Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by Rosie on Jan 20, 2005 14:15:48 GMT -5
GWH - I wasn't quite sure how to send a PM to you here - so this is just a message.........I have a left a PM for you over at MTF - and I would be grateful if you could read it as soon as you can - nothing to panic about - just wanted to get in touch with you privately about something fairly urgently. Thanks.
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Post by The Chloe on Jan 20, 2005 17:21:33 GMT -5
Rosie, to use PMs here, you can just click on his userfile and there should be an option in there to PM him. Or, if you want to save a step, under the user's avatar there is an icon that looks like this: Just click on that for whoever you want to PM.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 20, 2005 18:04:51 GMT -5
I'm sorry I have been very busy not just with tennis, but other things as well. There will be a huge report coming either tonight my time or in between the sessions, so I can see the Gaudio match and then Baghdatis tonight.
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 20, 2005 18:09:27 GMT -5
Hi George, enjoy your matches!
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Post by tennis32378 on Jan 20, 2005 18:47:03 GMT -5
A big smile when I just read that you'll be at Marcos's match tonight. I can't wait to hear that report!!!
Crossing fingers tightly for Gaston!!
Any chance you might be at Ollie's match?
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Rosie
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by Rosie on Jan 21, 2005 11:19:33 GMT -5
Rosie, to use PMs here, you can just click on his userfile and there should be an option in there to PM him. Or, if you want to save a step, under the user's avatar there is an icon that looks like this: Just click on that for whoever you want to PM. Thanks Chloe
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 23, 2005 7:57:04 GMT -5
Wednesday
Baghdatis vs Ljubicic: I thought before this match started that Baghdatis was a chance at winning this match especially with the fact that Ljubo isn't known for his outstanding performances at Slam events. Marcos went in there and was ready to go straight away and was holding his own early against Ljubo. This match was on court 21 which is right in the back of the venue and there was the Greek and Cypriot support which was very vocal and the Croatian fans and as it's a very small court it created a very festive and good atmosphere for this match.
One feature for Marcos that was working well apart from his forehand was his dropshot that exposed Ljubo's lack of movement around the court and Ljubo was missing volleys as well. Baghdatis was inspired by the Greek support and continued on the good form after winning the 1st breaker easily. The match was still progressing the same way Ljubo trying to get back into it, but making errors on his groundstrokes, while Marcos was moving him around with his forehand and keeping good length on the backhand and took the 2nd set.
It was fun both sets of fans were giving a bit of cheek to each other and I had the feeling that Marcos will win in 3, but when they got to the breaker, he played a very sloppy breaker and got done easily, then he focused and broke Ljubo' serve easily and then continued on to a comfortable victory in the 4th for a match against Robredo, and when I saw that draw I thought he could easily take him out as I am not hugely impressed by Robredo in general.
Gaudio vs Fish: Yes, the match between the Cat and the Fish. Before the match I was of the view that if Gaudio can keep good length here he will win and expose Fish's lack of speed around the court and the other faults in this game. The 1st set Gaston was not really there and Fish was serving very well and he was serving a lot to the backhand of Gaudio which he wasn't reading inititally.
Then in the 2nd set Gaudio started to return better and then when he was able to make the rallies longer then he became in the dominant position and exposed Fish's lack of speed and won the next 2 sets by using good depth, mixing up the speed of his shots and using good lobs and passing shots, though of course Gaston being the player he is, he made it hard for himself.
In the 4th set he was up 4-1 with 2 breaks and wasn't making many unforced errors and had everything in control, then he loses both breaks and the set ends up in a tiebreaker and this time Gaston plays a very good tiebreaker and produced some very good angled forehands as Fish was trying to move forward and the backhand was working very well. This was a fairly good performance which probably surprised people that he has been able to win 2 matches in a row on the hardcourts and now to prepare for Hrbaty.
