Australian Open Day 7: Sunday, January 24 - Order of Play

[kskate2]

---

Click here for the Day 7 Order of Play

---

Please use this thread to discuss Day 7 action.

---

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Match of the day is Tsonga vs. Kei. Both appear to be playing well. No idea who will take this. But, it will be a high quality and hard fought match.

 

[El Dude]

There's a feeling of inevitability about Slams these days - the final will always be Novak vs. either Roger, Andy, or Stan. So while I think, "Tsonga vs. Nishikori - great match," I then think, "Who gets to lose to Novak?"

Hoping things diversify soon.

 

[Riotbeard]

There's a feeling of inevitability about Slams these days - the final will always be Novak vs. either Roger, Andy, or Stan. So while I think, "Tsonga vs. Nishikori - great match," I then think, "Who gets to lose to Novak?"

Hoping things diversify soon.

These days! While Novak's dominance is admittedly boring for those who are not huge fans, the slams have largely been contested by 5 guys for the last five years. I think the biggest difference now, is anybody winning but Novak is a huge upset...

 

[nehmeth]

There's a feeling of inevitability about Slams these days - the final will always be Novak vs. either Roger, Andy, or Stan. So while I think, "Tsonga vs. Nishikori - great match," I then think, "Who gets to lose to Novak?"

Hoping things diversify soon.

These days! While Novak's dominance is admittedly boring for those who are not huge fans, the slams have largely been contested by 5 guys for the last five years. I think the biggest difference now, is anybody winning but Novak is a huge upset...

Yep. We had to put up with it during Fed's reign of terror. Hope things diversify too... in three years. :snicker

 

[El Dude]

There's a feeling of inevitability about Slams these days - the final will always be Novak vs. either Roger, Andy, or Stan. So while I think, "Tsonga vs. Nishikori - great match," I then think, "Who gets to lose to Novak?"

Hoping things diversify soon.

These days! While Novak's dominance is admittedly boring for those who are not huge fans, the slams have largely been contested by 5 guys for the last five years. I think the biggest difference now, is anybody winning but Novak is a huge upset...

Yes, although I would include the last five years or so, but the thing is that it has narrowed to just "one and a bunch of other guys" - not unlike 2004-07, really. 2008-14 at least had a rotating rulership of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic, with a few contenders now and then.

While I've always liked Roger, I was a pretty casual fan during his "Reign of Terror" and didn't get really serious until maybe four or five years ago. But regardless, I think the sport is more enjoyable when there are several contenders for big titles. Actually, this gives me a thread idea...

 

[AnonymousFan]

Tsonga vs Nishikori is very appealing
Excited!!

 

[Great Hands]

One player dominating is only boring if you're fixated on 'who wins the tournament' as the only question worth asking, the only thing of interest. But who wins the tournament is not the be all and the end all. Some of my favourite matches in slams over the years have been matches in, say, the 4th round, between two players who have no chance of winning the title, but it's just a great match, and a big achievement for whoever wins. There are loads of players out there who have no chance of winning a slam, but, say, getting through to the third round is a big deal for them. They have different goals and its fun to see if they achieve them. For example, that Thiem-Goffin match the other day was great. Two great players with nice styles of tennis, who you could see both desperately wanted to win, and you weren't sure which way it's going to go.

I think people can have a tendency to judge slams on the basis of the final, e.g. 'the French Open wasn't very good that year', and what they mean is, the final wasn't very good. But, in fact, the best match of the tournament could have been when the no.87 in the world played the no.76 or something. I've watched some great matches in the early rounds of slams with players battling it out in 5 sets which had nothing to do with who was going to win the tournament.

 

[herios]

There's a feeling of inevitability about Slams these days - the final will always be Novak vs. either Roger, Andy, or Stan. So while I think, "Tsonga vs. Nishikori - great match," I then think, "Who gets to lose to Novak?"

Hoping things diversify soon.

These days! While Novak's dominance is admittedly boring for those who are not huge fans, the slams have largely been contested by 5 guys for the last five years. I think the biggest difference now, is anybody winning but Novak is a huge upset...

Yes, although I would include the last five years or so, but the thing is that it has narrowed to just "one and a bunch of other guys" - not unlike 2004-07, really. 2008-14 at least had a rotating rulership of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic, with a few contenders now and then.

While I've always liked Roger, I was a pretty casual fan during his "Reign of Terror" and didn't get really serious until maybe four or five years ago. But regardless, I think the sport is more enjoyable when there are several contenders for big titles. Actually, this gives me a thread idea...

Today I read ion twitter that Gilles Simon mentioned, the whole locker room will be behind him in the match with Nole.:eyepop
Is this indeed the sentiment there, or was he just joking?
Either way, he will need more than just their support to take down Nole.

 

[nehmeth]

Today I read ion twitter that Gilles Simon mentioned, the whole locker room will be behind him in the match with Nole.
Is this indeed the sentiment there, or was he just joking?
Either way, he will need more than just their support to take down Nole.

Simon and Nole are friends. Still he is correct. The players remaining would all be happy to see the #1 go home. Nothing malicious about it, just the truth.

 

[golds girl]

Today I read ion twitter that Gilles Simon mentioned, the whole locker room will be behind him in the match with Nole.
Is this indeed the sentiment there, or was he just joking?
Either way, he will need more than just their support to take down Nole.

Simon and Nole are friends. Still he is correct. The players remaining would all be happy to see the #1 go home. Nothing malicious about it, just the truth.

This is so odd to me. The only people who should have all fingers and toes crossed are those who have a chance to make the final. IMO:Fed, Stan and Murray. I mean why would Ferrer or Kuznetsov (???) care, their time will be soon up, just be happy you're in the 2nd week.:huh:

 

[Riotbeard]

Today I read ion twitter that Gilles Simon mentioned, the whole locker room will be behind him in the match with Nole.
Is this indeed the sentiment there, or was he just joking?
Either way, he will need more than just their support to take down Nole.

Simon and Nole are friends. Still he is correct. The players remaining would all be happy to see the #1 go home. Nothing malicious about it, just the truth.

This is so odd to me. The only people who should have all fingers and toes crossed are those who have a chance to make the final. IMO:Fed, Stan and Murray. I mean why would Ferrer or Kuznetsov (???) care, their time will be soon up, just be happy you're in the 2nd week.:huh:

Well, I think it is generally true, haha. Even if Ferrer wants a chance (even though it is equally unlikely that he beats Fed), he would be really hoping for Novak go out. Kei of course would rather meet Simon than Novak in the quarters, etc.

 

[Carol]

According with that theory I'd like to know if Cilic was thinking that he would have reached the finals and then to win at that USO? I don't think so :huh:
Meanwhile Ferru says that the most dificult return is the Karlovic's serve and then Isner and Raonic

 

[Riotbeard]

Kei is playing great. Up two breaks on Jo.

 

[kskate2]

Gives one break back, but takes the opener 6-4

 

[kskate2]

Samurai grabs the early break in the 2nd 3-1

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nishi a break up in second set.

 

[kskate2]

make that 2 breaks 5-1

 

[Riotbeard]

Up a break in the third! Kei is making this look routine.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

See, I am on a roll with my prediction. What a hard fought close match this is turning out to be. :cover