Indian Wells

[nehmeth]

^^^
I think too, that it just feels "fresh" - not the same old same old we've seen over and over again.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Can I state for the record it's been great seeing matches that are fun to watch that don't have one (or more) of the big four in them?

agree completely!!!

This one felt like a changing-of-the-guard to me. I can't think of the last time that we were all watching and commenting so enthusiastically, live-action, about a match that didn't involved the Big 4…and that it really felt like it mattered, in the long run.

I am not sure about a changing of the guard, but it is nice to see players not part of the big 4 showing the world how much they want it and how they are willing to fight for every ball.

Both Greg and Ernie are just incredible athletes and movers. Both have wins over top 3 players.

 

[Moxie]

Can I state for the record it's been great seeing matches that are fun to watch that don't have one (or more) of the big four in them?

agree completely!!!

This one felt like a changing-of-the-guard to me. I can't think of the last time that we were all watching and commenting so enthusiastically, live-action, about a match that didn't involved the Big 4…and that it really felt like it mattered, in the long run.

I am not sure about a changing of the guard, but it is nice to see players not part of the big 4 showing the world how much they want it and how they are willing to fight for every ball.

Both Greg and Ernie are just incredible athletes and movers. Both have wins over top 3 players.

I'm not saying that the Big 4 are done, just that we have real juice amongst other players, and not merely a side-show as to which of the top 4 they play next. This one had marquee value for itself.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Can I state for the record it's been great seeing matches that are fun to watch that don't have one (or more) of the big four in them?

agree completely!!!

This one felt like a changing-of-the-guard to me. I can't think of the last time that we were all watching and commenting so enthusiastically, live-action, about a match that didn't involved the Big 4…and that it really felt like it mattered, in the long run.

I am not sure about a changing of the guard, but it is nice to see players not part of the big 4 showing the world how much they want it and how they are willing to fight for every ball.

Both Greg and Ernie are just incredible athletes and movers. Both have wins over top 3 players.

I'm not saying that the Big 4 are done, just that we have real juice amongst other players, and not merely a side-show as to which of the top 4 they play next. This one had marquee value for itself.

Agree, and other players I whip out the popcorn for are Fog Man, The Dog, Agut, and many others.

 

[nehmeth]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

My picks:

Murray, Stanimal, Fed, Djoker.

However I do think Anderson can pull off an upset.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

I agree with three of your picks.

Fed wins against Haas. Haas is not even physically feeling good. Has some shoulder
issue or something. He needed to retire in some previous tournaments recently.

 

[nehmeth]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

I agree with three of your picks.

Fed wins against Haas. Haas is not even physically feeling good. Has some shoulder
issue or something. He needed to retire in some previous tournaments recently.

I heard about the shoulder trouble. For those who hadn't:
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/10537226/tommy-haas-retires-match-paolo-lorenzi-due-bad-shoulder-brazil-open-semis

The reasonable choice of course would be to pick Fed. I alway hated every time someone called Haas "Fed-lite", so when they play, I cheer for Tommy.

 

[Moxie]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

My picks:

Murray, Stanimal, Fed, Djoker.

However I do think Anderson can pull off an upset.

I wouldn't pick either Anderson or Haas for the upsets. Cilic has the hot hand, but I'd be very surprised. I'm not in love with Raonic's game, but if I were picking an upset...

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

I agree with three of your picks.

Fed wins against Haas. Haas is not even physically feeling good. Has some shoulder
issue or something. He needed to retire in some previous tournaments recently.

I heard about the shoulder trouble. For those who hadn't:
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/10537226/tommy-haas-retires-match-paolo-lorenzi-due-bad-shoulder-brazil-open-semis

The reasonable choice of course would be to pick Fed. I alway hated every time someone called Haas "Fed-lite", so when they play, I cheer for Tommy.

