The Doubles Thread

[mrzz]

We hardly discuss doubles and I think it could be fun. I won't lie and say that I watch too much doubles play, but I do sometimes, and I specially like doubles in Davis Cup. In DC I actually watch more doubles than singles. Also, my experience as club player tells me that doubles is basically another sport... it is just too damn different.

Currently Brazilian tennis has much more success in doubles, so that influences my local perspective. A while ago by chance I watched the IW 2011 doubles semis between Federer/Wawrinka and Nadal/Lopez. Strange match, but pretty fun for a change.

 

[tented]

We hardly discuss doubles and I think it could be fun. I won't lie and say that I watch too much doubles play, but I do sometimes, and I specially like doubles in Davis Cup. In DC I actually watch more doubles than singles. Also, my experience as club player tells me that doubles is basically another sport... it is just too damn different. Currently Brazilian tennis has much more success in doubles, so that influences my local perspective.

Great idea for a thread. I think doubles deserves more discussion, too, but the main problem is those matches simply don’t get as much coverage. In the US, Tennis Channel shows some doubles, unlike ESPN or the major networks, but I think they should show more.

A while ago by chance I watched the IW 2011 doubles semis between Federer/Wawrinka and Nadal/Lopez. Strange match, but pretty fun for a change.

How does this happen by chance?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Many singles player sign up for doubles in the IW tourney and also in the Canadian Masters tourney. This is because they both are the first of two back to back Masters happening in nearby locations. Players are anyway committed to being in that place. If they lose early in the singles, then they can use the doubles to get match practice before the next Masters. On the other hand, if they do well in singles, they gently withdraw from the doubles.

 

[Moxie]

Many singles player sign up for doubles in the IW tourney and also in the Canadian Masters tourney. This is because they both are the first of two back to back Masters happening in nearby locations. Players are anyway committed to being in that place. If they lose early in the singles, then they can use the doubles to get match practice before the next Masters. On the other hand, if they do well in singles, they gently withdraw from the doubles.

I've noticed this, too. I think it's fine, and we do tend to get to see some of the better singles players on a doubles team. I also think it's good for them...especially with the waning of S&V. The singles players get a good hit-around, and they get some net play. I also get why Mrzz likes the DC version...it also tends to add in singles players who don't play a lot of dubs.

 

[mrzz]

How does this happen by chance?

Random suggestion by youtube... but, ok, I clicked on it by choice.

As for singles players playing doubles, it adds a bit of confusion, for sure. A match by two seasoned doubles players is much more, hmmm, I won't say "predictable", but it follows a more clear pattern.

In DC we still have the crowd factor, in doubles I don't why I find it interesting, maybe is the shorter points. But I really like the combo.

Anyway there are some "classic" doubles players that I like watching. One is Brazilian Bruno Soares, other was Nenad Zimonjic, also Daniel Nestor, in fact. Marc Lopez is also very interesting to watch.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

In doubles, the play is much faster (for obvious reasons) and so the pro level doubles may be little difficult to follow for the casual fan. That may be another reason why doubles is not televised much.

But, you see lot more deft plays in doubles than in singles and lot more quick reflex shots.

 

[mrzz]

Interesting pairing of Djokovic and Fognini in IW doubles tournament. Will try to catch that. IW has a huge number of singles players playing doubles. They must use very peculiar rankings criteria to accomplish that. it seems only half the field is there by their doubles rankings.

 

[CandyGirl]

I've always enjoyed watching mixed doubles, especially with retired players, they mess about at times and have the spectators in hysterics!
I remember seeing one retired player being given the kiss of life by his partner, his feet flew up in the air with every kiss!

 

[tented]

The Bryans lost in a super tiebreak.

 

[mrzz]

Djokovic and Fognini still alive, on court facing a tough pairing.

 

[tented]

Djokovic and Fognini still alive, on court facing a tough pairing.

So I guess he’s not that sick.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic/Fognini won.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Djokovic/Fognini won.

Two losers in singles, when they join together, they become a winner.

 

[Moxie]

I'm vaguely watching March/Pavic v. Klaasen/Venus. These must be doubles specialists. Their racquet heads look huge to me. Do doubles players tend to use a larger racquet face?

 

[mrzz]

Never noticed that but it makes sense (and yes, both pairs you mentioned are doubles specialists)

 

[tented]

The semifinals are set:

Nikola Mektic / Horacio Zeballos v Oliver Marach [3] / Mate Pavic [3]

Lukasz Kubot [6] / Marcelo Melo [6] v Novak Djokovic / Fabio Fognini

 

[Moxie]

Is it just me, or does this match Kubot/Melo v. Djokovic/Fognini seem like a match for pride for the doubles specialists? K/M won the first set in a TB, but D/F up the break in the 2nd.

 

[mrzz]

Marvelous around the post shot by FF a while ago..

Enviado de meu MotoE2(4G-LTE) usando o Tapatalk

 

[mrzz]

Brazilian/Pole duo won. Watched most of the match on the gym's exercise bike. Guess they fooled Djokovic/Fognini by taking a bit the foot of the pedal in the end of the second and then coming full steam in the match tie-break.

 

[Moxie]

So the question is: does this prove that doubles specialists are still better than singles stars?