Rome Masters 2013 (Internazionali BNL d'Italia)

[brokenshoelace]

That's why we shouldn't freak out when Rafa dominates a stylistically tailor-made match-up in Wawrinka. I don't think there's anything to panic about as far as this match is concerned, since Gulbis always troubles him, but if Nadal continues to serve like this, Novak wins in straights again. While the forehand has been good since Madrid, the backhand has dropped a bit, and Rafa needs to compensate for the fact that Novak will likely expose this and dominate from the baseline with good serving... a feat that at this point, seems unlikely.

 

[SF Nadalite]

Rather amazing match - best showing by Gulbis in a long time...esp impressed with the way he played the third set. I have been a fan since he took a set off Rafa on clay in 2008 (along with tight match against Novak at RG). Let's hope he keeps building on these kind of matches.

Rafa's ability to persevere and fight has never been more amazing! It was great to see that hungry, angry look on his face during the second and third sets (i will skip the lost-puppy glaze during the first set).

I will confess - i almost stopped believing mid-way through set #2.

 

[Murat B.]

What's up with Delpo? Even with Pope's blessing...

 

[El Dude]

Jerzy Janowicz is a top 10 talent - man, he can hit the ball and move.

 

[herios]

What's up with Delpo? Even with Pope's blessing...

this was his seccond match on clay in the season, so he may be rusty or not recovered entirely, didn't see the match, but as much as I am sad for him, I like that he was taken out by Paire, who seems to progress rather nicely.
That being said, Go JJ! I like his intensity and I have big hopes for himin the future.

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Jerzy Janowicz is a top 10 talent - man, he can hit the ball and move.

Absoluteky! I start to think he'll be the leader of the youngsters and not Raonic, nor Dimitrov.

 

[Riotbeard]

Jerzy is playing out of his mind.

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Gasquet has looked powerless against Jerzy's shots.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I will confess - i almost stopped believing mid-way through set #2.

Why? Nadal has made a living out of winning matches like these.

 

[herios]

That was superb, Jerzy. Good boy!

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

someone's looking sharp out there, and i'm not talking about Fed's haircut. not saying that it means anything, just enjoyed the views for a while.

 

[drm025]

Who thought that Simon would give Fed problems?? Ugh... Roger is in fine form again, with no seeds left until the final. It's looking like he will be in his first final of the season, and a big one at that (most likely Nadal or Djokovic on clay).

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

2nd serve ace (although he's not had a 1st srv in all of the last game in this set) - how fun this sport can be at times.

 

[Murat B.]

Was this the easiest set Roger ever won over Simon? Felt like it...

 

[ftan]

Ok I just tuned in 6-1 to fed first set.. is anyone watching.. was Simon playing crap.. or was Roger that good

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Who thought that Simon would give Fed problems?? Ugh... Roger is in fine form again, with no seeds left until the final. It's looking like he will be in his first final of the season, and a big one at that (most likely Nadal or Djokovic on clay).

don't get ahead of yourself there. for one, the non-seeds include Jerzy "Hulkster" Janowicz. and while Paire for example is usually a reliable crumbler when it matters, it's not like Fed hasn't been troubled by players of such calibre before.

of course, the door's wide open. but still, i'll like to see him step through it before i make grand assumptions about the final.

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Was this the easiest set Roger ever won over Simon? Felt like it...

depends on the definition - he won a match by retirement, leading 3-0, so i reckon that would've been even easier (which serves to remind us that Simon actually still leads the "finished match" h2h AND has won at least two sets in every one of their encounters doesn't look like it today though, but i won't jinx it. never know.)

 

[Front242]

Very impressed by Federer's performance here! He's really out to prove a point it seems after everyone (including me after last week's dismal showing) wrote him off bigtime yet again. And Janowicz looked very sharp. Wish I'd been home in time to catch Gulbis v Nadal. Insane stats of winners from Gulbis. One day he'll hopefully win that 3rd set. Even more convincing than his '08 Rome match against Nadal but the same outcome in the third. great win for Nadal too of course but gotta feel for Gulbis. Been so close to beating him quite a few times and only narrowly misses out in most of them.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

weeeeiiird shot selection by fed - blew some life back into the game by trying to finish a s&v move with a swinging slice-ish bh move (a bit hard to describe) from the serve line.

generally though, Fed seems to be making the putaway fhs today, which is a nice change of pace.

 

[Front242]

weeeeiiird shot selection by fed - blew some life back into the game by trying to finish a s&v move with a swinging slice-ish bh move (a bit hard to describe) from the serve line.

generally though, Fed seems to be making the putaway fhs today, which is a nice change of pace.

Some great dropshots in set 1 too. Looks like he's experimenting with a few chipped backhands from the baseline as well. First set was like an exhibition match.

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Well. Assuming Fed wins this tonight we'll have ourselves the first ever Federer v Janowicz meeting! Should be quite a match and Fed will likely recall the slagging Jerzy gave him via the press. Both will have a lot to prove. Should be great. Should he lose I'd feel a lot less gutted than losing to Nishikori in any case. Wouldn't be too pushed as I really like Janowicz' game.

 

[ftan]

weeeeiiird shot selection by fed - blew some life back into the game by trying to finish a s&v move with a swinging slice-ish bh move (a bit hard to describe) from the serve line.

generally though, Fed seems to be making the putaway fhs today, which is a nice change of pace.

Some great dropshots in set 1 too. Looks like he's experimenting with a few chipped backhands from the baseline as well. First set was like an exhibition match.

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Well. Assuming Fed wins this tonight we'll have ourselves the first ever Federer v Janowicz meeting! Should be quite a match and Fed will likely recall the slagging Jerzy gave him via the press. Both will have a lot to prove. Should be great. Should he lose I'd feel a lot less gutted than losing to Nishikori in any case. Wouldn't be too pushed as I really like Janowicz' game.

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Roger vs JJ will be a battle of dropshots

 

[Front242]

Another awesome dropshot.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

after being 3 for 3 on breakballs in the match, Fed is 0-4 (or more) in the game. good for Simon that he can still fight 'em off a little. Fed keeps hanging in there, though, and actually Laughed off an air swing after a Simon bh skidded off the line. also, it's amazing that Fed successfully tortures Simon with those stops.

and he breaks.

Well. Assuming Fed wins this tonight we'll have ourselves the first ever Federer v Janowicz meeting! Should be quite a match and Fed will likely recall the slagging Jerzy gave him via the press. Both will have a lot to prove. Should be great. Should he lose I'd feel a lot less gutted than losing to Nishikori in any case. Wouldn't be too pushed as I really like Janowicz' game.

should/could be an entertaining one. in the past, Fed has thrived on these occasions (a chance to shut down a youngster), and from the past, you could think that JJ has done his share for the tournament (take out a big guy and a half). also, Fed isn't traditionally troubled by players who like to mix it up.

that said, i wouldn't bet on anything there. it's been a while since i've seen Fed play strong for a week, and who knows


today, though, is some great stuff. what a bh stop volley that was. incroyable. and finishes it off with an ace. nice.