|
Post by Choupi on Jan 17, 2005 7:57:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the infos...looking forward for your reports...
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 17, 2005 8:03:05 GMT -5
Thanks for telling us and looking forward to it. How many fellow MTF posters have you met so far? Well there are 3 that I already know from before, but nobody new. I am still waiting for Wyver to take the challenge. I did meet Emilita, she seemed a bit scared of me, but she is cool. There are meant to be others as well.
|
|
Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
|
Post by Rosie on Jan 17, 2005 8:05:34 GMT -5
Looking forward to your reports
|
|
|
Post by Choupi on Jan 17, 2005 8:11:00 GMT -5
George, you couldn't get to see Fabrice? The score seems tight but I know I shouldn't trust it as to the real way the match has come.
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Jan 17, 2005 10:56:47 GMT -5
Due to the individual known as GWH having a very busy day at the tennis, what I will do is just give a preview of the matches that I was at, and tomorrow morning before I go to the tennis I will have Monday's report written out as there is a lot to edit and I will organise it tonight, so I can get into it straight away. Looking forward to it!
|
|
|
Post by The Chloe on Jan 17, 2005 13:37:08 GMT -5
I did meet Emilita, she seemed a bit scared of me, but she is cool. There are meant to be others as well.
|
|
|
Post by tennis32378 on Jan 17, 2005 15:58:28 GMT -5
The matches that will get a write up as follows. Baghdatis vs Luzzi (interesting Koellerer antidote) Phau v Costa ( still can't believe that performance) O.Rochus vs Kiefer Monfils vs Ginepri Gaudio vs Gimelknob Monaco vs Fish Hrbaty vs Söderling Calleri vs Mirnyi Matches that I was at for a while All of these matches I'm interested in ;D. Particularly, Marcos vs. Luzzi, Gaston vs. Gimelstob (read that Gaston was hitting Gimelstob with a ball a few times ) and Ollie vs. Kiwi!!
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 17, 2005 18:22:42 GMT -5
Here is the delayed report from yesterday, today's one should be up quicker than yesterday's. Baghdatis vs Luzzi. Well this match had plenty of atmosphere as the Greeks were supporting Marcos and the Italians were supporting Luzzi and as these two long standing communities were giving each other shit it was fun. The Greeks had the drum and were pissing off Luzzi, who isn't that hard to irritate and the Italians thought it was a football match. Marcos was the better player, but Luzzi managed to keep him off his balance with his heavy forehand and when he got the length right, it was the main reason Marcos couldn't attack him and led to errors from Marcos and the fact that he had a few lapses didn't help. It was a tough match for Marcos to come through, but he managed it and I am happy for him, though this cousin stayed for the full match unlike myself, because from what I saw I was giving him some bad luck, now it's time for Ljubicic, a totally different game, but if he returns well he has a chance.. Koellerer was at the Luzzi match which was a surprise, considering Luzzi punched him after a very heated challenger match last year. I think he might have been cheering for Marcos. Phau v Costa well what can I say, it was an absolute horrible performance from Costa. Al didn't seem there and when he is continually approaching the net, you know something isn't going right. Phau I don't think hardly opened his eyes the whole match, but he is very fast around the court and did some very good shots. Costa broke him in the 2nd set twice, he served for it, but played some very bad points and got duly punished. I think Mario "Karate Kid" Ancic should take him out easily. Didn't see much of the Hrbaty vs Söderling match, though it definitely wasn't beautiful tennis and Hrbaty was in control, then Robin decides to retire with a knee problem, then later Hrbaty was out training, it must not have been enough practice for him. Calleri vs Mirnyi. Yes, yes this was a great win from El Gordo and it was quite a good match played by two bigger guys, it's interesting to see the contrast between these two and say Monfils and Ginepri for example who are much speedier around the court. Calleri got into the groove fairly quickly and probably should have won this match in 4 sets at worst, but in both the 2nd and the 4th sets, he played one very loose service game and was punished for that. Calleri returned very well as Max was pressuring him hard and his trademark backhand was on fire and he didn't become passive when the match got tight and came to the net on a few occasions and showed he can volley quite well. I know a few guys who got