ATP 250: Qatar Open (Doha) Jan. 5-10

[RF007]

Outdoor hard (plexicushion)
Players:
1 Nadal, Rafael ESP 1
2 Federer, Roger SUI 2
3 Murray, Andy GBR 4
4 Roddick, Andy USA 8
5 Andreev, Igor RUS 19
6 Tursunov, Dmitry RUS 22
7 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER 28
8 Youzhny, Mikhail RUS 32
9 Seppi, Andreas ITA 35
10 Montanes, Albert ESP 45
11 Hanescu, Victor ROU 50
12 Santoro, Fabrice FRA 52
13 Troicki, Viktor SRB 57
14 Petzschner, Philipp GER 66
15 Hernandez, Oscar ESP 68
16 Rochus Christophe BEL 69
17 Starace, Potito ITA 71
18 Devilder, Nicolas FRA 72
19 Navarro, Ivan ESP 73
20 Chardy, Jeremy FRA 74
OUT Massu, Nicolas CHI 76
22 Junqueira, Diego ARG 79
23 Hernych, Jan CZE 80
24 Gremelmayr, Denis GER 83
25 Vliegen, Kristof BEL 84
26 (Q)
27 (Q)
28 (Q)
29 (Q)
30 (WC) Haas, Tommy GER
31 (WC) Monfils, Gael FRA
32 (WC) Al Haji, Abdulla QAT

 

[tennisgirl90]

Very interesting. Federer lost today to Murray, I would like to see a rematch in Doha. Still going for Federer.

 

[Tarsier]

Who's defending champ here? Murray? If so, he's got a very good chance to continue his reign. Though if he faces Fed again Mr. Federer will be more than unwilling to let Andy win for the 4th time in a row. As for Rafa he usually needs some time to get into the groove at the start of the year.

 

[SikSerb]

Voted for Federer. Troicki could be a suprise player to go deep. Murray could be another likely winner but Federer will be seeking to start the season well.

 

[jones101]

I see the Top 4 seeds making the semis with either nadal/murray/fed maing the finals.

Im hoping to see nadal/fed on HC since its been a while since they've played on one

 

[ninman]

Who's defending champ here? Murray? If so, he's got a very good chance to continue his reign. Though if he faces Fed again Mr. Federer will be more than unwilling to let Andy win for the 4th time in a row. As for Rafa he usually needs some time to get into the groove at the start of the year.

Andy Murray has currently only beaten Federer 2 times in a row.

 

[Tarsier]

Sorry, you're right there

 

[All-rounder]

i want federer to win but i see murray taking this one again

 

[pabloJD]

I wonder why this tournament is ATP 250 instead of 500, with such players in the draw and $1,049,000 in prizes. If Murray defends the title, he'll still lose 250 points in the rankings.

 

[Tarsier]

I wonder why this tournament is ATP 250 instead of 500, with such players in the draw and $1,049,000 in prizes. If Murray defends the title, he'll still lose 250 points in the rankings.

How's that? New rules? What else is new this year?:???:

 

[Tarsier]

Sorry, you're right there

Oops, I have to take my words back, pal Murray defeated Fed in October in Madrid, then in November in Shanghai and now today. That makes it 3 in a row, which means I was right and you were wrong

 

[sheq]

no chance for roger in there because these are the tourneys where youngests give their best..roger definetely wont be his top form..

IMO he wants to reach semi final and take a match against murray or nadal but thats all..plus, when murray plays roger he is like a bull seeing the red he puts everything he has..

so, murray will be the one wanting it more than anyone and if roger and nadal wouldnt want that much murray will be the winner..

however, when it comes to slams no,,then you should consider federer will be another desirous man for it,,so you know him when he is at that kind of form

 

[norbac]

Go Misha!!!

 

[Tarsier]

Yeah, it would be nice to see Youzhny doing well there, last year was a disaster for him.

