Basel 500

[shawnbm]

I was wrong, but I still predict he will lose likely this tiebreak.

 

[Front242]

Gonna predict Gasquet wins 2 points in the TB.

 

[Front242]

A whole 4 points. Gasquet has definitely exceeded my expectations

 

[shawnbm]

Richard will now collapse after losing two set points

 

[Front242]

Richard will now collapse after losing two set points

He was about 52 feet behind the baseline on the last point ffs.

 

[shawnbm]

And here we go--Nadal with match point but Richard hits an unreal shot

 

[Front242]

Well, points won in the TB greatly exceeded expectations and it was only fitting Gasquet lost while miles behind the baseline. With vastly improved tactics, ie. not allowing himself to be bossed around due to his refusal to move forward, he could actually be a good player but that's been his downfall all these years. Not gonna watch the next match as it's time to hit the weights hard in the gym.

 

[nehmeth]

Rafa gets it done it two after being down a break in each set. Nice.

 

[shawnbm]

But Rafa prevails in straights as I thought all along. Gasquet double faulted away the game he has to win the second set and then loses the tiebreak.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The mystery continues. Rafa served first again - and I missed the toss again. Dunno which is more mysterious. But has he been choosing to serve first, or are they putting him in first?

Rafa isn't playing aggressively during his early service games, no first serves or he isn't coming fwd , he can correct it instead of always playing from behind

 

[nehmeth]

Funny during the warm-up, the commentators were talking about Sock playing doubles. With the success he and Popsicle are having, I don't see them continuing as a doubles team.

 

[shawnbm]

Roger cruising now

 

[nehmeth]

Roger cruising now

He may be looking forward to playing this incarnation of Rafa.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Sock is making it too easy for Roger, maybe it's nerves

 

[shawnbm]

In reply to nehmeth above, I think Rafa is coming along nicely. He is rallying well and coming up with big shots at big moments, and that is what are used to seeing.

 

[nehmeth]

In reply to nehmeth above, I think Rafa is coming along nicely. He is rallying well and coming up with big shots at big moments, and that is what are used to seeing.

Yep. Being down a break in both sets and coming back has to help put a little confidence in the tank. Hanging tough in a tiebreak, also a plus.

If he beats Roger? It could start him on a run. :snicker

 

[tented]

The mystery continues. Rafa served first again - and I missed the toss again. Dunno which is more mysterious. But has he been choosing to serve first, or are they putting him in first?

Did not get online in time to see the toss.

I've been noticing this as well, and wondering what's been going on during the coin tosses. Has Rafa decided it's better not to serve from behind all the time? Or are his opponents trying to throw him off by not allowing him to engage in all of his rituals?

 

[Kieran]

The mystery continues. Rafa served first again - and I missed the toss again. Dunno which is more mysterious. But has he been choosing to serve first, or are they putting him in first?

Did not get online in time to see the toss.

I've been noticing this as well, and wondering what's been going on during the coin tosses. Has Rafa decided it's better not to serve from behind all the time? Or are his opponents trying to throw him off by not allowing him to engage in all of his rituals?

If they are, it's working. He's starting slowly in each match. I wonder what he'll do tomorrow if he wins the toss. This time, I know when the match starts!

 

[tented]

Did not get online in time to see the toss.

I've been noticing this as well, and wondering what's been going on during the coin tosses. Has Rafa decided it's better not to serve from behind all the time? Or are his opponents trying to throw him off by not allowing him to engage in all of his rituals?

If they are, it's working. He's starting slowly in each match. I wonder what he'll do tomorrow if he wins the toss. This time, I know when the match starts!

I remember seeing Roger interviewed years (probably around 2008), and he joked that there's no point in even having the coin toss when he plays Rafa, since the outcome is always the same.

But then when Fed won the toss before their 2009 Madrid final, he elected to receive, and gave a quick glance towards Rafa, out of the corner of his eye, to see if this registered on his face. I distinctly remember thinking Roger did this to try to throw Rafa off, which I thought was a smart move.

If we miss the toss tomorrow, we're going to be so disappointed!

 

[tented]

Alexander Peya / Bruno Soares DEFEATS (3) Jamie Murray / John Peers -- 7-5, 7-5

Suggestion for addition to rhetorical cliches, such as "Is the Pope Catholic?" or "Does Rose Kennedy own a black dress?":

"Do the Murrays have runners-up trophies?"