T.Johansson vs Calleri. This match was going to be close, but I thought Johansson would edge this for some reason. The Swedes were there drunk, happily and faithfully cheering on Thomas who appreciates the support and on the other side where a few of the Argie fans and it was a good atmosphere. Calleri wasn't returning as well as he had been against Mirnyi and Johansson didn't seem to shake off a sluggish start like he did against Luczak.
The 1st set was close, but Calleri somehow always manages to throw in a silly game somewhere and that costs him, he was moving more into the forecourt in the 2nd set, some of the time was because the shot was there and the others it was because he came in on a low ball just because he does, as much as like Calleri he couldn't be confused as a tactical genius.
The 3rd set had a familar pattern of holding serves easily, then Calleri played his sloppy game and managed to lose the momentum and the 3rd set. Later in the match Calleri manages a great feat which I will go into detail later. Calleri starts being more aggressive and hitting some very good winners and volleys and Johansson isn't up to scratch then takes the 4th set.
Johansson gets an early break when Calleri manages to serve 4 double faults in a row and I am just there shaking my head as Calleri had only served 5 df's for the match, but 4 of them in a game I mean come on. ToJo was serving for the match and had managed to choke and Calleri got it back to 5-4 on serve then held on. During the 5th set there was a massive wind that lifted the on court umbrella and almost hit Calleri. Then in the last game at 15-30 on Calleri's serve, Johansson got a dead netcord and then it was over for Calleri. He was so pissed off, he grabbed a ball and belted it out onto the railway tracks. It was close, but not a great match per se.
I will have to prepare for Thursday's report.
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Post by Choupi on Jan 23, 2005 9:01:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the report and welcome back...
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Post by freudo on Jan 23, 2005 10:04:59 GMT -5
great reporting, though ancient history, you made it read like it was happening again. woohoo, you
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 23, 2005 17:43:24 GMT -5
Well normally it wouldn't be a problem to update it more regularly, but a few things happened and I am happy that people like these reports, it's not like ESPN covers these matches that I am at anyway.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 23, 2005 18:38:54 GMT -5
Thursday
Thur
Cañas vs Verdasco. This one was a match that I didn't fear too much for Cañas actually, why I am not so sure, but I figured he would be alright. Verdasco is on fire in the opening set, he was serving very well and using his huge forehand to dominate the rallies and he was taking advantage of the short balls that Cañas was giving him and stormed to the first set.
The 2nd began very much in a similar way Verdasco moving his serve around, and keeping Cañas off balance, and then when they got into rallies, he was using the forehand and hitting deep with his backhand and making minimal errors at this stage. Cañas was getting a bit shitty questioning some linecalls, then he was done for coaching, though I am not exactly sure what Gumy had done that was any different from before.
He was down 2 breaks at 4-1 in the second and then Cañas started to get tough and work his way back into the match, hitting better length of shots, running down more shots and Verdasco was still being aggressive, but when Cañas broke back twice there was the definite shift in the match and he took the second set 7-5.
After that Cañas was never in trouble as Verdasco had some problems with his back and took a time out for treatment, but Cañas was dominating him then and ran away with the last 2 sets. I was happy with the fight that Cañas showed, but that's a given really and then he overwhelmed him as he is able to do with his determination.
Gonzalez vs Andreev. The battle of the big forehands which was out on a smaller court and the Chileans were there in force as always. This wasn't a bad match per se, but the feeling was there that Gonzo was always just that a little bit ahead in this match. He definitely started a lot better than he did in the Acasuso match and he had to against a better opponent.
The thing that Gonzo was doing well was using the drop shot effectively to bring Igor into the net and he showed that he wasn't in great form when it came to play at the net and the thing that impressed me about Gonzo's play was the lack of unforced errors and there wasn't as many ridiculous attempts at winners as usual, but he played an intelligent match and the best thing was both of them running around their backhands to hit huge forehands and moving themselves into interesting court positions.
Nalbandian vs Ventura. Well David came out and started very well against a very nervous Ventura who couldn't hit a thing in in the 1st set and Nalle wasn't making it easier, he is definitely on his game today unlike when he played Ferrer and everything especially his opponent was irritating the hell out of him. The 1st set was a bagel and then Ventura started to become more competitve, but David was moving into the ball well and making Ventura cover a lot more court with good angles and this is an improvement from before.
