Arena Federer/Nadal/Djokovic Era - Now 1/3rd Over

Halep has hit the Wozniacki Wall.

 

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Fed is playing unbelievable tennis right now.

also, those shoes.

 

would love to see a great 5 setter. Don't care who wins.

 

Good lord this second set. Djokovic and Federer both playing fantastic tennis.

 

Given his past several years of continued viability as a major title contender, Roger Federer has to get some points for longevity. He hasn't been otherworldly for something like six or seven years now, but has still been a force throughout that time. Not many players have been in contention for as long as he's been, a period of time that dates back to around 2001.

 

We just stopped screaming and pretty sure half of the neighbours are awake early....YEAH! That's our Nole.

 

The Queen on her throne:

 

http://deadspin.com/reports-leaked-documents-indicate-major-match-fixing-i-1753497572

So this is breaking... may not get anywhere due to UK Libel Laws...

 

They really ought to give this story to Buzzfeed US or some such so it can actually be published without censorship. As a tennis fan, I'd really like to know if the players I root for have been complicit in this. It's an astounding allegation.

 

ya it's too bad tennis can't get out from under these match fixing allegations. Maybe what ATP needs is a federal criminal investigation to focus its attention.

 

I would guess that the big four on the men's side are clean. Likewise with most of the top women, if not all. I think it's the mid to lower level pros who would be most likely to have participated-- guaranteed money and apparently silence for a long time.

 

surprising there would be much money in betting on lower level players.

 

What are your picks for the singles winners on both sides? I got Djokovic for the men's as the heavy favorite, he'll be looking to win his sixth title at Melbourne. I see his biggest challenges as Stan first since he's knocked him out 2 years ago, and Murray or Fed as second. As for the women's, Serena is the favorite.

 

If this year is like last year, everyone comments in the first few rounds about how fit and determined Federer looks and how well he's playing. Then if all goes exceedingly well, he loses to Djokovic in the semis. Williams soldiers on, with a decent shot at the title. Ana Ivanovic loses in the first round. She's seeded, sort of, but still. Andy Murray looks glum. With luck, he loses to Djokovic in the finals, but could be taken out earlier.

 

yeah, those are the favorites. as usual i will be rooting for rafa and my underdog favorite monfils on the men's side, and azarenka on the women's. think vika is primed for a return to form this year.

 

• Winners of singles and doubles titles at Grand Slam tournaments are among the core group of 16 players who have repeatedly been reported for losing games when highly suspicious bets have been placed against them.

Really?

 

well yeah, do you have any idea how much money the big four make? a pretty absurd amount. they are also under a huge microscope and are fighting not only for their ranking, but for historical greatness. likewise someone like serena or sharapova is not hurting for money and under a lot of scrutiny. that doesn't mean the sentence you quoted isn't true. you'd still have players like cilic, del potro, or even stan when he was still struggling a bit, who could fit the bill. or on the women's side, pennetta, schiavone, bartoli, etc.

 

If it's any men's singles GS winners, it's one of the few who have won since Federer rose to prominence (and Nadal and then Djokovic/Murray), and it probably was when they were young.

Tom said what seems like the best reason-- they've all made way too much money for a long time now. Also, they're really intense competitors. Getting anything in six figures to lose makes no sense and would have cast a shadow on them for the rest of their lives, even if only to themselves for a time.