Shanghai Match Thread

[It Must Be Love]

Djokovic defending champion, and the race for WTF hots up !

[It Must Be Love]

Nadal has a very good draw here, can he take advantage of it though ?

[TRuffin]

Nadal has a very good draw here, can he take advantage of it though ?

If the courts are playing slow like in Bejing (though that didn't work out for him), Nadal has a great draw. If playing faster, then Nadal has some big hitters in his half like Isner, Raonic who could knock him out.

It's true, the other half of the draw is more heavily weighted and interesting with Djokovic, Fed, Murray, Dimitrov, Nishi,etc. I think we might see someone other than Djoko or Fed come out of that half.

[It Must Be Love]

Raonic can trouble him; not Isner though from what I've seen of him this year.

[It Must Be Love]

Cilic lost early here; Gasquet went through.

[LuvSports!]

Wins for Isner, Dimi, gasquet, karlovic, monaco, anderson, lu, sock and jaziri

[laverfan]

I want Gulbis/Thiem to win the Shanghai Doubles.

[The Special Juan]

In a bit of good news for Murray, Gary Neville (ERV) has taken the first set v Janowicz.

[The Special Juan]

Poor old Teymuraz hasn't done much wrong but has lost the first set 6-1. Janowicz-Neville are at 5-4* in the 3rd.

[The Special Juan]

It's turned scrappy on centre, from both players. Janowicz d. Neville 3-6 7-5 7-6 (8)

[Mad for Chelsea]

Murray fights back from 3-5 down in the second set to take it 7-5, played some good stuff at the end. Gabashvilli just getting nothing out of his serve (56% won on first serve, 36% on second, you won't win many matches with stats like that).

Looked sharp did Andy, hopefully there's even more to come.

[Born Slippy]

With Rafa suffering from appendicitis, this looks a good chance for Raonic to get some more easy points towards wtf qualification.

[HM Murdock]

With Rafa suffering from appendicitis, this looks a good chance for Raonic to get some more easy points towards wtf qualification.

If Rafa is seriously impaired, this is the most lop-sided draw I can remember for a while.

Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Nishikori in the same half.

Rafa could have the plague and probably still make it to the final!

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray fights back from 3-5 down in the second set to take it 7-5, played some good stuff at the end. Gabashvilli just getting nothing out of his serve (56% won on first serve, 36% on second, you won't win many matches with stats like that).

Looked sharp did Andy, hopefully there's even more to come.

Still too much inconsistency in his play for my liking though hunger, desire seems back. Very good in the first set and much less so in the second set. Still, hopefully, he can go deep here and at least reach the quarters and Djokovic.

[It Must Be Love]

ffs Nadal could probably get injured playing Wii Tennis

[laverfan]

... could have the plague ...

These days are earmarked for Ebola, not Bubonic Plague.

[kingraf]

Maybe it's just me... but Wawrinka looks a little round.

[The Special Juan]

I don't like the new challenge camera angle at this tournament, but it does make it seem more "realistic".

[The Special Juan]

Let me guess - Janowicz to hit a lot of drop shots in the first few games before they completely evaporate from his game. Winner plays Ferrer, who overcame Klizan in 3. Fat Stan is also out after hitting far too many UEs against Gilles "Simone".

[The Special Juan]

The good news (from my point of view) is that Dimitrov is a set and a break down to Benneteau. As if that's going to last though!

[CaledonianCraig]

The good news (from my point of view) is that Dimitrov is a set and a break down to Benneteau.  As if that's going to last though!

It has lasted Bennetteau wins in straight sets.

[The Special Juan]

Goodness! Benneteau winning a big match? There will be blue snow next!

[The Special Juan]

Very good from Murray to take the set 7-5. His serve and UE count have been the highlights.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray takes the first set 7-5. He has looked bullet-proof on his serve but his return game has been a bit in and out at times.

[The Special Juan]

Janowicz well beaten in the end. Murray should have enough to get past Ferrer, then the real task begins.......

[Mad for Chelsea]

Murray gets it done in pretty imperious fashion. Solid as anything on serve and created plenty of opportunities on return, proving far too good for Janowicz. I like what I'm seeing from Andy at the moment, he seems to have his fighting spirit back.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Janowicz winning just 38% of points behind his second serve, that's not going to get the job done.

Physically Murray looks fine, which is good news as others seem to be struggling a little (Nishikori for instance, apparently had the trainer on today in his defeat to Sock).

