Barclays ATP World Tour Finals - Day 5

[Kieran]

I don't see Rafa thinking about who comes second. He's trying to win. Berdy played a great second set but Rafa will step it up here....

 

[tented]

But he also has an obvious reason to not go all out against an opponent fighting to survive.

He may also prefer Berdych takes the second spot in his group for tactical reasons.

Possibly but I'm not sure why. Nole seems to have more trouble with Stan than Berdych... Regardless I don't think either has much of a chance and Rafa probably wouldn't think so either.

Well, one of them will have to play Djokovic, and it's in Rafa's hands to decide which one. Stan folds far too many times at critical moments. Not that Berdych is a mental giant -- I know he's not -- but of the two, I'd go with Berdych, the guy who has knocked Federer out of GSs, been a GS finalist, etc.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

But he also has an obvious reason to not go all out against an opponent fighting to survive.

He may also prefer Berdych takes the second spot in his group for tactical reasons.

Possibly but I'm not sure why. Nole seems to have more trouble with Stan than Berdych... Regardless I don't think either has much of a chance and Rafa probably wouldn't think so either.

Well, one of them will have to play Djokovic, and it's in Rafa's hands to decide which one. Stan folds far too many times at critical moments. Not that Berdych is a mental giant -- I know he's not -- but of the two, I'd go with Berdych, the guy who has knocked Federer out of GSs, been a GS finalist, etc.

I am so glad this is the only tournament these type of wheelings and dealings can take place. Tennis is much better when you are only responsible for your own destiny.

 

[nehmeth]

Let's see if Rafa slows things down a little to stop the momentum.

 

[tented]

I am so glad this is the only tournament these type of wheelings and dealings can take place. Tennis is much better when you are only responsible for your own destiny.

I'm not saying for sure that anything is happening on purpose, however Berdych has won two -- TWO -- sets against Rafa in the last 15 matches ... and now he may win a match.

 

[Front242]

Well even if Nadal gives Berdych an early Xmas present here, he'll make up for it at the slams.

 

[Kieran]

There's no wheeling and dealing or horsetrading or playing swappsies - Nadal is playing to win and he will win. Berdy is playing well, though, and serving like a beast...

 

[El Dude]

Berdych is a scary good player when he's on. He's one of those players that, when I watch him play, I wonder why he hasn't won more tournaments, even a Slam or two. And, unlike say Ferrer or Tsonga, he went pro at a very young age - his only ATP 1000 was won at age 20. But then I watch a little longer and he almost invariably implodes and I realize why he hasn't won more.

Actually, his year-end rankings paint quite a picture. He was ranked #113 at age 18, #45 at age 19, #24 at age 20, and then #13 at age 21. One would think this was an elite player in the making. But then he stagnated, finishing age 22 at #14 and age 23-24 at #20. He's finished his age 25-28 seasons (including this year) #7 or higher, but for some reason was never able to take that next step up into the true elite.

 

[nehmeth]

gutsy play by Tomas

 

[Front242]

Berdych is a scary good player when he's on. He's one of those players that, when I watch him play, I wonder why he hasn't won more tournaments, even a Slam or two. And, unlike say Ferrer or Tsonga, he went pro at a very young age - his only ATP 1000 was won at age 20. But then I watch a little longer and he almost invariably implodes and I realize why he hasn't won more.

Actually, his year-end rankings paint quite a picture. He was ranked #113 at age 18, #45 at age 19, #24 at age 20, and then #13 at age 21. One would think this was an elite player in the making. But then he stagnated, finishing age 22 at #14 and age 23-24 at #20. He's finished his age 25-28 seasons (including this year) #7 or higher, but for some reason was never able to take that next step up into the true elite.

He needs to Czech himself before he riggidy wrecks himself.

 

[shawnbm]

Let's see if Rafa slows things down a little to stop the momentum.

Is he taking extra long to do things? Is he down in the third set?

 

[nehmeth]

Let's see if Rafa slows things down a little to stop the momentum.

Is he taking extra long to do things? Is he down in the third set?

Actually playing pretty quickly (for him). He did get a warning by the ump for delaying earlier.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

There's no wheeling and dealing or horsetrading or playing swappsies - Nadal is playing to win and he will win. Berdy is playing well, though, and serving like a beast...

I am pretty sure Nadal will win too, but it is a lot different in your head, when you HAVE TO win versus, meh, whatever...

 

[Kieran]

There's no wheeling and dealing or horsetrading or playing swappsies - Nadal is playing to win and he will win. Berdy is playing well, though, and serving like a beast...

I am pretty sure Nadal will win too, but it is a lot different in your head, when you HAVE TO win versus, meh, whatever...

That's true, but there's a difference between conserving energy or losing motivation, and tanking.

Here we go, 6-3!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

But he also has an obvious reason to not go all out against an opponent fighting to survive.

He may also prefer Berdych takes the second spot in his group for tactical reasons.

Possibly but I'm not sure why. Nole seems to have more trouble with Stan than Berdych... Regardless I don't think either has much of a chance and Rafa probably wouldn't think so either.

Well, one of them will have to play Djokovic, and it's in Rafa's hands to decide which one. Stan folds far too many times at critical moments. Not that Berdych is a mental giant -- I know he's not -- but of the two, I'd go with Berdych, the guy who has knocked Federer out of GSs, been a GS finalist, etc.

I am so glad this is the only tournament these type of wheelings and dealings can take place. Tennis is much better when you are only responsible for your own destiny.

ATP, in its infinite wisdom, actually tried this RR format in some 250 level tournaments.
They were planning to use this format everywhere if it was successful. It turned out to
be a complete disaster and ATP gave up the attempt.

The theory behind their RR format was that fans know exactly who is playing whom
and when and so the fans would be able to buy tickets for matches knowing the
exact players who will be playing in the match.

 

[Front242]

Berdych isn't flattening his shots out at all. Hitting big dopey loopy balls. Why?

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Good job from Nadal. Stan-Nole is always more exciting anyways...

 

[tented]

Great match point!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Congratulations, Stan !:clap

 

[Front242]

Good job from Nadal. Stan-Nole is always more exciting anyways...

For sure yup. Should be a great match hopefully.