burnt on this match, but I thought this one is tough for Calleri, but if he can get his returns working, then he is a chance. When asked after the match by the Clarin guy, he said the court seemed to be playing the same as last year, he know has to play Thomas Johansson in the next match and he wasn't impressive, but he won. Gaudio vs Gimelknob. This match I can say wasn't the best, but the most important thing is the result and he managed to get through to the next round easily and that is what counts. Gaston didn't start off greatly, but Gimelclown was worse and that was the funny thing. Gaston was returning quite well and broke easily and had 40-0 to close out the set 6-3, but Gaston being Gaston decides to play some interesting points and loses the advantage. In the tiebreaker Gaston starts hitting some very good shots especially varying the direction of the backhands and Gimelknob was standing there looking foolish. Yes, Gaston and Gimelstob hit a few balls at each other, but it's easiest way to win the point at the net, so it's cool with me. In the 2nd set Gaston lifts his game and is really cruising along and he took an early break to lead 2-1, then in reality he only pulled out the good shots when he needed them. Gimelknob is really mishitting backhands so badly, that I ended up with one of the balls from the match, that in addition to Gaston's play and his balltoss problems. The 3rd was set was more of the same, though at one point Gaston falls over when coming to the net and the "clown" missed the attempted lob. A victory is a victory and that is what counts and Gaston will need to improve if he is to win, though if he can return well and get Fish running then he has a good chance of going through to the next match. Monaco vs Fish: This one was a very disappointing result and I think Monaco's inexperience let him down in this one. I got there at the start of the 3rd set, and as a match it wasn't too bad. Fish has chopped off all his hair and Monaco has a haircut, but I think Monaco is going to have some very good results barring injuries. The 3rd set was the pivotal one as they were going on serve at 5-4, then Juan missed too many 1st serves and got punished. The most frustrating thing about this match was that how many break opportunities Monaco had in the 3rd set and in the 5th he broke Fish and was on the way, then he got tight and got broken straight away. Monaco was pushing him around the baseline, though Fish's backhand was working well and he came through in the big moments with some good volleys off some very good passes. Mardy was too good when it counted, though on his performance it would be interesting to see how he plays against Gaudio. Monfils vs Ginepri. Gael was very nervous in the 1st set as to be expected in his 1st Slam match and was spraying the ball everywhere, but he settled down in the 2nd and then started to show some of his talents. The court was very packed as it's small and people were watching over from the next court. I have to say I enjoyed this match mainly because Ginepri is such a tool and it's good to see him pissed off. The only similarity that Gael has with Roddick is the service motion, though Monfils was varying the service speeds very well, not all of them hard, a few slower ones as well, some kickers. The thing about Gael is that he is so fast around the court it isn't funny, and Ginepri isn't slow at all, but he was made to look slow. There was a topspin lob that Gael ran down and hit a winner, he is very expressive and you can genuinely tell that he loves playing the game itself and not for the money. His dtl backhand was very effective in this match and Ginepri showed he doesn't have much of a clue at the net, plus it was fun to see him pissed off. Gael should have finished this match off earlier than he did and he let it get to a breaker, but he increased the level and he loves the stare down of the opponent, it makes things interesting. He has a tough match against Oli Rochus next, which should be fun as well. The Rochus/Kiefer match was of a very high standard. There were the Germans and the Belgians against each other in the stands which mad eit fun. Oli is so small, but the guy is gutsy and it makes him so fun to watch as for Kiefer the guy moves very well around the court, but he isn't always as focused and when I saw that Rochus had won the 4th set I though that he would win as Kiefer wouldn't have the temperament to put him away and would get irritable as he does so easily, and this was the case. I felt for Kiefer's coach Hogstedt he was just sitting there alone and just focused and when Kiefer lost, he was so out of there in a hurry and you could see how pissed off after the match.
