ATP Cincinatti quaterfinals

Thought I'd put up a match thread.

Murray v Simon (aka Pusher A v Pusher B)
Nadal (The Nadull) v Fish
Federer v Berdych (Birdface)
Djokovic v Monfils (The Clown)

It's starting to get interesting.

Possible upsets:
Nadal losing to Fish
Federer losing to Berdych

As expected, the Murray/simon match is turning into a real push fest.

Expect some very long rallies.

I bet Murray and Simon hate playing each other.

Most of the winners in this match are drop shots or slices.

Murray gets the first set 6-3

Simon's having to work so hard just to get a point.

Murray 4:1 up in the second set. Looks like this one's in the bag for Muzzer.

Fish takes the first set 6:3

Nadal playing better than yesterday. Fish playing very well.

The commentattors are ridiculously biased in favour of Fish.

Uh oh, Nadal calling for medical trainer.

Nadal looks very irritated here. Fingers? Weary? Feeling it slipping a bit?

Trainer on though, but it's only for strapping the left hand fingers.

That was a weird medical time out. Initially it was for the taping on his fingers - which was not adjusted.

Then in the next change over the trainer came back - this time to adjust some taping on Nadal's foot.

PMac just said he thinks it was tactical as there was nothing wrong with him.

Fish beats Nadal 6-3 6-4

Fish is the second hottest guy on tour right now, good for Mardy. He always had the most talent of the American guys that rose to the top and his health and fitness are finally not letting him down now that he has committed.

Fish is striking the ball so cleanly lately, nothing too flashy just proper aggresive tennis, not over thinking the situation and the opponent. I hope that Fish beats Murray tomorrow and gets another chance at lifting a MS 1000 title, cause he's deserving of it more than most others out there.

The big Bird is destroying Fed right now.

Yes, emancipator double break to lose set 1 6-2, Berdy is just hitting right through Roger.

Roger always plays passively or sprays shots long and wide when playing against this guy. His head isn't right, when was the last time he even got a final of MS 1000?

No way Federer's gonna beat Djokovic playing like this (if he makes it through, which is looking dubious)...

Well all to play for still at 5-6 Roger up on serve in the second. I think if Roger can find away to steal this set eventhough berdy is playing better he is still in with a shout. But most likely look for Berdy to take it.

Fed crumbling at 6-3 in tiebreak.

Backhand winner from Tomas seals the coup de grace. 6-2, 7-6.

I only tuned in to the match in the tiebreak.

Roger's forehand disappeared in that tiebreak. Four forehand errors. When is the last time that happened?

With this form, Roger would be lucky to make it out of the first week of the US Open.

I thought Fed looked pretty dismal against Blake aswell.

Not in the least surprised that he lost today.

He's got absolutely no rythmn on his groundstrokes.

Agreed emancipator.

Frankly, todays Roger would be lucky to get more than a game a set against his 2005 self.

If Roger's form stays at this level in the US Open, I would half expect retirement at the end of the season. He has nothing to prove, an amazing legacy and, after the heights he has reached, it can't be much fun to so frequently be at a lower level.

Indeed; his game has fallen away so far that there seems little point in carrying on, just making people feel good by beating him. He's always said he'll play while he enjoys it and he may well just see this as a challenge and fight on but unless something very extreme happens I can't see the point.

Once the movement hoes the rest goes with it. It's why the serve is still fine - it doesn't rely on movement - but everything else has gone.

I think Nadal will be finding the same thing quite soon too.

If he keeps playing like this I can't see much of a point in continuing for Roger unless it comes from just a love the game.

Well I can't see Roger still playing if he falls out the 8 and is not allowed to enter the Masters Cup, I really think that 8th is the lowest ranking where he would continue playing, seeing the top 8 battle it out for a title he's won 5 times would probably be too painful.

Thing is though if Fed did stop tennis, he would also lose out on sponsors. Perhaps the sponsors have a bigger role to play with him than some people think.

Do you think he needs the money? Sure, he may be incredibly greedy but there's no evidebce that way and as he's been made richer through tennis than anyone before him it would be unlikely to be a factor.

I think you're right about #8. If he carries on like this is could be with him next year.

The match against Del Potro was pretty good compared to Blake/Berdy matches.

Would like to see him play aggressive @USO 2011.