Ask @I.Haychew. He doesn't even think JMDP was sick. But not to be snide: What I saw of the match it was competitive. If Thiem had lost in a lesser fight to a lesser player, maybe he should have been embarrassed. But it looked like a good fight, to me. I'm sure Dominic will rue the loss, but should it really be embarrassing to lose to this player, compared to some of the upsets on offer at this tournament? Regretful, yes. But you tell me: I didn't see the first 4 sets.
I'm not rolling with A-P's idea that you are leading some kind of Federite clan, and you are welcome to bitch to your heart's content, though I think your comment that the USO had "rolled out the red carpet" for Rafa did start a bitch-fest. This tournament already lacked Murray, Djokovic and Wawrinka. And the young guns have been turning out some upsets. Given who wasn't playing and the upsets, it's been a pretty volatile tournament. But let's face it: you get in your digs and it does look like a set-up for you slagging it later, should your most hated one win. That is your MO.
I've heard it said, too. And not to reopen the whole thing, but my point to @DarthFed, was how contentious it is to say that it's about "rolling out the red carpet to Rafa." Then it's just crankiness.
If we're agreeing on all that, then we're cool. For sure Thiem is not going to sleep well tonight over lost opportunities. He had that match, as far as I can see. I was just defending that he had a worthy opponent, and when he blinked, he got skunked.
One of my points is that JMDP is only lower-ranked by virtue of his injury off-time. Of the two, at the USO, JMDP has the pedigree.
I think I get that. I was arguing with I.Haychew about whether or not Del Po deserved sympathy for being ill and if that's a "pass." Sort of two different conversations. I do believe that I equated Thiem in an earlier post with Pouille who also couldn't dispatch an unfit Schwartzman. It's not exactly the same, but both were shooting at sitting ducks, and went very wide of the target. I absolutely get why Thiem will not sleep well tonight, but it was a big fight, once JMDP was let back in, I'm arguing for the credit to his fight and to his game. Does that make sense?
Yes, I saw the match. del Potro looked to be down and out...Then, del Potro miraculously healed, and Thiem choked.
Aesthetics mean nothing. Look at Federer...His right forearm dwarfs his right bicep, yet his forehand is one of the most potent shots in tennis.
The meds had to "kick" in for JMDP to change from the walking dead to the energizer bunny. However, the trend for him lately is to follow up a great victory with a dud of performance the next round. Roger should be able to dispatch him very routinely.
