2018 Australian Open, Melbourne - ATP GRAND SLAM

[DarthFed]

But who is complaining exactly? Not me.

Some of the players do but it's not going to matter anyways.

 

[Denis]

Some of the players do but it's not going to matter anyways.

Without a doubt the playing style since Federer came on tour has evolved at Wimbledon at least. In fact, Fed won his first Wimbledon title playing serve and volley if I remember correctly.

I am not sure it really applies to that significant extent to the hard court opens, I have also read baseliners were able to do better due to racket technology improving. But hey, I am a long time Agassi fan, he did just fine in the 90s. Granted he was a little more of a 1-2 punch tennis player than Novak, but still played more from the baseline than Sampras etc.

 

[Moxie]

Lol whatever, it was well stated last year that they went to a heavier ball than the year before at Wimbledon. To my knowledge they changed the Wimbledon surface back in 2001 which slowed it down a bit but then they switched to a heavier ball starting in 2006. I'm not going to waste my time finding articles from 10 years about it. Tournament directors don't care about anyone's complaints anyways as long as the money comes in.

I know about the grass at Wimbledon, and I seem to remember discussion of the balls at RG. But it seems to me that you can't just say that those other courts have changed. And we know that weather is a factor. And apparently the courts can change over the course of the tournament. And people disagree over it, so even what the commies say on TV may mean nothing. It seems to me that you speak of these things as if they are completely knowable and immutable. And you complain about it a lot, to answer Denis's question.

 

[DarthFed]

I complain about Wimbledon every year. And I will complain about it this year too. Even though Fed has still enjoyed a lot of success there, especially last year where he mowed down everyone, I rather they kept grass as it was in the 90's when I was growing up. It was lightning fast and totally different from the rest of the surfaces. Now the difference between surfaces is far less and most tend to play slower than years past. AO and USO just seem to have switched places in the past couple years. I'm not complaining about it. But if AO becomes slow-medium again while USO is slower then I will be pissed

And while I complain about Wimbledon every year you and Rafa fans complain about YEC not bizarrely switching to clay courts after a month of indoor hards

 

[DarthFed]

As for the discussion of balls at RG I'm pretty sure that was just 2011. They switched to a lighter ball (again I'm not going to look for an article) and clearly that favored Roger that year.

 

[DarthFed]

Without a doubt the playing style since Federer came on tour has evolved at Wimbledon at least. In fact, Fed won his first Wimbledon title playing serve and volley if I remember correctly.

I am not sure it really applies to that significant extent to the hard court opens, I have also read baseliners were able to do better due to racket technology improving. But hey, I am a long time Agassi fan, he did just fine in the 90s. Granted he was a little more of a 1-2 punch tennis player than Novak, but still played more from the baseline than Sampras etc.

Novak would've been an all-time great in any era. Rafa would've too but in the courts of yesteryear he'd have likely enjoyed way way way less success off clay.

 

[El Dude]

Kyle Edmund reached his second Slam 4R and has a good chance (playing Seppi) to reach his first QF.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I actually don't think Nadal looked too impressive last night, but I'm not necessarily saying that as a negative since he didn't need to be. His touch has looked poor and I'm not liking the cross court backhand. He seems to be hitting it with more spin and less pace. Forehand looks good but I agree with Darth, the courts definitely are playing a little quick. Rafa's serving well though, especially down the T on the ad side (the slider needs some work. It looked much better at the US Open).

I think Nadal's first week is a cakewalk, but a Cilic QF is no walk in the park and Kyrgios/Dimi, especially the former, can give him hell in the semi. Basically any guy who can stretch him out on his forehand side, as Nadal looks a noticeable step slower moving to that side, will be a tricky match-up.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Oh, give me a break please. This rhetoric, that Tsonga "should have won a slam" is really getting tiresome.
He is not an underachiever, he did all he could do. Despite being powerful with 2 big weapons, serve and FH, his backhand is not that good, defensive is quite poor, and the most important is the weakness between the ears. That is a given and cannot be improved unless he was born again.
So, in other words, I think he did pretty good. Both him and Tomas had mental blocks when they got to a SF of a slam. There instead of having the killer instinct, they played like chickens. So he got what he deserved.

Actually, our former friend Kieran once remarked aptly that even if Tsonga and Berdych play in a slam final, neither one will win. :lulz2:

 

[Denis]

Actually, our former friend Kieran once remarked aptly that even if Tsonga and Berdych play in a slam final, neither one will win. :lulz2:

Where is @Kieran anyways?