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 17, 2005 18:24:02 GMT -5
George, you couldn't get to see Fabrice? The score seems tight but I know I shouldn't trust it as to the real way the match has come. I didn't get to see him actually, maybe later in the week.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 17, 2005 18:35:22 GMT -5
ESPN actually showed 2 games of Gaudio ;D 2nd set at 3-2
Can't tell much from 2 games but Gaudio looked fine there.
|
|
|
Post by taysbest on Jan 17, 2005 18:38:51 GMT -5
ESPN actually showed 2 games of Gaudio ;D 2nd set at 3-2 Can't tell much from 2 games but Gaudio looked fine there. I'm sure it killed them to show those 2 games, but hey- it' s more than we usually get here!
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 17, 2005 18:39:58 GMT -5
Baghdatis vs Luzzi. Well this match had plenty of atmosphere as the Greeks were supporting Marcos and the Italians were supporting Luzzi and as these two long standing communities were giving each other shit it was fun. The Greeks had the drum and were pissing off Luzzi, who isn't that hard to irritate and the Italians thought it was a football match. Marcos was the better player, but Luzzi managed to keep him off his balance with his heavy forehand and when he got the length right, it was the main reason Marcos couldn't attack him and led to errors from Marcos and the fact that he had a few lapses didn't help. It was a tough match for Marcos to come through, but he managed it and I am happy for him, though this cousin stayed for the full match unlike myself, because from what I saw I was giving him some bad luck, now it's time for Ljubicic, a totally different game, but if he returns well he has a chance.. So Marcos is not overrated? May be he hope there're some commotion and he can sucker punch Luzzi? ;D It's a real surprise that Costa lost to Phau Will there be a chance that Max will play singles like he's in 2003? I am worried that Ollie will be tired. As he seldom played that many matches in such a short time Has Kiefer's injury affected his play?
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 17, 2005 18:41:57 GMT -5
I'm sure it killed them to show those 2 games, but hey- it' s more than we usually get here! Gaudio has the airtime probably because Gimbelstob is an American and he sort of come out of retirement to join the tour again and was a fellow tennis commentator
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Jan 17, 2005 18:50:20 GMT -5
Baghdatis vs Luzzi. Well this match had plenty of atmosphere as the Greeks were supporting Marcos and the Italians were supporting Luzzi and as these two long standing communities were giving each other shit it was fun. The Greeks had the drum and were pissing off Luzzi, who isn't that hard to irritate and the Italians thought it was a football match. I wonder if the Italians are like the Swedes and travel to each match We need more good-natured "rowdy" crowds like that. I'm glad Marcos got through but going 5 sets couldn't be terribly good for him. Does it appear to be more fit than he was in August? Maybe they kissed and made up? ;D I certianly hope so Finally! Nice to know what the problem was. It was really eerie to look at the scoreboard and know something was wrong Did they hit each other? ;D Hehe, nothing like a bit of extra tension to make a match fun. I wish we could see him. He's been talked up so much since the whole "might win the junior Grand Slam" thing, but of course ESPN couldn't care less. They want "dramatic storylines" like its a predetermined miniseries or something
|
|
|
Post by Tennislurker on Jan 17, 2005 19:57:52 GMT -5
I am really interested in the Mantilla Hernych report, Hernych is our beloved poor´s man Kucera.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 17, 2005 20:02:09 GMT -5
long time no see here TL!
|
|
|
Post by Tennislurker on Jan 17, 2005 20:54:26 GMT -5
I am in Andorra working in a crap hotel all night..
I return to Argentina in march.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 17, 2005 21:02:48 GMT -5
I am in Andorra working in a crap hotel all night.. I return to Argentina in march. Where exactly is Andorra, in Spain?
|
|
|
Post by Tennislurker on Jan 17, 2005 21:09:50 GMT -5
Andorra is a very little country located in the mountains between France and Spain.
It is the only country in the world where Catalan, the language of Corretja Costa and most Barcelona spanish tennis players, is the official language.
|
|
|
Post by Choupi on Jan 18, 2005 3:07:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the complete reports...what I mostly keep in mind is the horrible performance of Costa..I'm so sad for him... Of course, I'm happy about the result of Gaston, and I'm looking forward to see how he's gonna eat that little Fish...after all, cats are known to love fish, aren't they? All I hope is that this time I'll be able to tape the match, wishing that Eurosport decides that he's worth being watched... And Gaël's match, do you believe me when I tell you that we have had no coverage of it at all? It's a real shame!!!! What are we gonna expect next time a French talented player will play? Same hopes as for the next match against Rochus concerning Eurosport...
