2013 Slam Challenge - Roland Garros

[Mastoor]

I revisited this thread just to see who are the smartest people in this forum and I must say i was surprised to see that many people had Tsonga listed as dark horse. They were (in no particular order): Denisovich, Murat, crystalfire, tenedab and Moxie.

However, there was only one (I repeat, only ONE!!!!) person who had Tsonga among semifinalists outright!

 

[Denis]

I revisited this thread just to see who are the smartest people in this forum and I must say i was surprised to see that many people had Tsonga listed as dark horse. They were (in no particular order): Denisovich, Murat, crystalfire, tenedab and Moxie.

However, there was only one (I repeat, only ONE!!!!) person who had Tsonga among semifinalists outright!

I know you root for Jo Mastoor, congrats I got him in the final in the tennis channel challenge too, against Djokovic of course (we share the same preferred final).

Do you have any news on how Novak is coping with the loss of his former coach Gencic? Has he said anything about it? I hope it doesn't affect him too much.

 

[Denis]

EDIT: got an interview on it, great answers by Novak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeRrZOVEzwE

 

[Mastoor]

I revisited this thread just to see who are the smartest people in this forum and I must say i was surprised to see that many people had Tsonga listed as dark horse. They were (in no particular order): Denisovich, Murat, crystalfire, tenedab and Moxie.

However, there was only one (I repeat, only ONE!!!!) person who had Tsonga among semifinalists outright!

I know you root for Jo Mastoor, congrats I got him in the final in the tennis channel challenge too, against Djokovic of course (we share the same preferred final).

Do you have any news on how Novak is coping with the loss of his former coach Gencic? Has he said anything about it? I hope it doesn't affect him too much.

it suits No1e better to have Ferrer in the final, so i'll cheer for him now. If Ferrer wins the semi, French crowd will be against him in the final, if tsonga wins the semi, the crowd will be for him. In case No1e doesn't make the final, i don't care who wins the other semi, I like both Daveed and Jo and would cheer for either against Rafa.

No1e didn't look focused to me against Kohlshreiber so i don't think he took the news too well even though it looks like that judging bu interviews he had after the match. Did you see one with Mats Wilander?

 

[Denis]

it suits No1e better to have Ferrer in the final, so i'll cheer for him now. If Ferrer wins the semi, French crowd will be against him in the final, if tsonga wins the semi, the crowd will be for him. In case No1e doesn't make the final, i don't care who wins the other semi, I like both Daveed and Jo and would cheer for either against Rafa.

No1e didn't look focused to me against Kohlshreiber so i don't think he took the news too well even though it looks like that judging bu interviews he had after the match. Did you see one with Mats Wilander?

Didn't see the Wilander interview yet. Yes, Ferrer would be much better for the crowd support in the final as well as a better chance to win it too. But it is impossible to ever root for Ferrer for me (with the exception of him playing Granollers).

 

[El Dude]

So we've got some final scores for a few people but I'll wait until Sunday to post an update.

I'd like to make a slight rules adjustment - everyone feel free to weigh in. Previously everyone got a default 10 points if they missed their picks. I figure that was safely below, but not too far below, the lowest number from last round (13) and I didn't want people to be completely out simply because they forgot to make picks. That said, the scoring is much lower this time around - I think because Federer's relatively early exit and Murray not competing. A few people scored only 9 points this round, so it would seem unfair to give 10 points to people who didn't even make picks.

So the new rule - barring a paramount objection (and then we can talk!) - is that the default points for missing a tournament is one point below the lowest voting contestant. This would mean that the points from last time would be 12, as the lowest was 13, and the points from this time will be 8, as the lowest is 9.

A side result of this is that if you haven't participated in either the Australian Open or the French Open, you can jump into the fun at Wimbledon and start with a default of 20 points. That will be below half the totals of the leaders, but with a bit of luck and savvy you might be able to catch up by the end of the year!

How does that sound?

 

[Moxie]

That seems fair. I don't think you should get more points for not participating than those who did, but I think it's ok to give people a chance who get in late, otherwise...why would they?

 

[Riotbeard]

Seems reasonable.

 

[kskate2]

Your 2013 French Open Champs :clap

 

[El Dude]

OK, here's the update through Roland-Garros. Feel free to double-check your numbers - in fact, I encourage you to do so as I can make mistakes

The total through both Slams is in bold; in parentheses are the results from the AO and FO). Remember that you get 12 points for picking the winner correctly, 7 for the finalist, and 3 each for the semifinalists, although you do get points for players that didn't go as far as you thought they would. If, for instance, you picked Djokovic to win it all you still get 3 points.