Since Tommy predates Feds rise by a good 5 years, that is an inappropriate nick name. Also, Tommy's game is far more physical, and his forehand is not in the same league, although his backhand is sublime.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Wednesday we have some nice match-ups.

Raonic v. Murray - Andy's barely eeked out wins against lesser players. Picking Raonic for an upset.

Wawrinka v. Anderson - Think Stan wins this rather handily.

Haas v. Federer - Picking Tommy for the upset.

Djokovic v. Cilic - Unfortunately I see this going to three sets, and Marin could pull out a win.

My picks:

Murray, Stanimal, Fed, Djoker.

However I do think Anderson can pull off an upset.

I wouldn't pick either Anderson or Haas for the upsets. Cilic has the hot hand, but I'd be very surprised. I'm not in love with Raonic's game, but if I were picking an upset...

Joker will exploit the Cilic forehand.

 

[I.Haychew]

Round of 16 predictions...
Raonic vs. Murray: Murray in three.
Dolgopolov vs. Eph 3: D-Love in an easy two.
Gulbis vs. Bautista-Agut: Gulbis in an easy two.
Wawrinka vs. Anderson: Wawrinka in two tiebreaks.
Verdasco vs. Isner: Isner in two relatively easy sets.
Lopez vs. Benneteu: Lopez in two tiebreaks.
Phederer vs. Haas: Phederer in two, easily.
Djokovic vs. Cilic: Djokovic in a blowout (two easy sets).

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Both Andy and Novak have tough matches tomorrow.

Andy is playing very poorly and Milos has a winning record against him.
Also, Andy needs to protect his serve very seriously as he will not get many
opportunities to break like he did against Jiri etc.

Novak is not playing poorly, but is definitely not sharp. Cilic is on
an upswing this year and may cause him problems. Novak cannot
afford a mental lapse.

While there is an upset potential in both of the matches, both
Andy and Novak are fully capable of bringing their A game just
when it is needed and so could avoid the upset also. But, they
are not going to win these with half hearted attempts.

 

[TsarMatt]

Shamefully copying I. Haychew here:

Raonic vs. Murray: Tree trunk legs in three.

Dolgopolov vs. Eph 3: The Hot Dog in two.

Gulbis vs. Bautista-Agut: Gulbis is GOATing. Straight set win here.

Wawrinka vs. Anderson: Stan in two here, perhaps with one going to a tiebreak.

Verdasco vs. Isner: The former in straight sets. If he can use that FH, he'll hit Isnar off the court.

Lopez vs. Benneteu: Lopez in straights.

Phederer vs. Haas: Old man in straights.

Djokovic vs. Cilic: Joker will just blast through Cilic here.

 

[isabelle]

Murray in 3 but an upset is possible
The Dog in 2
Nuts Gulbis in 2
Stan in 2
Isner in 3
Bennet in 3
Youngderer in 3 but Haas could surprise us
Nole in 2
that's my predictions, some very intersting matches in IW, can't wait

 

[Front242]

Phederer vs. Haas: Old man in straights.

They're both old and Haas is older

 

[Front242]

Apparently Tommy's shoulder is ok since the retirement in Acapulco too thankfully.

 

[Kieran]

I know this isn't a video thread but I think this clip is too cute not to share on here.

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDG3WyauZc[/video]

That's excellent! How many of the players mixed Roger up with a little girlie? :snigger Aw, the cute liddle baba!

And how many saw the photo of Jankovic and thought, Zorba the Greek! Anthony Quinn!

Rafa indeed looks the same. Outdoors Island boy. And Sharapova was funny at the end, "those babies were adorable and look at us now."

Yeah, ya look ruff! :lolz:

 

[isabelle]

Phederer vs. Haas: Old man in straights.

They're both old and Haas is older

Julien B and Lopez aren't beginners either...IW is a nice place for old guys !!

 

[El Dude]

My predictions:
Raonic
Wawrinka
Fognini
Federer
Cilic
Gulbis
Benneteau
Isner