(2) Soderling vs (5) Verdasco- ATP Barcelona Final

Who will win?


  • Total voters
    60
  • Poll closed .

davey25

Banned
Hmmm... so maybe all this hate from you on Verdasco, which seems to be mostly about his recent final against Nadal (not even one tournament, but one match), is misplaced?

Verdasco has 4 top 10 wins this year now, and has played pretty well most of the time this year except for that MC final.

I felt that way about Verdasco long before the joke of a Monte Carlo final. I have said many times he is one of the worst top 10 players ever. He still has a horrible record vs top players, is still one of the mentally weakest players ever in the top 10, and is still in general a pushover for the top guys even in decent form who you know has no chance of ever winning a big title or ever really coming that close.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Yeah but you're talking as if Rafa has never beaten Soderling before. He has and more than a few times. Don't know what their H2H is but I would imagine it's in Rafa's favour. So could Soderling really be a bad match up for Rafa?

Not saying Soderling isn't a good player who on his day could probably beat anybody but that's a far cry from saying he's Rafa's nemesis. The facts just don't support that theory.
I actually support Rafa and I hope you are right. You are right that declaring Soderling as Rafa's nemesis might be premature. Let's just leave it at huge threat at the moment.
 

Atherton2003

Hall of Fame
But Davey - Nadal would have been #1 for many years had it not been for Federer being in the equation - I'm not just speaking of their head-to-head rivalry, but Nadal was #2 for a longer period of time than any player I can ever recall - and the only person who stopped him from being number 1 was Fed.
 

VamosSR

Rookie
"Espero que el año que viene tampoco juega Rafa, así puedo ganarlo otra vez."

"I hope that Rafa doesn't play again next year, that way I can win again."

haha! Congratulations Fernando!
 

davey25

Banned
It sounds like Verdasco can't do anything to win your respect. You are talking of Verdasco's AO 2009 performance as if it had been a fluke

Of course I consider it a fluke, since it was a fluke. He has never approached anywhere near that calibre of play or focus at any other time in his career so why should anyone look at it as anything other a fluke.

If he doesnt embarass himself if he ever makes another 1000 final (forget ever making a slam final), and beats a couple top 5 players when they are in half decent form, then I might respect him a bit more. Good luck with that though.

when he just played a Masters 1000 final

Monte Carlo can hardly even qualify as a Masters event when only 3 of the top 8 were even in the field (and 2 of the 3 can barely hold a racquet straight at the moment). Dont expect people to be awed by that showing, especialy after that disgrace of a final.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Ferrero had injuries and illness and early 2004 and has never been even close to the same calibre of clay courter since. That has nothing to do with Nadal as he has a hard time beating many guys on clay in the last 6 years, and his French Open results are poor every year without ever playing Nadal. If Ferrero and Coria were still at their best, Nadal would still be dominant, but the overall clay court field would be much improved. Unfortunately that is not the case.

The guys I mentioned were all bonafide top quality clay court specialists which dont even exist today. The best clay court specialists after Nadal are guys like Robredo and Almagro, who are not contenders.
Yeah, everybody knows that Fed sucks on clay really bad.
 

davey25

Banned
Yeah, everybody knows that Fed sucks on clay really bad.

I said specialists, meaning guys who specifically specialize on clay, not just the generalists who are also very good on clay. For the clay court field to have sufficient depth amongs the contenders these specialists are required, in addition to the generalists. And even amongst the generalists Federer and a mentally stable Djokovic are the only one good enough to be a real contenders. Davydenko and Nalbandian maybe bit contenders when they are healthy.

Anyway you were the one actually trying to compare Federer on clay to Verdasco so basically if anything you are the one suggesting he sucks on clay.
 

davey25

Banned
How about Juan Monaco? Is he good on clay? David Ferrer is also formidable on clay as well.

Again they arent real contenders. How many quarterfinals of the French has Ferrer made his whole career? I think 1 or 2. I know he hasnt ever made the semis.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Of course I consider it a fluke, since it was a fluke. He has never approached anywhere near that calibre of play or focus at any other time in his career so why should anyone look at it as anything other a fluke.

If he doesnt embarass himself if he ever makes another 1000 final (forget ever making a slam final), and beats a couple top 5 players when they are in half decent form, then I might respect him a bit more. Good luck with that though.



Monte Carlo can hardly even qualify as a Masters event when only 3 of the top 8 were even in the field (and 2 of the 3 can barely hold a racquet straight at the moment). Dont expect people to be awed by that showing, especialy after that disgrace of a final.
The depth of your logic is amazing. You truly are brilliant, aren't you?

