2016 Wimbledon Championships Day 6: Saturday, July 2 - Order of Play

[Kieran]

I think Novak choked, big time. He certainly was due a bad day, and I don't blame him even a little bit if he found things to be a bit overwhelming. It happens to all of them at some stage. Sometimes they're lucky and eke it out, other times they lose. It's a pity, because he was chasing more history and we don't often get to see this happen - a genuine contender at the Grand Slam - so he's to be admired, I reckon. Pity for his fans too, and the game of tennis.

Well done to Querry! He held together well after a torrid opening four games...

 

[Busted]

Whoa. Just saw the Nole\Querrey result. I just figured Nole would come back and win all 3 sets today. Now people will understand why it's so hard for anyone to win a calendar year Grand Slam and why Steffi Graf (and win the Olympic Gold Medal in the same year) was the last person to do it - male or female. Maybe Fed-haters will also now give Roger some slack for not having achieved it. At least the guy who stood in his way at the French Open is a fellow GOAT contender and not #41 in the world. In one fill swoop Querrey has ended Nole's Slam hopes, stopped his run of Slam finals in a row - and ended his streak quarters and semis in a row.

On the other hand...bad news for Nole = Great opportunity for Roger and Andy Murray. His game is starting to look a little better each match, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that he'll be able to put all the pieces together.

As for Murray - well, when is he ever going to have a better chance to win another Slam? His half of the draw was ridiculously easy to start with and now that Stan has once again taken a mental vacation and lost to DelPo (who I can't help but root for) - his path to finals is pretty clear, assuming Kyrgios's head is still firmly up his behind.

 

[Busted]

I think Novak choked, big time. He certainly was due a bad day, and I don't blame him even a little bit if he found things to be a bit overwhelming. It happens to all of them at some stage. Sometimes they're lucky and eke it out, other times they lose. It's a pity, because he was chasing more history and we don't often get to see this happen - a genuine contender at the Grand Slam - so he's to be admired, I reckon. Pity for his fans too, and the game of tennis.

Well done to Querry! He held together well after a torrid opening four games...

I haven't had a chance to watch the match yet, but Nole made a great escape last year against Kevin Anderson at the French when he was down 2 sets to 1 (IIRC) and play was suspended. Lightning doesn't usually strike twice in the same place. He also played a clunker at the Aussie Open against Simon this year where he had over 100 UEs, so he's had some bad days - just not in Slam finals. His early round loss at Monte Carlo is a great example of that. All I can say to Nole is - Welcome to Roger's World where everybody wants to make their name by beating you and stopping your run Slam run.

 

[Fiero425]

Whoa. Just saw the Nole/Querrey result. I just figured Nole would come back and win all 3 sets today. Now people will understand why it's so hard for anyone to win a calendar year Grand Slam and why Steffi Graf (and win the Olympic Gold Medal in the same year) was the last person to do it - male or female. Maybe Fed-haters will also now give Roger some slack for not having achieved it. At least the guy who stood in his way at the French Open is a fellow GOAT contender and not #41 in the world. In one fill swoop Querrey has ended Nole's Slam hopes, stopped his run of Slam finals in a row - and ended his streak quarters and semis in a row.

On the other hand...bad news for Nole = Great opportunity for Roger and Andy Murray. His game is starting to look a little better each match, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that he'll be able to put all the pieces together.

As for Murray - well, when is he ever going to have a better chance to win another Slam? His half of the draw was ridiculously easy to start with and now that Stan has once again taken a mental vacation and lost to Del Po (who I can't help but root for) - his path to finals is pretty clear, assuming Kyrgios's head is still firmly up his behind.

I'm ok with it! IMO Nole has been playing just well enough to win! He hasn't necessarily played awesome tennis since Qatar where he wiped out Nadal dropping only 3 games! He's being taken to 3 sets, lost 1 match to Vesely, and looked rather emaciated to me! There's fit, then there's running around with "skin and bones!" He looked a little scary thin out there on court! He was obviously ticked on being on Court 1 rather than CC and he really blew it by using up his challenges early in that last set! He could have used them on 2 close calls that the linesmen missed! I say he can use the rest; spend time with his family and get ready for the summer to close a hole in his resume; Cincy Masters and take another USO! I'm happy enough that he at least won his FO! I'm not greedy! :angel: :dodgy: :clap

 

[lob]

I think Novak choked, big time. He certainly was due a bad day, and I don't blame him even a little bit if he found things to be a bit overwhelming. It happens to all of them at some stage. Sometimes they're lucky and eke it out, other times they lose. It's a pity, because he was chasing more history and we don't often get to see this happen - a genuine contender at the Grand Slam - so he's to be admired, I reckon. Pity for his fans too, and the game of tennis.

