Roland Garros 2017, Paris, France, ATP GRAND SLAM

[Carol]

IMO Novak is playing well, maybe not so much robotized like the previews years but pretty well. Stan his game and Thiem too. Nishi to me is a miracle that he is still around and Cilc? it would be a surprise if he wouldn't lose vs Stan

 

[Moxie]

Woodforde commentating Nole's last match talked about ball children all wanting to participate in Nole's matches because they all hope to be part of that "ritual" Nole does after every match. Perhaps it's rare occasion a player acknowledges ball kids' existence. Woodforde also said the crowd likes that thing.

Nole has also acknowledged the ball kids' existence by barking at them during the match. And sure the crowd likes that thing: it's design to pander to them. After he barks at the crowd during the match. Once the match is done...all hearts and flowers. It doesn't really ring as genuine as Steve Johnson's emotions or Del Potro's gesture towards Almagro, or Nico's tears, for that matter. It's decent theatre for the crowd, though, I suppose.

 

[Fiero425]

I just looked at the draw and don't know if I should be impressed, non plus, or invoke my idea of the gutlessness of the ATP tour! Checking the draw just now, besides the top 4 seeds cruising into the QF for the most part, there isn't 1 unseeded player left; lowest being #20 PC Busta! That's amazing IMO, esp. with the number of senior citizens in this crowd! Has this been discussed concerning the FO? I know I've posted many times about it! Tomorrow will let us know if Thiem has come of age yet; not like I'm looking for him to beat Nole, but this is his best chance after being humiliated a couple weeks ago in Rome! I can't really see any upsets unless Kei plays out of his mind and takes Murray down! The most likely thing to happen is for him to get close, but break down like so many other players these days! The number of retirements is staggering! What in the world is going on?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Probably 'cos he's a massive Federer fan Just a hunch.

Pat McEnroe has head head so far up Roger's butt he most like can see Da Rog small intestine.

 

[Fiero425]

Pat McEnroe has head head so far up Roger's butt he most like can see Da Rog small intestine.

Well it wasn't as bad as John who couldn't slurp Rafa up enough until he crashed in 2014! He figured with his H2H against the other ATG's, that Rafa was "THE MAN!" He came off of it and has finally settled on the definitive GOAT; Roger Federer! Even I have given up on Nole catching up!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

So, seven of the eight players who are supposed to reach QF as per seeding actually reached. The only exception being PCB getting in there at the expense of Milos.

Have not really watch even a single match live completely so far as I was travelling. But, am back in town and hope to catch some good tennis.
Tomorrow's match between Novak and Thiem could be exciting. Novak still has issues going by his scorelines. But, Thiem has some sort of match-up problem with Novak. This could go all the way with Novak winning in the end I suppose.

 

[Moxie]

So, seven of the eight players who are supposed to reach QF as per seeding actually reached. The only exception being PCB getting in there at the expense of Milos.

Have not really watch even a single match live completely so far as I was travelling. But, am back in town and hope to catch some good tennis.
Tomorrow's match between Novak and Thiem could be exciting. Novak still has issues going by his scorelines. But, Thiem has some sort of match-up problem with Novak. This could go all the way with Novak winning in the end I suppose.

Thiem destroyed his last opponent, and Djokovic is still struggling, even when he gets by in 3. There is a solid chance that Dominic turns the tables tomorrow. If he doesn't make a huge fight of it, then he does have a match-up problem with Novak.

 

[Moxie]

He is 25 years old and maybe he has not won a single important clay tournament (Thiem neither until Roma ) but he is playing very good and improving a lot. Everybody were talking and talking about Thiem and Zverev even without have won anything, and Kyrgios, Raonic, Nishi.....and? I agree he probably is not going to give Rafa an ounce of trauble but the way Rafa is playing now Thiem either. I tell you from now if Pablo gets more and more confidence he could be a tough opponent for those young "gens"

I like PCB, but he's only really a place-holder for mid-level Spanish tennis. I don't want to jinx anything at this point, but he's lining up as cannon fodder for Nadal. He should make a decent showing, but it will be surprising if he takes a set.

 

[Carol]

I like PCB, but he's only really a place-holder for mid-level Spanish tennis. I don't want to jinx anything at this point, but he's lining up as cannon fodder for Nadal. He should make a decent showing, but it will be surprising if he takes a set.

