US Open, Flushing Meadows, NY USA - Grand Slam (Men)

[Moxie]

Leaving off Rafa and Roger for a moment, but talking of first round matches, has anyone looked at the top eigth of the Murray quarter, anchored by Cilic? There are a lot of potentially tricky first rounders there, and I defy anyone to pick all of them in their Draw Challenge. I know Simon is on the wane, but that's Cilic's first round. Khachanov v. Lu, Kholy v. Paire, Zeballos v. Heong Chung, Sousa v. Lorenzi, Gilles Muller v. Tomic. There are potential banana peels for days in that section.

 

[Moxie]

He just made the Wimbledon semi and gave Federer by far his toughest match.

As for Dimitrov did you miss the 5 setter in AO on a slower HC when Nadal was playing better. Or did you miss the part where he destroyed everyone in Cincy last week. Well anyways I hope your boy is as arrogant as you're coming off.

Oh, come on. I don't need Dimitrov's resume. You're just being pissy. Rafa won't be arrogant, but I can be. I will say he's got momentum, but I won't change my mind about what he lacks in stiffness up his back and the requisite mentality. This is not about the draw. This is the way I strongly feel about Dimitrov. I have said that many times. I've even tried to believe in him, but I'm done.

 

[Carol]

What about Sapho? he will be there

 

[DarthFed]

Oh, come on. I don't need Dimitrov's resume. You're just being pissy. Rafa won't be arrogant, but I can be. I will say he's got momentum, but I won't change my mind about what he lacks in stiffness up his back and the requisite mentality. This is not about the draw. This is the way I strongly feel about Dimitrov. I have said that many times. I've even tried to believe in him, but I'm done.

I'm not being pissy I'm just legit shocked you think Dimitrov would be a walkover for Nadal at this point if they meet in the QF

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'd love you to inform me, as Lajovic is not someone one watches a lot. Is he really such a big server as to be a threat to Nadal? As I said above, he's also right in Rafa's wheelhouse for picking on that one-handed bh. (6' tall, 170lbs.) Is he a big enough server to get him away from rallies over 5 sets? Or is this just wishful thinking? They've only met once, on clay - granted - but Rafa beat him 1-2-1.

I have seen multiple matches that Lajovic has played ( remember a old DC match, also the more recent match against Fed in Wimby). He has a booming serve. Roger could barely break his serve at Wimbledon. I of course agree that he is a journeyman. I am not saying that he will definitely beat Rafa or even that he is likely to beat Rafa. All I am saying that he could beat Rafa (this is not a generic statement in the sense that anyone could possibly beat). This is certainly not an easy first round match for Rafa to say the least.

 

[Moxie]

I have seen multiple matches that Lajovic has played ( remember a old DC match, also the more recent match against Fed in Wimby). He has a booming serve. Roger could barely break his serve at Wimbledon. I of course agree that he is a journeyman. I am not saying that he will definitely beat Rafa or even that he is likely to beat Rafa. All I am saying that he could beat Rafa (this is not a generic statement in the sense that anyone could possibly beat). This is certainly not an easy first round match for Rafa to say the least.

Thanks for the intel. Not exactly generic, but close. I don't think I'll be shaking in my boots, anyway.

 

[Moxie]

I'm not being pissy I'm just legit shocked you think Dimitrov would be a walkover for Nadal at this point if they meet in the QF

You always reduce any statement I make into it's most extreme and simplistic possibility. I didn't say a walkover. I said I think that Rafa will beat him. Could it go 5? Sure. They have before. But do I consider Dimitrov the one to take him down? No.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Thanks for the intel. Not exactly generic, but close. I don't think I'll be shaking in my boots, anyway.

Let me put it this way. I think Lajovic is more dangerous to Rafa than any possible 2nd round or 3rd round opponent that Rafa may face.

 

[Carol]

Let me put it this way. I think Lajovic is more dangerous to Rafa than any possible 2nd round or 3rd round opponent that Rafa may face.

Let me put in this way too, Lajovic would be dangerous if Nadal would play bad and I hope not, it's time to show his power

 

[DarthFed]

You always reduce any statement I make into it's most extreme and simplistic possibility. I didn't say a walkover. I said I think that Rafa will beat him. Could it go 5? Sure. They have before. But do I consider Dimitrov the one to take him down? No.

It's all good, you are just being overly defensive. You said Gasquet is not a problem and neither is Berdych so that puts him in the SF. You didn't even mention Dimitrov so how is that not looking like you feel he's a walk in the park

 

[Moxie]

Let me put it this way. I think Lajovic is more dangerous to Rafa than any possible 2nd round or 3rd round opponent that Rafa may face.

By which you mean you can only hope he'll pull a Gilles Muller, because the next rounds...not so much? I'm trying to get why you're grasping at Lajovic, is all.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

By which you mean you can only hope he'll pull a Gilles Muller, because the next rounds...not so much? I'm trying to get why you're grasping at Lajovic, is all.

You only see what you want to see. I was mentioning this just so you will realize that I am not arbitrarily saying Lajovic is a tough match for Rafa without any basis and based on just wishful thinking. I would be happy if any of his 2nd round or 3rd round opponent beats Rafa also. But, I don't think any of them stand a chance.

 

[Moxie]

It's all good, you are just being overly defensive. You said Gasquet is not a problem and neither is Berdych so that puts him in the SF. You didn't even mention Dimitrov so how is that not looking like you feel he's a walk in the park

There is nothing I have said that is remotely overly defensive. That is mansplaining, and that's you backing off when I call you out on rephrasing everything I say to an unrealistic extreme. I made an assessment of Rafa's quarter. The draw only just came out. These are broad-strokes conversations. I really don't think his is bad. I'm honest about how I feel about Dimitrov and Berdych, and not even in the context of Rafa. You've been around long enough to know that. That's not defensive...it's dismissive. I simply don't think much of either one of them. Hey, and at this point, I'm not even gaming it per camps. I'm just trying to work my way through the draw for the challenge. Stop being so tetchy. I'm the only one that's even talking about the rest of the first rounds. (People!)

 

[Carol]

You only see what you want to see. I was mentioning this just so you will realize that I am not arbitrarily saying Lajovic is a tough match for Rafa without any basis and based on just wishful thinking. I would be happy if any of his 2nd round or 3rd round opponent beats Rafa also. But, I don't think any of them stand a chance.

Then don't complain if I say that I would be very happy if any of Roger 2nd round or 3rd round opponent beats him, it's fair, isn't? do you think they stand a chance or not?

 

[Moxie]

You only see what you want to see. I was mentioning this just so you will realize that I am not arbitrarily saying Lajovic is a tough match for Rafa without any basis and based on just wishful thinking. I would be happy if any of his 2nd round or 3rd round opponent beats Rafa also. But, I don't think any of them stand a chance.

I know this, of course, that you would be happy to see Rafa go out early. But I'm still not buying the compelling argument that Lajovic is a threat. He's got a good serve. You've made no counter to my argument that he's a righty with a 1hbh and he's slightly smaller than Roger. That's a Rafa wheelhouse, and he's got 5 sets. Big serve. That's all you've got...no strong ROS, convincing cross-court bh, stunning fh, aggressive net-play?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Then don't complain if I say that I would be very happy if any of Roger 2nd round or 3rd round opponent beats him, it's fair, isn't? do you think they stand a chance or not?

Have I ever complained or forbade you from wishing anything?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I know this, of course, that you would be happy to see Rafa go out early. But I'm still not buying the compelling argument that Lajovic is a threat. He's got a good serve. You've made no counter to my argument that he's a righty with a 1hbh and he's slightly smaller than Roger. That's a Rafa wheelhouse, and he's got 5 sets. Big serve. That's all you've got...no strong ROS, convincing cross-court bh, stunning fh, aggressive net-play?

If he has everything in the book, he would not be a journeyman, would he? Didn't I already admit that he is indeed a journeyman?

 

[Moxie]

If he has everything in the book, he would not be a journeyman, would he? Didn't I already admit that he is indeed a journeyman?

You did, and by that definition, I don't think he's as much of a threat as you're trying to give him credit for. I think that's more hopeful than realistic. And didn't I also say that, however much I like Frances Tiafoe, and don't think he poses as much of a threat to Roger as folks are getting worried about? I'm really not trying to make this Fedal wars, as much as you and Darth are pressing it. I am sincerely trying to look at the draw, especially early rounds. We're talking about Lajovic and Tiafoe, but Cilic has Gilles Simon, ffs. Simon has dropped off a bit this year, but Cilic is on the questionably disabled list. And Simon is exactly the man he doesn't want to face first round. Great ROS, absorbs pace. That is a very potential first round upset.

 

[Carol]

Have I ever complained or forbade you from wishing anything?

Just in case.....

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm starting to be worried after see this vid with Rafa practicing with Verdasco and at the 7 minutes and 15 seconds he seems to have some problems in his knee. Hope it was just a little discomfort

I see he still is resigned to the fate that he is gonna return the service will standing in downtown NYC..I guess that's why he has 15 grandslam titles ..smh

If you read the comments on YouTube someone else stated the same thing about his return of serve positioning