Murray Wins Two, Del Potro v Hewitt Friday At Queen’s; Federer Stars In Halle

queens fields a far stronger field than halle year after year. nadal would have changed that slightly this year, but it didn’t happen. and in fact berdych went over to queens in 2013.
queens has the field of a 500 if not a 1000 tournament.

the point is, when talking about federer’s grass court win percentage, which apparently is no.1, higher than sampras,laver etc. you must take into account every year he plays the weak lead up tournament and racks up numerous easy wins.

when year after year federer has avoided regular queens players such as murray,djoker,nadal,tsonga,roddick… in other words avoided the majority of the best grass court players, it certainly helps your record.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:03 am

^here we go again. The infamous Federer take down.

Give it up roy, your now soundin as bad as Humble Rafa, except he at times is funnier.

Ever thought year after year players avoided Halle to avoid Fed the GOAT? Thats what I’m talking about

#nope
#rafajustchickenedout
#gobacktott

June 14th, 2013 at 1:07 am

I’m wondering if Wimbledon has even weaker field, considering Roger has more Wimby title than Halle.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:15 am

You nailed it @ Mila Kumar!

June 14th, 2013 at 2:20 am

Oops sorry means nila kumar.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:21 am

Yes, This whole tennis era except the clay specialists are weak. Federer would not have won 17 slams if you had sampras, laver, borg, rosewall, tilden, gonzalez, hoad, nastase, lendl, connors, mcenroe, agassi, becker and edberg playing this last 10 years from 2003-2013.

That is the reason Federer has 17 slams and 302 weeks at number 1. If all those guys played Nadal would have 20 slams by now and 500weeks at number 1. Just make sure Rosol, Ferrer, zeballos, dodig, soderling, blake, nalbandian, davydenko and mayer are not playing.

signed,
Greatest Tennis fans on Earth, Rafabots

June 14th, 2013 at 2:40 am

^epic!

June 14th, 2013 at 3:48 am

Some Fed fans are talking more about Nadal than Federer. Roger deserves as much attention imo.

June 14th, 2013 at 4:25 am

^ as in fail? i agree

June 14th, 2013 at 4:25 am

“Just make sure Rosol, Ferrer, zeballos, dodig, soderling, blake, nalbandian, davydenko and mayer are not playing.”

Very considerate of you. Please make sure Roger does.

June 14th, 2013 at 4:28 am

@roy, when did you start watching tennis? Not long I presume?

June 14th, 2013 at 4:32 am

@ Sirius, thanks!

@Volley – murray fans shouldn’t talk about failure.

#1-5 in slam finals
#Nole100timesBetterPlayer

June 14th, 2013 at 6:34 am

Simon i dont know why you are attacking Murray and his fans,i dont think there has been a Murray fan thats claimed that Andy is better than Nole?Margot,Raquet,Colin,The DA,are all pretty sensible fair minded Murray fans who are merely delighted he has made that break through and won his 1st GS,i dont really understand where that argument came from?

June 14th, 2013 at 6:48 am

Ever thought year after year players avoided Halle to avoid Fed the GOAT? Thats what I’m talking about
—
Notice the trick here.

Some people try to bring you down to their level of intelligence and then try to beat you with experience. Don’t fall for it.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:45 am

