lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 27, 2009 16:17:42 GMT
Ugh. What an exasperating match between Rafa and Beaker. Rafa is playing so desperately and Beaker is playing so oddly and Rafa just cannot win games. I really want Davydenko to get to the semis so I was hoping Rafa could eke out a win so he wouldn't go out 0-3 and get Kolya into the semis as a bonus. Something I realized about Davydenko--I keep thinking that he's boring, human backboard, etc. etc. but then I really watch when he plays and I realize that he's highly entertaining to watch. And his form is remarkable--so perfect.
Oh well--but congrats to Max and Andy! Nice win to get them into the semis. Here's hoping the Bryans don't join them. But what is up with Ashley Fisher as a commentator for the doubles? He makes some really good points but they are all said in such a negative manner. I keep getting the impression he's thinking he could play better than the players he's watching.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 27, 2009 16:37:35 GMT
I agree, except I never found him boring. I love watching him because of the smoothness and speed of his movement, the angles, and the rhythm that his matches often settle into. It's always been enjoyable to me.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 27, 2009 17:58:29 GMT
Poor Rafa. He's not even one of my favorite players but my heart just breaks for him. He really brings out my motherly feelings when he appears so dejected and lost on the court. It's just so unlike him.
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Post by acre on Nov 27, 2009 19:40:45 GMT
I'm also on board the RR format, strictly for the YEC - I like that each has to play each within the group. I don't think for a minute that Roger did any calculating to ensure Murray didn't go through, apart from that being at least a little off-color, I feel pretty sure he wants to beat DelPo. He doesn't like losing at the best of times (what top athlete does?), and especially after the US Open defeat I absolutely think he wanted to win that match.
Yeah, Rafa is clearly off his game both mentally and physically. Granted, these are the top guys in the world, and a loss to any one of them is no disgrace: but 3 losses in straight sets, erk, not so good. And I gather a back injury during this last match, too. Sigh, tough year for him.
Okay, I don't understand the Murray-DelPo tiebreaker! I mean, I understand how they calculate it, I have no trouble following along that it goes matches, sets, games - what I don't get is if they're both 2-1, as they are, why isn't the first tiebreaker the head to head between them? Murray beat DelPo in their match, so in my mind he should go through. I mean, I don't have a dog in this fight so to speak, no strong preference for which of them made the semi's, but it came down to a single game, and Murray defeated DelPo, so why doesn't the winner go through?
Otherwise there appear to have been some very competitive matches, Verdasco obviously, although he lost all 3, he took the #1, 4, 5 in the world each to 3 sets, no shame there! The other group has been either more dominant or scratchier, what with Rafa being off, Djok showing clear signs of fatigue and burnout, Soderling just breezing through.
I certainly wish I had coverage before the finals, would've greatly enjoyed watching pretty much any of these matches. Well, maybe not Rafa since he seemed to be visibly down-and-out, and I don't much enjoy that even if I don't like a player, which I most certainly do in his case.
And more agreement on Davydenko - I think I posted some time back about how "sneaky-good" he is, I can never quite look at him and see one of the best players in the world, except oh wait, when he's actually playing, and yup guy's got serious game. He certainly doesn't particularly look like an elite athlete physically, and he has no one dominating or amazing shot - he just does every lttle thing so well and consistently.
And this is all gravy for me as a Fed fan, I want nothing more out of 2009 than what he's already achieved. Sure, I'll be pleased if he wins, but if not, no big deal. I know he cared about being #1 for the year, so I'm glad he got it, but can't say I much cared. 2009 was a very, very good year. And good even for those who aren't so much Fed fans, considering there were 3 different Slam winners, more variety than there has been in years.
No, of course not a good year for Rafa, not at all: injury, family issues, loss of form/confidence - but I have confidence in him, totally believe he'll be back in full form soon enough. He's too good and too tough, both physically and mentally, not to come back. I'm glad there is real competition past just #1 and 2, but want the "real" Rafa back, he's an asset to the game in every way.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 27, 2009 19:58:21 GMT
They were mentioning earlier that it used to be like that but it was switched to % of games. I'm actually okay with that. Murray losing to Fed 6-1 in the third set was what really hurt him. When you look at the number of games won Verdasco actually won more games than Murray or Roger did. Of course he lost more than any of the three.
It certainly is funny that before the tournament began it looked like Group B had Group A beat in terms of potential competitive matches. Group A kicked ass.
Looks like the Bryan Brothers will be going on. They need to win in straight sets and they're currently up a set and a break. Damn. If they win the entire tournament they regain the #1 spot. Oh well, if the Bryans go on that gives Max and Andy the #1 seed in the group.