 

[ninman]

Oops, I have to take my words back, pal Murray defeated Fed in October in Madrid, then in November in Shanghai and now today. That makes it 3 in a row, which means I was right and you were wrong

No, because exhibitions don't count.

 

[All-rounder]

Oops, I have to take my words back, pal Murray defeated Fed in October in Madrid, then in November in Shanghai and now today. That makes it 3 in a row, which means I was right and you were wrong

atp tour starts next week so that defeat doesn't count and plus its an exhibition tourny only players that need the money are gonna take it serious players like blake and roddick who got knocked out.....its a shame

 

[West Coast Ace]

atp tour starts next week so that defeat doesn't count and plus its an exhibition tourny only players that need the money are gonna take it serious players like blake and roddick who got knocked out.....its a shame

Are you saying Blake and Roddick need money? You cannot be serious!

 

[All-rounder]

Are you saying Blake and Roddick need money? You cannot be serious!

ok i was pushing it a bit but blake and roddick do need the wins to boost confidence as they are no longer classed as favorites anymore

 

[norbac]

Yeah, it would be nice to see Youzhny doing well there, last year was a disaster for him.

He started off well and wona couple of doubles titles throughout the year, but yeah it wasn't a very good season for him.

 

[Tarsier]

No, because exhibitions don't count.

I wasn't talking about official statistics in my first post but about a psychological impact of Fed losing to Murray three times in a row. And he did exactly that. Officially or unofficially, exhibition or not, count or doesn't - but next time Fed plays Murray there might be a thought at the back of his mind that he keeps losing to this guy.
And you never know how it's gonna work - he may fire up and tear him to pieces in the USO fashion or it may evolve into something similar to his Nadal complex. Remember Murray's already ahead in their h2h even officially.

 

[LanceStern]

I definitely agree with Tarsier.

It doesn't matyer if it officially counts or not, if you keep losing to a man in three sets, it makes you think a bit harder about whats going on and it makes the winner more confident

 

[NamRanger]

I picked Tursinov just for fun. But Federer should win this.

 

[mrDamien]

Nadal to win.

 

[tacou]

I'm in with Igor. Don't question it/

 

[P_Agony]

It's really surprising Fed is still the favorite to win among you guys. Fed is my favorite player and I'll always root for him, but Murray is just to strong at this point, so I voted for Murray. If not Murray, I see Nadal winning this one trying to make a statement before the AO.

 

[RF007]

Draw is out:
http://qatarten.msoutlookonline.net/Qatar Open 2009 Forms/Maindraw Singles.pdf

- Murray is on Federer's side of the draw!
- 1st round: Nadal vs. Santoro, Federer vs. Starace, Murray vs. Montanes
- Youzhny vs. Andreev also in the 1st round should be interesting (unfortunate though as either one could have made the competition more interesting especially for Nadal and Federer)

 

[Aabye]

I tapped Nadal, admittedly because he's my favorite, but this could be Murray's chance to prove the exo wasn't just for show.

Personally, I don't count them until it is backed up in a match where points are on the line.

 

[sheq]

ı think roger has the easiest draw till the semi where possibly meet murray because murray and nadal has more dangerous player in their quarters..

 

[veroniquem]

It's really surprising Fed is still the favorite to win among you guys. Fed is my favorite player and I'll always root for him, but Murray is just to strong at this point, so I voted for Murray. If not Murray, I see Nadal winning this one trying to make a statement before the AO.

I totally agree. How come Djokovic is not playing?

 

[Tarsier]

He's playing Brisbane.

 

[veroniquem]

He's playing Brisbane.

Too bad. I was hoping for an early clash between all the contenders.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Roger Federer, it's a pretty strong field and should be interesting no matter what.

 

[LanceStern]

This is tough.

I think Federer is the 2nd favorite to win this. I really want him to be the winner and he has the game...

But reputation alone isn't the winner for this one. Murray's game has shown me that he is a ridiculous threat to anyone on hard courts, and a threat to Federer in 3 set matches.

