Nadal, Djokovic, Murray All Winners, Kyrgios The Big Loser Thursday In Montreal; Serena In Toronto QFs

by Staff | August 14th, 2015, 1:33 am
  • 241 Comments

A trio of former champions all advanced to the Friday quarterfinals. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic breezed past the rising American Jack Sock 6-2, 6-1.

“I never played him before so it took me some time to really figure out what his patterns were of the serves, his game in general,” Djokovic said of Sock. “I did watch him many times before, but it’s different when you’re standing on the court trying to read the rotation, especially of his forehand because he’s got a very quick wrist, very quick motion, good forehand. I think the turning point was the 3‑2 game when I made a break. After that I just felt in control of the match.”

Andy Murray kept pace with Djokovic match the Serb with his 50th win of the year beating Atlanta semifinalist Gilles Muller 6-3, 6-2.


And in the evening Rafael Nadal continued his rebound on hardcourt thumping qualifier Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3, shrugging off any shoulder concerns from Hamburg.

“It’s not a problem anymore,” Nadal said. “I don’t have pain anymore in the shoulder. But during the Hamburg tournament I couldn’t serve very well. I was just trying to put serves in, very slow speed. But happy the way I served today. I think I was serving very well tonight.”

Nick Kyrgios was the talk of tennis today but big John Isner shut him up for a little while, beating the beleaguered Australian 7-6, 6-3.

“It wasn’t that bad. I was expecting it a little,” said Kyrgios about the crowd reaction. “It’s behind me now. Of course, I apologized publicly and privately. I was fined. I think we can move on.”

Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also won defeating Bernard Tomic 7-6, 7-5. And Kei Nishikori stayed hit dismantling David Goffin 6-4, 6-4. Nishikori now faces Rafael Nadal

In the quarterfinals, Djokovic will face qualifier Ernests Gulbis who beat Donald Young.

Murray will match-up with Tsonga and Isner collides with Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, a winner over Ivo Karlovic. Tsonga beat Murray a year ago in Toronto.

“That was a tough one for me to lose,” Murray said. “I was up a break in that match in the third set. I was going through a difficult period there, having played a poor match at Wimbledon, was struggling a bit with my confidence. I remember that match pretty well. Managed to win against him a few weeks later at the US Open, which was for me a big win. At that time it was very important for me, that one.

“But it’s very different conditions here to Toronto. I would expect a slightly different match. But Jo’s always tough to play against. He will be pumped to try to defend his title here. It will be a tough match.”

Djokovic and Nadal are also in night doubles matches. Nadal and Fernando Verdasco will face the Bryans!

In the women’s event in Toronto, Serena Williams rolled Andrea Petkovic in the evening. She’ll meet Roberta Vinci in the quarters Friday night.

“I still think I have a tremendous amount of improvement to do off the ground and everywhere else, though,” Serena said. “I just felt off. Just gotta be more positive out there again. I just felt a little negative.

“So, I’m just going to get back in that positive attitude and go from there.”

Vinci’s countrywoman Sara Errani scored the win of the day shocking Victoria Azarenka. And Simona Halep outlasted Angelique Kerber 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

“I knew I had to win it, because at the end I was so tired I couldn’t move anymore,” Halep said. “I served well in the last game – and I finished the match with an ace. I remember the match before I did the same thing, knowing I had to finish the point very early, and I’m happy I did it again.”

FRIDAY MONTREAL SCHEDULE
COURT CENTRAL start 12:30 pm
[16] J. Isner (USA) vs J. Chardy (FRA)

Not Before 2:30 pm
[1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [Q] E. Gulbis (LAT)

Not Before 6:30 pm
[7] R. Nadal (ESP) vs [4] K. Nishikori (JPN)
[10] J. Tsonga (FRA) vs [2] A. Murray (GBR)


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241 Comments for Nadal, Djokovic, Murray All Winners, Kyrgios The Big Loser Thursday In Montreal; Serena In Toronto QFs

Margot Says:

Come on Andeeeeee!


Patson Says:

@Margot

Come on NOVAK :-D


Jock-KatH Says:

Ditto Margot – U going to stay up for it?


Jeez Says:

Does this Kyrgios guy now APPEAL to Boris

Who talked against

lack of COLOURFUL PERSONALITIES

&

BORINGLY GOOD NATURED(or FAKE as he thinks) like NADAL & FEDERER ??
Does ATP need more Kyrgios like guys !!!??


Margot Says:

I CAN SHOUT LOUDER THAN YOU, Patson ;)
ANDEE!
No, Kat, have big family visit. Need to conserve energy!


Jock-KatH Says:

Yep – it is also a bit late, unfortunately. Enjoy your family visit.


Nitesh Says:

Nadal-neishikori & Tsonga-murray should be interesting


Daniel Says:

40% rain forecastes for this afternoon durindo Djoko’s match. No rain for night session and weather cleared for tomorrow and Sunday. Hope it doesn’ rain all afternoon so Djoko could end his match with not much stress


jalep Says:

Simona v Aga and Ana v Bencic. Looking forward to those matches.

Spare a thought for Chardy. He had Karlovic and has Isner next. Brutal draw.


Thangs Says:

http://blindgossip.com/?p=72832

Stan should have replied ‘hey u watched ur coach banging’


Michael Says:

My gut sense tells me that Novak is for another conquest at Montreal !!


Daniel Says:

Weather forecastgetting worse for afternoon. Hope we got to see any play at all. Otherwise only at night.


RZ Says:

I’ll add my voice to Margot’s: ANDEE! :-)


jalep Says:

This one has the precip tapering off by 12:30 pm EDT

@Daniel

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/forecasts/precipitation/canada/quebec/montreal


jalep Says:

Great. Now it’s been pushed forward to 1 pm.