All the Ace Ventura comments from the crowd are coming out and they are lifting him and after the 2nd set, he starts to make less errors and is hitting some very good winners from his forehand and his backhand is holding up, there were some good dropshots as well, then they were trying to out finesse each other at the net. Ventura deservedly took the 3rd set and Nalle's level just dropped a bit, but there wasn't the sense that this could be a 5 setter.
Nalle wakes up again and refocuses and put the youngster in his place and wins the 4th handily. This was the 1st time I have seen Ventura play and I like what I saw he will do well in the clay season, he has a good game for the surface and after he wasn't nervous he was a good opponent in this match and after he signed quite a few autographs which is always good.
The last match for this day was the most disappointing the Ferrero vs Zabaleta match. I was looking forward to this one, even thinking about alternate transport because I might be late from the match going overtime. I was there with a group of South Americans and I saw Emilita from MTF no far from us and getting prepared for the match.
Usually I prepare notes from these reports, but in this case it was better that I didn't do that as the reality wasn't very good in this match. It was one of those days that we have all had in our lives that are hard to forget. Ferrero played well in the way that he was solid and hitting the ball fairly well, but Mariano who had huge support in the crowd and not just from the local ladies, and yes I was asked about him by a few for some some reason, it just didn't happen for him.
He didn't serve that well only at 50% he needed it to be in the 60s at least, but he just made error after error. The first set went quickly and I thought Ok, I'll write that one off and now it's time to grind and fight it out. They were hitting some good shots and Mariano started to try and lengthen the rallies, but when the opportunity came to finish the rally, he would hit the top of the tape with drop volleys when moving forward or hit long.
It was very hard for Mariano and this was not a case of him giving up at all in this match, it was just everything he tried didn't work for him on the day. Yes, the backhand is weaker and he made errors of that side, but his forehand wasn't working so well either and Ferrero well I can't say he was back to his best as he wasn't tested. One thing that could pretty much sum up the match for Mariano was that he won 50 points for the match and he made 44 unforced errors.
Even after he lost the last set 6-0 we all stood up and clapped him because in a moment like this it's important to show that no matter the result that you have to stay to the end and take these kinds of defeats, and Mariano was so dejected obviously, he wanted out of there as quickly as possible and just went through the tunnel.
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 23, 2005 20:37:28 GMT -5
Thanks GWH! :red: at Calleri serving 4 DFs to give up a game. I've done that and it feels miserable even for a hack like me, so I can't imagine how he felt about it. Thanks for the words about the Ferrero match. Obviously it was nice to see that scoreline but the Ferrero fans in AUS said that while he played better than he did in his first round, he was helped A LOT by Mariano's " truly unforced errors". So we shouldn't have gotten our hopes up too high and for the most part, we didn't. I hope you saw Fatty vs Gonzo, it looked pretty good on the SB. I was sorry to see ToJo dumped out unceremoniously by Hrbaty but it was nice to see the effort put forth by Gaudio in the third round to keep that from happening. I look forward to the rest of your reports
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Post by Choupi on Jan 24, 2005 2:54:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the report. It's nice to read you again here. So you take notes while you watch the matches...how could I think you did all your reports only with your huge memory? Anyway, I've mostly appreciated the Canas and Zabaleta reports, though I had already read the last one somewhere else...but I won't thank you for your reports there. I'm not welcome there anymore for quite a long time now.
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Peta
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by Peta on Jan 24, 2005 6:03:40 GMT -5
I'm sure I joined before but couldn't remember my username so I've joined again.
Your reports are really great! I wish I could have the patience to sit there and take notes during matches to give such detailed reports at the end of the day.
I was sad I couldn't go today. I was just too tired and the scheduling for matched I wanted to see sucked.
