ATP Masters: Madrid 10/12-10/19/2008 [Archive]

Ti-Amie

10-08-2008, 07:16 PM

Tournament Name: MUTUA MADRILENA MASTERS MADRID - revised
Location: MADRID, SPAIN
Dates: SUNDAY 12–SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER, 2008
Prize Money: €2,270,000 (€2,057,000)
48 DRAW (Q24)
SITE: RECINTO FERIAL CASA DE CAMPO
28011 MADRID
SURFACE: GREENSET
BALL: HEAD ATP
PRIZE MONEY: EURO
WEB SITE: http://www.mutuamad-mastersmadrid.com//eng/index.htm

Qualifying draw: Friday, October 10, 9:00 p.m.
Main draw: Saturday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.
Doubles draw: Saturday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.

ATP Ranking Points/ATP Race Points
W: 500/100
F: 350/70
SF: 225/45
QF: 125/25
R16: 75/15
R32: 35/7 (Seeds: 5/1)
R64: 5/1 (WC: 0/0)
Q: +15/+3
Q12: 8/0
Q24: 0/0

Entry deadline: September 1, 2008
Seeding: October 6, 2008

1 Nadal, Rafael ESP 1
2 Federer, Roger SUI 2
3 Djokovic, Novak SRB 3
4 Ferrer, David ESP 4
5 Davydenko, Nikolay RUS 5
6 Murray, Andy GBR 6
7 Nalbandian, David ARG 7
8 Roddick, Andy USA 8
9 Blake, James USA 9
10 Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI 10
11 Gonzalez, Fernando CHI 11
12 Gasquet, Richard FRA 12
13 Verdasco, Fernando ESP 13
14 Karlovic, Ivo CRO 14
15 Robredo, Tommy ESP 15
16 Simon, Gilles FRA 16
17 Del Potro, Juan Martin ARG 17
18 Almagro, Nicolas ESP 18
19 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA 19
20 Kiefer, Nicolas GER 20
21 Youzhny, Mikhail RUS 21
22 Berdych, Tomas CZE 22
23 Andreev, Igor RUS 23
24 Cilic, Marin CRO 24
25 Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA 25
26 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER 26
27 Tursunov, Dmitry RUS 27
28 Ancic, Mario CRO 28
29 Lopez, Feliciano ESP 29
30 Stepanek, Radek CZE 30
31 Seppi, Andreas ITA 31
32 Monaco, Juan ARG 32
33 Monfils, Gael FRA 33
34 Soderling, Robin SWE 34
35 Fish, Mardy USA 35
36 Schuettler, Rainer GER 36
37 Nieminen, Jarkko FIN 37
38 Llodra, Michael FRA 38
39 (SE)
40 (Q)
41 (Q)
42 (Q)
43 (Q)
44 (Q)
45 (Q)
46 (WC) Moya, Carlos ESP (Marca.com)
47 (WC)
48 (WC)

Alternates
1. Haas, Tommy GER 39
2. Gulbis, Ernests LAT 40
3. Gicquel, Marc FRA 41
4. Moya, Carlos ESP 42 WC to Main Draw - Marca
5. Ljubicic, Ivan CRO 43
6. Safin, Marat RUS 44
7. Tipsarevic, Janko SRB 45
8. Baghdatis, Marcos CYP 46
9. Bolelli, Simone ITA 47
10. Melzer, Jurgen AUT 48
11. Calleri, Agustin ARG 49
12. Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP 50
13. Granollers, Marcel ESP 51
14. Acasuso, Jose ARG 52
15. Canas, Guillermo ARG 53

Ti-Amie

10-08-2008, 07:18 PM

Qualifying Entry List

1 Baghdatis, Marcos CYP 42
2 Tipsarevic, Janko SRB 43
3 Bolelli, Simone ITA 45
4 Acasuso, Jose ARG 46
5 Ljubicic, Ivan CRO 47
6 Moya, Carlos ESP 49 (WC to MD)
7 Calleri, Agustin ARG 51
8 Granollers, Marcel ESP 53
9 Benneteau, Julien FRA 54
10 Schwank, Eduardo ARG 55
11 Canas, Guillermo ARG 56
12 Serra, Florent FRA 57
13 Darcis, Steve BEL 59
14 Devilder, Nicolas FRA 61
15 Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP 62
16 Ginepri, Robby USA 64
17 Lapentti, Nicolas ECU 66
18 Hanescu, Victor ROU 67
19 Muller, Gilles LUX 68
20 Navarro, Ivan ESP 71
21 (WC) Gomez, Carlos ESP
22 (WC)
23 (WC)
24 (WC)

Alternates

1. Fognini, Fabio ITA 72
2. Chardy, Jeremy FRA 75
3. Hernandez, Oscar ESP 78
4. Guccione, Chris AUS 81
5. Rochus, Olivier BEL 82
6. Reynolds, Bobby USA 84
7. Nishikori, Kei JPN 85
8. Clement, Arnaud FRA 87
9. Gabashvili, Teimuraz RUS 89
10. Vliegen, Kristof BEL 94
11. Andujar, Pablo ESP 99
12. Minar, Ivo CZE 105
13. Hernych, Jan CZE 114

rabbit

10-09-2008, 08:35 AM

Hmm, there's some unofficial indication (http://www.mdzol.com/mdz/nota/75847-Federer-confirmar%C3%A1-ma%C3%B1ana-si-juega-el-Master-de-Madrid/) that Federer will indeed be playing Madrid. No official confirmation though...

Moose

10-09-2008, 08:42 AM

GVGirl

10-09-2008, 08:53 AM

know there's been some talk that Federer needs to win nearly everything, and Rafa has to lose early the rest of the season for Fed to recapture #1. But has anyone read if Rafa can clinch Year End #1 at Madrid? That would be huge for him, for this tournament and for his homeland, since it would occur in Spain.

I read it somewhere that he can clinch in Madrid.(Now I have to find it) That would be great for him and top off a fabulous year. It's been the year of Spain.

Fed has no real chance of recapturing #1 this year. He might as well save his energy for 2009.

:wonderpets:
Wonderpets
Smilie
Just for Nelslus!

Drop-shot

10-09-2008, 09:42 AM

Madrid poster: Rafa and Roger with cybernetic parts, or something like that.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1057577&pid=&toi=

(scroll down and click on image)

rabbit

10-09-2008, 11:06 AM

suliso

10-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Federer will after all play Madrid: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/09/sports/TEN-Madrid-Masters-Federer.php (en) and http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Federer/jugara/Madrid/elpepudep/20081009elpepudep_11/Tes (es). This makes his announcement last week all the more strange and misleading.

I am still inclined to think that he merely decided that, since #1 ranking is out of reach, there is no point playing four straight tournaments.

I reserve the right to change my opinion if he plays terribly and goes down to someone before QF. :)

GVGirl

10-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Madrid poster: Rafa and Roger with cybernetic parts, or something like that.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1057577&pid=&toi=

(scroll down and click on image)

Oh no! Those outfits remind me of those Lacoste TV ads!:shocked:

Scotty

10-09-2008, 11:28 AM

Madrid poster: Rafa and Roger with cybernetic parts, or something like that.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1057577&pid=&toi=

(scroll down and click on image)

That's a pretty cool pic, IMHO. I dunno about cybernetic parts, but perhaps in Batman-style gear?

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/anexos/fotos/24/903924.jpg

Ti-Amie

10-09-2008, 11:57 AM

Main Draw Updates 10/9/2008

Main Draw
1 Nadal, Rafael ESP 1
2 Federer, Roger SUI 2
3 Djokovic, Novak SRB 3
4 Ferrer, David ESP 4
5 Davydenko, Nikolay RUS 5
6 Murray, Andy GBR 6
7 Nalbandian, David ARG 7
8 Roddick, Andy USA 8
9 Blake, James USA 9
10 Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI 10
11 Gonzalez, Fernando CHI 11
12 Gasquet, Richard FRA 12
13 Verdasco, Fernando ESP 13
14 Karlovic, Ivo CRO 14
15 Robredo, Tommy ESP 15
16 Simon, Gilles FRA 16
17 Del Potro, Juan Martin ARG 17
18 Almagro, Nicolas ESP 18
19 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA 19
20 Kiefer, Nicolas GER 20
21 Youzhny, Mikhail RUS 21
22 Berdych, Tomas CZE 22
23 Andreev, Igor RUS 23
24 Cilic, Marin CRO 24
25 Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA 25
26 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER 26
27 Tursunov, Dmitry RUS 27
28 Ancic, Mario CRO 28
29 Lopez, Feliciano ESP 29
30 Stepanek, Radek CZE 30
31 Seppi, Andreas ITA 31
32 Monaco, Juan ARG 32
33 Monfils, Gael FRA 33
34 Soderling, Robin SWE 34
35 Fish, Mardy USA 35
36 Schuettler, Rainer GER 36
37 Nieminen, Jarkko FIN 37
38 Llodra, Michael FRA 38
39 (SE)
40 (Q)
41 (Q)
42 (Q)
43 (Q)
44 (Q)
45 (Q)
46 (WC) Moya, Carlos ESP (Marca.com)
47 (WC) Safin, Marat
48 (WC) Fognini, Fabio

Ti-Amie

10-09-2008, 12:00 PM

Apparently Ferrero lost out because Tiriac made a deal with the Italian federation giving a WC to an Italian in Madrid in exchange for WC for Safin in Rome!

lululala

10-09-2008, 12:56 PM

Apparently Ferrero lost out because Tiriac made a deal with the Italian federation giving a WC for to an Italian in Madrid in exchange for WC for Safin in Rome!

