The Tennis Thread - Part 2

[Frico]

In terms of next-gen I'm currently betting on Dimitrov and Janowicz. Tomic - too sloppy at times, needs to improve on a number of things but has his moments. Goffin - bit of a one hit wonder since Roland Garros last year, could be a wildcard but hasn't done anything special since. Harrison - nice serve, nothing more. Needs to work on being a more imposing player and quicker on the forehand side.

Normally I'd put Raonic in there but he too has work to do even with his ranking at #13. His movement being number one as he already has the well known booming serve. But yesterday Matosevic WORKED him left - right -left -right. You could tell Raonic wasn't comfortable. He wasn't controlling the rallies like other big guys do (Delpo, Anderson), which for a guy his size is a problem.

But really, Dimitrov and Janowicz have been the only ones to consistently impress. I hope they both
have a good US Open. And I watched Dimitrov's three set epic semi against Verdasco in Bastad. Again, played brilliantly. But much like Rafa/Fed, fell victim to that high kicking forehand to his backhand. A lot of times Verdasco drove him off court with that, winning plenty of points. Still another fun match with "Showtime" Dimitrov.

 

[Frico]

Vika on fire.

 

[Sakuraba]

Janowicz certainly doesn't play the big points passively.

 

[Sakuraba]

Nadal might be tiring. Didn't quite get out in front of a slice sending it wide, break point for Janowicz. Nadal's second serve goes to the backhand and Janowicz steps around it and scorched it crosscourt cleanly for a winner. He serves for the opening set

 

[Sakuraba]

Janowicz botches an overhead on top of the net that would have given him set point, then Nadal takes a short slice down the middle and rips a pinpoint pass to force the tiebreak.

This set was a little dull up until about 4-4, then it's just gotten really good.

 

[Sakuraba]

Nadal has been perturbed by a few of Janowicz's "come on's" which he yells to the top of his lungs.

5-2 Janowicz, as he finishes at net after pounding a few into Nadal's backhand. Nadal is doing brilliant just getting some of these serves back. He's well off the court.

5-3, Janowicz floats one and gives Nadal time to hit his inside-in forehand to great effect.

5-4, Janowicz miss hits a second serve. 5-5 as Nadal misreads the serve but still gets it back right on the baseline. Slice right down the line forces a Jerzy error, that's maybe been Nadal's most effective shot this afternoon. Double fault gives Nadal his fourth set point!

An amazing let cord winner makes it 6-6 for Janowicz! He had one of those on an earlier set point if I recall. Nadal must be sick.

 

[Sakuraba]

Return error from Janowicz gives Nadal another set point. Janowicz has been killing Nadal on drop shots but this one is neither well disguised nor well carved and Nadal is all over it, he smacks a spinning back overhead right at the approaching Janowicz who has no reply.

Nadal takes an amazing first set 7-6. Both guys had their opportunities to take the opening frame.

 

[Sakuraba]

In matter of about ten minutes Janowicz went from having a break point to go up 4-0 in the second set to this set being back on serve.

 

[Sakuraba]

Gulbis mixing up the pace and spin, defending well, and up a set on WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ANDY MURRAY.

 

[regwec]

Oh, Murray. It couldn't go on forever, and at least none of your countrymen will care.

 

[Frico]

What a week and tournament for Sorana Cirstea. I haven't been able to post but obviously kept up with results. She's playing some amazing tennis under the coaching of Darren Cahill and beating Wozniacki, Jankovic, Kvitova and now Li. All great players. Cirstea hits a big ball and played well every single match.

This pic was taken three years ago at the Rogers Cup and now three years later they're our semi-finalists. Foreshadowing much?

I'm picking Raonic to win here and manage his nerves. Pospisil has absolutely nothing to lose. Started the year ranked #127, won a challenger last week and win or lose today will reach a career high ranking of top 40. Raonic has a chance to reach top 10 if he wins and really, this is his chance. He's always been called the next guy and there's no better place to do it in his home tournament.

Should be an interesting match - both have great games. Loved Pospisil's match against Berdych.

Also hoping tonight will be another epic with Djoker/Rafa!

 

[Frico]

I also saw the Cincy draw last night and if Gulbis wins his first round match he'll play Murray AGAIN in Round 2. Wonder if he'll make lightning strike twice.

 

[Frico]

Pospisil is CLEARLY the better rallier of the two. Up 3-0 in the second set. Raonic got lucky with that break in the first and Pospisil also had chances to break but just too many errors off the forehand. Raonic is a little bit like Isner. Still a better player IMO than Isner, but like Isner once the serve goes off it's open season for any opponent.

This hasn't been a great match by any means. Both guys clearly nervous early on.

 

[Frico]

Milos takes it in three. Luck was on his side during the tie-break. Winning ugly.

Top ten, meet Milos Raonic. Milos Raonic, meet top ten.

 

[Frico]

Wow, first break to Rafa already.

And Serena/Radwanska just had a rally that literally made me tired just by watching. Radwanska, human wall.

 

[Sakuraba]

Serena/Radwanska playing a mini epic themselves in Toronto. Amazing, amazing stuff.

 

[Sakuraba]

Wow, first break to Rafa already.

And Serena/Radwanska just had a rally that literally made me tired just by watching. Radwanska, human wall.

Serena looks on the verge of tears after some of the rallies.

 

[Sakuraba]

Freaking awesome point

 

[Frico]

I honestly love how well Serena/Radwanska match up with their different styles of play. Serena with her bulldozing strokes and Radwanska with her amazing counter punching ability.

Match point Williams.

 

[Sakuraba]

Not many lengthy rallies thus far. Nadal's hitting his forehand flatter than usual it seems

 

[Frico]

ANOTHER double and a break for Rafa.

Too much ****ing dancing, Nole.

 

[Sakuraba]

The Djokovic serve is in the dumps right now. Numerous doubles and when he manages to put one in the box Nadal immediately takes control of the point

 

[Sakuraba]

Now Nadal's serve and volleying? Nadal actually positioned inside the baseline and he is going after Djokovic's forehand wing

 

[Sakuraba]

That backhand up the line into Nadal's shaky backhand is oh so important for the Djoker. Especially when Nadal's forehand has been so sweet thus far.

Djokovic gets a break back like he's done so many times before on Nadal. Aggressive return, backhand up the line, forehand into Nadal's backhand, inside out forehand. Beautiful.

 

[Frico]

That backhand up the line into Nadal's shaky backhand is oh so important for the Djoker. Especially when Nadal's forehand has been so sweet thus far.

Djokovic gets a break back like he's done so many times before on Nadal. Aggressive return, backhand up the line, forehand into Nadal's backhand, inside out forehand. Beautiful.