Rolex Masters Monte Carlo

[Puppet Master]

Although Djokovic didn't impress me that much today, Nadal was even worse. I am not so sure about his chances tomorrow, his forehand simply isn't that devastating now, his defense is really slippery and those weak serves will be cranked right back at him. :nono
He is better than Houdini himself if he manages to win it...

 

[Kieran]

I have a hard time imagining Rafa beating Novak on any court. Can't wait for Roland Garros - it should be an interesting one.

Roland Garros is a long, long way off in the distance right now. We know this, because we saw what happened the last few seasons on clay. Nothing that happens tomorrow is an indicator of anything for Roland Garros. Nothing at all...

 

[Carol]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

 

[Kieran]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

 

[Riotbeard]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

If memory serves, Novak straight setted Isner at Indian Wells and Miami this year... Not to mention that Ferrer has not beaten Novak since 2011. Rafa shouldn't have had any trouble with Ferrer though either. To be fair, Isner can be wild card for all the top players.

 

[Riotbeard]

In general winning today, was a step in the right direction for rafa, and he is probably the best of the season so far for rafa, but it was hardly an impressive showing either. His game looked solid but not really special, and his brain looked weak.

 

[Carol]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

I meant so easy than he did with the other three guys including Cilic ... too easy draw
But like I said yesterday, I think it has been a good thing to play against Ferru (better than Simon) who plays pretty well on clay ( I don't think he would have been pulverized by Novak)

 

[Kieran]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

I meant so easy than he did with the other three guys including Cilic ... too easy draw
But like I said yesterday, I think it has been a good thing to play against Ferru (better than Simon) who plays pretty well on clay ( I don't think he would have been pulverized by Novak)

I think when Daveed was 0-3 down in the second - 2 breaks of serve - Nehmeth called it right when he said the set might end in a bagel. It was as much about Davee'd resilience but also Rafa's inability to maintain his level, and to shut him down. Where he would usually expand, he contracted. But he had enough willpower to take it in the third.

Not good enough to trouble Nole tomorrow, but that's kind of where we were last year, and the year before...

 

[Carol]

My question is if Novak would have had to play against Isner and Ferru, he would have won so easy? NOT

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

If memory serves, Novak straight setted Isner at Indian Wells and Miami this year... Not to mention that Ferrer has not beaten Novak since 2011. Rafa shouldn't have had any trouble with Ferrer though either. To be fair, Isner can be wild card for all the top players.

In my opinion Isner ( even with his torpedo serve) and Ferru are better on clay than HC

 

[10isfan]

Monfils vs Djoke final, please!!!!

Dimi is a disappointment. The younger guys will eclipse him soon. He had a small window to make a move.

 

[tented]

Just got caught up watching the matches on DVR.

An ugly win by Rafa. What should have been 6-2, 6-0, turned into a nearly three-hour three setter.

I see Herios was correct about Raonic. Hopefully he can recover quickly.

I'm disappointed in Dimitrov, but impressed that Monfils didn't do the typical post-beating-Big-3 fold of losing in the next round.

Djokovic is on fire. Of course. Cilic looked lost. Of course.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I have a hard time imagining Rafa beating Novak on any court. Can't wait for Roland Garros - it should be an interesting one.

Roland Garros is a long, long way off in the distance right now. We know this, because we saw what happened the last few seasons on clay. Nothing that happens tomorrow is an indicator of anything for Roland Garros. Nothing at all...

This is an excellent opportunity for Rafa to really relax, stay in his calm and let it rip. He is not going to be victorious against Novak, everyone should know that. I expect Rafa to try to shorten some points and try to rush the net when possible.

 

[Fiero425]

Just got caught up watching the matches on DVR.

An ugly win by Rafa. What should have been 6-2, 6-0, turned into a nearly three-hour three setter.

I see Herios was correct about Raonic. Hopefully he can recover quickly.

I'm disappointed in Dimitrov, but impressed that Monfils didn't do the typical post-beating-Big-3 fold of losing in the next round.

Djokovic is on fire. Of course. Cilic looked lost.

Nothing new as I've said repeated; they're all ugly wins! The only think beautiful about Rafa's game is when he goes down in flames! :blowup lease: I hope Nole stays on course and continue his dominance of the tour right now!

 

[nehmeth]

I have a hard time imagining Rafa beating Novak on any court. Can't wait for Roland Garros - it should be an interesting one.

Roland Garros is a long, long way off in the distance right now. We know this, because we saw what happened the last few seasons on clay. Nothing that happens tomorrow is an indicator of anything for Roland Garros. Nothing at all...

This is an excellent opportunity for Rafa to really relax, stay in his calm and let it rip. He is not going to be victorious against Novak, everyone should know that. I expect Rafa to try to shorten some points and try to rush the net when possible.

He is going to need to keep the ball a lot deeper than he did against David. I think his lefty spin serve into the body will be effective too. We'll see.