So I voted Murray. But We'll see

 

[Mungo73]

Oops, I have to take my words back, pal Murray defeated Fed in October in Madrid, then in November in Shanghai and now today. That makes it 3 in a row, which means I was right and you were wrong

haw haw! :twisted:

 

[musicalmedic81]

Roddick usually always starts the the year with a strong performance (except for last year....kholschreiber....yuck...) Hopefully this time with Stefanki has given him some confidence. Im gonna go way out on a limb and say he brings home title #27 next week.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Official Web site

 

[LanceStern]

Barring any upsets...it looks like the semifinals will be:

Federer vs. Murray
Nadal vs. Roddick

Which would be very good matches to watch.

I honestly don't see anyone in there that could stop those 4 from making it to the semis.

 

[Tarsier]

haw haw! :twisted:

Care to explain your excitement? :???:

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Barring any upsets...it looks like the semifinals will be:

Federer vs. Murray
Nadal vs. Roddick

Which would be very good matches to watch.

I honestly don't see anyone in there that could stop those 4 from making it to the semis.

Unfortunately, I see Andreev beating Rod.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

 

[MajinX]

Unfortunately, I see Andreev beating Rod.

andreev wouldnt do anything, if anything the trickiest guy on roddick's side is troicki, hes very streaky and can play some good tennis at times, of course if roddick plays about at 80 - 90 percent of his best tennis at the moment he should easily make the semis. The same as the other top 4 seeds. Nadal has a pretty easy draw, federer does also and only chance of him losing is at semis to murray. Roddick vs Nadal rematch would be nice.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

andreev wouldnt do anything, if anything the trickiest guy on roddick's side is troicki, hes very streaky and can play some good tennis at times, of course if roddick plays about at 80 - 90 percent of his best tennis at the moment he should easily make the semis. The same as the other top 4 seeds. Nadal has a pretty easy draw, federer does also and only chance of him losing is at semis to murray. Roddick vs Nadal rematch would be nice.

I hope Rod makes it. I'd rather see him in semis or even final over everyone else.

 

[Leublu tennis]

I haven't been a particular fan of Murray's but he is playing so well that he just might make it again here.

 

[Zaragoza]

This event isn´t even a Masters 500 so it will be meaningless in the rankings for the top players. The only thing at stake is the no.2 seeding in the AO. Federer in Doha vs Djokovic in Brisbane.

 

[tacou]

This event isn´t even a Masters 500 so it will be meaningless in the rankings for the top players. The only thing at stake is the no.2 seeding in the AO. Federer in Doha vs Djokovic in Brisbane.

I've questioned this a million times but can't get an answer; Marat Safin's website claimed he'll be #29 seed at the AO, so are the seedings already done or what?

 

[Zaragoza]

I've questioned this a million times but can't get an answer; Marat Safin's website claimed he'll be #29 seed at the AO, so are the seedings already done or what?

Next Monday´s rankings will establish the seeds at the AO.

 

[veroniquem]

andreev wouldnt do anything, if anything the trickiest guy on roddick's side is troicki, hes very streaky and can play some good tennis at times, of course if roddick plays about at 80 - 90 percent of his best tennis at the moment he should easily make the semis. The same as the other top 4 seeds. Nadal has a pretty easy draw, federer does also and only chance of him losing is at semis to murray. Roddick vs Nadal rematch would be nice.

Funny because Doha's official site describes Nadal's draw as being very hard and Federer 's draw as being easy. Anybody has read that article?

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Funny because Doha's official site describes Nadal's draw as being very hard and Federer 's draw as being easy. Anybody has read that article?

No, post the link if you like.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

There are 4 top players. One is absent, two are in one side and Nadal is on the other side. Tell me which one you consider stronger than Murray on Nadal's side.

 

[seffina]

Another year, another discussion about whose draw is harder.

Can't wait for this to start. Not really any great matchups tomorrow.