I guess every time you click on the site it updates the graphic….so…


jalep Says:

mat4

just wish nick would stop the sledging and start dancing. like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO3IQtW8Dlc


jane Says:

mat4 who is the “hall of famer” referred to in that article?


Daniel Says:

Thanks julep,

Hope we got to see any match at all today.


Daniel Says:

Sorry, julep not julep;-)


jane Says:

well they’re playing finally; chardy is not returning quite as well as he was in that third set versus Dr Ivo, but so far he’s holding his own.


jalep Says:

Daniel, ‘julep’ is fine with me – close enough. just put the word ‘mint’ with it, you get ‘mint julep’ and you have a tasty, refreshing summer drink.

Aga lost. But I was completely split on who to cheer. Simona will play Bencic or Ivanaovic in Toronto semi-final.

Allez, Jeremy!


Daniel Says:

Isner had a stepping on serve but didn’t go for ace, Chardy saved it with some monster FH, 6-6 tiebreak.


jane Says:

chardy’s forehand has been delightful this match.

9 all!


Daniel Says:

Wow, what was this point by Isner. Amazing defense for him and a angles cross court FH to save set point. Nice tiebreak so far.


jane Says:

isner just broke by being very aggressive on second serve returns. looks like he has this match now.


Daniel Says:

Isner break with some nice return winners. Considering his height,he is a pretty decent player and maximize most he can. He goes fro his shots and takes risks whenever he can. He made some BH DTL winners as well.

Think he is more dangerous to Novak than Chardy, because if he is on a good serving day and Djoko can’t return that well, pressure on Djoko and on tiebreaks. bUt even still, think Djoko is safe in finals.


Daniel Says:

Rain again. There will be a gap from 6 pm to 9 pm local time in Montreal, but rain fro night and tomorrow morning. Think they won’t be able to finish all matches today. Djoko probably will finish his matches but not sire for Nadal and Kei. Unless they shift Murray’s match to another court. Better than play 2 matches tomorrow.


jane Says:

hopefully it doesn’t last too long, daniel. : /


jalep Says:

The weather link I posted updates every ten minutes. The forecast is for the rain to around 5:30 EDT and stay that way for the evening, at least at this point.

Was hoping to see Nole match before work but…
doesn’t look like it.


jalep Says:

^ for the rain to stop around 5:30…

Too late for me.


Jock-KatH Says:

If Noel has a weakness (and one has to look hard to find it) – is that he is slightly uncomfortable against the very big servers.


jane Says:

who’s noel? ;-)

isner/chardy looking like another tiebreak. and isner is 8-1 in the last tiebreaks he’s played, so advantage goes to him.


Daniel Says:

S$&@t. Chardy saves 5 MPs and delay the match. Damm I want to see Djoko play and matches compelte today and now we’ll have to see another tiebreak. Jeess


jane Says:

you were right daniel – yet another tiebreak!


mat4 Says:

Chardy just made me very happy. He was calm under pressure, save 7 match points, and finally managed to win. He always had a lot of potential, but he matured slowly. I was surprised Clement didn’t select him to play against GB in DC this year, at least in doubles.

@jane:

The hall of famer in question here is JMac.


jane Says:

thanks for clarifying mat4. so j-mac has said much worse or at least as bad, then.

i can’t decide about chardy or isner for novak. could be 6 and one half dozen. but whatever; he has to beat gulbis first anyhow.


jane Says:

thiem (aka 80s-hair) is there to watch nole and ernie. :)


mat4 Says:

Slow start in Novak vs Ernie.

It seems that Nole is aiming at dismantling Ernests’ FH.


Gypsy Gal Says:

I hope Novak takes Gulbis to the woodshed,cant stand that guy either,another one that shoots his mouth off too much….


mat4 Says:

Somehow, Novak lacks intensity. He looks like he is playing in slow motion, he mentally just isn’t there or something.


Daniel Says:

Chardy is a better opponent for Novakon paper, but as the match went to 3 long sets, Isner winning would be much easier as he looked out of fumes. 3 weeks in a row with a lot of matches for him. Actually is better Chardy won now, because he can test Novak more, Isner after today would have no chance at all. tStill think Chardy has no chance,he saved MP in 2 matches and was broken by Isner today before the rain incessant set. And curdy tactics of going to Isner BH non stop won’t work agains’t Djoko, so unless Gulbis decides to play the match of his life, Djoko in finals once again.

At the beginning of this HC swing I though Djoko should focus moron Cincy pre USO, but now that his draw was soften and he will have only one top 10 player in final (this if Tsonga doesn’t decide to spoil the party again), he can win this tourney and go for broke in Cincy next week. That would be really something because he already hold 5 of 8 masters played, could be 6 in 3 days. I believe something never done before.


jane Says:

lots of waiting around today mat4; maybe that’s why?

gulbis showed nice touch in that last point; is nole going to give back the break?


Daniel Says:

Djoko broke to get broken right back


Daniel Says:

Chardy is a better opponent for Novak on paper, but as the match went to 3 long sets, Isner winning would be much easier as he looked out of fumes. 3 weeks in a row with a lot of matches for him. Actually is better Chardy won now, because he can test Novak more, Isner after today would have no chance at all. tStill think Chardy has no chance,he saved MP in 2 matches and was broken by Isner today before the rain incessant set. And curdy tactics of going to Isner BH non stop won’t work agains’t Djoko, so unless Gulbis decides to play the match of his life, Djoko in finals once again.

At the beginning of this HC swing I though Djoko should focus more on Cincy pre USO, but now that his draw was soften and he will have only one top 10 player in final (this if Tsonga doesn’t decide to spoil the party again), he can win this tourney and go for broke in Cincy next week. That would be really something because he already hold 5 of 8 masters played, could be 6 in 3 days. I believe something never done before.


mat4 Says:

Novak is a bit too conservative. He just defends and waits for Ernests to crumble down. Perhaps it will happen after all.


jane Says:

lots of errors from novak too. gulbis has shown better focus and accuracy!


