The Paris 1000 Tractor Thread

by lydian Wed 31 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm

AGRICULTURAL Match of the Day:
The Massey-Ferguson Award goes to Ferrer vs Granollers.
Imagine my horror when I realised I had missed Ferrer beat Granollers, a match for the real purists of the game.
I'm surprised they dont have to re-lay the surface given the number ofseed-plough strokes there would have been on display.

Elsewhere...
+ Dimitrov down 1 set and a break to Monaco (what was that someone was saying about Grigor's talent breaking through...?)
+ Gasquet down 1 set to bean-pole Anderson

LIVE SCORES HERE: Live Scores!

by sirfredperry Wed 31 Oct 2012, 1:09 pm

Just been watching a bit of Reechard v Anderson and the Frenchman has just levelled at one set all.
Not a bad match.

by lydian Wed 31 Oct 2012, 1:11 pm

Phew...thought Reeshard was well on his way to 'pulling a Tomic' there.
Perhaps that can be reserved for Grigor...4-1 down in 2nd to Pico.

by Jeremy_Kyle Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:01 pm

Big surprise in Paris where Novak Djokovic has been ousted by Sam Qerrey.
Well done to Querrey!

by Guest Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:07 pm

Is it too late for Roger to be re-instated? Run

by Silver Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:13 pm

So then, now that both Novak and Fed are no longer present in the tournament...might we see a miracle run from one of the outside contenders for London? Still a massive ask, but...

Well done to Querrey, rare to see someone come back after being bagelled in the first set. Good effort!

by **laverfan** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:19 pm

Tsonga, Berdych, Murray, Del Potro still in it. Might be good for Del Potro (Vienna, Basel, Paris).

by **laverfan** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:20 pm

emancipator wrote:Is it too late for Roger to be re-instated?

He is already the GOAT. Laugh

by invisiblecoolers Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:23 pm

emancipator wrote:Is it too late for Roger to be re-instated?

Catch the plane Roger.

by slashermcguirk Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:24 pm

In a way given that i am heading to World Tour Finals next week for the first time, not overly dissappointed novak has gone out. He should hopefully be full of energy for next week. He has had back to back wins in Beijing and Shanghai so he is clearly playing pretty well.

Just a bad day in the office i guess, fair play to Querrey. That must be the first time novak has gone out before even the semi finals stage of any tournament in 2012??

by invisiblecoolers Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:28 pm

laverfan wrote:Tsonga, Berdych, Murray, Del Potro still in it. Might be good for Del Potro (Vienna, Basel, Paris).

I really fancy Del Boy's chances here, Go DP go. thumbsup

by HM Murdock Wed 31 Oct 2012, 4:32 pm

Yikes! I didn't expect a surge to the title from Novak but a first match defeat is somewhat less than I thought he might do!

This is either a blessing in disguise in that he will be fresh for WTF or a worrying indicator that his indoor game is some way short of where it should be.

The irony though. Novak wins YE#1, prompts much talk and writing about how he consistently goes deep into every tournament... and then he gets beaten in his first match! Doh

by The Special Juan Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:15 pm

Apparently Mr Djokovic Snr is very ill but I'm not 100% on that. Possibility of Isner v Raonic in this tournament. Now there's a rip snorter.

by lydian Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:31 pm

Djokovic tanks the match to save some for WTF next week knowing he had YE#1 in the bag already?

by Born Slippy Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:38 pm

Sublime display from Llodra. Most one-sided 64 76 matches I've seen. May be able to give DP some problems.

by HM Murdock Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:41 pm

lydian wrote:Djokovic tanks the match to save some for WTF next week knowing he had YE#1 in the bag already?

He was ill at the start of the week (had to cancel an online interview thing he was doing), so that may have been a factor. Or it could just have been a bad day at the office!

by bogbrush Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:42 pm

lydian wrote:Djokovic tanks the match to save some for WTF next week knowing he had YE#1 in the bag already?

Not winning the first to love then going 2-0 and long on the other two. There are more sensible ways to tank.

by Born Slippy Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:45 pm

His dad has been seriously ill apparently, so his mind may not have been totally focused.

by invisiblecoolers Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:46 pm

lydian wrote:Djokovic tanks the match to save some for WTF next week knowing he had YE#1 in the bag already?

