Barclays ATP World Tour Finals - Day 3

[Murat Baslamisli]

Nadal is still not fully adjusted to the indoor conditions. He even said he's not feeling the ball very well after the first match. Good thing he's got Berdych next. Should help him sharpen up his game before the semis.

It was interesting to see how his forehand was falling so short, almost in the service box for almost a set and a half. I was (in my head) telling him to go get the rackets re-strung, loosen them up a bit. But i think towards the end, he got it, and the next match he will be even better.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

When Berdych hits those heavy forehands, it looks so effortless...his prep makes you feel like he will send you just an easy, soft ball and then wham...

 

[lacatch]

I just read on Tennis.com that Stan complained to the ump about Uncle Toni's blatant coaching during the match. This topic has been discussed before, and is obviously not a secret. The only other example I can think of in relatively recent times was when Carlos Rodriguez would coach Justine Henin from the sidelines. The ATP took action with slow play between points; wonder if they'd ever do anything about illegal coaching, although it doesn't seem pervasive in the game (among high profile players at least) EXCEPT for Toni/Rafa.

 

[Front242]

Considering he's been doing it for years I wouldn't hold your breath on anything being done. Umpires (besides Pascal Maria) are even too chickensh1t to enforce the 25 second rule. He's the only one who ever docked points over taking too long.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Solid return game gets Bird a break and he will serve for the match.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Strong showing from Bedych and a solid win. David looks like he is running on fumes.

 

[Front242]

Good stuff. Happy for the result and only watched around 2 mins of the match but all the same I feel bad for Ferrer to have not done better. He was much better at the WTF last year and seems a bit burnt out. Probably went all out against Rafa last week in Paris and is drained mentally and physically now.

 

[tented]

Strong showing from Bedych and a solid win. David looks like he is running on fumes.

Yeah, Ferrer looks dead tired. He put everything into getting to the Paris final, and has little left.

 

[nehmeth]

Strong showing from Bedych and a solid win. David looks like he is running on fumes.

Real nice match from Tomas. Ferrer could be the 0-3 guy in Group A.

 

[tented]

That takes Ferrer out of contention, too, since he's the only guy who hasn't won a match in Group A.

 

[nehmeth]

I just read on Tennis.com that Stan complained to the ump about Uncle Toni's blatant coaching during the match. This topic has been discussed before, and is obviously not a secret. The only other example I can think of in relatively recent times was when Carlos Rodriguez would coach Justine Henin from the sidelines. The ATP took action with slow play between points; wonder if they'd ever do anything about illegal coaching, although it doesn't seem pervasive in the game (among high profile players at least) EXCEPT for Toni/Rafa.

I guess that's what Rafa was apologizing to Stan about. None of the commentators knew what had transpired.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

So in group A the purpose is to avoid Nole in the semis. Can Bird achieve that by beating Nadal? Not that I think it will happen but still....which reminds me of this scene from Dumb and Dumber.

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGdhc9k07Ms[/video]

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nadal has now clinched a SF slot; worst thing that could happen is to lose to berdych
in straight sets. Even in that case, he has 2 matches won with 4-2 sets won. That gives
him at least a second place in Group A, even if three of them end up with 2 wins.

 

[nehmeth]

So in group A the purpose is to avoid Nole in the semis. Can Bird achieve that by beating Nadal?

It's conceivable that DP could go undefeated in Group B. That would mix things up a bit.

 

[Denis]

Strong showing from Bedych and a solid win. David looks like he is running on fumes.

Yeah, Ferrer looks dead tired. He put everything into getting to the Paris final, and has little left.

Could Ferrer have conceded his place to Tsonga? What is the point of playing if you're too tired? 80 000 euros?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

That takes Ferrer out of contention, too, since he's the only guy who hasn't won a match in Group A.

You happened to be right. However, in principle it is possible to qualify for SF with
only one win in RR. This would happen when one player gets 3 wins and other three
players get 1 win each. In that case, they will select the one player with better
percentage of sets won (percentage of games won, if there is a tie in sets won).

Having said that, Ferrer is completely out of the equation now as he lost
both matches in straight sets.

Actually, the organizers should take at least some blame. Ferrer deserves to get
a break today and play the second match only on thursday, as he was a Paris Finalist.
Look, you are playing in Paris on sunday, travel on monday to London and then
play on two consecutive days, tuesday and wednesday. That is ridiculous. They
should have asked Federer to play today and scheduled Ferrer's match tommorrow.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

So in group A the purpose is to avoid Nole in the semis. Can Bird achieve that by beating Nadal?

It's conceivable that DP could go undefeated in Group B. That would mix things up a bit.

That would suck for Roger, that's for sure..:cry

 

[tented]

The current standings:

http://www.barclaysatpworldtourfinals.com/en/scores-centre/group-standings

Group A:

Nadal: 2-0 (matches), 4-0 (sets), 26-17 (games)
Berdych: 1-1, 3-2, 25-26
Wawrinka: 1-1, 2-3, 30-27
Ferrer: 0-2, 0-4, 13-24


Group B:

Djokovic: 1-0, 2-1, 18-13
JMDP: 1-0, 2-1, 19-15
Gasquet: 0-1, 1-2, 15-19
Federer: 0-1, 1-2, 13-18

 

[nehmeth]

So in group A the purpose is to avoid Nole in the semis. Can Bird achieve that by beating Nadal?

It's conceivable that DP could go undefeated in Group B. That would mix things up a bit.

That would suck for Roger, that's for sure..:cry

I think Richie is the only guy in Group B where Roger has the better chance of winning.

Funny thing is that if Nole loses to DP tomorrow, then he could find himself playing Rafa in the semis.

 

[Denis]

So in group A the purpose is to avoid Nole in the semis. Can Bird achieve that by beating Nadal?

It's conceivable that DP could go undefeated in Group B. That would mix things up a bit.

That would suck for Roger, that's for sure..:cry

I think Richie is the only guy in Group B where Roger has the better chance of winning.

Funny thing is that if Nole loses to DP tomorrow, then he could find himself playing Rafa in the semis.

I wouldn't mind Nole playing Rafa in the semis. He can knock off 400 points from Rafa and potentially avoid Stan the Man.