Mutua Madrid Open ATP1000 02-11 May 2014

[Denis]

Ouch Stan is out... 600 points through the window.... Thiem did well, congrats on this big win!

 

[golds girl]

Has Thiem ever played Dimitrov....I'd love to see that battle of the young one-handed backhanders

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done Thiem....I have added you to my list of younger players to watch

I agree with other posters....he has soo much upside to his game.

 

[herios]

Very disappointing result by Stan, however, way to go Dominic.
This is just the beginning for this young player. He has been very impressive in results already, every event, seems to be taking it up a notch.
His BHDTL timing is wonderful.

 

[Kirijax]

It never works out when I go with the latest thing. Haircut, clothes, car, tennis player.....I always end up regretting it. lol

 

[Denis]

It never works out when I go with the latest thing. Haircut, clothes, car, tennis player.....I always end up regretting it. lol

If you've been rooting for Stan, I don't think there is too much to worry, although Stan is known for big ups and downs. He just won his first masters. I'm betting he's joining the other Swiss player on a training camp or something for the next week, and he'll be ready for the next events.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

dominics bh/fh is above average. good win.

 

[Kirijax]

It never works out when I go with the latest thing. Haircut, clothes, car, tennis player.....I always end up regretting it. lol

If you've been rooting for Stan, I don't think there is too much to worry, although Stan is known for big ups and downs. He just won his first masters. I'm betting he's joining the other Swiss player on a training camp or something for the next week, and he'll be ready for the next events.

I was just referring to my ill-fated Challenge picks but I agree with you. Stan the roller coaster Man is just setting us up for his "surprise" FO win.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

For Wawrinka it's Thiem out!

Huge blow to tournament. Three of the top four are gone for one reason or another.

 

[tented]

For Wawrinka it's Thiem out!

Huge blow to tournament. Three of the top four are gone for one reason or another.

That's true. It also puts a whole lot of pressure on Rafa to win. Not only are all (theoretically) worthy contenders out, but he's playing in Spain.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It never works out when I go with the latest thing. Haircut, clothes, car, tennis player.....I always end up regretting it. lol

If you've been rooting for Stan, I don't think there is too much to worry, although Stan is known for big ups and downs. He just won his first masters. I'm betting he's joining the other Swiss player on a training camp or something for the next week, and he'll be ready for the next events.

Stan will be Stan. Lots of ups and downs, but on the whole relatively consistent (if that makes sense, lol). The difference this year however, is that his ups are higher than his previous ups, which is good for the tour.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Rafa would have to be playing some of the worst tennis of his career to lose this. It's truly worrying if he ends up with anything less than the title.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

For Wawrinka it's Thiem out!

Huge blow to tournament. Three of the top four are gone for one reason or another.

That's true. It also puts a whole lot of pressure on Rafa to win. Not only are all (theoretically) worthy contenders out, but he's playing in Spain.

Well, it is a double edged sword. On the postive side, it is good that "anybody who is
somebody" dropped out, when he is kind of weak thus increasing his chances of winning
the title and getting the much needed confidence that comes with it. On the negative side,
if he does not lift this one, he will surely be devastated.

 

[Kieran]

Great win for Thiem, good to see, but a pity for Stan. I thought he'd be a shoo-in for the final once Nole withdrew...

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

he prob gonna be top 50 rank in a bit.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDydrdDju2w[/video]

 

[ftan]

So Rafa has not even played a match and Roger, Nole and Stan are all out already

 

[Moxie]

Good heavens. I go out to the movies with Stan firmly in control of the match against promising rookie, and I come back to an upset! What happened…or did Thiem just happen? Yes, Rafa really has to win this one.

 

[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.

 

[Moxie]

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?