Australian Open Day 6: Saturday, Jan 18 - Order of Play

[Denis]

Murray's out of sorts still. Denisovic said he'd rather see Nadal than Murray in the final, which I find odd at this point. I might be wrong, and I really hope Murray picks up his level in this tourney, but he doesn't seem anywhere near top form yet. In fairness, even in the slams he did win, he wasn't exactly playing lights out tennis in the early rounds.

The reason I said this was because I find a win over Nadal more rewarding than a win over Murray for Djokovic. And matches between Murray and Djokovic are UGLY to say the least.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Murray's out of sorts still. Denisovic said he'd rather see Nadal than Murray in the final, which I find odd at this point. I might be wrong, and I really hope Murray picks up his level in this tourney, but he doesn't seem anywhere near top form yet. In fairness, even in the slams he did win, he wasn't exactly playing lights out tennis in the early rounds.

The reason I said this was because I find a win over Nadal more rewarding than a win over Murray for Djokovic. And matches between Murray and Djokovic are UGLY to say the least.

Oh, I thought you meant Murray would be more troubling for Novak. Which in fairness, is true on some surfaces, but not when Murray's form is questionable.

 

[Denis]

Anyways, looks like Nadal is on his way to the semis. I can only see Murray troubling him a bit there, maybe Tsonga too. Definitely not Fed. That would be an embarrassing massacre.

Maybe Agut has some game to trouble Nadal too. I saw him play against DP and he, for one, plays to win. Goes for his shots too.

 

[Goldenboy]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

 

[Denis]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

I'd agree on that. Nadal looked really good. Monfils helped him though.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

 

[Moxie]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

 

[brokenshoelace]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

It doesn't have to be either (undersold or oversold). I would call it a "very good" display, without going into other superlatives. Let's not ignore the 40+ unforced errors by his opponent. Sometimes we tend to get carried away. My assessment is: Nadal is moving well, serving very well, and hitting his groundies well. That amounts to him being in very good form. It just irritates me when commentators go overboard. Wilander called it the best display Rod Laver Arena ever witnessed...Uh, okay there, chill. It probably wasn't even the best Nadal display at the Rod Laver Arena.

 

[DarthFed]

So it will be Roger vs. Tsonga and the winner gets Murray. One of these days Roger is going to prove he can still play tennis. Hopefully it is this tournament, I am glad he has the opportunity so early in the year.

 

[Moxie]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

It doesn't have to be either (undersold or oversold). I would call it a "very good" display, without going into other superlatives. Let's not ignore the 40+ unforced errors by his opponent. Sometimes we tend to get carried away. My assessment is: Nadal is moving well, serving very well, and hitting his groundies well. That amounts to him being in very good form. It just irritates me when commentators go overboard. Wilander called it the best display Rod Laver Arena ever witnessed...Uh, okay there, chill. It probably wasn't even the best Nadal display at the Rod Laver Arena.

Fair enough. I was kind of responding to Goldenboy, who said he didn't see the match. I get it about the commentators, though…every day a shiny new toy. However, I was impressed by Nadal. I expected a step or two up, but this was an excellent showing.

 

[brokenshoelace]

So it will be Roger vs. Tsonga and the winner gets Murray. One of these days Roger is going to prove he can still play tennis. Hopefully it is this tournament, I am glad he has the opportunity so early in the year.

Well, now's the time to do it. He's got a brutal path with nothing but super tough matches from now on: Tsonga, Murray, Nadal, Djokovic (hypothetically, since he might not make it far enough to play the other 3).

 

[DarthFed]

So it will be Roger vs. Tsonga and the winner gets Murray. One of these days Roger is going to prove he can still play tennis. Hopefully it is this tournament, I am glad he has the opportunity so early in the year.

Well, now's the time to do it. He's got a brutal path with nothing but super tough matches from now on: Tsonga, Murray, Nadal, Djokovic (hypothetically, since he might not make it far enough to play the other 3).

Yeah he isn't winning this tournament under any circumstances, even if they moved it to Wimbledon from here on out. Might as well see where he is at. Tsonga is a dangerous player but up and down, definitely not great. These are the type he has to consistently beat again if he wants to regain relevance. And if he is to have a good chance vs. Murray he has to dismiss Tsonga in 4 or less.

 

[brokenshoelace]

So it will be Roger vs. Tsonga and the winner gets Murray. One of these days Roger is going to prove he can still play tennis. Hopefully it is this tournament, I am glad he has the opportunity so early in the year.

Well, now's the time to do it. He's got a brutal path with nothing but super tough matches from now on: Tsonga, Murray, Nadal, Djokovic (hypothetically, since he might not make it far enough to play the other 3).

Yeah he isn't winning this tournament under any circumstances, even if they moved it to Wimbledon from here on out. Might as well see where he is at. Tsonga is a dangerous player but up and down, definitely not great. These are the type he has to consistently beat again if he wants to regain relevance. And if he is to have a good chance vs. Murray he has to dismiss Tsonga in 4 or less.

To tell you the truth if I'm a Roger fan I'll be glad to see he has a tough path just to know where his game is. He's unlikely to win the tournament anyway so might as well see if there are positive signs he can build on for later.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes, and the only positive is winning the next 2 matches, anything else and it is same old Roger.

 

[Goldenboy]

I expect Roger to reach the semis. I know Murray has looked good, but honestly his draw has been one big beautiful cupcake. I mean, the fact that he now plays a LL in the round of 16 says it all.

Lopez today was admittedly a seed but he couldn't hit a baseline winner to save his life.

I expect Roger to beat Tsonga in 4 sets maximum, Jo always has loose games and spells in matches and as long as Roger doesn't return the favor I can't see him losing. Murray will be trickier but if Roger has his usual fast start and wins the first set, then we will see how he really is.

