Stockholm Open Discussion Thread

[deme08]

I know right, the guy can't seem to catch a break. I don't think it's nothing too serious that would keep him out for an extended period.

Now, I may have missed this but Kei Nishikori is being crowned the baby Federer? :?

When he beat Blake in that hardcourt final people were talking about the young kid's style of play that he has an all court game, capable of many varieties of shots similar to Federer. That was when I first heard someone describes him as baby Federer. And I think he was also Federer's practice partner for the Dubai tournament back in 2006. Anyway we all know Gasquet is the real baby Federer (who lacks Federer's mental game). lol

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

^^^

Gasquet also lacks the forehand or a decent one at fact.

As for Nishikori, I get what you are saying now.

 

[illkhiboy]

The bagel from Djoko at Queen's was a shocker that I never understood how it happened. Funny thing is Djoko then managed to lose the title when he was clearly the better player of the tournament.

I saw the bagel set and the final.

Nalbandian clearly tanked the Queen's semi-final. He was struggling physically (as he said after his Dancevic match) and probably thought, might as well lose so pathetically that when people look back at this match, they don't really consider this a fair win for Djoko.

I don't know if Djokovic was the better player that tournament. Nadal did beat Karlovic and Roddick - both mighty grass courters. I especially enjoyed Nadal's forehand return winners off Roddick's first serves. I thought Nadal was just blazing that tournament.

Djokovic started off great, raced to a 3-0 lead. And it seemed like it would be the sort of pounding he's given Nadal on hardcourts from time to time.
But Nadal hung in there, and managed to shake Djoko's belief. And once Nadal bounced back and got the breaker (rebounding there too I think) he had gained a bit too much of confidence. I thought the result was never in doubt after that.
I think that match was a big turning point. It firmly planted Nadal as the world's second best grass courter. And he already was very close to Federer on grass.

 

[deme08]

Fat Dave 5-1 up in the second set. Next up is Nieminen.

 

[Alejandro D]

Nalbandian is like a bear. He went into hibernation many months ago, and he's just woke up. 6-4 6-1.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Fat Dave 5-1 up in the second set. Next up is Nieminen.

"Fat Dave" benefits and thrives with great success on the indoor surfaces. There is much to be said about his indoor game. Being in shape is overrated.

 

[deme08]

Nalbandian clearly tanked the Queen's semi-final. He was struggling physically (as he said after his Dancevic match) and probably thought, might as well lose so pathetically that when people look back at this match, they don't really consider this a fair win for Djoko.

I don't know if Djokovic was the better player that tournament. Nadal did beat Karlovic and Roddick - both mighty grass courters. I especially enjoyed Nadal's forehand return winners off Roddick's first serves. I thought Nadal was just blazing that tournament.

Djokovic started off great, raced to a 3-0 lead. And it seemed like it would be the sort of pounding he's given Nadal on hardcourts from time to time.
But Nadal hung in there, and managed to shake Djoko's belief. And once Nadal bounced back and got the breaker (rebounding there too I think) he had gained a bit too much of confidence. I thought the result was never in doubt after that.

That's what I thought he somehow tanked the match. Djokovic is no way 6-0 better than Nalby.

I agree Nadal was blazing that tournament but he was stuggling in the early rounds especially against Nishikori and another player before him. But he did blaze Andy Roddick thats for sure. As for Djokovic he was the aggresser in that final making the play, except he missed too many opportunities it was a shame. Nadal was just an incredible defensive player.

 

[deme08]

"Fat Dave" benefits and thrives with great success on the indoor surfaces. There is much to be said about his indoor game. Being in shape is overrated.

The top dogs better be ready for the return of Fat Dave next week.:twisted:

 

[deme08]

Nieminen, Jarkko 4-5 Nalbandian, David

2007 ATP Masters Series Miami
FL, U.S.A. Hard R32 Nieminen 6-4 7-6(3)
Stats
2006 Australian Open
Australia Hard R32 Nalbandian 2-6 6-3 6-2 7-5
Stats
2005 Munich
Germany Clay S Nalbandian 6-3 6-0
Stats
2004 Beijing
China Hard Q Nieminen 6-2 2-6 6-2
Stats
2004 Dubai
U.A.E. Hard R32 Nieminen 6-3 6-4
Stats
2003 US Open
NY, U.S.A. Hard R64 Nalbandian 5-7 6-3 6-1 4-6 7-6(3)
Stats
2003 Montreal / Toronto
Montreal, Canada Hard R64 Nalbandian 7-6(5) 7-6(5)
Stats
2002 Cincinnati TMS
Ohio, USA Hard R64 Nieminen 3-6 6-3 6-4
Stats
2002 Estoril
Portugal Clay F Nalbandian 6-4 7-6(5)
Stats

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

The top dogs better be ready for the return of Fat Dave next week.:twisted:

Oh they are ready and they should have learned from that horrible lesson he taught last year.

