ATP 1000: Monte Carlo (Daily Order Of Play)!

First topic message reminder :

Monte Carlo.... tennis is finally coming home!

After weeks of sleepless nights caused by travelless jetlag, tennis caravan is back to where it belongs and looks best: Europe!

Ahead are a few potentially historically huge months:

Novak Djokovic could be the first man after Rod Laver to hold all 4 slam titles.

He could also be the first man to achieve the Golden slam, if he wins the gold at the Olympics.

All grand dreams, very difficult to achieve, yet, for this grand dreamer, nothing is impossible

Back to Monte Carlo, and the first 1000 Masters even on clay:

Bar Federer's last minute wild-card change of mind, all the best players are in town:

*Legendary Rafael Nadal with his mind-boggling 7 straight tournament wins.
*Novak Djokovic with his mind-boggling 7 straight finals wins over Nadal
*Andy Murray , pressure free and hungry. Could surprise many.
*David Ferrer, the eternal bridesmaid...will give someone a great workout in the semi-final!
*Delpo? No Federer in the draw, may release the "old" smooth powerhouse.

and.....

everybody else except the Biggest clay question mark called Isner, who withdrew from the tournament needing rest and preparation for the remainder of the season.

Official website:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/


The Draw:

http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2012&Draw=ms

Easier to follow, PDF version of the draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/410/mds.pdf

Order of play for Wednesday, 17th of April (no PDF version yet):

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=410&Year=2012&Seq=5

Set in the glorious scenery of glittering, breath-taking sparkling Medditeranean vista, I will be there daily in spirit sighing and dreaming....

For Monte Carlo with its vintage charm, class and timeless air of dolce vita is my favourite tournament (let's leave that heart-breaker called Wimbledon out of this conversation just this once!)

I have bought a large vintage poster of Monte Carlo recently, and it hangs framed behind my desk reminding me of those days when the world took its time....and nobody moaned that much ....and ladies wore dresses when they played....and looked and behaved like ladies ....

http://img2.photographersdirect.com/img/16398/wm/pd1802170.jpg

Now, let's get into the mood, shall we?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFabjc6mFk4


AND, last but not the least...

GO NOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!1

Murray having a training session. Go Andy

I'll have to pick Bellucci to beat Ferrer, I think the Brazilian is now entering his
prime.

Murray is crushing Troicki. I'm expecting a bagel in set 1

Murray will storm through this set easily, but he will go back on the defensive 2nd set
and just about get over the line..

Troicki wins 5 points in a row looks like Murrays level has routinely fell flat on
it's bum.

Troicki somehow gifts the game away... 5-0.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Murray will storm through this set easily, but he will go back on the defensive 2nd set
and just about get over the line..

What go back on the defensive? What is he doing atm, Hitting winners?

He's playing smartly unlike Troicki. Also releasing forehand more and more

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Murray will storm through this set easily, but he will go back on the defensive 2nd set
and just about get over the line..

What go back on the defensive? What is he doing atm, Hitting winners?

actually, yes, quite a few. and he moves into the net to clinch the set 6-0. Super stuff!

noleisthebest wrote:He's playing smartly unlike Troicki. Also releasing forehand more and more

Troicki is a lamb atm, anyone will fry him. Saw how poorly he lost in front of his home crowd in a pressure free dead rubber this DC qtr. finals. He is toast before the match started.

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:He's playing smartly unlike Troicki. Also releasing forehand more and more

Troicki is a lamb atm, anyone will fry him. Saw how poorly he lost in front of his home crowd in a pressure free dead rubber this DC qtr. finals. He is toast before the match started.

I had a self-loathing thought. I'd better not mention it here In short, I expect Vic to start playing now.

Toricki holds.. without facing a BP!! 1-0 set 2. what an achievement.

Who are those 2 clowns talking about talent on the Murray v Troicki match?

It's laughable. "Murray has the most of the top 4" or "him and Federer about the same".

People shouldnt be so surprised Murray can play on the dirt given he spent his teen years training at the Barcelona Academy (which is always what makes me laugh when they say he's a prime LTA example of excellence).

Tenez wrote:Who are those 2 clowns talking about talent on the Murray v Troicki match?

It's laughable. "Murray has the most of the top 4" or "him and Federer about the same".

I turned the sound off long time ago ....

Mad for Chelsea wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Murray will storm through this set easily, but he will go back on the defensive 2nd set
and just about get over the line..

What go back on the defensive? What is he doing atm, Hitting winners?

actually, yes, quite a few. and he moves into the net to clinch the set 6-0. Super stuff!

Yes.. standing 4 m behind the baseline... hitting tramlines and corners... ha ha

He is playing smart I see that. Wait for troicki to gift him points and Troicki obliging.

Tenez wrote:Who are those 2 clowns talking about talent on the Murray v Troicki match?

It's laughable. "Murray has the most of the top 4" or "him and Federer about the same".

yes heard that. Its funny.

Troicki wins another game, saving two breakpoints off the back of some big serves.

It's laughable. "Murray has the most of the top 4" or "him and Federer about the same".

Probably a game of "Who can make the most ridiculous fanboy statement".

Honestly Troicki can play much better than what he is doing atm. But he is going through a confidence crisis.

Mental muppet in confidence crisis = Fiasco

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Honestly Troicki can play much better than what he is doing atm. But he is going through a confidence crisis.

Mental muppet in confidence crisis = Fiasco

BUt Murray's coverage of the court makes the targets very small for Troicki. That's Murray's exceptional talent: chasing the ball and wait for the short ball.

that's it. Second set more in cruise control, but Murray showing lovely touches at times, and his variety was far too much for Troicki. Good start to the clay season for Murray

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:Honestly Troicki can play much better than what he is doing atm. But he is going through a confidence crisis.

