Indian Wells

[Moxie]

Phew. Very well played by Mathieu in set 2, especially at the start of the TB.

To me, this is one of those tiny cracks in the glass ceiling. Roger failed to serve it out, (which has become a bad habit of Rafa, lately,) and Matthieu, based on nothing in his history v. Roger, started to believe. The end result is still the expected, but the attitudes are different.

Yeah, I think a lot of the top guys take it for granted when ahead that it's gonna be a straightforward affair and mentally shut down with their minds already in the locker room. It's a bit premature to think that way and it almost bit Roger on the arse there. Mathieu took full advantage of Roger's lapse. Just unfortunate for him that he himself had a bit of a bad patch towards the end of the TB as he started it so well.

It may be a little more nuanced. I think they used to take it for granted, but they still did it. What probably gives the mini let-down now is a little less confidence, more worry, which messes with their focus. I really think that Roger and Rafa, in their highest stride, used to win in the way they breathed…without thinking about it. Now, they think about it.

 

[Front242]

Phew. Very well played by Mathieu in set 2, especially at the start of the TB.

To me, this is one of those tiny cracks in the glass ceiling. Roger failed to serve it out, (which has become a bad habit of Rafa, lately,) and Matthieu, based on nothing in his history v. Roger, started to believe. The end result is still the expected, but the attitudes are different.

Yeah, I think a lot of the top guys take it for granted when ahead that it's gonna be a straightforward affair and mentally shut down with their minds already in the locker room. It's a bit premature to think that way and it almost bit Roger on the arse there. Mathieu took full advantage of Roger's lapse. Just unfortunate for him that he himself had a bit of a bad patch towards the end of the TB as he started it so well.

It may be a little more nuanced. I think they used to take it for granted, but they still did it. What probably gives the mini let-down now is a little less confidence, more worry, which messes with their focus. I really think that Roger and Rafa, in their highest stride, used to win in the way they breathed…without thinking about it. Now, they think about it.

Yeah, came 2nd nature before a lot more for sure.

 

[kskate2]

Milos on fire in the TB 3-0

 

[kskate2]

Stan breaks the Dr at 5-5. Will serve for the match

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Brilliant TB from Milos . Very positive. I did not see the match except the TB, so I don't know how he played overall.

Wawrinka wins with a break in each set.

 

[Front242]

Only watched the last few games but Stan seemed to be playing really well which is good to see. Glad his form has continued past the AO.

 

[kskate2]

And Milos takes it 7-2 in the breaker. He served 33 aces and had his serve broken once. ERV never lost serve but couldn't put it together in the TB's 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(2)

 

[kskate2]

He was lucky Murat. ERV really outplayed him for the most part. He didn't play the TB's well and that cost him the match. Milos was shaky in the 2nd set and most of the 3rd w/ a lot of UE's.

 

[Front242]

He was lucky Murat. ERV really outplayed him for the most part. He didn't play the TB's well and that cost him the match. Milos was shaky in the 2nd set and most of the 3rd w/ a lot of UE's.

He served 32 more lucky aces than Nadal against Djokovic at the US open last year. That's why he won

 

[Moxie]

^ Not to be TOO philosophical about it, but for all people talk about players and age and losing a step, etc., the thing I see with Roger and Rafa both, is that they have gotten a bit more hesitant. And that's the fear of losing. When you're young, and full of beans, you swing for the fences quite freely. However, when you get a bit long in the tooth, as to the tour, and you've had disappointing losses, (albeit relatively few,) you have much more to protect, in terms of pride and legacy. To me, this is where Federer and Nadal can get tight, which has nothing to do with age, only experience. They know how much they don't want to lose, and that they're not supposed to, but it has happened to them both. They are not so carefree in the clutch moments. That's my take on it.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The kid Jiri won again today.

Also, he got good news today. Due to some withdrawals, he got entry into main draw
of Miami also.

 

[Front242]

^ Not to be TOO philosophical about it, but for all people talk about players and age and losing a step, etc., the thing I see with Roger and Rafa both, is that they have gotten a bit more hesitant. And that's the fear of losing. When you're young, and full of beans, you swing for the fences quite freely. However, when you get a bit long in the tooth, as to the tour, and you've had disappointing losses, (albeit relatively few,) you have much more to protect, in terms of pride and legacy. To me, this is where Federer and Nadal can get tight, which has nothing to do with age, only experience. They know how much they don't want to lose, and that they're not supposed to, but it has happened to them both. They are not so carefree in the clutch moments. That's my take on it.

Yup, sounds just about spot on.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Anyone watched JJ? Is he healthy, hurt, what? Is he going to do anything anytime soon? Never was a big fan but I expected better from the dude after that Paris run. I haven't seen anything serious from him ever since.

 

[Front242]

Anyone watched JJ? Is he healthy, hurt, what? Is he going to do anything anytime soon? Never was a big fan but I expected better from the dude after that Paris run. I haven't seen anything serious from him ever since.

There's been nothing really since then, although the Wimbledon semi was a good run too. For me his serving is way too predictable and he still overuses the drop shot. Needs to mix it up a lot more and stop grunting like a tool while he's at it.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

^ Yeah, the Wimby semi...I forgot about that year already, with only Stakhovsky and Darcis etched in my brain. What a wasted year.

 

[Front242]

^ Yup. Well he had back issues late last year starting at the US Open and missed a few tournaments after that but he could still have done better.

 

[I.Haychew]

Phabio just urinated away the phirst set. Why do I like this guy?

 

[Moxie]

Phabio just urinated away the phirst set. Why do I like this guy?

Because he's got style, and sometimes we just love people that will drive us crazy.

 

[Front242]

Phabio just urinated away the phirst set. Why do I like this guy?

Because he pisses you off as you just mentioned :snigger

 

[kskate2]

What the heck is TC doing? Fabio is dropping F-bombs all over the joint and they keep the camera trained on him and keep apologizing throughout. :wow: