The Tennis Thread - Part 2

[Bim]

I'm so angry at myself for missing that match yesterday grr. Not gonna miss today's game though, 1-0 Raoinic first game, we're on serve t:

 

[Sakuraba]

Raonic has to do more with his volleys if he wants to win.

Then a 149mph out wide serve. I mean, DAMN

147 up the T

 

[Bim]

... and Rafa breaks

 

[Sakuraba]

I understand Raonic wants to stay out of rallies, as well he should, but there's a difference between aggressive play and going for broke when the shot isn't there.

He's choosing some highly suspect moments to come in, too. Those are easy passes for Nadal.

 

[Sakuraba]

Raonic really can't attack a well struck slice and yet he tries and nets it

 

[Sakuraba]

If Nadal has an opportunity to return, he does and it has been deep at Raonic's feet.

Nadal breaks again when Raonic misses a makeable volley.

 

[Sakuraba]

Beat Nadal in a masters hardcourt final

 

[Sakuraba]

^ answer to Fowler's question

The second question, I don't know. Was it Nalbandian? I'm thinking he might not have been top ten at the time given his injures. Hmm, good question.

 

[Frico]

Nadal having his cake and eating it too. Don't see Raonic coming back.

 

[Sakuraba]

Pam Shriver talking about Raonic being an embrassment at this point in the match is beyond harsh and uncalled for. Not need to even talk like that. Raonic is a winner just for making the finals here, cracking the top ten, and getting some form back after a rough several months.

This is the best Nadal has played on hardcourts since the 2010 US Open, if not ever. What did people expect from Raonic? He is not the natural athlete that Nadal is, he can't move like him or hit winning shots from off the court like Nadal. He is in quicksand and Nadal is skating on ice.

Shriver is still harping on how Raonic doesn't look like the guy that held the very first game of the match. Seriously? Maybe because he can't drop three aces every service game and consistently hit 149mph out wide. It's amazing to hear it from her because its like Nadal has nothing to do with anything.

 

[Frico]

Terrific backhand from Raonic - needs more of that!

 

[Frico]

Pam Shriver talking about Raonic being an embrassment at this point in the match is beyond harsh and uncalled for. Not need to even talk like that. Raonic is a winner just for making the finals here, cracking the top ten, and getting some form back after a rough several months.

This is the best Nadal has played on hardcourts since the 2010 US Open, if not ever. What did people expect from Raonic? He is not the natural athlete that Nadal is, he can't move like him or hit winning shots from off the court like Nadal. He is in quicksand and Nadal is skating on ice.

Shriver is still harping on how Raonic doesn't look like the guy that held the very first game of the match. Seriously? Maybe because he can't drop three aces every service game and consistently hit 149mph out wide. It's amazing to hear it from her because its like Nadal has nothing to do with anything.

 

[Sakuraba]

Raonic maybe needs to give a little more line up when he comes in, because that crosscourt is easy pickings for Nadal. Well, down the line is too but at least it's a little harder for him on the backhand side.

 

[Sakuraba]

Pam Shriver has her moments as the sideline observer. She picks up on little things, but come on! Sorry that not everyone could be so fortunate to team up with MARTINA NAVRITILOVA and milk a career out of it. Lay off the big Canuck.

One thing I'm loving is Brad Gilbert. He is a damn fine color commentator. He is enthusiastic and observant of what's going on and his memory is solid. As a sideline guy, yeah, he seems to be obsessed with the weather instead of the match. Johnny Mac is still my guy, but he increasingly feels like a guy that is flown in as the celebrity color man when you've got someone like Gilbert that clearly watches every single point on the tour.

 

[Sakuraba]

Now that I think of it, Frico is like our Brad Gilbert. He watches every match and maintains his enthusiasm.

 

[Bim]

Rafa just made it look easy, wow. He moves to #3 in the rankings and Raonic will be #10.

I'm happy the latin american commentators are awesome, i love them.

 

[Frico]

Pam Shriver has her moments as the sideline observer. She picks up on little things, but come on! Sorry that not everyone could be so fortunate to team up with MARTINA NAVRITILOVA and milk a career out of it. Lay off the big Canuck.

One thing I'm loving is Brad Gilbert. He is a damn fine color commentator. He is enthusiastic and observant of what's going on and his memory is solid. As a sideline guy, yeah, he seems to be obsessed with the weather instead of the match. Johnny Mac is still my guy, but he increasingly feels like a guy that is flown in as the celebrity color man when you've got someone like Gilbert that clearly watches every single point on the tour.

Yeah Gilbert has been pretty great over the years. I love all his nicknames for the players - they all match so well, lol. When he commentates it's like you can feel/hear the passion come out of him. He's always fun to listen to and very rarely says stupid things. I think he and Mats Wilander are my favorite commentators.

Now that I think of it, Frico is like our Brad Gilbert. He watches every match and maintains his enthusiasm.

