2017 Australian Open Day 5: Friday, Jan 20 - Order of Play

[mrzz]

Regardless of all the actual facts Busted rightly listed above, Nadal is a defining part of the Big 4. If he wasn´t I wouldn´t be rooting so hard against him right now...

 

[sid]

Wow, great to see Roger cruise past Berdy. I think he's the favorite over Kei now, and Andy is definitely taking notice and won't take Roger lightly.

I don't think Andy will take Federer lightly ever

No, Andy's not stupid. He'd never take Federer lightly - especially since he hasn't beaten Roger or broken Roger's serve since he lost to Roger in 4 sets at the 2014 Cinci Masters. At their level - at the time #2 and #3 in the world - 2 1/2 years is a damned long time to go without breaking a guy's serve. In their last 3 matches (2014 Tour finals, 2015 Wimbledon, 2015 Cinci) Andy has had 1 break point - ONE BREAK POINT. IF Roger makes it past Nishikori - he'll have to hope that fatigue catches up with Roger and he doesn't play his best but especially that he doesn't SERVE his best. Remember their 2015 Wimbledon semi? Roger served a crazy 76% first serves in and won 84% of the points.

All things being equal - 35 year-old Federer is still a nightmare for Andy Murray. Going into 2014 Murray led their H2H 10-9. Since 2014 Roger is 5-1 against Murray and their H2H is now 14-11. So...Andy's probably going to privately root for Kei to win or Roger to not play well if they play in the quarters.

If Andy & Roger play & Andy wins I hope you don't come back saying Roger's a old man.Also now Andy's back like before his Back OP also he has Ivan Lendl with him.I feel Stan will be the one to beat here before the Final bring it on.

 

[Carol]

Actually, Carol, Busted is making fact-based claims based on Nadal's performance since FO 2014. Other than the fact that you don't like what he is saying, can you dispute anything on a factual basis? People call you a hater, Carol, because you always seek to denigrate Roger and Novak and minimize their performance. For example, rather than praising Roger's vintage performance against Berdych, today you said that you always expected him to win against the head case, but that Nishikori will surely beat him. You rarely miss an opportunity to do so. I. and MANY MANY others on this board have urged you to praise Nadal without taking every opportunity to knock his competitors. Big difference.

I told you before and I'm telling you now too. Besides that you seem to be a bad busybody you are showing with your comments that you are more hater than anyone else. To say that Nishi could beat Roger it's not an insult or to be a hater, just some logic after your Roger has been so many months out of the court and at his age. I don't say that he couldn't do better and maybe he will but I would be very surprised if he would reach the finals. Hey, I don't care if he would do it but it's clearly than you and others would care a lot more if Rafa would do it so go somewhere with that story

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I did not watch the Fed match live (not because I was afraid he will lose, but because I am not a morning person and it was at 5 a.m. for me). I did not doubt that Fed will win. But, to be honest I never thought he will dominate Berdych as thoroughly as he did. What a match? In just 1.5 hours (the same time that Novak took to lose the first set to Istomin), Fed had put on a clinic. As already pointed out, it was not only a straight set win; it was a match in which Fed was not only not broken, he did not even face a break point. The first server winning percentage and the net points won were amazing too.

I do expect Roger to win against Kei too, but definitely not this easily. But, within a maximum of four sets though.

I have no clue as to what will happen when Andy and Fed face. Once in a WTF match of recent past Andy almost got double bagelled by Fed. The question is whether their recent H2H is more important or the recent form of Andy is more important in picking out the winner. I guess that would be based on how many points get decided by medium and longer rallies. If more points get decided by medium and long rallies, I would give the edge to Andy and otherwise, I will give the edge to Fed.

 

[Front242]

Roger was absolutely incredible against Berdych. Such unreal shot making given the 6 month layoff. Best performance I've ever seen from a 35 year old. Gonna head to bed now and get up at 4am to watch Nadal v Zverev. Hopefully worth getting up for.

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbOLiKq60Ls[/video]

 

[mrzz]

it was a match in which Fed was not only not broken, he did not even face a break point.

In fact, Berdych did not get even to 40. I saw the entire match, I would guess that apart from an occasional 0-15, he never even lead a return game.

 

[crystalfire]

fed was returning really well too especially from the backhand side. less slicing and more hitting thru hope he does that more.

 

[ftan]

The match was indoors and that was definitely an advantage for Roger. SUper happy he won, but the road has just begun

 

[lacatch]

Actually, Carol, Busted is making fact-based claims based on Nadal's performance since FO 2014. Other than the fact that you don't like what he is saying, can you dispute anything on a factual basis? People call you a hater, Carol, because you always seek to denigrate Roger and Novak and minimize their performance. For example, rather than praising Roger's vintage performance against Berdych, today you said that you always expected him to win against the head case, but that Nishikori will surely beat him. You rarely miss an opportunity to do so. I. and MANY MANY others on this board have urged you to praise Nadal without taking every opportunity to knock his competitors. Big difference.

I told you before and I'm telling you now too. Besides that you seem to be a bad busybody you are showing with your comments that you are more hater than anyone else. To say that Nishi could beat Roger it's not an insult or to be a hater, just some logic after your Roger has been so many months out of the court and at his age. I don't say that he couldn't do better and maybe he will but I would be very surprised if he would reach the finals. Hey, I don't care if he would do it but it's clearly than you and others would care a lot more if Rafa would do it so go somewhere with that story

Carol: Again, what did Busted say about Rafa that you factually disagree with? You called him a hater for stating facts. And I called you out on denigrating Roger's vintage performance against Berdych, saying that it was due to Berdych's weakness rather than Roger's strong performance. This is what you do. Saying that you believe Nishikori will beat Roger is not being a hater, and I didn't say that it made you one. Please stick to the facts, and respond.