 

[the AntiPusher]

So it will be Roger vs. Tsonga and the winner gets Murray. One of these days Roger is going to prove he can still play tennis. Hopefully it is this tournament, I am glad he has the opportunity so early in the year.

One of these may be this day..if roger decides to stick with the slice and chip n charge approach it may be effective against JowillieTs..JowillieTs will try to dictate and bully Fed around the court. It really depends on how well Roger is serving..

 

[rafanoy1992]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

It doesn't have to be either (undersold or oversold). I would call it a "very good" display, without going into other superlatives. Let's not ignore the 40+ unforced errors by his opponent. Sometimes we tend to get carried away. My assessment is: Nadal is moving well, serving very well, and hitting his groundies well. That amounts to him being in very good form. It just irritates me when commentators go overboard. Wilander called it the best display Rod Laver Arena ever witnessed...Uh, okay there, chill. It probably wasn't even the best Nadal display at the Rod Laver Arena.

Broken, nothing beats John McEnroe's commentary, "Nadal's volley is phenomenal, his volley might even better than Roger's volley shots." :snigger Now, that's what you called going way overboard :laydownlaughing

 

[brokenshoelace]

Some tweets I'm reading are saying Rafa smoked Gael and this was the best performance from any player at the AO so far. Was he really that good?

Wish I could have watched.

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

It doesn't have to be either (undersold or oversold). I would call it a "very good" display, without going into other superlatives. Let's not ignore the 40+ unforced errors by his opponent. Sometimes we tend to get carried away. My assessment is: Nadal is moving well, serving very well, and hitting his groundies well. That amounts to him being in very good form. It just irritates me when commentators go overboard. Wilander called it the best display Rod Laver Arena ever witnessed...Uh, okay there, chill. It probably wasn't even the best Nadal display at the Rod Laver Arena.

Broken, nothing beats John McEnroe's commentary, "Nadal's volley is phenomenal, his volley might even better than Roger's volley shots." :snigger Now, that's what you called going way overboard :laydownlaughing

Nadal's volleys went from underrated to overrated strictly because of that comment. When Mac made them, many actually started entertaining the idea that Nadal might have better volleys (which is preposterous). Nadal is a capable volleyer, who only comes in after smart and very good approach shots. He possesses a very nice touch and his drop volleys are generally good. He also very rarely misses. He might produce a non-quality drop volley, but he'll rarely flat out miss it (an important distinction). His overhead is one of the best in the game too (even the backhand overhead). He generally has good instincts even if his technique around the net might look awkward. He is at times guilty of hugging the net too much as far as positioning goes.

Anyway, where he really falters is punch volleys. He can't hit them to save his life, and as a result always has to rely on drop volleys even on some put aways. Given how fast these guys are, this is risky since anything but a perfect volley might return with interest.

I'd say when people are not having kneejerk reactions, Nadal's volleys are generally fairly assessed. Nobody thinks he can't volley and nobody thinks he's the second coming of Edberg.

 

[rafanoy1992]

By the way, there are two male players in the draw who have not get broken yet. They are Berdych and Nadal. In fairness, Nadal only played one set against Tomic. So, Berdych's achievement is a little bit more amazing than Nadal's achievement.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

The Eurosport commentators were overselling how good the performance was, but yeah, you can make a case this was the most impressive performance at the AO so far, at least given the fact that he was up against a capable opponent.

Well, don't let it be undersold, either. After not having had a chance to really show what he's bringing this tournament, I was surprised at the level he brought to Monfils. It was like a peacock unfurling his feathers. Fantastic display. :clap

It doesn't have to be either (undersold or oversold). I would call it a "very good" display, without going into other superlatives. Let's not ignore the 40+ unforced errors by his opponent. Sometimes we tend to get carried away. My assessment is: Nadal is moving well, serving very well, and hitting his groundies well. That amounts to him being in very good form. It just irritates me when commentators go overboard. Wilander called it the best display Rod Laver Arena ever witnessed...Uh, okay there, chill. It probably wasn't even the best Nadal display at the Rod Laver Arena.

Broken, nothing beats John McEnroe's commentary, "Nadal's volley is phenomenal, his volley might even better than Roger's volley shots." :snigger Now, that's what you called going way overboard :laydownlaughing

Nadal's volleys went from underrated to overrated strictly because of that comment. When Mac made them, many actually started entertaining the idea that Nadal might have better volleys (which is preposterous). Nadal is a capable volleyer, who only comes in after smart and very good approach shots. He possesses a very nice touch and his drop volleys are generally good. He also very rarely misses. He might produce a non-quality drop volley, but he'll rarely flat out miss it (an important distinction). His overhead is one of the best in the game too (even the backhand overhead). He generally has good instincts even if his technique around the net might look awkward. He is at times guilty of hugging the net too much as far as positioning goes.

Anyway, where he really falters is punch volleys. He can't hit them to save his life, and as a result always has to rely on drop volleys even on some put aways. Given how fast these guys are, this is risky since anything but a perfect volley might return with interest.

I'd say when people are not having kneejerk reactions, Nadal's volleys are generally fairly assessed. Nobody thinks he can't volley and nobody thinks he's the second coming of Edberg.

Nadal is a capable volleyer, who only comes in after smart and very good approach shots. He possesses a very nice touch and his drop volleys are generally good. He also very rarely misses.

The above sums it up. How often do you see him barrel in on a nothing approach, how often does he have to lunge for a volley, how often does have a difficult volley to hit? How often does he get beat with a pass? Almost never. This is due to exceptionally intelligent play and the devastating effect of his approaches.