2007 ATP Discussion Thread

I want so badly to hate Federer, but I can't do it. Dang it, man, could you at least not be nice?!? Freaking gracious winner...

Roger and Rafa gave us a good match to watch, though Nadal seemed to be losing just a little bit of steam near the end. Much better than the women's final, that's for sure.

 

I'll agree with u there, The_Face: i knew the minute that Henin lost that it was going to be a very boring women's final

 

I think that, when compared to the punishing style of men's tennis, the more strategized women's game seems boring. It's true that women's tennis doesn't feature a Federer or Nadal, but you need to appreciate the differences in playing styles that come with different genders

 

7 of Nadal's 8 wins vs Federer were on clay and one hardcourt in the 2006 Dubai final.

 

That's right. Nadal is damn good no doubts about it. However, being a lefty with so much power (and skills to boot!) Fed can't be faulted for struggling most of the time against Nadal. Fed plays 85% of time with right hand opponents then suddenly has to adjust once he plays Nadal. Nadal clearly 2nd in the world, yet I still think Fed can up the ante. What about that behind the back smash volley in the 3rd set by Fed. That was simply breathtaking!

 

One thing Nadal really needs to do is play well at the US Open this year. I checked his wiki page, has lost pretty early every year. He clearly has the talent to be more than a clay court specialist, needs to actually prove it, though.

 

Of course, and I love watching the women's game; there are some really great close and/or exciting matches. That 6-4, 6-1 win for Venus over Bartoli just wasn't one.

 

I miss the good old days of Steffi/Monica... to me, that was very exciting tennis right there and it wasnt just them, when i was growing up women's tennis was so thrilling to watch! but these days i dunno... I just dont find women's game to be as exciting these days

 

Here are some interesting stats that will be put forward when placing Federer for the title of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).

Most consecutive weeks as the top ranked male player, with 177 weeks (Consecutive, as of June 18, 2007).
Longest winning streak on hard courts: 56 (2005-2006).
Longest winning streak on grass courts: 54 (2003-present).
Longest winning streak against top ten players: 26 (2003-2005).
Most consecutive singles finals won, with 24 (2003-2005).
Highest number of ranking points at the end of the year: 8,370 (2006).
Highest number of ranking points at any time of the year: 8,370 (November 20, 2006).
Highest number of race points (since 2000): 1,674 (November 20, 2006).
Earliest to clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking: September (2004).
Winner of his first seven Grand Slam singles finals.
Played the most consecutive Grand Slam singles finals: 9 (Wimbledon 2005-present).
Played the most consecutive Grand Slam singles semifinals: 13 (Wimbledon 2004-present).
Was the first player to win four ATP Masters Series (since 1990) tournaments in one season (2005). Repeated that achievement in 2006.
Best 3-year match winning percentage (94.3%) and tournament winning percentage (69.4%) (2004-2006).
Has had 5 winning streaks of at least 20 consecutive matches:
23 (Jun 2004-Aug 2004: W Halle, Wimbledon, Gstaad, Toronto, 1st round Cincinnati).
26 (Aug 2004-Jan 2005: W U.S. Open, Bangkok, Tennis Masters Cup, Doha, SF Australian Open).
25 (Feb 2005-Apr 2005: W Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells AMS, Miami AMS, QF Monte Carlo).
35 (Jun 2005-Nov 2005: W Halle, Wimbledon, Cincinnati AMS, U.S. Open, Davis Cup match, Bangkok, F Tennis Masters Cup).
41 (Aug 2006-Mar 2007: W U.S. Open, 2 Davis Cup matches, Tokyo, Madrid AMS, Basel, Tennis Masters Cup, Australian Open, Dubai, 2nd round Indian Wells) -- ATP Tour (since 1990) record
First man to win at least 10 titles in a season without losing in a final (2004).
First player to record a "double bagel" at a year-end championship (Federer defeated Gastón Gaudio in a SF of the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup).
Only player to have won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year for three consecutive years (2004-2006).
Only player in the open era to ever have won at least three Grand Slam singles tournaments in a year twice (2004 and 2006).
First player to win the ATP Masters Series tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back in consecutive years (2005-2006).
First male player to win at least 10 singles titles in each of three consecutive years (2004-2006).
Best percentage of finals reached in a year, 94.1% in 2006 (16 out of 17).
Most prize money in one season, with U.S. $8,343,885 (2006).

