Tennis - Sinner accepts three month ban - won't miss Roland Garros (1 Viewer)

[Master of Past and Present]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_French_Open_–_Men's_Singles

French Open draw is out, can't imagine it could have gone much better for Federer.

Djokovic possible road from QF to win is Nadal, Murray, Federer.

I think it is a long shot for Roger to ever win another major although I would love to see him do it. If he does do it, it won't be at the French.

Not sure I would say long shot yet because he could have won the US Open last year without going through Djokovic, Murray, or Nadal. Only takes a good draw like this and he at most sees 1.

Agree on this tournament though, I don't think the long grind of 7 clay matches is best for his chances to win another. Bottom half is wide open for anyone to take advantage.

 

[TenTimes]

I don't follow tennis much anymore, but how is Ferrer looking? Been pulling for him at the french the past few years, hope he gets one for some reason

He's in Murray's quarter, looks like about 50:1 to win the tournament.

 

[Dentist]

I don't follow tennis much anymore, but how is Ferrer looking? Been pulling for him at the french the past few years, hope he gets one for some reason

He's in Murray's quarter, looks like about 50:1 to win the tournament.

Ferrer is having a down year, would not recommend.

 

[Dentist]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_French_Open_–_Men's_Singles

French Open draw is out, can't imagine it could have gone much better for Federer.

Djokovic possible road from QF to win is Nadal, Murray, Federer.

I think it is a long shot for Roger to ever win another major although I would love to see him do it. If he does do it, it won't be at the French.

i agree with this assessment. I think he could easily lose to Monfils in round 4. In fact I expect it.

After last season when he couldn't beat Nole on grass and then couldn't win the USO after the best draw he could possibly ask for, and could have won without facing a major player... well it occurred to me that it probably just isn't going to happen.

There was just no excuse to lose to Cilic in straights in teh uso semis last year... he would've blown NIshikori off the court in the final.

The fact that Roger is nearly 34 and is making semis and finals is still pretty amazing actually in a young man's sport.

Djokavic would carve him up in the final if he actually got there.

Wimbledon is really the only tournament he has a punchers chance at because of his vast experience on grass and that surface really lends itself to his new attacking game.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Yeah, Ferrer is starting to show his age, just doesn't seem like he can backboard as much. Losing even half a step for him is really bad since he just doesn't have that great offensive weapon to hurt people with.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Just watched off dvr Halep's match, that black dress

 

[TenTimes]

Serena in trouble, down a set and break to Azarenka.

Update- Serena not in trouble. Azarenka not happy with the umpire. On to the 3rd set.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Holy crap that was a terrible decision by the chair to call a replay of the point.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Laughable Serena says it affected her shot too.

 

[TenTimes]

Isn't it that ump's shtick to influence matches?

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Wednesday Quarter-Final set - Djokovic vs Nadal

Nadal actually looked a lot better than the tournaments leading up to RG until mid 3rd set vs Sock. Up a break twice in the set and broken 3 times to lose it 7-5. Ended it in 4 but wasn't serving great at end to lead into the big match up.

Djokovic has been pretty dominate.

QF are almost all chalk, just Tsonga replacing Berdych.

 

[TenTimes]

Did Federer win the crowd vs. Monfils? I know he had it in the first 2 sets, did not watch the conclusion.

Can't imagine Federer winning a crowd at the U.S. Open vs an American, same for Wimbledon/Brits, not sure on Australia.

 

[Dentist]

Did Federer win the crowd vs. Monfils? I know he had it in the first 2 sets, did not watch the conclusion.

Can't imagine Federer winning a crowd at the U.S. Open vs an American, same for Wimbledon/Brits, not sure on Australia.

Crowd wasn't really against Federer in 2012 at Wimbledon vs. Murray

Crowd also wasn't really against Federer in the 05 USO vs. Agassi or vs. Roddick in '06 Either

Not sure how Austrailia has treated him when he played Hewitt though

 

[Dentist]

I'm rooting for a 5 set 70-68 in the 5th set type of win for Djoker over Nadal.

Because I want Djokavic to have to retire/or lose the next match..

Then Pwnerer can hopefully beat some scrubs and pick up an easy RG

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Did Federer win the crowd vs. Monfils? I know he had it in the first 2 sets, did not watch the conclusion.

Can't imagine Federer winning a crowd at the U.S. Open vs an American, same for Wimbledon/Brits, not sure on Australia.

Murray trying to break the drought I think it was up to 55% pro Federer at Wimbledon. I was shocked Murray couldn't get the majority of support there.

