Wimbledon 2013 June 24-July 7

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed hiding behind the umpire's chair waiting for the smash! :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Serving contest. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If Fed breaks Stakhovsky, I am expecting Petchey Bingo of "...and with that you suspect he may have broken his will/spirit too."

4-4 in the second set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed serving to stay in the second set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Which he does so, 5-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Fed!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One remaining. His conversion rate. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky holds, Fed serving to force another tiebreak.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And he does so to love. Tiebreak time. :bow:

[The Wengerbabies]

Tie break time again

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Who is Stackovic, Boris?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

3-3 at the changeover.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a volley from Fed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Stakhovsky!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky takes the second set 7-6 (7-5)!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Fed. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pulled it too wide. :doh:

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another chance now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another bad miss. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky holds, 1-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed had to save a break point but holds. 3-4 he leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky serving to stay in the third set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Could the Fed fluke be key? :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Probably not.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

5-5. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Stakhovsky. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky breaks and will serve for the third set. Fuck sake.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky takes the third set 7-5. Eek.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky breaks and leads 2-1 in the fourth set.

[The Wengerbabies]

I'm scared. Hold me. :upset:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Fed! Just whacking it right at him. :haha:

[Master Splinter]

Stakhovsky :bow:.

He's not winning this though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed on break points. :banghead:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a horrific miss.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky holds, 1-3.

[Master Splinter]

Brilliant hold :bow:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on FFS.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Fed. :pray:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed breaks back, it's 3-3!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds to love, 3-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky nearly gets taken out by Fed's backhand. :haha:

4-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky is serving to stay in the fourth set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed fluke. Bit late in this game at 30-15 though probably.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's 5-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed comes up with the angles.

Stakhovsky again serving to stay in the fourth set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky has well and truly slipped this time.

[Marc Overmars]

First time I actually want Fed to lose.

He needs to do one as Muzza's time has arrived.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Fed! :pray:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not bad. Deuce.

[The Wengerbabies]

First time I actually want Fed to lose.

He needs to do one as Muzza's time has arrived.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ccLwBeje0

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's tiebreak time again.

:rose:

[The Wengerbabies]

Fuck tie break.

I think the Swiss is going home :(

[Master Splinter]

Stakhovsky is awlsome.

Competent volleyers :bow:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a backhand. Stakhovsky leads 3-1.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I enter Mancland for one day and everything goes mental :blink:

[Master Splinter]

Petchgasms would be appropriate today at least.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-5. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

5-4. Jesus wept.

[Cripps_orig]

Wtf is going on?

Everyone pulling out, Federer 2 points away from a massive shock loss

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed saves the first match point!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stakhovsky wins 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 7-6 (7-5)!

[Cripps_orig]

Federer's out!!!,!,!,!

[Master Splinter]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Wengerbabies]

Holy shit.

Federer :rose:

Stakhovsky was awesome. Shame he'll lose in straight sets in the next round. Great to see the serve and volley.

Fuck.

[Özim]

Federer is finished, all good things have to come an end.

[Cripps_orig]

That's the end for Federer.

Djokovic v Murray final surely

[Marc Overmars]

Fed. :rose:

Come on Muzza.

[Master Splinter]

Federer and Azarenka (though she won't have The Beast to help her on grass this time).

Maccy :haha:.

[Cripps_orig]

Maccy the new Barry Cowan?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Maccy :haha:.

I don't laugh at you when it goes tits up on your predictions tbf.

[Özim]

His wifey is a bit of a hottie.

[Master Splinter]

According to Wiki, Muzza's route from the fourth round would be: Tipsarevic, Tsonga, Fed/Nadal, Djokovic. :lol:

Wiki :lol:.

This Wimbledon is absurd.

[The Wengerbabies]

Nadal-Federer quarter final :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Sharapova is also out?

MS was right :bow:

[Master Splinter]

I don't laugh at you when it goes tits up on your predictions tbf.

Well, I laugh at myself instead.

:haha:ing at everything and everyone is the lifeblood of GW surely?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not when I'm down and out!

[Özim]

Federer has been going down hill, Halle was his 1st tournament win since last year and I think that's it for him now, doesn't look the same player, doesn't seem to have the shots he use to have....the guy kept coming to the net and winning points and he never tried to lob him to stop him doing so.

[Marc Overmars]

Well, I laugh at myself instead.

:haha:ing at everything and everyone is the lifeblood of GW surely?

