Nadal v Del Potro, Djokovic v Tsonga; Shanghai SF Picks And Pans

by Sean Randall | October 11th, 2013, 7:08 pm
  • 104 Comments

So far in Shanghai, no real surprises. In fact, the final four look remarkably like the semifinals I predicted earlier in the week: Rafael Nadal v Juan Martin Del Potro, Novak Djokovic v JW Tsonga.

The favorite of the foursome is Djokovic who just won Beijing beating Nadal and took this very same Shanghai Masters title last year. But today the Serb slipped a little dropping the opening set against Federer-killer Gael Monfils before emerging with a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

“I started serving quite badly, but [I did] not [commit] many unforced errors,” said Djokovic, who has now won 18 matches in a row on Chinese soil. “I was serving better as the match went on. Today was a very physical match and very intense. We played many rallies. I’m glad that I made it through.”


Djokovic will have to serve better if he wants to remain in this title defense. And next will be the very streak Tsonga. On the quick courts, the Frenchman continued his comeback from a knee by dusting Florian Mayer 6-2, 6-3 in a drama-less win.

In the other quarters, Stan Wawrinka kept it as close as possible against Rafael Nadal but couldn’t pull out a first set breaker only to fall 7-6(10), 6-1. I gave Stan a real shot to break his duck against Nadal (he’s now 0-11 against the Spaniard) and he had plenty of chances in the first set. Mentally, though, I think he just couldn’t get over that hump. And once Stan squandered those break chances in the very first game of the second set it was curtains. And it was.

Next for Nadal is Del Potro. The Tokyo champion seems to be over a bout of flu after routing Rafa’s countryman Nicolas Almagro 6-2, 6-3.

“I played very well today, very solid,” said Del Potro. “I played aggressive. I hit my forehand very well. I like the way I played today. I just want to keep improving [and] keep going far in this tournament.”

So the semis are set, now to my picks.

Novak Djokovic v JW Tsonga
Ok, so he did lose a set today to Monfils but overall Djokovic seems to be finding some good form during this Asian swing. Is he back to his old self from 2011? No. But clearly he likes the court surface, the conditions and he’s playing well, playing comfortably.

For Tsonga, after missing the summer circuit he may now be physically fresh but he’s a little untested in these big matches against the best. Playing Mayer isn’t the same as playing Novak. It’s a big difference and I don’t think Tsonga is up for the challenge. Not yet, anyway.

As much as I’d like Tsonga to come through, and if Novak has a really poor day he could, Djokovic is the clear favorite here. He leads 10-5 and has won the last six.
The pick: Djokovic in two

Rafael Nadal v Juan Martin Del Potro
At the start of the week I raised some eyebrows picking Del Potro to beat Nadal in this very round. Well, I’m going to stand by it.

Nadal leads 8-3 in this one including a tough win in the Indian Wells final which Del Potro let slip away.

“I cannot expect a similar match to Indian Wells,” said Nadal. “Even the match was very hard there. The only way to play against him and be successful is [to] play my best tennis [and] play aggressively on this surface.”

The difference here is the court is quicker – as Nadal acknowledges – and Del Potro is playing better than he was in March while Nadal historically struggles this time of year. And we are starting to see hints of just that.

Stan really pushed Rafa in that first set today, maybe should have won it after blowing a bunch of set points. That after Carlos Berlocq surprisingly did the same in the second set of his third round match with Nadal. If the circumstances are similar again, I think unlike Stan/Carlos, Delpo can and will close the door. And I’m picking him to do just that.
The pick: Del Potro in three

If you are up late or awake early Tennis Channel has the matches live at 4:30am ET.

SATURDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 2:00 pm
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [5] I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA)

4:30 pm
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [7] J Tsonga (FRA)

8:00 pm
[6] J Del Potro (ARG) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP)

UNION PAY COURT 3 start 6:00 pm
J Murray (GBR) / J Peers (AUS) vs [8] D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP)


You Might Like:
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ATP Fall Guide: Where The Big Boyz – Nadal, Djokovic, Federer – Will Be Playing
Del Potro Withdraws from Shanghai
Blake Falls as Del Potro, Simon Move Closer to Shanghai
Djokovic Joins Murray, Stan, Nadal at Blockbuster Shanghai

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104 Comments for Nadal v Del Potro, Djokovic v Tsonga; Shanghai SF Picks And Pans

smashingaces Says:

I would love to see del potro win this tournament! Great player fantastic to watch


SG1 Says:

Agreed. Go DelPo.


metan Says:

Nadal in three. He is exhausted but he needs to be in the final and wins the title for better physical and mental preparation WTF. By winning this match against Delpo he will be able to measure how deep he can handle him in the indoor court. If he gets the title , Rafa will escape Paris for longer resting his body, plus after watching his game last night, look he wanted to win, imo.


