Big 4 at it again, dream semis

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 12:41

What are the picks and predictions, I really like the way murray is playing. My man Djoko looked a bit scratchy and physically his hammy seemed to be hurting. Of the two Novak is better but Murray is hungrier, still got to go with Novak in 4 or 5 tough sets. Nobody gets after the opponents second serve like Novak I think Novak's return and superior forehand will see him through.

Fed and Nadal, now that the draw rigging committees can't rig up Fedal finals they have had to settle for the semis. Nadal should have lost to berdych who again lost the match due to deeply inferior volleying and choking. Fed should be better rested and is in better form right now. Still can't see Nadal losing to a 30 plus fed in a five setter. My pick Nadal in 4. But frankly wouldn't be stunned to see the exact opposite happen and see both Fed and Murray win since both guys look to be in better form than their higher ranked opponents.

by Tenez Wed 25 Jan - 12:47

Don't you think you owe us an apology and explanation for your absence? Wink

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 12:51

Don't you think you owe the organisers an apology for suggesting they rigged draws rather than the churlish effort you've made here?

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 12:52

Aren't you in awe of Federer for overcoming the staggering handicap of a bye?

Welcome back, by the way Wink

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 12:53

Tenez, how about nice to see u, an apology? Nice to see you haven't mellowed with age. The explanation involves matters of a personal and work nature if you are interested.

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 12:54

BB, in fact I think it is rather convenient now that Federer is getting older that he finds his way into Nadal's half. Now that the draw rigging committees can't rig a fedal final they will try to rig a Fedal semi and give the younger lion Murray to Djoko, hardly an easier draw.

by Tenez Wed 25 Jan - 12:56

socal1976 wrote:Tenez, how about nice to see u, an apology? Nice to see you haven't mellowed with age. The explanation involves matters of a personal and work nature if you are interested.

For a while I thought you were the American/Iranian spy currently on death row in Iran. Glad it's not you.

Welcome back indeed! Hope all those troubles are history now.

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 12:56

Tenez, BB what were your thoughts on the epic Berdy tank job? any idea of what will happen in the semis?

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 12:57

socal1976 wrote:BB, in fact I think it is rather convenient now that Federer is getting older that he finds his way into Nadal's half. Now that the draw rigging committees can't rig a fedal final they will try to rig a Fedal semi and give the younger lion Murray to Djoko, hardly an easier draw.

So it looks like the treatment you've been getting hasn't worked?

Too bad, just soldier on. We'll put you right where it's needed.

by Jeremy_Kyle Wed 25 Jan - 12:57

Soc: nice to see you back on here! you have been sorely missed!!

by Guest Wed 25 Jan - 12:58

Hello child Socal

You are indeed the prodigal son.

OK, no one is gonna believe me. BUT THIS IS 100% TRUE.

I had a dream last night that Socal was back and posting. I was gonna post about it but then I though nah, that's just stupid. I can't remember anything else about the dream though.

Oh minions, let us welcome back Socal

ghost

emancipator

PS Tenez, that thought crossed my mind too Laugh

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 12:59

socal1976 wrote:Tenez, BB what were your thoughts on the epic Berdy tank job? any idea of what will happen in the semis?

1. It was Berdy. Why are we surprised?

2. Nadal will probably beat Federer through the tried and tested stuff, unless Fed comes out and makes it short and sweet and knocks him off court.

3. Djokovic will beat Murray, Murray's played nobody yet so his form is impossible to read.

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 12:59

Tenez, not really troubles, thankfully not on death row, going back to the states in a couple of weeks and will have more time hopefully then to contribute.

by Guest Wed 25 Jan - 13:02

Now we just need NITB back, I know here she has been hiding.

NITBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, cooooooooooooooooooome baaaaaaaaaaaaaack

by Tenez Wed 25 Jan - 13:02

bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Tenez, BB what were your thoughts on the epic Berdy tank job? any idea of what will happen in the semis?

1. It was Berdy. Why are we surprised?

2. Nadal will probably beat Federer through the tried and tested stuff, unless Fed comes out and makes it short and sweet and knocks him off court.

3. Djokovic will beat Murray, Murray's played nobody yet so his form is impossible to read.

Yep, agree on 1 and 2....I give Murray the advantage though in that semi....but I have not seen Murray match today.

by Tenez Wed 25 Jan - 13:03

emancipator wrote:Now we just need NITB back, I know here she has been hiding.

