AO 2016 - Day 3

Order of Play - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/schedule8.html

Live Scores - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/index.html

Day 3 Preview - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2016-01-19/day_3_preview_genies_reappearing_act.html

MoTD - Federer v Dologopolov

- take your pick.

Is Nadal playing?

legendkillarV2 wrote:Is Nadal playing?

He's hoping to get 18 holes in after lunch.

Is it wrong that I'm laughing so much at that?

If Federer v Dolgopolov is a repeat of W v Stakhovsky, this forum will be a lot more he-said-she-said.

@LKv2... In the fourth set TB, I thought Forehando was a goner.

It easily could be, though I think Federer was impaired v Stakhovsky.

This time it's just whether he can hold off youthful exuberance.

Not sure if anyone is watching Nishikori v Krajicek, but Kei appears to me to have sustained an injury of some kind. It was on a forehand that he missed to the ad court.

Nishikori is through, but Goffin is getting bagelled in the second set by Dzumhur.

Good luck, Roger!

Federer breaks in the second set to lead 6-5. Avoidable errors, but Dog just rolls over.

Dog wins the groundstrokes comfortably, but Federer's aces have kept him in the match.

Dog just gave up in the third set.

299 wins for Federer at Slams.

I didn't see it but 25 aces is a lot!

The points rally was also overwhelming, but you're comment suggests Federer wasn't so good. True?


Onwards to 300!

I was fortunate to watch Federer and Nadal at the IPTL in New Delhi. I know many regard that event as a pointless one, but seeing the crowds, I can only say it is a fantastic one.

it is bringing tennis and equally importantly the superstars, to parts of the world that aren't fortunate to be on the main circuit.

Federer seemed to realise this and after his match, when he was beaten by Nadal, he made a very telling point in his interview that, but for the crowds such as those, he and Nadal wouldn't be where they were.

like him or loathe him, the man has statesmanship qualities.

His comments about how the answer to match fixing isn't more money at the lower level, and why, were similarly insightful.

He'll probably make as much money after he retires as he has playing because the guy has such a clear mind, not to mention the immense value of the brand.

agreed BB. there's a reason he and Djokovic are almost neck and neck on prize money and it'd not because he's winning more titles!

Interesting that Fed thought court played fast today. I always thought Melbourne wasn't all that quick. Or is it faster during the day (when Fed rarely plays at the A0) than at night?

At night it is a lot slower but yes i am surprised it is fast at all.

Devastated as he must have been to blow 2-0, and BP for 3-0 - WHY he wouldn't go str9 to
Referee's office and try to pick up a Mixed Doubles pairing? He's there, needs match play, doubles helps his volleys and returns, so why not?

Muguruza probably not interested as in two events already but surely someone decent must have been "up for it?" Chance missed, I think....

Halys looks way older than 19 he even plays like he's older than 19. Broken Novak's serve in set 3.

Bow down before the new generation

If Halys learns from this and puts in the hours he will be fighting for slams in 2-3 years. Only he can stop himself.

Well let's hope that doesn't go the way of your Dimitrov prediction

Josiah Maiestas wrote:If Halys learns from this and puts in the hours he will be fighting for slams in 2-3 years. Only he can stop himself.

Much talent/innate skills, but lack of application holds the youn'guns back. Especially the French. Pouille, Herbert, Minna, Halys,... the list is a long one...

Damn it! I got to 3-2 first set and that all I remember... not even the AUS IND ODI could keep me awake...

Maybe tonight, theres a slew of potentially good matches on, Raonic Robredo, Murray Groth, Monfils Mahut,

and of course, maybe Hewitt can have one final ride. I might have to buy an energy drink...

Fed served beautifully (I used that word for Bogbrush).

There is no way Fed/Djoko semi won't be a marquee night match, but I bet Fed would relish the shot at playing him in the daytime conditions. Fed has said for years that Laver Arena plays markedly different from day to night.. He's talked about even the start of the night matches is faster and it slows down as the cooler air kicks in. Court takes the slice better during the day too.

Dog is an awkward player to play- his groundstrokes and shot selection is so different, but Fed handled it all quite well. His groundstrokes were a little off of rhythm at first, but kicked in later, and his serve was nearly untouchable the whole match.

