2015 250-500 Tournaments Thread

[temporary21]

First topic message reminder :

A thread intended for discussion of the smaller tournaments of the year. First up, its Doha.

[HM Murdock]

Even impaired as he is, I'd still put Nadal in the top four favourites for Oz. Maybe with another two weeks of match practice he'll be looking a little better.

It's tricky to say. He's certainly shown he can start a tournament slowly and play his way into form but it tends to be on clay where that happens. I can't immediately recall him doing it on hard courts but maybe I've just forgotten.

As for favourites, I've got a feeling that The Old Man might nab #18.

Novak in with a good chance too but much depends on the heat.

[Haddie-nuff]

Even impaired as he is, I'd still put Nadal in the top four favourites for Oz. Maybe with another two weeks of match practice he'll be looking a little better.

It's tricky to say. He's certainly shown he can start a tournament slowly and play his way into form but it tends to be on clay where that happens. I can't immediately recall him doing it on hard courts but maybe I've just forgotten.

As for favourites, I've got a feeling that The Old Man might nab #18.

Novak in with a good chance too but much depends on the heat.

I admire your optimism HM (Happy New Year ) but really ??? he had a supreme struggle yesterday over three sets .. five ???? my money would not be on him that's for sure.. Rafa neither Im afraid.. I think we may well have a new Champion this year !!!

[HM Murdock]

I admire your optimism HM (Happy New Year ) but really ??? he had a supreme struggle yesterday over three sets .. five ???? my money would not be on him that's for sure.. Rafa neither Im afraid.. I think we may well have a new Champion this year !!!

Thanks Haddie, you too. (I'd add an emoticon here, but they don't seem to be working for me!)

I certainly wouldn't dismiss the idea of a new champion. I just think with Federer, aside from his struggle against Millman (which he dug himself out of), he's playing well. He's only a marginal favourite in my eyes, but favourite nevertheless.

And yes, it feels like it may be a bit soon for Rafa, but who knows? He's surprised me plenty of times before.

There's only one thing I know for sure with the Australian Open - Stan won't defend his title.

[Haddie-nuff]

A fortnight is a long time in Tennis HM especially during an Australian summer
Ive always believed this particular slam a bit like the Grand National.. full of surprises. But I wouldn't rule anyone out. Im looking forward to seeing Delpo back, though of course with no great expectations. I think the sport has missed him.

[hawkeye]

So it's the same old analysis of the top three players here on 606v2

Federer is in his usual rude health but was a set and a break down against a player that usually plays challengers and futures events. He is still a favorite for the AO

Djokovic not only lost the match but lost the plot and unraveled mentally in the Doha quarters. As anyone watched Novak's last service game will know He is still a favorite for the AO

Nadal returning from injury lost his first match. It is (again ) the beginning of the end as it has been throughout his entire career.

The reality is that it is early days for all these players. The year is but young

[HM Murdock]

Djokovic not only lost the match but lost the plot and unraveled mentally in the Doha quarters. As anyone watched Novak's last service game will know

I've heard a couple of comments about this but I didn't see it.

What did he do? Was it worse than the standard Djoko-strop?

[It Must Be Love]

Djokovic not only lost the match but lost the plot and unraveled mentally in the Doha quarters. As anyone watched Novak's last service game will know

I've heard a couple of comments about this but I didn't see it.

What did he do? Was it worse than the standard Djoko-strop?

Djokovic tanked the match I think.
His behaviour in the last set was awful. He smashed the ball back at the backboard and it was very close to really hurting a line judge very badly. He smashed his racket, even when he didn't play particularly badly to lose a point.
In his last service game he kept randomly serving and volleying even off poor ineffective serves, and took around 2 seconds between points (ok taking no time between points isn't a bad thing, but it was weird to see Djokovic taking even less time than Federer between serves).
In his last change of ends Djokovic did not sit down on his seat, he just went straight to the other end of the court.

I think he decided to tank and just got a bit bored of Karlovic's big serving.

[It Must Be Love]

Skip to 11:13

[Silver]

I'm amazed that he wasn't given a code violation. If that hits someone, then he's defaulted with no questions asked - lucky boy.

Even impaired as he is, I'd still put Nadal in the top four favourites for Oz. Maybe with another two weeks of match practice he'll be looking a little better.

It's tricky to say. He's certainly shown he can start a tournament slowly and play his way into form but it tends to be on clay where that happens. I can't immediately recall him doing it on hard courts but maybe I've just forgotten.

As for favourites, I've got a feeling that The Old Man might nab #18.