Daniel Says:

Gullible pretty consistent today, his BH is excellent and drop shots disrupting Djoko, double BP now.


jane Says:

he’s also using a really low slice. but novak is playing kind of crappy.


Daniel Says:

What was this point by Gulbis, his incredible stable at the back of the court. Djoko hit close to the ones many times and he didn’t let the ball short or up, suddenly Djoko left a short ball and he smacked a FH. Now serving for first set.
Didn’t saw that coming after the first break by Djoko at all.


Wog Boy Says:

This match reminds me on FO final, Nole is to tentative and might cost at the end.


Daniel Says:

And he takes the first set.This could be a long day…
Another player who saved match point in first round against Thiem and now 1 set away from upsetting world #1 and going to semis, with a huge chance for a final in Masters Series.

Djoko can play better and gullible can decrease his level, last 4 games he almost didn’t miss a shot.


jane Says:

that’s gulbis.
it’s nothing unexpected.
last year at the french open, suddenly he gets hot, beats fed, and reaches the semis. then disappears for the rest of the year.
now, he’s getting hot again.
i kind of thought this might happen.
indeed, jalep where are you?
can i say i told you so?
we’ll see.
on to set 2.


Daniel Says:

Reminded me that match too Wog Boy.


FedExpress Says:

My faith in gulbis paid off. Hahahaha. All noletards in ruins. Gulbis deserves one gs


mat4 Says:

I’m trying to find a stream in English. Any help?


jane Says:

novak has 2 slams and how many masters this year? i don’t think any nole fans are too stressed, win or lose. he already exceeded his points from last year at this event 2 rounds ago, ha ha.

i agree that gulbis deserves one grand slam. he’s talented enough for it, no doubt. but is he dedicated enough? at least if he won a slam, he’d be equal to cilic and delpo, the other 2 he rose up the ranks with.


FedExpress Says:

Most probably gulbis will lose in the first roun of vancouver opn next week.lol


jane Says:

nice get by ernie there. even nole is smiling, which shows he’s not too stressed.


FedExpress Says:

Hahhahahhaah. What a pass. Ernie is just fun


mat4 Says:

I don’t think that Novak cares too much about this tournament. But he should take care of his game. It’s not a good sign before the USO.


mat4 Says:

He just goes through the motions. Without emotions…


jane Says:

sorry mat4, just have a spanish one myself.

i was surprised to see ernie is playing the challenger in vancouver. maybe he wants to explore canada?

sad performance from nole so far tonight. he often comes out flat when he waits a long time to play. have seen this many times before. meh, novak, meh!!

maybe the grey t-shirt will help? he gets the break back in the second.


FedExpress Says:

A choke like dolgopolov did at IW in coming.


mat4 Says:

Perhaps… the new shirt… last hope…


FedExpress Says:

Wtf is ernest doing now


mat4 Says:

A few flashes… the new shirt… perhaps…


jane Says:

maybe the new shirt mat4, but i have my doubts. he still lacks intensity.


FedExpress Says:

That shirt changed the whole dynamic of the match

plz hold ernie. Serving 2nd in the 3rd will be tough


Wog Boy Says:

Nole doesn’t look worried at all, I don’t think he expects much in Montreal.


mat4 Says:

He plays… with our nerves…


FedExpress Says:

Shiiit. Game over


jane Says:

omg, novak, how horrible.
right back to ernie.


FedExpress Says:

Hhhahahah. Nole and smashes dont go together. Never will


mat4 Says:

Unbelievable. Novak can’t find his range, while Ernests is doing a little bit of everything, and it all works.


FedExpress Says:

If it goes to a third wont watch it. Come n ernie.

since the shirt change ernie having problems to hold serve


jane Says:

mat4 and wog boy, novak’s cincy draw looks like this:
2R: Muller
3R: Goffin/Tsonga
QF: Wawrinka/Simon/Karlovic/Thiem
SF: Nishikori/Berdych
F: Federer/Murray


mat4 Says:

He hasn’t lost in Montréal yet, but this draw doesn’t look good. In whose quarter has Rafa landed?


mat4 Says:

And now a TB…


FedExpress Says:

Nadal is in feds quarter.


Wog Boy Says:

Off to Cincy.


Daniel Says:

Tiebreak

Cincy draw is out. i jnew Fed and Nadal would be on the same side. US knows that they are in the twilgiht of their careers so ever chance for them to play in US they will make ot happen. Anyone wanna bet they will be on the same side in USO as well?!


mat4 Says:

Should have known.

Meanwhile, seems this match is over.

Something is wrong in Novak’s preparation for the USO. It’s the second year in a row he looks out of shape for the North American season.


FedExpress Says:

Ernie what are u doing

from 3-0 to 3-3


jane Says:

mat4, not to worry. he’s still playing doubles, and there is still cincy. novak will be fine.


FedExpress Says:

Shiit ernie


FedExpress Says:

2 mps come and gone

mental midget


FedExpress Says:

What a choke this has been


mat4 Says:

Novak did his very best to lose this set, but Ernie just didn’t want to win…


FedExpress Says:

Whats the point to play the 3rd set erni. Just shake hands and go home. U choked.


Daniel Says:

Djoko is another one saving MP this tourney;-)
Hope he geta third aet as well, with less drama😜


mat4 Says:

New shirt…


jane Says:

yeah, novak wins the set even when he’s losing it. crazy. well, onto a third we go. i wonder if any of the other matches will go tonight? it’s already 9:00 pm. at the most, they’ll play one more.

ha ha novak is entertaining the crowd. ;-)


Wog Boy Says:

I think tha Rafa and Andy hates Nole now:)

mat4, Nole really looks like he is taking Montreal as a preparation tournament, he is just having a fun.


mat4 Says:

Novak looks very stressed… undressed…


mat4 Says:

Poor Ernie. When I think he tries so hard.


