Paris BNP Paribas Masters - Oct. 28-Nov. 3

[tented]

Discussion has already begun in various threads about the year's upcoming final Masters, so I think it's time to open a separate thread.

Paris is an odd Masters: since 2005 there has been a new winner every year, none of whom had ever won it before:

2005 - Berdych
2006 - Davydenko
2007 - Nalbandian
2008 - Tsonga
2009 - Djokovic
2010 - Soderling
2011 - Federer
2012 - Ferrer

You have to go back to 2004 to find someone who won it more than once: Safin (who actually won it three times). In the tournament's entire history, no one has won it consecutively, either.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Masters#Singles

Given its unique past, I'm going to make the poll twofold:

- Who do you think will win it this year?
- Do you think it will finally be someone who has won it before?

It's a multiple choice poll, so vote for one of the players, and whether or not you think it will be another new winner.

[Note: There can be a maximum of 10 options, so players ranked below Wawrinka have to be left out.]

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

If i go with someone who has never won it before, that would be Nadal, but I think Nole wins this one.

 

[Riotbeard]

I voted for Del Po to win. No idea though honestly.

 

[Iona16]

It is an odd tournament. It was the only masters event that Henman won. Same with Rusedski. Not sure who will win. I'm thinking Novak but I'm hoping it's Rafa. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if Del Potro or Tsonga won. I'm afraid I don't see Ferrer defending his title.

 

[tented]

It is an odd tournament. It was the only masters event that Henman won. Same with Rusedski. Not sure who will win. I'm thinking Novak but I'm hoping it's Rafa. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if Del Potro or Tsonga won. I'm afraid I don't see Ferrer defending his title.

I don't see Ferrer defending it, either, unless the rest of the top of the field falls early again, which probably won't happen.

Novak certainly has an excellent chance of winning anything he enters, and will now be more confident after the Asian victories, but I'm also hoping it's Rafa. It would be an enormous win, since he's never won this Masters before. It would also booster his confidence before London.

If it's not Rafa, then I would be thrilled for JMDP to get his maiden Masters title. Of course if he or Rafa were to win, then Paris would keep its streak alive of someone new winning it each year since 2005.

The Race to London is heating up, which will play a significant role. Wawrinka, Federer, Gasquet, and Tsonga are so close to each other, but one won't be able to go. Playing in front of the home crowd is usually extra motivating, so Tsonga and Gasquet are going to be doubly driven to succeed. However, I'm wondering if Gasquet isn't peaking too soon, while Tsonga has had a little time to rest.

 

[August]

I'd love Stan to win it. He's a talented player with a GS SF and a M1000 F from this year as well as one M1000 F from previous years. I'd really love him to win at least one mandatory event in his career.

Or maybe the French indoor GOAT Llodra could finally win it. A S&V player winning a M1000 would be awesome.

 

[Moxie]

There will be a draw challenge for this one, as it's a MS1000. Just reminding everyone. :angel: Draw will likely be out on Friday, and deadline Sat. night/Sunday morning.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

The indoor events are probably the only events I want Nadal vs Federer. Nothing to be gained by beating Federer outdoors. Indoors, means something, given the domination Federer has over Nadal indoors. Hopefully they meet at Paris and then a couple of times at the World Tour Finals

 

[tented]

The indoor events are probably the only events I want Nadal vs Federer. Nothing to be gained by beating Federer outdoors. Indoors, means something, given the domination Federer has over Nadal indoors. Hopefully they meet at Paris and then a couple of times at the World Tour Finals

I agree -- it would be interesting to see them play next week. Perhaps Rafa will finally beat Roger indoors. Given the year Roger's been having, if Rafa still loses to him on an indoor hard court, that will be very embarrassing.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

The indoor events are probably the only events I want Nadal vs Federer. Nothing to be gained by beating Federer outdoors. Indoors, means something, given the domination Federer has over Nadal indoors. Hopefully they meet at Paris and then a couple of times at the World Tour Finals

I agree -- it would be interesting to see them play next week. Perhaps Rafa will finally beat Roger indoors. Given the year Roger's been having, if Rafa still loses to him on an indoor hard court, that will be very embarrassing.

True, unless Federer also beats Djokovic at Paris/World Tour Finals.

 

[isabelle]

Tipsarevic withdrew. Berlocq'll replace him. Nole'll arrive tomorrow in Paris (source : Guy Forget)

 

[Front242]

Apparently Llodra is calling it a career after the Paris masters where he's often done well. Hope he can finish on a high note taking some big scalps along the way. One of the last of the S&V players on tour and probably my favourite active S&V specialist. I hope it's just singles he's retiring from as he's a great doubles player and could play for many more years in doubles.

 

[August]

It's very sad if Llodra retires. That'd mean one S&V player less on the tour. Hopefully he'd at least continue his doubles career. And even in singles he can still do some damage on faster surfaces.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

S&V is too brief for me, but I don't mind if they do it in doubles.

 

[isabelle]

Draw : tonight at 6h30 PM

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The draw is out.

Here are the highlights.
The projected quarterfinals are as follows

Nadal vs. Tsonga
Ferrer vs. Berdych
--------------------
Federer vs. DelPotro
Wawrinka vs. Djokovic

I think all of the big three got projected quarterfinal opponents who are known
to match up well with them and give good fight.

On the qualification front, Gasquet and Tsonga are projected to meet in R16
and it appears that the winner of that match will qualify along with Federer
and Wawrinka.

Without much further ado, here is the draw.

http://www.fft.fr/sites/default/files/pdf/bnppmsimple2510.pdf

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Nadal has won 6 of his last 7 hardcourt meetings versus Tsonga. And Nadal is even better versus Gasquet. Either will do for the QF. And SF obviously Berdych or Ferrer, excellent.

Federer and Djokovic both got tough QFs. Del Potro I'd almost consider favorite over Federer. Djokovic usually beats Wawrinka but only by the skin of teeth.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nadal has won 6 of his last 7 hardcourt meetings versus Tsonga. And Nadal is even better versus Gasquet. Either will do for the QF. And SF obviously Berdych or Ferrer, excellent.

Federer and Djokovic both got tough QFs. Del Potro I'd almost consider favorite over Federer. Djokovic usually beats Wawrinka but only by the skin of teeth.

Nadal is likely to play JJ (no, not Jelena Janokovic) in R16. I look forward to their
match. Given that he has already had a schooling by Nadal before recently, it would
be nice to see much he learnt. If he is a smart student, he will be good enough to
cause trouble to RN.

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Luckily JJ is not a smart student. I'm enjoying Nadal's "undefeated rivalries" with Dimitrov, Tomic, Raonic and JJ.

 

[Moxie]

Nadal has won 6 of his last 7 hardcourt meetings versus Tsonga. And Nadal is even better versus Gasquet. Either will do for the QF. And SF obviously Berdych or Ferrer, excellent.

Federer and Djokovic both got tough QFs. Del Potro I'd almost consider favorite over Federer. Djokovic usually beats Wawrinka but only by the skin of teeth.

Nadal is likely to play JJ (no, not Jelena Janokovic) in R16. I look forward to their
match. Given that he has already had a schooling by Nadal before recently, it would
be nice to see much he learnt. If he is a smart student, he will be good enough to
cause trouble to RN.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for that if you saw any of his match v. Ferrer today in Valencia. If he's that inconsistent v. David on HCs, I don't think he's got a chance against Rafa.