TSR Tennis Society IV

Stan Wawrinka really is The Man. Comes from a set down to beat Federer and win his first ever Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo. He's beaten Murray, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer in their most recent meetings since last year and has a 6-0 record against the Top 10 this year (second is Fed with 6-2).
Very very good win for him. Feel bad for Federer though, he played ok but lost it badly in the 3rd set and he's probably lost his only chance to take the Monte Carlo title.

Reply 523

Sirocco11

Phenomenal final set from Stan - amazing to think he won his first Grand Slam before his first Masters but it's really special for the first one to be Monte Carlo!

Reply 524

Sirocco11

Original post by jamiepango

Does anyone follow WTA? Vekic wins her first title in Malaysia at 17. I think she's one to watch for the future.

That's a good sign - I've heard promising things about her, and I saw her play in Edgbaston last year. She's strong off the ground and should be a great prospect for the future, plus to beat Cibulkova in the form she's in over a tight 3 hour match shows good nerve.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 525

Federer disappoints me again. He can't win finals anymore.

On a plus side, Stan the Man is definitely a contender for the FO. If Novak isn't fully fit by the FO, Stan is my second favourite for RG behind you all know who.

Reply 526

jamiepango

Original post by Sirocco11

Yes, I think we'll see some more top-20 scalps from her this season for sure.

Reply 527

Original post by Roger1

Yeah definitely Stan is a definite dark horse at RG. Nadal has looked a bit subdued since the AO so this may be the time to try and snatch RG from him. Who knows how serious Djokovic's injury is, if it's bad then this is the worst possible time it could happen for him. Although Federer faltered in the final I'm sure he'll be pleased that he's back at the top unlike last year

Reply 528

Original post by Roger1

It's cool - Fed seemed very happy with where he's at. This is clay, and the one time Wawrinka had beaten Federer before was in Monte Carlo 5 years ago (in straight sets). I have confidence that if he plays well enough to reach hard court/grass court finals he can eventually break through and start winning big titles again (maybe consecutively). The biggest positive is that he's hanging around at/around the final weekend of tournaments. And he and Stan are increasing their points - they are closing the gap on Djokovic and Nadal quite quickly

On another note, the Swiss have to be the overwhelming favourites for the Davis Cup. If they don't win, this will be a huge, huge, huge, HUGE upset. :smile:

Reply 529

Nadal lost again on clay, this time to Almagro. :laugh:

I think it's fair to say Nadal's best surface is hard courts now.

Reply 530

Nadal losing to a guy who's never beaten him in several previous attempts. In Paris Masters 2009, Almagro led 6-3, 6-5, 40-0 but Rafa saved 5 match points and eventually won. Now he's losing to players who choked against him. This is worrying as far as his defence of RG is concerned.

Definitely wide open this year - after losing early in Monte Carlo and failing to defend Barcelona, does he really have the confidence to win Madrid and Rome?

Reply 531

Rakas21

Original post by Roger1

Nadal lost again on clay, this time to Almagro. :laugh:

I think it's fair to say Nadal's best surface is hard courts now.

Wow, i saw it at 3-3 in the third but assumed Nadal would pull through. He's also lost the better part of 1500 points defending. Also the first time he's not won in April.
I think it's pretty clear guys now.. Nadal's past it, he should retire.

Reply 532

Original post by Rakas21

It's not too surprising though. Nadal never follows a great year with another one. Or maybe Nadal is just declining. Who knows?

Reply 533

Original post by Roger1

It's not too surprising though. Nadal never follows a great year with another one. Or maybe Nadal is just declining. Who knows?

True, but look at 2009 and 2012 clay season results which were relatively average Rafa years:

2009 - Won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Final of Madrid (l. Federer), 4th round of Roland Garros (l. Soderling)

2012 - Won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, 3rd Round Madrid (l. Verdasco but on blue clay)

I would say there has been a definite dip in form since last year's US Open
I think he needs to win Madrid and Rome to have confidence going into the French, and to even have a chance of protecting the World No. 1 spot

Reply 534

Original post by Krish4791

Call me crazy, but I think Nadal has a better chance of winning the US Open than he has of winning the French Open.

Reply 535

I think Rafa for whatever reason can't perform well 2 seasons back to back but he's also almost 28 and his dire results are pretty unprecedented, maybe this is the start of his decline. I think Wawrinka could definitely take RG, with both Djokovic and Nadal looking vulnerable

Reply 536

Original post by lizzy95

A lot will depend on Novak's motivation - he really wants to win the French and perhaps Nadal's recent vulnerability could provide that extra boost. I think it would be well deserved if he could pull it off.
I say Nadal would still be 2nd favourite, then Stan then Roger but we will have to see what happens in Madrid and Rome first

Reply 537

Original post by Krish4791

I agree. This season has been so crazy though nothing is set in stone. I just hope Djokovic can maintain his focus with his girlfriend being pregnant and all, may bring him good luck, I think Federer's wife was pregnant when he won RG in 2009...

Reply 538

hskjlclcn

I can understand people doubting him, but I'm surprised about the amount of people completely writing Nadal off after everything he's proved to them before!

Reply 539