First, let us all be clear that Tennis is bigger than players. As humans, we all have our biases and prejudice and we cannot escape that. But our endeavour always should be to objectively analyse issues and frame our opinion without bias. We should not be opinionated but be flexible to judge each aspect on its merit. We can have fruitful exchanges about the happenings in Tennis World and it is for that this forum is in place, but our (mis)perceptions should not turn to acrimonious exchanges and foul play. I have never hided my bias towards Roger and Novak in this forum, but in the same vein I have tried to be fair to Rafa and Andy too. I have never degraded them. I have held them in great respect because I know how difficult it is to become one of the World’s best. Quite often I see (some, not all) Rafans niggling about the disastrous H2H between Roger and Rafa. Well, it is the way it is. We cannot help it. The match-up it seems doesn’t suit Roger and it may be his weakness. A player who is so full proof in his resume has some black holes and this is it. No one is perfect. Disgustingly, the H2H mania has become so repetitive and boring that I see glimpses of hatred against Roger by such unwarranted outburst. If you think you can belittle and degrade Roger based on that, then sorry to say it will be a no man’s land. Your wish to cause bruises will die without a whimper. It cannot hurt Roger. Roger is known for his tremendous achievements in this sport and he is not only playing against Rafa but the competition. From Roger’s angle, there can be counters for that lop sided H2H. Roger is 5 years elder to Rafa and has a one handed backhand in an era of double handed backhands. That becomes a handicap today when he plays against Rafa, Novak and Andy especially when he is aging. During his young days , the speed, pace and agility on court compensated some of his weakness. But today having considerably slowed down and becoming a pale shadow of his former self, he quite often becomes a victim. That said, even Rafa has admitted that he is miles away from Roger as far as achievements are concerned. But some of the Rafans take pleasure to castigate Roger, which they believe will enhance the stature of Rafa. Another filthy missile they launch against Roger is that he was fortune to pile up his majors in a weak era. Well, who can objectively judge which is strong and which is weak ? It is all individual perception and our own interpretation which counts little. With the way Rafa is dominating Clay courts today, I see this is a very weak era where it is becoming rather repetitive and boring. But just because I say this, it cannot become a weak era. May be that Rafa’s level of play is so high especially on clay courts that other players could not catch up. You can apply the same criterion to Roger too on other courts during his hey days. Well, the record books go by career accomplishments and not individual H2Hs. They might be brought up now. But say 15 years from now, Roger will be remembered only for his monumental achievements and not become notorious for his H2H. That is how Tennis revolves and evolves.

June 14th, 2013 at 7:50 am

Federer mean while double bageled his opponent today…a “weak one” rather…and is into semis

June 14th, 2013 at 8:12 am

^ yeah the guy had wins over Davy , Simon, Ferrer & Birdsh!t. But still is ranked currently @156(career high 46). Hopefully this is a hint of how is form is going to be, but nowadays with Fed you never know day in day out.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:28 am

@simon

another epic fail. i am a tsonga fan.

#losttheplot

June 14th, 2013 at 8:37 am

Michael great post i have never ever,ever,cared about the H2H,as you rightly say its what you do against the entire field,not about what you do against one player,the only thing i care about is my favorite(s)beating whomever is stood in front of them at the time,anyway it doesnt take anything away from the greatness of Roger/Rafa etc etc,i can understand fully why Rogers fans get irrtated by that,as a Rafafan the thing that irrtates me is that he doesnt get enough credit for what he has achieved off CCs,even though he has 4 GS off CCs,and how much more beatable against lesser players on HC and GCs,i always think so what he still has 4 none CC GS and 24 MS titles what do the lesser players have?just to say you will never ever hear me taking anything away from Roger hes the greatest ever,i will never say anything different the only thing i ever ask is for Rafa to be given credit for what he has achieved,not critised for what he hasnt,i dont think its too much to ask?

June 14th, 2013 at 8:37 am

As of lately this site has been infested with Rafa-roaches.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:09 am

Heat are in a dogfight in the NBA final. Series even at 2-2.

#letsgoheat

June 14th, 2013 at 9:35 am

Hewiit vs Delpo about to begin: could be an interesting match.
It’s 2-1 H2H for JMDP. Hewitt won their only match on grass.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:35 am

I was quite surprised to see Cilic keep it together to beat Berdy. It was a high quality match. I’m also looking forward to Hewitt/Delpo. Should be fun.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:37 am

Just to say i was very proud as a Brit to see Dan Evans having a good run hear at Queens,that was a good win against Niemenen,and no disgrace to loose to Delpo who is a very good GC player and a Wimbledon dark horse IMO.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:46 am

La Monf won the first set over Tommy Haas. He would play Fed next? That could be a fab match.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:46 am

^ I’d tune into that match if it were to happen.

I remember the Wimbledon match between Delpo and Hewitt. Delpo wasn’t quite as sure on grass then but he seemed in awe of Hewitt that day. Afterwards he said he idolized Lleyton as a kid.

