2015 250-500 Tournaments Thread

by temporary21 Tue 06 Jan 2015, 2:46 pm

A thread intended for discussion of the smaller tournaments of the year. First up, its Doha.

by temporary21 Tue 06 Jan 2015, 2:47 pm

One thing ive noticed is that Berdych looks WAY leaner this year (he dispatched Istomin today). I wonder if hes looking to quicken himself up a bit.

by CaledonianCraig Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:35 pm

In Doha, Rafa Nadal has lost his First Round match against Michael Berrer in three sets. As I suspected on his Dubai showing Rafa still has some way to go to get back to a semblance of top form.

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:43 pm

Shambolic from Nadal, this is the end of his career I'm afraid.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:49 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:Shambolic from Nadal, this is the end of his career I'm afraid.

Oh my word !!! and you would have been the last one I would have thought would have got the boot in first. Doh

Didn't they all predict that two years ago.. !! ? whilst I never saw the match the outcome given his catalogue of injuries doesnot surprise me.. Rafa will know when it is time for him to retire.. until then....if he hangs in so will I

by CaledonianCraig Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:53 pm

Match time is key for Rafa just now. The more he can get matches under his belt the better. Are there any other tournies before the Australian Open he could make a late entry for to get more matches under his belt Haddie?

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:56 pm

Haddie Nuff wrote:Oh my word !!!

Look relax, I'm still going to be supporting the guy even when he's playing wheelchair doubles Challenger level with one arm.

However unfortunately his career at the top in able bodied singles is over, even Berdych has a better chance than him at the Australian Open.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 5:57 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:
Haddie Nuff wrote:Oh my word !!!
Look relax, I'm still going to be supporting the guy even when he's playing wheelchair doubles Challenger level with one arm.

However unfortunately his career at the top in able bodied singles is over, even Berdych has a better chance than him at the Australian Open.

In YOUR opinion !!!!

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:13 pm

CaledonianCraig wrote:Match time is key for Rafa just now. The more he can get matches under his belt the better. Are there any other tournies before the Australian Open he could make a late entry for to get more matches under his belt Haddie?

Im not sure CC I think he knows better than the rest of us that he needs match practice and Im sure that his expectations of the AO are not very high.. but to say that his career is over is taking it a bit far and I am confident if there is any doubt on that score Rafa will be the first to admit it. As I say until he says as much things should only get better. Hopefully there will be no more injuries

by CaledonianCraig Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:18 pm

Rafa is rusty to me that is abundantly clear. I won't be writing his career off on the back of a defeat in only his second week back after a few months out of tennis - to do so is just not fair or realistic.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:19 pm

CaledonianCraig wrote:Rafa is rusty to me that is abundantly clear. I won't be writing his career off on the back of a defeat in only his second week back after a few months out of tennis - to do so is just not fair or realistic.

Absolutely thumbsup

by CaledonianCraig Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:23 pm

As the Australian Open appears beyond him at his present state and with a need for court time I wonder if Rafa will retrace his route to South American clay courts and a number of 250's that he took last year in similar circumstances?

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:27 pm

Well I cant help but agree with that. I dont see punishing himself any further on hc in a fruitless exercise is going to help him recover, but he is not known for making it easy on himself is he ?? I would like to see him get back in shape on the dirt. Lets hope he sees sense.

by CaledonianCraig Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:32 pm

He has to do what is best for him and that depends on his aspirations. I am sure he'll still enter all hard court tournaments open to him as planned and hope things click into place sooner than later and he can have a good run at one or two of them but if not then the clay season will surely come at the right time and he can cram in as much tennis as possible in a bid to build fitness, confidence and consistency.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 6:40 pm

I believed 2yrs ago that Rafa's career was nearing its end.. and he proved me and the tennis world wrong. I have feared for Rafa ever since, knowing he is playing on borrowed time imo. But as I say CC he believes he can, so why should I not. I think we are all aware because of his style of play he will not be able to continue as long as Fed, and so does he. When he cannot compete at the level he knows he will need to in order to win matches .. then it will be adios amigo. But his will to win will keep him going for as long as his body can hold up

by LuvSports! Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:22 pm

Haddie he (not she Wink

) is doing what he (not she Wink

) always does and what he (not she Wink

) always does is jinx or not quite be completely honest about their chances (i.e. predicting rafa was outside top 5 faves for RG a year ago or so.)

