Mutua Madrid Open ATP1000 02-11 May 2014

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am so glad Thiem has a beautiful one handed backhand, just like Dimitrov , and I am so glad there are still coaches in this world who can recognize the certain advantages of a single handed backhand and I am so glad not every coach is teaching double handers to their students because of an anomaly called Rafa.

So here's a question: Roger has always said he couldn't play with a two-handed backhand. Is is all about what you're taught? Is there a strategy in that choice that goes with a young player's strengths? Why 1H vs. 2H? We still see one-handers in young players, like Dimitrov and Thiem, as you say. How does that get decided?

I guess a lot has to do with how you get taught initially. I would hurt myself if I tried to hit a double hander now. In my club I see most kids start with double handers but it is most likely a strength issue initially, and than kids go with whatever comes more natural and comfortable to them.

By the way, I don't remember hearing one person talk about a single handed backhand being a problem up until Rafa-Roger match-up happened, and a whole lot of coaches bought into that, as if Rafa was not beating everyone else too! I am glad there are still coaches who can see past one bad match up in history.

 

[Moxie]

I think we need a thread on the Evolution and the Value of the Two-Handed Backhand v. The One-Handed Backhand.

 

[Moose]

SO HAPPY for Dominic. Biggest win of his young career.

He always writes a match recap on his Facebook page (if you aren't following him, I highly encourage you to add him). There's so much joy in his recap today. You can tell how much closing out this match meant to him, especially after such close calls against Tsonga and Murray in earlier events.

Here's a photo I took at Indian Wells. I got to see two matches, and a practice session. Totally onboard with him, first player I have gotten excited about "discovering" in a few years.

 

[Moxie]

Order of play tomorrow:

MANOLO SANTANA
3:15 Nadal v. Monaco
Youzhny v. F. Lopez
Almagro v. Murray

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO
Anderson v. Berdych
Dolgopolov v. Gulbis
Tsonga v. Giraldo

STADIUM 3
Kubot v. Simon
Matosevic v. Isner
Dimitrov v. Copil
Cilic v. Mathieu

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Wow the results so far this week are showing the the horrendous and continued downward spiral of Kohlshreiber, Jerzy, Hewitt, et al..and the continued mediocrity of Fogman, Verdasco, Haas ,Sousa, and Seppi.

On the other hand, Grigor, Nishikori, and Raonic are looking good.

Stan, Stan, Stan....

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Order of play tomorrow:

MANOLO SANTANA
3:15 Nadal v. Monaco
Youzhny v. F. Lopez
Almagro v. Murray

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO
Anderson v. Berdych
Dolgopolov v. Gulbis
Tsonga v. Giraldo

STADIUM 3
Kubot v. Simon
Matosevic v. Isner
Dimitrov v. Copil
Cilic v. Mathieu

Juicy.

Geez, how many times can Anderson and Berdman play?

Dog Ernie match is the ticket. Almagro takes out Murray.

 

[Kirijax]

Order of play tomorrow:

MANOLO SANTANA
3:15 Nadal v. Monaco
Youzhny v. F. Lopez
Almagro v. Murray

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO
Anderson v. Berdych
Dolgopolov v. Gulbis
Tsonga v. Giraldo

STADIUM 3
Kubot v. Simon
Matosevic v. Isner
Dimitrov v. Copil
Cilic v. Mathieu

Juicy.

Geez, how many times can Anderson and Berdman play?

Dog Ernie match is the ticket. Almagro takes out Murray.

LOL. I thought the same thing. It's like they meet in every tournament. Has Anderson beaten him yet?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Order of play tomorrow:

MANOLO SANTANA
3:15 Nadal v. Monaco
Youzhny v. F. Lopez
Almagro v. Murray

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO
Anderson v. Berdych
Dolgopolov v. Gulbis
Tsonga v. Giraldo

STADIUM 3
Kubot v. Simon
Matosevic v. Isner
Dimitrov v. Copil
Cilic v. Mathieu

Juicy.

Geez, how many times can Anderson and Berdman play?

Dog Ernie match is the ticket. Almagro takes out Murray.