How do you know?

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 13:04

JK and emancipator, nice to talk to you guys again as well. Fed does look good right now but how many times have we seen him look good in a tourney and then play Nadal and lay an egg? Would really like to see him take down Rafa this time. I love me a Nole/Fed blood feud deathmatch.

Berdy's volleying was truely attrocious really cost him the match.

Will the arrival of Ivan the terrible spell a victory against Djoko. Still think Novak has a better forehand and that will see him through.

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 13:07

Murray has had probably the easiest draw to a slam semi in recent memory but he has done what is required and made complete minced meat of the opposition. I think this match with Djoko will be decided on who gets a higher percentage of first serves and avoids giving their opponent a lot of second serves to look at since both men return like monsters.

by **JuliusHMarx** Wed 25 Jan - 13:08

Welcome back Socal.
Why can't they rig a Fedal final anymore?

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 13:11

JuliusHMarx wrote:Welcome back Socal.
Why can't they rig a Fedal final anymore?

Because Novak the dominator isn't as easy a touch in a grandslam anymore, they have basically resigned themselves to Fedal semis.

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 13:11

socal1976 wrote:Murray has had probably the easiest draw to a slam semi in recent memory but he has done what is required and made complete minced meat of the opposition. I think this match with Djoko will be decided on who gets a higher percentage of first serves and avoids giving their opponent a lot of second serves to look at since both men return like monsters.

Oh my God, Craig and bantroban will melt down if they read that.

By the way, did you share my amazement at Fed overcoming the bye?

by Guest Wed 25 Jan - 13:11

Tenez wrote:
emancipator wrote:Now we just need NITB back, I know here she has been hiding.

How do you know?

Tenez, you forget that I am the emancipator..

I have been entrusted with the secrects of the universe..

Throughout the ages I have fought a long and gruelling battle with BOO (thouest isest forgivenest oh BOOOOOOOOOO)...

ghost

emancipator

PS check the following link, 13th post http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/01/one-hand-tied-behind-his-back.html

by Guest Wed 25 Jan - 13:16

bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Murray has had probably the easiest draw to a slam semi in recent memory but he has done what is required and made complete minced meat of the opposition. I think this match with Djoko will be decided on who gets a higher percentage of first serves and avoids giving their opponent a lot of second serves to look at since both men return like monsters.

Oh my God, Craig and bantroban will melt down if they read that.

By the way, did you share my amazement at Fed overcoming the bye?

Uh oh, bad move Socal.

All hell is about to break loose; once Craig and Banbro wake up.

by **JuliusHMarx** Wed 25 Jan - 13:17

socal1976 wrote:
JuliusHMarx wrote:Welcome back Socal.
Why can't they rig a Fedal final anymore?

Because Novak the dominator isn't as easy a touch in a grandslam anymore, they have basically resigned themselves to Fedal semis.

I see. So they can rig it, but choose not to. What if they don't rig it and Fed and Nadal are in opposite halves by random. Do you think it was rigged to ensure a Fedal semi?

by bogbrush Wed 25 Jan - 13:19

Posted by noleisthebest 01/24/2012 at 08:25 AM
Although I have never played competitive tennis, I wouldn't brand single backhand as playing with one hand tied behind your back.

With single hand backhand, tennis is a play. With double backhand you play tennis.

If anything, at least for me, it's the other way round.

Double backhand, although giving you more control and reliability also limits your game and options.

Personally, I'd ban double handed shots, they spoil the original purity of the game.

Federer's bakchand is at least as good as his forehand, it's just awesome.

The fact that Nadal exploited it, and Federer allowed it to be exploited does not detract from its never-praised-enough quality and beauty.

Everything about Federer starting with his build, down to game and basic shots is really perfect on the eye.

Full credit to Nadal and Djokovic to have pinned him down.

I don't know a lot about tennis pre 80s, but form what I have seen in the clips, tennis as a game has evolved and peaked with Federer.

Whatever direction it keeps evolving into it will have never moved the zenith point of Maestro open-stanced mid-court, sending that inside-out forehand silently into roar of tennis joy

Words of wisdom from NITB.

Come back, you are missed.

by prostaff85 Wed 25 Jan - 13:23

Has someone stolen her username?!

by Guest Wed 25 Jan - 13:26

prostaff85 wrote:Has someone stolen her username?!

