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Tennis 2014

Started by Mr_Simnock, January 01, 2014, 03:09:22 PM

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Mr_Simnock

Shame about Murray losing to Mayer but he is still on the comeback after the op last year to try and fix his back

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/25568166

Not sure he'll go far in the Australian open, quaters or semi would be good for him after the break he has had. He has a genuine shot at both Wibledon and the US open. It wil be interesting to see if Rafa can continue his amazing form from last year. What's really important though is more of this this year eh ladzzzzzzzzzzzzz


rjd2

halep isn't it?

She has been doing well, one of the favorites for The Aussie Open.

Bouchard is pretty sexy as well.

Not sure what to expect in the men side, Mayer has produced some results in his time so don't want to write off Murray but not confident about him doing well at the Aussie.

One thing however courts are meant to be quite fast this year which will be a relief, so many last year were slow especially the US Open which was close to bloody clay ffs.

Deanjam

Yeah, Halep is improving a lot. Was the only player on the men's and women's to win singles titles on Clay, Grass, Hard and indoor last year. Certainly shows great versatility.

That defeat was virtually Murray's first competitive match since his surgery. He played a friendly tournament and then his first round in Doha was against a very dodgy wild card. Can't see him going deep in Melbourne, but he's already said retaining Wimbledon and going deep in Paris (not Hilton) are his priorities this year.

Nadal currently having a bit of a struggle as well.

selectivememory

Wouldn't write Murray off for the Aussie yet. I just think he's a little short of match practice, and we've seen him play shoddy tennis in pre-slam tournaments only then to produce his best a couple of weeks later. If he can get through the first few rounds relatively unscathed I'd say he's got a good shot at making a semi or the final. Would be strange if he priotised Paris over Melbourne given that he really should win at Melbourne at least once in his career, but maybe a fixed back might change his prospects on clay.

Novak should be considered favourite though, ended the year very well after his US Open defeat, and he's not going to want to let go of the only slam he currently holds. Be interesting to see what effect Becker has, seems like a strange appointment to me - I wonder if Novak's ever listened to him commentate - I don't really know what Becker could add to his game (maybe sharper net play?), since all that was really missing last year was a bit of confidence against Murray and Nadal in the really big matches (Djokovic really should have won the US Open, ballsed it up when he was in control in the third set and then capitulated meekly in the fourth - and he's since demonstrated his hard-court superiority to Nadal in a couple of encounters)

Can't say much about Nadal really, looked a little subdued following on from the US Open, but after last year you really can't write him off. Him or Novak for the French is a certainty, we can say that much.

As for the rest, I think the other main challengers will probably be Del Potro, Tsonga and Wawrinka, with DelPo the only one remotely likely to win a slam. Ferrer seems to be fading, Federer might have another shot at going deep in a slam but I doubt he's going to win another, and no one else looks up to it.

Shoulders?-Stomach!

There isn't anyone, it will be a fucking miracle if anyone other than Djokovic, Nadal, Murray or Del Potro wins a slam. It isn't even like the early 00s where clay court specialists always had a chance at the French.

I agree re: Becker. If he has deeper tactical or mental insight to the game of tennis he certainly doesn't share it with TV audiences.

Deanjam

Becker is surely there in a mentor role as opposed to any coaching set up. Djokovic has retained his regular coach so he's probably looking for some psychological insight.

Mr_Simnock

Does anyone think Tomic could take a set off Nadal? I'm tempeted to bet the match will last more then three sets.

biggytitbo

Quote from: Deanjam on January 02, 2014, 05:16:31 PM
Becker is surely there in a mentor role as opposed to any coaching set up. Djokovic has retained his regular coach so he's probably looking for some psychological insight.


From his apperenaces on the BBC, Boris Becker seems to be a man with the psychological insight of a toffee apple.

Unoriginal

http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/australian-open/story/29993/9115729/andy-murray-believes-australian-open-organisers-may-have-to-look-into-heat-concerns

What a bunch of cunts (the organisers not the players). If people are collapsing and suffering from heat stroke and temperatures are reaching 40 degrees celsius, you need to do something about it, not say that there's nothing wrong because nobody died.

QuoteOf course there were a few players who experienced heat-related illness or discomfort, but none required significant medical intervention after they had completed their match

That's a ridiculous comment to make. What an irresponsible bastard.

Mr_Simnock

Shame the Nadal Tomic match finished after one poor set. So far so bugger all

Unoriginal

The Australia Open organisers clearly couldn't give a fuck about the safety of the players. If players are suffering heatstroke and even fans are passing out, they need to stop being such heartless cunts. It took them three days of players passing out until they implemented their 'extreme heat' policy. Utter twats.

Cleaners From Venus

Jamie Murray collapsed from heat stroke earlier. Apparently it's meant to cool down over the next couple of days, so fingers crossed for no corpses until then, eh?