That's too bad. But maybe he can still get the SE? Or maybe Rafito can call "ask" them to give JCF the SE or they risk getting on his sxxx list. :boxing:

mmmm8

10-10-2008, 08:44 AM

Apparently Ferrero lost out because Tiriac made a deal with the Italian federation giving a WC to an Italian in Madrid in exchange for WC for Safin in Rome!

Why does Tiriac care if Safin was WC'd into Rome? :confused:

Moose

10-10-2008, 08:47 AM

its near 6 p.m. in Madrid, correct? I'm surprised that there is no qualifier draw yet (at least on the ATP site). They should be playing tomorrow morning, correct?

MeganFernandez

10-10-2008, 10:50 AM

So Gulbis isn't in the main draw yet (2nd on alternate list) and he's not trying to qualify? Is it virtually a given that he'll make the main draw?

Ti-Amie

10-10-2008, 11:33 AM

Qualie draw is at 9p Madrid time.

Moose

10-10-2008, 09:28 PM

ATP MS MADRID - QUALIFYING DRAW

(1) Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v. Robby Ginepri (USA)
WC Oscar Burrieza (ESP) v. (8) Eduardo Schwank (ARG)

(2) Simone Bolelli (ITA) v. Nicolas Lapenti (ECU)
Nicolas Devilder (FRA) v. (10) Steve Darcis (BEL)

(3) Jose Acasuso (ARG) v. (WC) Pablo Andujar (ESP)
(WC) Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v. (7) Florent Serra (FRA)

(4) Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) v. Chris Guccione (AUS)
(WC) Carlos Gomez (ESP) v. (9) Marcel Granollers (ESP)

(5) Agustin Calleri (ARG) v. Olivier Rochus (BEL)
Gilles Muller (LUX) v. (12) Guillermo Canas (ARG)

(6) Julien Benneteau (FRA) v. Ivan Navarro (ESP)
Victor Hanescu (ROU) v. (11) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)

Ti-Amie

10-11-2008, 08:02 AM

Main Draw

(1) NADAL, Rafael ESP v BYE
KIEFER, Nicolas GER v GULBIS, Ernests LAT
(Q) v FISH, Mardy USA
(15) GASQUET, Richard FRA v BYE

(10) WAWRINKA, Stanislas SUI v BYE
KOHLSCHREIBER, Philipp GER v MOYA, Carlos ESP
LOPEZ, Feliciano ESP v (WC) MONTANES, Albert ESP
(6) FERRER, David ESP v BYE

(3) DJOKOVIC, Novak SRB v BYE
TURSUNOV, Dmitry RUS v (Q)
(Q) v SODERLING, Robin SWE
(14) KARLOVIC, Ivo CRO v BYE

(11) BLAKE, James USA v BYE
SIMON, Gilles FRA v ANDREEV, Igor RUS
LLODRA, Michael FRA v (WC) SAFIN, Marat RUS
(5) DAVYDENKO, Nikolay RUS v BYE

==============================

(8) RODDICK, Andy USA v BYE
SEPPI, Andreas ITA v ROBREDO, Tommy ESP
MONFILS, Gael FRA v (WC) FOGNINI, Fabio ITA
(12) GONZALEZ, Fernando CHI v BYE

(13) VERDASCO, Fernando ESP v BYE
(Q) v CILIC, Marin CRO
(Q) v ALMAGRO, Nicolas ESP
(4) MURRAY, Andy GBR v BYE

(7) NALBANDIAN, David ARG v BYE
SCHUETTLER, Rainer GER v BERDYCH, Tomas CZE
YOUZHNY, Mikhail RUS v NIEMINEN, Jarkko FIN
(9) DEL POTRO, Juan Martin ARG v BYE

(16) TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried FRA v BYE
MATHIEU, Paul-Henri FRA v (Q)
MONACO, Juan ARG v STEPANEK, Radek CZE
(2) FEDERER, Roger SUI v BYE

rabbit

10-11-2008, 03:12 PM

Wow! I doubt anyone can claim that Roger has an easy draw this time. Potentially, Stepanek, and then, Tsonga, Nalbandian/Del Potro, Murray, Nadal/Djokovic...

I am super excited! :)

TalkAboutTennis

10-11-2008, 04:52 PM

ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008

PISTA CENTRAL start 2:30 pm
Main Draw - J Monaco (ARG) vs R Stepanek (CZE)
Main Draw - N Kiefer (GER) vs E Gulbis (LAT)

PISTA ALCALA start 12:00 noon
Qualifying - O Rochus (BEL) vs G Canas (ARG)
Not Before 1:30 PM
Qualifying - I Ljubicic (CRO) vs M Granollers (ESP)
Qualifying - S Bolelli (ITA) vs S Darcis (BEL)

PISTA CIBELES start 12:00 noon
Qualifying - J Benneteau (FRA) vs V Hanescu (ROU)
Qualifying - J Acasuso (ARG) vs F Serra (FRA)
Qualifying - R Ginepri (USA) vs E Schwank (ARG)

rabbit

10-11-2008, 10:04 PM

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 06:12 AM

By the way, Montanes got the last WC because Moya qualified for the Main Draw and Ferrero refused to enter

oliver0001

10-12-2008, 07:54 AM

By the way, Montanes got the last WC because Moya qualified for the Main Draw and Ferrero refused to enter

So first the organizers refuse to give him a WC, then Ferrero refuses to accept it??? That just doesn't make sense to me? Can anybody clarify why JCF refuses to play in the biggest tournament in his country?:confused::confused::confused:

rabbit

10-12-2008, 09:06 AM

So first the organizers refuse to give him a WC, then Ferrero refuses to accept it??? That just doesn't make sense to me? Can anybody clarify why JCF refuses to play in the biggest tournament in his country?:confused::confused::confused:

That is what I was hoping was addressed in the above video (other than clarifying Nole's preference of girls). Can somebody please tell us what JCF is saying there?

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 09:15 AM

That is what I was hoping was addressed in the above video (other than clarifying Nole's preference of girls). Can somebody please tell us what JCF is saying there?

It was kind of hard to hear because they kept switching between Juanqui and Manolo Santana mid-sentence but he said that they called him this morning (but he emphasized Santana didn't call him personally) and said he could enter, but it was too late. This morning was the last chance to enter, according to Santana.

rabbit

10-12-2008, 09:21 AM

It was kind of hard to hear because they kept switching between Juanqui and Manolo Santana mid-sentence but he said that they called him this morning (but he emphasized Santana didn't call him personally) and said he could enter, but it was too late. This morning was the last chance to enter, according to Santana.

Thanks, mmmm8!

I guess Ferrero's rejection of the WC might be because of pride and irritation at how quickly everybody forgets that he was a former #1 and champion here. Anyways, I think Santana should have found a way to get JCF to enter.

rabbit

10-12-2008, 09:37 AM

By the way, Gulbis just beat Kiefer 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 in the first round:banana:

And in qualies, Ginepri won again today, beating Schwank. He beat top-seeded Tipsarevic in 3 sets yesterday. Also, Canas and Ljubicic lost. What a disappointing year for both of them.

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 09:39 AM

Canas lost to Oli Rochus of all people. Couldn't he have saved the magic for Ryler DeHeart? :mad::mad::mad::mad:

suliso

10-12-2008, 09:40 AM

Canas and Ljubicic are just getting old. Oli too...

Ti-Amie

10-12-2008, 10:02 AM

Doubles Draw

B. BRYAN/M. BRYAN [1] v Bye
BOLELLI, Simone (ITA)/SEPPI, Andreas (ITA)[WC]
v MELO, Marcelo (BRA)/SA, Andre (BRA)

MONFILS, Gael (FRA)/SIMON, Gilles (FRA)
v BERDYCH, Tomas (CZE)/KIEFER, Nicolas (GER)
J. BJORKMAN/K. ULLYETT [5] v Bye

M. BHUPATHI/M. KNOWLES [4] v Bye
MOYA, Carlos (ESP)/NADAL, Rafael (ESP)
v BLAKE, James (USA)/FISH, Mardy (USA)

ARNOLD KER, Lucas (ARG)/NALBANDIAN, David (ARG)
v DAMM, Martin (CZE)/VIZNER, Pavel (CZE)
S. ASPELIN/J. KNOWLE [6] v Bye

J. COETZEE/W. MOODIE [8] v Bye
CALLERI, Agustin (ARG)/FERRER, David (ESP)
v MIRNYI, Max (BLR)/ROBREDO, Tommy (ESP)

RAM, Andy (ISR)/YOUZHNY, Mikhail (RUS) v
ANDUJAR, Pablo (ESP)/GRANOLLERS, Marcel (ESP)[WC]
L. DLOUHY/L. PAES [3] v Bye

M. FYRSTENBERG/M. MATKOWSKI [7] v Bye
CLEMENT, Arnaud (FRA)/LLODRA, Michael (FRA) v
MURRAY, Andy (GBR)/MURRAY, Jamie (GBR)

LOPEZ, Feliciano (ESP)/VERDASCO, Fernando (ESP) v
GONZALEZ, Fernando (CHI)/KAS, Christopher (GER)
D. NESTOR/N. ZIMONJIC [2] v Bye

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 10:16 AM

RESULTS
Singles - First Round
file:///C:/Users/MAK/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpghttp://www.mutuamad-mastersmadrid.com/news/images/news_1121_1_main.jpg
Radek Stepanek

R Stepanek (CZE) d J Monaco (ARG) 61 61
E Gulbis (LAT) d N Kiefer (GER) 57 64 75

Madame

10-12-2008, 10:38 AM

MOYA, Carlos (ESP)/NADAL, Rafael (ESP)
CLEMENT, Arnaud (FRA)/LLODRA, Michael (FRA)

Nice Rafa playing with his friend and Mentor Carlos :cheesy:

I thought Clement/llodra were higher ranked then that ! :mad:

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 10:40 AM

Safin just withdrew from Madrid with a shoulder injury.

