*Official* Tennis Thread

[Jono]

DAVYDENKO!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has been one of the best clay court matches I have season in years. 6 or 7 breaks of serve each, and Nadal vs. Davydenko is tied at 1 set a piece. 7-6, 7-6. That second tie-break was awesome. Davydenko had a set point in the first set and was unable to take it out, and Nadal served for the match in the second set 5-3 up and lost the game to love. Then Davydenko served for the set and lost the game to love. Amazing tennis.

My respect for Davydenko has grown so much watching this match. He's just come out and thrown everything he has at Nadal, and has a serious chance of finally ending Nadal's streak on clay, which would be amazing.

Best thing about this match has been the crowd, who are fully behind Davydenko. Known as one of the most robotic and boring men in the sport, for the crowd to be chanting "DAVYDENKO" is absolutely hilarious, I don't think he knows how to handle it lol.

Third set should be a cracker.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Third set should be a cracker.

Davydenko to fall to pieces.

 

[Jono]

Davydenko to fall to pieces.

Lol, you posted that after Nadal broke him in the 1st game of the 3rd didn't you?

None the less, Davydenko breaks him straight back. Neither guy can hold serve!

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Lol, you posted that after Nadal broke him in the 1st game of the 3rd didn't you?

Yeah, I did. Not too clairvoyant, me.

2-1 Davydenko!

(tbf, can't see the game. Stuck on an island without cable, and in any case I've never seen the channel covering it available by our cable provider. )

30 mins later and it's two match points Nadal. Of course.

 

[Jono]

Nadal ends up taking the 3rd 6-4.

Amazing that Davydenko probably played as good as he possibly could have, and Nadal was totally off his game, yet he still managed to find a way to win.

 

[Anil]

will nadal's streak continue at rolland garros? did federer tank against volandri to avoid another potentially morale-sapping loss against nadal so close to the french(no conspiracy theory, just a simple question given the startling ease of his loss against a relative unknown...)? why did he break up with roche immediately after that loss? does he have a chance at the french?

 

[Simon]

pretty simple answers really, Federer is the number 2 clay court player by some distance both ways. Injury, illness or generally getting bored are the only things that will stop Rafa from winning the french again. I think Federer's focus has been the french for some time and he's stopped thinking about the tournaments he's actually playing. I'd be shocked with anything other than a Nadal v Federer final...

 

[Anil]

pretty simple answers really, Federer is the number 2 clay court player by some distance both ways. Injury, illness or generally getting bored are the only things that will stop Rafa from winning the french again. I think Federer's focus has been the french for some time and he's stopped thinking about the tournaments he's actually playing. I'd be shocked with anything other than a Nadal v Federer final...

i agree...a lot of people are talking about federer's mid-season slump and probably not giving him much of a chance, but i think he will at the very least reach the final...as for nadal, i don't think he is going to get bored at the grand slam he has the best chance to win...if federer can solve the nadal clay puzzle here, all previous losses will be rendered insignificant by the weight of a career slam...

 

[Jono]

Federer has gone out to 3.75 for the French. May as well get on an each way bet at least for him, because that's generous. Volandri played excellent tennis in Rome against him, and I don't think its too much of an insight into Federer's clay court form.

 

[Pratters]

Yeah good thinking betting at those odds on Federer. I back Federer to win at Roland Garros this time. About time.

 

[Pratters]

does he have a chance at the french?

Very much. Federer is an excellent clay court player. He has grown up in the clay courts of Europe and knows a thing or two about playing on the surface. The champion that he is, I will say that he definitely has a chance at the French. Will be interesting to see what he can come up with.

 

[Jono]

The only thing that worries me about Federer is he's palpably, at least what he showed in Monte Carlo, not learnt a thing from their last meeting at the French.

Unforced errors is what kills Federer, particularly on his backhand when he goes for too much, due to Nadal's massive topspin. Yet in Monte Carlo Federer still tried to end points too early and wasn't willing to either a) take the attack to Nadal like Davydenko did, i.e. work on Nadal's angle via his forehand, or b) just be patient.

Now maybe Federer doesn't want to show his whole arsenal until the French, I wouldn't put it past him to be honest, because he's won enough Masters tournaments in his time, and probably wanted to see if he could beat Nadal on clay playing his natural game. Its obvious he can't IMO, so hopefully he makes some changes come the French (unless they face off in Hamburg).

 

[Jono]

Yeah good thinking betting at those odds on Federer. I back Federer to win at Roland Garros this time. About time.

TAB.com.au has Federer at 4.25. Usuall I bet with bet365.com, but I'm heading to the TAB tonight on my way to indoor soccer and laying $20 on Feds, each-way. There ain't no way I'm missing out on a chance like that.

 

[Jono]

Swear to God, if Federer loses to Monaco I'll break something. Surely not!

4-4 in the third atm.

Good. Ended up winning 6-4.

 

[Simon]

Hewitt played well to beat Chela earlier, i think he is on the way back and a decent run in the french isnt out of the question with a nice draw...

 

[Jono]

Yeah Hewitt is consistently paying over $2.50-$3 in his matches on clay which are worth a little punt. Dunno if it'll continue after he beat Chela cos Chela had been in good form. He's looking alright atm.

 

[Pratters]

The only thing that worries me about Federer is he's palpably, at least what he showed in Monte Carlo, not learnt a thing from their last meeting at the French.

Unforced errors is what kills Federer, particularly on his backhand when he goes for too much, due to Nadal's massive topspin. Yet in Monte Carlo Federer still tried to end points too early and wasn't willing to either a) take the attack to Nadal like Davydenko did, i.e. work on Nadal's angle via his forehand, or b) just be patient.

Now maybe Federer doesn't want to show his whole arsenal until the French, I wouldn't put it past him to be honest, because he's won enough Masters tournaments in his time, and probably wanted to see if he could beat Nadal on clay playing his natural game. Its obvious he can't IMO, so hopefully he makes some changes come the French (unless they face off in Hamburg).

Interesting. Haven't watched any of the clay court season so far. Hopefully, things will fall into place and Federer will add a notch to his game during the French.

 

[Jono]

Well Federer just swatted Ferrero like he was a fly on the wall. Dominant victory.

Great to see.

Meanwhile Hewitt atm showing that the bastard wins when I bet against him and loses when I bet for him. I already hated him, I hate him even more now. What a dickhead.

 

[Pratters]

Ferrero is not know as the mosquito for nothing.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hewitt looked really good last night. Not quite back to the 'good-ol-Lleyton, but it was much improved since the last time I saw him play.