ATP 500 Basel 2011

by noleisthebest Sat 29 Oct 2011, 10:31 pm

First topic message reminder :

After a long pre off-season season, a week of delicious tennis is upon us.

The field is studded with top hard-courters lead by The Best, the In-Hot-Form and the Goat, formerly known as the local ball-boy.

Also in Basel we have: Berdych, Wawrinka, Fish, Tispsarevic, Roddick, Ljubicic.

The tournament sounds great on paper, and it's a shame we are missing French players Tsonga and Monfils.

The big question has been answered: Federer falls in Murray's half (cooo, I must say that sounds weird...)

The draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2011/328/mds.pdf

Matches start tomorrow, with the "big" names probably starting on Tuesday, Nole's first match against Malisse starts at 17.30.

Order of play (the final) for Sunday, 6th of November

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2011/328/op.pdf

Provided he continues where he stopped in September form-wise, Nole should get through his half safely. The juicy question is: who will be on the other side of the net this time next week?

by wow Sat 05 Nov 2011, 10:20 pm

Also, if they keep dropping like this then another slam no 1rank shouldnt be beyond TMF.

by lydian Sat 05 Nov 2011, 10:21 pm

Probably nitb, we know Kei is in awe of Fed so not easy to play him in a final on Fed's home turf. But it should be a good match to watch though.

Yep, Nole needs to give it rest before it becomes a properly chronic problem like Roddick and Henman, for example, have had. And shoulder problems (or any serving problems) can detract focus from the rest of the player's game. Its a racing certainty he wont be at Paris now.

by hawkeye Sat 05 Nov 2011, 10:26 pm

Jahu wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:
hawkeye wrote:Djokovics loss makes me sad I won't get to see him play Federer...

Hawkeye, are you the same poster as Jahu?

No, he's not me as I'm much better looking

So Kei wasn't just good tonight, he produced some superb points and great point construction.

As hawkeye said, I do miss Djoko going to final as I wanted him to be there and take a serious humiliation from Fed, but Kei did it even better with a doughnut.

Now this being Basel, with Kei showing such a performance tonight and the crowd totally with him, I wouldn't mind Kei winning tomorrow against Fed, tough but would be so much for Kei.

I have just checked in the mirror (twice) and I have to disagree I am much better looking than Jahu... I am also a she. I have to also disagree with Kei winning tomorrow. Much as I like him and admire his style. I'll be cheering hard for Federer. He needs this win and so does mens tennis.

A confident Federer going into 2012 can only be a good thing. I want no more talk of decline and or retirement for as long as possable...

by Jahu Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:03 pm

hawkeye, I would retract my beauty contest comparison, but I kind of lost my voice tonight cheering for Kei. Even a few Russians sitting behind me with Djoko shirts/Flags turned against Djoko, and after they were supporting Wawrinka as in who ever beats Fed is good.

Here's a pic for you.

Spoiler:

by noleisthebest Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:15 pm

Jahu wrote:hawkeye, I would retract my beauty contest comparison, but I kind of lost my voice tonight cheering for Kei. Even a few Russians sitting behind me with Djoko shirts/Flags turned against Djoko, and after they were supporting Wawrinka as in who ever beats Fed is good.

Here's a pic for you.

Spoiler:

Since you're into beauty contests, why don't you post YOUR picture here, so we can all vote...gotta have some fun on THIS Saturday nite ... Laugh

by FedsFan Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:18 pm

Djoker is in Nadal's head wrote:this means murray will win this beating fed and nole.

Erm...not he wont!

by wow Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:33 pm

Had he played then who knows!

by Jahu Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:38 pm

noleisthebest wrote:
Since you're into beauty contests, why don't you post YOUR picture here, so we can all vote...gotta have some fun on THIS Saturday nite ...

If you are F too, then you win. See, I was trying to be fashionable and genderless, but kind of lost in translation Rolling Eyes

So will Fed overtake Andy in rankings on Monday? Is he getting Paris too now? And WTF? Getting out of order now but just asking.

by hawkeye Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:49 pm

Jahu

Only strong people can admit defeat...

Thanks for the picture. I have to admit to being jealous that you were there.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 06 Nov 2011, 8:56 am

Jahu wrote:
noleisthebest wrote:
Since you're into beauty contests, why don't you post YOUR picture here, so we can all vote...gotta have some fun on THIS Saturday nite ...

So will Fed overtake Andy in rankings on Monday?

As far as I understand it he won't overtake Andy Murray on Monday. He won Basel last year so all he is doing is defending the points he won last year. Heaven forbid if there was a shock and Nishikori won today Federer would actually fall further behind Andy as I understand it.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 9:14 am

Jahu wrote:
So will Fed overtake Andy in rankings on Monday? Is he getting Paris too now? And WTF? Getting out of order now but just asking.

No.But should he win today, Federer cuts his deficit to Murray down to 1005 in the year end race. So Federer would need to score 1005 points more than Muray in teh las 2 tournaments of a possible 2500 points. No easy task but feasible.