I don't think there's ever been a genuine opportunity to do it to Maccy though.

Rather you than me tbf.

[Master Splinter]

Not when I'm down and out!

Man up.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

BBC using Casualty intro. :lol:

I had been anticipating that.

[The Wengerbabies]

Hopefully Djokovic and Murray can go out next.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Man up.

I can't. This time it really is like putting down Old Yeller. :(

[Cripps_orig]

Just looked at Murrays possible route to the final 4th round onwards

From a possible Tipsy, Tsonga, Federer/Nadal and Djokovic to

Youzhny, Monaco, Almagro, Djokovic.

It's his to lose

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kubot, Paire, Mannarino, Brown, Almagro, Janowicz, Melzer or Stakhovsky in the semi-final. :haha:

[Master Splinter]

Surely Today At Wimbledon should be 2 hours tonight?

Tennis :bow:.

Even when descending into farce, two awesome matches bookended the madness.

[The Wengerbabies]

Federer's going to drop to 5th. Ferrer up to 3rd :lol:

The Greatest :rose: :upset:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Surely Today At Wimbledon should be 2 hours tonight?

Tennis :bow:.

Even when descending into farce, two awesome matches bookended the madness.

They'll show all of the Isner match for sure.

[Özim]

Federer's going to drop to 5th. Ferrer up to 3rd :lol:

The Greatest :rose: :upset:
Ferrer is sh*t (relatively speaking), whenever he's in a match against anyone in the top 4, it's guaranteed he'll lose.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bit harsh if that's the measurement of who is relatively shit or not. :lol:

His limitations are (eventually) exposed against the top guys but it's not like he loses 2 and 2 or 2, 2 and 2 every time he faces them (though he has never beaten Federer).

[Kano]

Ferrer is sh*t (relatively speaking), whenever he's in a match against anyone in the top 4, it's guaranteed he'll lose.
not sure about 'shit' in comparison. a lot of the time he'll give them a bloody good game, which is more than the rest of the top ten. he gets a ton of respect from everyone in the game for being so competitive. he falls short when it matters but the gap isn't huge.

[Master Splinter]

Jankovic out too!

Dolonc beat her 7-5 6-2.

The seventh former world number one to crash out today.

Can you guess the others? :ninja:

[Kano]

hewitz, shaz, fedz, wozni, ivano(z) and, erm....

shit

[Cripps_orig]

Azarenka

[Özim]

not sure about 'shit' in comparison. a lot of the time he'll give them a bloody good game, which is more than the rest of the top ten. he gets a ton of respect from everyone in the game for being so competitive. he falls short when it matters but the gap isn't huge.
Everytime I've seen him he's basically been outclassed, don't think he ever even takes a set against them. His game is very limited, it's fine against the lesser players because despite his limitations he makes the most of what he has but when he comes up against the top players he's got no weapons to hurt them, no big shot, no big serve nothing.

[Özim]

Bit harsh if that's the measurement of who is relatively shit or not. :lol:

His limitations are (eventually) exposed against the top guys but it's not like he loses 2 and 2 or 2, 2 and 2 every time he faces them (though he has never beaten Federer).
He never threatens to beat them either though, largely because as stated in my post above he has no big shot to threaten them with.

[Master Splinter]

Everytime I've seen him he's basically been outclassed, don't think he ever even takes a set against them. His game is very limited, it's fine against the lesser players because despite his limitations he makes the most of what he has but when he comes up against the top players he's got no weapons to hurt them, no big shot, no big serve nothing.

1) Only using times you've seen him isn't a good way to judge a player.

2) You only need to look at his record to see he has taken sets from them.

3) He has a good record against Murray, they always have close matches.

4) He's not limited. He's a good all-round player who has earned his ranking.

5) Three of the players above him are three of the greatest tennis players ever. It's no disgrace to be outclassed by them.

6) Once again, much like when discussing football, you shouldn't use your limited viewing time/knowledge of a team/player to make sweeping, exaggerated generalisations.

[Özim]

1) Only using times you've seen him isn't a good way to judge a player.

2) You only need to look at his record to see he has taken sets from them.

3) He has a good record against Murray, they always have close matches.

4) He's not limited. He's a good all-round player who has earned his ranking.

5) Three of the players above him are three of the greatest tennis players ever. It's no disgrace to be outclassed by them.

