Clay Court Season Thread

[bksballer89]

The first big tournament started yesterday at Monte-Carlo

Pretty much all the big boys are in this one.

Check out the draw here.

Draws - Tennis - ATP World Tour

We can use this thread for men and women's clay court tourneys prior to the French Open

 

[Old Lion]

Oh boy, Women's clay court! Because Women's tennis is not slow enough already.

 

[nuraman00]

Wow, we have killer matches tomorrow.

FED vs. Monfils.

Nadal vs. Isner.

Tsonga vs. Cilic.

Wawrinka vs. Dimitrov.

Will probably record and watch some of these. Or at least browse.

 

[bksballer89]

Wow, we have killer matches tomorrow.

FED vs. Monfils.

Nadal vs. Isner.

Tsonga vs. Cilic.

Wawrinka vs. Dimitrov.

Will probably record and watch some of these. Or at least browse.

Holy shit I was just about to look at the schedule and you saved me.

Fed vs Monfils is the one that catches my eye most.

I will watch some in the morning while getting ready for work

 

[bksballer89]

15 of the 16 seeds are in the round of sixteen

 

[bksballer89]

Stan shitty year continues as he is eliminated today. Pretty bad year since making the semi final at the AO

 

[bksballer89]

Isner gave rafa a good run today

 

[Old Lion]

Stan shitty year continues as he is eliminated today. Pretty bad year since making the semi final at the AO

Stan may have hit the wall in his career. Never can tell if someone will do that at 29 or not until 34. Every person is different.

 

[bksballer89]

Stan may have hit the wall in his career. Never can tell if someone will do that at 29 or not until 34. Every person is different.

If he hit the wall, at least the last 2 years or so been amazing for him. He won the AO, made a few SF & QF run at the Grand Slams as well

 

[Old Lion]

If he hit the wall, at least the last 2 years or so been amazing for him. He won the AO, made a few SF & QF run at the Grand Slams as well

Yup, I like Stan and am very happy for him. Unfortunately, that is a usually the case when guys hit the wall. They usually top out right before doing that. Its the strangest thing.

 

[bksballer89]

Birdman is one hold away from taking this to the final set

 

[Smart]

I've never seen Berdych play this well on clay. He's not forcing his backhand at all, and is waiting for his moment to hit the forehand. Shockingly, his movement is good enough to extend rallies and his backhand is big enough that Nole can't hit winners.

I expect Nole will win this match, but if Berdych can keep this form, he is setting himself up for a top three finish this year. He's struggled in the biggest matches, but he hasn't taken a bad loss. 28 wins and counting so far.

 

[bksballer89]

First player to win the first 3 master tournaments of year

 

[cezero]

ESPN proudly shrieking that Serena lost in Fed Cup. That's the headline they go with.

Of course, it was a doubles match playing with a shitty teammate.

Serena won both or her singles matches...the only wins for the US, by the way.

 

[cezero]

Nice wins for Nole. Glad to see him holding back and not giving 100%. It's a long couple of months leading up to the French, and it's smart to conserve energy.

 

[nuraman00]

Holy shit I was just about to look at the schedule and you saved me.

Fed vs Monfils is the one that catches my eye most.

I will watch some in the morning while getting ready for work

Anytime.

FED vs. Monfils:

FED had an early break in the 1st. Monfils came back and won 6-4.

2nd set went into a tiebreaker. FED had a lead, but lost the 2nd set tiebreak late.

From what I browsed, seemed like a solid match between both players.

Nadal vs. Isner:

1st set went into a tiebreak.

Isner had a 5-3 and 6-4 lead, but lost.

Isner won the 2nd set.

Nadal had a late break in the 3rd to win the match.

Good match.

Cilic won his match.

Wawrinka lost his in 2 sets, poor outing. Wasn't really in it.

 

[nuraman00]

Monfils talked about his struggles with Berdych before the match. 1-5 entering this match, with the 1 win being the 1st round of the 2013 FO.

He said he doesn't know what to do against Berdych, as Berdych can hit through his shots. He said Berdych also reads his serve well.

Monfils never took the lead in this match, and lost in 2 sets.


It's too bad, I wanted to see a Monfils vs. Djokovic Finals.

 

[nuraman00]

If he hit the wall, at least the last 2 years or so been amazing for him. He won the AO, made a few SF & QF run at the Grand Slams as well

He played well in the Davis Cup Finals too.

 

[nuraman00]

I've never seen Berdych play this well on clay. He's not forcing his backhand at all, and is waiting for his moment to hit the forehand. Shockingly, his movement is good enough to extend rallies and his backhand is big enough that Nole can't hit winners.

I expect Nole will win this match, but if Berdych can keep this form, he is setting himself up for a top three finish this year. He's struggled in the biggest matches, but he hasn't taken a bad loss. 28 wins and counting so far.

How would you compare his form now to his FO SF run in 2009?

 

[nuraman00]

First player to win the first 3 master tournaments of year

I didn't know that's never been done before.

Wow.