Roland Garros 2016

[Puppet Master]

It was mostly Stan having a fantastic day.

Partly the hill Novak had to climb to get to the final. While he beat Rafa handily, that was an emotional hurdle. Then he had Andy done and dusted only to allow him back into the match which took it into a second day. I don't think it had him physically jagged, but mentally he was not sharp.

Partly it was strategy. Novak tried to keep the ball in play more than going for his shots. Normally that would work on Stan, but not that day. Becker called it 'too passive play'.

Now, had Novak arrived (mentally) fresh for the final and gone for all his shots rather than keeping the ball in play, Stan may have still won, but it would have been a better match.

We already went through this but how can one go for his shots when Stan consecutively hit the lines in the rallies? If he didn't hit a winner, then he hit it hard and deep down the middle so it's difficult to redirect.

Novak won the first set remember? He could have upped his game and gone for more of his shots. Instead he kept the ball in play, willing to wait for Stan to make a mistake. It didn't happen that day. He gave up ground before Stan started taking it; then it was too late to take it back. Pizza face was painting the lines by that time and it was done and dusted.

It doesn't matter at all nehmeth, but if Stan's return game wasn't so terrible overall, it would have been a straight set beatdown and you know it. Just like the final in 2014. Novak didn't play THAT bad. He wasn't playing balls to the wall, lights out, but he was decent and would have beaten quite a few players, even hypothetically.
But don't sulk over this, look at how things are unfolding at RG'16. :nono

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Why is Steven Johnson designated as seed 33? Did someone (other than Fed, Monfils, Wildcard) withdraw after the draw is out?

 

[nehmeth]

But don't sulk over this, look at how things are unfolding at RG'16. :nono

:snicker
I'm not the one who goes into meltdown mode, writing angry, disparaging posts when my guy loses. I just happen to disagree with you PM.

 

[herios]

Why is Steven Johnson designated as seed 33? Did someone (other than Fed, Monfils, Wildcard) withdraw after the draw is out?

Yes. Dolgopolov.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Four days of RG are over. The no. of posts in daily threads are abysmal.

Is this RG the most boring one ever or Is it because many posters have moved on to greener pastures or is it because ESPN dumped it? uzzled

 

[Fiero425]

Four days of RG are over. The no. of posts in daily threads are abysmal.

Is this RG the most boring one ever or Is it because many posters have moved on to greener pastures or is it because ESPN dumped it? uzzled

I've been wondering the same thing for a while! You would think this is the week of a 250 instead of a major! This is the most important tournament of the season; Nole's 1st FO or Rafa's 10th! :nono :angel: :cover

 

[Front242]

For many no Federer = no interest. None many of the matches so far have been worth watching 'cos the draw is a mess thanks for Federer's withdrawal. The best matches so far imo have been Murray getting hammered for a good portion of his two opening matches.

 

[herios]

For many no Federer = no interest. None many of the matches so far have been worth watching 'cos the draw is a mess thanks for Federer's withdrawal. The best matches so far imo have been Murray getting hammered for a good portion of his two opening matches.

With that approach, they are not tennis fans, they are Federere fan boys.

 

[Front242]

For many Federer is tennis and it will be a sad day when he's gone.

 

[herios]

For many Federer is tennis and it will be a sad day when he's gone.

I know that. But in that case, as I mentioned, they are not tennis fans. One individual, no matter how exceptional, does not define a sport.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Latest Odds after Rafa's withdrawal.

1. Novak ----------- 3/4
2. Andy ---------- 4
3. Stan ----------- 12
4. Kei --------- 22
5. Thiem ------- 50
6. Raonic ------- 66
7. Tsonga and Ferrer ------ 100
8. Berdych -------- 150

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

If Novak doesn't win RG '16 this year, then wow. It is like he has someone watching over his path. All I have to say is shame on him if he doesn't throw the kitchen sink, the kitchen, then entire house, etc. at any player in his way to win this title.

