Olympic Day 2 Thread

[The Special Juan]

Midday
Centre Court: Görges v Radwanska then Wawrinka v Murray then Peer v Sharapova then Tsonga v Bellucci

Court 1: Fognini v Djokovic then Errani v Venus Williams then Goffin v Monaco then Azarenka v Bedu

11:30 Start
Court 2: Ferrer v Pospisil then Roddick v Klizan then Cetkovska v Kerber then Nishikori/Soeda v Federer/Wawrinka

Court 7: Stepanek v Davydenko then Zheng Jie v Petrova then Radwanska/Radwanska v Cibulkova/Hantuchova then Berdych/Stepanek v Bracciali/Seppi

Court 11: Halep v Shvedova then Tursunov v Lopez then Nestor/Pospisil v Tecau/Ungur

Court 12: Tatishvili v Vogt then Lisicki v Jabeur then Chakhnasvili/Tatishvili v Klepac/Srebotnik then Djokovic/Troicki v Brunstrom/Lindstedt

Court 14: Soeda v Baghdatis then Robson v Safarova then Ito v Raonic then Bury/Mirnyi v Bhupati/Bopanna

Court 15: Voskoboeva v Babos then Cilic v Melzer then Hlavakova/Hradecka v Babos/Szavay then Cilic/Dodig v Cabal/Giraldo

Court 16: Lepchenko v Cepede Royg then Kirilenko v Duque-Marino then Gasquet v Haase then Görges/Gronefeld v Baltacha/Keothavong then Haase/Rojer v Paes/Vardhan

Court 17: Devvarman v Nieminen then Erakovic v Wozniak then Kohlschreiber v Kavcic then Kas/Petzschner v Davydenko/Youzhny

Court 18: Tomic v Nishikori then Soler Espinosa v Watson then Hewitt v Stakhovsky then Cirstea/Halep v Williams/Williams

Court 19: Li/Zhang v Dulko/Suarez then Martinez Sanchez v Hercog then Medina Garrigues/Para Santonja v Pennetta/Schiavone then Tipsarevic/Zimonjic v Klizan/Lacko

[lydian]

Nice summary TSJ

I'll have my eye on Goerges (...lol), Murray (tough tough opener), Djokovic and of course 'Wee Goffin' to see if his breakthrough can continue. Doubles-wise it's got to be the Swiss Duo.

[bogbrush]

Murray could end up benefitting by going out of the doubles today - its a tougher schedule than a Masters.

[The Special Juan]

It's raining now. That should give Murray the edge v Wawrinka if they put the roof on.

Random predictions:

Murray to beat Wawrinka
Goffin to beat Monaco
Robson to beat Safarova
Tomic to beat Nishikori

[carrieg4]

It's raining now. That should give Murray the edge v Wawrinka if they put the roof on.

Random predictions:

Murray to beat Wawrinka
Goffin to beat Monaco
Robson to beat Safarova
Tomic to beat Nishikori

I think Nishikori may surprise Tomic.

[The Special Juan]

It is a very tough one to call and will probably go to 3 sets. It's a gut feeling about Tomic although if Nishikori wins I won't be surprised as he's the 16th seed I think.

[carrieg4]

I'm not ruling Tomic out but he has seemed particularly out of sorts of late.

[time please]

Murray could end up benefitting by going out of the doubles today - its a tougher schedule than a Masters.

That's what I was thinking bb - although it is such a shame for JM.

Good news for Murray that potential banana skin aka Berdych out of the way too.

Looking forward to the match with Stan. I think Nishikori over Tomic, and I very much hope Goffin over Monaco.

Murray and Robson

[The Special Juan]

I'm just looking forward to seeing how Tomic bounces back mentally after that loss to Goffin. He looks to have a fiery temprament that he'll need to control if he wants to succeed. He should follow Murray's example of hiring an "Iceman" to help him with the mental side of the game.

[The Special Juan]

Goerges up a break in the 1st on Radwanska A. Radwanska U won yesterday I think. The roof must be closed as there is no play on the other TV Court.

[The Special Juan]

Goerges wins in 3! She was a break down in the 3rd but played exceptional tennis to win it.

[carrieg4]

Yep, not usually a fan of women's tennis matches but I enjoyed that one.

[time please]

Well done Julia Goerges - great match from both players.

You will be able to feast your eyes a little longer Lydian

[banbrotam]

I see the under-rated Nishikori is showing the over-rated Tomic how to play Tennis. Early days though

[The Special Juan]

Stan's looking a bit..... rounder these days.