NITB has always appreciated the Federer game. She's just a bigger fan of Novak

by invisiblecoolers Wed 25 Jan - 13:34

thats a good article emanci thumbsup

by Jahu Wed 25 Jan - 14:04

O.T: Social is back, I welcome him and hope he does not pretend that he knows Serbia's history and defend their wars in the name of Djoko fanatisism.

Murray-Fed final.

by socal1976 Wed 25 Jan - 14:39

Jahu, I don't defend anyone's wars nice to see that everyone has their own bit of history they would like to solve with me. How old was Djoko during the civil war? 10 or 11, I am sure he was running a death camp at the time.

I always enjoyed being controversial.

I don't think even the most rabid murray fans would claim that kei nishikori is a tough draw in a grand slam Quarter. But credit to murray he can only beat the guys in front of him and he has done good work so far in the tournament. I really think that the Djoko and Murray semi will be a dogfight whoever wins it.

by Jahu Wed 25 Jan - 14:45

Only Fed might stop Djoko. Djoko-Nadal final will be like all others last year. Murray will be toast in final, thought I fancy him to win it.

by banbrotam Thu 26 Jan - 0:17

bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Murray has had probably the easiest draw to a slam semi in recent memory but he has done what is required and made complete minced meat of the opposition. I think this match with Djoko will be decided on who gets a higher percentage of first serves and avoids giving their opponent a lot of second serves to look at since both men return like monsters.

Oh my God, Craig and bantroban will melt down if they read that.

By the way, did you share my amazement at Fed overcoming the bye?

Stand by for a shock as I actually agree!! No idea who will win. Whenever Murray plays Nole or Roger, someone fails to show.

by banbrotam Thu 26 Jan - 0:27

emancipator wrote:
prostaff85 wrote:Has someone stolen her username?!

NITB has always appreciated the Federer game. She's just a bigger fan of Novak

Others have too! Some may argue my comments proove otherwise - but. I've never questioned Feds quality. The final of Wimby 2005, remains the best exhibition of Tennis from anyone

Back to now. Let's be honest any final combination won't be a ahock

by Josiah Maiestas Thu 26 Jan - 0:28

No idea who will win. Whenever Murray plays Nole or Roger, someone fails to show.

"No idea who" is that Novak's nickname now? Only kidding, I think Djokovic is the one person from the big 3 who Murray can compete with, unfortunately this only happens when Novak is having an UE nightmare. rose

by banbrotam Thu 26 Jan - 0:58

Josiah Maiestas wrote:
No idea who will win. Whenever Murray plays Nole or Roger, someone fails to show.
"No idea who" is that Novak's nickname now? Only kidding, I think Djokovic is the one person from the big 3 who Murray can compete with, unfortunately this only happens when Novak is having an UE nightmare.

Actually, I'd rather Andy was playing one of the other two. Also he's too had u/e nigtmares in his defeats to his rivals

by **laverfan** Thu 26 Jan - 2:24

I am glad to see a 1-2-3-4 SF lineup. A couple of hours for the first one and one tomorrow. To good tennis. Bubbly

by CaledonianCraig Thu 26 Jan - 6:53

A warm welcome back socal.

by socal1976 Thu 26 Jan - 7:34

Thanks Craig. So busy and preoccuppied nowadays that I try to get on when I can. The grandslam fever always seems to raise my temperature a bit.

by hawkeye Thu 26 Jan - 7:40

banbrotam wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Murray has had probably the easiest draw to a slam semi in recent memory but he has done what is required and made complete minced meat of the opposition. I think this match with Djoko will be decided on who gets a higher percentage of first serves and avoids giving their opponent a lot of second serves to look at since both men return like monsters.

Oh my God, Craig and bantroban will melt down if they read that.

By the way, did you share my amazement at Fed overcoming the bye?

Stand by for a shock as I actually agree!! No idea who will win. Whenever Murray plays Nole or Roger, someone fails to show.

I think its a close call between this years AO and last years FO. I wonder if he can make a grand slam of "easiest draws in history"?

by break_in_the_fifth Thu 26 Jan - 7:46

Well that certainly won't be up to him.

by socal1976 Thu 26 Jan - 7:54

It happens, i mean one year thomas johansson in the socalled strong era of fast court tennis won a grandslam without beating anyone in the top 10. Either way it won't matter much because to win this slam he will have to beat 2 legends to take it, and it is the working end of slams that determines the real strength of opposition everything up to the semis and quarters is really just the appetizer.

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