Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2017, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

I hate to say it but I think Rafa is the very heavy favorite for RG this year. He's playing way better than he has the previous 3 years and it''s looking like a very weakened field with Fed probably not playing RG, and Nole is garbage right now as well. I haven't considered Rafa this big of a favorite at RG since 2012 when he had easily beaten Djokovic in 2 clay matches in the leadup tournaments.

It's a bit early, but for now Rafa should be the favorite. And I thought Roger was planning to play RG.

 

[herios]

Domi sent home by David

 

[Fiero425]

Sorry I missed all the upsets, but so far nothing's been shocking! Now if Nole goes down to C-B then I'll raise an eyebrow! I knew Sasha probably would go down to Rafa, but not that badly! I see Goffins made Nole's life a lot easier by eliminating one of my new faves, Thiem! Shame! Hope Rafa and Nole make semis! :nono :angel: - - Nole Blog - -

 

[DarthFed]

^ He was but there have since been reports saying it is up in the air, I've even heard it's doubtful he plays.

 

[Carol]

Will Novak be able to beat Carreno?

 

[El Dude]

If Novak goes down, is there anyone left who could possibly beat Rafa on clay? Could be the easiest Masters title ever for him.

 

[El Dude]

If Novak loses, Rafa's path could be:

QF: Diego Schwartzman
SF: Carreno-Busta/Goffin
F: Ramon/Cilic/Pouille/Cuevas

That's like an ATP 500.

 

[Fiero425]

If Novak loses, Rafa's path could be:

QF: Diego Schwartzman
SF: Carreno-Busta/Goffin
F: Ramon/Cilic/Pouille/Cuevas

That's like an ATP 500.

It's a bit silly even thinking about this yet; close to idiotic! The 3rd set just started! - - uzzled :nono :cover - -

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

If Novak loses, Rafa's path could be:

QF: Diego Schwartzman
SF: Carreno-Busta/Goffin
F: Ramon/Cilic/Pouille/Cuevas

That's like an ATP 500.

That said, Nadal is in great form anyway.

 

[Carol]

I think Novak will win because Carreno's performance is like Simon"s, third set too many errors

 

[El Dude]

If Novak loses, Rafa's path could be:

QF: Diego Schwartzman
SF: Carreno-Busta/Goffin
F: Ramon/Cilic/Pouille/Cuevas

That's like an ATP 500.

It's a bit silly even thinking about this yet; close to idiotic! The 3rd set just started! - - uzzled :nono :cover - -

Thanks for calling me idiotic, Fiero!

Anyhow, it looks like a moot point as Novak is up a break. Still, Goffin could prove problematic if he doesn't get his head on straight.

 

[Carol]

Vamos Carreno, make my Spaniard day!!!!:clap

 

[El Dude]

Wow, Carreno Busta has some heart! Some incredible defense on display.

 

[MartyB]

It's a bit early, but for now Rafa should be the favorite. And I thought Roger was planning to play RG.

If Nadal wins here which I expect him to he should be the odds on favorite for RG. There is that old axiom on any given day but I believe that there are really just a handful of men at best who can take Nadal out at RG this year. Two of them aren't playing at MC. As for Fed not playing RG this year I won't believe it until I hear it from him..He's being very smart about all this & he will see how the results fair on the clay court circuit until RG.

 

[El Dude]

Novak holds to go up 5-4. This is definitely a David-and-Goliath match as PCB clearly isn't half the player Novak is, but is playing with such heart and Novak is a bit wobbly (at least from the couple games I've watched).

 

[El Dude]

Nice try by PCB, but he was simply out-matched. I like what I see from PCB, but he probably maxes out in the #11-20 range, or maybe an Almagro/Simon/Goffin type that could taste the top 10, but not be a permanent resident there.

 

[Front242]

Watching the replay the first set Rafa has played pretty well but later like he has showed us this year he started to play "like Verdasco" getting some trouble by himself and that's why he lost in the AO, Acapulco, IW and Miami, why? his head and I think it's time to restore it.

So Rafa lost ALL those matches because it's in his head, meaning that EVERY match was on HIS racket--and his losing had NOTHING to do with the play of his opponents? For the record, this is from someone who claimed for a few years that Rafa had only to tweak his serve and he'd be back to his winning ways. AND----Carol has gone on record SEVERAL TIMES recently stating that Kyrgios is "nothing special"---can't win 2 matches in a row against top players, etc. We'll see how that crystal ball pans out LOL.

Kyrgios is very special, so special that a his 21 years old can't play in MC because he is too tired and needs some rest :laydownlaughing

It's a non mandatory tournament so maybe he's actually seeing the big picture. Ever consider that? Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and RG are coming up and Kyrgios has had a really great season so far. I'd say he's showing maturity for once. Grass court season should be his main focus.

 

[Carol]

So Rafa lost ALL those matches because it's in his head, meaning that EVERY match was on HIS racket--and his losing had NOTHING to do with the play of his opponents? For the record, this is from someone who claimed for a few years that Rafa had only to tweak his serve and he'd be back to his winning ways. AND----Carol has gone on record SEVERAL TIMES recently stating that Kyrgios is "nothing special"---can't win 2 matches in a row against top players, etc. We'll see how that crystal ball pans out LOL.

Kyrgios is very special, so special that a his 21 years old can't play in MC because he is too tired and needs some rest :laydownlaughing

It's a non mandatory tournament so maybe he's actually seeing the big picture. Ever consider that? Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and RG are coming up and Kyrgios has had a really great season so far. I'd say he's showing maturity for once. Grass court season should be his main focus.

When he reach a MS or GS final and besides that he would be able to win then I would see the big picture

 

[El Dude]

Kyrgios is definitely a dark-horse candidate at Wimbeldon. In fact, I'd probably rank him behind only Roger, Andy, and Novak, at least as of now. He's a better player than Milos, in my opinion.

 

[mrzz]

If Novak goes down, is there anyone left who could possibly beat Rafa on clay? Could be the easiest Masters title ever for him.

On paper, yes, but there are guys playing serious clay court tennis. Cuevas simply gave Wawrinka a lesson today, finally showing in the European Clay Season the tennis he is able to play.

Kyrgios is definitely a dark-horse candidate at Wimbeldon. In fact, I'd probably rank him behind only Roger, Andy, and Novak, at least as of now. He's a better player than Milos, in my opinion.

Dark-horse, sure. But to place him that high he needs to put up the results first. I would rather pack him together with ten other guys, forming a decent second tier.