Dimitrov vs Gasquet: One of the biggest chokes of the year so far

[augustobt]

I can't believe it.

Grigor was playing a showdown, had matchpoint, and then served for the match. Gasquet find out 4 consecutive games and won the second set, and after won the third.

[tacou]

I can't believe no one was watching this! 2 of the most beloved players on TT.

Dimitrov was playing with crazy touch. Gasquet wasn't playing bad, but I don't think he altered his tactics or level much from start to finish, Dimitrov lost this all on his own.

Good win for Gasquet, entertaining match.

[Murrayalmagrofan]

I'm just gutted right now...

I so wanted Dimi to pull off this upset!

[tacou]

Originally Posted by augustobt

I can't believe it.

Grigor was playing a showdown, had matchpoint, and then served for the match. Gasquet find out 4 consecutive games and won the second set, and after won the third.

Wasn't Gasquet serving down 5-2? Meaning he actually won 5 games in a row to take the second set. That's got to be some kind of record for Richard.

[Polvorin]

What a complete meltdown in that second set. That was a horrendous choke for sure.

However, outside of the choking, what I absolutely couldn't understand was that Dimitrov kept playing to Gasquet's backhand over and over. It was like watching Roddick or something. I just wanted to yell "PLAY YOUR BACKHAND DOWN THE LINE!" ... "MAKE HIM BEAT YOU WITH HIS FOREHAND!" Seriously, for a guy who is trying to copy Federer, he completely lacks any tennis brain.

[The Bawss]

Originally Posted by Polvorin

What a complete meltdown in that second set. That was a horrendous choke for sure.

However, outside of the choking, what I absolutely couldn't understand was that Dimitrov kept playing to Gasquet's backhand over and over. It was like watching Roddick or something. I just wanted to yell "PLAY YOUR BACKHAND DOWN THE LINE!" ... "MAKE HIM BEAT YOU WITH HIS FOREHAND!" Seriously, for a guy who is trying to copy Federer, he completely lacks any tennis brain.

Yep, I also noticed this atrocious strategy...what was he thinking? Although he got matchpoint against world #14 playing that way so I don't know.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Polvorin

What a complete meltdown in that second set. That was a horrendous choke for sure.

However, outside of the choking, what I absolutely couldn't understand was that Dimitrov kept playing to Gasquet's backhand over and over. It was like watching Roddick or something. I just wanted to yell "PLAY YOUR BACKHAND DOWN THE LINE!" ... "MAKE HIM BEAT YOU WITH HIS FOREHAND!" Seriously, for a guy who is trying to copy Federer, he completely lacks any tennis brain.

NOT that simple. when Grigor goes up the line, he has to hit a really good shot in the corner otherwise Gasquet would run and hit a running crosscourt Forehand and Grigor is in trouble.

Because this Gasquet running forehand crosscourt is much Improved shot, he is now able to hurt his opponents with it. he didn't have this before.
So this explains much better consistant results from Gasquet this year.

[The Bawss]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

NOT that simple. when Grigor goes up the line, he has to hit a really good shot in the corner otherwise Gasquet would run and hit a running crosscourt Forehand and Grigor is in trouble.

Because this Gasquet running forehand crosscourt is much Improved shot, he is now able to hurt his opponents with it. he didn't have this before.
So this explains much better consistant results from Gasquet this year.

Gasquet hits his forehand like this against Grigor for some reason. Listen to the sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quZtPiA0eNs&t=1m5s

[Polvorin]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

NOT that simple. when Grigor goes up the line, he has to hit a really good shot in the corner otherwise Gasquet would run and hit a running crosscourt Forehand and Grigor is in trouble.

Because this Gasquet running forehand crosscourt is much Improved shot, he is now able to hurt his opponents with it. he didn't have this before.
So this explains much better consistant results from Gasquet this year.

It is still Gasquet's weaker shot by far as it is way more inconsistent and he also has a tendency to drop them short in the court.

Dimitrov would rally backhand to backhand, then run around and hit forehands...again, inside out almost every time, right back to Gasquet's backhand. This was clearly a losing strategy.

Had he played more down the line backhands, as you say, Gasquet would need to play cross-court. This would allow him to get into forehand to forehand rallies which favor him greatly. The guy showed a complete lack of strategy/brains.

[Polvorin]

Originally Posted by The Bawss

Gasquet hits hit forehand like this against Grigor for some reason. Listen to the sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quZtPiA0eNs&t=1m5s

Gasquet does this against other players too. Sometimes he just decides to hit his forehand FLAT and go for the big winner. If he makes them, great for him. It's still better to try to make him beat you with that shot than trying to beat him in a backhand contest.

Originally Posted by The Bawss

Yep, I also noticed this atrocious strategy...what was he thinking? Although he got matchpoint against world #14 playing that way so I don't know.

Also, I only tuned into the match when Gasquet was already down 2-4 in the 2nd set. I was wondering if he had played that same way throughout or not.

[tacou]

Originally Posted by Polvorin

2nd set. I was wondering if he had played that same way throughout or not.

Essentially yes but you tuned in right when Grigor was tuning out. For the first set and a half he was playing unbelievably, most notably hitting finesse volleys and drop shots with absolute ease.

I haven't seen that much of Grigor but that first set was among the highest levels I've seen him reach. Major choke.

[Doublebounce]

Grigor is so frustrating to root for.

[jones101]

Grigor is not the new Federer, lol he's the new Gasquet......... that choke was Gasquet-esqe!

[Russeljones]

If Grigor keeps losing against Gasquet and Simon I'll have to rethink my assessment of his potential.

[The-Champ]

Now that Gasquet has turned into a mental giant, the big 4 better watch out!

[chrischris]

No cramping or pukeshow at least this time.

[Nostradamus]

I think Grigor is just too Nice of a guy. Kind of like Me. so i think he lacks killer instinct. he needs to get a big win over somebody like Federer or Djokovic. and start to believe, he can beat anybody in the world. which he CAN.

[Ripster]

He still has to mature mentally - he clearly has the talent/shots to be successful. If he's on the same path as Federer he'll have to win Wimbledon next year when he turns 22. .....It could happen...

[Nostradamus]

Gasquet expression hillarious at the end of the match. Oh Well.......what can i say,,,i own you bud. i am just better than you......oh well

[norbac]

Gasquet 2.0 is here.