I'm debating whether to go tomorrow just for the one match. I wouldn't want to stay too long coz it's gonna be so damn hot!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 6:17:56 GMT -5
I don't take notes for everything, just some matches I am in the process of the Hrbaty/Gaudio match and that deserved one by itself.
Peta, I saw Pavel/Berdych win again today, so that was really cool and even got Kristen to sit there as well. The Wilander/Fromberg doubles combo what a laugh.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 6:36:43 GMT -5
Friday
Well this one was a very tough day, but it was redeemed in some ways, but in reality there are only two matches that I saw in great detail and they are the ones that I will comment on.
Gaudio vs Hrbaty was first on Vodafone or as I call it the Velodrome. The feelings about this match were very mixed as I knew that Gaston could win this, if he believed he can and the other side is he could easily lose it as well in a big way.
We were there from the start and it was a promising start and when I saw the length of the rallies this was a good sign, and there were a few breaks of serve in this match. It started out as Hrbaty was playing close to the baseline and Gaudio was a bit behind hitting with good length and spins and wasn't making errors, and Hrbaty started serving very well and Gaston was getting frustrated, but he managed a break of serve at 4-2, but as the saying goes it's not a break of serve unless it's confirmed straight away. Then of course Gaston loses his break and they make it to a tiebreaker which was decided by the simple fact that Gaston served 2 dfs and Hrbaty served 2 aces and Hrbaty takes it.
The 2nd set is more of the same Gaudio is bringing Hrbaty to the next and exposing his lack of confidence around the net area and breaks to lead again, but once again he didn't confirm the advantage and Hrbaty breaks back. It's a battle at the moment, which I enjoyed plenty of running to the corners from both players using the court, Gaston trying to break the rhythm of Hrbaty and Dominik hitting the corners attempting to wear down Gaudio.
These two end up in another tiebreaker and I thought here it goes that Gaudio will lose it again, but he saves 3 sps from Hrbaty and then ends up winning the breaker with a winner and starts getting excited. I thought this is not too good he should really be up 2 sets to love, but alas this was not the case.
The 3rd set continues on this grinding pattern which I love and many others around me are enjoying. Gaston does the trick shot he did at Kooyong the crosscourt between the legs for a winner and he shook the umpires hand after he managed to hit it for a winner. Once again there were breaks traded between them and Gaudio once again led by a break and couldn't hold it and I was forced to sit through another tiebreaker, which Gaudio had played the better and I thought with the momentum he might win, but if it went to the 5th, then things change into Hrbaty's favour.
Then early in the 4th set with Gaston leading 40-30 in the service game, he couldn't move and called the trainer for cramps or a leg injury. To all the muppets out there who read this and if they want to question my consistency on this issue, then should be clear. No, Gaston shouldn't have been treated for cramps at all, as cramping isn't an injury, two he shouldn't have had it during the game and if I had my way he would have lost the game.
When I saw this I didn't think Gaston would win as Hrbaty would see the cramping and then being the fitness machine that he is, that he will lift and able to increase the pressure on Gaudio and it will be tough for him, but all I could was cheer him on. The 4th set was a 6-1 flogging with Gaudio trying to conserve energy and playing some silly shots and I was laughing too much to be upset.
The 5th set well Gaston hasn't won a 5 setter away from RG and Hrbaty wasn't even looking close to being tired, so all I could hope for is Gaston to try and his best and if he was to lose, then do it like a man. The 5th set Hrbaty lifted his game and was even making volleys and Gaston was fighting and trying everything to get back into it, but he was spent and Hrbaty was the man when it counted and deserved to win.
Hrbaty was better phyiscally prepared and Gaston didn't take his chances and in reality he had the opportunities to win this match in 3 sets. The thing is that Gaston played much better in this match against Hrbaty than his previous two and I was proud in the way that he didn't give up at all, but all credit to Hrbaty he was the better player when it counted and the extra training benefitted him and it's not just talent that wins tennis matches.
