Rolex Paris Masters 1000, Bercy

[Moxie]

This is more about revenue for the tournament than anything else. Besides everyone knows that Basel is a contracted event for Fedand he will always plays that tournament over Paris.

I mentioned @isabelle's comment of earlier. Paris has long been complaining that it gets sloppy seconds at the end of the year, not just this year with Roger (and Novak and Andy and Stan) out. Of course Roger has the right to decide what he plays and what he skips. There is no active player more entitled in that way. And never even minding contracts, does anyone doubt that Roger will play Basel? Or that, when the time comes, it will be his last tournament? I get Forget's frustration, but I don't know what the solution is. They have talked about putting it in February, as the first MS of the year, but that would front-load the Master's and leave nothing big before the YEC. Someone has to be the last one, and Bercy makes sense.

 

[Moxie]

I still cannot stop lamenting over Roger's decision to play in Montreal. Otherwise, he would most probably have the USO trophy and the #1 to go with it. But, I forgive him as, generally speaking, he takes care of his scheduling properly.

This is a Fedfan complaint that I don't completely lend credence to. You're so sure about why Roger's back went, and what would have happened had he not played Montreal, all the while insisting that 99% of the time he makes smart decisions about his scheduling. Maybe he did go into Montreal underprepared. But you can't be sure he wouldn't have had back trouble in Cincy. He's 36 and his back is his Achilles heel. You go from not playing Montreal straight to USO win and #1, which discounts all of the variables in between. It's a bit much.

 

[Carol]

I remember when some people said that the Rafa´s career will be short.....yeah......
This is for his fans which should be proud of him, very proud

 

[El Dude]

He's pretty amazing, Carol - one of the true greats in the history of the sport.

 

[Carol]

He's pretty amazing, Carol - one of the true greats in the history of the sport.

Thanks El Dude

 

[Moxie]

He's pretty amazing, Carol - one of the true greats in the history of the sport.

If we could all get over our Fedal wars, we could appreciate that we are living in the time of possibly the two best players in the history of our sport.

 

[shawnbm]

I did not recognize Nadal at 31 is the oldest year end number one in the Open Era. Wow!

 

[shawnbm]

I would imagine Roger is the oldest number 2–if only slightly—as well. Two giants!

 

[Moxie]

I did not recognize Nadal at 31 is the oldest year end number one in the Open Era. Wow!

Neither did I! I think he also hit some kind of milestone when he became #1 again in 2013...like most years between last time he was #1. If we're fair, Rafa has had to negotiate Roger and Novak, during his career. He's never got a period of clear sailing just to coast as the top guy. I'm not saying that Roger had a weak era, or that Novak did, but they did get more of a coast than Rafa has had, being sandwiched in the middle.

 

[Moxie]

I would imagine Roger is the oldest number 2–if only slightly—as well. Two giants!

If so, that's going to make me laugh, a bit. As the Fed fans like to poke at Rafa for having most years at #2. I say that in all good fun.

 

[Moxie]

Results from Day 3:

Nadal d. Chung 7-5, 6-3
Cilic d. Coric 6-4, 6-3
Haase d. A. Zverev 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
Theim d. Gojowczyk 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4
Dimitrov d. Gasquet 6-4, 6-4
Goffin d. Mannarino 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Mahut d. Carreño Busta 6-4, 6-1
Isner d. Schwartzman 7-6(2), 6-7(11), 6-3
Benneteau d. Tsonga 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2
Verdasco d. Anderson 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
Del Potro d. Sousa 6-2, 6-2
Bautista Agut d. Chardy 6-4, 6-1
Sock d. Edmund 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5)
Pouille d. F. Lopez 6-3, 6-4

 

[Moxie]

 

[Carol]

Watching the replay of Nadal vs Chung I can’t believe after to be 5-2 winning the first set then it finished 7-5. Typical start by Rafa....hope tomorrow he will play more solid vs Cuevas though also I have to say the Corean is a tricky player so it was a good training to start playing in Indoor

 

[GameSetAndMath]

This is a Fedfan complaint that I don't completely lend credence to. You're so sure about why Roger's back went, and what would have happened had he not played Montreal, all the while insisting that 99% of the time he makes smart decisions about his scheduling. Maybe he did go into Montreal underprepared. But you can't be sure he wouldn't have had back trouble in Cincy. He's 36 and his back is his Achilles heel. You go from not playing Montreal straight to USO win and #1, which discounts all of the variables in between. It's a bit much.

Yes, I can't be sure. That is why, I said "most probably" instead of "definitely".

 

[herios]

With all the former winners of the Paris master either not playing or being eliminated, there will be a new winner crowned.

 

[Moxie]

Yes, I can't be sure. That is why, I said "most probably" instead of "definitely".

Even "most probably" is a stretch, IMO. This is likely most suited to the "Fedal Wars" thread, now. But I'll say this: what Roger and Rafa have done this year is astonishing. Rather proving that they are the GOATs. But I think the Fed fans have to be cautious about reaching for more than even Roger was willing to take. He's been rather sanguine about how much his body (and head) needs rest.

 

[herios]

And by the way I am pulling for Del Potro.

 

[Moxie]

With all the former winners of the Paris master either not playing or being eliminated, there will be a new winner crowned.

Paris/Bercy has often been the place for an unexpected winner.

 

[Carol]

Ha, tomorrow Haase vs Delpo match is going to be very interesting because they don’t have a very good relation and have had more than one problem between both of them in the past

 

[Moxie]

And by the way I am pulling for Del Potro.

Good choice. I'd actually like to see Rafa get out early and save it for the YEC.