Blake: Beware Haas

[DoubleHanded&LovinIt]

If James goes on to win tonight, which he's two points from doing, he's going to face Tommy Haas. I haven't seen Tommy play yet this tournament, but have watched Blake thrice. James needs to beware a bum-rush from Tommy. Haas always seems to bring his best around these round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. Tommy is top 15 talent. But against the top guys, he folds. But in the aforementioned rounds, he's facing guys around his ranking. And really, he's the cream of the crop in this group. He knows it too. I think he almost brings his best to these matches, almost like there his real finals. So James, be careful. Tighten up your game, and bring the A level variation!

 

[Feña14]

I've seen 2 of Tommy's matches and he's not playing his best tennis, he's been patchy but I get the feeling that todays match could of warmed him up nicely for Blake.

The Blake forehand v The Haas backhand ... it's going to be fun either way.

 

[Alexandros]

I think Blake can win this one if he brings his best game. Haas can be bullied around the court, he doesn't absorb power too well.

 

[BreakPoint]

Well, at least they'll both be using the same racquet.

 

[Ken B.]

Haas always has trouble with Grossjean, and now that he got that monkey off his back he knows he has to stay with it. I'm pretty sure he wants to face Davydenko again in the QF, without the cramping this time.

A night match could put things in Blake's favor, with his drunk block.

But Haas has done well against top 10's this year. Steamrolled Roddick in Memphis, beat Davydenko in Melbourne, Gonzalez in Indian Wells, and put up a good fight against Federer in Dubai.

If Haas wins the first set, Blake will lose confidence in the second (as always), and can run away with it.

 

[Fedace]

Haas WILL beat Blake, i am 100% sure of this. Blake not playing well at all, and Haas has something to prove.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Haas will beat blake and then retire the next round.

 

[Fearsome Forehand]

Blake had trouble getting by two lowly journeymen ATP also rans. If Santoro hadn't started cramping, I think JB would already be home by now.

Note to Fabrice: Buy some Gatorade. (Even during his break for the trainer, he didn't drink anything. Later on, he took a micro sip of Pepsi. Electrolytes!!!! Hello?????)

Koubek had severe brain cramping throughout their match or else he might have sent Blake home early.

Blake has a good draw so we will see how far he gets.

The match against Koubek was like a ladies's match. So many service breaks, it was silly.

Anyone else notice how much Koubek resembles fellow left handed blonde Austrian Thomas Muster in his mannerisms (his walk, etc.) If he had a one handed backhand, he would be a virtual Muster clone.

 

[daddy]

Haas will beat blake and then retire the next round.

This post is serious. I think something like this is very possible.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

This post is serious. I think something like this is very possible.

It just seems Haas is notorious for this. He gets a big win only to mail it in the next round. I think it's mostly mental. He's a great talent but so hard to root for the guy when he just retires like that.

 

[Tennis_Monk]

Haas indicated that he is not going to retire!
between Blake and Haas , i favor Haas a little bit (but who cares who i favor anywaz).

 

[daddy]

It just seems Haas is notorious for this. He gets a big win only to mail it in the next round. I think it's mostly mental. He's a great talent but so hard to root for the guy when he just retires like that.

I love Haas. Just because his familly has $$ and always had it, he playes for te love of tennis and for the wins over top players. Thats why he will not push it one bit more than needed in order not to injure himself, but will make occasional a win or two over the best playuers in the world. He does not play for the money and is well knon for this, but then again - what he does with his career is his thing and we can like it or not .

 

[35ft6]

This is a toss up. Blake is playing crappy and Haas is struggling too. At their best, I give Haas the edge.

Blake is more of a wild card. There's nothing preventing him from playing better, and he keeps going for his shots so who knows. Haas seems to always be injured. If Blake comes out and plays like a top 5 player, he could beat Haas in straight sets, but he hasn't looked too confident the last two matches.

 

[NamRanger]

This is a toss up. Blake is playing crappy and Haas is struggling too. At their best, I give Haas the edge.

Blake is more of a wild card. There's nothing preventing him from playing better, and he keeps going for his shots so who knows. Haas seems to always be injured. If Blake comes out and plays like a top 5 player, he could beat Haas in straight sets, but he hasn't looked too confident the last two matches.

Haas at his best would steam roll Blake. Remember, this is an Olympic Silver Medalist, former world #2, and took Federer to 5 at Australia and gave him a real good scare. He plays very similiar to Federer, and doesn't really mind power players (he beat Gonzalez pretty handidly at Indian Wells, and just blew Roddick off the court at Memphis).

 

[bluescreen]

both players arent playing at their best, imo. i still pick james though, with the home crowd and all.

 

[phoony]

Well for Blake, he should stop in 4th round. Haas much more better than him.

 

[Zets147]

Haas at his best would steam roll Blake. Remember, this is an Olympic Silver Medalist, former world #2, and took Federer to 5 at Australia and gave him a real good scare. He plays very similiar to Federer, and doesn't really mind power players (he beat Gonzalez pretty handidly at Indian Wells, and just blew Roddick off the court at Memphis).

"Former" He is not that great nowadays.

Blake will win with the home crowd support. And if he plays this match like he did in the fourth set vs Koubek, then Haas will lose.

 

[Fedace]

James's serve is off, if he finds his serve, the match will go 5 sets, if not 3 straight sets for Tommy boy.

 

[coloskier]

One of the best matches I've seen in a long time. Haas definitely amped it up. Finally serve and volley comes through.

 

[daddy]

One of the best matches I've seen in a long time. Haas definitely amped it up. Finally serve and volley comes through.

What ? About > that backhand was faster than saprases serve ??? Coome one the best shot in the game of that wing.

 

[jetlee2k]

Man.. I really really want to cheer for US Players.. but watching James Blake, Mardy Fish played just kill me.. They just choke.. They have great shots.. move well.. great games just mentally CHOKE.. Mardy Fish got the match under his belt at 4-1 fifth set and choke.. Samething with James Blake.. Santoro match should be 3-0 for James rather than going to a fifth set tie break.. Blake tank a match too easily or just lost points too easily....