FedExpress Says:

Rafa und murray hate gulbis i think

anderson dolgo and now ernie choking. Also murray semk choked at the ao. All choking


Daniel Says:

If Nadal match goes to a third set, which is very possible, Murray will enter past mid night.


jane Says:

another new shirt. is this a new gear too? we’ll see.


mat4 Says:

What does Novak have to do to lose that match? He just feeds Ernie with easy balls, but to no avail.


FedExpress Says:

Nole wins too many matches from mps down. Havent fforgiven him for 2010 and 2011


mat4 Says:

New shirt effect?


Ben Pronin Says:

Why don’t the other guys start on another court?


FedExpress Says:

Broken. This loss will take all the confidence away which he gained so hard. Such a waste


mat4 Says:

Ernie finally plays like… Gulbis.


mat4 Says:

Ben, is it allowed to bet on this site?

I mean… bagel or breadstick?


jane Says:

good question ben.
nadal still has singles AND doubles matches to play.
murray and tsonga won’t play today; i can’t see it, unless they put them on another court.

with the rain delays, and then two very long matches (isner and chardy was the longest of the tournament), everything just got pushed back…


FedExpress Says:

How many tournies have been gifted to nole through choking?


mat4 Says:

Federer gave him at least two Wimbledon.


Wog Boy Says:

mat4,
Don’t, please:(


mat4 Says:

Sorry, WB, but Fedex asked for it. I just couldn’t resist.


Wog Boy Says:

I was talking about bagel or breadstick:)


jane Says:

but of course we know that novak didnt get those titles due to fed choking. mat4 is just getting fedex’s GOAT. ;)


jane Says:

that lady in the front with the curly hair *really* likes novak.


Skeezer Says:

Once again Gulbus appears he has game and can play with the best, but then …..he can’t.


mat4 Says:

So, breadstick it was…

BTW, of course Fed didn’t choke. Quite the contrary: he played his very best. Novak was the one that didn’t play at his usual level in those finals…


Skeezer Says:

@FE
Bad analogy.


jane Says:

novak is through, finally, at 9:30. and he wrote “very lucky” on the camera! full disclosure.

and sorry jalep. you know i wouldnt have minded too much if ernie had won that match. i like the guy!


Wog Boy Says:

Nole really wanted to lose this match but Gulbis didn’t get so Nole said “Ok, I gave you the match, you didn’t want it now I will play my tennis”:)


mat4 Says:

Sorry, Skeez, didn’t know you were here.

But I don’t really agree about Gulbis.


Daniel Says:

Missed third ser but glad it was quick. Gulbis had his chances until he double faulted in tiebreak. Nice hard win for Djoko.


Daniel Says:

If Kei is on the match couod be quick. If Nadal’s serve is better and Kei makes a fee mistakes match could go long as well. Guess Murray willbe hopong for a quick two sets. If they finish in 1 h and 20 min they will still get on tonight. But if this goes 2+ hours than things can’t get messy.

We saw matches start around midnight before so I think they will rather play tonight and retunr tomorrow after 8 pm than play two matches in the same day.


mat4 Says:

This boy has raw power, a great serve, his BH is one of the best, but then, Monfils has all of this too, then, Cilic, Dimitrov, Tomic, Dolgopolov, Fognini, Belucci… they are all very close.

The margins are tiny, as we could see tonight.


Skeezer Says:

mat4,
Which part don’t you agree, the status of his game or the fact that he has curly hair and it hampers his tennis game?


Wog Boy Says:

In whose quoter is Nick the (Billy) Kid?


jane Says:

gulbis has beaten all the big 4 except rafa.

on the other side, murray is the favourite to reach the final unless rafa finds his top form. rafa is the second favourite to reach the final. kei has never threatened andy in any of their matches. and i don’t think tsonga has either. kei hasn’t ever beaten rafa either.


mat4 Says:

Some facts:

If Andy wins his next match, he would be qualified for the WTF.

At the Race, Kei and Rafa are only 40 points apart, ranked 5th and 6th respectively. If Rafa wins, he would be ranked 5th.


mat4 Says:

I agree that he has curly hair, but that doesn’t hamper his game, but the gray thing under that hair.


Skeezer Says:

mat4,
You nailed it. Gulbis has a great BH, serve. But his FH technique on his FH flawed. It will breakdown. You need to have all the componets of the game rock solid, or make up for ala Rafael Nadal.
If he played some street tennis for a year, with no money coming from anyone, he could be great. Maybe.


mat4 Says:

@jane:

Ernie beat Novak when Novak was coached by Todd Martin. It doesn’t count…


mat4 Says:

Wrong… sorry, when Novak changed his racquet. But, anyway, it doesn’t count.


mat4 Says:

@skeezer:

How a player who went to one of the best school of tennis in the world, with rock solid shots, can turn pro with a mess of a FH?


skeezer Says:

“How a player who went to one of the best school of tennis in the world”
Money can’t buy you Love.


Wog Boy Says:

mat4,
Niki Pilic said that Ernie was as talented as Nole if not better, but Ernie said while you use to go out after practice to look for the fun, Nole stayed back for more practice (they were together at Niki Pilic academy), I guess that was the difference.


Wog Boy Says:

^^^should say ” while HE use to go out..”


FedExpress Says:

Ana getting routined by a swiss. Ana should retire. Will never reach the heights again


mat4 Says:

WB,

It’s not logical. Ernie has a beautiful backhand. I always found that learning to play a good BH is much more difficult that learning to hit a FH. Ernie’s motion is completely flawed. While I could understand that his movement is not good enough (like Almagro’s or Tomic’s), but his FH… Strange, isn’t it?


