2016 Tennis Thread

[polak]

Way to go Milos!

He's emerging as a contender at the right time as he'll be hitting his prime over the next few years while Novak comes down from his.

[troutman]

Genie will not compete in Fed Cup in Quebec Feb 6 and 7.

Next tourney Feb 15 in Rio.

[dash_pinched]

En route to the Australian Open quarterfinals for the second straight year, Milos Raonic has won more points at net than at the baseline, 141 to 138. Against Stan Wawrinka the Canadian channelled the game of his idol, Pete Sampras, serve-volleying 57 times in his maiden victory against the 2014 champion – according to the stat sheet, at least.

I think it was probably more, at the end of it,” Raonic said. “I don't know if they count every time if the shot ends. Because for me, when I spoke with my team about it, I think I came in more than 80 times.”

By the official numbers, Raonic has serve-volleyed 91 times in Melbourne, converting on 64 approaches. Roger Federer, now in the semis after beating Tomas Berdych, has followed in 46 serves and has 99 points won at net to his name. Novak Djokovic has claimed 87 of his 598 points up top, while Murray is 45 for 56 at net, a solid conversion rate and a healthy proportion of his 428 points en route to the last eight.


http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/ar...vengeance.html

[dash_pinched]

By the way, the forecast is calling for the roof to be closed tonight which should definitely help Federer (or Indoorerer as the Senator likes to call him).

[Senator Clay Davis]

Roof will help Indoorerer, but not much. The biggest aid he could have is playing during the day so the courts are faster. But even with the roof closed the speed of the courts will be an advantage for Novak. The roof could help Roger have an insane serving day though, where he drops 80+% of his first serves in.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The roof could help Roger have an insane serving day though, where he drops 80+% of his first serves in.

this could only happen if he's relaxed and not intimidated to hell by his opponent. that probably won't be the case, their last bunch of slam meetings Fed is jittery right off the bat, and only manages to stay in it because Djoker is the same for a bit. once Djoker starts feeling the ball and is able to return basically anything, that completely messes up Fed's rhythm and his first serve % will drop to 50 as he presses too hard and has to worry about immediately digging the return out from his feet.

the same will happen during rallies, when surefire Fed winners come back for point resets. I'm just going to prepare for the worst, and maybe be pleasantly surprised if it goes 4 or 5 sets.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Part of the reason I like Federer's chances tonight probably better than I will the rest of the year is circumstance. Australia is not Wimbledon or the US Open, Novak actually might be slightly more popular with the Aussies than Fed is. But even if Fed is more popular, it's not a massive gap like in London or New York.

I also like Federer to beat Djokovic more in a semi than a final because again of the crowd. In a final there's been an obvious sense of desperation among the Wimbledon 2014/2015 and 2015 US Open crowds. They've so badly wanted Roger to win because it was an all or nothing proposition, and I think Novak has used that negative energy against him to his advantage. In a semi there's not that same sense of everything being on the line, so I think the crowd is significantly tamer than the last 3 GS meetings between them, and that hurts Novak because he won't be able to channel that. And then there's Roger himself, who will probably feel less pressure in a semi than he would a final.

Roger still needs to play probably close to the level he did against Andy in the Wimbledon SF last year to do it. But we know he can, the question of course is can he do it when he needs it?

[GirlySports]

Coverage has started with womens semis and confirmed its absolutely pouring. Supposed to rain all weekend.

Which means tonight youll see INDOORERER!!!

[Mango]

Let's go Aga!

[GirlySports]

Doesnt look good.

[Mango]

Indeed. Yikes.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Could be a sub-40 minute match.

[dash_pinched]

Did I say it could go three sets? I'll be surprised if Aga wins three games.

[Mango]

21 minutes. Sweet mercy.

[dash_pinched]

If it was a boxing match, the referee would stop the bout.

[TBone290]

Is there even a reason to watch women's tennis? Serena is great, no denying it. But is not even fun to watch. Where are the underdogs and the upsets? This is ruining women's tennis.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by TBone290

Is there even a reason to watch women's tennis? Serena is great, no denying it. But is not even fun to watch. Where are the underdogs and the upsets? This is ruining women's tennis.

Just speaking for myself, but I really miss the mid to late 2000s with the likes of Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin. There was this sense of balance. It was intense and entertaining, but has now faded into the sunset.

[Inglewood Jack]

hey look, a pity break. now those hundreds of dollars you live spectators spent on tickets was worth it. thanks Serena!

[dash_pinched]

I think it's time for the power nap to rest up for Fed - Joker.

[CofR]

Just put the Flames game on, that will put you to sleep