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:28 pm

I was being facetious there as was quite obvious, people who kept a close eye on Almagro's form could see Almagro was actually outside the top 10 favourites, which was the key hint Wink

Anyway that was back when Nadal was competitive at the top of the game in the singles able bodied circuits.

Good news is Nadal has just won his double tie, and is through to the next round of the doubles. The thing about doubles, which I've learned from Bogbrush over the years, is that its physical exertions is hugely comparable and very similar to singles (cough).

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:29 pm

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:34 pm

LuvSports! wrote:Haddie he (not she ) is doing what he (not she ) always does and what he (not she ) always does is jinx or not quite be completely honest about their chances (i.e. predicting rafa was outside top 5 faves for RG a year ago or so.)

Ill have some of what ever your on Shocked

by temporary21 Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:36 pm

Didnt get to see it im afraid. Was it he was tired, or looking bad, or was he just wildly inconsistent?

by temporary21 Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:39 pm

In any case, it IS quite a lot to ask for him to be able to win the AUS with what 3 matches under his belt. I quite like the idea of going the latin route too. Hes old enough now for me for it not to be weird to specialise his schedule more for the GS's only.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 7:43 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:

String a few of those together and his career is far from over

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 9:42 pm

It aint over til that fat lady sings !!!!

Rafa quote..
At the end, that's the sport. I'm going to work hard to try to make it less tough as possible, but my motivation and my hunger to keep doing the things well [are] still the same. I am sure that I’m going to come back to my best. I hope to be soon.”

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 9:54 pm

by Guest Tue 06 Jan 2015, 10:38 pm

So the Nadull still hasn't managed to defend a title off clay. He may never accomplish this given he has no further non clay titles to attempt to defend this year. Lol

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 10:40 pm

emancipator wrote:So the Nadull still hasn't managed to defend a title off clay. He may never accomplish this given he has no further non clay titles to attempt to defend this year. Lol

oh so amusing Very Happy

by It Must Be Love Tue 06 Jan 2015, 10:44 pm

He won't be winning any more titles anyway.
His injury problems so far stopped him from stringing together two solid seasons in a row, which is the reason 'Nadull' hasn't defended a title off clay. He has won 2 titles in 3 years with one year gap both on clay and off clay.

by Haddie-nuff Tue 06 Jan 2015, 10:55 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:He won't be winning any more titles anyway.
His injury problems so far stopped him from stringing together two solid seasons in a row, which is the reason 'Nadull' hasn't defended a title off clay. He has won 2 titles in 3 years with one year gap both on clay and off clay.

Now why didn't I see the bandwagon coming...oops. !!! I so hope you have a spare wheel... laughing

Bookmarked !!!

notworthy

how cannot I now bow to these well informed opinions ghost

by Henman Bill Wed 07 Jan 2015, 1:16 am

IMBL, where would you rank Nadal in the FO favourites. Please give us a laugh and say it's like 13th or something.

by It Must Be Love Wed 07 Jan 2015, 1:20 am

Henman Bill wrote:IMBL, where would you rank Nadal in the FO favourites. Please give us a laugh and say it's like 13th or something.

It's way to early to tell, we'd have to wait for atleast one clay court Masters first surely ?
I think Djokovic has a really great chance this year though, that will give him the Career Grand Slam too which he really deserves.

by Haddie-nuff Wed 07 Jan 2015, 1:41 am

https://www.606v2.com/t56606-nadal-under-appreciated-or-overrated

Try reading some some of your own comments on your own article IMBL it must be terribly confusing to keep disagreeing with yourself. Or are you just getting the knife in before anyone else just in order that we can say we read it here first.
Changing horses in the middle of a race can be somewhat dangerous !!!!

by summerblues Wed 07 Jan 2015, 3:55 am

LOL H-n, Amri is not serious; he is in his usual jinxing mood.

by summerblues Wed 07 Jan 2015, 4:04 am

Very surprised Rafa lost like that, but I would not read too much into it - obviously not for his career but not even for the upcoming AO. He may still easily play himself into some pretty good form throughout the tournament.

