Rome Masters 2015

[GameSetAndMath]

Many people seem to think that either Nishi will win or at least take Novak to three sets.
That will not happen. Novak will win it in straight sets.

If at all an upset of Novak (due to him taking rest for three weeks) has to happen, it
should have happened already. Now that he has won two matches, it will be difficult to
stop him.

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Finally, if Andy can beat Nishi in straight sets, why can't Novak do the same
(with apologies to Iona, TF7 and other Andy fans around)?

 

[Kirijax]

Will be rooting for Nishikori, Ferrer, Wawrinka and Berdych!

I have doomed them all...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Ferrer will gobble up Goffin.

The other two matches are difficult to predict though. But, I do think both Fed and Rafa
will win. Stan had been erratic all through the last two months and Rafa is serious (not to
mention the H2H). Actually, I think bird has a better chance of defeating Fed. But, he needs
to serve well and should have high first serve percentage. His second serve, while not weak,
is highly predictable. Also, bird fits the category of the proverbial "big hitter" who can take
out Fed.

Unlike some other Fed fans, I do really want to see a Fedal semifinal as this may give
Fed an opportunity after a long time.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Will be rooting for Nishikori, Ferrer, Wawrinka and Berdych!

I have doomed them all...

While you are at it, why don't you root for Goffin as well (instead of Iron Man)

 

[Carol]

Many people seem to think that either Nishi will win or at least take Novak to three sets.
That will not happen. Novak will win it in straight sets.

If at all an upset of Novak (due to him taking rest for three weeks) has to happen, it
should have happened already. Now that he has won two matches, it will be difficult to
stop him.

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Finally, if Andy can beat Nishi in straight sets, why can't Novak do the same
(with apologies to Iona, TF7 and other Andy fans around)?

Do you think because Novak skipped Madrid (just one week) he has to be rusty? no way, he didn't
have any injury which means he has trained every single day and besides that also a little time to rest which never is a bad thing to feel more fresh

 

[Riotbeard]

Many people seem to think that either Nishi will win or at least take Novak to three sets.
That will not happen. Novak will win it in straight sets.

If at all an upset of Novak (due to him taking rest for three weeks) has to happen, it
should have happened already. Now that he has won two matches, it will be difficult to
stop him.

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Finally, if Andy can beat Nishi in straight sets, why can't Novak do the same
(with apologies to Iona, TF7 and other Andy fans around)?

Do you think because Novak skipped Madrid (just one week) he has to be rusty? no way, he didn't
have any injury which means he has trained every single day and besides that also a little time to rest which never is a bad thing to feel more fresh

He means competition rust, not physical.

 

[Carol]

Many people seem to think that either Nishi will win or at least take Novak to three sets.
That will not happen. Novak will win it in straight sets.

If at all an upset of Novak (due to him taking rest for three weeks) has to happen, it
should have happened already. Now that he has won two matches, it will be difficult to
stop him.

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Finally, if Andy can beat Nishi in straight sets, why can't Novak do the same
(with apologies to Iona, TF7 and other Andy fans around)?

Do you think because Novak skipped Madrid (just one week) he has to be rusty? no way, he didn't
have any injury which means he has trained every single day and besides that also a little time to rest which never is a bad thing to feel more fresh

He means competition rust, not physical.

He also skipped Madrid last year and he won in Roma

 

[nehmeth]

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Am watching the Bellucci/Djokovic match again. Novak had his hands full in the first set. Lots of great points from both guys. It reminded me of why a number of us had high hopes for Thomaz when he was younger.

 

[Moxie]

Also, Novak plays to the caliber of opponents. He did not play that good because
he need not have to. Tomorrow, he will be sharp and take out the Samurai quickly
as he knows this is a high caliber opponent.

Am watching the Bellucci/Djokovic match again. Novak had his hands full in the first set. Lots of great points from both guys. It reminded me of why a number of us had high hopes for Thomaz when he was younger.

Bellucci is amongst that army of players who is talented, but inconsistent. I thought he'd get routed today. Like so many, he got up for the big match, but lost anyway. But why not play like this more often, and have a better career? The $64K question.

 

[nehmeth]

Bellucci is amongst that army of players who is talented, but inconsistent. I thought he'd get routed today. Like so many, he got up for the big match, but lost anyway. But why not play like this more often, and have a better career? The $64K question.

Thomaz was the hope of Brazil, the guy who would carry Guga's mantle. A lot of pressure on him. He ranked as high as the low 20's. In 2011, he took out Berdych and Murray on his way to the semis of Madrid where he took Nole to three. Then in 2013 he was battling injury. It would be nice to see him follow the others who have found some good success in their later years.

 

[Fiero425]

Bellucci is amongst that army of players who is talented, but inconsistent. I thought he'd get routed today. Like so many, he got up for the big match, but lost anyway. But why not play like this more often, and have a better career? The $64K question.

Thomaz was the hope of Brazil, the guy who would carry Guga's mantle. A lot of pressure on him. He ranked as high as the low 20's. In 2011, he took out Berdych and Murray on his way to the semis of Madrid where he took Nole to three. Then in 2013 he was battling injury. It would be nice to see him follow the others who have found some good success in their later years.

He's been another one of those disappointments after having a nice little run a couple years ago! He has all the tools, but injury and a lack of confidence has been his undoing I guess! :cover uzzled :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[mrzz]

Thomaz was the hope of Brazil, the guy who would carry Guga's mantle. A lot of pressure on him. He ranked as high as the low 20's. In 2011, he took out Berdych and Murray on his way to the semis of Madrid where he took Nole to three. Then in 2013 he was battling injury. It would be nice to see him follow the others who have found some good success in their later years.

Precisely. He has a history of steping it up against the best, as he also already gave trouble to Federer more than once, and I would not be surprised if one day he betters his highest ranking with some good runs in the process.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Fedfan or not - i really admire what Berdych does with Fed2ndServes... every match, really.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d2vozMIuTI[/video]

 

[isabelle]

Happy for Daveeeeed....vamos chico !!!

 

[Federberg]

Anyone watching Roger versus Berdman? Seems a bit WTA with neither holding serve from what I can see of the score on livescore.com

 

[Kirijax]

Ferrer My Ferrer wins, bt had me worried for a minute.

Berdych leads 3-2 then get broken twice and drops the opening set 6-3. Not good. Maybe Federer will think he won and take his mind off the game. :snicker

Must go saw some logs. Hopefully I'll wake to find Ferrer vs. Nishikori and Wawrinka vs. Berdych a reality.

Oyasuminasai.

 

[DarthFed]

^ I didn't realize until recently we have another Ferret supporter in our midst. But I like Big Bird too so I can forgive your partially poor taste

 

[the AntiPusher]

Same ole Berdych, just complaining about everything. Maybe he does that to give himself an edge , what a head case.

 

[tented]

Roger through in straights: 6-3, 6-3