The Offical Tennis thread (2 Viewers)

[Sweets]

Rafy wins Barcelona defeating Ferrero in the final. As much as I was upset about Ferrero losing, I just can't be pissed with Nadal. He is so humble and he fights so much.

It was so funny after the match the Trophy for Barcelona is huge and Ferrero (having won it in 2001) was helping Nadal lift it up. It was such a funny pic, you could almost see a wry smile on Juan's face at the irony of the situation. Deffinetly one of the funniest presentation ceremonys. Although not as funny as when Marat's trophy fell apart.

I'm just glad Juan Carlos is back in finals where he should be.


And Elena what a freaking fighter. She loves Russia. She was down 3 match points and somehow she won 4-6 7-6 6-0, keeping Russia in their Fed Cup tie against Italy.

 

[angelduck]

Marats trophy fell apart?

 

[Benny_]

How does everyone think Federer will fare against Nadal on clay?

 

[Sweets]

I think Nadal if he plays like he has been playing all season he would beat him in a 3 set match. At Roland Garros however where the matches are 5 sets and something which Rafa has never experienced before I would give the edge to Federer, as he is deffinetly one of those players who knows how to rise to a big ocassion.

I mean the guy has only lost twice this yr and having seen both the matches it takes a incredible level to beat him and even then the players are just beating him, as in both matches Fed has held match point(s). However I don't think his losing those matches is a 'choke', it just shows the high intensity these players are playing with.

Nadal plays with immense intensity though and he is so fired up and always pushing himself and his form on clay has been brilliant so I suppose thats why i'm going with him to a certain extent.

 

[sarevok]

I think it depends on how easy Nadal's previous matches are. If you look at some of the five set matches he's played this year, against Hewitt and Federer he just ran out of steam in the final set. If he has to play four or five grueling matches against specialist clay-courters before meeting Federer, I would definitely give Federer the edge. If he wins them easily then I think he has a good chance (though I'd still tip Federer to win).

 

[Benny_]

Federer is very experienced at losing 5 setters if I recall correctly. I think based on current form, I'd give the edge to Nadal on clay.. Federer still doesn't seem to have fully mastered the surface like he has with every other surface. 1 masters trophy (Rome last year if I recall correctly) Nadal on the other hand obviously revels playing on clay. Rome masters soon, then French I think !

 

[sarevok]

Federer has had to withdraw from the Rome Masters due to a 'plantar fascitis' in both feet. Hopefully he'll be OK for the FO.

 

[Benny_]

Plantar fascitis.. that sounds nasty

 

[Sweets]

Federer is very experienced at losing 5 setters if I recall correctly. I think based on current form, I'd give the edge to Nadal on clay.. Federer still doesn't seem to have fully mastered the surface like he has with every other surface. 1 masters trophy (Rome last year if I recall correctly) Nadal on the other hand obviously revels playing on clay. Rome masters soon, then French I think !

I think the reason it seems he loses 5 setters alot is because he rarely plays them. Mentally though Federer is very strong now. He is 18-0 in finals.


OMG i hate TMS Rome. They denied Ferrero a Wild Card. He is a past champion at Rome and a freaking Former Roland Garros Champion and World no.1 and his ranking is high enough now, it's just that it wasn't when the enteries went in.

I hope their tournament fails! Gaaaah

 

[jm1234567890]

I think the reason it seems he loses 5 setters alot is because he rarely plays them. Mentally though Federer is very strong now. He is 18-0 in finals.


OMG i hate TMS Rome. They denied Ferrero a Wild Card. He is a past champion at Rome and a freaking Former Roland Garros Champion and World no.1 and his ranking is high enough now, it's just that it wasn't when the enteries went in.

I hope their tournament fails! Gaaaah

he can still be a qualifer can't he?

 

[Benny_]

The draw for Rome is out, Ferrero isn't playing. Top 4 seeds are Roddick, Safin, Moya and Agassi. I'm predicting a Nadal vs Nalbandian final.

 

[mizz_smee]

i love this thread coz people actually no Nadal *drools*
GO NADAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[angelduck]

why wouldnt Roddick get into the final?

 

[jm1234567890]

why wouldnt Roddick get into the final?

clay is a funny surface, not easy to play on. It doesn't suit his game as much as others.

 

[Benny_]

Choose any of reasons A-C

A. He's not that good.
B. His biggest weapon, the serve, is nullified by clay.
C. There are plenty of good clay courters who'll make mincemeat of him.

 

[sarevok]

'Cause he sucks on clay. He does well at Houston because none of the specialist claycourters play there but put him against any Spaniard or Argentine on European clay and they will beat him 90% of the time.

 

[angelduck]

Damn, maybe he'll do well in wimbledon

 

[Sweets]

Roddick is just not commited to clay in my opinion. He plays in the US and wins against mediocre competition there when if he was really serious about a roland garros win he would go to Europe much earlier and be playing against the real European claycourters.

Americans are pretty pathetic when it comes to clay actually. Basically no American except Vince Spadea played Monte Carlo. Pathetic really esp when Monte Carlo comes as close to replicating the conditions in Paris then any other TMS or tournie.

 

[Benny_]

Nah, I think Roddick just wanted to get a run before competing in a clay court masters. He wouldn't have got enough match practice at Monte Carlo because someone like Chela would've owned him in the 2nd round.

 

[Sweets]

He does it every year though and he has won that tournament in Houston many times now but always loses in the opening rounds of Roland Garros. Obviously its not working. I love Duckboy I just wish he wouldnt be so duckheaded.

What do you guys think of Lletyon Hewitt's comment that Wimby is only between him and Roger. Ahem Ivo Karlovic