one thing for sure sports fans:
andy and roger have awakened the whole tennis world. the big 4 are baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
i thought del potro and Spartan Stan were knocking at the door to be counted among the elite but they will have to wait.
the big 4 are back and they still have too much game for the rest.
I like Mr. Andrew Murray, OBE. He surely has deserved his moments in the sun.
I think now he is just trying to get some matches under his belt anyway he can. He's played, count them, 6 tour level matches since he left for surgery.
His highest ranked opponent in those matches was ranked #26 - Lopez. I think playing this tournament was a positive for him, even if he loses his next match. He's made it to the QF without too much trouble, and he probably had considered not even playing in the AO at some point. So it is already a plus for him.
I think he has Davis Cup vs. the USA scheduled right after the AO, then Acapulco at the end of Feb. followed by Indian Wells, so I'm sure the first priority is to leave the AO healthy. I don't think he'll risk aggravating anything. It might be a good exit point for him, no? He can travel to the Americas and be ready for Davis Cup and the other following American tournaments.
Respectfully,
masterclass
tennis world is exciting once again:
big 4 are back in business and the young guns are showing constant improvement.
dimitrov and nishikori are playing amazing tennis and milos is not far behind either. and if that was not enough, Spartan Stan is ready to take his game to the next level. he has the compete game and he has enormous power off the ground.
2014 is going to be fascinating.
fasten your seat belts.
I am worried about gulbis. he is the one who got left behind.
Great posts General Hercules. You think Spartan Stan has a chance to take down the Serbian Slayer?
I think so too if he can get the job done in 3 or 4 sets. If it goes to 5, I don't think Djokovic will lose.
Spartan Stan has to bring his best game to the table and hope Nole is slightly off. That's pressure, but Spartan Stan's experience here last year and the US Open should help him. I'd like Stan to win, but I have a feeling No-Djok will somehow pull a rabbit out of the hat and win it.
I can't see Dimitrov beating Nadal in best of 5, unless he blitzes him in 3, which is a remote chance.
So here is how I see the semis shaping up:
Djokovic vs. Ferrer
Nadal vs. Federer
But Nadal and Murray haven't played each other in a while, so I would kind of like to see them instead of Rafa&Roger, but I worry about Murray's back being put under that much pressure so early in his return.
And Spartan Stan vs. either Ferrer or Berdych might be interesting.
Respectfully,
masterclass
today I might add another feature to Camelot.
we will just keep building for the future.
one has to stay positive and one has to stay the course with the chosen journey.
relentlessly strong will and a positive outlook will get you what you want.
Great posts General Hercules. You think Spartan Stan has a chance to take down the Serbian Slayer?
I think so too if he can get the job done in 3 or 4 sets. If it goes to 5, I don't think Djokovic will lose.
Spartan Stan has to bring his best game to the table and hope Nole is slightly off. That's pressure, but Spartan Stan's experience here last year and the US Open should help him. I'd like Stan to win, but I have a feeling No-Djok will somehow pull a rabbit out of the hat and win it.
I can't see Dimitrov beating Nadal in best of 5, unless he blitzes him in 3, which is a remote chance.
So here is how I see the semis shaping up:
Djokovic vs. Ferrer
Nadal vs. Federer
But Nadal and Murray haven't played each other in a while, so I would kind of like to see them instead of Rafa&Roger, but I worry about Murray's back being put under that much pressure so early in his return.
And Spartan Stan vs. either Ferrer or Berdych might be interesting.
Respectfully,
masterclass
I think berdych and Spartan Stan are long overdue general. they both have incredible power of the ground and they have major games.
what has been missing is that they both have not fared well against the top guns. this is their chance.
they have to rise and shine and show the world what they are made of.
I think Spartan Stan is ready. he just has to believe in his abilities.
he will have to keep the pressure on nole's side of the net. he can do that by doing exactly 2 things:
1. serve well
2. return well
there is absolutely no need to engage nole in long rallies. nole is the hottest player on the planet right now so beating him is not easy.
basically if those 2 things are working for Sparta Stan, nole will go down.
and Spartan Stan has to snatch the first set. that is a given. he has no other option.
You're right General.
Belief against the top guns is the main factor holding these guys back.
The biggest physical problem is that they just don't move as well as the top guns,
They should hire a world class hypnotist to put their brains in Sampras mode and destroy everything in their path with their big games so they don't have to move so much.
Respectfully,
masterclass
that is a great post general:
I think you are spot on. they dont quite have the movement of the top guns and then they don't quite believe either.
they can overcome the movement issue to some extent with their enormous power off the ground. especially on quicker courts:
you just try to dictate rather than letting the top guns dictate.
and you do have to be able to produce in the clutch. there is a way to do that also. just double your hours on the practice courts.
as jimmy Connors says, make the sacrifices.
berdych is nearly 6 foot 6. he has zero excuse for not having a far more dominating serve.
I have added another news ticker on the top:
this one is fox sports news. it is not a tennis specific ticker.
it will allow folks to keep current with some of their other sports.
of course we have every sport on the planet covered at our "wide world of sports" place.
and ALL of the news is breaking news and constantly being updated.
Has the cold weather eased up in Bayou land general? I saw the temps got pretty low there last week or two.
It must have frozen some of those luxury waterfront homes:
Respectfully,
masterclass
I still have no real idea why javi and viruzzz have abandoned us. we have shown them nothing but kindness over the years.
they have one hell of a platform here.
and this is a cool, calm, quiet, and a peaceful place here.
Eh, I say live and let live general... They probably have active lives, maybe they need a break from forums, who knows.
If they come here we welcome them back. No pressure. People come and go. Some stay for awhile. Enjoy them while they are here.
This is a relaxed place with no expectations or ties.
Respectfully,
masterclass
Thanks Emma! I've enjoyed so many over the last 40 years, everything moment now is a bonus! It's also good to share the wealth for the benefit of all in the future!
Respectfully,
masterclass
