*Official* Tennis Thread

[Anil]

He didn't dispatch him at all. I would hardly call 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 a dispatching. The Scud had his chances, and I think had he been playing regularly and not injured he would have won the match. I think all credit should go to him for such a good performance considering how little matches he has won in the past 12-18 months.

why not mate? it is a straight-sets win...maybe he fought well but the 3-0 scoreline clearly indicates that he was outplayed especially on the big points...probably because of lack of match practice but the fact remains that he was beaten comprehensively....

 

[Mister Wright]

why not mate? it is a straight-sets win...maybe he fought well but the 3-0 scoreline clearly indicates that he was outplayed especially on the big points...probably because of lack of match practice but the fact remains that he was beaten comprehensively....

No he wasn't beaten comprehensively. 3 sets means nothing. Yes, Safin played better on the big points. I would agree with you if Safin won 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 - that would be a comprehensive victory, but two tie breakers and one service break is far from comprehensive, considering Safin did not have a break point in the first two sets. I can assure you if Phillipousis was at full fitness (he picked up an injury in the first set) and was in form, Safin would not have won that match, there are encouraging signs for Phillipousis. A 3 set victory does not equal a comprehensive, nor comfortable victory.

 

[nikhil1772]

A good match from greg could have gone either way he was a little unlucky. All i can say is i want this henmaina over before it starts every year wimbeldon almost gets ruined by the pukemaking henmaina. I know i should be rooting for him but "henmaina" is just brittish patriotism at its very worst while tim while a good player is just such an uninspiring figure i just cant get behind him especialy when that ghastly crows is oooing and arring. PLEASE TIM JUST GO OUT SO i can watch the greatest players in the world without wanting to be sick

Thats the probably the worst thing you can ever say...You never ever should rate anybody's patriotism,plus whats wrong in supporting and loving your countryman and just making him feel he is loved no matter what...

Brits may have come to realise that Henman may never win Wimbledon but still they go all out for 'Henmania' and Henman should be proud because no other Tennis player in the world gets such support...I am not a Brit but still I want to be part of Henmania and I'd like to believe Henman can win however unlikely it might be...

I hate people who just change their likes & dislikes because they are winning or losing...just remember why you liked the guy the first time you saw him...I liked Henman because of his game and the way he went about it,he has beaten many great players too and I'll be sad when he retires...

So support Henmania til it is alive and going

 

[Anil]

No he wasn't beaten comprehensively. 3 sets means nothing. Yes, Safin played better on the big points. I would agree with you if Safin won 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 - that would be a comprehensive victory, but two tie breakers and one service break is far from comprehensive, considering Safin did not have a break point in the first two sets. I can assure you if Phillipousis was at full fitness (he picked up an injury in the first set) and was in form, Safin would not have won that match, there are encouraging signs for Phillipousis. A 3 set victory does not equal a comprehensive, nor comfortable victory.

ok ok agreed....the scud narrowly lost this match after actually playing better than safin overall.....

 

[Simon]

first 2 sets could have gone either way, i was impressed with Scud, he would have beaten most players on that performance...

 

[Mister Wright]

ok ok agreed....the scud narrowly lost this match after actually playing better than safin overall.....

He didn't play better than Safin - in patches yes, but overall no. Safin was the better player, and played the important points better than the Scud. Safin was anything but Comprehensive though, and if he wins the tournament will have to play better than that to beat the likes of Hewitt or Federer. But, by his own admission he won't win the tournament, but it wasn't the worse grass court display I have seen, he has a favourable draw and with some rythum (sp) could easily make the semis.

Had Phillipousis played anyone outside the top 7 or 8 he would have likely won IMO on that performance.

 

[Simon]

Safin played cool tennis. He knew he was in a tough match against a guy he should beat. He played good grass court tennis and showed his opponent the respect he deserved. The old Marat Safin would have gone out and blasted and blasted until he fell apart and blamed the fact he cant play on grass...

 

[Mister Wright]

Safin played cool tennis. He knew he was in a tough match against a guy he should beat. He played good grass court tennis and showed his opponent the respect he deserved. The old Marat Safin would have gone out and blasted and blasted until he fell apart and blamed the fact he cant play on grass...

Yeah, I think his new coach (Federer's old one) has a lot to do with that. His US Open title in 2002 was just a case of a guy in red hot form. Whereas, his assault on the Australian Open title this year was calculated tennis. It will be a good competition between Federer, Safin, Roddick & Hewitt over the next couple of years. It is just a shame that 3 of them are in the same half of the draw for Wimbledon this year.