Steve 27 Says:

Rafa and Jo. Vamos!


Michael Says:

Well I agree with the pick of Sean with regard to Novak, but in the marquee match between Rafa and Del Potro, I stick my neck out to pick out Rafa. My assessment is based upon the current form of players. Rafa is very confident and raring to go and to make matters worse, Del Potro is recovering from a bout of fever and this might have an effect on him, if the match goes to a marathon. If Del Potro has to beat Rafa, it has to be in straight sets, it cannot be in three and with the kind of form, Rafa is in, it is impossible for the likes of Del Potro to do the rarest of rare. So, once again let us all brace up for a Novak Vs Rafa final in right earnest.


Michael Says:

Metan,

I agree with you. Rafa should skip Paris Masters for good.


ID Fan Says:

Sean,

We had the same semi-final picks on our site and Steve Tignor picked the same too. Even the finalists and winners too!

I think it means Men’s tennis has become too predictable.


Giles Says:

http://alturl.com/225zm
Friday hot shot . Bravo Rafa!
Vamos Champ!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

TBH Gael did very well and was lucky to take a set off Novak IMO,although the result was NID,Novak said that Gael was one of the best movers,but not physically very fit,so he knew he wouldnt be able to hold that level,and he would be able to wear him down,Joe looks very fresh and has played great this week,but hasnt been tested,Novak is a diferent animal to Mayer,like Gael yesterday,i hope Joe can make a match of it,i think this could be a good oppotunity for Delpo to get a W against Rafa,as the court suits him,i agree with Seans picks though,no jinxs,curses or anything,as those things dont exist,its an imaginary concept pure BS,you make your own luck in this world.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Agree with ID Fan,mens tennis becoming too predictable,we need Murray back too ASAP.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Michael why would Rafa have to skip the Paris Masters for good?i can understand why he would skip it this year,but why should he skip it for good?


Giles Says:

Rafa is playing well on this court. Why would it be “a good opportunity for Delpo to get a W against Rafa”?
Vamos Rafa!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Giles yeah Rafas playing really well,and physically seems fine,and i hope he pulls of the W,i just meant Delpos form has been good this week,and hes a dangerous opponent for Rafa thats all,no harm or foul.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Giles thanks for the Rafa hot shot BTW.


Giles Says:

Alison. ’twas a good one, no? :-)


youyong Says:

Looks like it is going to be a quick straight set win for Djokovic unless Tsonga can cut down on those errors.


youyong Says:

Hard to see this not being a straight set win now. Even having broken back, Tsonga lost his serve twice again to lose 2-6.


Giles Says:

Tsonga needs to work on his mental development!!


Margot Says:

Jo going from brilliant to pants and back in nanoseconds! Nole looking clean and confident.
Going for Rafa in 3! Come on!


metan Says:

Oh Dear, Rafa is dying in this first set.


metan Says:

Come on Rafa, give your best, get the second set!


Josh39485 Says:

Del Potro is playing phenomenally here. Nadal just has to wait it out and hope his level drops.


Daniel Says:

Finally able to watch some tennis this week. Nadal’s. Return is hos most improved on shot, this game alone he returned all serves and with interest.
DelPo is playing excelent


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Delpos playing is fantastic,Rafas not doing anything wrong,failing to capitalize on 7 BPs is his undoing in this set,credit to Delpo managing to save them all.


metan Says:

Oh Lord, have mercy.