I don't remember the last time I watched a Federer match and he didn't have the obvious crowd support no matter who he was playing and where. Just too many fans at this point to be over run, guy has a home field advantage world wide. Probably the last time was when he was starting to win majors and his bandwagon wasn't the hot place to be yet.

 

[Dentist]

See you later Federer... Stan up a set and a break.. Tsonga may be a semi-finalist here.. he is crushing Kei

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Great match by Stan

Ben Rothenberg

‏@BenRothenberg
Stan Wawrinka beats Federer, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach semis. Roger didn't break serve in a Slam match for first time since US Open 02.#RG15

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Not only an amazing stat because it is an amazing stat but once Nadal beat him at the French 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 and yet Federer kept this alive by getting a break in one of those 4 game wins.

 

[Dentist]

Not only an amazing stat because it is an amazing stat but once Nadal beat him at the French 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 and yet Federer kept this alive by getting a break in one of those 4 game wins.

this was the first match i thought of when i saw that stat. That means his serve was broken about 7 times in that match.

I remember turning that match off in the 2nd set, but I'd forgotten a) how much of a beatdown that was and b) how much Roger looked like he didn't even want to be competing in it. I feel like this level of beat down is what ultimately led to Nadal having enough confidence to beat Roger in the 08 Wimbledon

 

[Master of Past and Present]

What a match from Djokovic. Hard to believe he needs to win 2 more matches to hold the trophy.

Murray up two sets on Ferrer and looks like next opponent. Undefeated on clay this year or not, Djokovic would need an emotional let down to lose. Wawrinka possible final could be tricky the way Stan hangs tough with him.

Entering RG, Djokovic had 6385 points this year built up, Murray was second at 3760. Murray needs to win just to make the Player of the Year race interesting. If Djokovic gets to 8385 for the RG win and Murray is in second at 4480 (SF loss), Djokovic would need to miss a lot of time or just flat suck not to be POY and they've only played just over 5 months. Even if Murray wins and then wins it all, it's still Djokovic 7105 to 5760 so a nice lead.

Rooting for Djokovic to be the first since Courier in 1992 to win the Aussie and French in the same year. Still too early to think possible but keep the Grand Slam possibility alive.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Is Djokovic more of a threat to break Roger's record than Nadal at this point? I would think so even if he doesn't end up winning this tourney although I suspect Roger is safe from both.

 

[TenTimes]

Rooting for Djokovic to be the first since Courier in 1992 to win the Aussie and French in the same year. Still too early to think possible but keep the Grand Slam possibility alive.

Agreed and why not? Well deserved.

We just missed out on Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic's primes coinciding. How fun would that have been??

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Is Djokovic more of a threat to break Roger's record than Nadal at this point? I would think so even if he doesn't end up winning this tourney although I suspect Roger is safe from both.

Djokovic would have to age real well to have a shot. He's 9 down and only 8 majors before turns 30 which is the point where even the greats have trouble adding to the tally. Even if he won 6 of 8 that's a big ask to get 3 more or a 4th to pass after age 30.

Better shot I would say yes because despite Nadal being closer, Djokovic doesn't miss the time he does, Nadal misses half seasons here and there.

Agreed and why not? Well deserved.We just missed out on Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic's primes coinciding. How fun would that have been??

It's really a shame Djokovic didn't figure out the gluten thing sooner. He was the consistent #3 behind Federer and Nadal for 4 years when he probably should have been battling those guys for #1. Even if their primes didn't match up, just Djokovic finding out his diet issue 4 years sooner would have been sick.

 

[James Daulton]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it

must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

Nadal will end up fading in the GOAT discussion over time. 9 of his 14 were on the red clay so that brings him down below Sampras in my rankings. Granted, he won all 4 (something Pete didn't do) but the red clay is really tough for Americans and players from a lot of countries that just don't grow up ever playing that surface. I won't even get into the whole PED argument against Nadal because it isn't needed. I guess he can be in the Top 5 all-time discussion but That is his ceiling in my book.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I watched a good bit of the Williams/Azarenka tilt the other day.

It reminded me of how much more I enjoy watching the women's game these days, and also how much better I like the tourneys which are not hard court.

I also think Azarenka got some bad calls, I don't understand in this day and age how there is not automatic instant replay in tennis, it's the most natural sport for it.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

McEnroe Agrees With Azarenka About Bringing Replay to TennisPARIS — After a much-debated call in her French Open loss to Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka suggested that perhaps it's time for full-on instant replay to be used in tennis — beyond simply the Hawk-Eye line-calling technology used at other tournaments.