If he really tanked the match to conserve energy it would be regarded as the worst brainless tanking, otherwise why would somebody who wanna conserve energy play a long 3 setter rather than a st.set 6-3 6-4 scoreline.

by bogbrush Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:47 pm

Born Slippy wrote:His dad has been seriously ill apparently, so his mind may not have been totally focused.

'Seriously' ill? That usually means life threatening.

Really?

He looked cheerful enough to me.

by invisiblecoolers Wed 31 Oct 2012, 5:49 pm

Born Slippy wrote:His dad has been seriously ill apparently, so his mind may not have been totally focused.

Could be the possible reason thumbsup

, but in my view Sam deserve a lot of applause for the win specifically from 0-6 bagel in the 1st set, all other excuses take Sam's credit away in spite of putting in a brilliant performance.

by Danny_1982 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 6:46 pm

Wow, now that result is a surprise. I'm not sure you can call it a tank. Who in there right mind would win the first 8 games if they were planning on tanking?

Credit to Querry, he did what he needed to do. Novak had to lose early at some point. His destruction of all those outside the top 4 was getting ridiculous. He'll probably be fresher for London now anyway, so it's hardly a disaster.

by HM Murdock Wed 31 Oct 2012, 8:09 pm

bogbrush wrote:
Born Slippy wrote:His dad has been seriously ill apparently, so his mind may not have been totally focused.
'Seriously' ill? That usually means life threatening.

Really?

He looked cheerful enough to me.

Reports seem to suggest that his father is in hospital with respiratory problems but is now through the worst of it. I would venture that wearing a Darth Vader mask when arriving on court suggests Novak does not feel overly distracted by the situation as it now stands!

I think the bigger issue today is that Novak himself has had a virus and is feeling below his best. Combine that with a good last 2 sets from Querrey and you end up getting knocked out early.

I don't see it as a deliberate tank.

by Danny_1982 Wed 31 Oct 2012, 8:33 pm

Djokovic's comments allude to a lack of energy and maybe some issues away from the court. But definitely not a tank:

"I knew the main problems would be my energy, it wasn't there during the second set. I really felt my level drop," said Djokovic.

"I struggled every game, but on the brighter side I have time to rest. I've been through a really difficult period this last few weeks. There have been a lot of things on my mind, some things happened...

"I have a couple of days now to rest. I've had to face some things a bit unusual for me, but when you lose a match you move on and go to the last tournament of the year."

by The Special Juan Wed 31 Oct 2012, 8:37 pm

Novak loses, wow big shock. Players lose sometimes, no excuses are necessary. Well done to Querrey though, he's had a tough year and a bit so it's good to see him back. I definitely rate him as the 2nd best current American player when he's at his best, behind Fish but in front of Isner. Interesting bottom half there: I think Del Potro will come out on top in a semi-final v Tsonga but not v Ferrer. Stan the Man could go on a tear too; wouldn't it be funny to see him win?

However, if Berdych can negotiate a possible match v Nishikori, I think he'll win the whole thing. I wouldn't be adverse to a Nishikori tournament win either, just ABR (Anyone But Raonic).

by The Special Juan Wed 31 Oct 2012, 8:41 pm

And no one's mentioned Jerzy Janowicz yet? 21 year old Pole has taken out both Kohli and Cilic to set up a 3rd round tie with Murray. Seems to be another monster server but he's won 3 Challenger events this year, all on clay.

by CaledonianCraig Wed 31 Oct 2012, 9:05 pm

Andy Murray safely through. He wasn't at his best but still had too much for Mathieu. With Novak's surprise defeat and Roger's withdrawal things have opened right up for Andy.

by TopoftheChops Wed 31 Oct 2012, 9:25 pm

The Special Juan wrote:And no one's mentioned Jerzy Janowicz yet? 21 year old Pole has taken out both Kohli and Cilic to set up a 3rd round tie with Murray. Seems to be another monster server but he's won 3 Challenger events this year, all on clay.

Did well at Wimbledon as well I think he got to the 3rd/4th round

by **laverfan** Wed 31 Oct 2012, 9:55 pm

The Special Juan wrote: Possibility of Isner v Raonic in this tournament. Now there's a rip snorter.

Isner went out earlier to Llodra. Raonic is almost on the brink against Chardy in a second set TB.

