Cincinnati Master 1000

[El Dude]

Crazy to think that one of these four will win the Cincinnati Masters: Ferrer, Kyrgios, Dimitrov, Isner. My bet is that it will be Kyrgios-Dimitrov, which could be an epic final. No idea who would win.

 

[El Dude]

You all realize that Zverev doesn't have to play seven five set matches to win a Slam. I mean, how many players have played seven five setters on route to a Slam title?

 

[Busted]

No excuse. He played like crap.

I was being sarcastic. He did play like crap...but part of that was Kyrgios taking it to him. It actually reminded me of the IW match against Federer. I've said it before and I'll say it again - nobody fears Nadal off clay courts. Especially not after watching Federer dismantle him 3 times this year. Everybody knows what to do now and until Nadal proves he can defend against those tactics - he's going to lose a lot of hard court matches. His serve has gotten better but he's still vulnerable in rallies to the wide or I/O cross court forehand and down the line backhand - especially in combination. Unless he's planning to start coming to net more himself and stop playing 15 feet behind the baseline when returning? It's going to be a very short stay in NYC for him.

 

[Fiero425]

I was being sarcastic. He did play like crap...but part of that was Kyrgios taking it to him. It actually reminded me of the IW match against Federer. I've said it before and I'll say it again - nobody fears Nadal off clay courts. Especially not after watching Federer dismantle him 3 times this year. Everybody knows what to do now and until Nadal proves he can defend against those tactics - he's going to lose a lot of hard court matches. His serve has gotten better but he's still vulnerable in rallies to the wide or I/O cross court forehand and down the line backhand - especially in combination. Unless he's planning to start coming to net more himself and stop playing 15 feet behind the baseline when returning? It's going to be a very short stay in NYC for him.

15 Feet? Chil' he was out the picture! I thought Kyrgios was waiting for Rafa to come back "from the can!" Nadal coaxed a few double faults near the end giving so much room to hit into! All I know is I loved when suckers decided to eliminate being aced by backing up! They would play yards behind the baseline to eliminate getting hit! I had pretty good control and would just take something off and spin them off the court! If it was indoors, I'd get them tangled in that netting between the courts! Juniors were so easy! Grow-ups were a bit smarter and they made me work for the points more!

 

[isabelle]

bad Nick played great, I wish he could win Cincy. a new winner for once, a brace of fresh air one more time after Montreal

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

And he still couldn't win a hard court tournament with no other top players there. Doesn't bode well for his US Open chances.



Also, Darren Cahill is off his rocker if he really believes that Kyrgios doesn't get extra-hyped to play one Federer, Nadal or Djokovic on center court. He was spewing some nonsense on ESPN2 about Kyrgios just liking the big courts and the crowds and doesn't care who's across the net. That's total baloney. They only time Krygios gets center court with a huge crowd is when he's playing one of the Big 4 - and he knows that. He may get a center court match but not capacity crowds. The only time that happens is when he's playing the Big 4. In this match in particular you could see Kyrgios wanted to get the win over Nadal - and Nadal certainly did his part by playing like crap. At least Roger was hampered by a bad back in the Montreal final when he got blown off the court by a "young gun." What's Nadal's excuse - other than that whole hard courts are NOT his friend thing...

Cahill said that? He is an idiot then...Nick definitely gets a semi when he sees one of the big 4 across the net. And that is one of his biggest problems. He picks and chooses matches. If he does not mature in a years time, he will just be another talented clown that had a couple of decent wins...

 

[The Strokes]

Yep, what a shame, I thought Rafa had realized that he could play much better than that and to win but it was just a mirage

That was the most depressing "display" ever by Rafa *(or one of).
Could barely watch.
His groundies were a total mess.
He came on after Nick's ridiculously insulting tweener (which Nick Lost the point on) but it was not enough.
One brilliant game at the start then implosion. Then he came on at the end, but after breaking at a crucial point in the 2nd set, served up another garbage game and got broke right back. (Details vague--I kept switching to scoreboards because I couldn't stand to watch)
It's not like Nick was totally brilliant, Rafa should have managed him. But he has failed on the HCs. Very hard to say, but there it is.