"Sometimes we need to have a review," Azarenka said, explaining that chair umpires could use "a little TV screen" that would also allow them to monitor audio and video.

Not surprisingly, John McEnroe would support that sort of thing.

"Why not have video replay? I mean, to me, we should have video replay even if someone calls a foot fault," McEnroe said Sunday at Roland Garros.

...

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/31/sports/tennis/ap-ten-french-open-instant-replay.html?_r=0

 

[Dentist]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

Rafa ends his 9 year streak of winning a major by losing today IMO.

It was a good run.

I still think he's a potential favorite for next season at the French Open.. I only write him off definitively when he's lost 2 years straight at this tournament.

 

[James Daulton]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

Rafa ends his 9 year streak of winning a major by losing today IMO.

It was a good run.

I still think he's a potential favorite for next season at the French Open.. I only write him off definitively when he's lost 2 years straight at this tournament.

All the Fed fans should be thanking the Joker for coming around when he did, or Nadal would likely have already passed Fed. I do agree that with so many of his GS's on clay, that brings Rafa down somewhat all time. I'd like to see the Joker win in England then go for the slam at the Open. Would be cool.

 

[Dentist]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it

must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

Nadal will end up fading in the GOAT discussion over time. 9 of his 14 were on the red clay so that brings him down below Sampras in my rankings. Granted, he won all 4 (something Pete didn't do) but the red clay is really tough for Americans and players from a lot of countries that just don't grow up ever playing that surface. I won't even get into the whole PED argument against Nadal because it isn't needed. I guess he can be in the Top 5 all-time discussion but That is his ceiling in my book.

Correct, very few weeks at #1 overall despite the volume of majors. Zero World Tour Finals Championships.

Does have the record of Masters 1000 tournaments, but Djokavic will surpass that as well as his weeks at #1... Not sure if Novak gets to 14 majors though, and i'm not sure he'd ever be considered above Nadal without that.

 

[Dentist]

If Rafa can't win at RG, he likely can't win another major the rest of the year, yes?

He's soo close to Fed (whom he dominated) it must eat at him not be be able to close the gap and put Fed away in the GOAT discussion.

Rafa ends his 9 year streak of winning a major by losing today IMO.

It was a good run.

I still think he's a potential favorite for next season at the French Open.. I only write him off definitively when he's lost 2 years straight at this tournament.

All the Fed fans should be thanking the Joker for coming around when he did, or Nadal would likely have already passed Fed. I do agree that with so many of his GS's on clay, that brings Rafa down somewhat all time. I'd like to see the Joker win in England then go for the slam at the Open. Would be cool.

No question Novak has done some serious work for Federer's legacy.. I'd say Novak has denied Nadal from 4 Grand Slam titles.

I would also say though that he's denied Federer from probably 3 titles (2008 AO, 2014 Wimbledon, 2011 USO)

 

[That one guy]

There's really no one to challenge Novak in a slam-to-slam basis. Roger and Rafa are both in their twilight, Andy is Andy, most other top 10 players are equally aged as Djoker and not much of a threat to suddenly find that next gear. Aside from lapses in focus, the field is more of a "tricky matchup" than the "anticipated clash" we'd look to when the Big 4 were at peak. Until one of the youngin's does find that next level, time and focus are his biggest opponents

Still a colossal task, I think, but not out of realm of possibilities.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

So how many more majors do people think Novak has if he always knew about his gluten issue? Guy was pretty damn good but obviously the energy he lacked cost him some wins and he was the butt of many retirement jokes.

2007-2010 he had 1 major win, 2 finals, 6 SF, and 4 QF appearances. I think it's not at all unlikely that Novak could have taken 2 each from Federer and Nadal during that time and if that would have happened we'd be sitting at Fed at 15, Nadal at 12, and Novak at 12 with Novak being the man to beat for the foreseeable future.

If you want to talk about things that may have saved Federer, gluten should be up there and maybe #1. Djokovic may very well be the best player of those three.

 

[That one guy]

I don't think I'd put that kind of weight on the gluten issue; certainly helped, no argument there, but would label prime years of Roger/Rafa a bigger force against his numbers. Still had other quality guys to go through in those years like Roddick, Del Potro, Hewitt, Safin (sort of), even Agassi. Talent pool was a bit deeper, IMO, 5-10 years ago.

