WTF 2013 : London Sidewalk Cafe Discussions

[ClayDeath]

thanks for posting the current standings mox.

we need to consult our rankings experts and see who is in the danger of falling out and who is likely to sneak in.

 

[ClayDeath]

i sure would like to see tommy haas sneak in somehow.

 

[Moxie]

I'm copying your last from another thread here, in an effort to consolidate the conversation. You wrote:


"i think andy gets wtf and then the Oz comes down to nadal and andy.
now that nadal is going to be #1, he can only meet nole in the final at Oz.
i really cant see anybody stopping nadal at Oz if nole gets andy in his 1/2 there.
i would assign the highest probability to nadal for the Oz title with the current dynamics.
we may be looking at a nadal vs murray final or we may end up having a nadal vs nole final.
one has to favor nadal in such scenarios now. especially this new nadal who has figured a few things."
______

I'm perfectly happy to predict the WTF for Nadal, if you're looking for bold, and before-time predictions.

It is a mathematical certainty that Rafa and Nole will be 1 and 2 going into the AO. However, it seems wrong, at this point to give Nadal better than a 50-50 chance. Djokovic has won the last 3 there, and 4 overall. Another issue will be draws. The rest of this year will tell us who goes in there at #4. Federer will surely be making an effort to get the soft land at #4. In any case, I think there will be a number of floating spoilers. WAY too early to tell how the AO is going to shake out.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Nadal and Djokovic played a 6 hour final at AO 2012. And Nadal has improved since then, while Djokovic has declined.

 

[ClayDeath]

I am looking at the schedule for the rest of the year. folks this year is almost over.


at any rate lots of points to be had at shanghai masters and paris masters as you know.


http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tournaments/Event-Calendar.aspx


there is still a chance for some to sneak in.


andy will be in Thailand in a few days along with berdych, stan the man, and a few other big names. that is just 250 points but it tells me that andy is going to try and gather some momentum going into WTF.

 

[ClayDeath]

I'm copying your last from another thread here, in an effort to consolidate the conversation. You wrote:


"i think andy gets wtf and then the Oz comes down to nadal and andy.
now that nadal is going to be #1, he can only meet nole in the final at Oz.
i really cant see anybody stopping nadal at Oz if nole gets andy in his 1/2 there.
i would assign the highest probability to nadal for the Oz title with the current dynamics.
we may be looking at a nadal vs murray final or we may end up having a nadal vs nole final.
one has to favor nadal in such scenarios now. especially this new nadal who has figured a few things."
______

I'm perfectly happy to predict the WTF for Nadal, if you're looking for bold, and before-time predictions.

It is a mathematical certainty that Rafa and Nole will be 1 and 2 going into the AO. However, it seems wrong, at this point to give Nadal better than a 50-50 chance. Djokovic has won the last 3 there, and 4 overall. Another issue will be draws. The rest of this year will tell us who goes in there at #4. Federer will surely be making an effort to get the soft land at #4. In any case, I think there will be a number of floating spoilers. WAY too early to tell how the AO is going to shake out.

sounds like a deal to me mox.


you got nadal for wtf and I have andy.

 

[tennisville]

I hope Nadal wins this event if Fed doesnt reach there

 

[ClayDeath]

who is lucky enough to have tickets to WTF? who is going?

 

[Riotbeard]

Nadal and Djokovic played a 6 hour final at AO 2012. And Nadal has improved since then, while Djokovic has declined.

5 months between now and the ao. That is lot of time for things to change. I still believe in Nole. Outside of my fandom, I have no confidence in picking a wtf winner now. Too many factors. At this point, Nole has the best record on that surface (outside of a serious turn around for fed). Delpo also is a serious contender on indoor hards, and maybe right now, is the most likely person to knock of nadal in these tournaments.

Andy is hardly on a role. He was a month ago, but he has had really poor results on american hards and a quarters showing as the defending champion at the USO. Anyone arguing he is currently riding high is simply ignoring the facts(not to say he won't bounce back, he will, but when?).

The only top player with oodles of momentum is nadal, and as others pointed out, this is the worst part of his season usually, and the wtf on his worst surface.

The only thing I am certain of is that who will win the wtf, is highly uncertain.

 

[Front242]

i sure would like to see tommy haas sneak in somehow.

