Federer Rights Ship After Hot Sauce Spill in Dubai

Congrats to Berdych making 500 wins today. That is something any pro can be proud of. Tomas will be in the Top 40 players of all time this season, barring injury. Funny with him. He doesn’t win the big things, but he almost always goes deep. Federer passed 1,000 career wins in Australia. Now 3rd on the All-time list behind Lendl and Connors, 3 other Ironmen.
While Ironman Novak Djokovic moved ahead of Bjorn Borg, Hewitt, and Andy Roddick in Australia.
Nole is now in a tie with David Ferrer with 616 wins, moving into the Top 20 players of the Open Era in career wins in Australia. After David, Novak will be the 3rd most winning of active players. Behind Fed, and Rafa Nadal. Rafa interestingly is in 10th place, tied with Nole’s coach Boris Becker at 714 Career wins. Rafa will all but certainly pass Boris this week.

February 25th, 2015 at 8:24 pm

Yep, Rafa demolished some qualifier today and now has the 10th most wins of any player in the Open Era. While Boris is now demoted to #11.

Amazing when you consider due to injuries or whateverm Rafa missed 2 years cumulatively in his prime, so far.

February 25th, 2015 at 11:08 pm

It was an exhillarating performance from Roger, specifically from 4-1 in the 1st set. He took time to adjust to the pace of Verdasco goundies, but once he got the grasp it was vintage stuff.

Fortunate to witness one of the highest quality of tennis played, even by Roger’s standard.

February 25th, 2015 at 11:47 pm

or losing passion and take holiday, skipping slams not fancied to win
and not forgetting silent ban time.

February 26th, 2015 at 2:42 am

I agree with Nirmal. As usual, Verdasco started with much promise but ended without a whimper. It was mostly due to Roger’s tactical brilliance which outfoxed Verdasco and took him out of his comfort zone. The fact that he has not won against Roger would have been playing in Verdasco’s mind and I get a feeling that he is a good match up with Rafa more than Roger whose game of variety just doesn’t suit his forceful play. So, Roger at the quarters and is most probably tipped to go to the semi final as he is not likely to face much problem with Gasquet’s game.

A Roger vs Andy and Novak Vs Berdych line up would be interesting to watch. If you ask me the favourite to win this title for the 5th time, it would be Novak. He is a player on song at the moment and the man to beat.I feel that only Roger can beat him if he plays his very best Tennis and the problem here is that very big “IF”.

February 26th, 2015 at 5:55 am

Coric is a Novak in the making

similar game.

up a break against murray

February 26th, 2015 at 6:39 am

imagine the player who beat coric in the quali. how he must be feeling

February 26th, 2015 at 6:44 am

5-1 coric

hahahah. murray is a loser

February 26th, 2015 at 6:46 am

27 unforced erros from murray

i though murray is a pusher.

February 26th, 2015 at 6:50 am

first simon, then coric

the year started so well till the final of AO. think the loss to novak did serious mental damage

6-1 1-0 coric

February 26th, 2015 at 6:52 am

murrays new fav shot: ball into the net

February 26th, 2015 at 6:54 am

@michael

fed is more than capable of beating novak. even his losses against him were in deciding sets

February 26th, 2015 at 7:03 am

*last year

February 26th, 2015 at 7:04 am

Murray always manages to be the biggest argument for the fallacy of the big 4. He is a tennis airhead.

February 26th, 2015 at 7:07 am

50 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) UE

even Fed cant match that when he plays very bad

February 26th, 2015 at 7:23 am

5-2 coric

February 26th, 2015 at 7:23 am

and some said murray was the better form player and is fav against Fed

hahahahhahaha

February 26th, 2015 at 7:24 am

and MTF downgrading corics performance

lolololo

February 26th, 2015 at 7:24 am

for a 2 time GS champ this is just disgrace

February 26th, 2015 at 7:27 am

hahahahahha

that smash hahhahahhahahaha

February 26th, 2015 at 7:32 am

murray should retire

loses to a LUCKY LOSER

February 26th, 2015 at 7:34 am

which was the worst

against fed 6-0 6-1
simon loss
or coric loss

February 26th, 2015 at 7:36 am

And I thought Murray’s loss to Djokovic at the Australian was embarrasing. It’s time for all Murray fans to jump ship.