Wog Boy Says:

mat4,

It is certanly strange looking FH..


jane Says:

kei with the early break.
apparently it is 83% humidity in montreal right now.


Wog Boy Says:

It was 83% during Nole’s match too.


jane Says:

^ yes, hence the 3 shirts!

seems more and more players go forehand-to-forehand versus rafa now.


Wog Boy Says:

Nishi is trying to stay on the base line and move Rafa around.


chris ford1 Says:

Wog Boy – Pilic said the two were the most talented – but Djokovic had arrived with less ability than Gulbis because he missed training time for stretches before Pilic’s Academy due to the war circumstances. Djokovic was the more keen learner. Though Gulbis was extremely bright as well.


jane Says:

kei with a double break now. maybe he’ll get his first win in 8 tries?


Wog Boy Says:

I don’t like pot colored one…remaindes me on FO..

Nishi with a second brake.. bed time for me, 4:30am


Daniel Says:

Nadal’s serve is off, Kei is spanking second serves and gets insurance break, will serve 4-1. This could go quick,but Kei needs to improve his serve as well. Two times he served the faced BP and than was down 0-30.Now is the time to have an easy hold to puts extra pressure in Nadal.


Daniel Says:

Massacre


Wog Boy Says:

CF1,
Thanks, you are correct.


Wog Boy Says:

Before I go to bed, Daniel you are in trouble, duck for the cover:)


jane Says:

can’t believe novak is now playing doubles. but better perhaps to get it over with tonight.

rafa’s doubles match will be tomorrow presumably. this match could be over fast, in which case, murray/tsonga might get on at 11:30.


chris ford1 Says:

Wog Boy – I expect Nole and Ernests to have lives of note and consequence in post-tennis times.


jane Says:

^^^ what was kei thinking though?? i can’t even, ha ha.


Daniel Says:

Nadal recovering from a 0-30 game, good for his chances.

Wog Boy,

I can’t take it:-)


Okiegal Says:

Rafa in big trouble…..Kei playing much better than my guy……..Well, if he doesn’t win he still has a
chance in dubs!! C’mon Rafa!!


Daniel Says:

Wow, Kept NAdal in the back of the court with 2 deep BH and than unleashed a BH cross court winner. BP, second serve.


jane Says:

how many double faults by rafa? and almost all of them on big points.


FedExpress Says:

Cant wait till fed plays this nadal.


Daniel Says:

Key takes everything on the rise not allowing time for Nadal who is not able to keep the baseline bashing.


jane Says:

kei has hit some real stinkers this match too. but some great shot-making at the same time. a lot of this is down to rafa’s poor play. it says a lot that he had never beaten rafa until now, and this time he is crushing him. kei’s play may be improved, but rafa is playing poorly.


jane Says:

novak/tipsy just won the first set vs murray/peers.

what is going on; why is nadal talking to the umpire? i missed it. kei complained about something too.


Daniel Says:

I like that Kei complained that Nadal is taking too long to challenge calls. Second time he takes to long. Key with another FH return winner. 30-30.


Daniel Says:

Wow, Nadal is play defense match, since the moment he serves.


Daniel Says:

Another FH return winner for double break,and this time after a first serve. 4-1 and serve.


FedExpress Says:

Nadal routined like never before. So next time if someone comes up that fed should retire he should look at nadal


Daniel Says:

Wrong choice to drop shot as it was too long. 0-40 Nadal with chance to return one of the breaks


jane Says:

nadal finally played a game like he is capable of – almost breaking back to love – only it comes way too late and way too inconsistently.


Daniel Says:

One break back, let’s see if Kei will keep pressure or if Nadal will get an easy hold.


Daniel Says:

Open with a Double Fault, tomalley today. Feeling the pressure of Kei’s return. 0-30


Daniel Says:

This was a Nadal of old point. Able to defend and than counter punch for a BH DTL winner. Key should have come to finish at the net.


Daniel Says:

Game Nadal. Now crunch time of Kei. Match completely in control and he let Nadal play two solid games.

Time for him to hold his serve and stay 1 game away from the win. Either he could pressure to break to win putting all the pressure in Nadal or serve again. Match on his racquet, 2 more holds and he gets the win.


FedExpress Says:

Choking fest today or what?


Daniel Says:

Kei’s confidence is not the same, he better regroup fast.


jane Says:

nadal’s suddenly hitting much deeper.


Daniel Says:

Wow!! Why doesn’t he come to the net to volley and finish the point?!


jane Says:

why did rafa just fist pump kei’s shot? ha ha.


FedExpress Says:

hahahha. man, nadal looks like a girl in these short shorts.


Daniel Says:

Hold for the win by Kei, 15-30 and he won some nice points. Now go on and finish him of.


FedExpress Says:

where were these DFs against fed, nadal? especially on BPs at the AO final?


Daniel Says:

Well, he will have to serve for the match.


FedExpress Says:

looked it up now. how the hell has nole more top 10 wins than nadal?


jane Says:

rafa backing up further and further in that last point – why???


jane Says:

fedexpress, because he’s more consistent. he plays them way more.


FedExpress Says:

nadals 2015 season looks worse than fed 2013 season despite winning more titles


FedExpress Says:

defending champ is out


Okiegal Says:

Good win for Kei! Congratulations to his fans on his first win against Rafa!! Win dubs Rafando!! VAMOS


jane Says:

congrats to kei. his first win versus rafa in 8 tries.
still a ways to go for rafa. always flashes of his best.
but he can’t double fault on bps.
and he can’t back up to receive second serves or in rallies. his court positioning is awful.
it will be interesting to see if rafa/fed meet in cincy. as it is, the court favours roger.
also interesting will be to see how kei fares if he plays murray next. he’s never beaten him either. so is this kei’s improvement or rafa’s lack of form? or both?


jane Says:

fedexpress – did tsonga withdraw or what? why do you say he’s out?


