It could be federer and soderling finals. given that nikolay is yet to win a match against roger federer, he might have very less chance of registering a first. The form of soderling might see him through against del potro.
Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 10:46 AM
I am also happy that both Federer and Del Potro are through. Both are attacking players and are just lively to watch. While Murray is a tad unlucky for missing it out, I think he needs to better come out of the negative tactics that he adopts relying more on opponents mistake than hitting winners. Such an negative attitude makes the game clumsy and not interesting to watch. Even though the Murray-Verdasco match lasted long than Federer - Del Potro and was more competitive, it was not as interesting simply because both the players played poor tennis.
Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:21 AM
I too. I love to watch attacking players than the defensive ones. In the 80s,90s and even the early 2000, we had very good volleyers like Mcenroe (the most talented player), Becker, Edberg, Ivanisevic, Sampras etc. But nowadays for the current lot of players, Volley has become a forgotten shot and players come to the net only when they shake hands. Ofcourse Federer is an exception and he is a good volleyer, but he too does not come to the net often nowadays and the game has changed a lot. Even today, I think a good volleyer will always fancy his chances against the top simply because it the most attacking shot and the most difficult one to master and the dual between the rallyer and volleyer will be the most engrossing to watch. Stepanek proved that with his very good show recently at the Paris Masters. However, today Tennis has become just rallies and heavy hitting. Hope the game changes for the better in the interest of spectators.
Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:24 AM
I too. I love to watch attacking players than the defensive ones. In the 80s,90s and even the early 2000, we had very good volleyers like Mcenroe (the most talented player), Becker, Edberg, Ivanisevic, Sampras etc. But nowadays for the current lot of players, Volley has become a forgotten shot and players come to the net only when they shake hands. Ofcourse Federer is an exception and he is a good volleyer, but he too does not come to the net often nowadays and the game has changed a lot. Even today, I think a good volleyer will always fancy his chances against the top simply because it the most attacking shot and the most difficult one to master and the dual between the rallyer and volleyer will be the most engrossing to watch. Stepanek proved that with his very good show recently at the Paris Masters. However, today Tennis has become just rallies and heavy hitting. Hope the game changes for the better in the interest of spectators.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Anurag Rathore on Nov 27, 2009 11:29 AM
Yes. Federer has changed his game little bit but only because of this change he was able to win French open. However he is still aggressive. The problem is now age is affecting his service so he doesn't come on net too often.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Anurag Rathore on Nov 27, 2009 11:41 AM
In that match Sampras cost the match because of 1 controversial point. That was amazing 5 setters match.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:35 AM
The likes of Federer are a rarity in Sport. It is true that now-a-days Federer is not consistent in his serves and that is preventing him a lot in becoming more aggressive that he really is. If only his serve had clicked against Del Potro, the match would have been more competitive than it evolved out in real. My memory lane just takes me back to the 2001 Wimbledon match between Federer and Sampras where Federer outwitted Sampras in a game of vollies. He is such a good volleyer.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:40 AM
True. But in French Open if I remember right, Mcenroe came to the Finals by just sheer volleying power and he almost won against Nadal and just threw away the match due to poor tantrums. The likes of Federer are a rarity in sport and he is good in all departments. To know his class, you just need to go down the memory lane and look at his match with Sampras in Wimbledon which was a battle of volleyers and Federer won that match when Sampras was at his peak.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:41 AM
True. But in French Open if I remember right, Mcenroe came to the Finals by just sheer volleying power and he almost won against Lendl and just threw away the match due to poor tantrums. The likes of Federer are a rarity in sport and he is good in all departments. To know his class, you just need to go down the memory lane and look at his match with Sampras in Wimbledon which was a battle of volleyers and Federer won that match when Sampras was at his peak.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:39 AM
True. But in French Open if I remember right, Mcenroe came to the Finals by just sheer volleying power and he almost won against Nadal and just threw away the match due to poor tantrums. The likes of Federer are a rarity in sport and he is good in all departments. To know his class, you just need to go down the memory lane and look at his match with Sampras in Wimbledon which was a battle of volleyers and Federer won that match when Sampras was at his peak.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:39 AM
True. But in French Open if I remember right, Mcenroe came to the Finals by just sheer volleying power and he almost won against Nadal and just threw away the match due to poor tantrums. The likes of Federer are a rarity in sport and he is good in all departments. To know his class, you just need to go down the memory lane and look at his match with Sampras in Wimbledon which was a battle of volleyers and Federer won that match when Sampras was at his peak.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:41 AM
True. But in French Open if I remember right, Mcenroe came to the Finals by just sheer volleying power and he almost won against Lendl and just threw away the match due to poor tantrums. The likes of Federer are a rarity in sport and he is good in all departments. To know his class, you just need to go down the memory lane and look at his match with Sampras in Wimbledon which was a battle of volleyers and Federer won that match when Sampras was at his peak.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 02:57 PM
hey Vascado, i doubt wdr u know real tennis or not...i�m sure u only know the names of few gr8 tennis players .... do u know y federer doesnt volley a lot these days ???? how do u say that Mc�nroe is the most talented player ???? do u know whoz the greatest ever ace hitting tennis player ???
