Internazionali BNL d'Italia- Rome ATP1000 - 14th May to 21st May

[atttomole]

Best clay player in history was Chris Evert but otherwise, yes, usually after a big win the next match is a dud from the guy who scored a big upset.

You are trying to get under Carol's skin.

 

[El Dude]

Thiem is really blowing an opportunity with this match. Obviously Novak is playing great, but if Thiem had held steady and lengthened the match, he could have over-powered him later on as Novak faded. Even now, Novak seems to have slowed half a step but Thiem can't do anything with it. A very disappointing performance from him.

 

[El Dude]

You are honestly rooting for Novak? I just threw up a little. Ugh. I have to wash my hands after replying to this post. I am so disappointed in you, Dude.

(shhh...I'm just teasing the Rafa fans, but don't let them know that - I want to see AP get apoplectic)

 

[El Dude]

Worst beat down of a top 10 player I've seen in ages. Thiem is going to have to do some soul-searching about this one.

And Rafa better start thinking of an injury excuse for Roland Garros.

 

[atttomole]

What a return to break for 5-0.

 

[atttomole]

You are honestly rooting for Novak? I just threw up a little. Ugh. I have to wash my hands after replying to this post. I am so disappointed in you, Dude.

Why do you hate Djokovic so much?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Best clay player in history was Chris Evert but otherwise, yes, usually after a big win the next match is a dud from the guy who scored a big upset.

ARE YOU SAYING CHRIS EVERT IS A BETTER CLAY COURT PLAYER THAN RAFA?

 

[atttomole]

The second set is a whitewash.

 

[Front242]

You are trying to get under Carol's skin.

Nope. It's a fact. She won 125 consecutive matches on clay in a streak that lasted from 1973 to 1979. From 1973-1981 she won 189 out of 190 matches on clay and that record will likely never be broken. Those stats are completely insane. Rafa's longest streak was 81 which is also mighty impressive obviously.

 

[El Dude]

LOL, Front. You really dig deep sometimes to find ways to attack Rafa.

 

[the AntiPusher]

You are honestly rooting for Novak? I just threw up a little. Ugh. I have to wash my hands after replying to this post. I am so disappointed in you, Dude.

Carol and I have been telling for months about Benedict El D..LOL

 

[Front242]

ARE YOU SAYING CHRIS EVERT IS A BETTER CLAY COURT PLAYER THAN RAFA?

Wouldn't use the term is given the age difference but otherwise, yes.

 

[Front242]

That was some destruction. Thiem won a whopping 1 game!

 

[the AntiPusher]

(shhh...I'm just teasing the Rafa fans, but don't let them know that - I want to see AP get apoplectic)

Nah.. I aint gonna bite.. You know how to rally your base against Rafa.. no need for me to add gasoline to your flame

 

[the AntiPusher]

UIKeyInputRightArrow

Nope. It's a fact. She won 125 consecutive matches on clay in a streak that lasted from 1973 to 1979. From 1973-1981 she won 189 out of 190 matches on clay and that record will likely never be broken. Those stats are completely insane. Rafa's longest streak was 81 which is also mighty impressive obviously.

so that means that Steffi, Martina, Margaret Court, and Serena are better than the Rog.. correct

 

[El Dude]

I am vaguely amused at the thought of you trying to defend this, Front, but let's be real. First of all, we can't compare WTA and ATP. End of story. If you want to compare relative dominance, you still have to adjust for the different tours. The gap between the top WTA players and the rest of the field is much bigger than in the ATP.

Let's look at just one example of this: the French Open finals: think of who Rafa has beaten on clay - look at his RG opponents: Federer four times, Novak twice, and then a few lesser players in Soderling, Ferrer, and Puerta. And Evert? She did beat Navratilova three times, but the others were far lesser players like Morozova, Turnbull, Ruzici, Jausevic.

In other words, two-thirds of Rafa's French finals were against other all-time greats, while only one-third of Evert's were. And isn't even touching upon the road to get to the finals.

 

[the AntiPusher]

LOL, Front. You really dig deep sometimes to find ways to attack Rafa.

Remove the sometimes and you have made your best post of this week by far

 

[El Dude]

Back to Novak, yes, it is only one tournament, but I'm definitely starting to worry a bit about Wimbledon. If this Novak shows up, it won't be such smooth sailing for Roger. I'm already worried that Roger will come back rusty, although he has Stuttgart and Halle to play himself into grass form. But I also wouldn't be surprised to see Roger come back at a lower level than earlier this year. Obviously I hope not, but the dude is 35 after all.

If Novak plays well in Roland Garros, he might sneak past Roger as favorite for Wimbledon.

 

[Front242]

UIKeyInputRightArrow

so that means that Steffi, Martina, Margaret Court, and Serena are better than the Rog.. correct

This is not about slam count it's about streaks. Chris Evert's streaks on clay were incredible. 189 out 190 matches won from 1973-1981 and 125 consecutive wins from 1973-1979. That's nuts. Talking only about her accomplishments on clay.

 

[El Dude]

Remove the sometimes and you have made your best post of this week by far

AP, if you paid attention you'd know that I sometimes chastise Front, who obviously gets rather wrapped up in his Rafa hatred.