Australian Open Day 8: Monday, Jan 20 - Order of Play

[Iona16]

I'm really hoping Andy has seen this snippet from Robert's press conference.

Q. And you might play Andy Murray in the next round. How would you feel about that?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yes, I don't know. He's still playing now. He's playing against Lopez. We'll see, eh? Hopefully I prefer against Andy Murray, because Feliciano Lopez, I don't like so much his game (Laughter.)
Yeah, maybe Andy is better, but is tough to play against Lopez. I play him one time in final in Johannesburg, and is difficult to play against this guy. He has tough game for me.

Q. So you prefer to play Andy Murray?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yeah.

 

[Denis]

I'm really hoping Andy has seen this snippet from Robert's press conference.

Q. And you might play Andy Murray in the next round. How would you feel about that?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yes, I don't know. He's still playing now. He's playing against Lopez. We'll see, eh? Hopefully I prefer against Andy Murray, because Feliciano Lopez, I don't like so much his game (Laughter.)
Yeah, maybe Andy is better, but is tough to play against Lopez. I play him one time in final in Johannesburg, and is difficult to play against this guy. He has tough game for me.

Q. So you prefer to play Andy Murray?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yeah.

That's the spirit! No need to get impressed by names. Robert doesn't like big servers/serve and volleyers. Well good on him.

Obviously, Murray is going to destroy him.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I am surprised so many people think Federer will win. His h2h is not great against Tsonga, this is Tsonga's best slam and certainly not Federer's best. Federer is old, Tsonga does not feel the age yet. Federer only barely beat him last year here, and let's be honest, it all went downhill after that.

It's going to be tight, but I'd give Tsonga the edge at the moment.

The first part of your last sentence just answered why so many people think Federer will win. It will be tight, so it could go either way. Many have confidence in Federer because well, he's Federer and probably not as washed up as most think.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'm really hoping Andy has seen this snippet from Robert's press conference.

Q. And you might play Andy Murray in the next round. How would you feel about that?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yes, I don't know. He's still playing now. He's playing against Lopez. We'll see, eh? Hopefully I prefer against Andy Murray, because Feliciano Lopez, I don't like so much his game (Laughter.)
Yeah, maybe Andy is better, but is tough to play against Lopez. I play him one time in final in Johannesburg, and is difficult to play against this guy. He has tough game for me.

Q. So you prefer to play Andy Murray?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yeah.

I don't think Robert was meaning it as an insult to Andy. I think this is his genuine preference
based on his assessment of the match-up issue.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I am not looking forward to getting up at 3.00 am though. I have a busy Monday coming up. Anyone has any tips regarding staying awake at work the next day? Keeping in mind I don't drink coffee and I refuse to drink stuff like Red Bull and such?

Porn on the phone bro, always does the trick, just keep the sound off :snigger

Did not see the thread going in this direction...:laydownlaughing

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm really hoping Andy has seen this snippet from Robert's press conference.

Q. And you might play Andy Murray in the next round. How would you feel about that?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yes, I don't know. He's still playing now. He's playing against Lopez. We'll see, eh? Hopefully I prefer against Andy Murray, because Feliciano Lopez, I don't like so much his game (Laughter.)
Yeah, maybe Andy is better, but is tough to play against Lopez. I play him one time in final in Johannesburg, and is difficult to play against this guy. He has tough game for me.

Q. So you prefer to play Andy Murray?
STEPHANE ROBERT: Yeah.

I just think he was describing the match-up. Plus just reading that, his English obviously isn't that good so he probably couldn't really express what he wanted to say accurately. Regardless, Andy will not need too much motivation to dispose of him, and I doubt he's lacking in that regard anyway.

 

[Denis]

I am surprised so many people think Federer will win. His h2h is not great against Tsonga, this is Tsonga's best slam and certainly not Federer's best. Federer is old, Tsonga does not feel the age yet. Federer only barely beat him last year here, and let's be honest, it all went downhill after that.

It's going to be tight, but I'd give Tsonga the edge at the moment.

The first part of your last sentence just answered why so many people think Federer will win. It will be tight, so it could go either way. Many have confidence in Federer because well, he's Federer and probably not as washed up as most think.

Simpson's paradox will prove you guys wrong.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal will cruise through this in three routine sets and then get Grigor, which might go four sets if that. Rafa is a shooin for the semifinals.

I would replace the last word by finals.

Fed is not going to bear Rafa at this time. Murray with his lay off and
his record does not seem to have a chance. I think a Tsonga on fire
(which is a rare event) might give more trouble to Rafa than either
Fed or Murray.

I think Nadal would prefer Tsonga over Murray (and so would I as a fan). I know it's happened before (6 years ago) but Tsonga's unlikely to catch fire for 3 sets and completely blow Nadal off the court. In a best of 5 set, Nadal will weather the storm anyway. Murray, I'm with you about the uncertainty regarding his form, but if he reaches the semi, then he's doing something right. I don't think he beats Nadal, but I would give him the best chance out of the aforementioned three. He's earned it. Stylistically, Murray is the most difficult match-up anyway, since his backhand will deal with Nadal's spin the best. We know the how the Federer match-up goes, while Tsonga will have to rely on running around his backhand a lot to stand a real chance. Nadal will be able to move him around.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I am surprised so many people think Federer will win. His h2h is not great against Tsonga, this is Tsonga's best slam and certainly not Federer's best. Federer is old, Tsonga does not feel the age yet. Federer only barely beat him last year here, and let's be honest, it all went downhill after that.

It's going to be tight, but I'd give Tsonga the edge at the moment.

The first part of your last sentence just answered why so many people think Federer will win. It will be tight, so it could go either way. Many have confidence in Federer because well, he's Federer and probably not as washed up as most think.

Simpson's paradox will prove you guys wrong.

To be clear, I'm currently undecided about who the winner will be. When I first saw the draw, and I think I said it here, I thought Tsonga will beat Federer in the 4th round. Now, I'm slightly leaning towards Roger. I actually think if he wins, it will be easier than most think.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Anyway, today is the day the tournament really starts. It's our first real blockbuster match, and it gets better from here on out (at least on paper). Can't wait.

 

[tented]

The Bryan brothers just lost in doubles. No calendar slam this year ...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

That is two calendar slams going down the drain (serena and BB).

 

[nehmeth]

Dimitrov is looking pretty good out there and serving for the first set.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

ye, sir grigor of dimitrov takes the first..his court movement/speed has improved a lot since last year..

 

[tented]

Bautista Agut wins the second. It's an interesting match of the young guys. I suggest you watch it if you can. It's online through ESPN for those in the US.

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index

 

[Moxie]

But Bautista Agut evens it at 1 each. I like this battle for who's going to be the most interesting comer. Bautista Agut already wins. Dimitrov has a lot to lose here.

 

[DarthFed]

I am surprised so many people think Federer will win. His h2h is not great against Tsonga, this is Tsonga's best slam and certainly not Federer's best. Federer is old, Tsonga does not feel the age yet. Federer only barely beat him last year here, and let's be honest, it all went downhill after that.

It's going to be tight, but I'd give Tsonga the edge at the moment.

The first part of your last sentence just answered why so many people think Federer will win. It will be tight, so it could go either way. Many have confidence in Federer because well, he's Federer and probably not as washed up as most think.

Simpson's paradox will prove you guys wrong.

If it's tight from 08-present I'd bet on Federer's opponent if they are top ten anyways.

 

[nehmeth]

Grigor gets the break in the third.

 

[tented]

Funky set point. Dimitrov takes a 2-1 set lead.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

grigor starts to destroy his opponent again.