Haas and Srichaphan match at the Pacific Life Open

[BreakPoint]

So, Haas beats Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2? How in the world did this happen? Was anyone there? Did anyone see it, either live or on TTC? How does someone who hasn't played in more than a year, still has shoulder issues, and has only won one match so far all year, beat a hot, Top 10 player like Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2?

Was Srichaphan sick? Did he just not play well? Was he just under-estimating Haas? Or was he just totally off of his game?

[sseemiller]

See above thread. Tommy played well, but Paradorn definitely isn't at 100%, at least from what I saw. I'm interested in reading their interviews. I left right after the match.

[pound cat]

Safin got to the final of AO after almost a year of injury and beat Roddick & Agassi and a few others on the way. I don't think any of them were sick. I think it can be ascribed to determination to win and a heck of a lot of talent.

[python]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

So, Haas beats Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2? How in the world did this happen? Was anyone there? Did anyone see it, either live or on TTC? How does someone who hasn't played in more than a year, still has shoulder issues, and has only won one match so far all year, beat a hot, Top 10 player like Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2?

Was Srichaphan sick? Did he just not play well? Was he just under-estimating Haas? Or was he just totally off of his game?

I saw it on TTC. Haas was just too hot. His serve appears to be coming back, although Paradorn is not the best returner out there. Haas simply dominated play with his backhand. He would whip a nasty one pretty quickly in the point and put Srichipan on the defensive. I don't think it's too surprising of a result. Haas was definitely regarded as a much better player than the Thai Sensation before Haas had his shoulder injury.

That's not a surprise to me. Haas is 10 times more talented than Srichaphan, who to me has a pretty ugly game that can break down. Mentally, Srichaphan is a better fighter, but you can also argue that Courier was a better fighter than Pete, but Pete waxed him regularly.

[@wright]

It's amazing how these guys (Safin & Haas) can come back from long injury breaks and pick up right where they left off. Does talent go that far or did they just train their rear ends off to get back to where they were? I would think a player of Srichaphan's caliber would put up more of a fight, I don't think he's getting as much credit on these boards as he deserves, he's an extremely talented shotmaker and doesn't have near the experience of a Haas.

I saw a practice set between Canas and Sri??? (I dont know how to spell it) and Paradorn didn't look sharp at all. I personally am a huge Canas fan, and was presently surprised at how sharp he looked on the practice courts.

[ucd_ace]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

So, Haas beats Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2? How in the world did this happen? Was anyone there? Did anyone see it, either live or on TTC? How does someone who hasn't played in more than a year, still has shoulder issues, and has only won one match so far all year, beat a hot, Top 10 player like Srichaphan 6-1, 6-2?

Was Srichaphan sick? Did he just not play well? Was he just under-estimating Haas? Or was he just totally off of his game?

Haas beat him by having much more talent than Srichapan. Haas was #2 in the world WHILE he was battling his shoulder injury in 2002.

Also, Haas was very careful on his way back to the tour. Originally, he was going to try to come back beginning around last years US Open. He obviously took his time to make sure that his shoulder was healthy for his return.