6) Once again, much like when discussing football, you shouldn't use your limited viewing time/knowledge of a team/player to make sweeping, exaggerated generalisations.
1) In games that matter he pretty much gets outclassed.

2) He may have taken sets but his record in grandslams and the bigger tournaments where it matters is woeful in the recent times.

3) The only place he's beaten Murray is at the French where Murray isn't the best, other than that I don't think he's done much against him in the major tournaments

4) He's very limited, a slow serve with no kick, no outstanding shot, he's solid but has no weapons to really challenge the bigger names in major tournaments

5) Murray isn't one of the greatest, you could argue neither is Djokovic yet (he will be in time no doubt), no disgrace perhaps but there's players below him who may not be as consistent against the lesser players but have a better chance of beating the big names than him

6) It's not my knowledge alone, in the French open final they pretty much said as much, the guy has no weapons and can't hurt the top players and they know a bit about tennis seeing as they both have been involved in tennis most of their life.

[Master Splinter]

If your point is that he's shit because he's inferior to living legends of the game like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, then well done.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He never threatens to beat them either though, largely because as stated in my post above he has no big shot to threaten them with.

That's just plan incorrect Zim, sorry. Watch the Masters final in Miami against Murray (though it was a truly horrific match) and two of the matches against Nadal in Masters events this year. Murray's match against him at Wimbledon last year was a real slog and he was taking it to Djokovic whilst there was bad wind around at the US Open (before the match was stopped and they resumed the following day).

His record isn't much worse than any of the other second tier guys against the tier one guys.

[Özim]

If your point is that he's shit because he's inferior to living legends of the game like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, then well done.
I said he's sh* relatively speaking, the reason being because unlike lower ranked players than him he can't challenge the best players. The likes of Berdych, Del Potro, Tsonga etc have a much better chance as they all have big shots, he doesn't and that hurts his chances a lot.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Even those guys you mentioned have only performed sporadically. Del Potro is the one that didn't but then he injured his wrist which took him out for a long, long time.

They might have bigger shots but mentally, they're inferior - look at how David Ferrer took Tsonga apart at the French Open (and Del Potro at Wimbledon last year).

[Özim]

That's just plan incorrect Zim, sorry. Watch the Masters final in Miami against Murray (though it was a truly horrific match) and two of the matches against Nadal in Masters events this year. Murray's match against him at Wimbledon last year was a real slog and he was taking it to Djokovic whilst there was bad wind around at the US Open (before the match was stopped and they resumed the following day).

His record isn't much worse than any of the other second tier guys against the tier one guys.
Nadal beats him every time, I don't think Ferrer has ever beaten him, the score may not be 6-1 6-0 but the point is he always seems to lose. In Wimbledon last year Murray beat him and you never really felt Ferrer was going to go through.

In big matches I reckon his record is worse than some of the other guys, he may win games in some of the smaller tournaments the bigger players don't take so seriously but in the bigger most prestigious events he rarely ever challenges and you never feel he's a contender, ironically though lower ranked players sometimes pull off wins he's unable to against the best players.

[Özim]

Even those guys you mentioned have only performed sporadically. Del Potro is the one that didn't but then he injured his wrist which took him out for a long, long time.

They might have bigger shots but mentally, they're inferior - look at how David Ferrer took Tsonga apart at the French Open (and Del Potro at Wimbledon last year).

I agree they perform sporadically, hence their ranking. Del Potro on his game is awesome though and would blow Ferrer off the court, his injuries have affected him badly though (Soderling is another), my point is players like Del Potro, Soderling, Berdych have a weapon in their game of some form, Ferrer just doesn't. He's a good solid professional who is very consistent but lacks anything special about his game.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nadal beats him every time, I don't think Ferrer has ever beaten him, the score may not be 6-1 6-0 but the point is he always seems to lose. In Wimbledon last year Murray beat him and you never really felt Ferrer was going to go through.

In big matches I reckon his record is worse than some of the other guys, he may win games in some of the smaller tournaments the bigger players don't take so seriously but in the bigger most prestigious events he rarely ever challenges and you never feel he's a contender, ironically though lower ranked players sometimes pull off wins he's unable to against the best players.

He has beaten him - annihilated him at the Australian Open IIRC and also beaten him on clay but not for a while. We're talking about Nadal on clay here (where they usually meet); losing to him is no great surprise. However you make it seem like he has never challenged them, which isn't true.