Well done to Querry! He held together well after a torrid opening four games...

Haven't yet seen the match but, on the face of it, this doesn't smell like a choke. We tend to start the countdown to the calendar slam very soon but the players know better. As such, having won 4 majors in a row, Novak has already won made the 'Grand slam'. The biggest difference being that the media frenzy is largely absent if it is not done within a calendar year. Novak won RG for the first time after winning SW19, USO, AO in a row...he didn't choke there. Btw, Laver didn't have to deal with the pressure of the media countdown to a calendar slam like it is nowadays.

If anything, Querrey didn't choke when he had many excuses to choke.

 

[Kieran]

He won the Nole-Slam, it's not the same as the Grand Slam, which is to hold all four in the same calendar year. Look, I wasn't insulting Novak saying he choked, but it looked like he was flat, listless and unable to handle the big points. He's more or less had it handy for a long time now but it's hard work facing the pressure all the time, and like I said, all the great players have days like this, and more often than not they squeak out the result, like Novak did against Anderson.

Just wasn't to be, and in some ways I think of it as a pity, but it's also an opportunity for other players now...

 

[Carol]

I keep saying what I have said for long time. While the top and not top players continue playing so badly and inconsistent (besides the injuries ) then the most consistent player always wins. But if the game in general improves then we would be able to see better and more interesting competition and not everything in one side

 

[Carol]

I think Novak choked, big time. He certainly was due a bad day, and I don't blame him even a little bit if he found things to be a bit overwhelming. It happens to all of them at some stage. Sometimes they're lucky and eke it out, other times they lose. It's a pity, because he was chasing more history and we don't often get to see this happen - a genuine contender at the Grand Slam - so he's to be admired, I reckon. Pity for his fans too, and the game of tennis.

Well done to Querry! He held together well after a torrid opening four games...

Haven't yet seen the match but, on the face of it, this doesn't smell like a choke. We tend to start the countdown to the calendar slam very soon but the players know better. As such, having won 4 majors in a row, Novak has already won made the 'Grand slam'. The biggest difference being that the media frenzy is largely absent if it is not done within a calendar year. Novak won RG for the first time after winning SW19, USO, AO in a row...he didn't choke there. Btw, Laver didn't have to deal with the pressure of the media countdown to a calendar slam like it is nowadays.

If anything, Querrey didn't choke when he had many excuses to choke.

Querrey played incredible well, serve and shots same like yesterday

 

[Front242]

Querrey wasn't that good really today. Poor 3rd set and so so in the 4th. He played much better yesterday.

 

[Rational National]

I know that Roger still has it extremely tough and there are still question marks about his condition, but as of today there is no-one left in this tournament who will be a favourite with the bookies should they match up and I even include a final with Murray in that assessment. Also if the weather continues to be bad through next week we can not under estimate how much the roof being shut benefits Roger. I said in a previous post that I felt quite bullish about Roger and I am going to leave this forum shortly and back it up with a fairly meaty bet.

 

[Front242]

Given his hampered movement, I'd personally expect Murray to beat Federer and sadly quite possibly Raonic too. But it's a long way off yet. Said before the tournament began I thought Murray would win the title and I still do. Hopefully completely wrong though.

 

[Front242]

Just think, Zverev's serve is nothing like Raonic's although it's still very good at times and yet he lost to him so tall order beating the big servers with hampered movement.

 

[lob]

Given his hampered movement, I'd personally expect Murray to beat Federer and sadly quite possibly Raonic too. But it's a long way off yet. Said before the tournament began I thought Murray would win the title and I still do. Hopefully completely wrong though.

Yeah, Roger is not moving well. His game doesn't look as nimble as it usually does. It appears as if he is restraining himself from moving too much unless necessary. It's affecting his anticipation too. At 5-2, 40-15 in the Evans' match he nets a volley he would usually make with ease. It doesn't matter by itself but he usually loves to get into position for those and makes them look effortless.

 

[masterclass]

Novak Djokovic is now 4-21 (16%) in best of 5 matches in his career where he has dropped the first two sets.