June 14th, 2013 at 9:53 am

I vaguely remember it too DA; that was Delpo’s break out year, and he’d just come off a great FO run to the semis, so people were expecting big things from him at Wimbledon.

Nice to see the sun shining there today, and blue skies!

June 14th, 2013 at 9:59 am

Leytons wife and children are beautiful,he might never have reached the dizzy heights that Roger did,but he clearly loves the game and the lifestyle,and is still capable of giving the youngsters a run for their money on a good day,i would love to see him have a good run at Wimbledon,hes one of my favorite players outside the top4 of the older generation.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:03 am

Delpo and La Monf both broken.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:04 am

It’s a totally different place when the sun shines. Delpo helped give away that break. The sun directly overhead seems to be an issue for both of them. Doublefaultlapooza.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:10 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POdcXHblD1Q

For Rafaholics. Somebody made this nice video I saw on youtube of some of Rafas nice points this year.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:12 am

And Delpo loses, rather lamely methinks. Yes, Hewitt played well for sure. But what’s with Delpo? Dumb errors, lackadaisical, bleck.

Meanwhile Haas won the second so it’s anyone’s match. The victor might be tired tomorrow; Fed cruised with the double bagel and now these guys are going 3. He must be sipping some german ale enjoying this!

June 14th, 2013 at 10:14 am

^ The first set re: Delpo.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:15 am

Kimberly nice video thankyou :D..

June 14th, 2013 at 10:16 am

Delpo seems a little more into it this set, with the early break, and actually expressing frustration over misses. And now a double break.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:31 am

Guess la Monf couldn’t keep his concentration; Haas with the lead in the third.

So the semi will be a rematch of last year’s final, if I recall? Haas vs Fed?

June 14th, 2013 at 10:39 am

^ yep. Delpo in a groove now. I don’t understand why Hewitt keeps hitting to Delpo’s FH.. Not a good tactic.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:46 am

Hope an Andy/Jo semi comes to pass. They should both get past their QF opponents methinks.

Also, if Delpo wins this will he face Cilic? They sometimes have good matches, though Delpo with a considerable lead in their H2H.

June 14th, 2013 at 10:58 am

Delpo will face Cilic. If Andy and Tsonga get through there’ll be two great SFs.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:04 am

Well well, Hewitt breaks to lead 3-1.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:10 am

^ yes, he’s just snatched all the momentum away from Delpo. Looks like he’ll be coming through and I like his chances versus Cilic.

I believe Hewitt’s won this event several times right? 3? 4? 5 titles?

June 14th, 2013 at 11:13 am

4 times I think. And he does it! Great win for him. He played perfectly in the third set.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:26 am

Aww, that little boy – so cute. Congrats to Leyton, nice win.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:26 am

LOL: old man wins a big match and is ecstatic, kid likes ‘meh, what’s all the noise about.’!:-)

June 14th, 2013 at 11:27 am

LMFAO: ‘don’t kid yourself mate, this is not Aussie weather!’ putting JV in his place- nice!:-)

June 14th, 2013 at 11:28 am

As crazy as it gets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwWxJ6j8h8

June 14th, 2013 at 11:34 am

Jane that little boy is adorable,gorgeous blond hair,Leytons wife is very beautiful too.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:39 am

Thanks GG. LOL la monf: always an entertainer!

June 14th, 2013 at 11:39 am

Like I said, if Monfils had a different brain, he’d be unbeatable.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:40 am

Yep La Monf is a one-off. Just yesterday I was watching a youtube video compilation of his “crazy” amazing shots, which was tweeted by Murray last week.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:43 am

Im glad the suns finally shining and im getting to finally see some uninterupted tennis matches.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:44 am

Andy up 4-1. Looking really sharp.

June 14th, 2013 at 11:59 am

Commentators curse. Break back.

It’s such a shame the Monfils won’t be at Wimbledon.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:11 pm

I wonder what his personal problems are, but yeah, too bad about la Monf.

Long break with Becker…

Has Judy let her hair go grey or is that bleach blonde?

