Later, in their post match pressers, Nadal, Murray and Federer essentially said the same thing as Djokovic regarding his lucky shot. No one is insulting Djokovic when they say what Novak himself said — yet obviously some need to insult Federer in order to preserve Djokovic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzgoc7EV-A

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:20 pm

congrats to Michael Phelps for reclaiming invincibility….

But now its Kromowidjojo time.

Ranomi is gonna take her place alongsite Inge de Bruijn en Pieter vd Hoogenband.

She just needs to pull the trigger…..

If it only was so easy!!!!!!!!!

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:30 pm

trufan: “Just one thing – Miami and IW are 96 player draws, not 128.”

You’re right. I don’t know what the correct term is, so I’ll re-phrase it to: 96 players draw size in a 128-player, seven round grid, with 32 seeded players getting a bye to second round.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?e=403&y=2005

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:32 pm

the mind reels and trufan: despite what Ben Pronin said, even Djokovic admits that he was lucky with that shot, which was a risk and a gamble. Go to around 1:30 of this clip to hear it from Djokovic’s mouth. Later, in their post match pressers, Nadal, Murray and Federer essentially said the same thing as Djokovic regarding his lucky shot. No one is insulting Djokovic when they say what Novak himself said — yet obviously some need to insult Federer in order to preserve Djokovic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLzgoc7EV-A

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Trufan

You really show insight in the Fed.

He is exactly in TMF stylo like 2006.

ISNT IT GREAT????? I’m loving it. Cannot wait for the next match to take place………………..

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:35 pm

here we go 100m freestyle ladys………………….

RANOMI

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:41 pm

jane Says:
He did win in doubles Brando, easily in fact, so I guess he couldn’t have been *that* tired, though he probably was somewhat tired.

……..

English is not my native tongue, so excuse my slowness in understanding your statement above. What exactly are you trying to say? Was Jo tired, *somewhat* tired, or just not *that* tired?

Jo stated he was tired, so why not give him the benefit of the doubt? Had djokovic played a monster match like Jo did, i’d bet you’d be the first to bring on the excuses piled higher thant Mount Everest. Why must you insult Jo to build up Djokovic? It’s almost like saying Jo’s a liar.

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:44 pm

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

LITLE BIT DIFFICULT BUT JUST LOOOK AT HER THE KILLER QUEEENNNNNNNN

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:46 pm

So good

Ranomi is the second gold for the Netherlands along with Marianne Vos ( the bitch from Holland she was called by britisch journaille)
They went into the Olympics as red hot hotter then hot favs.

And they pulled it out. That is so great it is so difficult to get Gold when you are the favorit.

When you are a lomnghot like Nadal was in 2008 you can just role with t, But if you are the favorite like Phelps or Kromowidjojo Or Federer then it is a different story

Up now for 50m she can bring that one home as well……

August 2nd, 2012 at 3:56 pm

Nole on the shot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PufAQp99QU

August 2nd, 2012 at 4:03 pm

RE: Djoker..the shot.

What got me about that shot was it was lost in the context of the match. I mean didn’t Fed have match point before or after that shot still?

And then soon after DJoker pretty much rolled on to win. This match was on Feds racquet, not Nole’s. Never like when someone thinks the other guy got lucky and won. There was still lots of tennis left after that shot. I think of you asked Fed again about that match he would own up to it. The shot might have been lucky, yeah, but Fed couda hit a better serve, he is capable of hitting further out wide, and….he had another chance with a FH he did not get around quick enough at the other match point. It’s not like he didn’t have other chances to still win. Novak won. End of story.

August 2nd, 2012 at 4:06 pm

jane

The 2nd match point was the one I was talking about ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UkMAiM2XmU

And remember Nole did the same thing the year before, coming back DOWN 2 match points that is…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N65j2A9XknY&feature=related

August 2nd, 2012 at 4:16 pm

Woukd everyone stop talking nonsense about Fed’s “lucky” MP netcord winner? Such occurrences are part of the game. It happens to everyone, both on the giving and receiving end of things. It’s not like that shot can really be divorced from the context of the entire match and all the points that Fed won before that. Same goes for Djokovic’s “lucky” return on MP at the 2011 USO. He still had to go on and win the match, which he did. The entire match, in both cases, can’t be chalked up to luck.