[CaledonianCraig]

MfC yes there are signs of improvement and reasons for more optimism but I feel there is still much work to be done on the consistency and confidence front. Other results went his way today in that Wawrinka, Dimitrov and Nishikori all lost so he will (at the very least) nibble away at the lead those have in front of him in the race for London.

[kingraf]

Does a Wawrinka defeat really go his way though? Surely for all intents and purposes, Wawrinka is through?

[Mad for Chelsea]

I think Dimitrov has blown his chance TBH, suspect he's just run out of steam after his first full season at the very top. Perhaps not surprising, but he'll be back.

Consistency has never been a strong point for Murray really, even in his slam wins he was maddeningly inconsistent: anyone remember US Open, where he had two comfortable matches, then looked to all the world like he would lose to Lopez in R3, demolished Raonic in R4, before looking in real trouble for a set and a half against Cilic in the QF, etc. Wimbledon of course and the Verdasco match (he also went a set down in the SF).

[Mad for Chelsea]

on a side-note, some interesting analysis after the Murray match, particularly enjoyed the point about Murray taking a step out wide on the deuce court to cover the wide serve, a big weapon of Janowicz (standing about half a yard wider than he did in R1).

[dummy_half]

Does a Wawrinka defeat really go his way though? Surely for all intents and purposes, Wawrinka is through?

I think Cilic's early defeat here means Stan must be through. The only scenario where he could have missed out would be if Cilic finished 8th and he finished 9th or 10th. While it may be (just about) mathematically possible for him to drop that far, there is no way I can't see how it can happen in a manner that Cilic finishes ahead of him as well.

Most probably, by the end of this week Stan will be guaranteed a top 7 spot anyway, which means Cilic is also safely qualified even if he falls below 8th.

[laverfan]

Nadal gone.

[The Special Juan]

Djokovic looks as lean and mean as I've ever seen him.

[dummy_half]

Nadal gone.

Surprised (and impressed) that he even played If he is being treated for appendicitis. One occasion where it is reasonable to say Rafa's loss owes rather a lot to a compromised physical condition.

Surely Berdych can't fail to reach the final now - Wawrinka, Ciliic, Raonic and Nadal all out of his side of the draw. Probably his toughest match before the final is his next one against Gasquet...

[The Special Juan]

Boring Milos is also out - withdrew.  I fancy Berdy to get another slapping here from Djokovic.

@dh he dismantled Gasquet today 3 & 1.

[It Must Be Love]

Nadal gone.

One occasion where it is reasonable to say Rafa's loss owes rather a lot to a compromised physical condition.

There have been many occasions, unfortunately.

[laverfan]

Nadal gone.

One occasion where it is reasonable to say Rafa's loss owes rather a lot to a compromised physical condition.

There have been many occasions, unfortunately.

He should have withdrawn and saved some energy. It would prevent further aggravation of the appendix as well.

[CaledonianCraig]

With Raonic retiring from his match today I think I might be right in saying if Murray beats Ferrer tomorrow he moves into the top eight above Raonic.

[Mad for Chelsea]

I think you're right CC, since Raonic had a bye to R2 he doesn't get any points for this tournament, so a QF for Murray (180 pts) would push him 5 pts above Raonic.

[laverfan]

Set 1 to the Old Man vs Mayer.

[The Special Juan]

Mayer's had a very good year so far. I think he's won his first title and has risen into the top 40. I certainly don't think he has enough to trouble Federer though. Despite his big hitting game he's quite inconsistent.

[The Special Juan]

Federer using colourful language

[dummy_half]

Federer using colourful language

That's the South African side, not the Swiss one

[Jahu]

Hahah, nice one.

Come on Mayer, send him home, he has so many Rolexes anyway, who cares.

[Jahu]

Fed saves 2 MP, 5:5 third set.

Fed on Shopping mode trip.

[Jahu]

Fed wins. Great third set, top TB, Mayer a little tears on his eyes.

[LuvSports!]

FEDS YOU BEAUTY! SAVES MATCH POINTS!!! ALLEZ! CHUM JETZE! COOOMMEEE ON!

[TRuffin]

What fight from Fed and credit to Mayer as well! Fed now moves into the #2 ranking. Just amazing.

Fed won't win the tournament- certainly won't beat Djokovic in this form- but the #2 seeding is important if he can hold it through the AO.

[TRuffin]

Has anyone ever seen a less balanced draw than what is left now? The Nadal half is completely decimated.

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