BNP Paribas Masters - ATP 1000 - Oct. 27th to Nov. 2nd

[masterclass]

Here is the OOP for Monday. There are 10 first round singles matches scheduled. Dog vs. Thiem stands out.

In an effort to prevent first round exit, Stan has decided to enter the doubles and get some
real time practice before his first match. On top of that, he is playing doubles with Leander Paes,
a doubles stalwart.

After the AO, this year for Stan is about the Swiss winning the Davis Cup. He has stated several times that he wants it very badly. I think he would sacrifice his #4 ranking and the World Tour Finals to do well in Davis Cup. He knows that he has to win at least 1 singles rubber for the Swiss to win.

I would not be surprised if he has been practicing on clay since the French announced they chose it as the surface, and will continue to practice on it. He said the French made a big mistake choosing clay. His play on hard recently has been lousy, especially his footwork, so it lends to my suspicions of him practicing on clay. So it would not surprise me to see him exit early again in Paris and in London. It couldn't hurt for him to practice doubles with Paes as well, after his last couple of doubles match losses at Davis Cup. Remember, Federer even said if he had not done well in Shanghai, he and Stan could have only played doubles in Basel and that he and Stan have been discussing how to best prepare for the Davis Cup Final.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

After the AO, this year for Stan is about the Swiss winning the Davis Cup. He has stated several times that he wants it very badly. I think he would sacrifice his #4 ranking and the World Tour Finals to do well in Davis Cup.

I don't believe this, brother. What sacrifice? What benefit? He still has to play the matches, so what gain is there for him by not trying his dangest to win every match? He'd be more useful to the Swiss if he went to Lille on the back of a successful and confident run on of victories...

 

[Kieran]

For Federer to win Paris, it would require him to win 10 matches in 12 days, across two countries. It's a hard schedule for a 33 year old, but this guy is fairly special in how fast he recovers: he played 10 matches in 13 days between Canada and Cinci.

I know, it's indoors now, but even still, it's a tough ask...

One advantage over the North American hard court twin masters and now is that Basel was a bike ride from home (now maybe a drive ). Didn't have to travel across the ocean to get there. And Paris is a short hop ride in his jet. I don't think travel will be an issue.

But the playing schedule still might be. Because he is prime-time spectator draw, he seems to get evening sessions, and then if he makes the final, it's a short turnaround. He's handled it so far. We'll see what happens in Paris.

Fortunately, the players get a week off before the World Tour Finals. After the push some have made for the final 8, it will be a welcome rest.

Respectfully,
masterclass

I think Basel is a cow ride home for Roger, he has enough of the beasts, he may as well use them. :snigger

Having won that tournament, most likely Roger will play his first match in Paris on Wednesday, demanding of him another run of 5 matches in 5 days, but this time for higher stakes (albeit with a nice draw). It'll be interesting to see how well he holds up to all this, physically...

 

[masterclass]

After the AO, this year for Stan is about the Swiss winning the Davis Cup. He has stated several times that he wants it very badly. I think he would sacrifice his #4 ranking and the World Tour Finals to do well in Davis Cup.

I don't believe this, brother. What sacrifice? What benefit? He still has to play the matches, so what gain is there for him by not trying his dangest to win every match? He'd be more useful to the Swiss if he went to Lille on the back of a successful and confident run on of victories...

I believe what I see and hear. That's all I can say.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

After the AO, this year for Stan is about the Swiss winning the Davis Cup. He has stated several times that he wants it very badly. I think he would sacrifice his #4 ranking and the World Tour Finals to do well in Davis Cup.

I don't believe this, brother. What sacrifice? What benefit? He still has to play the matches, so what gain is there for him by not trying his dangest to win every match? He'd be more useful to the Swiss if he went to Lille on the back of a successful and confident run on of victories...

I believe what I see and hear. That's all I can say.

Respectfully,
masterclass

What you see is a man who's zoned out and not necessarily conserving himself for 2 matches that take place at the end of next month...

 

[masterclass]

After the AO, this year for Stan is about the Swiss winning the Davis Cup. He has stated several times that he wants it very badly. I think he would sacrifice his #4 ranking and the World Tour Finals to do well in Davis Cup.

I don't believe this, brother. What sacrifice? What benefit? He still has to play the matches, so what gain is there for him by not trying his dangest to win every match? He'd be more useful to the Swiss if he went to Lille on the back of a successful and confident run on of victories...

I believe what I see and hear. That's all I can say.

Respectfully,
masterclass

What I see is a man who's zoned out and not necessarily conserving himself for 2 matches that take place at the end of next month...

Corrected pronoun.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[masterclass]

Didn't mean to derail the thread with Davis Cup talk... bit of a detour with focus on Stan.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

Poor Stan, you make him seem like a basket case who needs careful handling before playing against - let's face it - two French blokes. It doesn't really matter who they are, none of them are renowned for bringing their warrior mush to the big stage. He should be fine!