Haha! up:

He answers me a lot on twitter which is always great. He likes to hear who people think will win and has his followers post the scores. Whoever's right gets a shoutout.

Can't wait for Cincy tomorrow!! 11am sharp.

 

[Frico]

Good tournament for Raonic regardless of this result. Winning today would've been dessert really as his main goal stemming from last year was to be top 10 and he should be happy it happend on his home turf. Obviously he still has a lot to work on but has the tools to keep moving up the ladder. All he can do is build. For Rafa, just too freakin good.

Rafa, Djoker and Delpo are my picks to win the USO.

A lot to look forward to in Cincy. Fed being number one for me - potential Murray/Gulbis rematch and I actually want to see if Sock beats Raonic again. I like it when players back up their wins.

 

[Frico]

Wow, Azarenka has a tough quarter for Cincy. Still expect her to make good run. Just please, no more retirements.

 

[Bim]

Can't wait for Cincy tomorrow!! 11am sharp.

Thanks for the reminder! I'm happy for my last week of vacation, i can watch this one t:

 

[Harley2004]

As in Roland Garros, the final was the sf with Novak. It will be interesting to see if Andy or Novak take Cincinnati. Rafa, would be smart to pull out.

 

[Saturday_Toons]

Novak seems to be waking up.

Also there's 5's guests viewing the thread? Sign up!

After about four years of lurking, this post encouraged me to do just that!

This past week had some great tennis. The finals lacked the luster I would've preferred but I'm pretty pumped for Cincy.

 

[Sakuraba]

Welcome aboard, dude. It's always nice to have more people talking about tennis.

Bim, I'm pretty jealous of your vacation. This tournament draw is very handsome, lots of good matches, lots of opportunity for breakthroughs.

Harley, I tend to agree that Nadal should sit it out and rest up for New York. It's been a successful strategy for him this year.

Frico, I see Federer is committed to playing with his Wilson prototype 98 racquet in Cincinnati. That would mean nearly two months of hitting with it, so I would imagine he is going to bring it to New York. Hopefully his back is well enough that he'll actually comment on the racquet's impact on his game. This is another tournament that he has been highly successful at, and he's devoted a lot of time to Cincinnati this year.

 

[Frico]

Thanks for the reminder! I'm happy for my last week of vacation, i can watch this one t:

I have a few days off as well and they're going to consist of tennis, gaming, tennis, movies, tennis and good outings.

As in Roland Garros, the final was the sf with Novak. It will be interesting to see if Andy or Novak take Cincinnati. Rafa, would be smart to pull out.

So far no reports of Rafa pulling out of Cincy so looks like he is indeed playing.

After about four years of lurking, this post encouraged me to do just that!

This past week had some great tennis. The finals lacked the luster I would've preferred but I'm pretty pumped for Cincy.

Good stuff man, welcome to the Hype! More tennis fans are always welcome.

Frico, I see Federer is committed to playing with his Wilson prototype 98 racquet in Cincinnati. That would mean nearly two months of hitting with it, so I would imagine he is going to bring it to New York. Hopefully his back is well enough that he'll actually comment on the racquet's impact on his game. This is another tournament that he has been highly successful at, and he's devoted a lot of time to Cincinnati this year.

Yeah, he's been training with Kudla and Wawrinka the last few days for Cincy and told reporters he's been feeling well despite reports of his back giving him problems. So we'll see. It's looking like he'll play Kohlschreiber who just took the first set against Fish.

 

[Frico]

In hindsight, I'm actually glad Djokovic didn't play Raonic in yesterdays final. Because they're more than likely going to play one another for the first time in the Serbia/Canada Davis Cup semi - so it'll be a lot more compelling.

Also, good god. I just found out Tomic lost to Robby Ginepri in the first round of qualies in Cincy on Saturday and there are two factors to that. Either Ginepri was playing REALLY well or Tomic was very tired. Probably the latter. Why I say that is because he played a friendly night match against Lopez on Friday in Toronto - which mean he would've had to get on a flight that same night with barely a days rest.

Ginepri though is no pushover (former USO semi-finalist) but he just went through surgery like two weeks ago and obviously ranked at #252. Goffin beat him pretty easily yesterday to qualify for main draw.

Three good matches to look forward to today: Blake/Janowicz, Almagro/Dimitrov and Goffin/McDonald. Some of you might be asking "Who's McDonald?" Well he might just be one to look out for. Mackenzie McDonald (USA) beat BOTH Mahut (#79) and Steve Johnson (ranked #100 yesterday but now #128 in todays new rankings) in qualies for Cincy. What's amazing is he's only 18, 5'8" and doesn't even have a ranking. Yet he's into his first Master's 1000 event. I'm sure they'll show his match with Goffin.

Brian Baker looks like he was never injured. Just beat Istomin.