David Ferrer has won one Masters, which I am not sure if Del Potro ever has, not sure Berdych ever has and I have doubts as to if Tsonga ever has either. If we're talking about who gets beaten up by Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray the best then it seem to me that most players are comparitively shit - they all have heavy losing records against those guys.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I agree they perform sporadically, hence their ranking. Del Potro on his game is awesome though and would blow Ferrer off the court, his injuries have affected him badly though (Soderling is another), my point is players like Del Potro, Soderling, Berdych have a weapon in their game of some form, Ferrer just doesn't. He's a good solid professional who is very consistent but lacks anything special about his game.

Injuries happen. When you're a big lug, it goes with the territory. David Ferrer's record against Del Potro is 6-2 by the way.

That last line is fine but he is still better than the other guys with those big weapons.

[Kano]

I agree they perform sporadically, hence their ranking. Del Potro on his game is awesome though and would blow Ferrer off the court, his injuries have affected him badly though (Soderling is another), my point is players like Del Potro, Soderling, Berdych have a weapon in their game of some form, Ferrer just doesn't. He's a good solid professional who is very consistent but lacks anything special about his game.
as said above, everyone is then 'shit' comparatively, which is just a ridiculous thing to say. ferrer has a strong head to head with del potro and whilst the guys you mentioned have big weapons, they have areas of their games that they continue to suffer with. ferrer has very few and is a strong all rounder, which is why his ranking is so high. when one of their big plus points isn't working, then they don't have as much to fall back on as ferrer.

the reason the feds, nads and novaks have got to where they are is not because of specific individual parts of their games but making sure all the facets are absolutely sensational. ferrer hasn't achieved near that level - and at his age never will - but he has made sure his all round game is as strong as it can be.

[Özim]

He has beaten him - annihilated him at the Australian Open IIRC and also beaten him on clay but not for a while. We're talking about Nadal on clay here (where they usually meet); losing to him is no great surprise. However you make it seem like he has never challenged them, which isn't true.

David Ferrer has won one Masters, which I am not sure if Del Potro ever has, not sure Berdych ever has and I have doubts as to if Tsonga ever has either. If we're talking about who gets beaten up by Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray the best then it seem to me that most players are comparitively shit - they all have heavy losing records against those guys.
Think we must be going quite a long time for those victories to be honest, nowadays he gets nowhere.

Delp Potro won a grand slam, Berdych got to a final beating Federer and Djokovic so he'e shown he can beat the big guys at big events, Tsonga lacks the temperament but does have a huge serve. In terms of having a chance though, I'd sooner better on those other guys than Ferrer as I think he's got much less of a chance of beating them in big matches than these other players.

[Özim]

Injuries happen. When you're a big lug, it goes with the territory. David Ferrer's record against Del Potro is 6-2 by the way.

That last line is fine but he is still better than the other guys with those big weapons.
Delp Potro has had a lot of injuries which as affected his form and record to be fair, whenever he manages to stay fit you start to see how good he actually is, his game is very powerful and he can beat the top guys.

[Özim]

as said above, everyone is then 'shit' comparatively, which is just a ridiculous thing to say. ferrer has a strong head to head with del potro and whilst the guys you mentioned have big weapons, they have areas of their games that they continue to suffer with. ferrer has very few and is a strong all rounder, which is why his ranking is so high. when one of their big plus points isn't working, then they don't have as much to fall back on as ferrer.

the reason the feds, nads and novaks have got to where they are is not because of specific individual parts of their games but making sure all the facets are absolutely sensational. ferrer hasn't achieved near that level - and at his age never will - but he has made sure his all round game is as strong as it can be.
I don't think Del Potro is, he's just been injured a lot. My point was more about their ability to challenge the best players in granslams etc, I just think they have a better chance than Ferrer, I agree he's solid and has made the best of what he has, but what he lacks is what means he'll never be up there with the top players. The likes of Del Potro, Berdych and Soderling can and in some cases have, sadly injuries and health issues have stopped them doing so.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He beat Nadal at the Australian Open 2011, that was their last meeting away from clay.

Del Potro did win the US Open and he was incredible but it's becoming increasingly likely and as much as I like him that might be Del Potro's only ever success - he hasn't made a semi-final since, that was back in 2009, a time where based on the first line must be 'going quite a long time for those victories'. He did get a bronze at the Olympics and well done to him for that though.