 

[Fiero425]

If Novak doesn't win RG '16 this year, then wow. It is like he has someone watching over his path. All I have to say is shame on him if he doesn't throw the kitchen sink, the kitchen, then entire house, etc. at any player in his way to win this title.

Tell that to Borg at the USO, Sampras, Connors, & McEnroe in Paris, and Lendl at Wimbledon! Ivan went all out; even skipped the FO a couple times to prepare for grass! He won Queens over Edberg and Becker in '90, but it was only warm-up event! Both still ran over him when it counted at the AECTC! Many top players have a hole in their resumes, proved by only 7 or 8 with the CGS; Laver being the last to have a CYGS! IMO, this event won't define or besmirch the awesome tenure of Nole! Check the recordbooks; his name's all over it regardless if he takes a FO or not! :nono

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Thiem has a decent shot at making the semis if he plays his cards right.

 

[Busted]

For many Federer is tennis and it will be a sad day when he's gone.

Well, I won't go THAT far, but when Fed's gone - Nadal won't be far behind. He just dropped out of the French today with yet another injury again, so his days are numbered, too. I can definitely see general interest of the casual fan sliding because no offense to Djokovic, but his game is rather boring. Ditto for Murray. Wawrinka's consistently inconsistent. Berdych is a black hole. Nishikori is like the kid brother of the star quarterback - just won't ever be as good as his big brothers. When Fed retires the ATP tour will find themselves in the same situation the PGA finds themselves in with Tiger out of the mix - interest just ain't there. There's a whole slew of really good young golfers but the ratings prove - the casual golf viewer is just NOT particularly interested or don't care.

 

[Busted]

Latest Odds after Rafa's withdrawal.

1. Novak ----------- 3/4
2. Andy ---------- 4
3. Stan ----------- 12
4. Kei --------- 22
5. Thiem ------- 50
6. Raonic ------- 66
7. Tsonga and Ferrer ------ 100
8. Berdych -------- 150

Shoot...I'm gonna go with...Murray for the win...but only because I think it would be funny if Djokovic still doesn't win the French to complete his career Grand Slam even though he won't have to go through Nadal - or Federer - to win it. It would be pretty ironic that the one slam missing from Nole's resume would be the one Slam Murray beat him in after failing to win any of the 4 Aussie finals. Plus it's a Slam nobody would have ever expected Murray to win and he's overdue a big win over Nole.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

If Novak doesn't win RG '16 this year, then wow. It is like he has someone watching over his path. All I have to say is shame on him if he doesn't throw the kitchen sink, the kitchen, then entire house, etc. at any player in his way to win this title.

Tell that to Borg at the USO, Sampras, Connors, & McEnroe in Paris, and Lendl at Wimbledon! Ivan went all out; even skipped the FO a couple times to prepare for grass! He won Queens over Edberg and Becker in '90, but it was only warm-up event! Both still ran over him when it counted at the AECTC! Many top players have a hole in their resumes, proved by only 7 or 8 with the CGS; Laver being the last to have a CYGS! IMO, this event won't define or besmirch the awesome tenure of Nole! Check the recordbooks; his name's all over it regardless if he takes a FO or not! :nono

The key difference is that all other players with a hole in the resume had a real weakness for a particular surface and so the hole was explainable. Novak does not have a weakness for the clay surface. His game suits clay also. That is where the analogy breaks down.

 

[Mile]

I was telling my fellas, when they saw Nadal and Murray to be played to win, dont worry, they wont even get there. Now half is true, and Muzza will probably sink somewhere in the middle.

Djoker might have good draw at end.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

ESPN made a great decision of not covering RG. From a pure business point of view, they hit a jackpot here. No Federer, No Rafa, No Maria, No Monfils, No Tsonga. I am sure whatever crap they are showing on ESPN would get them higher rating than RG.

p.s. Actually ESPN made the decision long ago and therefore just got lucky.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

is there any particular reason why this major has no floodlights ?.