I can only guess as to the reason: Moya not there? Just doesn't feel off clay? Or the added pressure of being #1? Probably combo of the three.

 

[The Strokes]

Cahill said that? He is an idiot then...Nick definitely gets a semi when he sees one of the big 4 across the net. And that is one of his biggest problems. He picks and chooses matches. If he does not mature in a years time, he will just be another talented clown that had a couple of decent wins...

You got that right.
Nick only gets inspired when across a legend. That's because of his ego. He can't be bothered with a mere "player."
I remember him pulling out when he was about to face Fed next *(IW?) probably because he knew he couldn't win.

Anyway, Nadal played like a fool last night and made Nicks mission easy.

 

[The Strokes]

No excuse. He played like crap.

Yep.

I could barely watch that one.
You saw signs of the crappy game 1rst set ARV, then he got it together 2nd set.
Nick was beatable. Rafa wasn't feeling it, the groundies were a debacle.
Worrying for the USO.
I saw a twitter thing where Rafa was citing Cincy conditions, the balls the humidity etc. It's true it's never been his tourney, well once.
I'm not going to assume the worst USO--Rafa does better in 5, it separates the wheat from the chaff better, and the balls are different.
But other things are going on.

I think being #1 may be screwing him up. He prefers #2. LOL He'll be there soon.

 

[The Strokes]

Ironically I think Nadal has more to worry about than Federer...cuz even with a bad back Roger can play crappy on hard courts and still make it to the final. See: Montreal. Nadal? Not so much. See: Indian Wells, Montreal, Cincy... I'd normally wait until I see the draw...but...I'm going to say that regardless of the draw - Nadal loses before the quarters and finishes the year #3...assuming Murray plays decently the rest of the year...cuz the likelihood of Nadal winning the ATP Finals for the first time (unless they cover the O2 arena court in red dirt) to secure year end #1 is slim and none...

Murray has way too many points to defend, over 3000. Nadal has about 400.
Whether Nadal has more to worry about than Fed is an open question.
I wonder how bad Fed's back is? That could really ruin it for him.
Moya will be back with Nadal USO and that should make a difference.
I have to say I've been pretty disappointed in Rafa's play in Montreal and Cincy, when it mattered.
He was actually better on grass.

 

[The Strokes]

And he still couldn't win a hard court tournament with no other top players there. Doesn't bode well for his US Open chances.

For the first time in a long time I actually watched a Nadal match because I knew that if Kyrgios even put in a half-assed effort he would win. For once the guy got his head out of his butt and played a decent match. Who knows how he'll play against Ferrer though. He could be right back to head-up-butt bored mode.

Also, Darren Cahill is off his rocker if he really believes that Kyrgios doesn't get extra-hyped to play one Federer, Nadal or Djokovic on center court. He was spewing some nonsense on ESPN2 about Kyrgios just liking the big courts and the crowds and doesn't care who's across the net. That's total baloney. They only time Krygios gets center court with a huge crowd is when he's playing one of the Big 4 - and he knows that. He may get a center court match but not capacity crowds. The only time that happens is when he's playing the Big 4. In this match in particular you could see Kyrgios wanted to get the win over Nadal - and Nadal certainly did his part by playing like crap. At least Roger was hampered by a bad back in the Montreal final when he got blown off the court by a "young gun." What's Nadal's excuse - other than that whole hard courts are NOT his friend thing...

Agree re. Kyrgios. Different player against top 4 (except Murray! though he hasn't met Murray in Murray's slump) It's all about his ego, everything is with Nick. It's his engine.

 

[The Strokes]

Oh yeah.........

Hehe HI>

We exchanged a few opinions on Nick's health .... he looked ship shape last night no? Where are the hip problems? SHould have turned up playing two matches (one three setter) in one day .... Guess his hip is all better!!! And his shoulder too!!! Maybe that's why he hits uneccessary and failed tweeners when he's up 40/15--to preserve his hip ...

Gross match eh? Far grosser than the Shap loss.