It could get easier after the AO.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 11:41 am

It remains to be seen whether Djokovic can recover but all this does tend to back up those of us who believe the game has been engineered to become far too dependant on physical endurance and retrieval. Do we really want players breaking down like this - it's not like Nole has even played a particularly massive number of matches.

by Jahu Sun 06 Nov 2011, 2:21 pm

Magic first game. Kei serving and from 40:0 Fed wins it.

by **laverfan** Sun 06 Nov 2011, 2:46 pm

Feel bad for Kei, being put to the sword imperiously (as the commentator says). DF on SP. Sad

by Jahu Sun 06 Nov 2011, 2:51 pm

6:1 first.

by **laverfan** Sun 06 Nov 2011, 3:10 pm

Jahu wrote:6:1 first.

Envious of you sitting in that stadium. Wink

by Jahu Sun 06 Nov 2011, 3:31 pm

Done 6:1, 6:3, in 1:10 min. Wouldn't of minded the third set but this will do. Now got to go and have dinner with Fed.....not!

by Josiah Maiestas Sun 06 Nov 2011, 3:47 pm

Fed is indoor king Cool

by **laverfan** Sun 06 Nov 2011, 3:58 pm

Well played Federer. Nishikori, full of promise. Good for TD to give him a WC.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 4:51 pm

Very much an understated masterclass from Federer; looks in good nick for Paris and London.

Once again we get to see what it looks like to have a player taking the ball ridiculously early (2nd serve was being taken halfway to the serice box), and the variety was wonderful. We have to treasure these appearances, we won't have then for that much longer.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 4:55 pm

bogbrush wrote:Very much an understated masterclass from Federer; looks in good nick for Paris and London.

Once again we get to see what it looks like to have a player taking the ball ridiculously early (2nd serve was being taken halfway to the serice box), and the variety was wonderful. We have to treasure these appearances, we won't have then for that much longer.

Yes, the Valancia final is simply in a completely different league! Awful!!!!

by **laverfan** Sun 06 Nov 2011, 4:57 pm

Valencia final heading towards a TB. Granollers missed an MP.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun 06 Nov 2011, 5:13 pm

actually found the Valencia final to be most entertaining. Full marks to Granollers who beat Monfils and Del Potro on his way to the final, and has finally clinched his first title.

by Jahu Sun 06 Nov 2011, 5:55 pm

bogbrush wrote:Very much an understated masterclass from Federer; looks in good nick for Paris and London.

Once again we get to see what it looks like to have a player taking the ball ridiculously early (2nd serve was being taken halfway to the serice box), and the variety was wonderful. We have to treasure these appearances, we won't have then for that much longer.

Couldn't agree more. For anyone that calls himself a real tennis fan (excluding people who are obsessed with a single player bordering on blindness) seeing Fed is a revelation, athleticism & art. He's getting older and slower, but the masterclass of shot making, point construction, foot work, movement and that gorgeous FH, makes it a unique experience to watch.

Sure there are grinders, retrievers, powerful and painful ways of winning a match, but the beauty of Feds game is on a different planet.

Love him or hate him, you got to give respect to the guy and his achievement which eclipses any one to one rivalry or loses that he has had to other players.

by lydian Sun 06 Nov 2011, 5:55 pm

its Granollers 3rd title

by Guest Sun 06 Nov 2011, 6:08 pm

Hello

Awesome display from fed today.

Razor sharp. Movement looked great, BH solid, FH majestic, great serving and nice touch at the net.

The best I've seen him since the FO.

Given that the Basel surface and balls this year were a replica of the conditions expected at the WTF, I give him a good shout at getting number six and the record.
ghost

emancipator

by **laverfan** Sun 06 Nov 2011, 6:12 pm

Federer is defending 1500 points at WTF. It would be nice for him to defend WTF and keep the points.

by legendkillar Sun 06 Nov 2011, 6:41 pm

Well played Federer. The BH was awesome today. I think Nishikori has had a splended week. Let's hope he can continue his good recent form.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 7:53 pm

Goddammit, if only Wimbledon still had the fast skiddy bounce......

But then Roddick would say the same.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 7:58 pm

bogbrush wrote:Goddammit, if only Wimbledon still had the fast skiddy bounce......

But then Roddick would say the same.

True but on fast conds, one needs quick hands....and Roddick hasn't quick hands. His serve will help him up to a point.

I have a feeling conds are going to speed up across surfaces in 2012.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 8:06 pm

I think Roddick may have pinched a Wimbledon in 90's conditions, his serve would have been almost untouchable. It's tough to call, his final appearances were against young Fed who read his serve like a well-thumbed book.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 8:38 pm

bogbrush wrote:I think Roddick may have pinched a Wimbledon in 90's conditions, his serve would have been almost untouchable. It's tough to call, his final appearances were against young Fed who read his serve like a well-thumbed book.

