2021 ATP General News

[Moxie]

We didn't talk about Fognini getting defaulted for yammering at a lines person. I have not seen the match or any context, nor read any reporting of what he said, but the commentators did think it might have been a big punishment, when he might have gotten a warning. It's not Djokovic getting DF's out of the USO, but it is kind of curious. Any opinions or insights?

 

[Jelenafan]

Folks, there was THE ONE Cock of the walk, intimidator, body language screaming I will hurt you man, hard man walk, the one and only original terminator .....
Ivan Lendl....
he would have all these young punks for breakfast as far as attitude on court and between points..

 

[the AntiPusher]

Tsitsipas looks in excellent form and if they both get there, Rafa had better be much improved.

Ladies I was able to see the match. I Heard Rafa was having his way with Samurai in the first and beginning second . What happened? Did his intensity drop or did Samurai raise his levels?

 

[napo]

Strong first set from young Sinner. Always at least one step ahead of Rublev.

Nice upcoming matches : FAA vs Tsitsipas and Diego vs Pablo.

 

[napo]

Good win for the Sinner, tight TB in the 2nd set.
Nice weather in Belgrade and Barcelona.
FAA-Greek and Djoker-Nalbandian-guy live at the moment.

 

[napo]

Break for Tsitsipas in the first set.
Nice winning streak for him , when did he lost his last set? I think it was the AO SF when he gets annihilated by Medvedev.

 

[napo]

Berretini won in straights, not bad, krajinovic isn’t crap on clay.

 

[napo]

Folks, there was THE ONE Cock of the walk, intimidator, body language screaming I will hurt you man, hard man walk, the one and only original terminator .....
Ivan Lendl....
he would have all these young punks for breakfast as far as attitude on court and between points..
View attachment 4644

This is the real "Man" , not Wawrinka

 

[napo]

We didn't talk about Fognini getting defaulted for yammering at a lines person. I have not seen the match or any context, nor read any reporting of what he said, but the commentators did think it might have been a big punishment, when he might have gotten a warning. It's not Djokovic getting DF's out of the USO, but it is kind of curious. Any opinions or insights?

Did not see what really happened, he said after the match he didn't do what they blame him for.

 

[Moxie]

Did not see what really happened, he said after the match he didn't do what they blame him for.

There was no mike on court, so no one seems to know what he is supposed to have said, but the commentators I was listening to thought that a warning might have been more in order. It's not like people don't jaw at umpires and lines people fairly regularly.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa still far from intimidating form, but better today.

 

[napo]

Rafa still far from intimidating form, but better today.

Agree, he is slowly running into form.
But I am wondering what this second set disease is about? Today also no convincing 2nd set, against a guy called Norrie

 

[the AntiPusher]

Agree, he is slowly running into form.
But I am wondering what this second set disease is about? Today also no convincing 2nd set, against a guy called Norrie

Typically I would say the 2nd set woos are just his way of not driving in 2nd or 3rd gear but his lack luster play has been extremely extraordinary poor if you compares it to last Fall's RG campaign. He is dropping the ball very short today which tells me that he isn't moving as well..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I just finished watching my youngster Sinner in his match against Rublev,he gets to play the Young Greek next.
I will watch Rafa's match later,which I recorded.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I must say Diego isn't the same player he was this time last year,he has been struggling on the clay.
Diego wins the 2nd set,going to a decider.UGH Diego serving for the match and gets broken.,5 all
Pablo breaks the serve of Diego and wins the match 64 36 75.
Pablo will play Rafa in the s/final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW hearing reports that the FFT have disqualified Benoit Paire from participating in the Olympics this summer in Tokyo.
I must say I am not surprised his recent outbursts on court and his off court comments have been disgusting.
It has been confirmed that the FFT have disqualified Benoit Paire being disqualified from participating in the Olympics in Tokyo.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fun Stat,
Rafa Nadal is the only player in the Open Era to win 450 matches on two different surfaces (Hard 490,Clay 450).

 

[Jelenafan]

Typically I would say the 2nd set woos are just his way of not driving in 2nd or 3rd gear but his lack luster play has been extremely extraordinary poor if you compares it to last Fall's RG campaign. He is dropping the ball very short today which tells me that he isn't moving as well..

I'm trying to remember if his form was this bad in 2019 when IIRC he lost in 3 consecutive red clay tournaments in a row (SF's in MC, Barcelona, Madrid) before righting the ship in Rome and going on to win at RG. At the moment Rafa seems so much on the defensive, reacting to shots. He is not imposing himself in rallies at all, and it's disconcerting to see him struggle because players such as Nishikori and Corrie at will can tee up and hit him off the court in rallies.

However to keep things in perspective, we are not yet at the hell depths of 2015/2016 where at one point Rafa had won only 1 out of 9 red clay tournaments entered.

 

[Front242]

Just watched the highlights and Norrie is woeful. Tons of lame shots into the net or hit long. Nadal should be beating him 6-1 6-2 at worst.

 

[Moxie]

Just watched the highlights and Norrie is woeful. Tons of lame shots into the net or hit long. Nadal should be beating him 6-1 6-2 at worst.

Not as woeful as Nishikori, considering it's not really his surface. Yes, Nadal allowed a break late in the 2nd, which was bad. But it was 1 x 4. Anyway, nice of those guys not to bring an A-game so that Rafa can keep rounding into form.