Thanks for the note about the standard.

Yeah, dammit. Can't they play during the day?

bogbrush wrote:Thanks for the note about the standard.

Yeah, dammit. Can't they play during the day?

Maybe if Hewitt can do old buddy Fed a favor and make it to semis- then he would get the night match, and Fed/Djoko in the day!


on a side note- Mary Joe Fernandez who is close to Fed's family through her husband, let slip a private conversation she had with Fed where they were talking about Djokovic and Fed said the most difficult thing for him when he faces Novak is the return comes back so quick and deep that it's hard to get in position for the next shot- and takes away Fed's preferred offensive aggression. Obvious to all of us that's a big part of Djoko's strength but I thought interesting to hear that Fed in private admits it's "frustrating"

Hey, TRuffin, nice idea !

But if you really do believe that Hewitt has even a remote possibility of making the semis, you should get down to the bookies and put a little wager on it.

From his last TEN years at the AO, Lleyton has managed a grand total of 13 match wins. You would make a LOT of money with the bet !!!!

lags72 wrote:Hey, TRuffin, nice idea !

But if you really do believe that Hewitt has even a remote possibility of making the semis, you should get down to the bookies and put a little wager on it.

From his last TEN years at the AO, Lleyton has managed a grand total of 13 match wins. You would make a LOT of money with the bet !!!!

lol-- there would have to be a lot of match fixing for Hewitt to make the semis... not a wager I'm making!

TRuffin wrote:

....................................


on a side note- Mary Joe Fernandez who is close to Fed's family through her husband, let slip a private conversation she had with Fed where they were talking about Djokovic and Fed said the most difficult thing for him when he faces Novak is the return comes back so quick and deep that it's hard to get in position for the next shot- and takes away Fed's preferred offensive aggression.   Obvious to all of us that's a big part of Djoko's strength but I thought interesting to hear that Fed in private admits it's "frustrating"

Yes, not exactly a 'Hold the front page' sort of revelation ; but interesting, as you say, to hear how it is, from someone on the other side of the net.

Federer must indeed regard facing current-day Djokovic as his ultimate challenge, and has of course fallen short at their most important recent encounters, ie Slam & WTF Finals. I guess he can at least take some comfort from the fact that he is pretty much the only guy who can still trouble Djokovic with any regularity (Fed being a respectable 4-6 in their last ten matches)  

In similar vein, the most common 'complaint' you hear (in their honest moments ! ) from the countless players who have had problems with Federer over the years - especially rookies playing him for the first time - is that he plays at such a pace that they find themselves constantly pressured for thinking time and thus struggling to implement whatever strategy their coach came up with in practice/training. The best-laid plans and all that ......

Very interesting watching Federer practise these big returns. It's like his baseline version of SABR which, even if he misses loads, is disconcerting and keeps rallies short.

Feels like something to counter Djokovic. After all, what's the point of playing Novak at his own favoured game?

As a blended in tactic, I like it.

bogbrush wrote:Very interesting watching Federer practise these big returns. It's like his baseline version of SABR which, even if he misses loads, is disconcerting and keeps rallies short.

Feels like something to counter Djokovic. After all, what's the point of playing Novak at his own favoured game?

As a blended in tactic, I like it.

Is the SABR abandoned? I haven't seen him use it in 2016 yet. Surely he would be practicing it in some of the blowout sets like before along with the bigger returns.

Its a double edged sword. He gets good conditions for him in the heat, but does he really want 5 rounds in the sun before Novak? Or Worse maybe go 4 hours with Novak out there?

he still half volleys returns a bit... he seems to have gone off it a bit when he didn't use it at the US when it mattered

Fed been sliding Djoko style on HC.

He cant do the little small steps he used to do and hit on the run any more, so stealing Djoko tactics on HC.

Told you Djoko will be second GOAT after Fed, now that Nadal is melting faster then an Ibiza nasty icecream.

The cost of the testing out of these bigger returns was that the match was a mess, very boring to watch. Still, he's not burning much energy here.

He'll have to play a more measured game next. He didn't really take Dolgopolov very seriously.