MONTE CARLO ROLEX MASTERS - Apr. 12-20 - 2014.

[Mastoor]

Novak... 21 winners to Montanes' 1. 6-1, 4-0. He is hitting everything well, accelerating through his shots and hitting eveywhere with depth and pace.

edit: 6-1.6-0 27 winners to 16 unforced errors. 8/9 at the net, 5/12 on break points converted.

Nice. Didn't watch it but that's a good scoreline and great stats. Poor old Albert is a bit past it at 33 and a beatdown was always on the cards really.

Didn't get to watch it. Glad it went about as easy as it could go.

It was better than an easy go for Nole, RB. If you can watch it on ESPN3, as a fan it's well worth the 45 minutes. Montanes is rather long in the tooth, but you can see very clearly what Novak is working on with regard to his own game. His execution was jaw-dropping.

I didn't see the match, but I read that Nole actually said he wished Montanes was able to rally him so he could gauge his own form what he couldn't do just playing short points.

 

[Front242]

^ Yeah, makes sense. The matches will get tougher as he moves on anyway.

 

[Mastoor]

^ Yes, maybe Monfils next and he should be good enough to move Nole around.

 

[Front242]

More I think of it though the match against Montanes was probably even more useful if anything than a rally session. We know Novak is one the best ralliers out there so he doesn't need to prove that to himself and he's clearly fit enough to not need to do that either to test his cardio. Instead he got some great practice at first strike and volleying, which when coupled with his precision rallying will make for a deadly combination if he's doing both well on the day in the next few matches.

 

[nehmeth]

I didn't see the match, but I read that Nole actually said he wished Montanes was able to rally him so he could gauge his own form what he couldn't do just playing short points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V85igs7i6Qs#t=23

Always good to post a link along with the statement. You're right, he did say he wished he could have played a bit longer. He also said he was glad the match was short so that his arm could heal.

 

[Mastoor]

More I think of it though the match against Montanes was probably even more useful if anything than a rally session. We know Novak is one the best ralliers out there so he doesn't need to prove that to himself and he's clearly fit enough to not need to do that either to test his cardio. Instead he got some great practice at first strike and volleying, which when coupled with his precision rallying will make for a deadly combination if he's doing both well on the day in the next few matches.

Front, I don't think you thought hard enough on this. How likely is for Nole to get to play on the net that much during clay season. Montanes was out of form so Nole was able to do so, imagine him trying to do the same against Monfils, he would pass him easily each and every time.

 

[Moxie]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

 

[Front242]

^ Probably explains why he went for so much first strike/outright winners.

 

[Front242]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

 

[Mastoor]

I didn't see the match, but I read that Nole actually said he wished Montanes was able to rally him so he could gauge his own form what he couldn't do just playing short points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V85igs7i6Qs#t=23

Always good to post a link along with the statement. You're right, he did say he wished he could have played a bit longer. He also said he was glad the match was short so that his arm could heal.

I read in Serbian about Nole before reading in English and even when i read in English language it is questionable if I remember where I read particular things.

 

[Moxie]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

Front, you've been rather sweetly sentimental about the "old guys" today. (See you're earlier appreciating Llodra's win over JJ.)

 

[nehmeth]

More I think of it though the match against Montanes was probably even more useful if anything than a rally session. We know Novak is one the best ralliers out there so he doesn't need to prove that to himself and he's clearly fit enough to not need to do that either to test his cardio. Instead he got some great practice at first strike and volleying, which when coupled with his precision rallying will make for a deadly combination if he's doing both well on the day in the next few matches.

Front, I don't think you thought hard enough on this. How likely is for Nole to get to play on the net that much during clay season. Montanes was out of form so Nole was able to do so, imagine him trying to do the same against Monfils, he would pass him easily each and every time.

Front, I watched the match, and he was definitely working on his execution, depth of shot, and attacking the net. He did it well and his volleys were excellent, best I've seen. Monfils is a better player, but if Novak gets the same depth of shot and chooses his approaches the way he did against Montanes? Novak will win those points against the Frenchman the same way he did against the Spaniard.

 

[Moxie]

I didn't see the match, but I read that Nole actually said he wished Montanes was able to rally him so he could gauge his own form what he couldn't do just playing short points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V85igs7i6Qs#t=23

Always good to post a link along with the statement. You're right, he did say he wished he could have played a bit longer. He also said he was glad the match was short so that his arm could heal.

Nice interview…thanks for posting. He's feeling his wrist a bit? Is that it? I hadn't heard about that. Anyway, good stuff on the rivalries questions, too.

 

[Front242]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

Front, you've been rather sweetly sentimental about the "old guys" today. (See you're earlier appreciating Llodra's win over JJ.)

Always liked Llodra and probably it all comes down to the fact that my favourite player is also "old" these days Loved his Paris 2012 run beating Isner, Del Potro and Querrey, eventually losing to Ferrer. He can be very entertaining to watch. His match against Murray at Queens (forget when it was but not too long ago) featured some amazing points too by both of them. Hail the old guys

 

[Front242]

More I think of it though the match against Montanes was probably even more useful if anything than a rally session. We know Novak is one the best ralliers out there so he doesn't need to prove that to himself and he's clearly fit enough to not need to do that either to test his cardio. Instead he got some great practice at first strike and volleying, which when coupled with his precision rallying will make for a deadly combination if he's doing both well on the day in the next few matches.

