Rome Masters 1000 match thread

[lydian]

First topic message reminder :

So off we go again and Madrid isn't even done yet!

The home of gladiatorial sport sees the leading claycourters lock battle once again to the wonderful tree-lined backdrop. Rome Masters has been going since 1930 and seen many illustrious winners down the years including, some may not know, the current coach of Stanislas Wawrinka - Magnus Norman back in 2000 who beat none other than Gustavo Kuerten.



Can Nadal win his 7th title? Can Novak win his 3rd? Can Andy break his clay final duck? Can Roger get to another final...he's never won in Rome although held MPs in 2006.

It seems Rome always gives us great matches and interesting player arguments too!

Here's the interactive draw:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?EventId=416&Year=2013

[Silver]

I think Federer's going to go down fighting, if he's to lose. Seems like he's keen to get into the net and play aggressively, based on his pre-match comments and opening service game. Could be a good one!

[Jahu]

Becker in public, with some nasty sunglasses and mafia haircut.

[Silver]

Wow, Nadal looks red-hot so far. Hitting with some serious venom and shots are going deep even when forced onto the back foot. Early chance for him at 0-30?

[Jahu]

Power game so far, all chips in.

[Jahu]

Fed gifts a game with some silly UE's.

[ALPanorak]

With that break I think there goes the 0.001% chance Federer might have had of winning. Like Silver said, Nadal's groundstrokes are looking deadly, even the backhand is flying. Fed needs to cut these errors - but obviously easier said than done when Nadal is forcing the issue so well here

[kingraf]

I think Im not even going to focus on the winner (easy to say as a Nadal fan). Im just going to enjoy what is quite possibly the greatest individual rivalry in sports history (Journo hypebole). You get the sense that there arent too many clashes left now, and every one, especially finals,are worth gold dust.

That said, if Nadal wins here, that gives him and Rafa the 3-4 seeding for RG, right? Meaning they would need to meet in the final.

[LuvSports!]

Not sure i can watch this

[LuvSports!]

Rafa would be 3rd seed if murray pulls out.

[Silver]

I think I've seen Nadal miss about two shots all match so far, and with Fed spraying errors like this, it's looking very grim indeed.

Double break, Nadal on fire!

[Jahu]

Fed put to sleep by Nadals shots. Wake up you swiss chocolate.

[kingraf]

Bagel??

[LuvSports!]

He has won a game kingraf. Maybe a breadstick and a bagel.

[Jahu]

No shots of Fed going over the net, its all UE, a disaster.

[kingraf]

Sorry LS, Im following via live text. Missed the Federer game on the text.

[LuvSports!]

a point!

[Josiah Maiestas]

Federer shoulda left Paire to win, useless old git

[Jahu]

Is Fed doing this on purpose? Every shot our or in the net?

[Silver]

Well, that was an unbelievable set of tennis from Rafa. Fed wasn't exactly great, but most people would've been massacred there.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Unforced error machine

[Josiah Maiestas]

Well, that was an unbelievable set of tennis from Rafa. Fed wasn't exactly great, but most people would've been massacred there.

Gulbis says hi

[Gerry SA]

Damn Rafa's mauling Roger again...

Come on Rafa be kind! No need for a brutal beatdown!

[LuvSports!]

I think most would have done better than feds in that set.

[laverfan]

W/UEs Federer 5/15, Nadal 6/2.

Nadal . Just keep the ball in the court, and Fede(rror) will hand it over.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Damn Rafa's mauling Roger again...

Come on Rafa be kind! No need for a brutal beatdown!

Probably another 6-1 next set, Federer deserves it for that poor semi final performance

[laverfan]

6-0 next one. ALP was correct, like RG 2008.

[LuvSports!]

2 points in a row!

[LuvSports!]

runs over

[Gerry SA]

2 great points by Roger, followed by two slapped into the nets...grrrr!

[Josiah Maiestas]

3/3 on break points? Federer's serve is worse than Andy's

[kingraf]

At some point we need to stop calling this a rivalry. Its quite simple, really. On clay Nadal WILL win, on grass its worth a watch. Indoors, hard Federer will look so good fools will put money on him Winning the next eight slams. Outdoor hard, Nadal will still win.

[LuvSports!]

should have won this game

[The Special Juan]

At some point we need to stop calling this a rivalry. Its quite simple, really. On clay Nadal WILL win, on grass its worth a watch. Indoors, hard Federer will look so good fools will put money on him Winning the next eight slams. Outdoor hard, Nadal will still win.

Funnily enough, I was thinking that earlier (although it was Federer v Roddick). When does a rivalry stop being a rivalry?

[Gerry SA]

I hope Roger and Rafa aren't in the same half in Paris.

Roger could get a big time caning...

[supervisor]

Shocking performance from federer.

[Josiah Maiestas]

This is to be a massacre, Feds fighting spirit no longer exists

[Josiah Maiestas]

I hope Roger and Rafa aren't in the same half in Paris.

Roger could get a big time caning...

Its best for Roger to lose before another Nadal meeting at RG

[Jahu]

Worst net play from Fed ever. This is painful.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Don't believe am saying this, Ferrer is more of a match for Rafa than Fed is

[Gerry SA]

I hope Roger and Rafa aren't in the same half in Paris.

Roger could get a big time caning...

Its best for Roger to lose before another Nadal meeting at RG

It's 11 months since Rafa played at a major, so he could get nervous at Paris(clutching straws!)

[kingraf]

Can someone give me the current scoreline? My feed has frozen

[Gerry SA]

Can someone give me the current scoreline? My feed has frozen

6-1 3-0

[Silver]

Don't believe am saying this, Ferrer is more of a match for Rafa than Fed is

18-4 vs 19-10. Don't think so. At this particular tournament, yes. In general, not a chance in hell. Remember that Federer is generally incredibly difficult to blow off court without resistance, it's almost never happened in his entire career. RG'08 is famous, but it just doesn't normally happen.

[ALPanorak]

6-0 next one. ALP was correct, like RG 2008.

Always nice to get a prediction right although I do feel a bit sorry for the old Swiss master. But then I remember he's won 17 slams so I'm sure he'll sleep soundly tonight despite this battering

[Jahu]

6:1, 3:0

[michael_o]

Federer just seems desperate now to get off the court.

[Jahu]

Yeah, Fed seems to have an appointment with the Pope, and he's running late.

[Silver]

Federer's on the board in the 2nd.

Edit: just realised I'm 500 up, cool

[The Special Juan]

At least he's avoided the bagel.

[LuvSports!]

yes no bagels!!

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