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 04:18 PM
Hey Bango, I am a keen Tennis enthusiast for many years. Yes, everyone only remembers Great players who have created history. Why we must be much bothered about the rest ? Nonetheless, if you want some names, I can quot it. Although according to me, Federer is a great volleyer, I am not sure why he is not doing this often ? Ofcourse the game has changed, the rackets have changed, the balls have become soft and the court have become slow, but still a good volleyer can fancy his chances no matter howsoever big the odds. As regards Federer, his serve has lost the zeal and penetration it had a few years back and this is hampering his volleying instinct to a great extent. Without doubt, Mcenroe is the most talented player in Men's Sport. I have read the biographies of Borg and Connors who have said that Mcenroe comes to tournament even without practice and still win. That is his inborn talent. Moreover,his serve was one of the most feared in those times, extremely sharp with speed and he is also a great doubles player. His touch Tennis simply overwhelmed opponents. However, his grand slam record is nothing to boast of as he won just 7 (Wimbledon 3 US Open 4) but yet we cannot judge his talent just by record. Regarding the greatest ever ace hitting tennis player, I mean you are talking about serve and according to me it should be Pete Sampras who used to often ace second serves.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 05:23 PM
ohhh....regarding talent , the best for me on grass is RICHARD KRAJICEK ....n IT WAS SAID BY AGASSI also ...wt Agassi had said that if Krajicek had not been plagued by ankle injuries all along his career, then he could have esasily dominated the grass court tennis for many years ...n i abs feel so...unfortunately, he was an injury prone guy ...wait, he has a btr record agnst Sampras though :-) ..... regarding clay, the Best ever to play is Thomas Muster ...n br making any comment or laughing at this stmnt , just get to know the stroy of Muster ...if u dont find the reason ,then u comeback to me ... i ll reply to each n every comments posted by u :-)
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 06:09 PM
Ofcourse Richard Krajicek is a wonderful Grass Court player who blasted away Sampras at the famous Central Court of Wimbledon when he was at his peak. But, I am not sure about his utility in other Courts. See you must be an all court player to be counted upon and that is the reason I consider Sampras much inferior to Federer since he did not for even once reach the finals of the French whereas Federer did it thrice and also won it. As regards the best Clay Court player ever, it must be Nadal and Borg in that order. I do not think Muster can muster courage to stand up against these Greats in the surface of Clay on any given day. You can rank Muster may be in the league of Kuerten and Vilas.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 05:42 PM
oops, i forgot the name of a guy whose serve i used to like a damn lot ....JOACHIM JOHANSON ...unfortunately, he could play for only 3/4 yrs ...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 06:49 PM
MR VASCADO, U DID N´T ASK ME THE REASON Y I SAID THOMAS MUSTER IS A GREAT CLAY COURT PLAYER ....ASSUMING THAT U R FOLLOWING TENNIS FOR A LONG TIME N U HAVE GOOD KNOWLEDGE ON IT ; LET ME REMIND YOU OF THIS INCIDENT IF U HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT ...... In 1989 Lipton Open tennis championship , after finishing his SF match , Muster was returing to his room when he was hit by a drunken driver( Lendl won the tournament after getting the walkover from Muster) . He broke his ligament . BUT BELEIVE ME ; HE PRACTISED TENNIS ON A WHEEL CHAIR n RETURNED TO COMPETITIVE TENNIS WITHIN 6 MONTHS ...SO MUCH DEDICATED WAS HE !!!!! n HE WON THE FRENCH OPEN !!!!!! I SERIOUSLY DOUBT WDR THE PLAYERS WHOM U VE MENTIONED COULD VE ACHEIVED THAT AFTER HAVING AN BROKEN LIGAMENT ...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 06:18 PM
Regarding Joachim Johanson, I have not heard about him much and so I am unable to comment.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 05:13 PM
ok....i�m also a keen tennis follower for last 22 yrs...infact, day-in , day-out , 24/7 n i ve seen many tournaments also , but the dream of watching federer has not been fulfilled...but sure , ll make it very soon ......it�s not only u n me , even it surprises rafter n ivanisevic that y hez not volleying...n the reason had been told by Federer to Rafter ...he doesnt beleive on the fastness n even bounce of modern day tennis courts ..n also , the balls have been changed a lot...earlier, the players used to play wd pilot pen or nasua balls which was good for volleying kind of game ... regaqrding the Federer serve the problem these days is either he wants to hit an ace or a huge kick serve ...n he doesnt have the sliding or zipping serve in his armoury ... i had asked u the player who is the best in hitting aces though he is a crap layer :-) ...ok, Sampras is the best ...i admit it ..but not on clay...for me , the best serve on clay is by Stich ...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 06:17 PM
Even today, volleying can make a lot of difference and can be a surprise package. If you could have noticed recently Stepanek who thundered his way at the Paris Masters beating Murray and he did volley a lot. The problem with today's players is that they just do not practice volleying much. Infact Volleying comes with instinct more than practice and exhibits the class of the player. For no reason it has been said to be the most difficult shot in the game because you cannot just practice it since your opponent may get upset about your finishing shorts quicky during practice. Regarding the ace servers, I think it should be Sampras, Mcenroe, Becker, Ivanisevic, Roscoe Tanner, Edberg in that order.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer...