Front, I don't think you thought hard enough on this. How likely is for Nole to get to play on the net that much during clay season. Montanes was out of form so Nole was able to do so, imagine him trying to do the same against Monfils, he would pass him easily each and every time.

Well the first strike was what was most impressive today to me more than net play and admittedly I saw absolutely nothing of the match, just read comments and saw 2 clips. DTL backhands hit which total precision can be deadly against everyone and you don't need to tire yourself out rallying if you can win points like that. So that can only be good. pavlik89 will no doubt have matches linked later.

 

[Front242]

Here's a clip I just found in a funky looking tv screen lol.

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ehBuEcFbGW4[/video]

 

[Moxie]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

Front, you've been rather sweetly sentimental about the "old guys" today. (See you're earlier appreciating Llodra's win over JJ.)

Always liked Llodra and probably it all comes down to the fact that my favourite player is also "old" these days Loved his Paris 2012 run beating Isner, Del Potro and Querrey, eventually losing to Ferrer. He can be very entertaining to watch. His match against Murray at Queens (forget when it was but not too long ago) featured some amazing points too by both of them. Hail the old guys

Haha…I did wonder if you were waxing soft on the oldies because of Fed. I do think you should remember that Llodra was the guy who got into trouble for shouting a racist remark into the crowd in IW. Since you never miss an opportunity to remind us of a bad day from Ferrer, for example, I think you should consider being even-handed about others' misbehaviors. Or, at least, realize that anyone can have an off-day, and just because they're someone you dislike anyway, they aren't the only ones who make mistakes that need calling out all the time.

 

[Front242]

Here's the Murray v Llodra match I was talking about a few posts above except it was the AO not Queens as I said/thought incorrectly before.

Great points here.

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=K_kyIgGM8I8[/video]

 

[Front242]

^ (I believe I just tuned in to see the one Montañés winner. LOL.) I think this sounds right, Front. Just watching the replay, now, but Novak, as you say, doesn't need rally practice. But if he's been able to boss a clay-courter and practice his more aggressive clay game, that's a valuable hit-around.

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

Front, you've been rather sweetly sentimental about the "old guys" today. (See you're earlier appreciating Llodra's win over JJ.)

Always liked Llodra and probably it all comes down to the fact that my favourite player is also "old" these days Loved his Paris 2012 run beating Isner, Del Potro and Querrey, eventually losing to Ferrer. He can be very entertaining to watch. His match against Murray at Queens (forget when it was but not too long ago) featured some amazing points too by both of them. Hail the old guys

Haha…I did wonder if you were waxing soft on the oldies because of Fed. I do think you should remember that Llodra was the guy who got into trouble for shouting a racist remark into the crowd in IW. Since you never miss an opportunity to remind us of a bad day from Ferrer, for example, I think you should consider being even-handed about others' misbehaviors. Or, at least, realize that anyone can have an off-day, and just because they're someone you dislike anyway, they aren't the only ones who make mistakes that need calling out all the time.

Yeah I remember that but the crowd were seriously annoying. Shut up would've sufficed though. Ferrer though bopped 2 guys minding their own business whereas Llodra was fed up with annoying crowd making noise. Neither are angels but there was nothing to provoke Ferrer pushing the linesmen so it's still worse than a curse to the crowd.

 

[Moxie]

Yeah, feel bad for poor old Albert. Sounds like a waiter from an old sitcom like Fawlty Towers (Manuel lol). Not nice to lose so badly and get just 1 winner on top of it all.

Front, you've been rather sweetly sentimental about the "old guys" today. (See you're earlier appreciating Llodra's win over JJ.)

Always liked Llodra and probably it all comes down to the fact that my favourite player is also "old" these days Loved his Paris 2012 run beating Isner, Del Potro and Querrey, eventually losing to Ferrer. He can be very entertaining to watch. His match against Murray at Queens (forget when it was but not too long ago) featured some amazing points too by both of them. Hail the old guys

Haha…I did wonder if you were waxing soft on the oldies because of Fed. I do think you should remember that Llodra was the guy who got into trouble for shouting a racist remark into the crowd in IW. Since you never miss an opportunity to remind us of a bad day from Ferrer, for example, I think you should consider being even-handed about others' misbehaviors. Or, at least, realize that anyone can have an off-day, and just because they're someone you dislike anyway, they aren't the only ones who make mistakes that need calling out all the time.

Yeah I remember that but the crowd were seriously annoying. Shut up would've sufficed though. Ferrer though bopped 2 guys minding their own business whereas Llodra was fed up with annoying crowd making noise. Neither are angels but there was nothing to provoke Ferrer pushing the linesmen so it's still worse than a curse to the crowd.

I think you remember poorly. If you think this: [video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNXMjZLwV90[/video]

is worse than shouting a racist remark to paying spectators, I think you're trying too hard to make your point. The lines person is getting paid, and is meant to stay out of the way. The spectators are the reason that the players are there, never minding the difference between rudeness and racism. I won't try to forgive Ferrer's thoughtlessness, but it's not the same. Come on.