 

[The Strokes]

I am sure he could become Mayor of Mollarcoa. I think people would heartily vote for him.

Where is Mollarcoa? My god you have spelling issues....

 

[The Strokes]

And he still couldn't win a hard court tournament with no other top players there. Doesn't bode well for his US Open chances.

For the first time in a long time I actually watched a Nadal match because I knew that if Kyrgios even put in a half-assed effort he would win. For once the guy got his head out of his butt and played a decent match. Who knows how he'll play against Ferrer though. He could be right back to head-up-butt bored mode.

Also, Darren Cahill is off his rocker if he really believes that Kyrgios doesn't get extra-hyped to play one Federer, Nadal or Djokovic on center court. He was spewing some nonsense on ESPN2 about Kyrgios just liking the big courts and the crowds and doesn't care who's across the net. That's total baloney. They only time Krygios gets center court with a huge crowd is when he's playing one of the Big 4 - and he knows that. He may get a center court match but not capacity crowds. The only time that happens is when he's playing the Big 4. In this match in particular you could see Kyrgios wanted to get the win over Nadal - and Nadal certainly did his part by playing like crap. At least Roger was hampered by a bad back in the Montreal final when he got blown off the court by a "young gun." What's Nadal's excuse - other than that whole hard courts are NOT his friend thing...

If you read his presser you will see he admitted he played badly. That's not making excuses. When asked why, he will cite whatever he felt was going on. Rafa does talk about the balls and conditions, because as a heavy topspin player, it does make huge difference.

If you played even half seriously, you would know this.

 

[The Strokes]

Nick is so odd and intriguing. Just a couple of weeks ago (or last week?) he was telling his mother from the court that he didn't want to be there, and he retired. But he totally gets it up for the marquee matches. I really do hope he can find some moderation in his attitude, so that it 's not just the occasional upset of top players, but big titles, including Majors. He's such a talent.

Read the New Yorker article July 10 to understand Nick.
There was also a less "understanding" in the NYTs awhile back--both trying to make sense of his head.
Try imagine carrying the ego of four people, with considerable insecurities attached, and you begin to imagine Nick.
I did warm to him at a point (when he wore the Fuck Trump t-shirt) and for his candour, and when i read he was fat as a kid and a few other things that helped me put him into a context.
Moderation in his attitude? I wouldn't bet on it. He's already matured a bit. Would he ever get to work in a serious way, i,e, train? He doesn't. And can he be bothered caring when it's not a top players he's against?
He could never do this without the monster serve. He's no AZ, though maybe more talented. Of all the young ones, I like Thiem and Shap (younger still) best.

 

[The Strokes]

Go Dimi ....
What a shaky guy to have to get behind.
Go Ferrer! Or even ISner!
What's happening with Ferrer that he's winning all of a sudden. Din't see the Thiem match ...

 

[The Strokes]

Wow, I really made a big dump!

Anyway, one more, for fans of all players to enjoy ...

Yesterday I heard a commie say this time last year Djok was 11,000 points ahead of Nadal!
Today Nadal is about 1800 points ahead of Djok.

I don't say this to gloat (because I'm not feeling bullish at the moment) but just because that stat kind of blew my mind.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

What's gotten into Ferrer

 

[Carol]

I haven't seen any excuse by Rafa, he just has said about the bad weather (to play two matches the same day is not very common) he also has said that he started to play bad and playing with a player like Kyrgios is very dificult to come back and to lift the match (even that he was close to do it) and about the balls, what is wrong to say he doesn't like?. I think that Roger made more excuses after his loss saying that he was on vacation and he didn't have to much training....(some others player were on vacations too) and later his back. Sorry to say but his only injury seems to be his EGO

 

[Carol]

I don't think Kyrgios played great but definitely he didn't want to lose that oportunity that Rafa was given to him and I don't blame him but his problem is when his opponent plays well and he can see he can't do too much to avoid it then he likes to start with the show, his hip, the trainer, his shoulder etc etc. Come on, I think his "performances" are already too known. We'll see how he will act against Ferru.......