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

[DarthFed]

Anybody else thinking that Isner's game hasn't clicked since Cinci? I think Nole's going to win a tight first set and a runaway second here. He's just too all-round solid for the American if Isner isn't dropping bombs...

His game hasn't clicked in this lifetime. That said the serve will be brutal to deal with in Paris and he has beaten Nole twice before with just that bomb of a serve. I think Nole will be up to the task today hopefully.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Actually, if Rafa finishes #1 it'll be incredible, given how he missed seven months through injury. It'll be the greatest return to form we've probably ever seen, at that level...

Well, Nadal's form was outstanding in 2012, AO final, RG title and other clay titles. 3-1 vs Djokovic. So I don't see 2013 as a 'return to form' as much as a 'return to health'. And frankly, Rosol played so brilliantly at Wimbledon, that I don't know if any version of Nadal would have won that match (after all, 2010 Nadal played 2 five-setters at Wimbledon, and I think Rosol was playing better than Haase/Petz).

I expected Nadal to dominate 2013 because I knew once he got his health back, the rest would fall into place. Its not like Nadal is Comeback Player of the Year material. That would be Robredo. But I agree with your 'at that level' comment, because the Robredo comeback is not the same level of tennis (but Robredo did make the bigger jump).

 

[Kieran]

Anybody else thinking that Isner's game hasn't clicked since Cinci? I think Nole's going to win a tight first set and a runaway second here. He's just too all-round solid for the American if Isner isn't dropping bombs...

His game hasn't clicked in this lifetime. That said the serve will be brutal to deal with in Paris and he has beaten Nole twice before with just that bomb of a serve. I think Nole will be up to the task today hopefully.

Well, that's true, and I too hope Nole wins. There's only so much fun in watching Isner, but this event has more interesting potential matches further down the line, and Isner isn't in anyone's idea of them...

 

[NADAL2005RG]

So painful watching Isner play tennis. He always looks frustrated and annoyed. Very sour.

 

[Kieran]

Isner's hilarious behind the serve. When the return goes in, his eyes widen like a startled rabbit - "whaddoIdo?" - and he bunches the shot into the net or blazes it into the crowd. This isn't going to be very watchable or pretty...

 

[tented]

Anybody else thinking that Isner's game hasn't clicked since Cinci? I think Nole's going to win a tight first set and a runaway second here. He's just too all-round solid for the American if Isner isn't dropping bombs...

I think the Cincinnati loss to Rafa was a huge disappointment, after such a huge effort just to get to the final, and he hasn't recovered. He's lost to guys since then he should have beaten, if his ranking is to be taken seriously (Berlocq, Chardy).

But as much as I dislike Djokovic, I dislike Isner (and everything he stands for, i.e., Tall-Man Tennis) even more.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Fringe ball girl doing everything technically/footically correct as always, and great balance. Its amazing how much better she is than the rest. The other ball people are practically falling over at times. Fringe ball girl floats, like Hingis.

 

[Kieran]

Fringe ball girl doing everything technically/footically correct as always, and great balance. Its amazing how much better she is than the rest. The other ball people are practically falling over at times. Fringe ball girl floats, like Hingis.

You know this kid is only about 14? I mean, why not write to her, get arrested, spend time in clink, get it over with! :snigger

 

[tented]

First-set tiebreak against Isner: What a surprise!

 

[kskate2]

And Iznah takes said breaker 7-5

 

[tented]

First set to Isner.

 

[DarthFed]

Dimitrov off to a good start. Nothing against DP but I'd like Roger to get an easier path here and hopefully get to the semi against Nole (if Nole survives).

 

[DarthFed]

As great as Nole's return is it seems in the Isner matchup that it is no match for big John's serve. It always comes down to the tiebreak and Isner seems to win more of them than Nole.

 

[Kieran]

Dimitrov off to a good start. Nothing against DP but I'd like Roger to get an easier path here and hopefully get to the semi against Nole (if Nole survives).

If wonder if DP isn't beginning to flag?

 

[Kieran]

Very long brutal rally there between Nole and Isner: 3 shots...

 

[tented]

Dimitrov off to a good start. Nothing against DP but I'd like Roger to get an easier path here and hopefully get to the semi against Nole (if Nole survives).

Are you watching it, Darth, or just following the score online?

 

[DarthFed]

Just following the score, slow day at work

 

[DarthFed]

Dimitrov off to a good start. Nothing against DP but I'd like Roger to get an easier path here and hopefully get to the semi against Nole (if Nole survives).

If wonder if DP isn't beginning to flag?

It's possible, also considering his potential draw here starting today it is not exactly a disaster if he drops this one. Going through Roger, Nole and Rafa to win would be brutal and then he'd likely be a sitting duck in London next week.

 

[Front242]

Very long brutal rally there between Nole and Isner: 3 shots...

ROFL :laydownlaughing:clap

 

[tented]

Trainer is on court with JMDP.