*Official* Tennis Thread

[Jono]

Marat falls short, Del Potro ends the career of Marat. And then has a chat with him sitting next to him after. So good.

He has all the talent Marat had, but also has a better mind set. Hopefully Del Potro can achieve what Marat couldn't, consistently winning Slams.

Players have come on the court to wish him goodbye, Djokovic, Simon etc. And there's a tribute video.

This is emotional

 

[Jono]

I swear to God, I know I'm the only in this thread that cares, but Nadal vs. Almagro is without a doubt the weirdest match of tennis I've ever seen IN MY LIFE.

Nadal playing ****, saves 3 match pts in the 2nd set with Almagro serving for the match. He then wins the 2nd, breaks in the first game. Almagro then looks gone, but double breaks back, and then Nadal breaks again.

ALMAGRO THEN INJURES HIMSELF, and can't move. But he plays on and just swings and breaks Nadal.

He then serves for the match again, hobbling, and is broken.

5-4 right now, Nadal serving to stay in it.

 

[Marto SA]

What a game haha

 

[Jono]

Lol, and Federer lost to Julien Benneteau

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Lol, and Federer lost to Julien Benneteau

So...Djokovic = Benneteau?

 

[Jono]

Heh.

All of the big 5 have been a bit wonky lately. I guess this time of the season doesn't mean THAT much to them, as they're all guaranteed their spot at the ATP finals.

Still, Nadal would like to win a title (hasn't for a while) and Djokovic hasn't won a Masters 1000 or Grand Slam this year, so he'd want one.

Btw I reckon Roddick won't play the ATP Finals due to his knee injury, so whoever makes it 9th in the race will likely qualify anyway. Good chance for Tsonga or Soderling.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Btw I reckon Roddick won't play the ATP Finals due to his knee injury, so whoever makes it 9th in the race will likely qualify anyway. Good chance for Tsonga or Soderling.

Would rather Söderling didn't qualify tbh. Played way too many matches already (not like the others haven't, but...)

 

[Jono]

I have a sneaky feeling Tsonga could make this year's Paris final (maybe not defend his win last year, but at least get there) and qualify ahead of Soderling.

 

[Jono]

**** Novak is playing some good tennis.

Tailed off a bit in that match, and Monfils fought back well, but he ****ing wanted that Paris Masters 1000 title, and he got it!

Bring on the ATP Finals in London! Gonna be huge!

Monfils will be a big improver in 2010 I reckon.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Groups for World Tour Finals have been drawn, and pretty tough looking Group B.

Group A
Federer
Murray
Del Potro
Verdasco

Group B
Nadal
Djokovic
Davydenko
Söderling

Reckon Novak and Davydenko from Group B and Federer and Del Potro from Group A.

 

[Jono]

Depends if Del Potro is completely recovered from his abdomen injury (I imagine he will be).

Fed, Del Potro and Murray in the same group makes for some very interesting tennis.

Soderling in that group instead of Verdasco would have been sweet.

 

[Pothas]

Really enjoying this Murray v Del Potro match, should really have got tickets for this event, will make sure I go next year. Think they should be best of 5 sets though.

 

[Jono]

Final used to be best of 5 sets. No longer though.

There is an argument that such a prestigious tournament should be a best of 5 tournament, however considering its the end of season and so many players have injury niggles I don't think the players would warm to it.

 

[Pothas]

There should definetly be a lot less Tennis played, I would be happy for there to be a few less masters tournaments and this to played a few weeks earlier giving the players a proper break at the end of the season.

 

[Jono]

Disappointing third set there for Del Potro, but I don't reckon he was 100% fit.

**** me he was hitting some ridiculously strong forehands in that 2nd set. I've never seen anyone have a forehand like his.

Murray did well to withstand that with his strong defensive game, but I think the commentators raise a good point. Can he seriously do that consistently over 5 sets in the Grand Slams?

 

[Pothas]

Love Del Potro he is great to watch, Murray will win Grand Slams but would very surprised if he wins more than Del Potro, got such a dominant game when he is at his best.

 

[Jono]

No French Open revenge for Rafa!

Soderling just took him down in straight sets.

Had money on Robin at $2.52. Was great value.

Worrying signs for Rafa. So sad to see him like this

 

[Pothas]

Soderling beats Rafa again, been a great year for him and he could be dangerous this week (until he plays Federer of course) but I do worry a bit for Rafa at the moment, sure he will bounce back next year though.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Good to see Söderling pick up a big win. Deserves it after an awesome year. I reckon Simon always saw it coming:

Fish>>>>>>Soderling. Not sure how anyone can really rate him as having much ability at all tbh.

Cant understand why [Guccione] is such a poor player, he has all the guns and all the weapons to be at least top 30 and not sitting always around 100. He's pretty much like a Nieminen or Soderling but with a bigger serve.

(Love the Gooch comparison)

 

[Jono]

Haha yeah Simon was never a big fan of the Soda.

Murray vs. Fed tonight is a toss of the coin. Will be interesting who comes up.

Fed played pretty **** vs. Verdasco, and this court may suit Murray's game-style more.