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Peta
New Member
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Post by Peta on Jan 24, 2005 6:50:31 GMT -5
Peta, I saw Pavel/Berdych win again today, so that was really cool and even got Kristen to sit there as well. The Wilander/Fromberg doubles combo what a laugh. Yeah I really wish I'd seen it. Sitting here watching it on a scoreboard was really distressing... especially when the IBM scoreboard originally told me they had WON the 1st set... I walked out of the room happy, returned and suddenly they had lost it! I think Kristen is going again tomorrow, should be fun sitting with her for Pavel/Berdych v Melzer
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 6:59:22 GMT -5
Pavel/Berdych should have won this match in straight sets, but at least they are through to the next round.
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Post by Choupi on Jan 24, 2005 7:20:34 GMT -5
Great report as always...this is what I want to keep in mind... The thing is that Gaston played much better in this match against Hrbaty than his previous two and I was proud in the way that he didn't give up at all, but all credit to Hrbaty he was the better player when it counted and the extra training benefitted him and it's not just talent that wins tennis matches.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 7:28:27 GMT -5
Great report as always...this is what I want to keep in mind... It'll be fun to rub the noses of the hypocrites with that comment.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 7:33:04 GMT -5
It'll be fun to rub the noses of the hypocrites with that comment. Actually it was more if people want to argue that Gaudio was faking cramps.
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Post by Choupi on Jan 24, 2005 7:49:40 GMT -5
Gaston will always have his detractors, his unbelievers...there's nothing we can do about it. His style, his never hidden humanity are upsetting, annoying for some, but who cares really? Sure not you or me!!
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Post by Francine on Jan 24, 2005 9:13:12 GMT -5
Great reports, thanks a lot
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Post by freudo on Jan 24, 2005 9:36:31 GMT -5
thanks again, GWH, for the fabulous reports. You are right, all the matches our TV is afraid to show live at Tennis Cult
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Post by The Chloe on Jan 24, 2005 11:17:58 GMT -5
I'm sure I joined before but couldn't remember my username so I've joined again. If you remember it, let me know so that I can delete the extra name. Welcome back, if you were indeed here before ;D
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Post by taysbest on Jan 24, 2005 12:34:32 GMT -5
If you remember it, let me know so that I can delete the extra name. Welcome back, if you were indeed here before ;D Thanks again GWH- another great report as usual!
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Rosie
New Member
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Post by Rosie on Jan 24, 2005 16:44:23 GMT -5
Nice to have you back GWH - and thank you for the David/Ventura report which I will post over at the other place if that's OK - and also for the Calleri match report. Is there a report on it's way for Nalbandian/Gonzalez at all?
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 24, 2005 18:34:01 GMT -5
Nice to have you back GWH - and thank you for the David/Ventura report which I will post over at the other place if that's OK - and also for the Calleri match report. Is there a report on it's way for Nalbandian/Gonzalez at all? I will get one done today at some point as it's the 2nd one I need to do after Robredo/Baghdatis. Thank you Nalle for winning over the magician.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 25, 2005 7:38:14 GMT -5
Robredo vs Baghdatis. I thought here is a great chance for Marcos to take another scalp as I don't rate Robredo that highly and if Marcos could get the 1st set, then Robredo would get agitated with all the Greek fans and the fact that Marcos plays well with good crowd support and if he could keep the momentum up, then he would win the match.
Geez I love it when I am right in so many ways. Robredo was playing his Robredo style not doing anything great and Marcos was hitting some good forehands and able to keep a good length on the backhand and he settled down quickly.
The 1st set breaker was the one he had to win to get the momentum his way, he managed that and the Greek fans were in fine voice and Robredo looked lost out there and this pattern continued as Marcos stepped up his level of play and then Robredo lacked the ability to change the momentum in his favour and didn't even call for the trainer.
The 2nd set was 6-4 and then Marcos just steamrolled him with forehand passes and just a very good level of play that couldn't be faulted.
He is now in the top 100 and has no points to defend until the French Open as he was out injured.
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jan 25, 2005 9:02:40 GMT -5
Baghdatis, hope he keeps smiling all the way to the top ten. ;D
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