Margot Says:

Wow! Delpotro was absolutely brilliant today. Welcome to the Big Four, Big Man!
Commies to Rafa fans, but the way JMDP was playing, who could’ve stopped him?


nitesh Says:

prediction holds true djoker- petro final hope del petro wins and make tennis more intresting in absence of federer and murray


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Thats the best ive seen Delpo play since the USO in 2009,the question would be can he do it like he did then by beating two top players back to back?i hope he can and win his 1st masters 1000 title,as for Rafa no excuses not his day today,he paid the price for not taking those BP oppotunities,still no disgrace as hes still been the best player this year,i wonder if this means he will lose the number 1 ranking now?BTW as a fan i must say it gets irritating when the commies reffer to him as the current world number 1,number 1 ranking or no number 1 ranking hes still been the worlds best player this year(sigh),end of rant.


metan Says:

Congrats to Delpo. and all his fans. Fantastic match. Good result for Rafa to go home and have rest and come back with new energy.
Vamos No. 1 still.!!


metan Says:

Sorry Alison, Rafa is no. 1 in ranking. And he earned and deserved it. Even he is not number one in ranking he is ALWAYS MY No. ONE TENNIS PLAYER, no!


Jodith Says:

Great match delpo.
You have used your God given abilities to succeed. congrats! And all praise to God!


metan Says:

Jamie.
Since I am drunk now, can you tell me who’s win the WTF.I am going to bet.


jamie Says:

As I predicted in August, Nadal would not win titles after September.

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-08-21/13448.php#comment-480203


jamie Says:

I think Nole will win the WTF.


Jodith Says:

i think Nole will win in 2 sets !


Jodith Says:

All praise to God for giving us this wonderful sport!


skeezer Says:

Where did the rafanatics go?


metan Says:

@ skeezer.
Don’t worry be happy, some one will looking for you. Now time for rest , no. Exhausted!!!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Skeezer fair enough,and no offence,but where did all Noles fans go when he was going through his sticky patch?


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Skeezer For what its worth ill stick around through the good and the bad times,its only been a couple of hours since Rafa actually lost,so perhaps some people are out,or shopping,or have stuff going on in the real world,or working????give them chance please?


Okiegal Says:

Congrats to Novak and DelPo fans……not Rafa’s day. JMD was playing fantastic today……I think he’s back! The final should be a good one if DelPo continues this level of play……..if so , he will give Novak a run for his money.

Vamos, Rafa….get some much needed rest and good luck for 2014!!!


metan Says:

Jamie. Thanks. That’s gonna be my early Christmas present.


Giles Says:

Rest up Rafa. You have done great this year. Now onto Basel. Good luck.
#VamosRafa
#World#1
Good luck Delpo for tomorrow. Claim that trophy!!


Giles Says:

skeezer. Don’t worry the Rafanatics ain’t goin’ nowhere. We are here to stay!
Vamos Rafa!


skeezer Says:

metan & alison
Wasn’t addressing you 2. They know who they are. You 2 are great Rafa fans.
Rafa still has had a great HC season. Don’t let this loss fool ya, his form still looks good. Just his game gets exposed the faster the courts get. He looks healthy still, thatas tje good part of all this ;)


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Skeezer thanks no problem:))..


skeezer Says:

Congrats to Nole and
Delpo!!
No Sean jinx this time. U could tell it was an important win for him, and he used the fast court to his advantage. Rafa also had a bad day serving…..


Emily Says:

After the disappointment in New York, I remembered last year Delpo had great results towards the end of the year. However, I never expected a 500 tournament win followed by Masters final by going through the #1 player in the world (especially after that too close for comfort win over Kolschreiber). I also didn’t remember that the last time he beat Nadal was that amazing 2009 semi-final, so maybe that’s a sign about the final.

Thanks for all the Delpo love and now he’s officially qualified for London, which I know was part of that big celebration. I’ll be up in the middle of the night hoping he can play this well again and finally gets that Masters title.


Okiegal Says:

Hey, Skeez, Okiegal is here………through the good, the bad and the ugly!!

The good: #1 ranking achieved again
The bad: 7 months not playing
The ugly: Losing to Rosol….hated to have to bring that up……but it is what it is!!

Vamos, Rafa……your fans love you….through the wins and the losses. You are an amazing athlete!!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Emily im so pleased for you,he played fantastic today,and no disrespect to the Nole fans on this forum,as i have a great raport with them all,but i think it would be fantastic to see him bag his 1st ATP 1000 Masters title,hes 3rd on my list of favorites after Rafa and Andy,so lets go Delpo.


skeezer Says:

Rafa gets #1 again and promptly gets beat as #1; and D

Is he proving to be the bonifide chaser and never the bonifide leader?


Giles Says:

Here’s hoping Delpo isn’t too relaxed going into the final tomorrow. He has qualified for London. Is he motivated enough to win tomorrow or is he just content that he qualified?
Let’s see tomorrow.
GO DELPO!