August 2nd, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Nadal will be pretty short on match practice if he plays the USO. He has barely played since the French open (2-2 or something like that). Even if he plays Cinci, he’s got to be rusty. And he, of all players, relies heavily on practice and being “in touch”.

I think the Toronto masters is going to be a wash out. None of the other top 4 players are going to be well prepared or fresh. They have to play two more matches and be there at the podium on sunday, then to turnaround and play wednesday on hard courts, after nearly 4 months on clay and then grass, along with the jet lag – forget it.

Fed would be wise to pull out of Toronto and rest his 31 yr old body for Cinci and the USO. He has had enough matches this year, he doesn’t need to play next week to be in touch at Cinci and then at the USO.

August 2nd, 2012 at 4:48 pm

All these lucky shots tend to average out. Last year, these lucky shots seem to have flowed from Djokobvic but this year it has been a bit barren. Federer’s ball clipped the net chord today and he won the point. At the 2011 USS Open, Djokovic saved the second match point when Federer’s forehand clipped the net cord and went out – had Roger’s forcing forehand been a quarter of an inch higher it would have probably have set up Roger for a put away shot or even forced Djokovic into an error. See around the 19:05 minute mark (40-30, 5-3 fifth set). So we could argue that two lucky/unlucky shots determined the outcome of Fed’s two matchpoints.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhEuxqyYYtQ

But skeezer is right. Federer could have hit a better serve than a 108 mph slice that didn’t have enough angle (his next serve on the second matchpoint was actually better). As well, after those matchpoints there were still games to be played and further opportunities to win the match, even though the momentum had shifted.

August 2nd, 2012 at 5:27 pm

In the end it doesnot matter that much.
Roger cannot be expected to win every slam in the
book.

Again he is the # 1 in the world en he is loving it. They are now at a new part of their rivalry.

A final between Roger and Novak means Nadal is truly out of the tennis hiarchie Novak will go down as well as DelPotro. He too beat Fed in a slam.

It doesnot matter because Roger is gonna breack this era down at will.

He crumbled his own generation and he has now laid the brickwork for the demolision of the next generation/.
The candle of nadal has been put out it has died , Murray is being controlled and kept a bay and Novak had the taste of the good life but has been patched back and he will fall at the feeth of TMF this tournement.

Fed will be relentless in his semi and final match. He will bring his best ,atch of the tournement. He wiil be in the best peak shape of the year and ready to rumble.

August 2nd, 2012 at 5:41 pm

Seth Says:
Woukd everyone stop talking nonsense about Fed’s “lucky” MP netcord winner? Such occurrences are part of the game. It happens to everyone, both on the giving and receiving end of things. It’s not like that shot can really be divorced from the context of the entire match and all the points that Fed won before that. Same goes for Djokovic’s “lucky” return on MP at the 2011 USO. He still had to go on and win the match, which he did. The entire match, in both cases, can’t be chalked up to luck.

And to make it even more strange it was not like the match would have turned immediately with that point. In the end the Djoker shot did turn it but it was not like this one would have turned the match .

It would have been different if Fed was MP down and had a netcord like that to turn it around and win the match.

Some angry peole on this site. Face it. Fed is in semi and Rafa is on the beach or playing struddle

August 2nd, 2012 at 5:48 pm

If Tallner is a giant, is Olivier Rochus a midget?

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:03 pm

Sienna going by the majority of the comments ,its the Roger and Novak fans that are actually arguing the toss about the whole USO match point issue,Rafa actually had nothing to do with this,so why drag him and his fans into IT.

