lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 12, 2009 15:56:36 GMT
breezy, cramps. . . that would explain why they were not happy with him. But, boy, those commentators were livid. It was odd. Did you see Almagro's girlfriend? She was looking devastated as the match went on. Looking at him slapping his racquet against his thighs and looking like he was going to cry. . . I cannot believe he was faking.
Ugh! Fer is down a break in the 3rd. He is indeed frustrating. And Soderling looked good enough this morning to go far in this tournament. I can see him sneaking in to the 8th spot.
eta: Oh my goodness, I just realized that I'm going to be rooting for Beaker in that match against Soderling! What is the world coming to? Funny, for the past few weeks every time Beaker comes out to start a match and I look at him, and wonder, why don't I like him? He looks okay. Then he starts bouncing the damn ball and I remember.
eta2: And that's it for that. Stupid Fer. But good job to the sweet-faced Croat. My goodness, the crowd must be going crazy over on Central Court with Benneteau and Monfils playing each other. I wonder who they'll be rooting for?
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Post by breezybee on Nov 12, 2009 17:35:07 GMT
You are reading my mind. That is exactly how I feel about Beaker. I don't like Soderling much beter but he needs to go out if Verdasco is to have a chance to go to London. It also means I have to root against Tsonga for his next match. If Verdasco has to go though I hope it's Tsonga and not Soderling who takes his place.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 12, 2009 20:17:06 GMT
Please don't hate me, but Soderling has somehow grown on me since RG. I couldn't stand him before, but when I heard how soft spoken he is and saw how shy he seems, I was disarmed a little bit, and frankly I'm disgusted with myself over it. I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm usually so good at holding a grudge!
Anyway, Fer, in spite of his annoying loss today, is still in a decent position to qualify. Soderling has to make it to the final to pass him, and Tsonga and Stepanek have to win. Everyone else is out of the running.
I saw part of the Murray/Blake match, and that match literally came down to a point or two, and Blake could have easily won it. James has been playing pretty well lately, but he hasn't been able to get over the hump in the matches against the top guys. I hope he can build on his good play next year. I'm not surprised that Murray lost today. He was looking okay, but not invincible yesterday, and when you add to that the fact that he was playing until around 2am, I figured he'd be vulnerable today.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 12, 2009 20:32:39 GMT
Oh, me too. I guess if it came down to it, if Fer doesn't get the 8th spot I'd go Gonzo (Stepanek is already out), then Soderling, then Tsonga. I have no idea why I have Tsonga in last place. Maybe because he made it to the final eight last year by winning Paris and I just don't want a repeat of that. Okay, for the "maybe." That's exactly why I don't want Tsonga to get in this year. Not that it wasn't brilliant last year--but I want someone else to get that turn.
Does Blake playing well bode well for the new coach? Does he have a good attitude out on the court?
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Post by breezybee on Nov 12, 2009 20:51:07 GMT
Is Gonzo still in the running? I didn't know that. If Verdasco doesn't make it then I want Gonzo, then Tsonga.
I see that Tsonga and Benneteau retired from their doubles match. Does anyone know why?
Nadal is still not playing like himself. It's better than yesterday but he's still off the mark.
ETA - Nadal just double faulted to hand Robredo a break in the third set. Robredo is serving for the match. Nadal's serving has been hideous these past few days.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 12, 2009 21:10:38 GMT
Actually yes, I meant to write Gonzo instead of Stepanek. So it's Gonzo who needs to win to make it to London.
He seemed okay, and maintained his level of play in the second set even though he had lost the first. He was moving well, transitioning to the net pretty well, and was more patient when he got into rallies with Murray. Also, Murray was really trying to work Blake's backhand, and James wasn't dumping every third backhand into the net, which is a good sign, and a product of his improved patience. As for whether he'll maintain this, and whether it bodes well for the new coach, who knows? You can never tell with him and his streakiness. But I hope he has another good push in him.
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Post by tikigirl on Nov 12, 2009 23:17:24 GMT
I'm on board the Soderling train. I hope he makes the final eight. He just seems funny...and he has a pretty nice game on all surfaces. I don't have any especially fond feelings for Gonzo or Tsonga. Though I wouldn't mind if Tsonga played shirtless for the rest of his career.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 13, 2009 0:10:30 GMT
Well, Gonzo's out, so it looks like Soderling and Tsonga are the only ones still in the hunt. I like both Fer and his game the most right now out of those three, so I hope he gets it, but I wouldn't be completely heartbroken if Soderling or Tsonga takes it.
Tsonga needs a haircut. I liked the longer hair up until a few weeks ago, then it got too long.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 13, 2009 14:32:29 GMT
So the one guy I'd be okay with taking Fer's place is out. And Beaker is sucking against Soderling right now. Oh well.
eta: Well, that took care of Soderling. Now I just need Rafa to pull it together against the hometown hero.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 13, 2009 16:53:57 GMT
If Rafa gets beat by Tsonga today and Beaker wins in the final, Beaker will take over the number 2 spot again.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 13, 2009 17:18:03 GMT
Oh wow. I hadn't even thought of that. And if Tsonga does beat Rafa today I'm going to have to root for Beaker in the semis. . . .Oh, Rafa. Just win this match. Then my world can right itself.
eta: Ahhhhhh, phew. Thank you Rafa.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 13, 2009 18:33:18 GMT
Rafa pulled it off. It was a tight match! Now, if Rafa continues to do well in Paris, he'll have an opportunity to take over the year-end number one. There are 1500 points possible for an undefeated winner, and Rafa is defending zero points to Fed's 200. Also, there are about 1000 points between the two right now.
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Post by francienolan on Nov 13, 2009 21:22:01 GMT
Watching Monfils makes me queasy. I'm in awe of his athleticism but I keep waiting for a bone to snap. Never the less I root for him & am glad the Paris fans have some local talent to watch over the weekend.
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Post by mooncreek on Nov 14, 2009 17:12:20 GMT
Djokovic has certainly taken advantage of everyone else getting hurt post-US Open. The (slim) possibility of him ending the year at #2 makes me queasy.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 14, 2009 23:45:49 GMT
Watching his match this morning I decided he was the Scarecrow. Just going on body-type and movement style: I figured that would make Rafa the Cowardly Lion, Roger the Wizard and maybe Marat as The Tin Man. That's as far as I got.
I surprised myself by taking a hard look at Stepanek's game and coming to the conclusion that I really like it. That net play was gorgeous. He had a very easy style about him at the net. I don't remember ever liking his game that much before. I was still rooting for Monfils though--for the reason Francie noted. Give the home crowd something to cheer for.
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