 

[Riotbeard]

He'd have dispatched them easier than Rafa, and pulverised Daveed. But rafa should have won these matches easier. He's getting back and working his socks off, but he's still of the pace right now. Looks better than last year, but mouldy socks in your toaster look more appetising than Rafa did, last year... :-/

If memory serves, Novak straight setted Isner at Indian Wells and Miami this year... Not to mention that Ferrer has not beaten Novak since 2011. Rafa shouldn't have had any trouble with Ferrer though either. To be fair, Isner can be wild card for all the top players.

In my opinion Isner ( even with his torpedo serve) and Ferru are better on clay than HC

Isner's results in no way reflect the notion that he is better on clay than hardcourts.

As far as Ferrer, while against the field in general he is tougher on clay, but I think he has a better chance against rafa on quicker surfaces. He just doesn't have the weapons to hit through Rafa on slow clay, but has a better chance on hard courts. Also as much as Ferrer is best on clay, rafa is even moreso.

 

[Carol]

I have a hard time imagining Rafa beating Novak on any court. Can't wait for Roland Garros - it should be an interesting one.

Roland Garros is a long, long way off in the distance right now. We know this, because we saw what happened the last few seasons on clay. Nothing that happens tomorrow is an indicator of anything for Roland Garros. Nothing at all...

You have said well, still they have to finish to play in MC, then Roma, Barcelona, Madrid and RG.
Even if Rafa would lose tomorrow I'm sure that he will play better in Roma

 

[Carol]

If memory serves, Novak straight setted Isner at Indian Wells and Miami this year... Not to mention that Ferrer has not beaten Novak since 2011. Rafa shouldn't have had any trouble with Ferrer though either. To be fair, Isner can be wild card for all the top players.

In my opinion Isner ( even with his torpedo serve) and Ferru are better on clay than HC

Isner's results in no way reflect the notion that he is better on clay than hardcourts.

As far as Ferrer, while against the field in general he is tougher on clay, but I think he has a better chance against rafa on quicker surfaces. He just doesn't have the weapons to hit through Rafa on slow clay, but has a better chance on hard courts. Also as much as Ferrer is best on clay, rafa is even
moreso.

How many times Ferrer has beaten Rafa on HC?
And about Isner......I don't like too much his game but I think that he is not doing so bad on clay (better than Cilic :snicker)

 

[Fiero425]

In my opinion Isner ( even with his torpedo serve) and Ferru are better on clay than HC

Isner's results in no way reflect the notion that he is better on clay than hardcourts.

As far as Ferrer, while against the field in general he is tougher on clay, but I think he has a better chance against rafa on quicker surfaces. He just doesn't have the weapons to hit through Rafa on slow clay, but has a better chance on hard courts. Also as much as Ferrer is best on clay, rafa is even
moreso.

How many times Ferrer has beaten Rafa on HC?
And about Isner......I don't like too much his game but I think that he is not doing so bad on clay (better than Cilic :snicker)

Isner's a throwback; sorta like Roddick in his day! All serve and a big forehand; but with more heart I guess! He still needs to move forward sooner and finish off matches quicker; and not get into TB wars again and again! He has the game to sneak a title here and there, but never anything of consequence! He just works too hard that he's usually "done" by a semi or final; if he makes it that far! A number of players are like that these days including Kei, Milos, and Dimi! :cover :nono :angel:

 

[Riotbeard]

In my opinion Isner ( even with his torpedo serve) and Ferru are better on clay than HC

Isner's results in no way reflect the notion that he is better on clay than hardcourts.

As far as Ferrer, while against the field in general he is tougher on clay, but I think he has a better chance against rafa on quicker surfaces. He just doesn't have the weapons to hit through Rafa on slow clay, but has a better chance on hard courts. Also as much as Ferrer is best on clay, rafa is even
moreso.

How many times Ferrer has beaten Rafa on HC?
And about Isner......I don't like too much his game but I think that he is not doing so bad on clay (better than Cilic :snicker)

Pretty clearly Ferrer has better shot on hardcourts.

Ferrer vs. Rafa on Clay 2-20 (including today
On Hardcourts 4-4 (In one of rafa's wins, Ferrer retired in the first set, so if you took that out Ferrer actually has a winning record on hards against rafa)

 

[Riotbeard]

How many times Ferrer has beaten Rafa on HC?
And about Isner......I don't like too much his game but I think that he is not doing so bad on clay (better than Cilic :snicker)

Pretty clearly Ferrer has better shot on

Ferrer vs. Rafa on Clay 2-20 (including today
On Hardcourts 4-4 (In one of rafa's wins, Ferrer retired in the first set, so if you took that out Ferrer actually has a winning record on hards against rafa)

Yeah, 2004, 2007 Rafa was 17 and 20 years old when Ferru beatten him on HC and in the AO 2011 when Rafa got an upper-leg tear but even that he played the whole match :s

Even if it was 1-4 on wins, Ferrer record would be proportionally much better. In 2013, they split results on hards, and most of Rafa wins on hard courts are also pretty old...