MONTE-CARLO ATP Masters 1000- 12-19 Apr. 2009

[Leublu tennis]

I'm glad if he loses a set. As much as I like Murray, I don't want him to be too fresh for either Davydenko or Nalbandian.

I don't understand that. If you like Murray why do you want him to lose in the Q?

 

[shadows]

and there it is, pretty beastly stuff as usual from Rafa.

 

[Pirao]

When are Djokovic and Verdasco playing?

 

[Leublu tennis]

No commentary in the Murray match, its a bit boring.

All his matches are. I wish he would just fade away.

 

[fps]

When he was shortening the points earlier, he was successful.

When you're being destroyed, it's no longer just about playing tennis. It's about getting your opponent off balance by trying something different. If he goes out swinging so be it. The score could not have been any worse for Lapentti in the second set.

you're right, i'm wrong.

 

[Rorsach]

Am i reading the schedule for today correctly? If i'm right and Verdasco wins the first double match against Bhuphate/Knowles he has 3 matches to fight through today?

COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [Q] N Lapentti (ECU) 01 - To Finish 0-1
Not Before 12:00 PM
[7] F Verdasco (ESP) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB)
[Q] A Beck (GER) vs [13] S Wawrinka (SUI)
[1] R Nadal (ESP) or [Q] N Lapentti (ECU) vs S Bolelli (ITA) or [WC] I Ljubicic (CRO)
[4] A Murray (GBR) or [Q] F Fognini (ITA) vs [12] D Nalbandian (ARG) or [8] N Davydenko (RUS)
COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
[4] A Murray (GBR) vs [Q] F Fognini (ITA) 76(11) 10 - To Finish 7-6 1-0
M Cilic (CRO) / N Kiefer (GER) vs [2] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [6] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL)
N Djokovic (SRB) / V Troicki (SRB) vs F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) or [4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) - After Suitable Rest
COURT 2 start 10:30 am
[12] D Nalbandian (ARG) vs [8] N Davydenko (RUS)
[3] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) vs [7] J Knowle (AUT) / A Ram (ISR)
F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs [4] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) - After Suitable Rest
COURT 9 start 10:30 am
S Bolelli (ITA) vs [WC] I Ljubicic (CRO)

 

[shadows]

Am i reading the schedule for today correctly? If i'm right and Verdasco wins the first double match against Bhuphate/Knowles he has 3 matches to fight through today?

yup, wonder whether he'll tank the doubles.

Nalbandian serving to take the set but Davydenko breaks, Lubo just had a match point on Bolelli's serve but Bolelli saved it with an ace, deuce.

 

[Bud]

Am i reading the schedule for today correctly? If i'm right and Verdasco wins the first double match against Bhuphate/Knowles he has 3 matches to fight through today?

Correct!

 

[shadows]

Nalby broke straight back and will serve for the second set again xD

 

[Bud]

Bolelli/Ljuby in a second set TB.

 

[seffina]

Hope Davy breaks back again. Wonder what's going on in that match... Why isn't it on the show court? I mean I know why,they started all the matches from yesterday at 10:30 am, but still. If Nalby wins this set, do you think they could swap the match with the doubles match on Court des Princess?

 

[Rorsach]

yup, wonder whether he'll tank the doubles.

If he wins against Djokovic i can´t see him doing anything else tbh.

They´ve started their warm/up btw.

Edit: Any free streams with English commentary anywhere?

 

[shadows]

Lubo wins the tiebreak to set up a match vs Rafa in the 1/4s

Nalby wins the second so it's three sets for them

 

[Bud]

Lubo wins the tiebreak to set up a match vs Rafa in the 1/4s

Nalby wins the second so it's three sets for them

They'll be playing that in a few hours :shock:

 

[SikSerb]

Good to Ljubicic winning matches again. Hes a great player when hes in form.

 

[fps]

1 set all in cilic/kiefer vs nestor/zimonjic and they're playing a tie break to decide it? is this how doubles works now or a shortening to make sure all matches get played?

 

[seffina]

That's how double work now. The third set is a super tiebreaker. It's horrible and has ruined the doubles matches forever.

 

[gj011]

1 set all in cilic/kiefer vs nestor/zimonjic and they're playing a tie break to decide it? is this how doubles works now or a shortening to make sure all matches get played?

This is the new stupid rule that ruined doubles tennis. Not in slams though.