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Post by acre on Nov 27, 2009 21:55:03 GMT
Well I'm watching online and rooting for Davy. If he wins, he's straight through to the semis, right, no comparing games? I'm actually not at all anti-Djok, sure he can be a jerk at times, but has such a great game. It's just that Davy is so severely underrated/ignored by the public at large - definitely not by the other players, they have great respect for him and recognize his talent and the danger he poses. I just think it would be nice to see him get to the semi's and maybe get a little more respect. Though I guess real tennis fans already give that to him, just hoi polloi are like "who"?
And I guess I can understand that, if you don't know a lot about tennis he's not that exciting to watch. It's just the cleanliness and execution of all his shots, and his movement, that make him entertaining to folks like us. He just gets it done, damn hard to beat because he so good at all the basics.
And another question - there's no way to save/record what I'm watching on channelsurfing, so I could come back later and watch the rest of the match? I'm pretty the answer is no, but damn I'm hungry, and I want to cook/eat my dinner!
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Post by breezybee on Nov 27, 2009 23:12:33 GMT
Woo Hoo Nikolay!
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 27, 2009 23:16:50 GMT
Well that works. Kolya wins but Soderling gets the one set he needed to be the #1 seed in Group B and not have to face Fed in the semis. Based on how wiped Beaker has been the past couple of matches I'm going to guess he's not heartbroken he's out.
How funny were the wives? Robin takes a nasty spill and his wife looked incredibly concerned. Next point Davydenko slips and his wife starts laughing. Love both reactions. And how cute were Soderling's stern-looking parents sitting there?
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Post by breezybee on Nov 28, 2009 0:16:37 GMT
Is Soderling married? I didn't know that. Doesn't make me like him any better but still interesting.
Davydenko and his wife are so cute. You just know she wears the pants in that family but she also absolutely adores him.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 28, 2009 0:37:44 GMT
I'm not positive he's married--but I thought I saw a wedding band when I saw a close-up on TV. I remember thinking, "aww, he's married." but I really don't know.
Boy, I skipped the gym and the supermarket today because I've spent the day watching tennis (and the Rutgers game which fit in nicely between the day and evening sessions). I have loads to do tomorrow. . . but will I do any of it? Max and Andy start the day off so I'll wake up for that. Hopefully I'll TiVo the Fed/Davydenko match so I can leave my house.
So weird that Andy is not going back with Jonathan Erlich next year, but isn't staying with Max either. He's going with Llodra. I do love Llodra. . . but what is Max doing?
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Post by breezybee on Nov 28, 2009 16:40:25 GMT
Well, I didn't see that coming but good for Davydenko. It's a shame Federer won't get another shot at the title but he's had two grand slam titles and four grand slam finals this year so his year's been fine. I'd love to see Nikolay win tomorrow.
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Post by mooncreek on Nov 28, 2009 16:45:16 GMT
For someone who has never been able to beat the big names, it seems strange this is the second year in a row Nikolay has made the final of the YEC. And finally beating Roger in the process (I cannot wait to see this match later).
I guess Max is repellent or something. Or he's crazier than Goran.
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Post by acre on Nov 28, 2009 19:31:39 GMT
Of course I don't get to see any of the semis (well I could watch the 2nd online, wasn't up/thinking about it during the first), but just looking at scorelines from this whole tourny it sure does seem like high-quality competitive tennis. Which I guess should be expected from the top 8 going at each other, but isn't always so. I'll finally be able to record the final tomorrow, and just hope it's a good match.
I'd always like Fed to win, but perfectly happy for Davy too. And seriously, Roger and his fans don't need anything more from 2009. Nice for Davy to break the 0-12 streak. Well I think I'd prefer DelPo to win the 2nd so we don't get a rerun of last night's matchup. I have no idea what Soderling/DelPo's record is against each other, and not sure it matters since they have both improved so dramatically in the last year - all prior results would maybe only contribute to confidence, not really be indicative of who is stronger now.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 28, 2009 21:38:30 GMT
For the Fed/Kolya match--I kept changing my mind about who I wanted to win. Every time someone hit a beauty of a shot I picked them. Then the other guy would hit a great shot and I'd pick them. In the end, so happy for Davydenko. I really want him to win tomorrow--no matter who he plays.
Oh no. all the players have always said what a sweetie he his and how ironic his "Beast" nickname is. (It is solely for his size and wing span.)
eta: I noticed the ring on Soderling's finger again when they were showing the warm-up. I don't know what the ring means, but it is on his wedding finger.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 28, 2009 21:57:18 GMT
I'm really pulling for del Potro to pull off this win against Soderling. Try as I might to like Robin, I just can't. It's not as bad as my dislike for Beaker but it is close. If Juan makes the final against Nikolay I don't know who I'll cheer for. Probably Nikolay but I'll be good with whomever wins.
ETA - I seem the Bryans won today. They are right up there with Beaker and Soderling for me so I'm not a happy camper.
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