February 26th, 2015 at 7:37 am

FedExpress. It happens to the best, no need to gloat!! :(((

February 26th, 2015 at 7:40 am

Murray just validated Coric’s statement comparing his game with Djokovic and Murray. The kid wasn’t being cocky. He was just being honest.

February 26th, 2015 at 7:41 am

I told you guys and dolls already after humiliation in a 0 and 1 loss against a rival he was always very compeptative with his days of Fed slaying are over.
His days of an elite player are over.
He just stumbled in AU open final and Djoker showed with another humiliation 4th set that he has no bussines in top 5 of even top 10??

February 26th, 2015 at 7:46 am

He did indeed (But he certainly IS a cocky little brat).
However fair play to him, he played solidly & took his share from yet another Murray car crash.
But My goodness, all of these childish posts from Fedexpress, I didn’t realise he was so obsessed with Murray
Kind of makes sense however.

February 26th, 2015 at 7:47 am

@cdp

hope u enjoyed the match

sad to see a class player like murray to go downhill. and decline is nearing also. hoped after his wimbledon run in 2013 he would collect 2 GS the least. but disappointed. partly due to his back injury but also because of lacking belief and game plan

February 26th, 2015 at 7:53 am

Brando, any more thoughts for us “geniuses” on Murray’s chances against Fed in the semis?

No, I won’t bray at you. We all make mistakes brother!

February 26th, 2015 at 7:53 am

murray changed his playing stlye somewhat. doesnt go into rallies anymore. wants to find the next winner. not his natural way of play.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:00 am

FedExpress: exactly as all tennis-xers and less-prestigious commentators have been begging Murray to do for years! Oops!

February 26th, 2015 at 8:06 am

Of the Big Four, Murray has the most consistent history of inexplicable losses and seasonal walkabouts.
After his big drop in the rankings last year, he still played his way back to top four. That’s where he belongs, and he’ll keep earning it. Water finds its level.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:18 am

berdych may beat nole but he will (again) lose in the final. Does he have any disease? losing more finals than winning them (10-15)

not bad as as monfils (5-17), nieminen (2-11) or benneteau (0-10) but still. so many years in the top 10 but only 10 atp titles.

even ferrer slumped from being 20-15 up down to 23-25. won 3 titles from his last 13 final appearances. and two of them came this year.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:20 am

I feel Muzz lost that match rather than Coric won it, but props to the young’un for taking his chances – Fed might have his hands full if he gets past Reechard.
And this might sound crazy, but I think Delbonis beats Rafa in B.A. The guy only just lost to Fabio in Rio. Here’s hoping Rafa pulls through, though. I think too many losses this early in the season might get into his head a little.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:24 am

Berdych is a higher caliber player than Monfils, Niemenen and Benneteau so his finals results are more perplexing (especially losses to players who, on paper, he should easily beat).

February 26th, 2015 at 8:27 am

“Player X lost the match rather than Player Y won it” is the most inane statement in sport.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:30 am

Kinda thought Murray was past the whole losing-a-slam-final-hang-over thing but I guess not. Never great to lose like this but better now than in the Masters or slams.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:32 am

Oh, I was revelling in it
I don’t really care, I’m used to it now. But logically I wouldn’t assess his overall game on a match where he had about 60 UEs either.
Clearly, there are problems that need to be worked through as he was shanking continuously, even on his BH.
Better preparation for each match and a coach that can be there all the time, or an asst coach at least as he has promised he’d hire.
Now is the time to make good on that one.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:36 am

first set birdshit

February 26th, 2015 at 8:37 am

`Player X lost the match rather than Player Y won it`

Yes, but it’s a pretty accurate summation.
Coric did very little that was special
And the 3 best rallies (which were special) Murray won all three of them.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:38 am

60 UE cant be right imo. too much, think in dubai they count even forced errors as unforced erros

February 26th, 2015 at 8:39 am

It felt like a 100!

