CINCINNATTI MASTERS AUG. 11th to 18th

[the AntiPusher]

I'm surprised a lot of you guys are already picking Nadal over Federer (assuming Nadal wins tonight). I understand Federer's level is patchy. But, it is still a fast hardcourt so I would not be surprised if Federer wins tomorrow over Nadal.

We will see tomorrow...

I wouldn't be surprised either. Nor would I be disappointed. A QF loss would be okay for Rafa, he's gotten in good practice and he can prepare next for Flushing Meadows. My nightmare scenario is that he starts broawling with the others in the Big 3 and peaks too soon...

All due respect Mr K,, the only time you can peak to soon is during happy time with a hot lady

 

[Kieran]

All due respect Mr K,, the only time you can peak to soon is during happy time with a hot lady

Never happened to me so I wouldn't know.

But he can fire all his bullets too early. He doesn't need long involved big matches against his closest rivals at the moment. Good win against Novak on Saturday, but let's move on to Flushing Meadows. No need to try grapple them all down too many times in a short span. The Big Picture is New York, not Cinci.

A loss to Federer wouldn't be huge because let's be honest, he'd reverse that in NY. But a loss to Andy or Novak? It might give them the assurance they need, at the right time...

 

[the AntiPusher]

All due respect Mr K,, the only time you can peak to soon is during happy time with a hot lady

Never happened to me so I wouldn't know.

But he can fire all his bullets too early. He doesn't need long involved big matches against his closest rivals at the moment. Good win against Novak on Saturday, but let's move on to Flushing Meadows. No need to try grapple them all down too many times in a short span. The Big Picture is New York, not Cinci.

A loss to Federer wouldn't be huge because let's be honest, he'd reverse that in NY. But a loss to Andy or Novak? It might give them the assurance they need, at the right time...

however a loss to Federer would recesitate him, his team and his fandom.

 

[Kieran]

It wouldn't mean anything. Federer's never gotten under Rafa's skin: if they meet in NY, it's over in four...

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Andy needs to finish this fast, we are waiting for Caro!

 

[ftan]

Roger gets it done.. I was out for lunch and when I came back , he was down a set (1-6)

Yeah, he was having lunch with you during that first set. :blush:

Oh I wish:angel:

 

[Front242]

I wonder if any grizzled ole Fed-watchers can tell us if they noticed his serve being affected by the back?

Haven't seen any of his matches here but a friend in work said he woke up to see Fed v Kohlschreiber and said he was pretty poor and definitely average first serve speed was a bit down and though he hit some decent shots he had problems getting down for low balls and let a few shots he'd normally attempt to run down fly past him. At least it's Friday tomorrow so I can finally watch some matches. If he plays Rafa next it'll likely be a crapfest but who knows. Maybe his "friend" will let him win to perk him up for old times sake.

 

[crystalfire]

i dont believe the back was a problem today. i might be wrong. but honestly as a hard core fed fan i give him like 10% chance to win against rafa. i just hope the scoreline isnt too nasty. ive pretty much given up on the season. Im waiting to see what he does next year. hope he comes back with more passion and no back problems

 

[crystalfire]

I wonder if any grizzled ole Fed-watchers can tell us if they noticed his serve being affected by the back?

Haven't seen any of his matches here but a friend in work said he woke up to see Fed v Kohlschreiber and said he was pretty poor and definitely average first serve speed was a bit down and though he hit some decent shots he had problems getting down for low balls and let a few shots he'd normally attempt to run down fly past him. At least it's Friday tomorrow so I can finally watch some matches. If he plays Rafa next it'll likely be a crapfest but who knows. Maybe his "friend" will let him win to perk him up for old times sake.

i dont think rafa will ever give a match to fed for free. :clap

 

[Front242]

I wonder if any grizzled ole Fed-watchers can tell us if they noticed his serve being affected by the back?

Haven't seen any of his matches here but a friend in work said he woke up to see Fed v Kohlschreiber and said he was pretty poor and definitely average first serve speed was a bit down and though he hit some decent shots he had problems getting down for low balls and let a few shots he'd normally attempt to run down fly past him. At least it's Friday tomorrow so I can finally watch some matches. If he plays Rafa next it'll likely be a crapfest but who knows. Maybe his "friend" will let him win to perk him up for old times sake.

i dont think rafa will ever give a match to fed for free. :clap

Course not. Just kidding

 

[britbox]

I'd be very surprised if Fed beat Rafa here or in New York at this point, which is a pity as historically, this is Fed's home turf. Anyway, one can hope for miracles.

 

[DarthFed]

Barring a good draw I don't think he is making the QF to face Rafa in New York and unless the courts truly are playing a lot slower than normal I give Dimitrov a pretty decent chance tonight. Regardless, Fed is not winning another match here, this sounded like a Tommy special today in a year where he hasn't had many.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

fed played well in the 2nd half of the match or in comparison with the first half at least..some crisper forehands and couple of magical cc bh winners..he turned it around after he was so hagridden at the start.

they have the nets really tight in the usa, it ballooned out of play everytime the top of the net was caught.

looking forward to rafa/wafa vs grigor later..

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

I'd be very surprised if Fed beat Rafa here or in New York at this point, which is a pity as historically, this is Fed's home turf. Anyway, one can hope for miracles.

I'd be surprised if Fed won anything big from here on...

 

[tented]

For those who need to watch it online, here's the only link I could find which works:

http://lsh.streamhunter.eu/static/popups/1644031006350410.html

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The last time Fed rallied for a win against Haas was 2009 French Open and
he won that tournament..............

 

[Moxie]

Thanks, tented! Got just in time to see Rafa break at 1-1. Good start.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Since Maria is already out of the tourney, Grigor might want to join her fast.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Grigor has to know by now that Rafa eats slices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The only slice that bothers him a tiny bit is the one you send to his forehand, somewhat short. If you send it to his backhand and he runs around it, you are toast.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Since Maria is already out of the tourney, Grigor might want to join her fast.

That's what you kids are calling it these days, "join" ???