 

[fps]

This is the new stupid rule that ruined doubles tennis. Not in slams though.

right. it's a bit crazy, because it's 8-3 right now. first to.... 11?

edit: first to 8 i guess, match over! that is dumb dumb dumb.

edit 2: no wait, 8-4, back from beyond the grave. ho hum.

 

[mengpower]

Kolya won!!!!!!!

 

[fps]

if you think rafa's knees can't take it, you can get some absurdly long odds on ljubicic for this afternoon's second match right now.

wouldn't advise it mind.

 

[gj011]

right. it's a bit crazy, because it's 8-3 right now. first to.... 11?

edit: first to 8 i guess, match over! that is dumb dumb dumb.

edit 2: no wait, 8-4, back from beyond the grave. ho hum.

First to 10.

 

[fps]

First to 10.

thx 10char

 

[Zaragoza]

Djokovic beat Verdasco in 3 sets, he looked great in the first set adapting his game to clay really well but he was a bit inconsistent later. He looks like the 2nd best player on clay right now and probably the biggest threat for Nadal this clay season, but beating Nadal in a best of 5 is much harder. I can see him giving Nadal problems in a best of 3, but not in a best of 5.
If Wawrinka wins his match, we will have a re-edition of the Rome final tomorrow.

Nadal looked pretty good today, not at his best yet because he is making some UE and not serving very well but he looked pretty good.

Davydenko-Murray should be interesting but Davydenko played a long and tough match this morning, not sure if he will be at his best this evening.

 

[deltox]

Davydenko-Murray should be interesting but Davydenko played a long and tough match this morning, not sure if he will be at his best this evening.

Davydenko is one of the most fit players on the tour,, his stamina (not strength) matches and possibly surpasses even nadal.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Davydenko is one of the most fit players on the tour,, his stamina (not strength) matches and possibly surpasses even nadal.

Also he doesn't play a taxing game he controls the baseline and makes others run.

 

[deltox]

Also he doesn't play a taxing game he controls the baseline and makes others run.

i agree his control is great but he can and will run down things that make you awwwe.

 

[cucio]

Ljubo starts serving huge. Anyone to start a thread for this match?

 

[thejoe]

What a surprise, Nadal targeting the backhand. That's really smart, seeing as that is Ljubo's stronger wing :roll:

 

[fps]

first thing to say about this match-up is that nadal isn't going to break ljubo's shoulder on the backhand wing. that backhand is solid.

 

[cucio]

Great FHDTL by Nads. Ljubicic looks kick-ass: that black stripe in his shirt, it seems like it gets inside the shirt and continues down his right arm until it connects with the black tape inside his elbow.

 

[aldeayeah]

Ljubo's backhand is good, but not that good anymore.

Nadal's first service game stats: 2 winners, 1 ace. Not bad for a grinder.

 

[Pirao]

Nadal breaks.

 

[cucio]

Oh, Ivan walked right into that one. Break for Rafa.

 

[jms007]

So what's going on? Rafa is playing two matches in one day? Is Murray-Davidenko today too?

 

[thejoe]

^Yep.
10 char

 

[thejoe]

I'm wondering why Nadal has been getting broken so much this week? He breaks almost at will on clay. Is it just a lack of concentration that he loses his serve?

 

[Pirao]

Damn Rafa how do you blow a 40-0 advantage?

 

[icedevil0289]

Damn Rafa how do you blow a 40-0 advantage?

he what? Rafa, despite your huge admiration for fed, no need to actually brainfart like him.

 

[shadows]

Storming crosscourt bh from Lubo o-o

 

[fps]

o_0 well THIS is a lot more entertaining than I thought it'd be....

 

[Grizvok]

A few great shots from Ljubicic.

 

[shazbot]

Wow ljubicic's backhand is really working for him right now. Winners from everywhere...

Nadal looks uninterested in this match at the moment...lol

 

[All-rounder]

something is wrong nadal is trailing 3-2 Ljubicic should be eating his starter course of bagel

 

[thejoe]

How the hell did he reach that?

 

[cucio]

Nice wheels .

 

[Pirao]

Great point!

Don't worry people, Rafa has started slow in the 1st set all tournament, he's just getting started.

 

[shadows]

Jet boots on Rafa there

 

[The-Champ]

my streaming disappeared

 

[All-rounder]

Ljubicic is playing the way Federer should be playing