(which makes the Ferrero situation even more fun)

Madame

10-12-2008, 10:48 AM

Safin just withdrew from Madrid with a shoulder injury.

(which makes the Ferrero situation even more fun)

damn Marat, I have him passing three rounds :grrr:

Ti-Amie

10-12-2008, 10:50 AM

Safin just withdrew from Madrid with a shoulder injury.

(which makes the Ferrero situation even more fun)

If I'm Juanqui I still don't come.
(Well maybe if Santana and Tiriac came out and begged me on hands and knees I'd consider it).

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 10:58 AM

If I'm Juanqui I still don't come.
(Well maybe if Santana and Tiriac came out and begged me on hands and knees I'd consider it).

Too late. MD play has started and Marat should be replaced by a LL

Ti-Amie

10-12-2008, 11:00 AM

Too late. MD play has started and Marat should be replaced by a LL

Forgot about that detail. Then I'm laughing hysterically.

mmmm8

10-12-2008, 11:09 AM

Forgot about that detail. Then I'm laughing hysterically.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if the situation factored into Marat's decision to withdraw. In the post-match presser today, he said he was playing Madrid, so I'm not too sure about the validity of his shoulder injury - he served 20+ aces.

Maybe he injured it scrubbing too hard when trying to wash off Nine Lives' makeup

Ti-Amie

10-12-2008, 11:43 AM

(1) NADAL, Rafael ESP v BYE
KIEFER, Nicolas GER v GULBIS, Ernests LAT
(Q) v FISH, Mardy USA
(15) GASQUET, Richard FRA v BYE

(10) WAWRINKA, Stanislas SUI v BYE
KOHLSCHREIBER, Philipp GER v MOYA, Carlos ESP
LOPEZ, Feliciano ESP v (WC) MONTANES, Albert ESP
(6) FERRER, David ESP v BYE

(3) DJOKOVIC, Novak SRB v BYE
TURSUNOV, Dmitry RUS v (Q)
(Q) v SODERLING, Robin SWE
(14) KARLOVIC, Ivo CRO v BYE

(11) BLAKE, James USA v BYE
SIMON, Gilles FRA v ANDREEV, Igor RUS
LLODRA, Michael FRA v (LL) Bolelli, Simone ITA
(5) DAVYDENKO, Nikolay RUS v BYE

elisat

10-12-2008, 12:33 PM

Ajde, Ginepri! :cheesy:

I found this Spanish video on youtube, which shows some clips of players (Rafa, Roger, etc.) practicing and discusses the Ferrero WC incident. Can some Spanish speaker please translate it? Thanks!
ubccNtnN8KA

Well, the Rafa part is the usual praise. Then Santana says that Ferrero could have enter the draw but they didn't called him as he publicly declined. Ferrero says that nobody called him whatsoever.

rabbit

10-12-2008, 12:38 PM

Vlad

10-12-2008, 01:27 PM

Safin just withdrew from Madrid with a shoulder injury.

(which makes the Ferrero situation even more fun)

Not sure what his reasons are but he certainly didn't look injured today.

After today's loss though, he can potentially hang up the racquet for good. :(

TalkAboutTennis

10-12-2008, 02:49 PM

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008

PISTA CENTRAL start 11:00am
[Q] S Darcis (BEL) vs M Fish (USA)
Not Before 12:30 PM
[LL] S Bolelli (ITA) vs N Almagro (ESP)
G Simon (FRA) vs I Andreev (RUS)
Not Before 4:00 PM
C Moya (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) vs J Blake (USA) / M Fish (USA)
Not Before 8:00 PM
A Seppi (ITA) vs T Robredo (ESP)
R Schuettler (GER) vs T Berdych (CZE)

PISTA ALCALA start 1:00 pm
A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) vs A Murray (GBR) / J Murray (GBR)
F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs F Gonzalez (CHI) / C Kas (GER)
Not Before 5:00 PM
[Q] O Rochus (BEL) vs M Cilic (CRO)

rabbit

10-12-2008, 10:11 PM

http://www.pressonline.co.rs/admin/image.jpg?imageId=8804&thumb=1

It almost looks like Nole's face has been photoshopped in there :p

oohsalmon

10-12-2008, 11:38 PM

http://www.pressonline.co.rs/admin/image.jpg?imageId=8804&thumb=1

It almost looks like Nole's face has been photoshopped in there :p

The photo isn't that odd except for the left one's hand :lipsrsealed:.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 05:38 AM

I missed Fish vs Darcis. I saw the end of the first set where LL Bolelli came back from a break down to force a TB and win the first set over Nico Almagro. Almagro then seemed to have a hissy fit and just went through the motions in the second set which Bolelli won 6-1. I agreed with the commentators that his piss-poor attitude in the second set is not what you want to see at a Masters Series event.

I was just settling in to watch the Andreev/Gilles Simon match when AMS TV crashed. Oh joy.

BTW AMS TV never shows doubles this early. Is there another feed around anywhere? Thanks.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 07:10 AM

Andreev had triple match point up 0-40 on Simon's serve and promptly handed the three points back allowing Simon to get to deuce. Then, on his fourth match point, with the entire court open, Andreev hits not to the open court but tries to paint the sideline where Simon was standing and hits the ball out. Simon holds and levels the third set at 5 all.

mmmm8

10-13-2008, 07:28 AM

Well, the Rafa part is the usual praise. Then Santana says that Ferrero could have enter the draw but they didn't called him as he publicly declined. Ferrero says that nobody called him whatsoever.

Oops, misunderstood that part, sorry, rabbit

Not sure what his reasons are but he certainly didn't look injured today.

After today's loss though, he can potentially hang up the racquet for good. :(

Why? He played well. If he hasn't done after all the crap losses this year, this one doesn't do it.

mmmm8

10-13-2008, 07:29 AM

verucasalt

10-13-2008, 07:30 AM

At the end, I didn't think either one of them wanted to win the match. But Simon came through.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 07:33 AM

Andreev has himself to blame for this loss. When it was time to close it out he came up short. There were some great rallies during the TB but Simon came out on top in the one that mattered. There was one shot by Andreev that from the camera angle looked in and Simon challenged. It was out. Simon won the TB 9-7.

Igor just seemed to mentally cringe when he had chances to close the match out.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 07:34 AM

At the end, I didn't think either one of them wanted to win the match. But Simon came through.

There was an Alphonse/Gaston quality to it wasn't there?

verucasalt

10-13-2008, 07:38 AM

There was an Alphonse/Gaston quality to it wasn't there?

LOL. :)

mmmm8

10-13-2008, 08:19 AM

Madrid players' party

http://i38.tinypic.com/260fuxf.jpg
Djokovic and Zimonjic

http://i35.tinypic.com/vmqfqg.jpg
Gulbis. not sure if that's his girlfriend

http://i37.tinypic.com/2aimvpj.jpg
Almagro

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 08:35 AM

Live Feed for Madrid.

http://www.justin.tv/radiomix2

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 09:52 AM

I like the new doubles format.

Scotty

10-13-2008, 10:46 AM

Cilic has been pushing Ollie around this whole match, but has been missing too much in the second set to make it matter. Until he just broke at 15, to serve for the match at 6-5.

Rochus has had more trouble returning Cilic's 2nd serve ... it must be kicking really high, but it's hard to see that on the 'net.

rabbit

10-13-2008, 12:11 PM

Roger explains his current mindset a bit more:

"The season was long and I felt very tired, I needed some rest," he said by way of explanation for his break after the Davis Cup in September.

"But I'm still not sure how much I need. I took the time off, trained again (in Dubai) and looked at how I felt."

The 27-year-old with 13 grand slam titles evidently liked what he saw after the pause: "I'm feeling good enough now to win this event, so I came here and will play.

"I'll see where it takes me, I'm going week by week. I've felt no sickness (he suffered with glandular season from late last year), no fallbacks. (The tiredness) was just everything together."

Federer, the Madrid titleholder in 2006 and losing finalist last autumn to David Nalbandian, said that the remainder of his 2008 season will be composed of last-minute decisions depending upon his state of body and mind.

"Anything is possible, there are some exciting events left. And I have a chance to make more points," said the longtime number one now chasing rival Rafael Nadal who has held the top spot since August.

"I got my start in the indoor season (his first title came in Milan in 2001). It's not one that I like to miss. I love the game and I love to complete, that's why I'm back on the tour again."