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 12:05 am

Well that was a shocker, but I do want to give credit to Querrey not very often a player loses 6-0 and comes back to win against a player of the distinction of Djokovic. Strange Novak usually so lights out against the lower ranked players and so good once he pulls ahead. I think this might be a hangover from all the glutten free Champagne once it was announced he would be world #1. It is understandable and hopefully this gives him more time to rest for London.

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 12:06 am

Now I guess we know why Paris wants to move in the schedule to right before IW/Miami.

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 10:44 am

laverfan wrote:
The Special Juan wrote: Possibility of Isner v Raonic in this tournament. Now there's a rip snorter.

Isner went out earlier to Llodra. Raonic is almost on the brink against Chardy in a second set TB.

Ah that's a shame. I see Raonic just squeaked through too. Hmmmm.

On another note, Berdbrain is really up against it v Anderson!!

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 10:47 am

Oh Nishikori is out now too. Does anyone want this title?

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 11:05 am

Agree Djoko probably didnt tank...I hadnt seen the score, agree winning the first set 6-0 isnt the way to go about losing matches. Sounds like Djokovic has had his fair share of family problems this year...when you are in a career that requires squeezing out every last % to stay at the top it must be hard to battle through off-court issues. I'm sure those of us on here with outside work family issues can easily relate to how it can affect your focus on driving things forwards (although I know some people bury themselves into work as a distraction, thats not usually what I see though).

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 11:09 am

Looks like Berdy is finding the grip on his perch again...
Kei is a great player but he needs to show ability in the early part of the season...he always seems to do well when the other top players are getting tired towards the end of the year. I'll be interested to see how he gets on at AO given HC is his fave surface.

by **laverfan** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 3:37 pm

Murray beaten by Janowicz. The Top 4 gone from Paris. Crying or Very sad

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 3:41 pm

its about time DelPo had a masters on his CV, but I fear he is tired and think Tsonga is going to win it

by Josiah Maiestas Thu 01 Nov 2012, 3:41 pm

51 winners.. just as indoors should be played, Saint Jerzy.

by Jeremy_Kyle Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:12 pm

Well done to Llodra and Jenowicz. Finally some signes there is something new going on.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:15 pm

So with Paris being mooted for the same 3 events in a row slot in 2013 I bet the organisers are really pleased with that and all the top names they'll lose early again...its a nonsense to have a Masters right before the WTF.

When are the ATP going to rattles their head and properly sort out the calendar!!!!

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:21 pm

Oh Andy

Berdbrain has to win it now, or Daveed. Come on Daveed!!

by CaledonianCraig Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:28 pm

A very disappointing show from Andy Murray. To lose from a position of match point is just not good enough. If he has any real aspirations of being a future No.1 he cannot afford to pass up chances of big points like he has done this week. Credit to Janowicz though who is having a great week and got the win of his career today. For Andy - well what can I say. He must buck his ideas up.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:44 pm

Really hoping Llodra wins it. Tennis played as it should be!

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:47 pm

Llodra is having a good run of late...went down to around 125, won a challenger and doing ok the past few weeks, so hopefully will end up back where he deserves, top 30. Yes, he's one of the S&V dinosaurs out there...after he's gone its down to fossilized records to see how they used to play at the net.

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:05 pm

Dunno if it's been mentioned or not, but Tsonga and Tipsy have both qualified for the WTF. We know the 8 now....

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:10 pm

Speaking of Llodra actually.....

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:36 pm

Interesting TSJ, never seen a player do that before. Looks like the Mons Challenger he won recently?

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 10:42 pm

lydian wrote:Interesting TSJ, never seen a player do that before. Looks like the Mons Challenger he won recently?

I think it was this tournament: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Ethias_Trophy_%E2%80%93_Singles

I've never seen it before either. Such a bizarre scenario.

by **laverfan** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 11:27 pm

Ferrer is the highest seed left in the draw. Nishikori gave Simon a walkover.

Janowicz has some big scalps. Can he continue?

by **laverfan** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 11:29 pm

The Special Juan wrote:
lydian wrote:Interesting TSJ, never seen a player do that before. Looks like the Mons Challenger he won recently?

I think it was this tournament: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Ethias_Trophy_%E2%80%93_Singles

I've never seen it before either. Such a bizarre scenario.

If a ball spins back across the net after landing, the player can reach across the net and still touch the ball. Llodra raising the racquet is hindrance, IMVHO.

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