LOL. I thought the same thing. It's like they meet in every tournament. Has Anderson beaten him yet?

Not yet, I don't think. But there is no reason he can't.

 

[Moxie]

Wow the results so far this week are showing the the horrendous and continued downward spiral of Kohlshreiber, Jerzy, Hewitt, et al..and the continued mediocrity of Fogman, Verdasco, Haas ,Sousa, and Seppi.

On the other hand, Grigor, Nishikori, and Raonic are looking good.

Stan, Stan, Stan....

Not all of those fails are equal. Fognini and Verdasco were rather spectacular crumples. Haas and Hewitt, for all our hopes, are aging warriors, and may often be done in early. Sousa…I don't know who expected he'd get the better of Cilic, who is striding. Kohlscreiber is a mystery, as he's long been a great spoiler, but I guess all runs end. Janowizc…I'm as confused as anyone.

Oh, yeah…and Stan. :huh: Maybe Thiem is stepping up to the plate, or maybe Stan is still inconsistent. TBD.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Wow the results so far this week are showing the the horrendous and continued downward spiral of Kohlshreiber, Jerzy, Hewitt, et al..and the continued mediocrity of Fogman, Verdasco, Haas ,Sousa, and Seppi.

On the other hand, Grigor, Nishikori, and Raonic are looking good.

Stan, Stan, Stan....

Not all of those fails are equal. Fognini and Verdasco were rather spectacular crumples. Haas and Hewitt, for all our hopes, are aging warriors, and may often be done in early. Sousa…I don't know who expected he'd get the better of Cilic, who is striding. Kohlscreiber is a mystery, as he's long been a great spoiler, but I guess all runs end. Janowizc…I'm as confused as anyone.

Oh, yeah…and Stan. :huh: Maybe Thiem is stepping up to the plate, or maybe Stan is still inconsistent. TBD.

Stan's lame attempt to intimidate Thiem by yelling at his coaches back fired in a humiliating way.

He is often not the most likable guy on court.

 

[TsarMatt]

Man, what happened to Stan 'da Man?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Man, what happened to Stan 'da Man?

As awesome as he is, he is not one of the Big Four and now we know their exploits are going to be the stuff of legend.

 

[masterclass]

Stan fans and detractors: Don't be too upset or happy with his loss.

Were you watching closely at the end of the first set, when Stan checked his mobile phone? He obviously got the great news from his Swiss friend, and then hurried off the court as quickly as possible, to get back to Switzerland for the celebration, but of course he had to make it look good.

Some tweets from those who knew what was going on...

Josh Meiseles @jmeistennis

Stan's distracted by the Fed baby news. Thiem breaks for 2-0 lead in the second.

Pete Holtermann @HolterMedia

Stan’s gonna be annoyed Roger dropped this news in the middle of his match!

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Kieran]

Crikey! If Stan is losing because Roger's happy, he's not gonna go much further, is he?

 

[isabelle]

Disappointed by Stan, he played poorly even if Thiem was great and deserved to win

 

[kskate2]

Order of play tomorrow:

MANOLO SANTANA
3:15 Nadal v. Monaco
Youzhny v. F. Lopez
Almagro v. Murray

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO
Anderson v. Berdych
Dolgopolov v. Gulbis
Tsonga v. Giraldo

STADIUM 3
Kubot v. Simon
Matosevic v. Isner
Dimitrov v. Copil
Cilic v. Mathieu

Juicy.

Geez, how many times can Anderson and Berdman play?

Dog Ernie match is the ticket. Almagro takes out Murray.

LOL. I thought the same thing. It's like they meet in every tournament. Has Anderson beaten him yet?

Not yet, I don't think. But there is no reason he can't.

And Anderson's loss streak continues. Berd through in straights.

 

[kskate2]

Ernie takes the opener over Dog. Kubot (Fed's replacement) dismisses Simon in 3 sets 7-5 2-6 6-4. He'll play RBA next.

 

[kskate2]

Ernie comes through in straights 6-3 6-4

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbPz6sU_orM[/video]

 

[isabelle]

Happy for nuts Ernie