February 26th, 2015 at 8:41 am

it was 55 according to the BBC
Terrible for a 2 setter.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:45 am

When I woke up and saw 5-1 Coric, I thought I was reading the score wrong. I don’t fault Murray for losing to Simon who can beat many top players when he’s on his game, but as many people have mentioned, Murray was just dumping the ball into the net and looked completely lost. Maybe the fact that he’s got back into the top 4 has played w/ his head, since people are once again expecting great results.
There’s a chance he’ll be less frustrated if he wins a title or has a really good win against a top player, but right now, he looks vulnerable. He seems to be looking forward to Davis Cup and playing w/ his brother in Scotland, but that tie is up for grabs.
Dimitrov’s loss yesterday was also a bit of a shock. Harrison has shown potential, but didn’t Grigor serve for the match before he got a bagel in the 3rd? Now he can’t defend his title and needs to pull himself together as well, if he wants to stay in the top 10.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:45 am

Simone Bolelli is 0-4 against Nadal, 0-4 against Federer, 0-3 against Murray, and 0-3 against Djokovic. He’s been a pro since 2003 and only just secured his first top 10 win ever last week when he beat Raonic.

So far, Coric is 1-0 against Nadal and 1-0 against Murray. Some guys will never get a win against 1 of the big 4, let alone two. And of course you have the appendix/wrist trouble with the Nadal win and now Murray lost with 60+ UE. But saying Coric didn’t do anything special is disrespectful to a lot of people on so many levels. Maybe as far as the quality of tennis goes it wasn’t particularly special, but closing out a match against these guys is always special. No matter the circumstances.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:49 am

I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to him, and I did say fair play also.
But you’re correct, the mental composure he showed was very impressive just to keep it together like that at 18.
But Murray was truly dire and many players would have loved to have played him like that.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:53 am

`Player X lost the match rather than Player Y won it` is the most inane statement in sport.

If it doesn’t make sense to you, not my problem. Maybe I should’ve used smaller words…

In any case, the only inane thing was Muzz’s loss. He damn-well should’ve won it. And convincingly.

February 26th, 2015 at 8:58 am

The loss is not always on Murray alone. It’s also the responsibility of the opponent to win the match. Kudos to Coric.

Not sure how a final loss is impacting Murray here. He had won two matches already. It should have impacted him in the 1st match itself.

This has always been the difference between Murray and the Top 3. It’s nothing new.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:16 am

Cliches are for dummies.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:33 am

birdshit breaks again. 5-2 in the 3rd

very windy out there. servers like stackovsky are bound to struggle.

remains to seen how gasquet and fed will cope with it.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:39 am

very consistend season from birdshit so far

F SF SF

cant see him beating nole. but i thought so against nadal

February 26th, 2015 at 9:42 am

Berdych hasn’t lost to Djokovic 17 straight times yet. 8 more to go before he’ll beat Novak.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:47 am

@TV: if I didn’t have love for you brother I’d tell you to go — yourself! But seeing as I have affection and regard for you as a poster I say: damn my man, I dreadfully think you maybe right about muzza! I thought he needed to win Dubai to be honest for future big ones. This is a big loss me thinks.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:57 am

Berdych has lost to him 17 times, just not straight. Won one match against Novak in 2013 in Rome, but I don’t think that’s going to happen again in this tournament.

February 26th, 2015 at 9:57 am

why does rafa not play dubai anymore?

February 26th, 2015 at 9:58 am

Coric: I applauded him when he beat Rafael. Even said he maybe be my future favourite (see the thread). He reminds me of his hero Nadal: fearless youngster who is very up for the big time. Did not watch the match but am I surprised by this result? No not at all. It lacks shock value for me due to coric’s talent and Andy’s rut. He’s the youngest and most talented player on top 100 from the next generation for sure.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:00 am

Nadal has a potentially tough match coming up against Delbonis who almost beat Fognini in Rio. If he wins then there could be a rematch against Fognini.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:01 am

i think kyrgios has more talent. c
oric has not that killer shot. his forehand is more of a security shot. doesnt rip it.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:03 am

the king has arrived

February 26th, 2015 at 10:07 am

Ready? Play!

February 26th, 2015 at 10:15 am

break fed

February 26th, 2015 at 10:17 am

gasquet is a veteran on the tour but couldnt delevop a better FH. Gulbis FH looks ugly but is more effective than gasquets

February 26th, 2015 at 10:25 am

double break

4-1 fed

February 26th, 2015 at 10:27 am

Brando, you can tell me that anytime.

its a bad loss, sure. I don’t think the Big 3 ever lose like that, but Murray ain’t Big 3. He’s the 4th wheel, and he will continue to be. I mean that Murray is not historically on the same level as Nadal, Nole and Fed, but he is still ahead of Stan, Kei, Ferrer, Berdych… and this loss won;t change that.

