Rome Masters 2013 (Internazionali BNL d'Italia)
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Didi
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Ridiculous stuff from Berdych. He was down 2-6, 2-5 and turns it completely around. WOW. One can hardly say that Djokovic choked, Berdych stepped up big time. He must build on from that for Paris and Wimbledon. Really hope he can be more than just a spoiler there. I just love watching Berdych when he really believes in his abilities.
Johnsteinbeck
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Didi said:
hope dies last, i guess. but really, how many times have we been with Berd at this point - yes, he can take out pretty much anyone. can he then go on and win big himself? :/
the AntiPusher
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1972Murat said:the AntiPusher said:
I hope he does not go to Zihuatanejo for the next event. There is nothing scheduled there...
Nice catch.. I really enjoyed the match .. Unlike this next match Rafa has with Ferrer.. I rarely enjoy their match and not to much a fan of Ferrer's game.. all due respect but I rather talk about the past with my Ex:
Moxie
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El Dude said:
When Novak got it to deuce, I said that's it...he'll win. No one comes back from the brink like Djokovic, but Tomas held his nerve and his serve. Great win for him. He was like 1-12 H2H going in. I did NOT expect this, especially in Rome, which is very favorable to Nole.
Kieran
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the AntiPusher said:.. all due respect but I rather talk about the past with my Ex:
People are underestimating Berdych's achievement here. Did he not just beat the guy who's best on clay? He might win the title now - he only has Nadal in the next round...
what a spoiler, Djoker Vs Rafa would make a great semi. Berdych? i think Rafa will boss him......
Didi
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johnsteinbeck said:
You are right but to be fair if you are Berdych, Tsonga or Del Potro, you basically have to go through 3 of the Big 4 to win a slam. This is an incredibly hard task, and would be even for all time greats of this sport. When Berdych beat Roger in New York, he had to play Murray in the semis and had he won that, he would have played Djokovic in the finals. When Tsonga took out Fed at Wimbledon, he played Djokovic in the semis with Rafa waiting in the finals. When Berdych beat Roger and Novak in Wimbledon 2010, there was still Rafa in the final. Same with Soderling in paris back then. It's just brutal. There are just no more Puerta, Philippoussiss, Baghdatis, Gonzalez or Martin Verkerk in the finals anymore. You basically have to go through 3 legends of this sport to win a Slam nowadays and there is still Murray lurking. I can't really blame Tsonga or Berdych. I would bet my left nut that they would have won slams in the era 2000-2003.
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Riotbeard
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nehmeth said:1972Murat said:nehmeth said:I haven't had much opportunity to watch the tennis recently, but I did see Janowicz play yesterday. While I don't like what the guy may have said, he does have game. And if you're going to break through the stranglehold at the top you need a little bit of spitefulness in your attitude. Too much "respect" and you will always be under someone's heal. Respect the players that have retired, beat the ones who are still playing.
Novak is looking very tuned in today. Some very good points from Berdych and outstanding play from his opponent.
Can't you respect and beat at the same time?:huh:
What I've gleaned from your reactions to his alleged words, is a level of respect even deference, that is not healthy for a player to have against someone who is still playing.
In 2011, when Djokovic broke through and began regularly beating fedal, the press asked him, "Why not sooner?" His response was "Too much respect." *
So yeah, there has to be a place where you have to drop your level of deference for another player, even if they happen to be a living legend... or you may always remain on the losing end of the h2h.
* http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1118353-novak-djokovic-and-cbs-60-minutes-interview-top-6-revealing-comments/page/6
I agree with Nehmeth. I am not going to say his words were the best chosen, but to me it overall shows the right attitude to break through.
Great stuff from Berdych (to the disappointment of all of us novak fans). He really can rip the match from someone's hands when he plays like that.
tented
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Kieran
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Terrible choice by Rafa, that dropshot. But let nobody ever come here again and criticise David Ferrer!
Jammy though he's getting with those net-cords...
It's a tremendous grunt-fest. I hope Cali can appreciate this other sort of aesthetics...
Jammy though he's getting with those net-cords...
It's a tremendous grunt-fest. I hope Cali can appreciate this other sort of aesthetics...
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tented
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El Dude
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It was a nice dream while it lasted. I guess what we can take out of this is that A) Rafa is more vulnerable on clay this year, and B) Ferrer is a very, very good tennis player and is peaking in his early 30s. Cool beans.
brokenshoelace
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1972Murat said:
Yes. By Nalbandian (yeah, I know) in Madrid 2007.
I really enjoyed that match. Really good displayed of clay court tennis. Those guys move so well that many points had to end at the net otherwise they'd just rally to eternity.
Not crazy about Rafa's level and the issues in his game are there, but really, that match was so enjoyable that maybe I shouldn't complain.
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I hate to say this, but after this morning i cannot imagine the semi's will be as good as the quarter finals
Berdych has played like this before (as in lights-out tennis), but usually it's an early set - then the level drops. I'm not sure what it means (if anything) that he started out playing decent-but-not-enough, then elevated his game.
Rafa is Rafa. He has not played spectacular tennis consistently throughout a tournament this whole season <unlike a few memorable years> but he is still winning. This should hardly come as a surprise to anyone.
I think it has made for the ABSOLUTE MOST EXCITING clay court season in years. I am insanely jealous of anyone who has the two weeks off to attend (or even just watch) the French Open. No one at the top is playing flawless and a whole lot of hungry men below are bringing up their level.
what fan could ask for anything more????
Berdych has played like this before (as in lights-out tennis), but usually it's an early set - then the level drops. I'm not sure what it means (if anything) that he started out playing decent-but-not-enough, then elevated his game.
Rafa is Rafa. He has not played spectacular tennis consistently throughout a tournament this whole season <unlike a few memorable years> but he is still winning. This should hardly come as a surprise to anyone.
I think it has made for the ABSOLUTE MOST EXCITING clay court season in years. I am insanely jealous of anyone who has the two weeks off to attend (or even just watch) the French Open. No one at the top is playing flawless and a whole lot of hungry men below are bringing up their level.
what fan could ask for anything more????