I'm not concerned about Carreño at all and less looking the Rafa level but my point is that since he started to play in the Ferrero Academy he is improving a lot and probably in not too long terms he could be able to get good results .Look Zverev, he won Roma and now he is watching the RG through the TV at home and some people were thinking that he could win this tournament. With all these young guys we still don't know what expect from them

 

[Moxie]

I'm not concerned about Carreño at all and less looking the Rafa level but my point is that since he started to play in the Ferrero Academy he is improving a lot and probably in not too long terms he could be able to get good results .Look Zverev, he won Roma and now he is watching the RG through the TV at home and some people were thinking that he could win this tournament. With all these young guys we still don't know what expect from them

I wish Pablo all the best. He seems well-situated to make the most of his talents. I don't think he'll have Zverev's career, but, since 25 is the new 19, he may well be a solid top 20 guy and win some nice titles. More than that, it's hard to see.

 

[10isfan]

Did someone say Wawrinka is injured?

Djoke and Murray playing better now but neither can beat Nadal.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well it wasn't as bad as John who couldn't slurp Rafa up enough until he crashed in 2014! He figured with his H2H against the other ATG's, that Rafa was "THE MAN!" He came off of it and has finally settled on the definitive GOAT; Roger Federer! Even I have given up on Nole catching up!

It's not even close, Pat treats Roger as a stud in his prized horse stable

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well it wasn't as bad as John who couldn't slurp Rafa up enough until he crashed in 2014! He figured with his H2H against the other ATG's, that Rafa was "THE MAN!" He came off of it and has finally settled on the definitive GOAT; Roger Federer! Even I have given up on Nole catching up!

John was just being brutally honest..Rafa had doubled the H2H lead and had grand slam titles closed within 3 of Roger by age 27-28..

 

[atttomole]

John was just being brutally honest..Rafa had doubled the H2H lead and had grand slam titles closed within 3 of Roger by age 27-28..

It's all the same. It depends on who is your favorite player. I thought John McEnroe was exaggerating when he called Rafa the greatest, with all respect to Rafa. However, it is his opinion, and I have no problem with it. In fact, I think that John McEnroe is one of the best tennis pundits on TV because he is one of the few TV commentators who were true tennis greats. He knows what goes through a tennis player's mind in various situations during a match, and he helps the layperson understand why the player plays the way they do in the various situations. I am also aware of Patrick McEnroe's love for Roger, which I think is nothing unusual. He lived in the shadow of his brother, who was a tennis genius, so he can easily tell that one is a genius when he sees one.

 

[britbox]

Did someone say Wawrinka is injured?

Djoke and Murray playing better now but neither can beat Nadal.

I haven't heard Wawrinka is injured. Hope not. I'd give him a much better shot at beating Nadal in a final than Murray... but I'm concerned Stan won't get beyond Murray himself.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

I am not alleging J. McEnroe of being biased but I think it just might be that he loves Rafa also for being lefty. Lefty should have a soft corner for lefty, I would think.

 

[britbox]

It's all the same. It depends on who is your favorite player. I thought John McEnroe was exaggerating when he called Rafa the greatest, with all respect to Rafa. However, it is his opinion, and I have no problem with it. In fact, I think that John McEnroe is one of the best tennis pundits on TV because he is one of the few TV commentators who were true tennis greats. He knows what goes through a tennis player's mind in various situations during a match, and he helps the layperson understand why the player plays the way they do in the various situations. I am also aware of Patrick McEnroe's love for Roger, which I think is nothing unusual. He lived in the shadow of his brother, who was a tennis genius, so he can easily tell that one is a genius when he sees one.

Didn't Mac (JMac) change his mind after the AO? and jump back on the Fed-bandwagon.

 

[atttomole]

I am not alleging J. McEnroe of being biased but I think it just might be that he loves Rafa also for being lefty. Lefty should have a soft corner for lefty, I would think.

That is possible. Southpaws are rare in tennis, so they get excited when they see fellow southpaws. However, If I am not mistaken, Rafa is naturally right handed.

 

[atttomole]

Didn't Mac (JMac) change his mind after the AO? and jump back on the Fed-bandwagon.

The thing with John Mac is that he changes his opinion many times. If Rafa wins RG this year, John will move back to Rafa. I guess its good for TV when he does that.

 

[Carol]

I haven't heard Wawrinka is injured. Hope not. I'd give him a much better shot at beating Nadal in a final than Murray... but I'm concerned Stan won't get beyond Murray himself.

Not even dream about it, I'd love to see a final between Stan-Rafa because this time the 'good luck' would go to the other side, I mean to the best player on clay :bloodsucker2: