Brisbane 2014 - ATP 250

[GameSetAndMath]

I read that Fed got a million bucks to play in Brisbane.

 

[kskate2]

I read that Fed got a million bucks to play in Brisbane.

That's not a surprise. Most appearance fees far outweigh the $$ for winning it. Besides, they needed a top player as Rafa, Andy, Berd and Ferrer are playing Doha and Novak's not playing at all.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I read that Fed got a million bucks to play in Brisbane.

That's not a surprise. Most appearance fees far outweigh the $$ for winning it. Besides, they needed a top player as Rafa, Andy, Berd and Ferrer are playing Doha and Novak's not playing at all.

Well, Fed any way needed to play in a warm-up. So, he is not doing anything he would
not have done otherwise. SO, it is essentially free money.

 

[kskate2]

True, but he had a choice of places he could play (Chennai, Doha or Brisbane). So offering him a large appearance fee guarantees they can market the tournament around him. It's a win-win for RF and the tournament.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

True, but he had a choice of places he could play (Chennai, Doha or Brisbane). So offering him a large appearance fee guarantees they can market the tournament around him. It's a win-win for RF and the tournament.

Fed did not want to play in Doha, as there are lot of big guys out there. Since he wants
match practice with the new racquet, it is in his interest to play against a fairly weak field.
He cannot afford to get knocked out early when he needs match practice.

Also, Chennai is so poor that they cannot possibly give even half million in appearance
fee to anybody. So, it is certainly a WIN for Fed. It is also a Win for Brisbane, except it is
not a win in all capital letters.

 

[Moxie]

Beside Roger's match, ther results today:

Nishikori - Ebden 6-2, 6-4
Cilic - Dimitrov 7-5, 7-5
Matosevic - Querrey 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.

Great win for Matosevic again, dissapointing by Grigor. Marin Cilic used to be a solid top 20 player, so it is no shame in losing to him, but people are expecting more from Dimi.

Presumably, Cilic should be a bit rusty, and Dimitrov is supposed to be ready to make his mark (finally?) The score line seems to indicate a lack of gusto in the important moments. Not a great sign. More of the same from him, I fear. I'm "selling" Dimitrov stock.

 

[Front242]

While I didn't watch it, Cilic often serves very well and has good touch with the dropshot. That and the fact that he was quoted as saying Ivanisevic is proving to be a good coach for him and has improved his net game and S&V so maybe the variety just proved the winning formula and caught Dimitrov off guard. Or maybe he's just not that good. Time will tell.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed's next opponent is Matosevic. Fed has never played against him even though he
is around since 2003. So, there is a unknown element here.

Also, Matosevic is Australian citizen and so he might get some crowd support in
the match.

Finally, Matosevic has already taken out two decent players in Julian Benneteau
and Sam Query.

Having said all that, I think the road ends for Matsosevic in straight sets in
the next match.

 

[Front242]

Temped to get up at 4:30am to watch Fed's doubles match. Should be quite entertaining I reckon.

Federer / Mahut v Chardy / Dimitrov

Mahut plays Chardy in singles before that.

 

[Moxie]

While I didn't watch it, Cilic often serves very well and has good touch with the dropshot. That and the fact that he was quoted as saying Ivanisevic is proving to be a good coach for him and has improved his net game and S&V so maybe the variety just proved the winning formula and caught Dimitrov off guard. Or maybe he's just not that good. Time will tell.

"Time" has been trying to tell for Dimitrov for a really long time. I'm very bored with looking for his champion's heart to kick in. I don't think he has one. However, Ivanisevic could be a good fit for Cilic.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Temped to get up at 4:30am to watch Fed's doubles match. Should be quite entertaining I reckon.

Federer / Mahut v Chardy / Dimitrov

Mahut plays Chardy in singles before that.

Is it on TV?

 

[Front242]

Probably but I'll just be streaming it here.

 

[Front242]

While I didn't watch it, Cilic often serves very well and has good touch with the dropshot. That and the fact that he was quoted as saying Ivanisevic is proving to be a good coach for him and has improved his net game and S&V so maybe the variety just proved the winning formula and caught Dimitrov off guard. Or maybe he's just not that good. Time will tell.

"Time" has been trying to tell for Dimitrov for a really long time. I'm very bored with looking for his champion's heart to kick in. I don't think he has one. However, Ivanisevic could be a good fit for Cilic.

I agree, don't think he has it. Which is a shame as his game is very nice to watch. Hope I'm wrong though. He's still pretty young with ample time to improve. Guy I'm holding out hope for is Janowicz and I'd love to see Brands do better than he has in the past this year. Looked impressive today.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

For more info on marketing around Fed in Brisbane and Fed's appearance fees read


http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/roger-federer-has-been-a-coup-for-the-brisbane-international-20140101-3066v.html

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Britbox said he will be attending Brisbane Tourney in Person. However, he has not
bothered to post any interesting tidbits, scouting reports, photos, personal observations that
cannot be found in news paper reports etc. What is up BB? Do something.

