AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

Moxie

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Stanimal being Stanimal. Seriously decent chance that he comes away with another one on Sunday.
He'll surely be the roadblock to Roger in the top half. Can't really believe I'm up even waiting to see how the first set of this one goes v. Zverev, but...in for a penny.
 

britbox

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Stanimal being Stanimal. Seriously decent chance that he comes away with another one on Sunday.
Stan's like the hulk... once he hits the semis, he turns green... Big game player. If Fed takes out Mischa as I expect him to then that's one big semi clash.
 

DarthFed

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I'm probably late to the party on this but have they mentioned what has caused the conditions to be faster this year than before? New surface composition or lighter balls perhaps? If Roger meets Stan that might be a factor, Roger usually handles him on faster stuff but Stan is very tough for Roger to beat on slower surfaces.
 

DarthFed

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I had no worries Roger would take Stan in the 2015 USO semi, if they meet here...not confident at all.
 

Moxie

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Two of the Big 4 still in the QFs, but not the 2 we expected, if there were only two. And both Williams sisters still in...what year is this?
 
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Moxie

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I'm probably late to the party on this but have they mentioned what has caused the conditions to be faster this year than before? New surface composition or lighter balls perhaps? If Roger meets Stan that might be a factor, Roger usually handles him on faster stuff but Stan is very tough for Roger to beat on slower surfaces.
Maybe someone else can answer your question, but they say they play much slower in the day, so that should be a help, as the rest should be played at night, I think.
 

britbox

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I'm probably late to the party on this but have they mentioned what has caused the conditions to be faster this year than before? New surface composition or lighter balls perhaps? If Roger meets Stan that might be a factor, Roger usually handles him on faster stuff but Stan is very tough for Roger to beat on slower surfaces.
Most of the players have said they were playing quicker and there were a few articles in the papers before the tournament that they were going to be quicker, so I'm guessing the composition has been changed a little. It has got faster generally the last 3 years. Also read about lighter balls, but don't know if that's true.
 

DarthFed

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Good returning from Roger to start and grabs the early break!
 

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Yeah I saw that, it was a match on grass too. A short match would definitely be nice but it'd still be nice if he gets some baseline rallies in. Hard to get a rhythm vs. a guy like this and it can affect his next match vs. Stan
 

Moxie

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I was hoping to see poor Misha get a game, but I won't wait up for the 2nd bagel.
 

Moxie

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Even I knew he wasn't going to be able to rush the net against Roger...he's got to change the game plan.
 

Moxie

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12 minutes in: 5-0 Roger. OMG!
 

DarthFed

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^ Well he has no prayer staying back from the baseline. If Roger is returning like this Zverev has no chance at all. I didn't see the Murray match but I'm shocked he could beat Andy with pure S & V . His serve isn't exactly Isner or Ivo.
 

britbox

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Even I knew he wasn't going to be able to rush the net against Roger...he's got to change the game plan.
He has no other game plan... if he sits on the baseline he gets destroyed by Federer. He said himself in the presser after Murray "No Plan B".
 
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britbox

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^ Well he has no prayer staying back from the baseline. If Roger is returning like this Zverev has no chance at all. I didn't see the Murray match but I'm shocked he could beat Andy with pure S & V . His serve isn't exactly Isner or Ivo.
Murray had no Plan B either ;)