[The Special Juan]

Scoreboardgate. Federer's in the crowd so I bet he's operating the switch

[carrieg4]

Nishikori going well in the TB.

[The Special Juan]

Nishikori has to be the most underrated player on the tour. Just thought Tomic might have shaded it on grass.

Love the sound of the rain on the roof on Centre Court. Reminds me of this!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/13941656

[time please]

The dreaded Fognini giving Nole a hard time on Court 1 before rain break!

not going to jinx Murray with any match commentary!

[Guest]

Centre court looks knackered already.

Is it just me or does the tennis under the roof always seem more fun, cleaner, sharper.

[Guest]

When u see Stan unload on that BH it makes you realise how powerful a SHBH can be. In terms of pure power surely at least a match for a DHBH.

[The Special Juan]

Stanford definitely has more power in the backhand than Federer but it doesn't seem as reliable. I think Tsonga could have a brilliant SHBH should he choose to use it. Some of the shots he pulls of are great.

[Guest]

I reckon it's gonna be a Murray Fed final.

Fed wins if indoors.

50-50 if outdoors.



emancipator

[carrieg4]

Amazing the pearls of wisdom you get from commentary. "Murray would like to get this done in two sets" - No, really??? I thought he would want to drag it out

[Guest]

Man Stan is one fugly mo fo.

[Guest]

Are there any girls around today?

I have a quick question for the ladies.

Do you agree that Stan is Fugly? or am I just misinterpreting his face cause i'm not a girl?

This is a genuine question. I'm curious as to the answer.

[The Special Juan]

Are there any girls around today?

I have a quick question for the ladies.

Do you agree that Stan is Fugly? or am I just misinterpreting his face cause i'm not a girl?

This is a genuine question. I'm curious as to the answer.

Dunno, I'll ask my mother Surely he's better looking than Milos "Squashed Face" Raonic? Maybe that's another topic: Fugly Tennis Players.

Anyway, good performance from Murray against a potentially tricky opponent. Hopefully an easier match v Nieminen next.

[carrieg4]

Are there any girls around today?

I have a quick question for the ladies.

Do you agree that Stan is Fugly? or am I just misinterpreting his face cause i'm not a girl?

This is a genuine question. I'm curious as to the answer.

Dunno, I'll ask my mother Surely he's better looking than Milos "Squashed Face" Raonic? Maybe that's another topic: Fugly Tennis Players.

Anyway, good performance from Murray against a potentially tricky opponent. Hopefully an easier match v Nieminen next.

He's pretty average looking. Wouldn't call him Fugly but no pin up either.

Glad Murray got through that one ok. Pretty tough first round draw but he handled it well.

[Guest]

How do i post a pic?

[Guest]

Come on Maria squash that Fugly girl like a bug.

[Guest]

Why are there so many fake blondes in Israel?

[carrieg4]

I prefer the volume of Peer. Having to watch with the sound off - way too much shrieking.

[laverfan]

Emanci.. Remember Stan the Man was married to a Swiss model.

http://www.hcfoo.com/2009/12/stanislas-wawrinka-marries-heavily.html

[Guest]

come on Maria don't give her another POINT.

[invisiblecoolers]

is the match btw Djoko and Fog going indoors? if so whom do you think it gonna favour?

6-6 [7-7] is too close a call in the 1st set.

[Guest]

I expect if Fognini wins we'll never hear from Socal EVER again.

[Guest]

How the hell did this Fugly girl get to number 11!

She's got the worst serve I've ever seen.

[User 774433]

I expect if Fognini wins we'll never hear from Socal EVER again.

Why

[Guest]

Socal had this theory (actually he beieved it as cast iron fact and defended it for months) that Novak only lost to Roger in the FO SF'11 because Fognini withdrew against Novak int the previous round. Hence Novak was rusty and couldn't play his top game against Fed.

If he loses to Fognini at the OG - oh the irony

[invisiblecoolers]

I expect if Fognini wins we'll never hear from Socal EVER again.

Why

Coz she holds patent for Fogini effect on Djoko's Grandslam year 2011 that will be put to garbage if Fog beats Djoko today.

[User 774433]

Socal had this theory (actually he beieved it as cast iron fact and defended it for months) that Novak only lost to Roger in the FO SF'11 because Fognini withdrew against Novak int the previous round. Hence Novak was rusty and couldn't play his top game against Fed.