Novak in with a good chance too but much depends on the heat.

As you say, with Rafa it's nearly impossible to gauge, but I'd sooner err on the side of him doing well than not. I don't see him winning it, but perhaps a SF spot isn't beyond him.

I'd go the other way; Novak marginal favourite, Federer just behind. Both have superlative records here so they'll fancy it. Blockbuster final?

[Haddie-nuff]

What i see from that clip is Djoko getting a strop on with Dr Ivo breaking his serve with some incredible shot making..nothing to do with Ivo's serve. The actions of a spoilt brat not of a player considered to be the world's greatest returner of serve
and one who would even consisder tanking a match.

[Haddie-nuff]

Djokovic was affected also I believe by the windy conditions in Doha. He is a player that is greatly affected by the elements.. so the heat in Oz will play a big part imo

[HM Murdock]

Thanks for the video, IMBL.

That's disgraceful from Djokovic.

Definitely should have been a code violation. Could justifiably have been a default.

Idiotic behaviour.

I see he also hit the ball on Ivo's side of the net too, and didn't get called on that either.

[It Must Be Love]

Thanks for the video, IMBL.

That's disgraceful from Djokovic.

Definitely should have been a code violation. Could justifiably have been a default.

Idiotic behaviour.

I see he also hit the ball on Ivo's side of the net too, and didn't get called on that either.

I still think on the whole he's a better sportsman than Nadal and Federer, but a few more cases like this and he will go down a lot in my estimations (in terms of sportsmanship, not tennis).

[HM Murdock]

I still think on the whole he's a better sportsman than Nadal and Federer, but a few more cases like this and he will go down a lot in my estimations (in terms of sportsmanship, not tennis).

In some ways perhaps, but Federer and Nadal would not carry on like that during a match.

It's so childish.

[Haddie-nuff]

I still think on the whole he's a better sportsman than Nadal and Federer, but a few more cases like this and he will go down a lot in my estimations (in terms of sportsmanship, not tennis).

In some ways perhaps, but Federer and Nadal would not carry on like that during a match.

It's so childish.

I totally agree. Murray would have been lambasted for that sort of behavior.

[It Must Be Love]

I still think on the whole he's a better sportsman than Nadal and Federer, but a few more cases like this and he will go down a lot in my estimations (in terms of sportsmanship, not tennis).

In some ways perhaps, but Federer and Nadal would not carry on like that during a match.

It's so childish.

I've seen Djokovic get annoyed before, but this was really strange.
True, Federer and Nadal wouldn't do something like this, but they have done things which I'd associate with not great sportsmanship before, and they don't applaud opponents like Djokovic does.

[Haddie-nuff]

That doesn't affect the match like bad behavior does but it does win him friends

[TRuffin]

Sometimes the applauding could be seen as poor sportsmanship.. he does it at odds time here and there- almost like a mocking... I don't think everyone sees it as great behavior.

When you dad is telling you that you are a "chosen one" on par with the Messiah, spoilt brat behavior is probably to be expected here and there.

All in all I like Djoko usually.

Not seeing it, why would he tank? Just didn't like the matchup as some say?

Brisbane Final 4 is really good... any tournament especially a 250 would be pleased with 3 of the brightest young players and Federer. Interesting look at the state of the tour too. Old man Federer hanging with 3 of the best- two generations removed from his...

[hawkeye]

I didn't see Djokovic's odd behavior during his last service game as deliberate gamesmanship. I thought it was more a sign of a mental weakness. It looked as if he couldn't cope emotionally with losing. Odd from someone of Djokovic's experience. Djokovic is often described as having no weaknesses but IMO this demonstrates that he does.

Djokovic's reaction at the net after losing was as usual perfect. He is an example to all players in this regard.

Truffin. I agree with you about applauding an opponents shots. It can look patronizing and personally I don't like it but I reckon Djokovic does it because it's seen as sportsmanlike.

[Haddie-nuff]

I didn't see Djokovic's odd behavior during his last service game as deliberate gamesmanship. I thought it was more a sign of a mental weakness. It looked as if he couldn't cope emotionally with losing. Odd from someone of Djokovic's experience. Djokovic is often described as having no weaknesses but IMO this demonstrates that he does.

Djokovic's reaction at the net after losing was as usual perfect. He is an example to all players in this regard.

Truffin. I agree with you about applauding an opponents shots. It can look patronizing and personally I don't like it but I reckon Djokovic does it because it's seen as sportsmanlike.