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 18, 2005 7:46:07 GMT -5
There were a lot of matches that I needed to see, and some I saw for longer than others.
Here is the sample before I get into them.
Ferrer vs Nalbandian (an ugly performance but the W is next to David's name)
Gonzalez vs Acasuso the Chileans and the Argies having some fun.
Massu vs Dupuis. Massu needed to do some running. ;D
Zabaleta vs Kimmich
Saretta vs Healey. Saretta pulls up with bad cramping
Stepanek vs Spadea, well done Radek
Pavel vs Mutis Mantilla vs Hernych, Felix lost his temper badly.
I'll report on this before I go to the matches tomorrow.
|
|
Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
|
Post by Rosie on Jan 18, 2005 8:09:15 GMT -5
Looking forward to the reports as ever - although Eurosport were kind enough to show us the last 3 sets of David's "ugly" match so I do know exactly how ugly it was and how it made me late for work as well!
|
|
|
Post by taysbest on Jan 18, 2005 8:21:08 GMT -5
Gaudio has the airtime probably because Gimbelstob is an American and he sort of come out of retirement to join the tour again and was a fellow tennis commentator Maybe we'll get some GG coverage because he's playing Fish.... I wonder if Gimblestob was a good commentator? Choupi- Yes, Cat's do like Fish!! That' s a good analogy ;D
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Jan 18, 2005 11:06:04 GMT -5
Maybe we'll get some GG coverage because he's playing Fish.... I wonder if Gimblestob was a good commentator? I read some comments in MTF from a poster who has TTC and he's OK but well, you know how reliable the source would be ;D Orange roughy is yummy, so as salmon
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 18, 2005 17:56:32 GMT -5
Cañas was very comfortable against the Arthurs clone Guccione, he was never in serious trouble, though due to some ticket problems we missed a lot of this match, but he plays Verdasco and should be able to take him out quite easily.
Pavel vs Mutis. Andrei pretty played within himself initially and was always in control of this match, he was moving well and the single backhand was working very well and should win his match against Reynolds, who I am not that keen on. His section is interesting as the winner of that would play the winner of Nadal/Youzhny and I would like to see Pavel play one of those guys.
Mantilla vs Hernych. This was Felix's first match of the year after various injury problems to the stomach and the thigh and that put him off for sure, this plus he was playing a good opponent didn't help his disposition. Hernych isn't in the Kucera class at all, but he does play with a lot of angles and not much spin, though his forehand seemed to be doing most of the damage.
Mantilla was fighting hard and I thought at 1 set all that we were in for a 5 setter then he only won 1 game out of the last 13. He wasn't injured, but mentally wasn't there due to Hernych's play and the shocking line calls which pissed Felix off that he belted a ball out of the court and onto the railway tracks. Hernych plays Stepanek in what could be an interesting match up, though I missed most of Radek's match and it was great to see him beat Vinny Ice in 5 sets, and the facial gestures where there in full force.
Ferrer vs Nalbandian well what can I say about this match. It was a tough scrap which is Ferrer's game and it was obvious that Nalle had major nervousness playing against a guy that he has never beaten before and it showed. The 3rd set was very painful as he breaks, then loses his serve and plays a silly dropshot that almost bounced before the net on his side to lose the 3rd and then the racquet went into the court and I understand that frustration, but the best thing for him is that he grinded out the result and when it got ugly, he hung around and that can only be good. His next match against Ventura will be another scrap for sure as Ventura does have a good future and lost to Dent in 2 tight sets in Sydney on this surface. This section playes the winner from Gonzo/Andreev.
Gonzalez vs Acasuso. The old Chile/Argentina battle, it was hard to cheer too much as I like both Gonzo and Chucho. Gonzo started off very badly, he seemed to be very sluggish and his timing off and Acasuso was playing quite well using his serve well and his forehand was on top of its game.