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 05:25 PM
ohhh....regarding talent , the best for me on grass is RICHARD KRAJICEK ....n IT WAS SAID BY AGASSI also ...wt Agassi had said that if Krajicek had not been plagued by ankle injuries all along his career, then he could have esasily dominated the grass court tennis for many years ...n i abs feel so...unfortunately, he was an injury prone guy ...wait, he has a btr record agnst Sampras though :-) ..... regarding clay, the Best ever to play is Thomas Muster ...n br making any comment or laughing at this stmnt , just get to know the stroy of Muster ...if u dont find the reason ,then u comeback to me ... i ll reply to each n every comments posted by u :-)
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Congrats to Potro and Federer
by bango tango on Nov 27, 2009 06:39 PM
thnx Vascado 4 ur comments ...i respectur choice of players for hitting aces , but dont think its correct...n ur list also misses few good ace hitting players like Rusedski , Joachim,Phillipousis, Marc Rosset, Krajicek etc ( remeber , i say these r good at hitting aces, not comparable in talent with the players u ve mentioned ) but can u tell me who has the record of hitting more aces in a match ?? he also has the record of hiting 2nd ( 2nd coz he normally looses 1st or in 2nd rnd)most no of aces in a tennis calendar yr ....he holds the record for hiiting highest aces per set ... wtvr record u say on aces, its hold by him only... YOU CAN´T IGNORE HIS NAME FOR HITTING ACES ....though he is a very very poor player ....
Re: Bad reporting
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 10:38 AM
What was pretty obvious from this match was that Federer was not at his usual best against Del Potro. His first serve was just not clicking and even his second serve was not penetrative enough giving Potro enough opportunities to hit clean winners from both the flanks. Federer's return of serve also left a lot to be desired and his slice tactics just did not work today. His net rushing tactics also came a cropper. Ofcourse, Del Potro played at his best and was serving really well, but the competition was uneven considering Federer's not so good performance today on the Court. In the second set tie breaker, I thought Federer lost and was out of the tournament when he was down 4-5, but Del Potro gave him a lease of life when he hit an easy volley to the net. There came the sniff of a chance and Federer, always the champion, converted the opportunity with open arms to win the set. In the 3rd set, Federer had his chances when he had two break points against Del Potro, but failed to convert it. All in all, I am glad that Federer and Del Potro came through both of whom are lively players worth to watch. It is really bad luck for Murray, but he deserves it as his game mostly revolves on opponents mistake than he winning it.
Re: Re: Bad reporting
by Anurag Rathore on Nov 27, 2009 10:46 AM
Murray became the victim of poor group distribution. It was sure that one of the big gun between Murray, Federer and D.Potro will not make semi. I would love to see Djokovik, Murray, Federer and D.Potro in semi but it was not possible.
Re: Re: Re: Bad reporting
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 10:55 AM
Even in Group B, it seems that Davydenko's chances are better than Djokovic simply because he is much ahead in the percentage of games won as well as sets. But it will all boil down to the match between Djokovic vs Nadal and Davydenko Vs Soderling and if Nadal does manage to outwit Djokovic, then Davydenko will be through even if he loses to Soderling badly.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bad reporting
by Vascado on Nov 27, 2009 11:11 AM
He is a fine player revered even by Federer to be the most talented of the lot. He won this World Series finals beating the top players and that includes Federer. But, fate has played cruelly on his fortunes and after his injury which it seems very severe, he has failed to lift the racquet. It is sad as to how injury has played spoil sport to the likes of Nalbandian, Haas and even the unlucky Roddick. In Tennis it seems it is not enough that you possess talent, you need much more by which I mean physical fitness and it is there the likes of Federer shine like a phoenix and a role model to emulate.