Brando Says:

Vamos Delpo! Much deserved win, and he’s finally playing like the top 4 player everyone knows he is. Really hope he wins the final as he’s long over due to win a MS! As for my guy Rafa: no shame in the loss at all. He seems tired as usual at this time of the year, but soldiering on to get RU and SF in Asia makes me proud of him. Add the world no. 1 and it’s been a really good swing all things considered. He lost to a brilliant player today, he’ll be fine with that. The years been brilliant so far and the future seems good also. Vamos Rafa!


Giles Says:

Rafa achieved the #1 ranking and that is enough for this Rafan for now.
Since when do the number ones of this world win every tourney??
Vamos Champ!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Brando nice post completely agree,funnily enough with the year Rafas had,you cannot really be too dissapointed with only 5 defeats in a year,anyway onto Basel now.


Brando Says:

@Giles: I hope he wins! A top 4 of Rafa, Nole, Muzza and Delpo: that would be a amazing, fearsome quartet! Anyone who watches tennis on a regular basis knows that on his day delpo is 2nd to none. The big man-when firing- will beat anyone, likely even thrash them! He’s that good when his shots are firing. And it’s great to see him succeed and do well as aside from having a great game he’s also a stand up guy. I don’t like seeing Rafa lose, but I don’t mind when it’s to a player like Delpo: especially when he fires. It’s all good and I’m glad Rafa has 10 days rest now till his next match. Vamos Rafa!


holdserve Says:

skeezer,
Rafais still the no. 1. As for being the chaser, he has dominated and has more weeks at no.1 from 2008 till now than Nole. Just because he was no. 2 when players his age were top 20 or top 10 doesn’t make him less great. Fed was only top 20 for much of the time before he was 22. Nole I think top 20 till 19 and then no. 3 until he was 24.

Don’t distort facts just because of your hate.
Just like you claimed Rafa was no good on other surfaces despite having 5 on them, simply because his results on clay were overwhelming. Great results on one surface make him great on that surface. They do not prove he is useless on other surfaces.
With your kind of reasoning, the sun rises in the west.


holdserve Says:

Both in ranking as well as in the race to year end no. 1, Rafa is currently the leader and Nole is the chaser. So what is your post based on? Facts or…..?


Alex Says:

Hoping for a Delpo win tomorrow.


Brando Says:

@Alison: Hi. Yeah I’m not fussed at all: he’s soldiering on at a time usually he feels fatigued, yet he still managed to: 1- Get the number 1 ranking 1 with a 400 point cushion regardless of what happens in the final 2- reach RU, SF in Asia 3- Only lose to Nole and Delpo: 2 top 4 level players who are in better form. All things considered: it’s all good for Rafa IMO! He’ll now have a 10 day rest to recharge for the indoor season: I’m glad he has it. Beijing/ Shanghai doesn’t define his season at all, and when one puts his performance into context: they’ll realize that he’s actually doing great all things considered.


Brando Says:

@Alex: I think most neutrals want Delpo to win. He’s long overdue and too good not to have a MS title on his resume. Also a win may catapult him into the top 4: where I think everyone agrees he belongs. I think the game needs a fit, firing Delpo in there with the big boys fighting for the big titles. Hence: Vamos Delpo!


ckr Says:

Great win for Delpo. Sean is really getting good at his predications. I think Djoker will win tomorrow. I would be happy if Delpo wins this one.


Giles Says:

Hey @Brando. Long time no speak. Where have you been? You havn’t been posting much. Please stick around.
Nadalista hasn’t been posting either.


ckr Says:

^Predictions….my bad..


skeezer Says:

holdserve(hawkeye)
Chillax it was just a question. Don’t distort the facts.
http://www.tennis28.com/rankings/yearend_mostyears.html


holdserve Says:

skeezer, you are distorting facts by even claiming I am hawkeye.
You must learn to respect facts and logic and not go through life and tennis forums basing yourself on wild guesses and illogical arguments.


Brando Says:

@Giles:

Hi there Giles. Great to see you sticking around and supporting our fav: I admire you fervent passion for Rafa. It’s great to see.

Where have I been?

A combination of too much going on in my personal life that I have had to deal with recently with work, out of work aspects etc.

Life? Why does it rudely interrupt with tennis? LOL.