 

The first time they played was in Miami in 2004 on hardcourts. Nadal won that.

Here is the break down in the head to head between Roger and Rafael.

Miami 2004 - Hard - 3rd - Rafa wins - Masters Series
Miami 2005 - Hard - Final - Roger wins - Masters Series
Roland Garros - Clay - Semi - Rafa wins - Grand Slam
Dubai 2006 - Hard - Final - Rafa wins - International Gold Series
Monte Carlo 2006 - Clay - Final - Rafa wins - Masters Series
Rome 2006 - Clay - Final - Rafa wins - Masters Series
Roland Garros - Clay - Final - Rafa wins - Grand Slam
Wimbledon 2006 - Grass - Final - Roger wins - Grand Slam
Shanghai 2006 - Indoor - Semi - Roger wins - Masters Cup
Monte Carlo 2007 - Clay - Final - Rafa wins - Masters Series
Hamburg 2007 - Clay - Final - Roger wins - Masters Series
Roland Garros 2007 - Clay - Final - Rafa wins - Grand Slam
Wimbledon 2007 - Grass - Final - Roger wins - Grand Slam


Rafa - 8 (2 wins on Hard and 6 wins on Clay)
Roger - 5 (2 wins on Grass, 1 win on Hard, 1 win on Indoor, 1 win on Clay)

 

Andy Roddick looked way out of shape in his loss against Dancevic. he should play better and be more fit if he wants to have a good US open series

 

So far there have been some surprises in the US Open Series. Blake was expected to win LA, but lost to Stepanek. Roddick should have won Indianapolis, but Tursunov winning it. Interestingly, both winners only winning their second title, having won their first last year. Stepanek won Rotterdam, and Tursunov won in Mumbai.

Now with Washington this week, it will be interesting to see if Roddick can get back into the lead. He has a decent draw.

But all eyes are on the two Masters Series in Montreal and Cincy, where the two heavyweights will be making their presence felt. Then off to NYC.

This US hardcourt season will be interesting, as Nadal is leading the race to end the year as number one. Federer will be looking to shut him out at the final grand slam. It will be the toughest for Nadal to win. Federer will be going for history, as the only man to win four straight US Opens in the open era.

 

That is really tough for Nathan Thompson loosing in a 3rd set tiebreak to Bastl in qualifying. Thompson is ranked 573 but he will be one helluva player. (He's a Clemson product)

 

The Rogers Cup in Montreal is getting ready to kick off next week. The first big event in the US Open series, and lead up to the US Open itself.

This will be very interesting, as the major players will be making their mark on the North American Hard Courts. With Rafa in the unique position of leading the Champions Race, and with a slight chance to end the year as the number one, this tournament will have a lot of attention.

Can Federer defend his title?

After all, its Roger's Cup, not Rafael's! LOL!!!

 

youg american John Isner defeated Tommy Haas today. isner was the #1 ranked collegiant player for Georgia. He advances to the semifinals of Legg Mason in only his 2nd career pro tournament

 

The first day of the Masters Series in Montreal was quite soemthing. This has to be the best draw of any event this whole year. The quality is staggering, with so many players making their US summer hard court debut at this event.

Hewitt and Ferrero was a great match. Reminded me of their rivalry back when they were both at the top of the game. Both are trying to find some form. Hewitt aagainst Blake could be mouth watering, depsite the 6-1 head to head that Hewitt has.

I was surprised by Haase. He took Berdych apart in their match. He was determined to step and take the ball on the rise, play aggressive and keep Thomas behind the baseline as much as possible.

Best match was Mathieu defeating Canas from the brink of defeat.

