Australian Open Day 5: Friday, January 23

[the AntiPusher]

I wonder what Toni is thinking as he watches Rafa go from 6-1, 6-0 to 4-4, 5-5, etc. in the third?

Just give Rafa time. He is just probably thinking Rafa is just playing his way into tournament form. This was Rafa frst 3rd round match since the early fall.

 

[tented]

Sela: 5'9", with a one-handed BH ... this should be a much smoother time for Rafa than the other night. It is odd, though, that he's never played two of the three guys before.

i thought i heard that sela is listed at 5-7 .. really he looks closer to 5-5

He's listed as 5'9" on the ATP site:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Se/D/Dudi-Sela.aspx

And on the AO's site:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/players/overview/atpsc56.html

 

[Carol]

I haven't seen the match but I see that Rafa and Muzz have had almost the same result, the two first sets very easy and then the third one playing with less intensity knowing they can win too easy

 

[the AntiPusher]

Sela: 5'9", with a one-handed BH ... this should be a much smoother time for Rafa than the other night. It is odd, though, that he's never played two of the three guys before.

i thought i heard that sela is listed at 5-7 .. really he looks closer to 5-5

He's listed as 5'9" on the ATP site:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Se/D/Dudi-Sela.aspx

And on the AO's site:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/players/overview/atpsc56.html

man, he looks shorter

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am glad I had a very early night and did not have to see what happened. Shocked nonetheless. I mean Seppi? We are talking about Seppi? Seppi? (insert 'practice"). Seppi?

Either way, congrats to the Italian. Must feel sweet to get one after all the losses.

 

[Denis]

Fedster won one point more than seppi yet managed to lose in 4 sets. Guess he improved on that record again.

 

[Carol]

Seppi can be a very dangerous player if he has a "hot" day and yesterday he was, he played really well and Roger couldn't respond him correctly

 

[TsarMatt]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFJgg29k3ZU[/video]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moYoVpuQD7k[/video]

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

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jer3VDfvNn0[/video]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ezR_JNjus[/video]

 

[DarthFed]

Fedster won one point more than seppi yet managed to lose in 4 sets. Guess he improved on that record again.

God, let's not bring up that ridiculous thread where the amount of times Roger's done that (lost a match despite winning more points) is viewed as some sort of bizarre accomplishment. I must say it's especially shocking he won more points last night and couldn't even get to a 5th set. That indicates he was really, really bad in the big moments.

 

[mrzz]

^Very good point, Darth.

About Nadal's match, saw around half of it, and I still get the feeling that all his matches in this tournament are played in slow motion. I guess that he'll need maybe a full set to get used to KA serve speed (and some ground strokes).

 

[isabelle]

Federer seems to have a big belly or is it his yellow shirt ???

 

[19USC66]

Fedster won one point more than seppi yet managed to lose in 4 sets. Guess he improved on that record again.

God, let's not bring up that ridiculous thread where the amount of times Roger's done that (lost a match despite winning more points) is viewed as some sort of bizarre accomplishment. I must say it's especially shocking he won more points last night and couldn't even get to a 5th set. That indicates he was really, really bad in the big moments.

Well, you double fault 10 times. The most Fed has had since the 2009 US Open final vs Del Potro and hit around 60 errors. There is a good chance you may have beat yourself. This is one match Federer lost the match. He wasn't beaten. 3 out of the last 5 grand slam events. He has been beaten badly by Seppi, Cilic, and Gulbis. I am sure there is a message in there somewhere. Enough said.

 

[DarthFed]

Still a very interesting half of the draw. I'm hoping for Berd to reach his 2nd GS final.

 

[pavlik89]

Rafael Nadal vs DudiSela FULL MATCH HD Australian Open 2015

http://www.tennishdhighlights.com/australian-open/2015-2/

 

[britbox]

Fedster won one point more than seppi yet managed to lose in 4 sets. Guess he improved on that record again.

God, let's not bring up that ridiculous thread where the amount of times Roger's done that (lost a match despite winning more points) is viewed as some sort of bizarre accomplishment. I must say it's especially shocking he won more points last night and couldn't even get to a 5th set. That indicates he was really, really bad in the big moments.

He was flat Darth - it happens. However, reading your posts I still doubt he was curled up in a ball quivering with fright before the match. Just a bad day at the office and something you'll see more regularly. Reduce your expectations brother - they seem 5 years out of date.

 

[shawnbm]

a buddy of mine I work with and hit with just told me he stayed up late into the early morning to watch the match and he had nothing but praise for Seppi. He said the Italian was moving very well, playing aggressively and that Roger was also. He thought Fed's first service let him down in the fourth set, but that the hitting was quality. He viewed it more as Seppi rising above himself and playing really well and Roger just wasn't able to stay level with him on this particular evening. I have no idea, but it is a stunner nonetheless, especially after the year Roger had last year.

 

[DarthFed]

Fedster won one point more than seppi yet managed to lose in 4 sets. Guess he improved on that record again.

God, let's not bring up that ridiculous thread where the amount of times Roger's done that (lost a match despite winning more points) is viewed as some sort of bizarre accomplishment. I must say it's especially shocking he won more points last night and couldn't even get to a 5th set. That indicates he was really, really bad in the big moments.

He was flat Darth - it happens. However, reading your posts I still doubt he was curled up in a ball quivering with fright before the match. Just a bad day at the office and something you'll see more regularly. Reduce your expectations brother - they seem 5 years out of date.

They are reduced bud, just not as low as some have them. Seppi played well I give him credit but as you said Roger was flat and most notably in the big moments. It happens. The worrying part was just what I said, the big moments. For the most part Roger was great in the big moments last year and he pulled out a lot of tough matches. Yesterday was not one of those.

Aside from that a big part of the problem for Roger yesterday was tennis' version of the line of scrimmage, the serve and ROS. He was poor in both of those and naturally that will make anyone vulnerable.

 

[the AntiPusher]

a buddy of mine I work with and hit with just told me he stayed up late into the early morning to watch the match and he had nothing but praise for Seppi. He said the Italian was moving very well, playing aggressively and that Roger was also. He thought Fed's first service let him down in the fourth set, but that the hitting was quality. He viewed it more as Seppi rising above himself and playing really well and Roger just wasn't able to stay level with him on this particular evening. I have no idea, but it is a stunner nonetheless, especially after the year Roger had last year.

Thanks Shawn.. from what I saw.. I didnt think Roger was moving overall as well as he typically does.. It was just a bad day at the office for TMF and Seppi played at a highlevel for the majority of the match. I have to give him credit

 

[Fefe26]

sad to to see roger go, but i have been waiting for an upset of the mens side.

 

[Vince Evert]

a buddy of mine I work with and hit with just told me he stayed up late into the early morning to watch the match and he had nothing but praise for Seppi. He said the Italian was moving very well, playing aggressively and that Roger was also. He thought Fed's first service let him down in the fourth set, but that the hitting was quality. He viewed it more as Seppi rising above himself and playing really well and Roger just wasn't able to stay level with him on this particular evening. I have no idea, but it is a stunner nonetheless, especially after the year Roger had last year.

\

That's how it seemed to me too, shawnbm. I did not see the First set of this match, but any Fed fan who claims that Roger's game or form was below par is just fooling themselves. Seppi was in the zone and did not tighten up on this occasion. It wasn't Roger's day.