Then in the 3rd set Gonzo took out an injury time out and I was sitting behind De La Peña who is very animated and funny watching his actions during a match and he lives through his player as well. The timeout loosened up his shoulder and was able to play more freely and then he started using the dropshot a whole lot more to bring in Chucho to expose his lack of movement around the net and it showed.
The Chilean fans were great and they were giving it atmosphere for sure and they outnumbered the Argie fans by quite a bit and it was funny the Viva Chile chant was going around and Gonzo was responding well.
In the 5th set, he broke and had the chance to serve the set out at 5-4, but played a bad and nervous game and blew it, luckily he broke Chucho and was able to serve it out this time. Gonzo needs to have an easy day today as he will need all his energy against Andreev.
Zabaleta vs Kimmich. I had never seen Kimmich play before and he definitely plays a lot differently to most Aussies, he plays a with a lot of spin on his forehand and in many ways he plays like he is on clay. Mariano was a bit sleepy going down 0-2 in the 1st set, then he woke up and started using his forehand to dominate the match and was moving him around well with very good angles and comfortably took the 1st set. The best thing that Kimmich does is the splits and he slides on Rebound Ace, he made a huge mark with his shoes after one of the points.
The second set was more of the same and Mariano wasn't dumping as many backhands in the net as he has done when he isn't playing well and that is a good sign. Mariano moving and serving well and was using Kimmich's pace to good advantage and opened the court up and hit behind him quite a lot.
I was thinking cool we will have a 3 set victory as Mariano breaks early, then loses concentration when close to the finish line and Kimmich tightens his game and manages to sneak through to the tiebreaker and was more solid and got a set when he probably shouldn't have.
The 4th set Mariano was back on track, and the funny thing was Kimmich's coach was saying that Mariano has some of the worst volleys he has ever seen, obviously he has never seen Acasuso, Mantilla or Ilie volley and I thought what a tool. He continued on opening the court up with his forehand and serving well and with a group like Mancini, Gumy, Lobo (coach), Chela watching him play he enjoyed it and now he has to take on Ferrero and if he serves well he can take him out.
Massu and oui oui Dupuis. The Chileans were in fine form as usual and I saw Massu's brother they have exactly the same eyes. That Massu is so intense when he is on the court, I bet when he is asleep he is intense. Always showing the teeth and his deliberate manner in between points. Unlike Sjengster and TL I don't have a major problem with Massu actually, only when he beats players that I like. That match almost went 4 hours and both players had the trainer out there, but nothing serious and Massu was playing alright in the last 2 sets and frustrating Dupuis and now will play Kohlschreiber.
Anyway I have to go and get my voice ready for the matches now.
|
|
Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
|
Post by Rosie on Jan 19, 2005 5:45:47 GMT -5
Hope you can fit in some more "ugly tennis" 3rd on Margaret Court Arena tonight!! Thanks for the report as always and I'll post the bit about David on our Forum to save you time if you would like.
|
|
|
Post by Choupi on Jan 19, 2005 10:12:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the report...I've just come back home and my fears have been justified...Eurosport hasn't shown anything from Gaston's match...All I had on my tape was the match between Mauresmo and Safin's younger sister (as I had expected it to be shown instead of G's), the end of the match between Monfils and Rochus (awful for Gael!!! I haven't recognized him!), and the end of the match between Haas and Beck. Wow, great!!! Hope I'll be luckier with the match against Hrbaty...
|
|
Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
|
Post by Rosie on Jan 19, 2005 12:47:47 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better Choupi, David's next match clashes directly with Tim Henman so I already know I have no chance of seeing anything of him at all on good old British Eurosport But I guess at least they showed us his 1st round match (ghastly though it was) so I can't be too greedy!
|
|
|
Post by Choupi on Jan 19, 2005 12:54:56 GMT -5
The funniest Rosie, would be that I get the coverage from David's match...well, no, I doubt it. French Eurosport commentators have also a crush on Tim...
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Jan 19, 2005 13:17:33 GMT -5
GWH, if you have your ear to the ground there, what's up with all this speculation about Ferrero & Sharapova? Anything happening, besides tongues wagging in commentary boxes all around the world?
|
|