 

[Moxie]

While I didn't watch it, Cilic often serves very well and has good touch with the dropshot. That and the fact that he was quoted as saying Ivanisevic is proving to be a good coach for him and has improved his net game and S&V so maybe the variety just proved the winning formula and caught Dimitrov off guard. Or maybe he's just not that good. Time will tell.

"Time" has been trying to tell for Dimitrov for a really long time. I'm very bored with looking for his champion's heart to kick in. I don't think he has one. However, Ivanisevic could be a good fit for Cilic.

I agree, don't think he has it. Which is a shame as his game is very nice to watch. Hope I'm wrong though. He's still pretty young with ample time to improve. Guy I'm holding out hope for is Janowicz and I'd love to see Brands do better than he has in the past this year. Looked impressive today.

Should Dimitrov find his 'hunger,' he'll still be a bit of a late-bloomer, but he could yet stir things up, IF he does. My take on Grigor is that he has so much game, and he's just waiting for that 'game' to hand him better results. I know he's compared to Roger, who was a bit of a talented, petulant boy in his teen years, but he found his focus, and knuckled down by about 21. Dimitrov is still faffing about with his arrogance about his game, but not putting his head into it, IMO.

I'm with you on Janowicz…I think he's got game, ambition, and he doesn't seem to expect it's going to be handed to him.

I didn't see Brands today, but it sounded like he impressed. (As did Kamke in Doha v. Nadal. But they're both a bit old for coming up with better than "spoiler" status, it seems to me.)

 

[Front242]

While I didn't watch it, Cilic often serves very well and has good touch with the dropshot. That and the fact that he was quoted as saying Ivanisevic is proving to be a good coach for him and has improved his net game and S&V so maybe the variety just proved the winning formula and caught Dimitrov off guard. Or maybe he's just not that good. Time will tell.

"Time" has been trying to tell for Dimitrov for a really long time. I'm very bored with looking for his champion's heart to kick in. I don't think he has one. However, Ivanisevic could be a good fit for Cilic.

I agree, don't think he has it. Which is a shame as his game is very nice to watch. Hope I'm wrong though. He's still pretty young with ample time to improve. Guy I'm holding out hope for is Janowicz and I'd love to see Brands do better than he has in the past this year. Looked impressive today.

Should Dimitrov find his 'hunger,' he'll still be a bit of a late-bloomer, but he could yet stir things up, IF he does. My take on Grigor is that he has so much game, and he's just waiting for that 'game' to hand him better results. I know he's compared to Roger, who was a bit of a talented, petulant boy in his teen years, but he found his focus, and knuckled down by about 21. Dimitrov is still faffing about with his arrogance about his game, but not putting his head into it, IMO.

I'm with you on Janowicz…I think he's got game, ambition, and he doesn't seem to expect it's going to be handed to him.

I didn't see Brands today, but it sounded like he impressed. (As did Kamke in Doha v. Nadal. But they're both a bit old for coming up with better than "spoiler" status, it seems to me.)

Yeah agree on Brands and Kamke being too old to be more than spoilers but both clearly have enough game to do better than they have in the past and I hope they do. Kamke hit some ridiculously good shots today in particular. Brands was great too but Kamke really impressed. Shame the DFs came at bad times. Well shame for him and those rooting for him, but good for you and Nadal

Both of them possess enough game to surely pass the 1st or 2nd round at a slam. 3rd round at Wimbledon was Kamke's best showing. I remember seeing his matches there and he looked good but besides that it's been nothing more than 2nd round everywhere else, which when you see how he played today is shocking and utterly disappointing.

 

[Front242]

Right, off to bed for a few hours and up at 4:30am to watch Federer / Mahut v Chardy / Dimitrov. Wouldn't normally get up for doubles but I reckon this could be an entertaining match and I want to see Fed playing with the new racquet. Till then tennis fans.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Right, off to bed for a few hours and up at 4:30am to watch Federer / Mahut v Chardy / Dimitrov. Wouldn't normally get up for doubles but I reckon this could be an entertaining match and I want to see Fed playing with the new racquet. Till then tennis fans.

How about Fed playing Baby Fed. I wonder if Grigor will soil his boxers like he did the first time they played...

 

[kskate2]

Right, off to bed for a few hours and up at 4:30am to watch Federer / Mahut v Chardy / Dimitrov. Wouldn't normally get up for doubles but I reckon this could be an entertaining match and I want to see Fed playing with the new racquet. Till then tennis fans.

Someone on the tournament staff should have told these 4 that they can vary from script (they're all wearing white shirts and dark shorts). :cover OK Fed's is off-white, but they still look like quadruplets out there.