 

[Busted]

I hope Roger plays his A game against Gasquet. At least, it will send a message to others.

I think he only needs his B+ game to beat Gasquet, but he does need to raise his level.

 

[Busted]

Del Potro will be Roger's litmus test... I can't see Gasquet getting much out of the match...

Amazing how not many of us are giving Berdych a chance in his match with DelPo. I'm thinking 3 or 4 sets for DelPo.

 

[Denis]

Amazing how not many of us are giving Berdych a chance in his match with DelPo. I'm thinking 3 or 4 sets for DelPo.

Haven’t seen Berdy play in a while and he’s dropping ranking like a Ferrer. Still it might go to 5. It’s a good tourney for him usually.

 

[Busted]

Fed is not beating Nadal again here at the AO, Nadal is also looking great so far. Your hope should be on other players. I suggest Fed tanks the semi against Novak, so Novak is well-rested for the final.

ROTFLMAO. Thanks for the laugh. If Nadal's draw were any easier he'd be in the women's tournament.

 

[Busted]

Haven’t seen Berdy play in a while and he’s dropping ranking like a Ferrer. Still it might go to 5. It’s a good tourney for him usually.

I caught a couple of sets of his wins over de Minaur and Garcia-Lopez. Typical Berdych big hitting, big serving...but I think at this stage DelPo is better at that same game than he is - and covers the court better. I can see maybe 2 tie-breakers in 4 sets but not a 5 setter.

 

[DarthFed]

Amazing how not many of us are giving Berdych a chance in his match with DelPo. I'm thinking 3 or 4 sets for DelPo.

He definitely has a chance but I figure Del Po will win. Whoever wins will be in the QF because the winner gets Fog or Benneteau. Both of the big boys are scary for Roger, seems like they each take turns being a thorn in his side. The last few years Del Po has been the bigger threat to him. Either way if Roger gets there he will need to be ready. Good or maybe even just decent tennis wins, anything less and it's an early exit.

 

[Busted]

Nadal looked great most of last year unless he was playing Federer.

Shhhh! You're not supposed to remind Nadal fans that Roger thumped Nadal 4 times last year. And really...I think Nadal is more worried about having to play Kyrgios or Djokovic than Federer. I think he assumes that Roger won't be able to continue beating him - especially not in 5 sets..

 

[Busted]

He definitely has a chance but I figure Del Po will win. Whoever wins will be in the QF because the winner gets Fog or Benneteau. Both of the big boys are scary for Roger, seems like they each take turns being a thorn in his side. The last few years Del Po has been the bigger threat to him. Either way if Roger gets there he will need to be ready. Good or maybe even just decent tennis wins, anything less and it's an early exit.

Yeah...if DelPo wins he's a shoe-in for the QF. Fognini is too mercurial and Benneteau doesn't have enough game.

Obviously Berdych has beaten Roger in the past, but except for Miami last year, in recent years he hasn't really been that big a threat to Roger. The last time he beat Roger was in Dubai in 2013. If nothing else Roger will drop-shot him to death. The last 2 times they've played at the AO - last year and 2016 - Roger won easily. So clearly he'd rather play Berdych than DelPo. The good news for Roger is - DelPo keeps getting day matches in 100 degree weather so maybe he'll be worn out by the QF. If not, Roger's probably going to need the A-game to win that match because DelPo's swinging for the fences. He has no points to defend and nothing to lose.

 

[DarthFed]

Shhhh! You're not supposed to remind Nadal fans that Roger thumped Nadal 4 times last year. And really...I think Nadal is more worried about having to play Kyrgios or Djokovic than Federer. I think he assumes that Roger won't be able to continue beating him - especially not in 5 sets..

Have to disagree there, Rafa does not want to see Roger in that final and even with Fed's success last year I'm sure he'd prefer Grigor or Nicko if he gets to the final. Regardless of overall history I don't think Nadal would prefer to meet a guy who dominated him last year compared to a guy just coming back from a long injury break.

 

[Denis]

Have to disagree there, Rafa does not want to see Roger in that final and even with Fed's success last year I'm sure he'd prefer Grigor or Nicko if he gets to the final. Regardless of overall history I don't think Nadal would prefer to meet a guy who dominated him last year compared to a guy just coming back from a long injury break.

The last time Nadal beat Novak on hards was in 2013, five years ago. He has reason to be worried, especially if Novak manages to reach the final.