You're just listing their strengths but not realising they haven't meant a great deal, in terms of doing anything that David Ferrer hasn't regularly superceded, recently. I'd back David Ferrer against Murray on clay every single time and also mostly against Nadal on hard courts and grass. He's never faced Federer in a Slam, so who knows on that score. I'd reckon Djokovic would beat him across the board though he does have some losses against him.

Tsonga is a head case. He beats Federer in straight sets and then goes down in straight sets to David Ferrer, tamely.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Delp Potro has had a lot of injuries which as affected his form and record to be fair, whenever he manages to stay fit you start to see how good he actually is, his game is very powerful and he can beat the top guys.

They're what ifs Zim. At his size, he's always going to have injuries and that is a downer on his ability as a player - it's like saying what if Nadal never had injuries, in Del Potro's case, it's a natural consequence of his size and trying to bludgeon the ball at every opportunity.

If power was everything, Federer would never have won what he has.

[Kano]

I don't think Del Potro is, he's just been injured a lot. My point was more about their ability to challenge the best players in granslams etc, I just think they have a better chance than Ferrer, I agree he's solid and has made the best of what he has, but what he lacks is what means he'll never be up there with the top players. The likes of Del Potro, Berdych and Soderling can and in some cases have, sadly injuries and health issues have stopped them doing so.
there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes across sporting history. would nadal be the best or most decorated player of all time if his knee's weren't so problematic? we don't know. the game is filled with guys like del potro who have massive talent but never really fulfill it for a number of reasons - all of the variants have to be overcome by each player in their career. we can only go on what we now see which is ferrer is better than any of those other guys. when i see ferrer drawn against a top four player, i expect a contest. when i see the others, i expect a victory for the big guns. they may have the 'potential' to achieve more than ferrer, but they rarely ever do and the reasons go much further than just injuries.

[LDG]

Delp Potro has had a lot of injuries which as affected his form and record to be fair, whenever he manages to stay fit you start to see how good he actually is, his game is very powerful and he can beat the top guys.

Diaby :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:haha:

[Özim]

He beat Nadal at the Australian Open 2011, that was their last meeting away from clay.

Del Potro did win the US Open and he was incredible but it's becoming increasingly likely and as much as I like him that might be Del Potro's only ever success - he hasn't made a semi-final since, that was back in 2009, a time where based on the first line must be 'going quite a long time for those victories'. He did get a bronze at the Olympics and well done to him for that though.

You're just listing their strengths but not realising they haven't meant a great deal, in terms of doing anything that David Ferrer hasn't regularly superceded, recently. I'd back David Ferrer against Murray on clay every single time and also mostly against Nadal on hard courts and grass. He's never faced Federer in a Slam, so who knows on that score. I'd reckon Djokovic would beat him across the board though he does have some losses against him.

Tsonga is a head case. He beats Federer in straight sets and then goes down in straight sets to David Ferrer, tamely.
Yeah because Nadal was injured that day so it was really beating him on a level playing field.

Del Porto's career sadly is affected by injuries and that's the reason he's not done much since 2009, not really his fault. Ferrer has stayed fit though and he's not really done an awful lot at grand slams against the big guns, he got to the French final recently of course but by avoiding all the big guns who got knocked out or were on the other side of the draw (he did beat Tsonga, but although he's got the weapons he seems to be a bit of a bottler like most of the French players).

[Özim]

They're what ifs Zim. At his size, he's always going to have injuries and that is a downer on his ability as a player - it's like saying what if Nadal never had injuries, in Del Potro's case, it's a natural consequence of his size and trying to bludgeon the ball at every opportunity.

If power was everything, Federer would never have won what he has.
Del Potro has some notable victories against the big guns and a grand slam win which ultimately requires you to beat top players somewhere along the line, Ferrer doesn't despite his ranking and injury free career, neither does he really have any notable fully fit scalps which highlights his limitations in some ways.

[Özim]

there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes across sporting history. would nadal be the best or most decorated player of all time if his knee's weren't so problematic? we don't know. the game is filled with guys like del potro who have massive talent but never really fulfill it for a number of reasons - all of the variants have to be overcome by each player in their career. we can only go on what we now see which is ferrer is better than any of those other guys. when i see ferrer drawn against a top four player, i expect a contest. when i see the others, i expect a victory for the big guns. they may have the 'potential' to achieve more than ferrer, but they rarely ever do and the reasons go much further than just injuries.
I disagree that the game is full of players like Del Potro, there's only a handful of players with talent like him, Soderling, Berdych and a handful of others, but in the end injuries are out of the players control.

