The Tennis Thread - Part 3

[Dark Raven]

Why does Boris Becker keep sitting in the crowd this Wimbledon? Is he still commentating? I see him more often sitting out there.

 

[Sakuraba]

He's Djokovic's coach

 

[Sakuraba]

Pretty excited for the men's QFs tomorrow. Each match should be pretty entertaining.

Djokovic/Cilic - Cilic is finding his game again, and these guys had a classic a year ago at SW19. Let's hope we get another. It'll be Djokovic's third straight day on court.

Wawrinka/Gasquet - Two of the best backhands in the game. The backhand exchanges should provide entertainment, but Reeshard is woefully outmatched on the forehand wing.

Murray/Popsil - I can see Murray losing another set here and providing a little drama in route to punching his SF ticket

Federer/Simon - Simon gives Federer trouble with counter punching style. He's a grinder that can use his opponent's pace against him. I wouldn't be shocked by a Simon win. They also had a little bad blood last season over the Davis Cup Finals, though they didn't face each other.

 

[kit1982]

He's Djokovic's coach

What do you make of that partnership? I'm told by commentators Boris has helped improve Novak's game but I'm not sure where. There hasn't been the obvious impact we've seen from the other "superstar" coaches.

 

[regwec]

What do you mean when you say standard? The quality of play?

Standard of play, how competitive the tournaments are, the degree to which the top seeds are pushed by the lesser players, the extent to which players push themselves to meet their potential, and the extent to which the game continues to develop.

I may be wrong, but I sense that the Wimbledon tournament is pretty easy money for a player like Serena, as opposed to a Djokovic or a Murray. A lot of lower-ranked women get absolutely terminated, and to my relatively untrained eye minimum standard in the tournament is not very high at all.

Wawrinka/Gasquet - Two of the best backhands in the game. The backhand exchanges should provide entertainment, but Reeshard is woefully outmatched on the forehand wing.

That's my pick: I like Gasquet's antique style a great deal.

What do you make of that partnership? I'm told by commentators Boris has helped improve Novak's game but I'm not sure where. There hasn't been the obvious impact we've seen from the other "superstar" coaches.

I had heard that Boris biggest impact was on the mental side, helping Novak to tough out the big points. I suppose fighting back from two sets down is some indication that the medicine is working.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

This isn't the first time Novak has done this, right? Also, considering how the French went, I am not sure how well it has gone. How long has Becker been his coach?

 

[regwec]

No, it isn't the first time.

 

[kit1982]

I had heard that Boris biggest impact was on the mental side, helping Novak to tough out the big points. I suppose fighting back from two sets down is some indication that the medicine is working.

Yeh I hear that too but I don't see the change, he hasn't got the same mentality he did in 2011 when he really was nigh on unstoppable. He's in his second full year with Boris and he's so far won 2 out of 6 Slams.... it ain't shabby but considering his 3 main opponents have all suffered with injury or loss of form in that time he hasn't dominated the slams like a man with his ability could (I'm probably doing a great disservice to Cillic, Nishikori and of course Stan).

 

[regwec]

I think old Bumface Federer is my pick this year. He seems to be playing with consummate ease and assurance.

 

[Sakuraba]

I think old Bumface Federer is my pick this year. He seems to be playing with consummate ease and assurance.

He's played well before in early rounds and run into a buzz saw. This isn't the same Murray that he's been chewing up the last few times. Should be a good one

Also, wanted to note that Federer too is losing his hair.

 

[regwec]

He does seem to use a lot of product, which can speed up the process.

Wawrinka double faults to make it 2/2 against Gasquet!

 

[Sakuraba]

Gasquet served for the match and Wawrinka breaks back, back on serve 4-5 in the fifth

 

[regwec]

Gasquet looks pretty ragged now.

 

[regwec]

Eh, what do I know?

 

[Sakuraba]

What do you make of that partnership? I'm told by commentators Boris has helped improve Novak's game but I'm not sure where. There hasn't been the obvious impact we've seen from the other "superstar" coaches.

I can't see that Becker has affected him much at all, unless he's done some sort of sorcery to make Nadal play like ass. Because that's a significant reason why Djokovic has been a bit more dominant this year.

 

[Sakuraba]

It always amazes me how ballsy Gasquet can play when wants, when most of the time he just disappears. In most respects, he was the John the Baptist of the newest generation of players who can't play with any consistency, seemingly from tournament to tournament.

I know that Djokovic will flatten him like a steamroller to a shirts wrinkle, but maybe Gasquet can make it competitive. This is certainly the place for him to ply his trade against Djokovic, if he will ever do so. Gasquet may have learned something today from using his slice instead of trying to rip everything up the line. I mean, Nadal practically bullied Djokovic in the USO finals by hitting short slices that Djokovic couldn't work with it. Of course, Nadal could also flip the script and unleash his hellacious forehand to finish points. It's going to be a nigh impossible task for Reeshard.

Federer vs Murray, an underrated rivalry. I would even argue that these guys bring out the better parts of their respective games. I'm going to spend another day thinking about these two before I make any predictions

 

[raisethe3]

Damn it, I am upset that Gasquet won. I mean, kudos to him, he fought well in the match. But I just had the feeling Wawrinka didn't play up to his potential. Spraying shots where he normally makes. Coming to the net when unnecessary. Now Djokovic is looking at Gasquet like a meal ticket. SMH.

Federer vs Murray- I'll be safe and say Federer. But unless Murray comes out of nowhere and start playing his potential, then Federer could be gone in three or four sets. No need for 5.

The Serena vs Sharapova match will decide for the Wimbledon championship. Many pundits have said that Sharapova is due for a victory over Serena and it could very well possibly be this one. But my head says that only if Sharapova limits her mistake and start hitting her mark early and consistently. She needs to throw Serena off her game. Her biggest weakness is her serve.

 

[Iceman]

I think Murray has a chance at least and I'll root for the winner of that match to take the championship. And I always fancy Serena over Sharapova.

 

[regwec]

Serena over anyone, unless she has food poisoning or a broken leg. Even then...

I think Bumface will beat Murray: the latter still hasn't fixed his mental game, and throws too many crucial points away by getting frustrated. Federer seems to be completely Zen these days.

Djokovic will terminate Gasquet; it must be a relief for him not to have to face Wawrinka again.

 

[Iceman]

Is this a semi final happening at the moment?

 

[regwec]

Currently the tanned, Amazonian Muguruza against the surly Radwanska.

Guess my allegiance.

 

[Iceman]

Haha.

Just checking this is a semi though right?

 

[regwec]

Yes, won by Muguruza. She's very charming.

 

[Iceman]

Cool. I don't know much about her. Has she got any chance against Serena? Is she better than Sharapova at least?

 

[Iceman]

Serena already broke Sharapova and now at break point for a 2nd break within the first set. Could go 3-0 up.