Of course the 4 he won all went the full 5 sets - Anderson 2015 WC, Seppi 2012 RG, Federer 2011 USO, GGL 2005 WC.

Of the 21 he lost -

1 has been in 5 sets - Murray 2012 USO.

6 have been in 4 sets including this last against Querrey.

14 have been in 3 sets.

In comparison, Rafa is 3-17 (15%), Roger is 8-32 (20%), and Andy Murray is 9-34 (21%) in the same situation.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

Great to see you, masterclass!

 

[kskate2]

Been out most of the day, but saw the result from Tapatalk. That's a mighty surprising win from Uncle Sam. :clap He really did hold steady. Novak has been on the ropes several times this year, but no one could finish him off until now. Hopefully Sam doesn't go out in the next round. It would be nice if he could at least reach the QF.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Too bad somebody did not take out Novak in 2014 or 2015. Then Roger would surely have won Wimbledon. This year, I am not very optimistic that Fed will win despite the loss of Novak.

Fed had so far had very easy opponents.

1. 1st round opponent had never won a match in Wimby
2. 2nd round opponent had won exactly 1 match in Wimby
3. 3rd round opponent had won exactly 2 matches in Wimby

So, his movement issue is not exposed too much. Now comes the real opponents. Even though I think Roger will win his 4th round, his opponent Steven Johnson had just won a grass warm-up prior to Wimby. Both Cilic and Nishikori have beaten Fed before and so QF will be tough also. Raonic won against Fed in WTF and that was before Knee surgery. Andy is now very consistent, plays good, has Lendl at his side and the home crowd to support him. So, Fed could go out in any round now.

However, I hope that Fed wills this one through despite physical frailties by pure will power.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak Djokovic is now 4-21 (16%) in best of 5 matches in his career where he has dropped the first two sets.

Of course the 4 he won all went the full 5 sets - Anderson 2015 WC, Seppi 2012 RG, Federer 2011 USO, GGL 2005 WC.

Of the 21 he lost -

1 has been in 5 sets - Murray 2012 USO.

6 have been in 4 sets including this last against Querrey.

14 have been in 3 sets.

In comparison, Rafa is 3-17 (15%), Roger is 8-32 (20%), and Andy Murray is 9-34 (21%) in the same situation.

Respectfully,
masterclass

You missed Novak's loss to Melzer in RG 2010 which was in 5 sets.

 

[Fiero425]

Novak Djokovic is now 4-21 (16%) in best of 5 matches in his career where he has dropped the first two sets.

Of course the 4 he won all went the full 5 sets - Anderson 2015 WC, Seppi 2012 RG, Federer 2011 USO, GGL 2005 WC.

Of the 21 he lost -

1 has been in 5 sets - Murray 2012 USO.

6 have been in 4 sets including this last against Querrey.

14 have been in 3 sets.

In comparison, Rafa is 3-17 (15%), Roger is 8-32 (20%), and Andy Murray is 9-34 (21%) in the same situation.

Respectfully,
masterclass

You missed Novak's loss to Melzer in RG 2010 which was in 5 sets.

Thanks; when I post to my blog, it'll be more complete! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Kieran]

Too bad somebody did not take out Novak in 2014 or 2015. Then Roger would surely have won Wimbledon. This year, I am not very optimistic that Fed will win despite the loss of Novak.

Fed had so far had very easy opponents.

1. 1st round opponent had never won a match in Wimby
2. 2nd round opponent had won exactly 1 match in Wimby
3. 3rd round opponent had won exactly 2 matches in Wimby

So, his movement issue is not exposed too much. Now comes the real opponents. Even though I think Roger will win his 4th round, his opponent Steven Johnson had just won a grass warm-up prior to Wimby. Both Cilic and Nishikori have beaten Fed before and so QF will be tough also. Raonic won against Fed in WTF and that was before Knee surgery. Andy is now very consistent, plays good, has Lendl at his side and the home crowd to support him. So, Fed could go out in any round now.

However, I hope that Fed wills this one through despite physical frailties by pure will power.

If Federer wins Wimbledon it'll be the form of miracle you get in a bottle. He's not going to win Wimbledon. 35 year olds don't win slams. And not 35 year olds who've missed the early part of the year through having a crocked back. My old buddy Front would have a field day there with conspiracy theories on that one. It wasn't a real back injury, etc. No. It'll be Murray, or (I think this would be a long shot, but getting shorter) Raonic...