AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[britbox]

3-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat Dustin Brown (Germany) 6-3 6-4 6-2

 

[Carol]

I've read that Verdasco has played very irregular and bad, lucky Novak

 

[isabelle]

Nole played well, it was a dangerous 1st round for him, happy he made it happen so easily

 

[britbox]

I've read that Verdasco has played very irregular and bad, lucky Novak

No luck about it - the superior player put on a clinic.

 

[Moxie]

No luck about it - the superior player put on a clinic.

In fairness, it was a bit of both. I watched the first set +...Verdasco, who can run either hot or cold, was finding more frame than string, and couldn't seem to move his feet. On a good day, which this wasn't, he could have troubled Novak, which is obvious from their match of a couple of weeks ago. But this wasn't a good day for Verdasco, and Djokovic was well-ready for him. Could prove to have been beneficial to Nole, having to start so sharp.

 

[isabelle]

can't wait to see Manacor's bull vs Bagman, it should be great

 

[Carol]

No luck about it - the superior player put on a clinic.

I haven't seen the match but I've read that Verdasco in the first set was completely distracted and playing pretty bad, he woke up in the second doing some very good shots but at the end he throw the set stupidly (nothing new on him) in the third he was completely out allowing Novak to play easily. 51 unforced errors and yelling to his box (he should have yell to himself) and meanwhile Novak taking a deep breathing with the result, I don't blame him

 

[DarthFed]

Did anyone seriously think Verdasco was going to beat Nole or even trouble him? Talk about getting your hopes up...I think Dimitrov is the only legit threat for Nole until the semis here.

 

[Moxie]

I haven't seen the match but I've read that Verdasco in the first set was completely distracted and playing pretty bad, he woke up in the second doing some very good shots but at the end he throw the set stupidly (nothing new on him) in the third he was completely out allowing Novak to play easily. 51 unforced errors and yelling to his box (he should have yell to himself) and meanwhile Novak taking a deep breathing with the result, I don't blame him

Verdasco is what he is. And what he is is a bit of a waste of talent. I was listening to a couple of commentators recently (probably during the other match with Djokovic) comparing him to Ferrer. He has bigger shots, a "higher ceiling," but hasn't had anywhere near the mentality of Ferrer. It's not Nalbandian heights of underachievement, but he's only nipped at some of what he might have done.

 

[Moxie]

Did anyone seriously think Verdasco was going to beat Nole or even trouble him? Talk about getting your hopes up...I think Dimitrov is the only legit threat for Nole until the semis here.

Only Carol, I think.

 

[Denis]

Verdasco is what he is. And what he is is a bit of a waste of talent. I was listening to a couple of commentators recently (probably during the other match with Djokovic) comparing him to Ferrer. He has bigger shots, a "higher ceiling," but hasn't had anywhere near the mentality of Ferrer. It's not Nalbandian heights of underachievement, but he's only nipped at some of what he might have done.

I agree on what you say Verdasco, but wouldn't say its a waste of talent. Mentality is part of that. I'll give that to Ferrer and Nadal too. Happy for you to see Nadal back btw, even it looks more and more like he's a remnant of the past.

 

[DarthFed]

Verdasco is what he is. And what he is is a bit of a waste of talent. I was listening to a couple of commentators recently (probably during the other match with Djokovic) comparing him to Ferrer. He has bigger shots, a "higher ceiling," but hasn't had anywhere near the mentality of Ferrer. It's not Nalbandian heights of underachievement, but he's only nipped at some of what he might have done.

Totally agreed. Fernando has definitely underachieved over the years. He's a spoiler but not the most dangerous one at this point. With that said he is quite entertaining to watch, especially in person, but set to set and even point to point he is as inconsistent as they come.

 

[Carol]

Only Carol, I think.

Wrong, I don't think Verdasco can beat Novak unless this one would play badly. What I try to say is that he has game to give trouble to anyone but one more time he has showed what a waste of talet he has and he has to blame only to himself.

 

[brokenshoelace]

At this point, it would have been far more surprising if Verdasco had actually played well. That's just who he is and pretty much always was. More bad days than good ones, at least against the good players.

 

[Denis]

can't wait to see Manacor's bull vs Bagman, it should be great

That's the match of round 2 for me. Should be a good one! (In terms of entertainment, I think the result is beyond doubt).

 

[Denis]

Not a single interesting match tomorrow, unfortunately.

 

[Moxie]

Not a single interesting match tomorrow, unfortunately.

Thank god. I have to get some sleep!

 

[Denis]

At this point, it would have been far more surprising if Verdasco had actually played well. That's just who he is and pretty much always was. More bad days than good ones, at least against the good players.

Hey BS, do you think Rafa is a contender this year and how do you rate his chances compared to the others? Do you think he'll reach the semis?

 

[britbox]

Order of Play - Wednesday

 

[britbox]