Should see more high quality for the rest of the week.

 

Roger Federer celebrating his 26th Birthday had to take on the tall Ivo Karlovic in his first match back since making history at Wimbledon. The score was pretty much what was predicted, two tie breaks with Federer winning 7-6 7-6.
He has a winning streak of 13 matches in Canada at the moment, winning the title in 2004 and 2006 in Toronto. Not playing in 2005. His last defeat was in 2003, when he lost for the only time to Roddick in three sets in the semi finals.
It was a tough match coming, since he would not have been allowed to get any rythmn on his shots, or get the timing that he is known for. But, he seemed to be is cruise control. Any time there was a rally, 99 times out of 100 he would win it.

Roddick had to dig deep in the second set to take out the flamboyant Clement in two sets. His forehand was devastating in the first set, but in the second he was not damaging his opponent enough. But, a good win at the end.

A bit disapointed with some results. Hewitt got the walk over on Blake. Blake was suffering from abdominal strain, every time he tried to serve in practice.

Murray and Gasquet, two potential Grand Slam winners both losing. Murray coming back from a wrist injury, that forced him to miss out at Roland Garros and Wimbledon lost in straight sets. Gasquet though must be disapointed. He was defending a lot of points having reached the final last year.

Nadal beat Safin in the night session, 7-6 6-0. Safin mentally breaking down after failing to win the first set. Nadal looking good from the transition from Clay to Hard. He also won this title in 2005.

 

Mathieu was playing out of his mind but the tide is turning to Rafa

 

Nice to see Lleyton showing some fight close to the US Open, although now he has to face Federer, who he hasn't beaten since that great match in the 2003 Davis Cup.

 

Nadal v Mathieu match was the best match of the tournament so far. The shot making was stunning. Some of those backhand crosscourt shots from mid court by Mathieu shocked everyone including Rafa. Rafa's desire and heart finally got him the break in the second set.

If you don't break your opponent when you get the chance, especially after having multiple opportunities in the second set, it will haunt you. Nadal punished Mathieu by breaking him and taking over the match.

He now takes on his good friend Verdasco, who should give him little problems.

Roddick took Marcos apart in their encounter, getting revenge for the Australian Open fourth round in 2006. He is looking good, but will face his toughest test so far with Djokovic next for him.

Federer V Hewitt, with Federer leading the series 11-7, having won their last nine matches. The last time they played was the semi final of the US Open 2005.

The final match is Stepenak and Davydenko.

Some great matches in the quarters, and the draw for Cincy is almost out!!!!

 

He now takes on his good friend Verdasco, who should give him little problems.

He is actually playing Dancevic, and im going with the upset!
Roddivk over Djokovic

 

Federer now with ten straight wins against Hewitt.

Djokovic winning a brutally tight match with Roddick. Roddick paid the price for not punishing Novak, after his tentative start. He should have broken him.

Novak V Rafael should be a blockbuster.

I expect Federer to be waiting in the final. But, stranger things have happened.

 

Federer is now in the final!

7-6 6-2. I was pleasantly surprised with the high quality of the first set. But Federer picked it up in the second.

Final should be good, no matter who he plays.

 

I hope Nadal falls and tears all his leg ligaments. Well not really but I am sick of that guy winning so much.


On a side note, where are you from Anakin_Heartbreaker?

 

What a semi final match between Djokovic and Nadal. The serving exhibition by Novak was insane! Rafa was asking the questions in the first set, but Novak delivered balls that were painting the lines. But the classic, if you don't take your chances, you'll lose your serve in the next game, hurt Nadal again.

I'm looking forward to the Federer v Djokovic match, the two best players on Hard Court at the moment.

Federer will be going for his 17th straight win on Canadian soil, and 50th career title. Novak going for his fifth.


I'm in Europe working at the moment between several places. Got to see the French Open and Wimbledon. Will be in NYC for the US Open, and then off to Australia for AUS Open. But, I spend my time on both sides of the pond, as I have most of my family in California.