In brighter news, it was most amusing to see Murray Jnr take 23 points on the trot when Millot got showboaty at 5-1 in the third.

rjd2

I felt sorry for Sharapova when in that bloody heat they gave her a time penalty, really harsh indeed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Mart%C3%ADn_del_Potro

Del Potro out, apart from Wimbledon if you scroll down his slam form in the last few years has been patchy, shame because their is some serious talent their.

Nobody Soup

could anyone sum up the us open for me, I was away on holiday at the time and didn't catch any of it.

anyway, I am slightly worried for murray because even though he looks good he's still just back from injury and I'm not a million percent confident he's at his best. nadal came back  from injury last year and was winning instantly but I'm pretty sure murray would have targetted the Aus open even if it was a week or two earlier than he'd like.

I can't call this one, everyone is changing coaches and injuries are a factor. lopez is a bigger danger for murray than whoever he'll face in round 4, his back injury will mean his serve is perhaps slightly weaker and lopez is a guy you need to hold against, if he gets through that though he'll pretty much definitely make it to the QF.

gotting a sneaking suspicion that neither tsonga or federer might not be there to face him too, I just have this strange feeling Simon will inexplicably come through there.

if wawrinka keeps on last years form he'll be a test for djokovic but that's the only danger I see for him prior to the final, whereas Nadal I'd back to comfortably make the semi's.

rjd2

Quote from: Nobody Soup on January 17, 2014, 01:13:34 AM
could anyone sum up the us open for me, I was away on holiday at the time and didn't catch any of it.



Murray was so-so, made very hard work of Istomin and outclassed by Stan. Murray never got started in that game at all.

Novak cruised through, had a very close semi with Stan who fucked him hard in the first set but Novak just got through.

Gasquet discovered a backbone, beat Raonic and Ferrer in five when normally he would have bottled it. Outclassed in the semi by Nadal but that was to be expected.

Del Potro and Federer played awful tennis in their early respective losses. Del Potro lost to Hewitt and Federer in 3 to Robredo which was a horror result.

Nadal beat Novak in a very dull final, Novak had chances but like previous Slam losses couldn't get it done when it mattered.

On this Slam, Simon just played 2 five setters he must be dead, he won't last much longer. Not sure about Murray yet either, will know more when he plays someone who is not a chocolate teapot.


selectivememory

Quote from: rjd2 on January 17, 2014, 06:26:28 AM
Nadal beat Novak in a very dull final

Bit harsh I think. While nowhere near being a classic, the second and third sets were very entertaining. Ultimately it was a choke from Djokovic, he really should have won it, or at least, he should have been 2-1 up. But overall it was a poor slam, though Wawrinka's run was excellent.

As for this slam then: Murray will certainly have a test in Lopez. Ordinarily I'd back Murray to beat him without breaking sweat, right now I think he'll get through it in 4 sets, and it will be good for him to have a reasonably decent opponent this early on. He doesn't want to get to the QF against Fed or Tsonga without a real workout. I do have a good feeling for him in this slam, and I think if he can get as far as the semi-final then there's no reason why he can't genuinely challenge for the title, but all the same I think it's going to take something special from another player for Djokovic not to win his fifth title here. Looking forward to the probably match between Novak and Stan though.

Disappointed with Del Potro and Jerzy - I wonder if Del Potro can find some consistency, his slam form is so erratic, that Wimbledon semi-final seems a long time ago. Still, with Delpo out, maybe now it's Raonic's time[nb]to make his first QF and then get butchered by Nadal[/nb].

Nobody Soup

I think it will be djokovic, but just because the draw has set itself so he'll definitely get the easier semi final. best case scenario on the other side is murray/federer v Nadal. if you look back at slams over the last couple of years (once djoko became human again) there's a remarkable tendency for the winner simply to be the guy that got a bit more rest after the semi-final. of course some of that could be because the other guy is just playing so well he's killed his SF opponent whereas the other has made a meal of it.

murray at wimbledon was definitely the best player, however at the US open in 2012 I'm pretty sure the extra days rest he got was responsible for him pulling through that last set. however, probably balanced out as Djoko was the recipient of the advantage at australia last year and I think that played a big part as well. I didn't see the US open 2013 but it seems djoko hammered out 5 sets against stan while nadal had 3 straight forward ones.


first slam in ages RJ doesn't tip Raonic and someone else goes and does it.

selectivememory

Quote from: Nobody Soup on January 17, 2014, 06:17:23 PM
if you look back at slams over the last couple of years (once djoko became human again) there's a remarkable tendency for the winner simply to be the guy that got a bit more rest after the semi-final.

Yeah, I don't think it's acceptable at all that at the Australian Open the Men's semi-finals are played over two days. That significantly disadvantages the player who wins the second match (who this year will probably be Nadal or Murray). That's something in Djokovic's favour right there.



rjd2

With Gasquet out, it means that Novak literally has a bye to the semi final where he will play either Berdych or Ferrer, should get through that.

