Roland Garros Day 8: Sunday, June 1 - Order of Play

[DarthFed]

I see big bad Berd got through easily

Does he worry you as much here, though, as, say, Wimbledon?

More so, I think Roger's problems vs. Berdych figure to be worse on slower courts. Had the same conversation with GSM and he thought the other way around. We will see, if Roger takes care of Ernie. Gulbis and Berd would actually be a very interesting matchup but I have no interest in seeing it.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Too many backhand to backhand exchanges for Roger. For Roger against Gulbis that is a losing strategy the vast majority of the time.

He probably recognizes that running around his backhand is key to winning this match so he's just waiting for the opportunity. This means having to exchange backhands. He always has the slice to fall back on too, which helps in this pattern of point construction.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

Woohoo Andy! What a terrifying match that was.

Gulbis putting up a good fight against Roger but can't consolidate those breaks.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I see big bad Berd got through easily

Does he worry you as much here, though, as, say, Wimbledon?

More so, I think Roger's problems vs. Berdych figure to be worse on slower courts. Had the same conversation with GSM and he thought the other way around. We will see, if Roger takes care of Ernie. Gulbis and Berd would actually be a very interesting matchup but I have no interest in seeing it.

Roger would definitely prefer a faster court against Berdych. However, this is clay, as opposed to a slow hard court so I don't know how the dynamics will work. I reckon Berdych will still hurt him given that he's got a lot of time to set up his shots and overpower him, but Roger is more clay savvy and will eventually start breaking rhythm and turn rallies around.

 

[DarthFed]

Awesome volley from Roger there.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Murray is still navigating his matches on the account of being a better, smarter, more experienced player than his opponents, as opposed to being comfortable on clay. The problem is his rally shots tend to lack pop, so a lot of the time he's throwing out harmless mid-court shots that get his opponent on top, and Andy can't turn the rallies around and counter-punch as effectively on this surface. I actually think Verdasco will trouble him.

 

[DarthFed]

Roger's main problem with Berdych is that he has trouble getting the big guy on the defensive. Berd on the otherhand has no problem taking it to Roger and really abuses the second serve. And despite it being clay we all know Berd can hit through the courts no problem.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Roger's main problem with Berdych is that he has trouble getting the big guy on the defensive. Berd on the otherhand has no problem taking it to Roger and really abuses the second serve. And despite it being clay we all know Berd can hit through the courts no problem.

Berdych hits so big that he'll hit through any court, regardless of speed. He might actually prefer the courts to play a little slower since that would make it harder for his opponents to take time away from him and move him around. So I'm sure he won't be having problems penetrating Roger's defenses. However, it's a twofold issue, as clay also favors the superior mover and Roger will have more chances to navigate rallies a little better when he's on the defensive, maybe use his slice a little bit, absorb some of what Berdych throws and turn things around. I think we'll be seeing Roger drawing Berdych to the net a lot if Tomas is the one doing the dictating. Eventually, I think Federer starts taking charge of the rallies.

 

[DarthFed]

Regardless the only way I see Roger winning is by serving very well. Clay or not once Roger is on the defensive against Berd I don't think he is turning it around. His defense isn't anywhere near what it used to be.

 

[tented]

Check out the Federer/Berdych head-to-head:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=F324&oId=BA47

They've played only once on clay since 2006, and that was on the blue "clard" of Madrid.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The worrying thing for Fed is that his rally groundstrokes are falling a little short, especially from the backhand wing. Now Gulbis' forehand isn't consistently good enough to take advantage, but I suspect Berdych will have an easier time doing that.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Poor game for Gulbis and that should be that.

 

[DarthFed]

And Gulbis misses a volley that looked impossible to miss. Roger will take that gift

 

[tented]

Yes! Roger will serve for a two-set lead.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Boy, Roger is going to regret that overhead if he gets broken here.

 

[Tennis Miller]

It's getting close to 90 mins for the Gulbis match. Look for Fed's level to drop off considerably.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Oh my...if Roger doesn't win this set it's going to be a disaster.

 

[DarthFed]

Great get by Gulbis on the first set point, awful overhead, and suddenly back on serve.

 

[britbox]

Very sloppy from Federer.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's getting close to 90 mins for the Gulbis match. Look for Fed's level to drop off considerably.

That would be a problem as it's not that high to begin with.