ATP 250 Open 13 Marseille, Buenos Aires, Memphis......

First topic message reminder :

Fantastic match between Delpo and Davydenko.

Davydenko saves 2 set points and serving for a tie-break.

Davy showing excellent form after a long time and is a joy to watch. Delpo firing on all cylinders.

At least, everyone understands Mugro in his on court post match interview....

Back to Raonic match...Raonic is so old-school, very nice

Super volleying from young Milos!

Raonic uncomfortable in 6+ rallies. Serving for the match and final against Melzer, who managed to beat Radek despite having broken one of his toes, after tripping on the bedcover o onthe floor in his hotel room the night before....

Nalby Ferrer started, anyone watching?

Yes I am ...a bit...surprised to see Nalbandian returning that far back. Not his style typically. Nalby has always had trouble v Ferrer. I can't quite know why.

Tenez wrote:Yes I am ...a bit...surprised to see Nalbandian returning that far back. Not his style typically. Nalby has always had trouble v Ferrer. I can't quite know why.

Probably the mental acknowledgement that he won't get any cheap points...

Light seems to be a bit "dark"...

Much, much better tennis than in Stan Almugro match.

At least stan played three sets.

Spanish breadstick being served for Nalby.

Well, not as "tight" as I predicted, still 1st set goes to Ferrer...

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:Yes I am ...a bit...surprised to see Nalbandian returning that far back. Not his style typically. Nalby has always had trouble v Ferrer. I can't quite know why.

Probably the mental acknowledgement that he won't get any cheap points...

Very good point. He certainly seems to force his luck in that match.

laverfan wrote:At least stan played three sets.

Spanish breadstick being served for Nalby.

Stan loves his time on court, it's either 5 or 3 setters with him....

Actually their H2H is 7/5 Ferrer...much less one sided than I thought despite the many off years of Nalby.

But Nalby never won on clay. It's 5/3 Nalby when not considering clay.

.....a bit like Federer and Nadal.

Personally, I always thought Nalbandian was overrated.

Wind looking a bit wild at the moment....

yep crazy....the crowd is leaving.

And that's that ... screen frozen play suspended?

noleisthebest wrote:Personally, I always thought Nalbandian was overrated.

Not me. He is in my view the second most talented player out there. However I agree that besides talent he has't got much else.

Tenez wrote:But Nalby never won on clay. It's 5/3 Nalby when not considering clay.

.....a bit like Federer and Nadal.

Yes apart from the fact Ferrer doesn't lead by 9 and doesn't have a 5-1 outdoor hard court record against Nalbandian. And without indoor hard court Ferrer's record isn't 18-5.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Personally, I always thought Nalbandian was overrated.

Not me. He is in my view the second most talented player out there. However I agree that besides talent he has't got much else.

He's all yours...to woody for my liking. Not enough flair, I mean he's OK, decent all-courter,but doesn't stand out for me.

The match is back on !

Correction, the call was NOT good!
It's just that the screen "defrosted" now showing crowd and players leaving....well, that'll be nightie night for and from me

I have to say after watching Del Po and Tsonga that i am very impressed with the caliber of field turning up for Marseille. If Del Po wins this tournament, which he looks favored to do it would be a big accomplishment he had probably the toughest draw of any of the top players in this tournament getting Davy in the 3rd round, then Gazza in the quarters and Tsonga in the semi. A murders row of guys to win a measley 250.

Can young Milos win his third tournament this year? - great to see one of the young guns on a bit of a run.

time please wrote:Can young Milos win his third tournament this year? - great to see one of the young guns on a bit of a run.

Memphis's his to lose.

Anyone watching Delpo Llodra?

Yes. Llodra played the ninth game very badly.

BP for Llodra 0/0.

laverfan wrote:Yes. Llodra played the ninth game very badly.

Still, keeping him self alive in the match....

Gets broken again, some silly mistakes and the net chord.

Llodra, king of backhand volleys

Crowd grumpier and frownier than ever....

Brilliant, gutsy hold from Llodra.

Good hold. The French crowd wants Llodra to win.

4-3 DelPo. Fight Llodra.

Make Delpo serve for the match.

0-30 for Llodra.

DelPo Title #10.

And that was that...

Back to GOAT debate

So as predicted Delpo won. He is more solid than we think. I actually was happy to have him as an early flotter for the top seeds but clearly he will be in the top 8 very soon....if not already.

IN fact Delpo wins 205 points I believe which places him to 9th....very close to Fish.

I still doubt that Delpo will give much effort in Dubai. Let's see he might surprise me.

Tenez,

I'm beginning to like Berdych more than Delpo for some reason. Who do you give better chances this year?
They're both kind of at the similar phase of their career: time to let the racquets talk.

noleisthebest wrote:Tenez,

I'm beginning to like Berdych more than Delpo for some reason. Who do you give better chances this year?
They're both kind of at the similar phase of their career: time to let the racquets talk.

Really? Berdych will never have the mental strength to win a slam (By cursing him I am probably giving him his best chance ). Besides as we saw in Rotterdam, Delpo can handle Berdych's pace whereas Berdych coudl not handle Delpo's (I have not seen the match match though) but the H2H shows clearly who has the measure of the othe other.

And I never quite liked Berdych for some reasons.

He is better looking though I grant you that.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Tenez,

I'm beginning to like Berdych more than Delpo for some reason. Who do you give better chances this year?
They're both kind of at the similar phase of their career: time to let the racquets talk.

Really? Berdych will never have the mental strength to win a slam (By cursing him I am probably giving him his best chance ). Besides as we saw in Rotterdam, Delpo can handle Berdych's pace whereas Berdych coudl not handle Delpo's (I have not seen the match match though) but the H2H shows clearly who has the measure of the othe other.

And I never quite liked Berdych for some reasons.

He is better looking though I grant you that.

I haven't liked Bird for a long time, too. I think he's turned corner last year as a competitor.

I like Delpo as well, but prefer Bird's ground strokes, much easier power and smoother, breathtaking in real life, in fact. Shame he stays on the base line all the time, unforgivable for a guy of his size.

As for looks, definitely easier on the eye than Delpo, but not quite my type as I don't like MAGS (modren age guys).

Another frankly predictable performance from a Frenchie on home turf in the final, nothing to take away from Del Po of course, he's clearly a more worthy top 8 inclusion than Lardy Mardy.

noleisthebest wrote: much easier power and smoother

Yes you right again. I saw him live a few times at Wimbledon...versus Nadal and more recently versus ....can't remember the name..but no he seems to have a demeasured ego with little understanding of human relationship.

Yes you right again. I saw him live a few times at Wimbledon...versus Nadal and more recently versus ....can't remember the name..but no he seems to have a demeasured ego with little understanding of human relationship.

Must be something in the Czech Republic's water, him and Lendl are made from the same cloth.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote: much easier power and smoother

Yes you right again. I saw him live a few times at Wimbledon...versus Nadal and more recently versus ....can't remember the name..but no he seems to have a demeasured ego with little understanding of human relationship.

Interesting point about his ego. He appears to be very passionate and not skilful at controlling his temper (but got better lately). Losses keep that nasty side of him in check, fortunately. He'd probably be unbearable if he was beating everyone.

Can't imagine him having too many friends on tour, his two guys in the box are a bit off-putting. Bird could do with a change of coach, someone to shake his game up a bit before it's too late.