In the 90s most followed their serve with great volleys. Roddick's strength was serve followed by FH. But yes he probably could have won a Wimby in the 90s but more so when they slowed it down a bit from 2002-2005. Nowadaysit's way too slow.

by yummymummy Sun 06 Nov 2011, 9:20 pm

Sorry to disappoint you Fed fans but there is no way Roger

can win enough points at this time of the year to overtake

Andy @ Number 3

ATP 500 Basel 2011 - Page 8 479796

by wow Sun 06 Nov 2011, 9:24 pm

I am a fedfan rather a die hard fedfan and I have no whatsoever problems with Andy being no. 3. I would love to see Andy taking over from Fed and always thought so but Andy hasnot fulfilled that yet. Maybe 2012 we will see Andy winning more and more.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 10:37 pm

Check the stats yummy, it's easily done.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 10:43 pm

Is number 3, the new number 1?

by Calder106 Sun 06 Nov 2011, 10:52 pm

wow wrote:I am a fedfan rather a die hard fedfan and I have no whatsoever problems with Andy being no. 3. I would love to see Andy taking over from Fed and always thought so but Andy hasnot fulfilled that yet. Maybe 2012 we will see Andy winning more and more.

Cheers Wow. Hoping to see them play each other in the Paris S/F's this week. Not predicting a winner. Would be interesting to see how they currently match up. Never thought it would happen in Basel even before Murray pulled out but think there is more chance in Paris.

by bogbrush Sun 06 Nov 2011, 10:53 pm

Tenez wrote:Is number 3, the new number 1?

I think Federer would be bemused at the suggestion that 3/4 matters a jot.

by Calder106 Sun 06 Nov 2011, 11:10 pm

bogbrush wrote:
Tenez wrote:Is number 3, the new number 1?

I think Federer would be bemused at the suggestion that 3/4 matters a jot.

Wolud tend to agree with you bogbrush. Been there, done that (and a lot more), got the t-shirt etc. However I'm not so sure. He is a proud man (quite rightly so) and I would think he doesn't like people passing him. I expect him to go all out to try and regain that 3rd slot this year.

by Tenez Sun 06 Nov 2011, 11:38 pm

Calder106 wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
Tenez wrote:Is number 3, the new number 1?

I think Federer would be bemused at the suggestion that 3/4 matters a jot.

Wolud tend to agree with you bogbrush. Been there, done that (and a lot more), got the t-shirt etc. However I'm not so sure. He is a proud man (quite rightly so) and I would think he doesn't like people passing him. I expect him to go all out to try and regain that 3rd slot this year.

He is actually too proud to care about those petty achievements. It's all about being number one as Borg said to McEnroe once....when they were both overtaken by Lendl.

by invisiblecoolers Mon 07 Nov 2011, 1:45 am

@Tenez, yea Fed would not worry whether its no.2, or no.3, or no.4 or top 50, the only number he would worry is being no.1 if he can't any other number is same , he still has that desire to be no.1 for one more time, and I guess he will make it before he retires.

by bogbrush Mon 07 Nov 2011, 6:55 am

He has said that #4 matters because if he's #5 he may get 3 of his peers.

Basically, he's saying that outside of #1 the ranking matters only in terms of how it affects his Slam chances.

by **laverfan** Mon 07 Nov 2011, 7:13 am

Federer was very complimentary of Nishikori, before and after the match.

Before the match...

"I warmed him up today, and I hit with him five years ago in Miami," Federer said of the 21-year-old Nishikori, who lost his only other final this year in Houston last spring to Amrican Ryan Sweeting.

"I know he's very talented with a lot of potential. But then he got injured and didn't rise in the rankings like maybe he should have.

"He's got great shots and has been on fire for the past month. He's got a quick arm as well. I've got to go out there and take advantage of my chances."

From a link posted on another forum -
http://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/Federer-on-giant-killer-alert-20111105

After the match...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/2011/11/Basel-2011-Final-Highlights.aspx (2:15+)

Eating pizza with the ball kids, special. Cool

Regarding the rankings, it may help his chances at slams, but that is perhaps not the main driver, but the chances it presents are.

by time please Mon 07 Nov 2011, 10:38 am

It was quite an emotional victory wasn't it? He needed a win. clap

The Mighty One. Poor Nishikori looked a little overwhelmed, and a trifle slow at first, but then I thought there was some lovely play from him, in the last game for instance. Although the scoreline shows a domination by Fed, it was a very watchable match and I really look forward to seeing Kei Nishikori play again - as you say laver, good for the TD to have given him a WC.

I agree with others on here - there is one ranking that means everything to him and that is Numero Uno, after that he will not be focusing on climbing from 4 to 3 as his main aim, because it will not make a difference to him in difficulty in draws in the major events.

Having said all that, I am sure his pride has been bruised by Murray overtaking him.

by break_in_the_fifth Mon 07 Nov 2011, 5:58 pm

Only saw the first set but would have liked to have seen more from Nishikori even though I saw what I wanted from Fed. Good to see Fed finally win another tournament.

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