Me too but sadly it's highly unlikely. Most bizarre fact is that Haas has never played at the WTF. Sad for a guy who was once ranked world #2. Injuries when ranked high caused him to miss the WTF. I had hopes of him breaking the top 10 this year but that's probably unlikely too so unless he miraculously scores a ton of points at the remaining masters even top 10 ain't happening, let alone world number 8.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

i sure would like to see tommy haas sneak in somehow.

Me too but sadly it's highly unlikely. Most bizarre fact is that Haas has never played at the WTF. Sad for a guy who was once ranked world #2. Injuries when ranked high caused him to miss the WTF. I had hopes of him breaking the top 10 this year but that's probably unlikely too so unless he miraculously scores a ton of points at the remaining masters even top 10 ain't happening, let alone world number 8.

That IS bizarre Front. Not even 1 WTF for Haas. He actually would have thrived on that surface. All those injuries caused him to miss so much, but added considerable time to the tail end of his career I think, so at least we still have the pleasure of watching him at this age play with the youngsters.

 

[isabelle]

Roger has to get there first. I don't know the YTD points race but Stan and Gasquet have to be right there with him for 7th and 8th.

Olderer is 7th with 3055 points

Ferrer qualified by the way

 

[Front242]

i sure would like to see tommy haas sneak in somehow.

Me too but sadly it's highly unlikely. Most bizarre fact is that Haas has never played at the WTF. Sad for a guy who was once ranked world #2. Injuries when ranked high caused him to miss the WTF. I had hopes of him breaking the top 10 this year but that's probably unlikely too so unless he miraculously scores a ton of points at the remaining masters even top 10 ain't happening, let alone world number 8.

That IS bizarre Front. Not even 1 WTF for Haas. He actually would have thrived on that surface. All those injuries caused him to miss so much, but added considerable time to the tail end of his career I think, so at least we still have the pleasure of watching him at this age play with the youngsters.

Yeah it's nuts he never played there and I agree he'd be great there. His all court tennis would be fantastic there. At 35 he still does some great S&V and his BH is supreme. I'd love to see hm play there. As you mentioned though it's great he's still around and schooling young guys. I hope he plays as long as he continues to enjoy it and as long as he feels confident he can win matches.

 

[ClayDeath]

lets hope he manages to sneak in.

 

[Loveall]

I am not sold. I think nadal has put too much on his plate.


his services may be needed at Davis cup finals exactly one week after wtf.


that may be on his mind during wtf.

then there is this little matter of mental and physical capital.


he is just 1 man. sooner or later something has to give.


as for nole, his stock continues to take hit. so I am not sure about him also.

maybe Andy will steal the show.

** Nadal (read Spain) is NOT going to DC finals this year (your 1st line). Did you mean Novak?
Nadal is my pick to win WTF this year.
Indoor hard courts are not his forte but I am confident that he will find a way to win it this year
Vamos Rafa

 

[ClayDeath]

affirmative. my mistake.

no Davis cup final for Spain this time around.

 

[ClayDeath]

this does not change my position.

nadal has put a lot on his plate this year.

10 titles is not easy. it took a certain amount physical, mental, and emotional capital. we all know how demanding his style of play is.


he is just 1 man. also the risk for injury skyrockets if does not start calling the dogs off on the hard courts.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I will wait to see how Rafa performs at Basel.
As a Rafa fan I would love to see him win at the YEC.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

this does not change my position.

nadal has put a lot on his plate this year.

10 titles is not easy. it took a certain amount physical, mental, and emotional capital. we all know how demanding his style of play is.


he is just 1 man. also the risk for injury skyrockets if does not start calling the dogs off on the hard courts.

Nadal knows best. I doubt anyone here advised Nadal to take 7 months away from the game (or skip the Olympics). Nadal decided that, because he knew best. And the results have been absurdly brilliant. Nobody here is wiser than Nadal. Let's just watch and learn.

 

[ClayDeath]

enough blind worship of nadal already nadal2005rg.

this crap stops NOW.


you are rapidly becoming overbearing and even disruptive.


I am just now looking at what the hell is going on. it looks like a number of folks have already suggested that you calm down and be more normal and more respectful and mindful of the feelings of other posters here.

here is a little exercise for you: talk about other players and even the game itself but do not talk about nadal for a week.

we have threads on nadal and we are already honoring his achievements in a respectful way.

we will not forget about your player.