June 14th, 2013 at 12:20 pm

It’s bleached blonde.Loving Andy’s serving and FHs today. I think he’s returned almost every 1st serve of Beckers.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:27 pm

Andy loses focus sometimes when he gets the lead. As long as he gets the break back.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:36 pm

All of a sudden his timing is off. Danger zone.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:42 pm

Good game overall to get the break back. Just needs to stay concentrated methinks.

June 14th, 2013 at 12:47 pm

Muzza broken then breaks back right away. Focus!

June 14th, 2013 at 12:47 pm

Becker hangin with Muzza. Mmmm

June 14th, 2013 at 12:55 pm

Murray wins the tiebreak and the match. A little bit up and down but some great tennis in there nevertheless.

So – we’ve got, at Queens:
Cilic/Hewitt
Muzza/Tsonga

At Halle:
Fed/Haas
Youz/Gasquet

Nice semifinals I think.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Oops, my bad. I didn’t realize Tsonga still has to play his QF!

June 14th, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Don’t know what happened from the 4th game onwards in the 2nd set but I’m glad he hung in there and finished it in 2. He played superbly in that 1st set. I’ll take it.

hehe Jane, yes still has to make it through. I know nothing about Kudla.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:18 pm

DA, Apparently Kudla has been playing well, according to the commentators, so maybe he has a chance? I don’t know anything about him either.

I do think Andy was right in his on-court interview though, in that Becker did begin to play better near the end and it might’ve thrown off Andy’s rhythm – well that and the MTO. In any case, he did hang in there and that’s all that matters.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:21 pm

I was doing some calculations accordingly to Wimbledon formula and if Murray wins tomorrow match he will be seeded #2 regardless of Federer wining and Halle. Murray will be seeded #2 for Wimby, Federer #3 and Nadal #5, which means that we can have for the first time in any tourney Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in the same side of the draw. If the draws are indeed fixed, this is what I would do to give Murray the best way to the finals having to face only 1 of the other Fab 4, if I were Wimby authorities:)
But the odds of that happening are not that far of, if for example we have, #1, #3, #5 and #8 in one side and #2, #4, #6 and #7 in the other side.

Wimbledon formula:
– ATP ranking points 1 week before tourney
– Total Points for all grass tourneys in the year before (2012)
– 75% of BEST grass tourney 2 years before (2011)

Djokovic is already #1 by a huge mile, so not including his numbers.

Federer:
7640 (if defends Halle final from last year) + 2000 (Wimby 2012 + 150 Halle 2012) + 270 (0,75 x 360 from Wimby quarters in 2011) = 10060.

If wins Halle this year add more 100, if he loses to Hass, remove 60, so he is guarantee 10000 pts for Wimby seeding

Murray:
8310 + 90 (London semis guarantee this year) + 1200 (Wimby 2012) + 540 (0,75 x 720 from Wimby semis in 2011) = 10140 guarantee. If he reaches London final, add 60 pts, if he wins London add 160 pts

So only way for Fed to be seeded #2 is if he wins Halle (10160 pts) and Murray loses in London semis (10140 its).

Nadal:
6895 + 45 (Wimby 2012) + 45 (Halle 2012) + 900 (0,75 x 1200 from Wimby finalist in 2011) = 7885

Ferrer:
7220 + 360 (Wimby 2012) + 250 (Hertogenbosch 2012) + 135 (0,75 x 180 from Wimby round of 16 in 2011) = 7965

Ferrer is guarantee #4 seeding in Wimbledon.

The question is, in which quarter Nadal will land: Djoko (#1), Murray (most likely #2), Federer (#3) or Ferrer (#4)? If he doesn’t land in Ferrer quarters, he may have to beat the other 3 members of Fab 4 in quarters, semis and finals to win Wimbledon, depending on draw. This Wimbledon draw anticipation will be way more exciting the Roland Garros, as long as all top 5 play.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:55 pm

Daniel, for some reason I thought Andy was already assured of the second seed at Wimbledon, as I didn’t think they counted the events ongoing.

Tsonga with set one.

June 14th, 2013 at 1:59 pm

Jane,

The seeding only closes next week, after the developments of this week tourney. They use the ATP ranking as of first Monday before Wimbledon.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Tsonga’s playing good, but can’t say how good he will be come Wimbledon. Not sure how good this Kudla guy is on gras. Jo serving for the match, just two more points needed.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Good net game from Jo, closes the match 6-3, 6-2.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Tsonga/Murray it is!