 

[Front242]

I don't think Andy will take Federer lightly ever

No, Andy's not stupid. He'd never take Federer lightly - especially since he hasn't beaten Roger or broken Roger's serve since he lost to Roger in 4 sets at the 2014 Cinci Masters. At their level - at the time #2 and #3 in the world - 2 1/2 years is a damned long time to go without breaking a guy's serve. In their last 3 matches (2014 Tour finals, 2015 Wimbledon, 2015 Cinci) Andy has had 1 break point - ONE BREAK POINT. IF Roger makes it past Nishikori - he'll have to hope that fatigue catches up with Roger and he doesn't play his best but especially that he doesn't SERVE his best. Remember their 2015 Wimbledon semi? Roger served a crazy 76% first serves in and won 84% of the points.

All things being equal - 35 year-old Federer is still a nightmare for Andy Murray. Going into 2014 Murray led their H2H 10-9. Since 2014 Roger is 5-1 against Murray and their H2H is now 14-11. So...Andy's probably going to privately root for Kei to win or Roger to not play well if they play in the quarters.

If Andy & Roger play & Andy wins I hope you don't come back saying Roger's a old man.Also now Andy's back like before his Back OP also he has Ivan Lendl with him.I feel Stan will be the one to beat here before the Final bring it on.

Murray's not actually playing any better these days at all. The competition has just weakened with Djokovic a pale imitation of his former self, same with Nadal last few years and Federer off tour for much of the last year. And 35 in tennis years is extremely old, especially on the ATP tour. It's always a surprise if he beats the current world number one, be that Novak at the time or Andy, due to them being in their primes and him miles past his.

 

[the AntiPusher]

No, Andy's not stupid. He'd never take Federer lightly - especially since he hasn't beaten Roger or broken Roger's serve since he lost to Roger in 4 sets at the 2014 Cinci Masters. At their level - at the time #2 and #3 in the world - 2 1/2 years is a damned long time to go without breaking a guy's serve. In their last 3 matches (2014 Tour finals, 2015 Wimbledon, 2015 Cinci) Andy has had 1 break point - ONE BREAK POINT. IF Roger makes it past Nishikori - he'll have to hope that fatigue catches up with Roger and he doesn't play his best but especially that he doesn't SERVE his best. Remember their 2015 Wimbledon semi? Roger served a crazy 76% first serves in and won 84% of the points.

All things being equal - 35 year-old Federer is still a nightmare for Andy Murray. Going into 2014 Murray led their H2H 10-9. Since 2014 Roger is 5-1 against Murray and their H2H is now 14-11. So...Andy's probably going to privately root for Kei to win or Roger to not play well if they play in the quarters.

If Andy & Roger play & Andy wins I hope you don't come back saying Roger's a old man.Also now Andy's back like before his Back OP also he has Ivan Lendl with him.I feel Stan will be the one to beat here before the Final bring it on.

Murray's not actually playing any better these days at all. The competition has just weakened with Djokovic a pale imitation of his former self, same with Nadal last few years and Federer off tour for much of the last year. And 35 in tennis years is extremely old, especially on the ATP tour. It's always a surprise if he beats the current world number one, be that Novak at the time or Andy, due to them being in their primes and him miles past his.

Murray's not actually playing any better these days at all...my Lord, man you need to be tested..what Murray achieved last year was the unthinkable..he chased down Novak who was probably 5-7000 points ahead of him.. have that ever been done before..and you say this man, Murray success is basically beneficiary because of bad times for Fed, Nadal and Djokovic.. Good Grief, man..why do you say these things when you know me and others will crucify you.

 

[Front242]

Crucify away. It's true.

 

[sid]

Crucify away. It's true.

Think like that & you only make yourself the tennis fool Front your a sad man.

 

[Front242]

Crucify away. It's true.

Think like that & you only make yourself the tennis fool Front your a sad man.

Fact, Murray also won slams when Federer, Nadal and Djokovic were all much better and not injured/awol. Fact, Murray was also consistently good when they were also much better. Fact, Murray has always done well in the latter half of the year, even when the others were playing much better. Nothing has changed there and they ARE now currently much worse. Last year he won a series of small events that got the tennis community going wow but in reality he won around the same number of big events as always in previous years along with a few 250s. Big credit to him for finally winning the WTF however. And no, I'm not sad just because you can't take the truth.

 

[mrzz]

I say Murray got a bit better, forehand is better -- maybe for more than a year now -- and self confidence helps a lot, but all that Front listed are, in fact, facts.

Assume for a second that he did not get better: who would be the #1 now? There´s nobody else there... 2013 Murray would be #1 now just like 2016/17 Murray.

Maybe goo´old Kieran could say that with the former coach Murray would have found a way not to grab the #1 spot, but apart from that I cannot see many alternatives. It is a fact that Fedal are non factors, that Djokovic does not win a Slam since RG -- losing to other guys, two times quite early.

Credit to Murray for being #1, sure. As we always say, you play the field. But it is not like Djokovic was blitzing everyone, and suddenly Murray arrives and takes his #1 the hard way...