Also, remember that the default for the AO is 12 and for the FO is 8 - which is one point lower than the lowest result in each.

46 - secrettennisjunkie (25, 21)
45 - Moxie629 (20, 25)
43 - crystalfire (25, 18)
43 - Fedfan (25, 18)
42 - kskate2 (20, 22)
38 - El Dude (20, 18)
34 - britbox (21, 13)
34 - Mastoor (18, 16)
33 - Yolita (25, 8*)
31 - riotbeard (22, 9)
30 - Denisovich (18, 12)
30 - Didi (17, 13)
30 - the AntiPusher (12*, 18)
30 - Omair (12*, 18)
29 - DarthFed (21, 8*)
28 - Srini (20, 8*)
28 - Broken_Shoelace (20, 8*)
27 - johnsteinbeck (19, 8*)
25 - Kieran (17, 8*)
24 - Mog (12*, 12)
24 - tenedab (12*, 12)
24 - 1972Murat (12*, 12)
23 - shawnbm (12*, 11)
21 - homertino (13, 8*)
21 - herios (12*, 9)
20 - Ftan (16, 9; - 5 penalty for 2 days late)

Congratulations to secrettennisjunkie for pulling into the lead. And well done, Moxie, for being the only person to get a perfect 25. You picked Nadal to win it, Djokovic in the Final (which wasn't possible), Federer and Tsonga in the SF, and Ferrer as your Darkhorse.

Until next time...[/i]

 

[Didi]

Thanks for your efforts, EL Dude. I was shocked (on a positive note) that I still got 13 points since my prediction of a Djoker-Berdych final went down the toilet faster than a mobster with cement shoes in the atlantic. Ferrer and Haas saved my butt. The dark horse and wild card picks always turn out to be valuable and kind of like the last life line. Very useful idea. On to Wimbledon! That should be fun with Nadal seeded #5 and question marks over pretty much everybody. I guess this is going to be the toughest Slam Challenge all year. No straight forward picks this time.

 

[Moxie]

Thanks for your efforts, EL Dude. I was shocked (on a positive note) that I still got 13 points since my prediction of a Djoker-Berdych final went down the toilet faster than a mobster with cement shoes in the atlantic. Ferrer and Haas saved my butt. The dark horse and wild card picks always turn out to be valuable and kind of like the last life line. Very useful idea. On to Wimbledon! That should be fun with Nadal seeded #5 and question marks over pretty much everybody. I guess this is going to be the toughest Slam Challenge all year. No straight forward picks this time.

Agreed...and we thought RG was volatile! I actually had meant to go back when the draw came out, but I guess I didn't. Don't know how I still got a "perfect" 25, but I'll take it. It will be interesting to see everyone's picks for Wimbledon. Thanks for doing this, El Dude! Very fun.

 

[El Dude]

Moxie, there are numerous ways to get 25. You got there because you picked Nadal to win (12), Ferrer as your dark horse (7), and Djokovic in the Final (you got 3 for him making the SF) and Tsonga the SF (3).

The dark horse and wildcard are key to making up points for wrong picks. No wildcard has yet gathered any points, but you never know. I kind of wish I had included quarterfinals to make it even more interesting and complex - maybe next year.

 

[Moxie]

Is 25 max points for one Slam? Interesting idea about adding QFs next year. I do think people's Wimbledon picks will be interesting, and a "window into the soul." LOL.

 

[Didi]

I kind of wish I had included quarterfinals to make it even more interesting and complex - maybe next year.

Quarterfinal picks would be a great addition in my opinion. Of course it depends on whether or not you have time to adjust the rules and points in time for Wimbledon but I for one would like to see it implemented straight away. With Nadal #5, question marks over Murray's and Roger's form, Nole's response on his weakest surface, dark horses such as Ferrer, Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro, Haas and Wawrinka plus upset potential in the likes of Isner, Anderson, Raonic, Jerzy, Paire, Dimitrov, Gulbis etc. It's going to be one hell of a Wimbledon tournament. More picks would be just a fitting idea as we are approaching the most unpredictable slam of the year. That said it obviously depends on you. If you start with the addition of QF picks in 2014, I'm perfectly fine with it. You do a fantastic job.