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ihYo0FGTtPpXVc9DygVBe2kHF6XA

EDIT: One more quote

"I'm going to do everything I can to try and get No. 1 back, but I think if one player deserves to be No. 1 in the world at one stage of his career I believe it would be Rafa as well," he said.

http://iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/13/sports/TEN-Madrid-Masters-Federer.php

mmmm8

10-13-2008, 12:27 PM

RESULTS
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081013/capt.723897c84d3d43338423a8e87641ee70.correction_s pain_madrid_tennis_masters_do811.jpg
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya Singles - First Round
M Fish (USA) d [Q] S Darcis (BEL) 61 64
[LL] S Bolelli (ITA) d N Almagro (ESP) 76(4) 61
G Simon (FRA) d I Andreev (RUS) 46 61 76(7) - Saved 4 M.P.
M Cilic (CRO) d [Q] O Rochus (BEL) 63 75

T Robredo (ESP) leads A Seppi (ITA) 76(5) 14 - in progress
R Schuettler (GER) vs T Berdych (CZE) - to be played

Doubles - First Round
A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) d A Murray (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) 64 63
F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d F Gonzalez (CHI) / C Kas (GER) 64 63
C Moya (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d J Blake (USA) / M Fish (USA) 46 76(5) 10-5

rabbit

10-13-2008, 12:31 PM

Strange moment in this interview of Nole. Around 2:16, the interviewer says Novak won in Bangkok and so must be quite confident coming in...and Nole agrees!! :hyst:

d5mvhshKaaY

munchin

10-13-2008, 12:40 PM

I feel like James Blake hasn't played in like a year. Has he been injured or just laying low? I remember he skipped Davis Cup for fatigue reasons or something. Still an issue?

Moose

10-13-2008, 01:01 PM

I feel like James Blake hasn't played in like a year. Has he been injured or just laying low? I remember he skipped Davis Cup for fatigue reasons or something. Still an issue?

Part of him not playing since the Open was James being in Mardy's wedding, if I recall correctly, Munchin.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 01:32 PM

Tuesday October 14, 2008 Order of Play

Pista Central
11am Start
Paul-Henri Mathieu(FRA) vs. Marcel Granollers(ESP)
Not Before 12.30pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER) vs. Carlos Moya(ESP)
Fernando Verdasco(ESP) vs. Marin Cilic(CRO)
Simone Bolelli(ITA) vs. Andy Murray(GBR)
8pm Start
Rafael Nadal(ESP) vs. Ernests Gulbis(LAT)
Feliciano Lopez(ESP) vs. Albert Montanes(ESP)

Pista Alcala
11am Start
Gael Monfils(FRA) vs. Fabio Fognini(ITA)
James Blake(USA) vs. Gilles Simon(FRA)
Michael Llodra(FRA) vs. Robbie Ginepri(USA)
Dmitry Tursunov(RUS) vs. Victor Hanescu(ROU)
Mardy Fish(USA) vs. Richard Gasquet(FRA)

Pista Cibeles
11am Start
Mikhail Youzhny(FRA) vs. Jarkko Nieminen(FIN)
Lucas Arnold Ker/David Nalbandian(ARG) vs. Martin Damm/Pavel Vizner(CZR)
Florent Serra(FRA) vs. Robin Soderling(SWE)
Gael Monfils/Gilles Simon(FRA) vs. Tomas Berdych/Nicolas Kiefer(CZR/GER)
Agustin Calleri/David Ferrer(ARG/ESP) vs. Max Mirnyi/Tommy Robredo(BLR/ESP)
Simone Bolelli/Andreas Seppi(ITA) vs. Marcelo Melo/Andre Sa(BRA)

Vlad

10-13-2008, 01:38 PM

I just love ATP Masters Events... It's only second day and yet we have 3-4 really compelling matchups already.

amenssen

10-13-2008, 02:18 PM

anyone time that first set of Berdych v schuettler, absolute destruction

rabbit

10-13-2008, 03:24 PM

BTW, there are reports on MTF that Vaidisova is accompanying Stepanek in Madrid.

Miles

10-13-2008, 03:27 PM

BTW, there are reports on MTF that Vaidisova is accompanying Stepanek in Madrid.

http://www.atptennis.com/5/photos/gallery/2008/madrid/party1.jpg

verucasalt

10-13-2008, 03:34 PM

http://www.atptennis.com/5/photos/gallery/2008/madrid/party1.jpg

I never want to see Radek in white pants again.

Miles

10-13-2008, 03:38 PM

I never want to see Radek in white pants again.

I'm sure Nicole prefers him pant-less also.

Ti-Amie

10-13-2008, 05:41 PM

http://www.atptennis.com/5/photos/gallery/2008/madrid/party2.jpg

MeganFernandez

10-13-2008, 06:31 PM

http://www.pressonline.co.rs/admin/image.jpg?imageId=8804&thumb=1

It almost looks like Nole's face has been photoshopped in there :p

I see a dozen other things more artificial than Nole's face.

Jack

10-13-2008, 06:34 PM

I see a dozen other things more artificial than Nole's face.

I only count ten of them.

Oh, are you counting the collagen-enhanced lips, too?

Moose

10-13-2008, 06:43 PM

Tuesday October 14, 2008 Order of Play

Pista Central

Not Before 12.30pm
Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER) vs. Carlos Moya(ESP)

How do you like that. The Madrid organizers gave Philipp the main court. I guess he's a bigger star in Europe than he is here in the States.

GVGirl

10-13-2008, 06:52 PM

http://www.atptennis.com/5/photos/gallery/2008/madrid/party1.jpg

:vomit: :lipsrsealed:

Moose

10-13-2008, 07:06 PM

http://www.atptennis.com/5/photos/gallery/2008/madrid/party1.jpg

Take your passion, Nicole....and make it happen!

http://www.yourmoviestuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/flashdance.jpg

Scotty

10-13-2008, 07:42 PM

OK, Moose:

Mack Daddy + that song made me think of the two guys in this vid, who are probably related to Steps.

ZcxeFdcATKQ

Moose

10-13-2008, 07:53 PM

OK, Moose:

Mack Daddy + that song made me think of the two guys in this vid, who are probably related to Steps.

ZcxeFdcATKQ

Wow. What a feeling!

Though I'm not sure exactly what it is I am feeling after watching that

;)

MeganFernandez

10-13-2008, 08:42 PM

I only count ten of them.

Oh, are you counting the collagen-enhanced lips, too?

I tacked on a couple extra for the likelihood of collagen, fake tans, bleached hair, and sex changes.

ptmcmahon

10-13-2008, 10:43 PM

I never want to see Radek in white pants again.

I agree...

I never want to see Radek in white pants again either!

Fay007

10-14-2008, 04:30 AM

The Tennis Channel is showing the Kohlschreiber v. Moya match

suliso

10-14-2008, 04:53 AM

Allez Simon!

:)

aedra1119

10-14-2008, 05:15 AM

Hey Moose! Philipp won 2&2. :)

Simon wins 6-4 in the third.

Allez to TC!!!

Moose

10-14-2008, 06:09 AM

Hey Moose! Philipp won 2&2. :)

Simon wins 6-4 in the third.

Allez to TC!!!

Philipp...on center court, with live television coverage. Are they trying to make him the face of the ATP :) Glad to see him playing well after all the injury problems over the summer. He has Stan The Man next round, be interesting to see how Stan plays after dumping out last week in Vienna.

And hooray for Gilles. Really became a big fan after sitting through the entire 5 setter against Del Potro.

aedra1119

10-14-2008, 06:22 AM

Moose, Philipp is quite photogenic, so it wouldn't take much effort to make him the face of the ATP. Or you can make it happen when we win the lottery. ;)

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 06:42 AM

Masters Series TV has been giving fans peeks into the players lounge. Djokovic is playing table tennis with someone I couldn't quite make out and there seems to always be a pool game going on.

Some guys are simply reading too. Nice feature.

verucasalt

10-14-2008, 07:44 AM

Too bad Bolelli had to retire. In spite of that, Murray played really well.

tinamarie

10-14-2008, 07:44 AM

what just happened to Murray? scoreboard said he retired up 6:0, 2:1. considering the dominating score, this seems serious :

nevermind. looks like live scores had it wrong

verucasalt

10-14-2008, 07:45 AM

what just happened to Murray? scoreboard said he retired up 6:0, 2:1. considering the dominating score, this seems serious :(

The scoreboard is wrong. Bolelli is the one who retired.

tinamarie

10-14-2008, 07:46 AM

thanks mznblue

kandi

10-14-2008, 07:52 AM

So Andy is't hurt?

oohsalmon

10-14-2008, 07:53 AM

So Andy is't hurt?

Nope :(

Moose

10-14-2008, 07:56 AM

Masters Series TV has been giving fans peeks into the players lounge.

Do they have a ShowerCam, Ti?

kandi

10-14-2008, 07:56 AM

Good. I don't like AM either but I hate when somebody ANYBODY loses thru injury.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 08:02 AM

Do they have a ShowerCam, Ti?

No such luck.:p

It's the same angle all the time. The table tennis is the first thing in front of you slightly to the left. There's an area where guys are reading or kicking back behind it. To the right is the pool table that always seems to have a game going and a crowd around it. In front of that is another area that looks like a lounge. The feed is always bathed in this bluish light that I think is done on purpose to make it hard to see just in case something untoward is going on I suppose. I've caught the feed two or three times now.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 08:04 AM

Good. I don't like AM either but I hate when somebody ANYBODY loses thru injury.

Good thing you couldn't hear the AMS TV announcers then Kandi. I expected Murray to levitate at any second. They're great when they don't have a favorite in a match. When they do they're past annoying.

Fay007

10-14-2008, 08:06 AM

Masters Series TV has been giving fans peeks into the players loungeCan you make a screen capture to share with us?

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 08:10 AM

Can you make a screen capture to share with us?

I don't know how to make screen caps. Do you just right click or something?

Vlad

10-14-2008, 08:13 AM

Good thing you couldn't hear the AMS TV announcers then Kandi. I expected Murray to levitate at any second. They're great when they don't have a favorite in a match. When they do they're past annoying.