Daniel Says:

Another loss to a top 10.

Nadal needs to address his serve. The main aspect of his game is there but he is not holding serve like he used to, too many DF and this affect his confidence and the rest of his game.
Can’t see him going deep in Cincy as well, he may not even get to play Fed in Quarters if Raonic find his game again.

But even so, on the fastest court of the circuit I fancy Fed’s chance. Last time they played there, it went to 3 sets in Fed’s worst year to date in a major slump in 2013.

Congrats Kei for his first win. Think he has a real chance against either Murray or Tsonga.


chris ford1 Says:

Poor Nole, he sure got some stress from Gulbis. Then an hour of rest and media chat. Then back on court for doubles. He and Tipsarevic lead Andy’s brother and an Aussie named Peers by a set.


FedExpress Says:

@jane

nadal didnt play last year. and he won the year before. basically he defended a title here hehehehe


skeezer Says:

“I like that Kei complained that Nadal is taking too long to challenge calls.”
Its not like Kei is the only one who has complained about Rafa’s sportsmenship. Nailed. Rafa takes too long to do anything, about time players called him out.

“Nishi is trying to stay on the base line and move Rafa around.
why did rafa just fist pump kei’s shot? ha ha.”

This is another typical Rafa tic, he jubulates in his opponets non forced error, like he had something to do with it, lol.
Embarrasing.

So with this loss, when does the community of Rafa fans own up to his status? Really, how good or relevant at this point is he?
If he doesn’t come back with big time relevance , Vilas and Borg will have some historical say in his place in Tennis, and surely his grasp at GOATness that his fanatics have fanatasized will be irrelevant and relegated to a one time period Clay court wonder who dabbled in a minimal greatness on other courts, but surely he cannot claim the same all time greatness as a Federer, nor a Laver.


jane Says:

murray and tsonga should get going about midnight.


chris ford1 Says:

Skeezer, it must be difficult for you to have to say why Fed is an all-time great, and Rafa is not, when you have that pesky H2H stat dogging Fed fanatics. It was so much easier to say Fed was God without equal before Rafa and Nole came along.


Georgy Gal Says:

skeezer
August 14th, 2015 at 11:39 pm
“If he doesn’t come back with big time relevance , Vilas and Borg will have some historical say in his place in Tennis, and surely his grasp at GOATness that his fanatics have fanatasized will be irrelevant and relegated to a one time period Clay court wonder who dabbled in a minimal greatness on other courts, but surely he cannot claim the same all time greatness as a Federer, nor a Laver”
Unbelievable any rational tennis fan can say this about a 14 time grand slam wonder. Is there anything wrong with winning on clay that 9 clay slam victories are a cause for dismissing the person’s goathood? Anyway opinion of posterity is not going to be determined by a bizarre downgrading of clay victories. So be assured Nadal fans are not fantasizing, Nadal is and will always be a claimant for GOAT status. There will always be skeezers who will laugh at greatness. History is replete with such instances. But the skeezers are forgotten and the GOATs are remembered as Nadal will be for all time.


jane Says:

murray and tsonga both striking the ball well early on, but tsonga’s game is more likely to break down first.


jane Says:

oh wow, novak/tipsy won!


chris ford1 Says:

Hey Jane! It is remotely possible we will have a Rafa-Nole final. With Tipsarevic and Hot Sauce added.


jane Says:

that could be fun cf-1. i think the spanish team have to beat the bryans though.


skeezer Says:

@cF1
First if all, Fed is not God, wtf?
The invented so called argument of h2h is a falicy, when some continually try to bring it up, they deny in the meantime their performance against the field of players, the games true measure, which is weakening by the month, year, whatever. And he is supposed to be in his “prime” years. No, the hang in by your tippy toes h2h theory now, even now, carrys zero weight. Think about it.


Georgy Gal Says:

I hope Murray wins. I look forward to a Murray-Djoko final. But while Novak is likely to sweep aside Chardy, Murray’s path to the final is not easy. Kei looked in great form today although it maybe Rafa’s poor serves made Kei look so formidable especially his ROS.


jane Says:

murray consolidates, after a little yell jonas’ way on bp. ;) i am almost too tired to watching anymore. zzzzz, long day. i feel for the players playing so late.


Georgy Gal Says:

skeezer the h2h wasn’t invented, it exists. The h2h numbers for the rivalry were generated at the time Rafa was beating the field. So your attempts to downgrade the h2h are futile. He maybe losing to the field now but has he added to the h2h? If he does meet Fed now, he will probably lose and improve Fed’s side of the h2h. Also Rafa is not in his prime anymore having crossed 29 so like Fed he may win one gs in the next 5 years as Fed did after crossing 29. Also everybody’s body and health are not the same. Ancic retired early, so did Soderling, Delpo is in twilight zone, Sampras also lost his ranking after 29 but managed to win 1 slam after 29 but Agassi went on to win more because of the difference in their physical/mental heath. Does anyone say Sampras h2h doesn’t count because he faded out earlier than Agassi?


skeezer Says:

Oh … and about this……..again.

“it must be difficult for you to have to say why Fed is an all-time great,”

No, its always been quite easy.


Daniel Says:

Murray versus Kei should be a cracker.Both return really well and Kei is in an 8 match winning streak and playing very aggressive tennis.

Slight edge to Murray as he can hold serve easier than Nadal and return better on HC as well.


skeezer Says:

GG,
Tennis records are not based on H2H. But you can fantasize all you want.
The way the game is designed and the way the rules are set is that you play in tournaments against a field of players, not against one to determine the outcome of an achievement. Its Rafa’s fault, not Feds, that he can’t consistently get through tournaments to compete for a Slam, or title. And theladt few years he has proven he cannot get past 100+ ranked players even.
Fed has, over all. proved that over any other player.