Verdasco, which has been in (or close to the) Top 10 for over 1 year now, is a clown. Good, good.

And every player who doesn't have a MS 1000 title is a clown as well? You mean, like Soderling? So Rafa must be the anti-clown then (since he has 16 MS titles at age 24.)

I'd like to see you playing tennis. It must be quite a sight. The fact that you disrespect someone like Verdasco, who has achieved more than you could ever dream of, by calling him a clown, tells me though that there wouldn't be a red nose big enough in the world to make justice to your abilities. It also tells me you probably have never played tennis (or that if you have, you sucked so bad that quit after a few games.) LMFAO.
 
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dmt

Hall of Fame
I said specialists, meaning guys who specifically specialize on clay, not just the generalists who are also very good on clay. For the clay court field to have sufficient depth amongs the contenders these specialists are required, in addition to the generalists. And even amongst the generalists Federer and a mentally stable Djokovic are the only one good enough to be a real contenders. Davydenko and Nalbandian maybe bit contenders when they are healthy.

Anyway you were the one actually trying to compare Federer on clay to Verdasco so basically if anything you are the one suggesting he sucks on clay.

How about Del Potro? He can play well on clay
 

Fedace

Banned
Verdasco lost to Nadal and soderling lost to Verdasco so Nadal should handle Soderling easy if they meet in the french open
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
I said specialists, meaning guys who specifically specialize on clay, not just the generalists who are also very good on clay. For the clay court field to have sufficient depth amongs the contenders these specialists are required, in addition to the generalists. And even amongst the generalists Federer and a mentally stable Djokovic are the only one good enough to be a real contenders. Davydenko and Nalbandian maybe bit contenders when they are healthy.

Anyway you were the one actually trying to compare Federer on clay to Verdasco so basically if anything you are the one suggesting he sucks on clay.
By your reasoning, we shouldn't consider Borg since he wasn't a clay specialist (he was pretty good at grass too.)

Stop embarrassing yourself, please.
 

rovex

Legend
Davey's a clown. His logic is flawed and makes excuses when Verdasco wins against a big name or title.
 

davey25

Banned
By your reasoning, we shouldn't consider Borg since he wasn't a clay specialist (he was pretty good at grass too.)

Stop embarrassing yourself, please.

Borg's best surface by far was clay so based on that he was still a specialist, just one great on other surfaces too. You really are an idiot arent you. I enjoy reading your posts though, great comedy.
 

Atherton2003

Hall of Fame
My opinion on Verdasco is that he improved his game a lot - because of concentration and focus. In previous years, he was not into tennis 100% - but lost some focus cause he was a "playboy" who was dating a different female every week - and this took away from his tennis game. Now, he seems much more focussed - and I think he is an exceptional player - when he devotes 100% to the game.
 

anointedone

Banned
Clowndasco winning a 500 title. Mens tennis is really a mess right now. Hopefully things get better in Rome with a full field. The good news is with all the top players in the draw there isnt a prayer of Verdasco coming anywhere near the final and putting on an embarassing display like Monte Carlo.
 

Semi-Pro

Hall of Fame
Based on what?

I would understand if Soderling had defeated Rafa on numerous occasions and if Rafa struggled against him all the time. That isn't the case though. :confused:

Actually the H2H is 2-3 in Nadal's favor if I recall and Soderling won the last two. The 5th set ending 7-5 for Nadal in Wimbledon 2007 could have gone either way actually so I'd say they have had some really close encounters aside from one or two matches. So in conclusion I'd say Nadal does struggle against Soderling because of his style of play for many reasons that were already mentioned above.
 

rovex

Legend
Clowndasco winning a 500 title. Mens tennis is really a mess right now. Hopefully things get better in Rome with a full field. The good news is with all the top players in the draw there isnt a prayer of Verdasco coming anywhere near the final and putting on an embarassing display like Monte Carlo.

Hey Thalivefest, what you doing on another account?
 

ruerooo

Legend
My opinion on Verdasco is that he improved his game a lot - because of concentration and focus. In previous years, he was not into tennis 100% - but lost some focus cause he was a "playboy" who was dating a different female every week - and this took away from his tennis game. Now, he seems much more focussed - and I think he is an exceptional player - when he devotes 100% to the game.

Then why did you say earlier in the thread you wanted Soderling to win? :-?
:???:
 

bolo

G.O.A.T.
Another nice win for dasco!