Too early to be giving up on him for the AO (or popping champagne, as the case may be).

by It Must Be Love Wed 07 Jan 2015, 11:03 am

Summerblues, what type of champagne do you like Wink

Haddie Nuff wrote:Try reading some some of your own comments on your own article IMBL it must be terribly confusing to keep disagreeing with yourself. Or are you just getting the knife in before anyone else just in order that we can say we read it here first.
Changing horses in the middle of a race can be somewhat dangerous !!!!

There is a distinction between what Nadal has achieved in his career (which I've emphasised has been remarkable given his injury problems), and what he will achieve for the rest of his career.
Even if he ends his career now, which he won't, he would still have had an incredible career surpassing what his biggest fans and greatest enemies would have thought possible back when he was a youngster.

by Haddie-nuff Wed 07 Jan 2015, 1:43 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:Summerblues, what type of champagne do you like

Haddie Nuff wrote:Try reading some some of your own comments on your own article IMBL it must be terribly confusing to keep disagreeing with yourself. Or are you just getting the knife in before anyone else just in order that we can say we read it here first.
Changing horses in the middle of a race can be somewhat dangerous !!!!
There is a distinction between what Nadal has achieved in his career (which I've emphasised has been remarkable given his injury problems), and what he will achieve for the rest of his career.
Even if he ends his career now, which he won't, he would still have had an incredible career surpassing what his biggest fans and greatest enemies would have thought possible back when he was a youngster.

Mmm I bet you past your test on a perfect U TURN Rolling Eyes

by temporary21 Wed 07 Jan 2015, 2:30 pm

In more important news. Tsongas out of the Aussie. My reaction is as thus...

mad

by sirfredperry Thu 08 Jan 2015, 1:34 pm

After what appears, from just following the scores, to have been a tremendous struggle, Federer has beaten John Millman (yes, new name to me, too) in three sets after losing the first.
At one stage Millman had two break points for what could have been a decisive break in the second set. Both saved loads of break points.

by Haddie-nuff Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:32 pm

And its bye bye Novak as Dr Ivo takes the third set !!!

by Jahu Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:36 pm

Djoko slapped badly.

by Jahu Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:37 pm

HN, may I offer you a New 2015 kiss? kiss

by Haddie-nuff Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:39 pm

Only if you tell me you are gonna behave in 2015 Hug

by Jahu Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:45 pm

Can we swap the behaving, with me wishing Nadal a GS this year?

Fair enough? Smile

by Haddie-nuff Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:47 pm

by Jahu Thu 08 Jan 2015, 4:49 pm

Thx, as a Nadal GS is more likely, then me behaving.

At least I am a realist Wink

All the best during 2015.

by temporary21 Fri 09 Jan 2015, 10:14 am

Bit if the old ring rust all round it seems. Thats a great effort by the doctor though

by Guest Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:09 am

Isn't there a rumour Nadal could miss the AO?

Some rather eye catching results so far. I am not reading much into it. The big performers will no doubt come out when the AO is in full swing.

by Jahu Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:11 am

Fed wins in 40 minutes, 6:0, 6:1 <-- this 1 being a gift to the Duck, to not be double bageled.

Next is Dimi, and the other SF Raonic-Ninja.

Final Fed-Raonic, with Fed in 3.

by HM Murdock Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:21 am

A very good performance by Dr Ivo by all accounts yesterday. He didn't face a single break point.

Novak struggles with big servers and struggles in windy conditions (there was a sandstorm yesterday!) so I don't think the result is a huge surprise.

by temporary21 Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:38 am

Losing to the doctor should never be too much of a worry. His sort of game can beat anyone if he has a good day, but its way harder to do it 5 sets which probably explains his poor slam record

Fed-Dimi huh... is this brisbane? Cos it sounds tasty

by Silver Fri 09 Jan 2015, 12:04 pm

HM Murdoch wrote:A very good performance by Dr Ivo by all accounts yesterday. He didn't face a single break point.

Novak struggles with big servers and struggles in windy conditions (there was a sandstorm yesterday!) so I don't think the result is a huge surprise.

The good doctor is a very tough opponent when he's on song with that arm of his, especially if it's windy - or conversely, when there is zero wind indoors. I think his height and action allow him to not be too affected by the wind compared to a Berdych or a Novak. Tough one for the #1 but hopefully he'll get some more match time in the doubles.

Even impaired as he is, I'd still put Nadal in the top four favourites for Oz. Maybe with another two weeks of match practice he'll be looking a little better.

Happy New Year to everyone Bubbly

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