If he loses to Fognini at the OG - oh the irony

What Socal was saying was that Fognini withdrew from his match and hence Djokovic might have been a bit rusty for the FO semi-final.
He never said for sure that Djokovic would have won, but it still affected him.

The BBC commentators also mentioned it before the match- he had quite a long break and hence might not be at his best straight away. I also remember it being reported in the media when Murray had quite a long break (I think it was Miami?) before the final that the break might not help his chances.
It was hardly an outrageous thing to say that the break affected Djokovic; it's not like he said Djoko would have definitely won if not for that- who knows what might have happened- even Fognini might have won.

And this match has nothing to do with it at all. Djoko is not where he was last year- and this is Best of 3.

[The Special Juan]

And a different surface. Novak looks like he'll have a backlog of games to complete as singles and doubles may well be rained off today. They won't/shouldn't get on Centre.

[Guest]

Socal had this theory (actually he beieved it as cast iron fact and defended it for months) that Novak only lost to Roger in the FO SF'11 because Fognini withdrew against Novak int the previous round. Hence Novak was rusty and couldn't play his top game against Fed.

If he loses to Fognini at the OG - oh the irony

What Socal was saying was that Fognini withdrew from his match and hence Djokovic might have been a bit rusty for the FO semi-final.
He never said for sure that Djokovic would have won, but it still affected him.

The BBC commentators also mentioned it before the match- he had quite a long break and hence might not be at his best straight away. I also remember it being reported in the media when Murray had quite a long break (I think it was Miami?) before the final that the break might not help his chances.
It was hardly an outrageous thing to say that the break affected Djokovic; it's not like he said Djoko would have definitely won if not for that- who knows what might have happened- even Fognini might have won.

And this match has nothing to do with it at all. Djoko is not where he was last year- and this is Best of 3.

Socal did start off with the above arguement however he became more entrenched in his view when he was challenged. The initial arguement itself was not so outrageous except that it morphed into a tooth and nail aggressive defense of his position that didn't allow much room for compromise. When it was pointed out to him that the break could've worked in both ways ie, it could also have rested him at the back end of a slam when conserving energy is important and given him more time to practice, he left the reasonable path of debate and started insisting that Djokovic was disadvantaged by the break. This may or may not have been true but his very insistence on the disadvantage coupled with his vehement defense of that position for many months afterwards suggests that either he truely did believe that Djokovic lost because of the withdrawal or he didn't actually believe this but wanted everyone to think it was the reason, hence a ready made excuse for the defeat.

The reason why this match has relevance is because, if Djokovic were to lose to Fognini at the OG (winning of which is one of Djokovic's two stated goals for the season, the other having been the FO) it would make Socal's insistence that Djokovic was somehow disadvantaged by the Fognini withdrawal, seem rather lame. He casually brushed aside the possibility of a Fog win at the FO. In retrospect it might be said that Djokovic was fortunate not to play an in form Fognini at the FO.

Capiche?



emancipator

[lydian]

You will be able to feast your eyes a little longer Lydian

lol, there's no complaints this end...I like her brand of tennis too, fiery and goes for it. Outside of the Williams sisters she also has the biggest serve on tour, 20 aces today!

Emancipator, it's commonly understood that when unleashed a SHBH is harder than a DHBH...you can get much more swing and rotation on a SHBH, for example there are no harder BH shots than Stan's when he's on song.

Looks like CC hasn't had chance to recover from 4 weeks ago with the new turf...going to be a right mess in a few days.

[Guest]

Yeah Thanks Lydian. I suspected as much. It's just that on another board a certain poster was trying to argue that one of the main advantages of a DHBH was that it was more powerful - which I didn't agree with.

[The Special Juan]

Bellucci takes the first set v Tsonga

[The Special Juan]

And Mr Djokovic has lost the first set v Fog.....

[invisiblecoolers]

Mr.Joko and Mr.French recovers for a win.

[time please]

Really enjoyed the Belluci and Tsonga match. Tsonga just had too much experience for Belluci and looked the stronger from the second set, but the match remained highly competitive until the end with both players really bravely attacking.

Why hasn't Belluci done better - he seemed to be riding a wave of confidence after his two tournament wins, and really hope that this form continues.

[lydian]

Agree TP, Belluci is someone earmarked as highly talented 3-4 years ago...he hasnt quite lived up to that potential yet...just a little bit too flaky in the big moments - its such narrow margins at the top 20 level.

With a backlog starting to work up they need good weather the next few days to avoid scenarios of 2 singles matches per day - that wouldnt suit Roger at all - forecast isnt that great: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2633866

[Sponsored content]