The dasco haters are starting to resemble the black knight from the holy grail. :)
 

Dimension

Professional
Another nice win for dasco!

The dasco haters are starting to resemble the black knight from the holy grail. :)

Lol looks like my prediction was right. Congratulation to Dasco! I didn't get to watch the match (I need my sleep). What was the score like? Was it a good match? Either way, It will be a huge confidence booster for Nanado. I am so happy for him. *he is one of my spaniards to watch*
 

ruerooo

Legend
Another nice win for dasco!

The dasco haters are starting to resemble the black knight from the holy grail. :)

Well, I don't follow Python, so IDK what the black knight looked like, but if his temperament resembled that of some of the people here, it certainly must have been ugly. :-?
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Lol looks like my prediction was right. Congratulation to Dasco! I didn't get to watch the match (I need my sleep). What was the score like? Was it a good match? Either way, It will be a huge confidence booster for Nanado. I am so happy for him. *he is one of my spaniards to watch*
Verdasco was clutch today. 6-3 4-6 6-3.
 

bolo

G.O.A.T.
Lol looks like my prediction was right. Congratulation to Dasco! I didn't get to watch the match (I need my sleep). What was the score like? Was it a good match? Either way, It will be a huge confidence booster for Nanado. I am so happy for him. *he is one of my spaniards to watch*

I didn't get to watch dimension. Nice pick though! I thought he would lose in 3to soderling.
 

TheLoneWolf

Banned
Get a life loser.
Personal attacks: The last refuge of the moron.

You started insulting me in this thread quite a while ago, when you realized you couldn't prevail based on logic. It's quite fun arguing with you really.

And my life is way better than yours (at least I don't feel the urge to insult people like Verdasco that have already achieved more than I could ever dream.) Based on your hate you must be a sore loser, angry at life for not achieving anything. Go back to your yacht and your Supermodel wife, chump.
 

Dimension

Professional
I didn't get to watch dimension. Nice pick though! I thought he would lose in 3to soderling.

Thanks. See how accurate my intuition (despite getting the set number wrong) is when I have very little testosterone in my blood to affect my judgment. :wink:
 

Backbored

Hall of Fame
I can’t root for for Soderling ever since he mocked Rafa on court, way back when. It was very disrespectful to a young man who has conducted himself admirably from the first time I saw him play. That said, he (Soderling) has not shown any signs of repeating that kind of behavior. So hopefully he was just having a bad day and that was not indicative of his personality.


So my vote is for Verdasco in three. Why three? So I can watch more tennis of course.

Congratulation Verdasco and all of us who guessed right. It’s amazing how now the poll has Verdasco in three when before the game started it was Robin in two.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
"Espero que el año que viene tampoco juega Rafa, así puedo ganarlo otra vez."

"I hope that Rafa doesn't play again next year, that way I can win again."

haha! Congratulations Fernando!

Ha ha ha. He said that? Funny! Fernando is gaining in steam. That was a great display today. Boy, I love Spaniards, mostly all of them!
 
T

TennisandMusic

Guest
Ha ha ha. He said that? Funny! Fernando is gaining in steam. That was a great display today. Boy, I love Spaniards, mostly all of them!

Unless it's a joke that's a really terrible attitude. I'm guessing it's just a joke...he should give it his all against everyone.

I do think it's funny that the guy that Nadal just crushed 6-0, 6-1 beat Soderling though. I mean if it's not obvious what was going on last year...haha.
 

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
Unless it's a joke that's a really terrible attitude. I'm guessing it's just a joke...he should give it his all against everyone.

I do think it's funny that the guy that Nadal just crushed 6-0, 6-1 beat Soderling though. I mean if it's not obvious what was going on last year...haha.

I'm sure he's joking considering what happened last week. But Verdasco has only won 250's in his career. Today was his first 500. So, a 1,000 against the 5-time defending champion was a tall task, especially when he dropped serve in that first game. But, the way he played Nadal last year at the AO says to me he doesn't duck him, he just loses his way a bit mentally if his form is off.

That's what's been so frustrating about Fernando. He does give it his all, sometimes he just gives too much, sorta like Blake. Then, when things don't go their way they tend to check out early. Since Australia though, he's been making up (mental)ground incrementally and I'm happy because he deserves something for his efforts all of these years.
 

Overheadsmash

Professional
Verdasco beating Soderling shows just how far ahead Nadal is.

Stll, very glad for Fednando he deserved the win. It was his first 500 championship if I remember correctly.
 
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