For me if I see Ferrer against the top guys it's pretty much and guaranteed route through for the big guns, with Del Potro etc I at least think there's the chance of an upset, Ferrer is moving up to number 3 but he's only really there because the likes of Del Potro, Soderling and Nadal have suffered from injuries, when they stayed fit they were above him. He's benefited from their bad luck.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nadal makes a point of never making excuses for his losses, so I don't think it's right for someone else to do it for him either.

David Ferrer has been to the same amount of finals as Berdych and Tsonga, Soderling has been in two. All of them lost in three. He is consistently beaten by the top players in those tournaments because he is consistently the one that is making QF or better. Berdych slunk out of the French Open in the first round (keeping up his impressive record of doing it at least once every year).

David Ferrer has a winning record over Tsonga, Berdych and Del Potro and is only down 3-2 in Slams to Nadal (I think).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro has some notable victories against the big guns and a grand slam win which ultimately requires you to beat top players somewhere along the line, Ferrer doesn't despite his ranking and injury free career, neither does he really have any notable fully fit scalps which highlights his limitations in some ways.

Back in 2009. You discredited David Ferrer for victories from a bygone age (2011) but don't recognise how long ago it has been since Del Potro did succeed in the Slams (he blew a two sets lead against Federer and that's about as close as it got for him since). It has proven to sadly be a fluke, in terms of Slam performance.

Little point praising Del Potro for victories since in best of 3 set matches because as I gather from the way you talk about David Ferrer, they aren't important.

[Kano]

I disagree that the game is full of players like Del Potro, there's only a handful of players with talent like him, Soderling, Berdych and a handful of others, but in the end injuries are out of the players control.

For me if I see Ferrer against the top guys it's pretty much and guaranteed route through for the big guns, with Del Potro etc I at least think there's the chance of an upset, Ferrer is moving up to number 3 but he's only really there because the likes of Del Potro, Soderling and Nadal have suffered from injuries, when they stayed fit they were above him. He's benefited from their bad luck.
i meant throughout the history of the game, relative to the time. leyton hewitt. hailed as the future of tennis by sampras, achieved two slams and declined. injury/other players/stuff. did he pick the right trainers/diet/prep? novak puts his success down to avoiding his wheat allergy. marat safin, won two slams and should've won more but was it his temper or other things? there are so many things that go into winning at the top end of sport rather than what we just see on tv. change one of those things and everything around them changes too. you can't just say 'if he done x and x this would happen for sure' as you are with del potro. he has the talent, no doubt, but no guarantees. every player gets injured, some more than others. but also how you manage those, prep throughout the season is just as important and IS in their control.

he has more talent and potential than ferrer but can he sustain that and make more of a career? who knows. let's also not forget that soderling and berdych have been in finals too and not won a set between them, like ferrer.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

On another note:

Fed. :(

[GP]

Game, set, match.

[Cripps_orig]

Got to say thank you to Federer to make sure the match ended after I got home so I could watch it.

So Murray to win Wimbledon will have to beat the guy he beat in the US Open final and the Olympics semi finals.

Come on Muzza. Bring the trophy home

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza needs to be wary of going two sets up against Robredo. :ninja:

http://i41.tinypic.com/2pqj34l.png

Captain Malcolm Reynolds. :bow:

[GP]

Who have the 4ths got in the next round?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hmm not sure, let's ask their good friend Sharapova.

http://tennis.topbuzz.com/tennis-pics/d/2212-1/Maria+Sharapovas+sad+expression+on+court.jpg

[Munchies]

Bollocks , Im all over the place with this tourny.

Will keep up to date with it more now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza won 6-3 6-3 7-5. He'll play again on Friday against Robredo. :good:

[Munchies]

Muzza won 6-3 6-3 7-5. He'll play again on Friday against Robredo. :good:

Haha, I didn't even know it was today :violin:

Never heard of Robredo, Murray to win :coffee:

But I should bet something on him, seeing how everything is going.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

BBC's programme is on now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na takes the first set against Halep 6-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lisicki is up a break at 4-2 on Vesnina. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Halep is injured. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keys took the first set against Barthel 6-4. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lisicki takes the first set 6-3 against Vesnina.

Boom Boom.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keys is serving for the match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Llodra retires in his match against Seppi. :haha:

Keys beats Barthel 6-4 6-2. A. Radwanska or Johnasson for her next.