Daniel Says:

Nadal did not win any tournament this year where he wasn’t #1 seed. Buenos Aires, Stuttgart and Hamburg he was #1 seed. If there is anybody higher ranked than him in the draw he will lose the moment they play, hence his terrible record versus top 10 in last 1 and half year.

His only shot at a title this year is if he ever some minor tourney, because he ain’t winning with the top field in major events anytime soon. He just is not in a good place mentally and confidence wise, nor with his game to challenge the best.

But he sure will qualify for WTF and probably end the year between #5 to #7. Ferrer, Raonic are facing injurys and Ciclic ranking will drop after USO. There is only Berdych and Wawa, together with current top 4.


jane Says:

” Does anyone say Sampras h2h doesn’t count because he faded out earlier than Agassi?”

interesting question, but it’s apples to oranges, because sampras h2h with agassi is a winning one AND he has 6 more slams than him. so that he faded early and still hold these records actually speaks to pete’s success if anything.

the situation with fedal is different. fed has 3 more slams than nadal (so it’s closer than pete vs andre, as pete has almost double the slams as andre) and nadal has almost twice as many wins over fed. also, they are both playing long careers so far anyone. therefore, it’s more complicated with fedal’s rivalry. pete’s mastery of andre is more complete. one boon andre has, though, is the career slam – the FO title. but again, with fed and nadal, they both have this.

skeezer is right, though, that fed’s been much more consistent, reaching deep in events on all surfaces, including clay, for years. by contrast, rafa wasn’t doing too well on hard court slams until 2009 and later even. hence they’ve never even met at us open. so that skews the h2h – possibly anyhow – somewhat in rafa’s favour because of his obvious excellence on clay.


jane Says:

sorry for typos and language errors at 12:54. so tired, zzzz.


Daniel Says:

Actually Jane, Pete lost never faced Agassi on Clay or slow HC, he played mostly on his terms.

Same with Nadal and Federer. They played 9 times after RG: 3 at Wimbledon (2×1 Federe), 1 in Cincinatti (1×0 Nadal) and 5 times in WTF (4-1 Federer). This gives Fed 6-3 compared to the first half of the season (slow HC and clay apart from Dubai and Rotterdam) where Nadal dominates, mostly AO and RG where he leads 7-0. They never played USO in Fed’s peak years or in Nadal’s two victories.We can still say that Nadlawould have an advanatge but I doubt Nadal would be able to beat Fed more often than not in USO or Cincy in 2004-2009.

So in a way, Sampras HxH was “protected” by his lower clay game. Same as Nadal and Fed who played mostly on one’s preferrer surface.

Of course, there is the match up thing,Nadal being left handed and Fed too good on clay bar Rafa.So the HuH is more favored to Nadal than it should. At the end, we can say he was always meant to have a superior HxH versus Fed, as Djoko will most likely achieve someday. Maybe Fed is lucky to face Nadal next week in Cincy and a few more times this second part of the season. Really hope they play at least once at USO and probably they could play again in WTF if they land in same group Round Robin.

We’ll know more in 1 week, if both win 2 matches and we get to see Nadal’s final test in his bad year, as he is yet to play Federer, played everybody else: Djoko, Murray, Wawa, Berdych, Kei, Raonic…
If he wins, it will be the confidence he need, if he loses, in Cincy, the advantage is always on Fed’s side, tourney he won 6 times of last 10 events. It can get any better than this, only 9 out of 11 French Open;-)


Daniel Says:

Pete lost should be Pete almost…


Georgy Gal Says:

The point dear skeezer is that your logic in trying to discount the h2h was faulty. It was generated at the time Nadal was beating the field. Go back and read your argument.
The h2h proves that at the time Nadal was beating the field he was the BEST, it was not just a bad matchup as you are trying to prove.


Daniel Says:

Fantastic lobby by Murray to break.

Tjis is the single shot where he is superior to everybody else by a long margin. Amazing how he is lobbing anybody and on different surfaces.

Quick win is just what he needs to get back to rest and prepare for tomorrow. He only returns to court 9pm I think.


jane Says:

but daniel wasn’t andre’s success at the FO later, after pete? i get what you mean about AO though. and about preferred surfaces. but pete’s record is still positive in terms of both slam count AND h2h, and that was the main point i wanted to make.

it’s always difficult to compare rivalries anyhow, because each one is so nuanced when you look at the details.

murray served very well tonight and it seems like he’s hit hardly any errors – compared to tsonga – though i haven’t looked at stats.


Georgy Gal Says:

Also claiming it is Rafa’s fault not Fed’s that he cannot consistently get through tournaments is wrong. Check your facts. In the last 5 years, how many times has Rafa reached finals and how many times has Fed?


Georgy Gal Says:

Finals of slams.


jane Says:

murray vs kei will be interesting, but like i said before, murray is by far the favourite. kei has never beat him.


jane Says:

spaniards in a tiebreak with bryans. they lost the first set.

andy qualifies for london now; i think daniel may’ve mentioned that already.


skeezer Says:

GG Dear,
“at the time…”
That time has passed, even if you want to so desperately hold on to it.
Rafa has to beat the field of players, not just Fed. And he isn’t / hasn’t doing/done it. Get over it.


Margot Says:

Lol Kat woke early and lo the poor so and sos were still playing at 12.30am. How horrible is that.
Anyway Andy looked good in the circumstances, terrific ROS and terrific lobbing.
Come on ANDEE!