LOL

Vlad

10-14-2008, 08:16 AM

Mitya is kinda falling apart.. against Hanescu of all players

Drop-shot

10-14-2008, 08:20 AM

Mitya is kinda falling apart.. against Hanescu of all players

Of course he is... he's on my team.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Tursunov did have his shoulder worked on earlier. It is also taped. He just had a great service game though so maybe it's not an issue anymore.

verucasalt

10-14-2008, 08:39 AM

Oh Dmitry, you so had that game.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 08:50 AM

I stepped away but the announcers kept saying Tursunov's serve was off and that the shoulder was giving him more problems than he cared to admit. He played to the end but a lot of guys would've thrown in the towel.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 09:00 AM

The Pista Alcala makes The Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows look like Ashe stadium.

Still working on how to make screen caps in case they go back to the lounge.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 09:03 AM

Andy and his new haircut are in the house. One announcer said they have a "bromance" going on. Took the other guy totally by surprise.:p

Blake just arrived.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 09:07 AM

Andy and his new haircut are in the house. One announcer said they have a "bromance" going on. Took the other guy totally by surprise.:p

Blake just arrived.

Nice to see so many Americans came to see Richard play.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 09:27 AM

Good serving by both men. One double fault by Mardy but it didn't hurt him. Gasquet went for a great shot instead of taking the easy one that was open to him and lost one point a couple of games back. Otherwise it's been pretty calm.

TC isn't showing this?

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 09:46 AM

Fish got upset about an overrule by Mo Layani calling a ball out that he and the linesperson thought was in and Gasquet looked like he was going to break and take the set. Fish held steady and levels the set at 5 all.

verucasalt

10-14-2008, 09:47 AM

Vlad

10-14-2008, 09:50 AM

They are.

Can't believe Richie missed those 2 bps to break for the set.

Yep, especially the first one he had down the line open but went for safer cross court and Fish didn't make mistake.

kandi

10-14-2008, 09:58 AM

Interesting trivia: Bolelli retired against Murray, but is currently on court playing Dubs (according to the live scoreboard) --

Vlad

10-14-2008, 10:07 AM

Interesting trivia: Bolelli retired against Murray, but is currently on court playing Dubs (according to the live scoreboard) --

Players should be fined for something like that. At least have the decency and pretend you are injured for the rest of the day.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 10:07 AM

Vlad what do you think about that TB? AMS TV announcers are saying the pressure Mardy put on Gasquet with his s&v play rattled Gasquet.

Moose

10-14-2008, 10:11 AM

Vlad what do you think about that TB? AMS TV announcers are saying the pressure Mardy put on Gasquet with his s&v play rattled Gasquet.

Name something that doesn't rattle RRS, and you've got everyone's attention, Ti.

oohsalmon

10-14-2008, 10:14 AM

Name something that doesn't rattle RRS, and you've got everyone's attention, Ti.

Being down 0-40. He came back to hold.

Silly Mardy.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 10:15 AM

Name something that doesn't rattle RRS, and you've got everyone's attention, Ti.

Salmon beat me to it. Nervy come back from RRS.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 10:17 AM

Vlad what do you think about that TB? AMS TV announcers are saying the pressure Mardy put on Gasquet with his s&v play rattled Gasquet.

That's part of it.. and also Fish really played absolutely perfect breaker. Richard missed first forehand and that kind of set the tone. 2 big points basically decided first set, otherwise, Richard had edge in almost every statistic of first set.

Scotty

10-14-2008, 10:24 AM

lame game from Mardy gives RRS the break in the second.

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 10:43 AM

Gasquet wins the baseline rally to close out the second set 6-4.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 10:52 AM

Congrats to Moose and Tinamarie for Kohlschreiber's win!! :cheesy:

And Ginepri is on a roll!

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Mardy, you are such an ass, unbelievable.

Compared to him Andy R. looks all class on court.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:29 AM

Dear Mr "I just came back 3 days ago from vacation and very out of shape, while you practiced every day for a month" Fish, you got fried! :) :) :)

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:35 AM

Name something that doesn't rattle RRS, and you've got everyone's attention, Ti.

Being down a set and 0-40 on his serve against Fish on Fish's best surface, certainly qualifies right? :cheesy:

Madame

10-14-2008, 11:37 AM

:bleus:
Richard, and Gilles through to the third round
Gaël through the first

Good day for the Frenchies :cheesy:
:bleus2:

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:39 AM

:bleus:
Richard, and Gilles through to the third round
Gaël through the first

Good day for the Frenchies :cheesy:
:bleus2:

Allez! :)

Extremely satisfying win for Richard. He has lost so many very close matches recently (Nalbandian, Murray, Haas, Del Potro).. He really needed this.

tinamarie

10-14-2008, 11:40 AM

Mardy, you are such an ass, unbelievable.

Compared to him Andy R. looks all class on court.

What happened?

Allez Richie:)

Madame

10-14-2008, 11:41 AM

Allez! :)

Extremely satisfying win for Richard. He has lost so many very close matches recently (Nalbandian, Murray, Haas, Del Potro).. He really needed this.

yep, too bad there's Rafa next. I think Rafa wants really badly to win his home master series ...

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:47 AM

What happened?

Allez Richie:)

Fish was telling Richard at one of changeovers toward the end (while arguing with umpire at the same time), how he just came back from honeymoon, out of shape, while Gasquet practiced for a month.... Perhaps trying to minimize Richard's win or intimidate or something of this nature. I have lost all respect for him after this one. He looked like a complete tool.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 11:50 AM

yep, too bad there's Rafa next. I think Rafa wants really badly to win his home master series ...

Yes, very tough draw no doubt about that. I would actually prefer him to draw someone like Djoker instead of Nadal on his home soil. In any case, Nadal first should get through Ernests.

tinamarie

10-14-2008, 11:51 AM

Fish was telling Richard at one of changeovers toward the end (while arguing with umpire at the same time), how he just came back from honeymoon, out of shape, while Gasquet practiced for a month.... Perhaps trying to minimize Richard's win or intimidate or something of this nature. I have lost all respect for him after this one. He looked like a complete tool.

thanks, Vlad.

... now I am even more happy Richard won. What a classless thing to say.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 12:38 PM

No one is following this Nadal - Gulbis match?

Ernests up 5-2 in the second.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 12:44 PM

No one is following this Nadal - Gulbis match?

Ernests up 5-2 in the second.

5-3 now. Gulbis should have closed it out in the last game.

mmmm8

10-14-2008, 12:45 PM

Interesting trivia: Bolelli retired against Murray, but is currently on court playing Dubs (according to the live scoreboard) --

WTA doesn't even allow that. What was the reason for Simone's retirement?

Moose

10-14-2008, 12:46 PM

WTA doesn't even allow that. What was the reason for Simone's retirement?

Pictures on Yahoo Sports made it look like he was getting shoulder treatment.

Second set Ernests!

rabbit

10-14-2008, 12:47 PM

5-3 now. Gulbis should have closed it out in the last game.

Second set Ernests!

Go Ernests! :)

Vlad

10-14-2008, 12:49 PM

WTA doesn't even allow that. What was the reason for Simone's retirement?

Ugly scoreline?

Actually I think it was sore shoulder.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 12:49 PM

Trainer on court? A little reminiscent of first set, Hamburg 2008...:rolleyes:

Drop-shot

10-14-2008, 12:50 PM

WTA doesn't even allow that. What was the reason for Simone's retirement?

I was watching. Shoulder problems.

Go Ernests! :)

Boo! Hiss! Gulbis!

;)

One joy is all I ask for today.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 12:50 PM

Go Ernests!

Madame

10-14-2008, 12:55 PM

wow Ernie :cheesy:

:Ernie:

mmmm8

10-14-2008, 12:58 PM

RESULTS
Singles - Second Round
[4] A Murray (GBR) d [LL] S Bolelli (ITA) 60 21 - ret. (shoulder)
G Simon (FRA) d [11] J Blake (USA) 36 61 64
[15] R Gasquet (FRA) d M Fish (USA) 67(3) 64 63
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs E Gulbis (LAT) - in progress
M Cilic (CRO) d [13] F Verdasco (ESP) 62 63
F Lopez (ESP) v A Montanes (ESP) - to be played

Singles - First Round
G Monfils (FRA) d [WC] F Fognini (ITA) 62 64
[Q] M Granollers (ESP) d P Mathieu (FRA) 64 64
J Nieminen (FIN) d M Youzhny (RUS) 75 36 62
P Kohlschreiber (GER) d C Moya (ESP) 62 62
[Q] R Ginepri (USA) d M Llodra (FRA) 64 64
R Soderling (SWE) d [Q] F Serra (FRA) 63 64
[Q] V Hanescu (ROU) d D Tursunov (RUS) 46 62 63
F Lopez (ESP) vs [WC] A Montanes (ESP)

Doubles - First Round
L Arnold Ker (ARG) / D Nalbandian (ARG) d M Damm (CZE) / P Vizner (CZE) 64 64
T Berdych (CZE) / N Kiefer (GER) d G Monfils (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) 63 62
M Mirnyi (BLR) / T Robredo (ESP) d A Calleri (ARG) / D Ferrer (ESP) 63 64
M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) d [WC] S Bolelli (ITA) / A Seppi (ITA) 46 63 10-2

aedra1119

10-14-2008, 12:59 PM

Vamos Rafa!

