Brutal Field at WTA Doha; ATP Previews

I think Becker is encouraging Novak to get more doubles time in. Help his transition and net game in singles.
Boris was no John McEnroe or Fed at net, but he did win Olympic doubles gold back in 1992. And we all know if he didn’t have the ideal soft hands, he made up for it with diving enthusiasm at net.

February 22nd, 2015 at 12:33 am

^LOL, Boris no Jmac or Fed @ net? Do you know what transition means in Tennis?

February 22nd, 2015 at 1:00 am

i loved watching boris win wimbledon that first time; i mean wow – that teen enthusiasm! :)

February 22nd, 2015 at 2:04 am

@jane,
Yes, and he was a monster in all phases that year!

February 22nd, 2015 at 2:33 am

Good field in Doha,in BA its like Deja Vu,mind you think week in Rio there were some pretty interesting competitive matches,considering it was such a weak field….

February 22nd, 2015 at 5:11 am

its all about building the momentum in Djok Fed H2h. so for it to get some for Federer winning this clearly did not ride him through to wimbly final where Djoker was better player. So fed needs to pace himself in confronting Djokovic with a winning gameplan.
I like Federer to win but not against Djokovic or with aan brilliant gameplan and execution like last year.

Murray will feel the humiliation kick in by reaching semi to confront the maestro should they reach semi. I wonder if he steps down prior for that showdown.

February 22nd, 2015 at 5:24 am

Wonder if Halep will show at Doha after win in Dubai. After she won Doha last yr which was Premiere 5 she pulled out of Dubai which last yr was the lesser tournament. Better sweeten the pot 4 her just 2 make sure she shows.

February 22nd, 2015 at 12:24 pm

Sienna, I don’t think you have a very good insight into Murray’s character if you think he would give up hope and chicken out in advance.

In any case, this, don’t forget,is best of three, a format in which Andy has always posed a problem for Roger, so why should he fear meeting him this week?

While I’m talking about Andy, I disagree with the widely accepted belief that he needs to work on his second serve. I say he needs to work on the first serve, because if he gets that in there won’t BE a second serve!

He wins a quite respectable percentage of points off the second serve anyway, so if he could maintain a first serve percentage in the mid or late seventies, he’d be fine. He’s done it in the past, and I think he could do it again.

February 22nd, 2015 at 3:56 pm

interesting thought colin but what if the first serve is “off” in a match? it’s not easy to keep the first serve percentage always in the 70 percent range, even for the best serves. so it comes down to the second, then a player can be in trouble. andy was winning only high 20s to mid 30s percentage-wise on his second serves in his recent losses, which can hurt him as matches wear on against similarly good returners (in this case, nole and simon). i don’t think pete’s right when he says “you’re only as good as your second serve”; however, i think he has a point – it can be a huge help when you’re having an off day, or even on crunch points, and that’s why most pundits think andy should shore up his second.

February 22nd, 2015 at 4:15 pm

*the best servers.

February 22nd, 2015 at 4:15 pm

“Murray will feel the humiliation kick in by reaching semi to confront the maestro should they reach semi.”

Yes, after leading their H2H for 5 years he’ll suddenly fear humiliation. lol

“I wonder if he steps down prior for that showdown.”

I sometimes wonder if you’re sentient being or just enjoy trolling.

February 22nd, 2015 at 4:32 pm

I must be a soothsayer. Less thn an hr after I posted a comment abt possibility of Halep pulling outta Doha after winning Dubai, she pulls outta Doha. Guess they wudn’t up her appearance fee 2 keep her around. Mistake, Halep’s 1 of a very select few WTA players tht can actually put ppl in the seats. It was shortsighted 2 not make it worthwhile 2 her 2 stay & play.

February 22nd, 2015 at 10:06 pm

Sienna catching flak 4 saying Murray wud quake in fear ovr the prospect of Dubai SF showdown wth Fed. Another delusional Fed fan, no doubt. Guess she missed results from AO. Murray made final, Fed lost in 3rd round to Andreas Seppi. U lose to a Seppi, nobody’s quaking in fear of U. Lol

February 22nd, 2015 at 10:32 pm

@Royce…..You’re wrong, she’s a major Cilic fan….

February 22nd, 2015 at 11:11 pm

“^LOL, Boris no Jmac or Fed @ net? Do you know what transition means in Tennis?”

Every 3 months I come to tennis-x and I see this dude/girl/whatever acting like he’s/she’s the one who knows every darn thing about tennis. What’s up with this person ? How can we all chip in to help him/her deal with his/her existential meaninglessness ?

I’d come back after 3 months to see if any progress was made on this front. Thanks!

February 23rd, 2015 at 1:34 am

@Lodhi
Ok, haha and lol. I am fine with my existence, no help is needed. And what prey tell is your contribution here? An opinion, a tale of some sort? Apparently not. Once every 3 mos and that is it? I try to contribute what I know, as do others, It’s not “the word” of Tennis and plenty say otherwise, no harm, no foul. Do you know what the transition game is? Apparently not, or you would have “chipped in”. I am all ears….

February 23rd, 2015 at 2:02 am

@Lodhi. Your 3 monthly contribution to this site is more than welcome. I think you will find on your next visit here nothing will have changed with regard to that dude you are referring to. He is as thick as two planks, one that can’t decipher the birds from the trees so don’t hold your breath. His knowledge is limited to one number and one name. So sad!

visit here nothing will have changed with regard to that dude you are referring to. He is as thick as two planks, one that doesn’t know the birds from the trees so don’t hold your breath.

February 23rd, 2015 at 4:04 am

PS. Sorry something went wrong with the text . Last 3 lines double posted.

February 23rd, 2015 at 4:06 am

You have to love the creative writing by staff –

“Under-the-table oil money pulls in Djokovic, Federer and Murray.”

Gee, if the tournament was hosted by non-Muslims would you still call it that? Or would you label it what it really is and most commonplace at tournaments around the world – “appearance fees”?

February 23rd, 2015 at 10:17 am