Daniel, thanks – got it now.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:22 pm

Is Andy next?

June 14th, 2013 at 2:22 pm

Tsonga-Murray! Good.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:27 pm

Tough battle on between Hantuchova and Schiavone. TB in 3rd set. Schiavone might take the match but looks uncomfortable on grass.

June 14th, 2013 at 2:59 pm

Jane if you get a chance here’s that incredible point from yesterday’s match against Matosevic. Jaw dropping gets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FZFh0uVGSy8#t=218s

June 14th, 2013 at 3:04 pm

Leading 3-0 in TB, Schiavone loses the match to Hantuchova. The better player on grass wins.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:06 pm

@Daniel: I still somehow see Fed being seeded 2 and Rafa 4. Recently one of the directors said ultimately it’s their discretion on how players are seeded- made me think they are not going seed Rafa at 5. Fed is defending champ and huge fav at Wimby in all regards: I have a hunch he’ll be no.2 seed out of respect for him, especially as defending champ. Time will tell: only a hunch.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:08 pm

Rafa deserves no.4 seeding. Ferrer is an absolute joke on grass.

Tsonga-murray will be a total block buster. Both are on top of their game and they are 2 of the top 10 grass courters of this era. Murray will get the job done, but Tsonga is a force of nature.

Hewitt beat delpotro and haas beat monfils? guess Roger’s era was not that weak, eh?

June 14th, 2013 at 3:43 pm

Thanks DA – great get(s) indeed.

June 14th, 2013 at 3:52 pm

I would like to see Rafa seeded fourth but I do not agree that David is an “absolute joke” on grass.

June 14th, 2013 at 5:41 pm

Nadal, Djokvic, Murray, Federer all will disagree with anyone calling Ferrer an “absolute joke” on grass.

I hope Nadal is seeded #4 but won’t be too surprised if he’s seeded #5. Andy Murray though is already upset about it. Maybe he thinks he could be the one to face Nadal in the quarter finals if Rafa is seeded #5. Nadal for the record is yet to lose to Murray on grass.

June 14th, 2013 at 6:02 pm

@rogerafa – I am with you.

I’m confused – have the people thinking this had a tennis lobotomy since last year’s tournament and forgotten that he was in the semifinals and took Andy Murray, eventual champion, to four?

*smh*

June 14th, 2013 at 6:02 pm

Sorry – having a bit of a blur myself.

Of course Roger won Wimbledon, LOL — Andy was “only” Olympic champion.

So … eventual “finalist”.

(I think with all the “ANDY MUST WIN WIMMBLEDON” press already beginning to come out I’m starting to lose it.)

June 14th, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Brando,

Didn’t know the tournament directors ultimately have the last say. To me they follow the formula for years now.

I remember back in 2001 Kuerten didn’t play because he as #1 would not even get a top 4 seeding, I think due to this last years performance by the formula and decided not to play. Maybe if they could get an arrangement he would play. Is not like he should have been seeded first or second but he was #1 back then.

I hope they seed at least Nadal as 4th due to the numbers being so close and we could get the big 4 once again. Because if Federer doesn’t win Wimbledon which his odds are not that great as used to be, although he still is defending champion and always have said his goal every year is to win Wimbledon, he will drop to 5 and we can see the same situation again in US Open.

June 14th, 2013 at 6:18 pm

@Daniel: from what I understand: it’s their discretion ultimately. Either way: not much of a difference IMO. For example, Rafa at 5 could face: Nole, Muzza, Fed or Ferru: not an easy ride. But a top 4 seed could face: Rafa, Tsonga, Berdych or Delpo: not exactly a easy time on court there! I think Wimby will be a really tough and IMO, bar Andy I see real question marks with all the other top guys. It shall be very interesting for sure. I still think Fed will be no.2 seed: cannot see a defending champ like Fed being seed 3, not at all.

June 14th, 2013 at 8:42 pm

Thanks Alison !!

June 15th, 2013 at 9:02 am