 

[deme08]

Oh they are ready and they should have learned from that horrible lesson he taught last year.

LessonS! Two lessons for Roger and Rafa each and one lesson for Novak!:twisted:

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

I know, but one event at a time.

 

[J-man]

Nalbandian is like a bear. He went into hibernation many months ago, and he's just woke up. 6-4 6-1.

He woke about this time last years too. Nalbandian over Jarkko in straights, I bet

 

[Alejandro D]

And David takes the first set 6-2, playing sharp backhands and great net points.

 

[Alejandro D]

David breaks again. 2-1 second set.

 

[Alejandro D]

2 double faults and 2 aces in the same game. 3-1 Nalbandian.

 

[Alejandro D]

Another break for Nalbo. 4-1. Nieminen looks already defeted.

 

[J-man]

If only Nalbandian could always play like this. Its a shame

 

[Love Game]

There's no free lunch today!!! :evil:

oh well ... looks like Nalby's eating Jarkko's lunch.....

I hope SVT provides a replay at least!

 

[J-man]

He just won 6-2 6-1

 

[Love Game]

He just won 6-2 6-1

So. Nalby broke Jarkko's serve for the win!?!?!?!

Interesting!

 

[Alejandro D]

Its over. 6-2 6-1. Nalbandian at his best.

 

[Alejandro D]

David played a lot at the net, much more than he usually does.

 

[Love Game]

For those of us unable to see the match,
here are the numbers from live Scoreboard.....

Vamos David!

 

[Alejandro D]

Hey, Love Game, who are you going to root for at the Davis Cup finals? Argentina or Spain? You're a Nadal fan but you also seem to like Nalbandian and Del Potro, don't you?

 

[Love Game]

Hey, Love Game, who are you going to root for at the Davis Cup finals? Argentina or Spain? You're a Nadal fan but you also seem to like Nalbandian and Del Potro, don't you?

Arrrggggg! You had to ask! :lol:

I'll be waaaaay torn up over this one.

If I had to chose at this moment, I'd have to stay w/my first love, Rafa. w/Spain being in Europe, we're able to see a lot more south american tennis here in usa .... so I've come to really like argentina as well as spain.

I guess I'll have to guess that Rafa's gonna win his matches.
But with home court advantage and the way the argies are playing on HC this week, I might have to root for them to win the final. ..... How's that for fence sitting?

What's your answer to the same question, Alejandro?

 

[Alejandro D]

Sorry for the uncomfortable question
I'm an argie, I'll root for Argentina. Still, I like Nadal, at least much better than Fed.

 

[Love Game]

Sorry for the uncomfortable question
I'm an argie, I'll root for Argentina. Still, I like Nadal, at least much better than Fed.

obviously, david will play rafa.
can david beat rafa this year/november?

of course, more w/b revealed in madrid.

 

[Alejandro D]

obviously, david will play rafa.
can david beat rafa this year/november?

of course, more w/b revealed in madrid.

Well, if he keeps playing like today, he has a good chance: Nalbandian is all about motivation. He gets bored, he'd rather be racing cars, sky diving, fishing, anything but playing yet another tennis match. But he is usually on fire when he plays DC.

 

[J-man]

Soderling playing Kei now on the SVT feed.

 

[J-man]

Soderling 6-1 first set. He is putting the beat down on Kei. The fast court is really working in the favor of Soderling. I noticed that Kei uses a very western grip on his forehand. Which can be difficult to get under the ball on these low bouncing fast surfaces (Stockholm is playing very fast.)