Vlad

10-14-2008, 01:01 PM

RESULTS
Singles - Second Round
[4] A Murray (GBR) d [LL] S Bolelli (ITA) 60 21 - ret. (shoulder)
G Simon (FRA) d [11] J Blake (USA) 36 61 64
[15] R Gasquet (FRA) d M Fish (USA) 67(3) 64 63
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs E Gulbis (LAT) - in progress
[13] F Verdasco (ESP) vs M Cilic (CRO) - to be played

Singles - First Round
G Monfils (FRA) d [WC] F Fognini (ITA) 62 64
[Q] M Granollers (ESP) d P Mathieu (FRA) 64 64
J Nieminen (FIN) d M Youzhny (RUS) 75 36 62
P Kohlschreiber (GER) d C Moya (ESP) 62 62
[Q] R Ginepri (USA) d M Llodra (FRA) 64 64
R Soderling (SWE) d [Q] F Serra (FRA) 63 64
[Q] V Hanescu (ROU) d D Tursunov (RUS) 46 62 63
F Lopez (ESP) vs [WC] A Montanes (ESP)

Doubles - First Round
L Arnold Ker (ARG) / D Nalbandian (ARG) d M Damm (CZE) / P Vizner (CZE) 64 64
T Berdych (CZE) / N Kiefer (GER) d G Monfils (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) 63 62
M Mirnyi (BLR) / T Robredo (ESP) d A Calleri (ARG) / D Ferrer (ESP) 63 64
M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) d [WC] S Bolelli (ITA) / A Seppi (ITA) 46 63 10-2

m8, I think Cilic beat Verdasco today 6-2, 6-3

rabbit

10-14-2008, 01:13 PM

Gulbis had the opportunity to break at 1-1 and lost it. 4-1 Rafa.

suliso

10-14-2008, 01:26 PM

Can I please exchange all those "close calls" with at least one win over an elite player? :mad::mad::mad:

dryrunguy

10-14-2008, 01:29 PM

Can I please exchange all those "close calls" with at least one win over an elite player? :mad::mad::mad:

Don't sweat it, suliso. His day will come. He just needs time and a fundamental understanding of patience.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 01:29 PM

Can I please exchange all those "close calls" with at least one win over an elite player? :mad::mad::mad:

Exactly, so frustrating! Did you watch that point at deuce? Gulbis hits a beautiful drop-shot, Rafa just gets up to it and pushes it above the net, the ball lands just on the line, and Gulbis nets a moderately easy put-away. Sums up the match, more or less.

By the way, I read an article today from his early days where Roger is compared to Kournikova, for not winning any tournaments. So, maybe there is still hope!

suliso

10-14-2008, 01:32 PM

Exactly, so frustrating! Did you watch that point at deuce? Gulbis hits a beautiful drop-shot, Rafa just gets up to it and pushes it above the net, the ball lands just on the line, and Gulbis nets a moderately easy put-away. Sums up the match, more or less.

I am at work and was in a meeting for most of this match. Fortunately perhaps... :(

Miles

10-14-2008, 01:35 PM

Don't sweat it, suliso. His day will come. He just needs time and a fundamental understanding of patience.

Exactly, though I wouldn't be surprised if his game never matures either.

Despite his immense talent, Gulbis' game best resembles that of a top ranked junior. Except for the serve, he seems to have no court sense and coupled with those erratic errors, he is his own worst obstacle.

dryrunguy

10-14-2008, 01:37 PM

Exactly, though I wouldn't be surprised if his game never matures either.

Despite his immense talent, Gulbis' game best resembles that of a top ranked junior. Except for the serve, he seems to have no court sense and coupled with those erratic errors, he is his own worst obstacle.

That's what Moose has been saying for a while, and it's an argument that has quite a bit of merit. I guess time will tell.

munchin

10-14-2008, 01:42 PM

I only saw the last 2 games of Rafa-Gulbis, but the stats look awful. I'm personally of the school of thought that he's not gonna mature anytime very soon.

suliso

10-14-2008, 01:42 PM

Exactly, though I wouldn't be surprised if his game never matures either.

But if it does, he will beat Nadal 8 times out of 10. :cool:

rabbit

10-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Despite his immense talent, Gulbis' game best resembles that of a top ranked junior. Except for the serve, he seems to have no court sense and coupled with those erratic errors, he is his own worst obstacle.

This is too harsh for a US Open quarter-finalist, I think. Anyways, I agree, he is way too inconsistent to be a more-than-periodical threat right now. But I think he ought to be able to mold his game into a winning one. As far as I remember, Federer in 2000 and Safin in 1999 had similar labels put on them, but as Dry said, only time will tell.

As a final note, 49 winners for Gulbis vs. 11 for Nadal.

Moose

10-14-2008, 01:46 PM

Ernests is the Nicole Vaidisova of the ATP.

But please, can we keep Radek a safe distance away.

Miles

10-14-2008, 01:48 PM

But if it does, he will beat Nadal 8 times out of 10. :cool:

That's a if.

Just curious, how many people have a winning record against Nadal?

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 01:49 PM

suliso

10-14-2008, 01:51 PM

That's a if.

Just curious, how many people have a winning record against Nadal?

Not many, but there will be more in the future. Right now Nalby and Blake.

Vlad

10-14-2008, 01:52 PM

This is too harsh for a US Open quarter-finalist, I think. Anyways, I agree, he is way too inconsistent to be a more-than-periodical threat right now. But I think he ought to be able to mold his game into a winning one. As far as I remember, Federer in 2000 and Safin in 1999 had similar labels put on them, but as Dry said, only time will tell.

As a final note, 49 winners for Gulbis vs. 11 for Nadal.

Nadal also made something like 27 unforced errors.. pretty ugly stats for both, but match was entertaining. Consistency is the key for Ernests. Sometimes he almost like loses focus and loses his serve relatively easy and that shouldn't be the case, given how much of a weapon that shot is for him. It is really hard to predict the career path of a player though, but he has lots of potential... Maybe actually more than players like Berdych, Del Potro and Cilic.

Miles

10-14-2008, 01:55 PM

Not many, but there will be more in the future. Right now Nalby and Blake.

How ironic that two chronic underachievers have a winning record against the best fighter in the game today.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 01:55 PM

Not many, but there will be more in the future. Right now Nalby and Blake.

Hrbaty too, but I guess he is almost retired.

It is really hard to predict the career path of a player though, but he has lots of potential... Maybe actually more than players like Berdych, Del Potro and Cilic.

I agree.

Drop-shot

10-14-2008, 01:56 PM

Not many, but there will be more in the future. Right now Nalby and Blake.

Well, aren't you just teeming with positive vibrations today.

:p

owendonovan

10-14-2008, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Vlad View Post
Fish was telling Richard at one of changeovers toward the end (while arguing with umpire at the same time), how he just came back from honeymoon, out of shape, while Gasquet practiced for a month.... Perhaps trying to minimize Richard's win or intimidate or something of this nature. I have lost all respect for him after this one. He looked like a complete tool.

Another tacky arrogant American.

suliso

10-14-2008, 01:57 PM

How ironic that two chronic underachievers have a winning record against the best fighter in the game today.

Yeah, but the key here is that they have never played him on clay. There are several other players with positive records if one excludes that surface...

rabbit

10-14-2008, 02:01 PM

Yeah, but the key here is that they have never played him on clay. There are several other players with positive records if one excludes that surface...

How many players, if you exclude clay?

By the way, how would you find out the answer to such a question efficiently? ;)

suliso

10-14-2008, 02:05 PM

How many players, if you exclude clay?

By the way, how would you find out the answer to such a question efficiently? ;)

Right now I can think only of Roger (5-3), but there must be some others. No efficient way, I am afraid...

Vlad

10-14-2008, 02:11 PM

Right now I can think only of Roger (5-3), but there must be some others. No efficient way, I am afraid...

Berdych would be 3-2 up if not for clay.

aedra1119

10-14-2008, 02:12 PM

I was just looking at the scoreboard, and apparently, the first game lasted about 14 minutes in Lopez-Montanes?! Was anyone watching? How many deuces were there?

dryrunguy

10-14-2008, 02:14 PM

I was just looking at the scoreboard, and apparently, the first game lasted about 14 minutes in Lopez-Montanes?!

I'm trying to watch it but I keep getting bored and accidentally find myself doing, gulp, work.

Miles

10-14-2008, 02:20 PM

Right now I can think only of Roger (5-3), but there must be some others. No efficient way, I am afraid...

And what happens to this stat if you remove grass from this equation?

Discounting Rafa's clay results is really out of place in this discussion since, unlike the great dirtballers of the past, Rafa shows up to play on every surface.

If we're going to remove Rafa's clay results in any H2H equation, than we must also remove the opponents favored surface from the equation. At which point we wind up with utter futility.

Foxykhat

10-14-2008, 02:22 PM

I was just looking at the scoreboard, and apparently, the first game lasted about 14 minutes in Lopez-Montanes?! Was anyone watching? How many deuces were there?

Like a 100. I came home, undressed, took my laptop out of its bag, powered it, opened FF, peeled a tangerine, eat half of it and that game was still being played.

Foxy

suliso

10-14-2008, 02:28 PM

And what happens to this stat if you remove grass from this equation?

Discounting Rafa's clay results is really out of place in this discussion since, unlike the great dirtballers of the past, Rafa shows up to play on every surface.

If we're going to remove Rafa's clay results in any H2H equation, than we must also remove the opponents favored surface from the equation. At which point we wind up with utter futility.

