2017 Madrid R2 - Gilles Simon vs Feliciano Lopez

[The Green Mile]

Talent vs hard work

Their H2H is 2-2, Simon winning on hard-court twice, and Lopez on grass.
Lopez took out Escobedo in straights, a good win really, thought Ernesto could score the upset.
Simon won a "thriller" against Monfils, clutching victory in a 3rd set TB.
Difficult to predict really...

 

[The Green Mile]

Never forget.

"Talent, no one knows what it is. They talked about it with me enormously until I was twenty-one, then when I got stronger I went over to the other side. When I qualified for the Australian Open and I'd beaten Berdych(2006), I was a genius. That's what Équipe wrote: 'Genius'. Me, I said: 'I'm 130th. in the world, I'm no genius.' In France, the word talent is associated with three things: having good hands - and as I have zero hands, I have no talent - technique - the impression of fluidity - and attacking. Basically, "flamboyance" is confused with talent. I often hear that Feliciano Lopez has talent and I **** on that. Ah Lopez the attacker ... No, Lopez is a defender. Everyone knows he's a baseliner who serves more than he volleys. He has the image of a gifted serve-and-volleyer. But I find the serve-and-volleyer is very often un-gifted. They guy hits a hard serve and moves up to volley because, for him, it's the easiest way to win a point.

 

[smoledman]

I don't buy the notion that Feliciano hasn't worked hard through the years. If only he had a real backhand who knows what he could have achieved. The fact he's still so fit and ready to go at 35+ is a testament to his dedication to the sport of tennis!

 

[The Green Mile]

I don't buy the notion that Feliciano hasn't worked hard through the years. If only he had a real backhand who knows what he could have achieved. The fact he's still so fit and ready to go at 35+ is a testament to his dedication to the sport of tennis!

Yeah, I know. It was tongue and cheek from my part. I just like the history they have.

 

[The Green Mile]

Shame about the schedule, will have to miss this one and watch a replay. But if anyone wants to do Gods work, and post during Simon vs Lopez, then please go right ahead.

 

[Meles]

Shame about the schedule, will have to miss this one and watch a replay. But if anyone wants to do Gods work, and post during Simon vs Lopez, then please go right ahead.

Well its a nice contrast in styles this match. I'm watching a bit.

 

[Meles]

Simon sharp as a tack with love hold for 2 all.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Who are you cheering for? Not Lopez?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

it's always fun to see simon lose... but against lopez, there's some always additional exquisite flavour

 

[The Green Mile]

it's always fun to see simon lose... but against lopez, there's some always additional exquisite flavour

In a 3rd set TB no less. No Madrid 2008 dream run. He won four 3rd set TB matches in that tournament. I will watch now.