Miami Open, ATP Masters 2018

[Front242]

I haven't watched many matches of the last two tournaments, but of the several moments of Fed matches I've watched, there is one common feeling: Roger's opponents seem more impassioned, seem to want to win more than Roger does. I just wonder if every tournament just feels like leadup to Slams for Roger. At his level it must be so hard to care as much as he needs to care to win at lesser tournaments, even Masters.

Couldn't disagree more re the desire to win masters events given how grouchy he was with the umpire against Del Potro in the Indian Wells final. Clearly shows how much he wanted to win it rather than not caring as much.

 

[Front242]

^ Plus, he lost quite a few points at Indian Wells and stands to lose plenty more here if he doesn't win so the desire must be extremely strong if you ask me..

 

[Federberg]

A bit of a harsh time violation there. I think these umpires need to be consistent all the way through

 

[Federberg]

That forehand is a mess today

 

[kskate2]

I didn't give big Kokk much of a chance today, but he's hanging tough at 4-4 in decider

 

[El Dude]

Think that's a bit harsh on Roger. I didn't see any desire issues at IW. He just didn't play well. Here so far, it's always been a struggle for him in the early rounds. He gets away with it generally because he's so good

I don't mean to be harsh. I just imagine that at 36 and with 20 Slams, each match in lesser tournaments doesn't quite have the gravitas as it once did, or as it does for mr Kokk here.

He seems to be better focused now, but he's put himself in a vulnerable position by being a bit lacsadaisical early on.

 

[Federberg]

He's always like this at the start of tournaments mate. It's just that normally the guy he's facing is just not good enough to capitalise. Nothing to do with hunger or desire. And for sure in IW desire was not a problem. It was quality. Frankly here, quality seems to be a problem at all. Serve is not really zoned in and his forehand is not good. Strangely his backhand has been solid

 

[El Dude]

I don't love the thought of a tiebreaker for Roger.

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, I know that's how he usually is. And you could be right about desire Federberg, although maybe focus and quality are related in this sense.

 

[Federberg]

I'm not loving the idea of a tie breaker given the way he's playing. That was some crazy shit with the ball hitting the net. Slightly poor form for Kokk to question Roger assuring him that he hadn't touched it though

 

[Federberg]

Terrible over-rule

 

[Federberg]

If I was putting money on this, I would go with Kokk here. I'm not believing that he's believing right now

 

[atttomole]

I can't believe some of Roger's misses.

 

[kskate2]

kokk w/ the first mini

 

[Federberg]

Roger is trying to take risk out of his game and it's not working

 

[Federberg]

Back home early to Europe at this rate

 

[Federberg]

Ballsy second serve there

 

[kskate2]

2-2 back on serve

 

[Federberg]

He's hitting his forehands so carefully right now. He has absolutely no faith in his racquet control it's so obvious

 

[kskate2]

3-3 at the change