I agree with your last comment at least I am of the opinion that Djokovic loves to be loved by the crowd, he finds it very difficult when he appears to be less favoured than his opponent. He therefore likes to ingratiate himself and hope to win more support by appearing to be complimentary about his opponent's shots.
In this match he battled against the wind, Dr Ivo's superior game and Ivo's support from the crowd. A combination that he could not cope with but I still agree with HM it was not worthy of him and very childish. But I also do not believe he tanked it.

[It Must Be Love]

I reckon Djokovic does it because it's seen as sportsmanlike.

I still see that as good sportsmanship regardless.

[Haddie-nuff]

Whether it be sincere or otherwise

[temporary21]

Its also a good way to deal with losing the point. Takes the pressure off. You can find select examples of getting angry of every sportsman, but Novaks overall record of one of a very gracious sportsman. Wimbledon 2013 is one example of many

[kingraf]

If you win a singles title and the next year win the doubles edition of the title, does that count as a defence? Nine doubles titles now for Rafa, three or four of them Masters. There are doubles experts who haven't done as well. Decent pick me up, and court practice too I'd imagine.

As for Djokovic, nothing new. He does give points away like he's Santa, but I suspect it's a case of him being inherently honest/wants to be revered or loved. He's still a bit of a pri.ck. Being honest enough to acknowledge a ball being in instead of out doesn't change that

[It Must Be Love]

If you win a singles title and the next year win the doubles edition of the title, does that count as a defence?

No.
I've got a picture of Nadal and Monaco holding the trophies now though, maybe if I manage to crop out Monaco that counts as a title defence.

[kingraf]

I was being facetious.

[It Must Be Love]

I was being facetious.

I wasn't though, I'm on Tux Paint as we speak.

[JuliusHMarx]

If you win a singles title and the next year win the doubles edition of the title, does that count as a defence?

No.
I've got a picture of Nadal and Monaco holding the trophies now though, maybe if I manage to crop out Monaco that counts as a title defence.

The whole of Monaco?!

[Haddie-nuff]

Well played Ferrer he overcame Dr Ivo's 30 aces .  Vamos Daveed

[It Must Be Love]

If you win a singles title and the next year win the doubles edition of the title, does that count as a defence?

No.
I've got a picture of Nadal and Monaco holding the trophies now though, maybe if I manage to crop out Monaco that counts as a title defence.

The whole of Monaco?!

Yes you can only see his face and upper body in the picture I'm cropping though.

[summerblues]

Brisbane Final 4 is really good...

That would be a very nice SF line-up for a slam.

[summerblues]

Nishi vs Rao scheduled for 10pm my time and Fed vs Dimi for midnight.

I will try to catch some of that; nice to have tennis back.  Dimi sounding fairly confident ahead of the match.

[Haddie-nuff]

http://rafaelnadalfans.com/


I think there is no question that Rafa knew he and his friend were a team

[Haddie-nuff]

http://www.nadalnews.com/2015/01/09/doha-doubles-final-photos/#more-55296

And more !!!

[summerblues]

Nishi the better player so far. No service breaks yet but Nishi deservedly took the first set when he always looked the more threatening player.

[summerblues]

Raonic takes the second set on a TB. All in all deserved too as he was the one with better chances this set. Bedtime for me.

[Jahu]

Raonic wins on TB 3rd set.

Serena wins on TB.

Fed takes Dimis first serve.

[Jahu]

Fed 5:1 up.

Come in Dimi, give us something.

[Jahu]

Fed wins 6:2, 6:2.

Woke up just for this match, boooringggggg

[summerblues]

Too bad Nishi lost last night.

Watching Fed vs Dimi now. Roger playing quite well, good to see that.

[summerblues]

Stan breaks Goffin to take the first set.

[summerblues]

...and breaks Goffin again for 2:0 in the second set.

[Silver]

Three break-back points go wanting for Goffin...

Ferrer serving for 1st set against the Berd in Doha.

[summerblues]

and Stan is broken back after a long game.

[summerblues]

Stan takes it 7:5 6:3. Good job.

[It Must Be Love]

Surfaces need to get slower

[Jahu]

What? Get off your Nadal sponsored Kool-aid

[LuvSports!]

Ferrer beats Banana Berd Brain

[temporary21]

HOW berd keeps losing this easily given the way he hits it during the match should be a million dollar problem to solve...
How can he not be confident and switched on when he can rip the ball away from people like that.

[Jahu]

Holy momma, Baghdatis-Harrison tomorrow on Happy Valley Challenger Final !!

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