 

[Jono]

I'm glad so many people tipped the Pou. Helped me in the prediction league

Safin getting rid of the pretenders. To claim Phillipousis played better is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Mister Wright]

I'm glad so many people tipped the Pou. Helped me in the prediction league

Safin getting rid of the pretenders. To claim Phillipousis played better is absolutely ridiculous.

Who has said he played better?

 

[Jono]

He didn't dispatch him at all. I would hardly call 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 a dispatching. The Scud had his chances, and I think had he been playing regularly and not injured he would have won the match. I think all credit should go to him for such a good performance considering how little matches he has won in the past 12-18 months.

How many times do we hear that from 'The Scud'. Didn't have enough match practice? Bull. He played well, but was beaten by a much superior opponent. 3 sets is 3 sets.

 

[Jono]

Who has said he played better?

Gee I wonder. That's what you're inferring. You're saying Philippoussis played extremely well given his 'limitations' and WOULD HAVE beaten Safin, a claim which has no basis other than a one eyed view.

Was he unlucky to get Safin second round? Yes. Did he play decently? Yes. Was he ever going to win? Not a chance.

 

[Mister Wright]

How many times do we hear that from 'The Scud'. Didn't have enough match practice? Bull. He played well, but was beaten by a much superior opponent. 3 sets is 3 sets.

You can't seriously tell me that had The Poo being playing consistent tennis since January without any injuries that he wouldn't have won that match. Yes, Safin played well, but I wouldn't have said he played well enough to beat a grass court specialist in form.

 

[Jono]

You can't seriously tell me that had The Poo being playing consistent tennis since January without any injuries that he wouldn't have won that match.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Grass court specialist or not, Philippoussis is one of the most overrated players in the past decade. Just like Philippoussis didn't play his best due to lack of match practice, Safin is yet to hit his strides. He played a very good game Safin, and he's got a long way to go.

If you start claiming Philippoussis would have won had he done this and that, you can say the exact same with Safin.

 

[Mister Wright]

Gee I wonder. That's what you're inferring. You're saying Philippoussis played extremely well given his 'limitations' and WOULD HAVE beaten Safin, a claim which has no basis other than a one eyes view.

Was he unlucky to get Safin first round? Yes. Did he play decently? Yes. Was he ever going to win? Not a chance.

I have never said that Phillipousis played better, I said he wasn't comprehensively beaten. If you read one of my previous posts you would see I said - "He didn't play better than Safin - in patches yes, but overall no"

And he played Safin 2nd round, not 1st...

I disagree that he was never going to win, had he won the first set 6-4, he would have gained a lot of confidence. I'm not saying that he would of won, because he lacked the match fitness, but he is always a chance at Wimbledon.

 

[Mister Wright]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Grass court specialist or not, Philippoussis is one of the most overrated players in the past decade. Just like Philippoussis didn't play his best due to lack of match practice, Safin is yet to hit his strides. He played a very good game Safin, and he's got a long way to go.

If you start claiming Philippoussis would have won had he done this and that, you can say the exact same with Safin.

It is my opinion that had Phillipousis being playing since January he would have won that match. Although with two top class players anyone can win.

 

[Jono]

I have never said that Phillipousis played better, I said he wasn't comprehensively beaten. If you read one of my previous posts you would see I said - "He didn't play better than Safin - in patches yes, but overall no"

And he played Safin 2nd round, not 1st...

I disagree that he was never going to win, had he won the first set 6-4, he would have gained a lot of confidence. I'm not saying that he would of won, because he lacked the match fitness, but he is always a chance at Wimbledon.

Whoops second round, my bad.

Anyway I guess a difference of opinion, but I was very confident in a Safin win.

 

[Pratters]

you seem to be underestimating ancic here, hes a very decent player, he has a reasonable chance of beating federer.

No I am not underestmating Ancic. I really think he is a good player which is why I said I am supporting him to do well this year.

Sort of the underdog to win the title and yes very much has a reasonable chance o beatin Federer.

 

[_Ed_]

Annoyed at the TV coverage we're getting in NZ, I really wanted to watch Henman's match but they've shown Sharapova and now Venus Williams.

 

[Jono]

Come on Wayne Arthurs, in my Fantasy Tennis team