Paris BNP Paribas Masters - Oct. 28-Nov. 3

[tented]

Milos started his match past 11PM Paris time. If it goes 3 sets, they ws/won't get much sleep...

It would have been shortly after 10 P.M. in Paris -- they're not in daylight savings time.

Thanks, forgot about that. Milos looks in a hurry to go to bed tonight

He was on court for just under an hour, so he'll be fine. Right now he's nestled all snug in his bed, while visions of London dance in his head.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Great shot there by Haase. His name always reminds me of that scene from Scarface. "you know what a Hossa is, Frank? It's a pig that don't fly straight and neither do you!

scarface lol.."I not gonna shoot you frank..manny shoot that piece of sheet".

 

[brokenshoelace]

I forgot just how docile Rafa's game looks in Paris. Was watching highlights of the Granollers match, there is really not much on his rally forehand. I actually think Jerzy might take him out today.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

I enjoyed the Steven Seagal film Marked For Death in which Seagal's character enters a building (while his cop partner waits in the car). After taking down both villains inside the building (including one incident whereby the villain fell from the roof), Seagal returns to the car and states to his cop partner-
Seagal: "One thought he was invincible, the other thought he could fly...."
Partner: "And?"
Seagal: "They were both wrong!" [delivered in forceful whisper]

 

[brokenshoelace]

I enjoyed the Steven Seagal film Marked For Death in which Seagal's character enters a building (while his cop partner waits in the car). After taking down both villains inside the building (including one incident whereby the villain fell from the roof), Seagal returns to the car and states to his cop partner-
Seagal: "One thought he was invincible, the other thought he could fly...."
Partner: "And?"
Seagal: "They were both wrong!" [delivered in forceful whisper]

rel·e·vance (r l -v ns). n. 1. Pertinence to the matter at hand.

 

[Kieran]

I forgot just how docile Rafa's game looks in Paris. Was watching highlights of the Granollers match, there is really not much on his rally forehand. I actually think Jerzy might take him out today.

He didn't impress me much either. It could be that he was playing a pal and wasn't so intense as usual, while being slightly impatient to get it over with. I expect him to raise his game today: he's very close to securing the year end #1 and I think he'll be motivated this week to get it done. Apart from JJ, this is a good draw...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

And I thought Raonic was the most overrated player of all-time. JJ takes that title now, easily.

 

[Kieran]

And I thought Raonic was the most overrated player of all-time. JJ takes that title now, easily.

Don't speak too soon - his stock may rise today...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

JJ's stock always rises, after every loss. That's why he's so overrated.

 

[Denis]

JJ's ranking is based on two results: Paris and Wimbledon. He hasn't done much damage elsewhere:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Jerzy-Janowicz.aspx?t=rb

But the potential is there, its a good surface for him against Rafa. I'm rooting for JJ, because I somehow maintain hopes for the year end no 1 and not least because of various statements made above by a certain poster.

 

[Kieran]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Nadal is physically fresher than Djokovic/Del Potro right now. They won't be able to rely on the usual Nadal-fatigue at this year's World Tour Finals (although even with fatigue, Nadal beat Djokovic at 2010 World Tour Finals, in straight sets).

 

[DarthFed]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

As Rafa's biggest hater I agree. Nole does not deserve to end the year #1 and that shouldn't be in his mind right now. Nole should be focused on picking up more steam going into 2014 and forgetting about a pretty poor season at best this year.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Stan the man beats Magro and keeps the dream alive.

 

[Denis]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

In that case, you could say something like Novak was the best player at Wimbledon this year so I hope Murray gives him the trophy. I mean I don't want to be fetishist about results and I do think Nadal's year has been better than Djokovic irrespective of what happens in Paris, London and Belgrade, but if Novak gets the no 1 at the end of the year its well deserved.

Year end no 1 counts, I'd rank it below a slam but above a masters title. Even above WTF. In all likelyhood, it will go to Nadal. But if his indoor results are any indication of this year, Novak has a chance.

 

[Denis]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

As Rafa's biggest detractor I agree. Nole does not deserve to end the year #1 and that shouldn't be in his mind right now. Nole should be focused on picking up more steam going into 2014 and forgetting about a pretty poor season at best this year.

What a bunch of nonsense. If he gets the points, he deserves it. I am not questioning any results Federer has had in the last decade.

 

[Kieran]

He'll deserve to be #1 - but nobody would consider him the best player of this year. It would be a strange one, and I hope Rafa puts it to bed this week...

 

[DarthFed]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

As Rafa's biggest detractor I agree. Nole does not deserve to end the year #1 and that shouldn't be in his mind right now. Nole should be focused on picking up more steam going into 2014 and forgetting about a pretty poor season at best this year.

What a bunch of nonsense. If he gets the points, he deserves it. I am not questioning any results Federer has had in the last decade.

Technically yes, but Nole would trade his year for Rafa's in a heartbeat and that's the point. Whoever wins the most slams in a year was the best player that year period. And you shouldn't question Fed's results the last decade, every year he finished #1 he won the most slams that season.

 

[Denis]

YOU are questioning Novak's results. Something I would NOT do regarding Federer. You're being disrespectful by saying that the result at achieving world no 1 would be undeserved.

I am not saying Nadal had a better year, also not saying Nadal was a better player than Djokovic this year (not least in terms of results), but if Novak gets year end no 1 it is FULLY deserved.

Anyway, in all likelyhood this is a discussion that is most likely to be irrelevant.

 

[Kieran]

Oh, I hope Rafa takes year end #1 because he's been the best player this year. It would be anomalous if anyone else was in that position. But there's a chance for Nole to still take this, and protect his seeding at Oz. Tougher draw for Nole here, JJ aside, but he'll be hard to stop...

As Rafa's biggest detractor I agree. Nole does not deserve to end the year #1 and that shouldn't be in his mind right now. Nole should be focused on picking up more steam going into 2014 and forgetting about a pretty poor season at best this year.

What a bunch of nonsense. If he gets the points, he deserves it. I am not questioning any results Federer has had in the last decade.

Technically yes, but Nole would trade his year for Rafa's in a heartbeat and that's the point. Whoever wins the most slams in a year was the best player that year period. And you shouldn't question Fed's results the last decade, every year he finished #1 he won the most slams that season.

That's true. Also, 5 MS titles equals the record. Nole would only be #1 by dint of Rafa's absence at the start of the season. By the way, I wouldn't blame Nole for wanting to finish strong, take the year end #1 and put some pressure on Rafa going into next year. It makes sense.

But as for ending the year #1, as opposed to being the best player of the year, there are still many of us who remember 1977...