Rotterdam ATP 500

[herios]

Of course, it is too early in the season. But, I cannot help but remark that Stan is being
unbelievably consistent so far, instead of putting up topsy turvy performances. He won
Chennai, reached SF at AO and won Rotterdam now.

Last year, he needed time to get grounded after the high of AO win. Now, he seems
comfortable with the fact that he is a top player. He fore sure will make the WTF again.
The real question is how far he can move up. Stan has stated that he wants to get
back to his highest ranking (which is #3) this year.

In particular, I expect Stan to do well in the clay season this year.

I am also very curious how he will fare. Even before the Aussie Open, after he won Chennai, I said on another thread opened only for Stan, that I am sure he will stay in the top 10, no matter how many points he would lose at the AO.
And this time around, as opposed to be the inconsistent player he was after being a slam champion, he is right back on business.
I know it is very early, but after today's final, he is in the second position ranking in the race for London. The cut off was around 400 points, he's got 1470 already, so he's got 33% + made up.

 

[auto-pilot]

There was a belief that Dimitrov/Nishikori/Raonic would derail the big4's domination at the slams (ok to an extent Nishikori did that by beating Djokovic at the US Open).
Instead Wawrinka and Cilic have won slams, and Berdych is improving.
Dimitrov/Nisihkori/Raonic may be blocked by Wawrinka/Cilic/Berdych.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

There was a belief that Dimitrov/Nishikori/Raonic would derail the big4's domination at the slams (ok to an extent Nishikori did that by beating Djokovic at the US Open).
Instead Wawrinka and Cilic have won slams, and Berdych is improving.
Dimitrov/Nisihkori/Raonic may be blocked by Wawrinka/Cilic/Berdych.

May be by the bird and the man. But, not by cough drop, at least not yet; we need to
see more consistency from him, before we can include him.

 

[Kirijax]

There was a belief that Dimitrov/Nishikori/Raonic would derail the big4's domination at the slams (ok to an extent Nishikori did that by beating Djokovic at the US Open).
Instead Wawrinka and Cilic have won slams, and Berdych is improving.
Dimitrov/Nisihkori/Raonic may be blocked by Wawrinka/Cilic/Berdych.

May be by the bird and the man. But, not by cough drop, at least not yet; we need to
see more consistency from him, before we can include him.

Cough Drop? Cilic?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

There was a belief that Dimitrov/Nishikori/Raonic would derail the big4's domination at the slams (ok to an extent Nishikori did that by beating Djokovic at the US Open).
Instead Wawrinka and Cilic have won slams, and Berdych is improving.
Dimitrov/Nisihkori/Raonic may be blocked by Wawrinka/Cilic/Berdych.

May be by the bird and the man. But, not by cough drop, at least not yet; we need to
see more consistency from him, before we can include him.

Cough Drop? Cilic?

Yes, "cough drop" is gentleman's version of "drug addict".

 

[Kirijax]

May be by the bird and the man. But, not by cough drop, at least not yet; we need to
see more consistency from him, before we can include him.

Cough Drop? Cilic?

Yes, "cough drop" is gentleman's version of "drug addict".

AH

 

[auto-pilot]

Yeah I agree Cilic is not in the same category of Wawrinka/Berdych in terms of consistency, but he's a factor (a factor that Nishikori and Federer are weary of) if we believe he can repeat his 2014 USO at more slams in future.
There was also Wimbledon QF last year whereby Cilic led Djokovic 2 sets to 1.
So I no longer will be shocked if Cilic beats a top 5 player at the slams or wins a slam.

 

[isabelle]

Happy for Stan teh Man, a pity he refused to play DC's first round. he looks in top form

 

[Great Hands]

Congrats to Stan! His career has become one of the most distinguished of this era, when I think about it - he has done it all - he is an Olympic Champion, Davis Cup Champion, a Masters Champion and a Grand Slam Champion!