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:10 pm

federer was making a lot of errors today, he seem to be nervous. Glad he won. He needs to raise hss level from now on, matches are going to be tough. hopeful he will come sharp tomorrow.

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:16 pm

I don’t see it as argung either( wrt to dear alison )for the most part imo we all were just re-visiting it and shared our opinion. No harm no foul ;)

Some say luck some say skill. Novak won. And regardless, as the saying goes, I’d rather be lucky than good!

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:18 pm

because Rafa is not anymore in the equation of the top spots in mens tennis.
I know people were not making remarks about him.

I just stated that in the end lucky shot or Fed losing in a slam is not such a bad thing. I am not expecting Fed to win 30+ slams at the end of his career.
What matters is the current state of affairs in menst tennis. Rafa was a part of that. Murray tries to become a part of that and Novak has just been patched back by Fed.

I just interpret the current situation in mens tennis for you guys and galls. So it really doesnot matter that Rafa was not in that match. Rafa is not anymore part of the elite group of tennis players. He just withdrew from Toronto. His holiday and his ambition is being put to the test.

I am affraid that this is the end of the great Nadal. Roger has demolished his carreer. He has been wornout and drained by the unslought of Roger Federer. The constant pressure Fed gave him is to much. Fed is reluntless with his mental ability to take on a goal to believe in himself and Rafa has paid the price.

The opassion ids gone. It feels like a dayjob. How lucky canthat guy be? His love for the game has dried up and he hardly can motivate himself to play a game of tennis.

Allbecause he is affraid of losing. Why even play sports when yopu are affraid to lose?

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:28 pm

Isner … not so good …

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:39 pm

Question is … who will Sean Randall pick for the medals?? I need to know now so I can get my bet placed :)

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:41 pm

The only reason I can think of as to why the Olympics are given low points is that not all people are eligible to play (no more than 4 a country). So you lose out if your country is a tennis powerhouse. Otherwise in terms of importance/competition I would definitely think it deserves 1500 points, and is equal in glory as a grand slam title IMO.

August 2nd, 2012 at 6:42 pm

skeezer: “Some say luck some say skill.”

Skill is the special ability (acquired through training or as an innate gift) to produce a repeatable performance outcome. However this was not a particular shot that had a repeatable, predictable outcome according to experts. Andy Murray — who is a tennis expert — said after his US Open semifinal that it was a shot made 2 or 3 out of 10 times — so it was not a repeatable outcome and an element of luck was involved. (Murray: “I don’t know what Novak said about his shot, but it’s one of those where he just went for it. You know, out of ten you’ll probably make two or three. Yeah, I was watching the end of the match. He looked like he started shaking his head. It was more out of frustration than anything. He caught it clean and hit an unbelievable shot and managed to turn the match around.”)
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=74083

Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer, others — all highly expert tennis players — stated, suggested or implied luck was involved.

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:04 pm

Any time a shot – or whatever – is at or beyond the limits of what one can reasonably duplicate, expect to produce on demand, or whatever verb you like, luck, or good fortune, or whatever, comes into play. Call everything what you please, but, yeah, obviously Djokovic’s returns were “lucky” in a way that a routine baseline crosscourt shot isn’t, or even a DTL winner after a cagey rally. I don’t think it cheapens Djokovic’s skill or his win to say that. Similar with the net cords. Everyone wins some net cords in a tournament, everyone loses some net cords in a tournament. It’s just luck. That doesn’t say Federer was lucky to win; the only reason anyone remembers this one is that it happened to be at the end of the match.

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:27 pm

Congrats to Roger n his fans, he is in demo, sure he can get one medal

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:38 pm

skeezer, yes, context is so important; i agree with you. And Seth is right too that the rest of the match still had to be played. I’ve said before, in some ways, the next return off the body serve was even better – and then of course that just got Nole to deuce, so he still had to finish the break for 4-5, hold for 5 all, break again for 6-5, and hold again to win the match. It’s just that one shot – either a bad error or a winner – can shift momentum (Eric is cringing. ;)) and maybe cause doubts.