Mental muppet in confidence crisis = Fiasco

BUt Murray's coverage of the court makes the targets very small for Troicki. That's Murray's exceptional talent: chasing the ball and wait for the short ball.

Never doubted his court coverage and ability to retrieve and run.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:that's it. Second set more in cruise control, but Murray showing lovely touches at times, and his variety was far too much for Troicki. Good start to the clay season for Murray

Murrays clay season started on the Nintendo Wii

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Never doubted his court coverage and ability to retrieve and run.

I know. The question is what's the innate (talent) part and what's the acquired one.

I think his anticipation is the innate part but there is a huge work behind those big legs.

Hear hear. The new haircut is giving Andy unfair advantage, since his head is more aerodynamic and less air drag while he runs, so he is faster.

Jahu wrote:Hear hear. The new haircut is giving Andy unfair advantage, since his head is more aerodynamic and less air drag while he runs, so he is faster.

Please don't believe this 'haircut" theory Jahu, its not true at all.

yowza, Murray actually made 82% of first serves in that one, dropping just two points behind it, and five points behind his serve in all. Troicki, in contrast, won just over half the points behind his first serve and a third of those behind his second. Good numbers for Murray

Verdasco lost first set 6:3 to Dodig, leading second 4:2.

Does anybody else say "Tournemant" when trying to say "Tournament"?

There's another one I hear often: Turner-ment

BTW - pretty good write up of MC why it is potentially such an interesting tournament for tennis fans this year in the Independent - Nadal is playing down his chances hard due to his knee.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/rafael-nadal-scared-about-future-as-knee-injury-takes-its-toll-7648193.html

Andy 93% 1st serve points. Impressive. Now save that for the big boys!

barrystar wrote:BTW - pretty good write up of MC why it is potentially such an interesting tournament for tennis fans this year in the Independent - Nadal is playing down his chances hard due to his knee.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/rafael-nadal-scared-about-future-as-knee-injury-takes-its-toll-7648193.html

I really don't know what to think any more....On the one hand I believe what he says and feel sorry for him, as I know how annoying it is to have pain like that that's preventing you from doing something you love, on the other hand I see that's he's booked up to his eyeballs, playing Barcelona straight after MC, and I don't know what to believe any more...

noleisthebest

You are just so sweet and thoughtful! In this case IMO actions speak louder than words. To show your obvious concern I suggest flowers and chocolates as well as good wishes. If you just send them to Rafa c/o Monte Carlo I'm sure he will recieve them... don't forget the xxx's

hawkeye wrote:noleisthebest

You are just so sweet and thoughtful! In this case IMO actions speak louder than words. To show your obvious concern I suggest flowers and chocolates as well as good wishes. If you just send them to Rafa c/o Monte Carlo I'm sure he will recieve them... don't forget the xxx's

And don't dose the chocolates with anything - Nadal has employed Djoko's younger brother as his taster.

lol...yeah I'm sure NITB is REALLY concerned about Nadal...

lydian wrote:lol...yeah I'm sure NITB is REALLY concerned about Nadal...

I'm not afraid to say what I think and as a Christian do not lie.

hawkeye wrote:noleisthebest

You are just so sweet and thoughtful! In this case IMO actions speak louder than words. To show your obvious concern I suggest flowers and chocolates as well as good wishes. If you just send them to Rafa c/o Monte Carlo I'm sure he will recieve them... don't forget the xxx's

thanks DJB

None of us are afraid to say what we think on here [I dont see how type of religion is pertinent here]. Its a forum, we express views and debate them - thats the idea right? Its just that your "concern" for Nadal runs a little thin when you've called him the "death of tennis" on numerous occasions...

He is the death of fair, honest, traditional tennis, so yes NITB is correct. I'd find it easier to see him
win if he played by the normal etiquette.

oh boii dont bring jesus into this

Haase very concerned about Monaco's injury at MC. Very gentlemanly.

what is the woman's equivalent of being gentlemanly? tend and befriend?

Juicy order of play out for tomorrow:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=410&Year=2012&Seq=5

Court Central:
Gil-Simon
Djokovic-Seppi
Niemenen-Kneedal
Bellucci-Ferrer

Court Des Princes:

Tomic-Dolgopolov
Benneteau-Melzer
Cilic-Berdych
Nishikori-Mathieu

Notable others:
Tipsarevic-Montanes
Andjuar Wawrinka (playing in the carpark)

Gil-Simon

pun of the week?

Tomic-Dolgopolov looks tasty, as do Bellucci-Ferrer and Bennertea-Melzer. Also will be interesting to see how well Mathieu is recovering, he looked good against Young (though Young was truly awful)...

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Gil-Simon

pun of the week?

.

crossed my mind

PDF version out:
http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/posting/2012/410/op.pdf

Tenez wrote:

raiders_of_the_lost_ark wrote:
Never doubted his court coverage and ability to retrieve and run.

I know. The question is what's the innate (talent) part and what's the acquired one.

I think his anticipation is the innate part but there is a huge work behind those big legs.

Tenez. Do us all a favour and actually watch Murray's racquet skills rather than getting blinded by his retrieval skills. Or do you think all players can do some of the wrong footing variety of pace and spin?

Is that not a skill?

shhh you'll upset him

Mad for Chelsea wrote:shhh you'll upset him

Tenez is priceless. An admittedley knowlegable of Tennis who thinks that a player that's spent nearly 4 years in the Top 4 and has won 8 Masters, should be laughed at when an awe-struck former Tennis player admires his skills

Incidentally, these commentators were telling us just after the O2 that Federer was playing his best ever Tennis. Don't remember Tenez laughing at that far more laughable opinion