Halep takes the second set against Li Na 6-1. :doh:

Stosur beat Puchkova 6-2 6-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

BBC's streams have screwed up. Showing other matches and the water fountain whilst we can only hear audio of Wade and Smith commentating on the Lisicki match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lisicki beats Vesnina 6-3 6-1! Stosur next for her. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na beats Halep 6-2 1-6 6-0.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro up a break in the first set against Levine.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Levine is embarassing Canada.

Double faults galore, Del Potro up a double break. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Serena is up a break in the first set against Garcia, 4-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro nearly topples over.

Players just need to stop doing what is natural and be way behind the baseline, at least until the second week.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro takes the first set 6-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Serena takes the first set against Garcia 6-3. Terrible from Garcia hitting the net with the open court in front of her.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dimitrov takes the first set against Zemlja 6-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Berdych takes the first set against Brands 7-6 (8-6).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Levine leads 4-1 in the second set. :lol: Stunning rally.

[GP]

Del Potro :lol:

Lucky he's got all dem weapons.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:lol:

Del Potro serving to stay in the second set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Which he does so, Levine to serve it out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro gets to break point, amazing defence from Levine at the net. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro breaks back, it's 4-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Serena beats Garcia 6-3 6-2.

JSAO's wife next for her. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Levine and Del Potro in to a second set tiebreak.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Zemlja took the second set against Dimitrov 7-6 (7-4).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tomic beats Blake 6-3 6-4 7-5. Gasquet or JSAO's elder son next for him (Soeda).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Del Potro, Levine to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Serve and volley. :bow:

6-6.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Levine saves another set point, on Del Potro's serve too. 7-7.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro takes the second set 7-6 (9-7).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dimitrov injured his foot - another slip. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Levine serving to stay in the match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Which he does so.

Dimitrov takes the third set against Zemlja 6-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Del Potro wins 6-2 7-6 (9-7) 6-3. He would face Dimitrov next as it stands. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dimitrov just can't stay on his feet. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Berdych beat Brands 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-2. Anderson next for him.

A. Radwanska vs Johansson next on Centre.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Zemlja takes the fourth set 6-4!

Dimitrov. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Llodra pulled out of his singles match...he's playing in the doubles now.

:doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Radwanska takes the first set against Johansson 6-1. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Soeda falls on his arse.

These courts. :haha:

[Cripps_orig]

After yesterday's excitement, today seems boring in comparison.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dimitrov just about saves a match point, I thought his slice had gone long but no challenge.

Down comes the rain, at least on centre.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dimitrov doing the splits. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Erakovic beats Peng 7-6 (8-6) 6-2. Robbo will be out on court next, whenever the rain stops.

Rain has stopped play on the other courts now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gasquet and Soeda still playing on like troopers.

[Cripps_orig]

This Dimitrov pubber seems to be highly rated.

Don't think I've ever seen him.

Is the hype deserved?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not right now. Had a good win against Djokovic and has been close against Muzza but nothing more than that. Piss poor performance at Slams so far for his talent.

Allegedly cheated on Serena with Sharapova, so at least he is doing all the females on tour with his spare time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sijsling beats Raonic 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4).

Raonic is a disgrace to Canada.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Gasquet, this to serve for the match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And he does so, Gasquet to serve it out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gasquet beats JSAO's son 6-0 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3.

He plays Tomic next. :popcorn:

[Cripps_orig]

Need Robsons match on asap

[Cripps_orig]

Radwanska wins 6-1 6-3

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Radwanska beats Johansson 6-1 6-3.

Djokovic vs Captain Malcolm on next.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shevchenko is in Djokovic's box. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

I might as well watch this as there's no other tennis going on

Djokovic to win losing just 9 games

[McNamara That Ghost...]

BBC cut away during a point. Idiots.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Both saved.

Nole. :lol:

[Munchies]

Still cant :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Another break point for Djokovic.

[Cripps_orig]

Saved again

[Munchies]

No break for Djok

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Reynolds is serving to stay in the first set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Which he does so to love, 5-5.

Reynolds doesn't bounce the ball before serving. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Reynolds serving to force a first set tiebreak.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And Reynolds eventually does.

Tiebreak time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic leads 5-0. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And Djokovic takes the first set 7-6 (7-2).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sue Barker's lack of weather knowledge brutally shot down by the weatherman. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points in this game not taken by Djokovic.

[Cripps_orig]

Reynolds holds

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Reynolds holds, 0-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a chance for Reynolds!