Raonic is very good, only thing that hurts him is his movement against the very top players, plays Dimitrov later which could be good fun. Dimitrov has shown little in the Slams so now would be a good start.

Probably a bit harsh on te US Open men final tbh bored of watching Novak and Rafa playing each other right now.

Mr_Simnock

Tempted to back Raonic now after the above post. How about a Murray in 4 sets plus Raonic to win double, yeah that sounds like its worth a punt.

rjd2

Probably just going to back Lopez + 2.5 sets myself, Raonic should beat Dimitrov but its been priced very closely which is fair enough, both got shit loads of talent, could go either way but Milos has done a little more here in previous years, not sure I want to get massively involved myself.

May have a small bet on Ana Pavlyuchenko as well, but only because I will be watching that and I have a spot for her and her opponent, lovely lovely Aggy.

selectivememory

Quote from: rjd2 on January 17, 2014, 09:33:18 PM
With Gasquet out, it means that Novak literally has a bye to the semi final where he will play either Berdych or Ferrer, should get through that.

Wawrinka's a much bigger danger for Novak than Gasquet I'd have thought. I was delighted to see them drawn in the same quarter after their last couple of slam meetings anyway.

Quote from: rjd2 on January 17, 2014, 09:33:18 PM
Probably a bit harsh on te US Open men final tbh bored of watching Novak and Rafa playing each other right now.

Given that they've had more encounters than any other pair of players in the open era, I'd say that's fair enough. I'm still eager to see a resumption of the Murray-Nadal rivalry, but what I'd really like is for a couple of other players to really start challenging more consistently. 



Nobody Soup

it's really essential someone comes out and challenges, can you imagine when murray and djokovic begin to get to winding down age, 30 or 31, and there's been no one that's got near them until then? it'll send tennis into an absolute spiral as it will seem like such a tin age of players. it's mad to think nadal, murray and djokovic were top 10 players were when they were teenagers, del potro is the only one that's achieved near that, no one else has been close.

Mr_Simnock

I've backed Murray and Nadal to win 3-1 with £4.33. It's a long shot I know and I had more cash to gamble with but I'm saving that for tomorrows Premiership action.

rjd2

Soupy, Biggy just so ye dont foget I was hyping Dimitrov as well in tennis threads here!

Pleased for him, much more fun to watch than Raonic. Murray played well, but lopez was very poor.

So Last 16

Mayer v Ferrer

Mayer is in good form but over 5 Ferrer should be to good, will win in 4.

Fognini v Novak

Novak in three.

Berdych v Anderson

Some close matches between these two but Berdych is basically a superior version of Anderson. Berdych will have to play poorly to lose. Should do it in 4 tight sets.

Stan v Robredo

Stan playing quite well, Robredo is tough but Wawrinka would really have to under perform to lose.

Nadal v Nishikori

Will be fun, but Nishikori does nothing better than Nadal, Nadal will be fine.

Dimitrov v Bautista


Not seen enough of Baustisa so tough to call, Dimitrov was very good today and has serious talent, think he will win, but will be curious to see Bautistas odds, anything big may get involved. Really improved a lot recently.

Murray v Robert

Murray assuming he starts well should stroll through.

Tsonga v Federer

Along with Dimitrov game very hard to call, both have cruised through but Tsonga has had tougher opponents, if he is on he should win.

Deanjam

Bautista-Agut is playing really well at the moment so I might plump for him over Dimitrov. And Tsonga is occasionally a thorn for Federer, so that might be a bit of an upset.

Hard to argue with your predictions though really.

Massively disappointed with Monfils. Thought he'd give Nadal a tougher test. Easily the most under-performing player in modern tennis history.

Mr_Simnock

 I've backed Berdych, Ferrer, Wawrinka and Tsonga to win tonight. I seriously think Federer is on the wane and even if he beats Tsonga (most likely in 5) he won't make it past the next round.

rjd2

Quote from: Deanjam on January 18, 2014, 03:08:50 PM
Bautista-Agut is playing really well at the moment so I might plump for him over Dimitrov. And Tsonga is occasionally a thorn for Federer, so that might be a bit of an upset.

Hard to argue with your predictions though really.

Massively disappointed with Monfils. Thought he'd give Nadal a tougher test. Easily the most under-performing player in modern tennis history.

Actually meant to bold Tsonga, as I fancy him to win if he plays like he can. Big if of course. You are right as well about Bautsita, playing superbly at the moment wouldn't be shocked if he beats Dimitrov. A proper test of Mr Sharapova, really looking forward to it actually.

Monfils bombs more often than not, talent their but its never going to happen.

selectivememory

Yeah, Tsonga's got to fancy his chances of making at least the semis, although a lot of that will depend on whether Murray is up to scratch or not.

rjd2


Prettiest quarter final ever.


v