Jock-KatH Says:

Yah Margot – Andy seems a bit unlucky on match timings. 12.30am!!! Pleased that he played well (and thru to the O2 as a result). Hope he gets to play Nole???? DO IT ANDEEEEEEEEEEE


Margot Says:

Kat:
He’s gotta do it sooner or later! make it sooner ANDEE :)


Gypsy Gal Says:

Ive always done my best to be fair on this forum,im not a Rafa fanatic,i just dont believe in GOATNESS as i would prefer to talk about a number of all time greats instead,and i dont place much emphasis on H2Hs over 1 player, as it what you do against the entire field that counts,admitidly Rafa isnt the same player that he was and more players are now figuring him out,will he turn it around i dont know?but i sure hope so time will tell?but can we not trash an all time greats legacy,when the guy has 14 GS,27 Masters,and he does indeed have winning H2Hs against the field of many other players not just Federer,i do however feel im wasting my time and nervous energy though,as it will all fall on deaf ears….


elina Says:

GG nailed it.

There is a valid argument for both these greats as GOAT if you subscribe to the concept.

Even professional tennis players sit on opposite sides of that debate.

The fact that the great Fed protector felt the need to even bring it up shows the still harboured resentment towards the collective doubt in who is GOAT.

It all counts. Including h2h no matter what anyone tries to claim otherwise.

mew


skeezer Says:

elina,
I did not bring it up, cf1 did.
GG
“at the time Nadal was beating the field he was the BEST”.
Yes, he was…and his ranking proved it at that time. You don’t get a # 1 ranking by beating just one guy all the time. You have to work your way through everybody ( as you mentioned ). By the way; “the last 5 years”…. How about the last 2?
I am not going to argue the point that Rafa is not a great player, he is. And there is no doubt he will retire as the King of Clay.


Georgy Gal Says:

why King of Clay? He will retire as one of the greatest on ALL surfaces.
How many players in the history of tennis have even 2 slams . But Rafa has 3 on hard courts and 2 on grass. I agree with Elina. skeezer feels the need to discount Rafa’s h2h because he feels insecure about Fed’s goathood.


elina Says:

Don’t be coy skeezee. You begged the question on how relevant is he.

As I said you tipped your hand.


Gypsy Gal Says:

Georgy Girl he is an all time great on all surfaces,he has multiple GS on all surfaces,its just most of his titles and GS happen to be on clay,clay is still a surface like any other,and as ive said many times without clay he would still have 5 GS,which is usually good enough for any other all time great,well it is for Sharapova,i wonder why it isnt for Rafa cant understand it hmm?….


Colin Says:

I think I read somewhere that if Andy reaches the Montreal final, he’ll leapfrog Fed for the No 2 ranking. Is that the case? I was never any good at arithmetic.


elina Says:

That is correct Colin as Cincinnati points drop off this Monday when the new rankings come out.


Daniel Says:

Yes Colin,

But next week when Cincy points get in Andy will have one of his ATP 500 out, 90 pts. So he will lose 90 pts on Aug 24th regardless of how well he performs in Cincy. As this year Canda and Cincy were a week earlier players don’t have all 8 mandatory Masters counted at the same 52 weeks so it is creating some calculations.

If Andy doesn’t win the title with the 90 points he will drop Fed needs to go one round better than Andy in Cincy to return to #2. If they both play the semis as possible next week they will play for #2 seed in USO. This assuming Andy doesn’t win Mntreal. If Murray wins Montreal Fed will need to win Cincy.


Jock-KatH Says:

Don’t see that Daniel – (not challenging the 90 pts.) but what is currently showing – but then I need glasses – U’re probably right – I’ll look tomorrow – bit busy this p.m. but seriously don’t be “shy” at correcting me…….


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Gypsy, I think you have a great assessment of Rafa.


Gypsy Gal Says:

Tennis Vagabond you have really made my day,most here dont give my posts the time of day,so im shocked pleasantly,many thanks :-D….


Daniel Says:

Jock,

Check the atp site and see that today there is no points for Canada Masters so all playera got bumped an extra tourney (best result) either 500 or 250. Next eeek Canada enters but Cincy drops out so the same smaller tourneys will still count. But on Aug 24th Cincy points will enter and one of the other best tourneys will be decreased. They can only have 4 Slams + 8 Masters + 4 500 + 2 250. The ones who play MC get only 3 500. Right now some players have points from 5 500 tourneys counted due to only 7 Masters being currently computed. That’s why we can’t just add points frok Canada and Cincy to theur current totals because some have an extra tourney that won’t count on Aug 24th. Murray and Nadal are cases begause they play a lof of tourney. Fed and Djoko don’t because they skip Masters. Fed skipped 2.

If you have the time go playee by player in top 10 and count how many tourneys they have. Is pretty quick, just go in rankings, single and click at their points. It will show the breakdown of last 52 weeks.

Hope it helsp😜


Jock-KatH Says:

Thanks Daniel – will give it a go.


Okiegal Says:

@Colin

I do so hope Andy makes like a frog and leaps right over Fed for the #2 spot……I would be happy as a clam because he’s my second fav……Go Andy go! Make me :)


Okiegal Says:

Giles called this one right…..Murray took Kei to the wood shed. I guess it took everything out of him last night to beat Rafa and no better than Rafa was playing, it was an easy chore. Kei was having foot trouble. As I said on another thread, I don’t know if he can win a slam or not, he seems to always poop out with an injury. Sorry for him, sad. He’s such a talented young man.

Yay…..Murray leaped frog over Fed to #2…. Way to go Andy…..now take this title!!!


Jock-KatH Says:

Let’s hope Andy is listening to you, Okiegal. I think he’ll certainly try very hard, but Djokovic will not be in the “Noel” mood – and rightly so, it’s too soon for Xmas.


Okiegal Says:

It’s been a long dry spell between Andrew and Novak, but who knows, a streak usually ends at some point…..maybe today!! Serena knows about these streaks……She was due a defeat too just like Rafa and the Frenchie. It happens, eventually.


mat4 Says:

@Okie:

Novak hasn’t lost against Andy for two years… Seven more left.

OK, ok, I’ll settle with a loss in 3 years. But only one.

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