I'm biased, though: Agassi is my favorite tennis person and Federer possesses the most beautiful and talented skill set. In the same vein of 'what if' with Novak's gluten issue, had Federer stuck with a bigger reliance on serve and volley/chip and charge, how many more titles would he have had? Saw him live once when I ball-boyed down in Miami (still had his ponytail), 'twas glorious

 

[Master of Past and Present]

5 years ago I think the depth is pretty close to the same, 10 years ago I 100% disagree, today is more depth by a good margin. Lot of clay specialists back then in the top 20 while today it seems you have to be a more balanced player.

Big Agassi fan as well but 10 years ago when he made the US Open final is an indication to me how that time lacked depth, not an indication for it. Agassi just missed Wimbledon, he would end up missing the next Aussie and French so he played 1 major in a 12 month span and made the final with back issues and would be out of the game after the next US Open. As much as I love Agassi, a 35 bad back Agassi isn't making the Finals of a major in 2015.

Selling the diet thing short imo, Djokovic was the butt of jokes and people were asking the question if his legacy would be retiring in big matches. The guy went from the guy you half expected to quit in a long match to the most dreaded guy to play a marathon match against. Pretty dramatic change.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Anyway, at least Tsonga played a better match than the stinker he put up against Ferrer the last time he made the RG SF. Glad Stan went through though, he's got the confidence to stand up to either Djokovic or Murray in the final. Think Tsonga would have been happy to be there, Stan will expect he can win it all. Would be a good final test for Novak if he gets passed Murray.

 

[Dentist]

Anyway, at least Tsonga played a better match than the stinker he put up against Ferrer the last time he made the RG SF. Glad Stan went through though, he's got the confidence to stand up to either Djokovic or Murray in the final. Think Tsonga would have been happy to be there, Stan will expect he can win it all. Would be a good final test for Novak if he gets passed Murray.

I'm very impressed with what Stan has done. I thought he was one of those "never win a major" guys. I'm still shocked and thankful he beat Rafa in the '14 AO.. I'll be rooting for him on Sunday

 

[James Daulton]

Anyway, at least Tsonga played a better match than the stinker he put up against Ferrer the last time he made the RG SF. Glad Stan went through though, he's got the confidence to stand up to either Djokovic or Murray in the final. Think Tsonga would have been happy to be there, Stan will expect he can win it all. Would be a good final test for Novak if he gets passed Murray.

Plus Stan's got that sick one handed backhand.

 

[ffldrew]

Murray looking like a lion going after wounded prey

And then blows an easy slam at the net

 

[ffldrew]

Stopping play at 3-3 in the 4th set - Murray fighting hard to get back in it - this will hurt that chance I think.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Agree, Djokovic is going to throw the kitchen sink at him trying to end this in 3 or 4 games.

RG really needs to start earlier on mens SF day. I know you want to have later starts for the later rounds but they likely don't finish this match tonight if Murray pushes it to 5 even without rain. If you have no roof, no lights, and your surface has a great chance to have long matches, seems brainless to press your luck.

 

[Dentist]

Agree, Djokovic is going to throw the kitchen sink at him trying to end this in 3 or 4 games.

RG really needs to start earlier on mens SF day. I know you want to have later starts for the later rounds but they likely don't finish this match tonight if Murray pushes it to 5 even without rain. If you have no roof, no lights, and your surface has a great chance to have long matches, seems brainless to press your luck.

Agree, why did they start so late. Stupid.

All these slams need a roof and lights.

It was great for Wimbledon.. the only problem there is that they really shouldn't use Centre Court the first week so that it doesn't look gross for all the highlight matches.

I think this sucks for whoever wins this match (likely Nole)

Gives a slight edge to Wawa now... having said that, Djoker's fitness is so incredible that I'm not sure it matters.

 

[ffldrew]

I thought Andy was in better shape physically at the end today - he really started taking the longer rallies in set 4. Something was bothering Djokovic.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Murray coming out strong, should be a heck of a 5th set

 

[TenTimes]

Other than that one drop shot in the 5th or 6th game, what didn't Djokovic do perfectly in that 5th set. Beatdown.

 

[CurlyNight]

Of the pair of big 4s, Djoko and Waw are only ones that have played 4 consecutive 5 set matches in a slam, so will be good one even though Djoko is favored in the H2H!

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Is Djokovic tired or is Wawrinka this good?

 

[TenTimes]

Wawrinka = Rocky Balboa right now

 

[Dentist]

Love the way stanimal didn't back down after the first set.

Fatigue of horrible planning by the French open people making Djoker play yesterday may really affect him.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Is Djokovic tired or is Wawrinka this good?

I think it's the pajama shorts he's wearing