That in addition to tennis fatigue has kind of led to my absence from here. I’m not going to lie:

Post USO swing has always been a time I usually pass on in terms of watching and following the game. Of course Rafa traditionally not doing as well factors into it, but really the long season starts to take it’s toll post USO- pre AO.

I also tend to follow my other favorite sports such as Football more closely once the new season kicks in. And the best films start getting released in the fall also and i’m a bit of a film buff who loves to catch all the latest acclaimed films. Add in one’s ongoing in their life anyhow then all in all: tennis does take a back seat in all of this for me post USO usually.

Fear not though: I shall stick around, likely pop in now and then pre 2014 and i’ll be back enthusiastically supporting Rafa as ever come AO 14′ time hopefully!

Take care and have a good time doing what pleases you! :-)


nitesh Says:

rafa lost bcoz he couldnt convert break points so no pressure on delpo simply


hawkeye Says:

Rafa played well. Delpo played better!

Well played by Delpo. Hope he can keep it up tomorrow!


nitesh Says:

Regarding rafa’s year best of his career what else his fans want he is No 1 still making deep runs!!
If rafa fans are not happy with his results today ask any federer fans how are they feeling nowadays
Rafa best clay court player of year since 2005 for the first time he is the best hard court player of 2013 till now !!!


Perfect fan Says:

Pheww….wat a match that was!!

That was probably the best I saw of delpo so far after his 2009 USO success….what an incredible forehand he is having….gosh!! simply unbelievable….he simply pulverized rafa in this match….rafa btw was not playing bad either….its just delpo was too determined.


James Says:

This win over Nadal is big for Delpo. Now he’s qualified for WTF after beating the man he hadn’t defeated in 4 years.

Rafa did play good. Not his North America HC level but it was better than his form in Beijing. However, Delpo played one of the best matches of his career and there wasn’t much Rafa could do this time.

I’ll be rooting for the big guy to win his first Masters 1000. He so deserves it.


Giles Says:

Nadal – “I am humble enough to admit that I didn’t play a bad match and I lost 6-2 6-4”


James Says:

If Rafa gains 500 ranking points from Basel, Paris and WTF, he’ll be the year end #1 even if Djokovic wins Shanghai, Paris and WTF.

As Rafa would say, that’s good news for him and the fans.

He’s won 68 matches and lost just 5 so far this year. Novak in 2011 had won 70 matches and lost 6 matches.


skeezer Says:

holdserve,
Quit being bitter cause your man lost and inventing arguments that don’t exist. Problem is is that most can’t tell the difference between you and hawkeye, your posts are not much different than each other.
I never said Rafa is “no good”. Give it a rest.


Patson Says:

No shame in losing to Delpo when he’s playing this good. Delpo has the potential to smoke anybody. Hoping for a Nole win tomorrow though.

I agree with Skeezer about Nadal’s game being more vulnerable on faster courts. He can win on them but also is more vulnerable there. But it’s also true that it takes a great performance to beat him.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Agree with Perfect Fan i dont think theres much any player could have done against Delpo when hes in that kind of form,thats the best hes played since winning the USO in 2009,i hope he can finish the job and take the title too now.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

James its likely he will surpass what Nole did in 2011 in terms of wins this year then,he might still lose more matches though,but only just,2 more wins and hes equalled what Nole did in 2011,shame he lost today really.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Nitesh agree as a Rafa fan its been a fantastic year,its more than i would,ve even dared to dream about.


hawkeye Says:

Giles Says:
Nadal – “I am humble enough to admit that I didn’t play a bad match and I lost 6-2 6-4″

Easy for Rafa to say. God, it’s KILLING me! I’m self entitled to watching Rafa win!!! I’m just being a sore loser LMAO.


Alex Says:

This Rafa fan only wants him to be No.1 at the end of the year. I don’t care if he wins another tournament this year. I can respect Delpo, he’s been quite unlucky at times in his career. Tough to understand why he hasn’t won a Masters tournament yet.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Alex i had no idea you were a Rafa fan,and i agree with your post.


Alex Says:

I have seen someone else with the name Alex post here, so maybe should change my name a little. What do you say?


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Alex entirely upto you,i just got confused as yes your right there is another Alex who is a Federer Fan i believe?


Hawkeye Says:

That explains it. Two Alexes or is it Alexi?


Suzette, Says:

Oops, I can see from all the posts that this site as a anyone except Nole one, so I guess I am in enemy waters. Oh well on to friendlier places.