I am not discounting, but I doubt Nalby would have a positive h2h with >50% of all matches on clay. And neither would Roger have a losing record with all matches on hard. That's all I was saying... :rolleyes:

rabbit

10-14-2008, 02:31 PM

And what happens to this stat if you remove grass from this equation?

Discounting Rafa's clay results is really out of place in this discussion since, unlike the great dirtballers of the past, Rafa shows up to play on every surface.

If we're going to remove Rafa's clay results in any H2H equation, than we must also remove the opponents favored surface from the equation. At which point we wind up with utter futility.

3-2 Federer on hard courts, but I agree this is complete nonsense.

Jack

10-14-2008, 03:27 PM

Like a 100. I came home, undressed, took my laptop out of its bag, powered it, opened FF, peeled a tangerine, eat half of it and that game was still being played.

Foxy

Hmmm... you don't mention that you changed into anything... is this Foxy or Loxy who's posting?

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 04:32 PM

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

PISTA CENTRAL start 11:00am

[16] J Tsonga (FRA) vs [Q] M Granollers (ESP)
Not Before 12:30 PM
[7] D Nalbandian (ARG) vs T Berdych (CZE)
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [Q] V Hanescu (ROU)
Not Before 4:00 PM
F Lopez (ESP) vs [6] D Ferrer (ESP)
Not Before 8:00 PM
R Stepanek (CZE) vs [2] R Federer (SUI)
[8] A Roddick (USA) vs T Robredo (ESP)

PISTA ALCALA start 11:00am

[Q] R Ginepri (USA) vs [5] N Davydenko (RUS)
R Soderling (SWE) vs [14] I Karlovic (CRO)
G Monfils (FRA) vs [12] F Gonzalez (CHI)
Not Before 3:00 PM
[4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) vs C Moya (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [9] J Del Potro (ARG)
[10] S Wawrinka (SUI) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER)

PISTA CIBELES start 1:00 pm

[7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA)
A Ram (ISR) / M Youzhny (RUS) vs [WC] P Andujar (ESP) / M Granollers (ESP)
T Berdych (CZE) / N Kiefer (GER) vs [5] J Bjorkman (SWE) / K Ullyett (ZIM)
F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs [2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) - After suitable rest

Ti-Amie

10-14-2008, 04:38 PM

The AMS TV announcers pronounced Gulbis name "Zool-bee". Anyone know if this is correct pronunciation?

suliso

10-14-2008, 04:58 PM

The AMS TV announcers pronounced Gulbis name "Zool-bee". Anyone know if this is correct pronunciation?

No.

rabbit

10-14-2008, 05:52 PM

http://i35.tinypic.com/vmqfqg.jpg
Gulbis. not sure if that's his girlfriend

That's his sister.

Drop-shot

10-14-2008, 05:54 PM

I was just looking at the scoreboard, and apparently, the first game lasted about 14 minutes in Lopez-Montanes?! Was anyone watching? How many deuces were there?

8 I think. It went for 11-12 mins.

And what happens to this stat if you remove grass from this equation?

Discounting Rafa's clay results is really out of place in this discussion since, unlike the great dirtballers of the past, Rafa shows up to play on every surface.

If we're going to remove Rafa's clay results in any H2H equation, than we must also remove the opponents favored surface from the equation. At which point we wind up with utter futility.

COMPLETELY AGREE

owendonovan

10-14-2008, 05:58 PM

Did Gasquet actually try and win that match, or was he relying on the UE's of Fish?

Drop-shot

10-14-2008, 06:01 PM

Did Gasquet actually try and win that match, or was he relying on the UE's of Fish?

Don't know, but Fish's sombrero and pineapple drink every two games suggest he wasn't trying that hard.:rolleyes:

Moose

10-14-2008, 06:12 PM

http://i35.tinypic.com/vmqfqg.jpg
Gulbis

Does anyone else think it looks like Ernests wet himself?

lululala

10-14-2008, 08:53 PM

And what happens to this stat if you remove grass from this equation?

Discounting Rafa's clay results is really out of place in this discussion since, unlike the great dirtballers of the past, Rafa shows up to play on every surface.

If we're going to remove Rafa's clay results in any H2H equation, than we must also remove the opponents favored surface from the equation. At which point we wind up with utter futility.

This is the best counter-point I have seen regarding this tired argument. Thanks! :yes:

Moose

10-15-2008, 06:10 AM

When did Neps start behaving like a half decent tennis player again?

He'll now play a teetering on exhausted Gilles Simon for a spot in the quarters. And if he wins that, he's a top 50 player again, which is an amazing turnaround from the 170s, which is where he was earlier this year.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 06:40 AM

Nalbandian is back with a vengeance! 3 sets win over the currently-hot Berdych, taking the first and third 6-2 and 6-1. Second set was a tight tie-break.

And props to Ginepri. For getting through a tough qualifying and now two straight matches. He beat Davydenko today, who might not make it to Shanghai even at the rate he is going.

Drop-shot

10-15-2008, 06:44 AM

Playing Berdych here suits well with Nalby.

Moose

10-15-2008, 06:47 AM

Dr. Ivo over Mr. Sunshine Soderling 76, 76. Karlovic never faced a break point the entire match (Robin faced 3, and saved all three). Karlovic had 24 aces, which when you think about it, adds up to an entire set of never having to face a return shot.

Can't we just ban him?

Miles

10-15-2008, 06:50 AM

patrick

10-15-2008, 07:13 AM

Drop-shot

10-15-2008, 07:29 AM

I don't know what's more interesting, Karlovic's game or the giant cement wall that encloses court 1 in Madrid.

LOL :cheesy:

No. Its not his fault that he can send aces flying through the court.

True. We should go after his parents.

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 07:38 AM

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 07:55 AM

Anyone watching?

Hanescu just took the 1st set from Djokovic in a tiebreak.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 07:59 AM

And props to Robby as well. Never would have thought he could beat Davy.

Who would have thought winning a big tournament (Miami) and having his name cleared in the betting controversy would hurt him so much...

Drop-shot

10-15-2008, 08:00 AM

Anyone watching?

Hanescu just took the 1st set from Djokovic in a tiebreak.

Yes, Novak erred an easy forehand with the court wide open for the set.

Madame

10-15-2008, 08:46 AM

Gaël and Jo through :bleus:
Allez les bleus !!!

Scotty

10-15-2008, 08:51 AM

Anyone watching?

Hanescu just took the 1st set from Djokovic in a tiebreak.

Yes. now it's 6-6 in the 2nd set TB, after Nole made a brave forehand winner, and then missed a routine shot.

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 08:52 AM

Monfils really seems to have Gonzo's number.

bea26

10-15-2008, 08:53 AM

Commentators annoy me. Novak goes for a shot and gets it in, it's "there it is, there's that champion's aggression," and when he does the same and it's an inch out it's "he went for a bit too much..."

Ouch, poor shot selection and Novak gets to a third. Sweet Jesus I'm rooting against him now. Against someone I could care less about. Novak, what have you done to me?

Scotty

10-15-2008, 08:53 AM

Djokovic takes the 2nd on a good serve, then guessing right on Hanescu's forehand approach, and hitting a backhand cross-court passing shot winner.

missinandre

10-15-2008, 09:17 AM

WTF?????? I went to the kitchen to get some cookies, come back, and Hanescu is walking off the court!

Anyone know why he retired?

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 09:25 AM

Del Potro also won by retirement of Nieminen.

dryrunguy

10-15-2008, 09:27 AM

WTF?????? I went to the kitchen to get some cookies, come back, and Hanescu is walking off the court!

Anyone know why he retired?

The dingbat hurt his groin while trying a between-the-legs shot. :rolleyes: He got treatment and then quit a game later.

bea26

10-15-2008, 09:28 AM

The dingbat hurt his groin while trying a between-the-legs shot. :rolleyes: He got treatment and then quit a game later.

Did he? Or was that just the genius diagnostic of the commentators? They were so pro-Novak it was ridiculous.

dryrunguy

10-15-2008, 09:29 AM

Did he? Or was that just the genius diagnostic of the commentators? They were so pro-Novak it was ridiculous.

I think they were right. He did seem to pull up after that and wasn't the same afterwards.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 09:34 AM

The dingbat hurt his groin while trying a between-the-legs shot. :rolleyes: He got treatment and then quit a game later.

Wow!! First time I've ever heard of this happening...:cheesy:

missinandre

10-15-2008, 09:36 AM

The dingbat hurt his groin while trying a between-the-legs shot. :rolleyes: He got treatment and then quit a game later.

I was so pissed. Hanescu was sticking it to Djokovic and making him work his arse off for every little thing....I was shocked to see him walk off court and was was sitting here fuming when....

Sweet sweet Lopez walked onto the court and that hottie Ferrer also came.....

All is well again! :)

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 09:36 AM

The dingbat hurt his groin while trying a between-the-legs shot. :rolleyes: He got treatment and then quit a game later.

Unbelievable.

Ti-Amie

10-15-2008, 09:47 AM

Did he? Or was that just the genius diagnostic of the commentators? They were so pro-Novak it was ridiculous.

Bea I don't know if you're watching TC or AMSTV. The commentators on AMS TV worship Djokovic and Federer. It's why sometimes it's better to listen to the feed without commentary on AMS TV.

Vlad

10-15-2008, 10:06 AM

I am trying to watch Wawrinka - Kohls match and it is pretty dark out there... wtf?

rabbit

10-15-2008, 10:12 AM

I am trying to watch Wawrinka - Kohls match and it is pretty dark out there... wtf?