 

[Love Game]

Soderling 6-1 first set. He is putting the beat down on Kei. The fast court is really working in the favor of Soderling. I noticed that Kei uses a very western grip on his forehand. Which can be difficult to get under the ball on these low bouncing fast surfaces (Stockholm is playing very fast.)

Did I see someone on this thread
refer to Kei as "Baby Fed"?

 

[deme08]

Wow, Nishikori's about to get bagelled in the 2nd set! He should be good on hardcourt. Is stockholm that much faster than Delray beach?

 

[oranges]

Wow, Nishikori's about to get bagelled in the 2nd set! He should be good on hardcourt. Is stockholm that much faster than Delray beach?

Well, he's had all sorts of health problems this week and Soderling has been playing very well, not a big surprise.

 

[Love Game]

Well, he's had all sorts of health problems this week and Soderling has been playing very well, not a big surprise.

he also had the walkover ....... anyhoooo ....
nalbanian / soderline should be very good!

 

[diegaa]

soderling owns argie players...

 

[oranges]

he also had the walkover ....... anyhoooo ....
nalbanian / soderline should be very good!

True, but it was really a question who would withdraw, Mario or Kei.

 

[Love Game]

soderling owns argie players...

this is a stupid question, but how about nalby?

BTW svt is replaying nalbanian vs. nieminen

 

[J-man]

Wow, Nishikori's about to get bagelled in the 2nd set! He should be good on hardcourt. Is stockholm that much faster than Delray beach?

I would think that Stockholm is faster. I couldn't tell you for sure. One thing that Kei seems to be bothered by a surface that doesn't give him much of a bounce. Outside hard courts seems to be his best surface, so far.

 

[Love Game]

soderling owns argie players...

"argie players" -- I don't know.
Nalbandian --- Not so much!!!

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/players/headtohead/?player1=nalbandian&player2=soderling

 

[mrDamien]

Top seed Nalbandian cruises into final. Hooray. His tennis its great. By winning this tournament may secure him to Shanghai.

 

[oranges]

Top seed Nalbandian cruises into final. Hooray. His tennis its great. By winning this tournament may secure him to Shanghai.

What are you talking about? He'll still be around 70 points behind No8, meaning that he needs to almost repeat the end of last year to qualify for TMC. The way he's been playing in Stockholm gives hope he might do well, but it's still a long shot.

 

[mrDamien]

What are you talking about? He'll still be around 70 points behind No8, meaning that he needs to almost repeat the end of last year to qualify for TMC. The way he's been playing in Stockholm gives hope he might do well, but it's still a long shot.

Don't forget Nalbandian is indoor specialist. He could be very dangerous at anytime :twisted:.

 

[oranges]

Don't forget Nalbandian is indoor specialist. He could be very dangerous at anytime :twisted:.

I'm not forgetting anything, I'm just saying this tournament isn't securing anything. He still needs to do almost as well as last year in the last two masters. If he does, I have no doubts he'll earn some kind of legendary status and with good reason, hahaha, but I wouldn't bet money on it just yet.

 

[mrDamien]

I'm not forgetting anything, I'm just saying this tournament isn't securing anything. He still needs to do almost as well as last year in the last two masters. If he does, I have no doubts he'll earn some kind of legendary status and with good reason, hahaha, but I wouldn't bet money on it just yet.

I have no doubt on his tennis. Most probably he could repeat his history as Fed and Djoko not in a great run recently. Put your money dude, it will double up your winning bet.

 

[oranges]

I have no doubt on his tennis. Most probably he could repeat his history as Fed and Djoko not in a great run recently. Put your money dude, it will double up your winning bet.

Putting money on Nalby is as bad as putting it against him, no thanks I'd like to see him in Shanghai, though.

 

[mrDamien]

Putting money on Nalby is as bad as putting it against him, no thanks I'd like to see him in Shanghai, though.

I hope he does win as it seems so quiet from him after he captured his only title of the year from Buenos Aires. Though good to see coming back strongly. Maybe he even more interested of the prize money that indoor game has offered so far.

 

[J-man]

Got my money on Nalbandian. But it should be a good final.

 

[oranges]

For the final here, I'd be willing to bet on Nalby too. Playing as he is, he's seems too much for Soderling even if he maintains his level and steers clear of serious chokes.

 

[J-man]

When Nalbandan is in the zone it is very hard to stop him. And Soderling doesn't have what it takes