Just as Rafa’s loss doesn’t mean he won’t get back to Rafa’s level, Murray’s loss doesn’t mean he won’t get back to Murray level.

He was just in a Slam finals for pete’s sake! Its a long season. There are no must wins.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:32 am

richie is injured

February 26th, 2015 at 10:33 am

richard retires

6-1 fed

February 26th, 2015 at 10:35 am

and just to be clear Brando, I’m just ribbing, mean no disrespect!

February 26th, 2015 at 10:36 am

If Murray beats one of the other 3, then he’s back. Beating Dimitrov and Berdych isn’t enough, jmho.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:41 am

@TV: agree with all my man. But thing is: Andy’s goal is to win majors. All the top 3 will say without confidence you cannot ppull that off. Now Andy being human, I ask the question: how much confidence does he REALLY have when: since July 2013, in over 19 months he’s: won 0 slams, wtfs, master series title, matches v novak, Federer or Nadal. ALL he has is 1 paltry 500 title in which robredo had match points. And oh: RU at AO. Now that’s a great result but he beat kyrgios- a teenager who played that event with fitness issues- dimitrov, Mr consistency who lost to Harrison today,and birdman. The birdman win was the 1 impressive win there. But let’s be honest: we all know Tomas can crack under pressure. Then there was the final: a exact rerun of USO qf v novak. With him for 2 sets. Pummeled in subsequent 2 sets. That surely left a sour taste in his mouth. His results since than have not been great either. So for me: he has to win 1 of either Indian Wells or Miami since I cannot see how Andy can go to Wimbledon without having won a major title for 2 years and boom win there. Hence: why I have real worries about him. Put simply: he has to produce at IW/MI otherwise barring AO he’s just continuing in his rut from last year.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:46 am

@TV: no need to say that my man. I know it’s all love and mutual respect between us 2. It’s all good: I’m down with a bit verbal sparring for fun anyhow lol. It’s cool my man, I understood your post and intention immediately.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:48 am

@Emily: bingo! Preferably- from form perspective- either Novak orFed since right now Rafa ain’t to hot at all. He’s probably at a lower level than Andy right now. ALL players need confidence to thrive. Fed lacked it in 2013. He looked rubbish. Rafa lacks it right now: he gets dominated by inferior players for stretches even on clay. So you need confidence. We all do in life. Andy needs a big win: one of Novak, Fed or wawrinka is a big win right now.history tells us he can do it. His present reality casts serious doubts on the feasibility of it. He needs a big, big American swing in my mind.

February 26th, 2015 at 10:54 am

My guess is that Murray will have another MIA American swing, start getting back in the swing on clay, make a QF or SF at French and be revved up for Wimby. I seem to remember him having a year like that after an AO loss before, am I wrong?

February 26th, 2015 at 1:28 pm

Markus,
Are you sure you know what ‘cliché’ means? It’s a big word and big words don’t seem like they’re your bag, baby. Leave them to the people who’ve actually completed high school and aren’t a drain on their country’s welfare system. Or who aren’t dumb jocks or trolls.
Coric v Fed should be good.

February 26th, 2015 at 4:10 pm

It took you a long time to respond, Damien Mills. I may be right in my initial assessment: you are slow!

February 26th, 2015 at 4:22 pm

… and by the way DM, “cliche” is not a big word. You’re not only slow, you’re also limited. I advise you to consult a thesaurus next time.

February 26th, 2015 at 4:26 pm

Maybe because I work and don’t spend my time on the couch spitting up on myself…
Bored already

February 26th, 2015 at 5:09 pm

Damien, I can see how that can be a problem when you are the employee and not the employer. Anyway, when your boss gives you a break, read this so you’d learn. Technically, you don’t spit on your self. You can spit on your hand, or your foot or some body part but you never say that you spit on yourself. The proper term would be: drool. If you keep this up, you just may learn a thing or two.

February 26th, 2015 at 5:53 pm

You try too hard. Give up while you’re behind

February 26th, 2015 at 7:01 pm