Except...he's totally lost his form! :snigger

 

[Kieran]

Didn't mean to derail the thread with Davis Cup talk... bit of a detour with focus on Stan.

Respectfully,
masterclass

It could be worse, there's a huge Fedal war due on about page 11 of this thread.

Speaking of Stan, though, he's got a tough draw on paper, to open, but Dolgo is a lad who's vanished since spring, and Thiem is a youngster who looked good in spurts this year, but shouldn't trouble the AO champ. After this, he's not got anybody who should worry him. Paris might actually be where Stan rediscovers his touch...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Dog's season ends with a bagel courtesy of Thiem. Thiem moves on. Youzhny's season is over as well.

Compared to Basel, these courts are looking extremely slow. If they are resurfaced this year, they might get a bit faster by the end of the tournament when the grit is worn down a bit.

 

[Front242]

Dolgopolov hasn't been the same since his knee surgery. Hope he gets back on track next year. No way a guy with his firepower and serve should lose a 6-0 set to Thiem so clearly his movement is suffering since the knee injury. He's barely won a match since or has he even done that?

 

[masterclass]

Poor Stan, you make him seem like a basket case who needs careful handling before playing against - let's face it - two French blokes. It doesn't really matter who they are, none of them are renowned for bringing their warrior mush to the big stage. He should be fine!

Except...he's totally lost his form! :snigger

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[kskate2]

Jerzy down a break in the decider to Uncle Sam 3-4

 

[kskate2]

Sam serves it out, Jerzy is done for the year. :wave

 

[Denis]

Sam serves it out, Jerzy is done for the year. :wave

:snigger A lot of players are about to embark upon holidays this week.

 

[kskate2]

Yeah man. The beaches will be full for the next few weeks between ATP & WTA.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Bad news for Stan. He needs to play Thiem in his first match in Second round.
Thiem had already beaten Stan on clay courts this year.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

For Federer to win Paris, it would require him to win 10 matches in 12 days, across two countries. It's a hard schedule for a 33 year old, but this guy is fairly special in how fast he recovers: he played 10 matches in 13 days between Canada and Cinci.

I know, it's indoors now, but even still, it's a tough ask...

1. In Basel, two of his matches were glorified practice sessions. The opening match, he won
in 47 minutes and the final match, he won in 52 minutes. Hence, I assume he will have plenty
left in the tank.

2. Fed does not need to win Bercy outright to continue to nurture hopes of YE #1. He
just has to make sure that he puts in a decent show. But, for all practical purposes, he
needs to win either Bercy or London. If he does not win one of them, his chances of finishing
YE #1, while not mathematically impossible, are next to nil.

3. Fed has easy first round match. Second round would be painful again, if he is facing
the Ace Machine, Karlovic again. If he can get over that, he faces another Ace Machine
in Milos Raonic. Generally, speaking Fed is good in negotiating his way through the
big servers. So, my guess is he will get through both ace machines. He will either lose
to Berdych in SF (no guarantee that Berdych will reach there) or Novak in F (no guarantee
that Novak will reach there either).

 

[Kieran]

For Federer to win Paris, it would require him to win 10 matches in 12 days, across two countries. It's a hard schedule for a 33 year old, but this guy is fairly special in how fast he recovers: he played 10 matches in 13 days between Canada and Cinci.

I know, it's indoors now, but even still, it's a tough ask...

1. In Basel, two of his matches were glorified practice sessions. The opening match, he won
in 47 minutes and the final match, he won in 52 minutes. Hence, I assume he will have plenty
left in the tank.

2. Fed does not need to win Bercy outright to continue to nurture hopes of YE #1. He
just has to make sure that he puts in a decent show. But, for all practical purposes, he
needs to win either Bercy or London. If he does not win one of them, his chances of finishing
YE #1, while not mathematically impossible, are next to nil.

3. Fed has easy first round match. Second round would be painful again, if he is facing
the Ace Machine, Karlovic again. If he can get over that, he faces another Ace Machine
in Milos Raonic. Generally, speaking Fed is good in negotiating his way through the
big servers. So, my guess is he will get through both ace machines. He will either lose
to Berdych in SF (no guarantee that Berdych will reach there) or Novak in F (no guarantee
that Novak will reach there either).

1. Two of his matches in Basle went the distance.

2. Regardless of what he needs to do to get #1, my post was about what he needs to do to win Bercy: 10 matches in 12 days is a lot of play, in anybody's money, and especially for a 33 year old. I'm sympathising with him, brother.

3. I agree about him going through the Ace Machines, but those matches can be twitchy...

 

[Riotbeard]

Sock looked good taking down andujar 6-1, 6-1. His game has really improved, especially his backhand.