Hawkeye Says:

Great win by Delpo today. He was simply too good. Rafa didn’t convert the few chances he earned but might not have made any difference.

I like Delpo. He’s humble like Rafa. He can be Top 4 or better if he can maintain his health and endurance.

Hope he can bring that game to the final against Nole.

But what a year for Rafa. Nothing wrong with final and SF for the No. 1 player after making finals or better at all but one tournament this year.

Simply phenomenadal!!!

Vamos!!!


Alex Says:

I think I would prefer Delpo inside the top 4, instead of Ferrer. Ferrer is a great guy as well, but I just don’t see him within this group of players. Too bad Andy is not around right now.

I could change to my real name, Alexandra. Is there someone with that name here already?


Patson Says:

Suzette, you have company. Courbon and I are Nole fans.

Hoping for a Nole win tomorrow.


suzette Says:

Well hello Patson, I don’t visit that often and I see some Nole regulars have left. When the atmosphere becomes too toxic, I tend to stay away also. Trust me, it is not because I am a fair weather fan, rather I need a vacation from the negativity. I hope Nole wins also, but there will be no excuses or putdowns of his opponent if he doesn’t. Nice to see that Nole has some support here.


courbon Says:

Hi Suzette, there is lots of nice enemies here-hippy chic, metan, brando…all Nadal fans and all nice.As Patson said earlier-stick around.We are small contigent here, so we should keep together.
I hope our man pulls today…


Michael Says:

Alison,

I agreed with Metan that Rafa should skip Paris Masters only this year. Not throughout his career as you assumed !!


Okiegal Says:

DelPo can beat Novak if he plays like he did against Rafa. I think he hits the ball with more power than anyone else…..if he continues hitting the ball like he did today, he will have wrist problems again. Man, he knocks the dang cover off the ball. I see why he had wrist injuries.


Margot Says:

@Alex
Completely agree, much better to have JMDP INSIDE the tent, spitting outwards ;)


Giles Says:

@Alex. There is nobody on this forum with the moniker “Alexandra”. So you can assume that name if you so wish


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Michael its when you said skip Paris for good.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Suzette just to say im not rooting against Nole,im rooting for Delpo,as i think it would be fantastic to see him get his 1st Masters 1000 title,sometimes its a case of rooting for one player,rather than against another.


Suzette, Says:

Thanks Courbon, and congrats to Nole and the few fans that support him, commiserations to Delpo. Nice to see the friendly exchange at the net and I’m sure Delpo will get his win shortly. So much talent should be rewarded.


Suzette, Says:

@ Hippychick, please don’t get me wrong. You can cheer on whomever you like, that is no problem with me. I am glad Novak kept his shirt on for you . He must be reading these blogs,lol.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Suzette just to say i have no problem with Novak,sometimes i will root against him when he is playing one of my favorites obviously,he has quite a sexy body actually lol,although IMO he needs to put some weight on,but the shirt ripping i have to say does annoy me,i suppose the same could be said Rafas fist pump,or Andys wide open mouth,Rogers finger wagging,or Joes victory jig,some people see these celebrations as disrespectful to ones oponent.


Suzette, Says:

@ HippyChick, yes Nole is thin for his height, however,with the amount of excercise these guys get and with his diet, it is not surprising.Typical for a tennis players body,(Roger is only 6 lbs heavier). I guess I don’t look for imagined nuances in the players personalities, so I don’t have a problem with how they celebrate, whether it’s tearing shirts, tugging at their shorts, jumping or whatever, or look for hidden meanings in their post play interviews. (I don’t see the criticism of the Brian bros. when they leap in the air, high five and chest bump each other when they win.) unless it is an overt action, I can’t judge them on a perception. I started out as a Rafa fan until upstart Nole came on the scene. It seemed to me that he was the kid that was always on the outside looking in and the insiders seemed determined to keep it that way. I guess I’m a sucker for the underdog. In some cultures belching after a meal is considered a compliment to the hostess, whereas in western cultures it would be considered rude. Who is right, who is wrong? I guess what I am saying is that people see what they choose to see but that is not necessarily what is reality.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Suzette great post very well said,nothing more to add really.


Suzette, Says:

I forgot to acknowledge my fellow Nole fans and I would send them a high five but I don’t know if it is de rigueur. Many thanks to the Rafa fans who have been posting congratulations and to Delpo fans, have faith it took Nole several years to get over the hump. If he stays healthy he will get there.

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