They are trying to spook out Federer in his match :p

Ti-Amie

10-15-2008, 10:14 AM

There was a power failure on Center Court and after a couple of minutes play resumed since the court was still lit. Then I lost all picture and sound. I switched to the PEHK/Wawrinka match and have both. Switching back to the Ferrer/Lopez to see what happens. So far nada.

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 10:20 AM

rabbit

10-15-2008, 10:24 AM

Nadal withdrew from doubles with Moya: http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3MsrOxiUDSVbaQ1Zk0uY7IRcLzg

bea26

10-15-2008, 10:29 AM

Bea I don't know if you're watching TC or AMSTV. The commentators on AMS TV worship Djokovic and Federer. It's why sometimes it's better to listen to the feed without commentary on AMS TV.

I'd rather hear bad commentary than not hear the sound of the ball. Sounds weird and I do suffer for it so.

Usually when the commentary's bad it's just from misinformation or bad jokes. But bias coming through is just awful.

oohsalmon

10-15-2008, 10:31 AM

Sweet Jesus I'm rooting against him now. Against someone I could care less about. Novak, what have you done to me?

Remember when people voted him your new fave?

Those people were sick in the head.

dryrunguy

10-15-2008, 10:32 AM

You guys obviously haven't been paying attention.

These commentators are clearly biased toward Nole because they're terrified that Papa Nole will beat the crap outta them if they don't heap enough praise on his little baby!

Wake up!

Drop-shot

10-15-2008, 10:53 AM

Since when did PEHK decide to play tennis again? Took the first set 6-3 against Wawrinka.

bea26

10-15-2008, 10:56 AM

Remember when people voted him your new fave?

Those people were sick in the head.

Apparently I'm loyal to women and treasonous to men.

Ti-Amie

10-15-2008, 10:59 AM

I'd rather hear bad commentary than not hear the sound of the ball. Sounds weird and I do suffer for it so.

Usually when the commentary's bad it's just from misinformation or bad jokes. But bias coming through is just awful.

With the court only feed on AMS TV you get everything but the biased announcers. :)

When one of their faves isn't playing they actually call a very good match.

Then again Dry may be right and Srdjan is sitting there staring at them.

bea26

10-15-2008, 11:06 AM

With the court only feed on AMS TV you get everything but the biased announcers. :)

When one of their faves isn't playing they actually call a very good match.

Then again Dry may be right and Srdjan is sitting there staring at them.

I also have a problem watching tennis on my laptop.

I have a lot of problems.

verucasalt

10-15-2008, 11:17 AM

Ferrer is out. :(

Ti-Amie

10-15-2008, 11:19 AM

I was really surprised at how well Fingers played despite playing so late last night.

This was really an ambitious schedule on the part of the organizers for Central Court but it looks like they'll get it all in.

Vlad

10-15-2008, 11:21 AM

Vlad

10-15-2008, 11:40 AM

rabbit

10-15-2008, 11:49 AM

By the way, here is a clearer stream than the justin.tv one: http://ziucchiradio.altervista.org/watch.php?id=300

missinandre

10-15-2008, 11:50 AM

Ferrer is out. :(

He is such a WUSS against Lopez! I CANT STAND it!!!

amenssen

10-15-2008, 11:53 AM

bother my live stream is switching to the Fed match, why don't they stay with Stan who is in a close third set

Scotty

10-15-2008, 12:13 PM

Fed looks sharp, in all senses of the word:
he's only lost 1 (or 2?) points in the first three games.
I like his black & white outfit.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 12:14 PM

Fed looks sharp, in all senses of the word:
he's only lost 1 (or 2?) points in the first three games.
I like his black & white outfit.

1 point. It seems Mirka is not there; if so, the first time in a while...

Moose

10-15-2008, 12:27 PM

ah, Philipp. Even had a mini-break early. 2nd week in a row losing in a third set tiebreak to a higher ranked, but beatable opponent. He needs to find a way to win these matches, instead of consistently coming up just short of late.

Scotty

10-15-2008, 12:28 PM

Also, commentators are insisting on calling him "Stepañek"

tinamarie

10-15-2008, 12:30 PM

Philipp:( He lost the tiebreak 5:7, after being up 4:1. He also had to 40:15 on Wawrinka's serve to go up 5:3 in the third. Sucks. Still, good to see him back healthy.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 12:36 PM

Also, commentators are insisting on calling him "Stepañek"

and Ferré...:p

mmmm8

10-15-2008, 12:43 PM

m8, I think Cilic beat Verdasco today 6-2, 6-3

Because I currently do not have internet at home, and am an hour behind Madrid and Zurich, I've had to post results before play is over this week. I was in a particular rush yesterday, so I just copied from the ATP results, which had not been updated with the Cilic-Verdasco score yet. Thanks to whoever completed the results in my original post. I'm going to have to post incomplete ones again tonight. Sorry, everyone.

To fix the situation, you can work on changing the British must-take-a-month-to-do-anything business model :)

mmmm8

10-15-2008, 12:57 PM

Watching Kohlschreiber's variety and overall game, is it not too early to call him a big underachiever so far in his career?

I mean he has soft hands, one of the best backhands, very nice looking forehand, excellent movement, etc. but he never ever been in top 20!

He's a late bloomer, so I think it is too early. Besides, most top 100 players have the game to be ranked higher than they are, with a few overachievers mixed in (like Karlovic and clay court specialists)

Moose

10-15-2008, 01:06 PM

Watching Kohlschreiber's variety and overall game, is it not too early to call him a big underachiever so far in his career?

I mean he has soft hands, one of the best backhands, very nice looking forehand, excellent movement, etc. but he never ever been in top 20!

All those positives are trumped by the dreaded "Photo With Moose" curse. As Mr. Martini was kind enough to point out, it's now ruined his, Tamira's, and Caroline W's chances of ever achieving the glory they were once destined for.

mmmm8

10-15-2008, 01:11 PM

Moose, I hope your curse doesn't apply to non-tennis careers!

dryrunguy

10-15-2008, 01:25 PM

Stepanek would be so much more fun to watch if you didn't have to actually, you know, look at him.

Vlad

10-15-2008, 01:33 PM

Allez Roger!!! :) :)

He just surpassed Pete for all time Prize money won on ATP!

rabbit

10-15-2008, 01:34 PM

Allez Roger! Not as dominant as in US Open finals, but played beautiful shots when needed, like in getting the last mini-break in the tie-break.

It seems Mirka is not there; if so, the first time in a while...

Never mind.

OK, I should get back to work now :p

winston

10-15-2008, 01:36 PM

I always try to watch Federer/Stepanek matches. I'm willing to put up with just about anything to be able to see those rare but brilliant rallies between the two of them.

rabbit

10-15-2008, 01:40 PM

I always try to watch Federer/Stepanek matches. I'm willing to put up with just about anything to be able to see those rare but brilliant rallies between the two of them.

Federer v. Tsonga promises to be equally, if not even more, entertaining!

mmmm8

10-15-2008, 01:45 PM

RESULTS
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081015/capt.8543865227904e87bbd320b975287e60.spain_madrid _tennis__masters_pw813.jpg
Feliciano Lopez

Singles - Second Round
[2] R Federer (SUI) d R Stepanek (CZE) 63 76(6)
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] V Hanescu (ROU) 67(8) 76(6) 31 ret. (leg)
[Q] R Ginepri (USA) d [5] N Davydenko (RUS) [/COLOR46 64 64
F Lopez (ESP) d [6] D Ferrer (ESP) 64 76(4)
[7] D Nalbandian (ARG) d T Berdych (CZE) 62 67(5) 61
[9] J Del Potro (ARG) d J Nieminen (FIN) 62 42 ret. (leg)
[10] S Wawrinka (SUI) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) 36 75 76(5)
G Monfils (FRA) d [12] F Gonzalez (CHI) 63 64
[14] I Karlovic (CRO) d R Soderling (SWE) 76(7) 76(8)
[16] J Tsonga (FRA) d [Q] M Granollers (ESP) 36 63 76(5)

[8] A Roddick (USA) vs T Robredo (ESP) - to be played

Doubles - Second Round
[4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) d C Moya (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) W/O (Nadal - lower back)
[5] J Bjorkman (SWE) / K Ullyett (ZIM) d T Berdych (CZE) / N Kiefer (GER) 63 36 10-7
[7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) 75 76([COLOR="darkorchid"]14)
[2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) lead F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 76(3)

Doubles - First Round
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) / M Granollers (ESP) d A Ram (ISR) / M Youzhny (RUS) 62 62

Vlad

10-15-2008, 01:46 PM

Roddick's pounding of Tommy Robredo is still to come.

I hope I am wrong though.. Andy has never been to 1/4 finals in Madrid.. :shocked:

dryrunguy

10-15-2008, 01:52 PM

I don't remember ever seeing Andy play without a hat.

munchin

10-15-2008, 02:02 PM

I don't remember ever seeing Andy play without a hat.

I hate it. He looks weird.

bea26

10-15-2008, 02:05 PM

Federer v. Tsonga promises to be equally, if not even more, entertaining!

I'd agree if Tsonga didn't scrape through his match by the skin of his teeth.

manolo

10-15-2008, 02:06 PM

What's wrong at this time of the year with whoever has chances to go to Shanghai?
After Blake, we lost Davydenko, Ferrer and Gonzalez...
I'm sure that by now the ATP has already a pre-defined format for those articles: "Shanghai hopeful _________ saw his chances of qualifying take a hit after losing in the _____ round to ___ranked __________ in ____ sets. This makes the race much more interesting as nothing will be defined until 24 hours before the start of the event."