Anyhow should be good semis tomorrow. Too bad all four couldn’t get medals. Sigh. What about nickel or something? Copper?

August 2nd, 2012 at 7:48 pm

Last time I checked rafa won a grand slam and two masters this year and played another grand slam final, I understand that is out injured but the reality is that since 2011 of the seven grand slam finals he has played 5, Novak has played 5 roger has played 2 and Murray two. Wishful thinking to so he is oh of the equation. He may be out injured but dismiss him at your own peril. You ate probably one of the same people who said his career was over in 2009 and he has won 5 slams since.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:07 pm

The rankings on livetennuis are correct.
The best 6 results from 250 level tournaments, 500 level tournaments and the Olympics are included in a players rankings. In the past 52 weeks, Federer has played in 6 of those tournaments and his least number of points is 90 at Doha. Thus he has gained 270-90 =180 points by reaching the Olympic semi-final. Djokovic has not played in 6 of the 250 level and 500 level tournaments, thus his lowest total is 0 points. Thus he gains the full 270 points in reaching the semi-finals. Djokovic has gained 90 more points in the ranking than Federer and thus he passes him in the live rankings. However, the number 1 ranked player following the Olympics will be based on which of the two places higher in this tourmnament as there are increasing points for finishing 3rd, 2nd, and 1st.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:44 pm

Pretty decent match by Roger. Thought Isner gave a good fight in the 2nd set and Roger’s level dropped both on Serve and GS. But Roger has been playing clutch. He has been playing clutch against Falla, Istomin and now against Isner. He has not played anywhere close to his best yet. He may need to play against Del Po. It’s not a given that Del Po is a walkover in semis. The guy is playing decent tennis. Roger got to raise his level.

August 2nd, 2012 at 9:46 pm

Rick, yeah, you’re right. Thanks for that. I thought 500 events were separate from the others, but that’s not the case.

Jane, I’m not cringing. Momentum is definitely a psychological factor we can deduce after the fact. My position is just that it is not a deterministic fact about a match that predicts its future evolution.

August 2nd, 2012 at 11:37 pm

I’m surprised to see people compare both Novak’s shot with Roger’s shot here. People need to understand in USO, the match was on Roger’s racquet. It was his for the taking. I think he got distracted by Novak’s body language. It’s almost similar to how people say it’s difficult to play against injured player. Roger looked to be confused and assumed Novak just gave up the match and started throwing around. He just lost his concentration which cost him the match. It’s more similar to what happened against Falla in the 1st round, 2nd set.

Against Isner, it was a typical Roger return which just bounces over the net and just dies down. He makes that shot 9 times out of 10 historically. It’s the shot Roger used against big hitters for past 10 years without fail. It would be foolish to even say Roger was lucky. Infact, he was just unlucky. If he had made the return without net cord, I don’t think Isner could have done anything with the return. People would have simply been awed by Roger’s returning capabilities.

I have always maintained, Roger is the best returner of the big servers. I have never seen anyone with his reflex action while returning the serve. He takes the ball behind his body which no one else does. That’s the advantage he has over others against big servers. That’s why it’s not easy to Ace Roger.

August 3rd, 2012 at 12:11 am

Okay Eric – that was a while ago, but just remembered our discussion about momentum when I wrote that. Thanks for clarifying. BTW, are you a doctor yet? :)

August 3rd, 2012 at 12:17 am

Yeah, Roger was lucky in the tie-breaker against Isner. But you need this element of luck to win tournaments. Who knows ? That is the most crucial shot which may help don the Olympic Gold. Time will tell !

August 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 am

Thanks Rick, for the clarification.

However, if I understand you, the atp site will still not take this data into account, and the rankings will be based on the performance in the subsequent rounds in Olympics.

August 3rd, 2012 at 12:41 am

Jane, not yet! :)

August 3rd, 2012 at 1:25 am