[Cripps_orig]

Reynolds :doh:

Could have had 3 break points but fucks up a overhead smash

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Get a towel Reynolds. The court is going to be covered in your sweat otherwise.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Very good from Reynolds.

Fed must be mindcontrolling Djokovic, just can't convert.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Reynolds nutmeg. :haha:

Unfortunately Nole's shot dropped in.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic finally breaks and leads 2-1 in the second set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two more break points for Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Both saved. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a recovery from Djokovic. :blink:

[Master Splinter]

Sue Barker's lack of weather knowledge brutally shot down by the weatherman. :lol:

That was brilliant.

SueBa is more senile than Wade and Motty now I think.

[Cripps_orig]

Djokovic isn't the most entertaining is he?

[Master Splinter]

I thought Ach's 9 game prediction for Reynolds was optimistic. I would have gone for 6.

Djokovic :lol:. Awlful indoors player.

[Master Splinter]

Play abandoned for today. Apart from Centre of course.

Rain :doh:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If only someone did it Barker's tennis knowledge too. :whistle:

Djokovic has three, well now two set points.

[Cripps_orig]

Time roofs were built over all courts.

Disgusting how the big names get the preferential treatment

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic takes the second set 6-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Play abandoned for today. Apart from Centre of course.

Rain :doh:.

That seems a bit dim given rain is supposed to be around tomorrow too. Still, can't clash with the football I suppose.

[Cripps_orig]

If this finishes in the next 20 odd minutes, any chance Robson v pubber can be moved to centre?

They did move keothavongs after all

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They did but no chance on this occasion, apparently.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks and leads 2-0 in the third set.

[Master Splinter]

Ferrer's match should be the one hypothetically moved to Centre.

I suppose Robson has bigger weapons though.

[Cripps_orig]

Nah

Ferrer is decent but widely regarded in the tennis world as the Everton of tennis.

Will get to the latter stages once in a while, hard working but lacking that extra something to really trouble the best

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'd have moved Dimitrov's match and then had Robbo on after that. That seems like it makes too much sense though I guess.

Also, Djokovic still spurns break points. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks and will serve for the match. Reynolds is the last remaining Yank in the men's side of the draw.

Done his country proud. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic wins 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 6-1! Struff or Chardy next for him.

[Cripps_orig]

Lost 10 games

****

[Master Splinter]

Little bit shit day at Wimbledon and we get a full hour of Today At Wimbledon.

BBC :doh:.

Hopefully they devote the first half hour to the shock of the newly-crowned world number five crashing out to a Ukrainian charity worker. It wasn't given the coverage it deserved yesterday.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sue Barker was about to say "we'll hope the weather is better yesterday". :haha:

[The Wengerbabies]

Wimbledon organisers are so shit.

Late night tennis is awlsome and they can go til 11, yet no more play today, and they always do their best to avoid it. They should have put Robbo on Centre now then Watson/Marray tbh.

[The Wengerbabies]

Little bit shit day at Wimbledon and we get a full hour of Today At Wimbledon.

BBC :doh:.

Hopefully they devote the first half hour to the shock of the newly-crowned world number five crashing out to a Ukrainian charity worker. It wasn't given the coverage it deserved yesterday.

Why do you have such disdain for The Greatest?

[Master Splinter]

The demise of well, everyone in Murray's half, has allowed Robbo to be first on Centre tomorrow:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22713811

[Master Splinter]

Why do you have such disdain for The Greatest?

I don't. Just some simple, immature +1ing.

Why do you have such absurd hero worship of an individual?

[The Wengerbabies]

I don't. Just some simple, immature +1ing.

Why do you have such absurd hero worship of an individual?

Coz he's awesome.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed. :bow:

Youtube so I can relive the glory days. :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Just to keep the balance, Old Man Federer would actually drop to 6th if Berdych won the title. :lol:

Come on Berdych!

[The Wengerbabies]

Fed. :bow:

Youtube so I can relive the glory days. :bow:
:gp:

Also this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj8QW1emhuw

'Right I'm gonna try this and it not going to be easy'

:haha: cracks me up ever time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Federer would gain some points back on Djokovic in that instance.

No.1 is on! :bow:

[The Wengerbabies]

Just to keep the balance, Old Man Federer would actually drop to 6th if Berdych won the title. :lol:

Come on Berdych!

Yeah, plus he's defending Cincinnati and the Olympic final points. He could miss out on the WTF :yikes:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He didn't play in Toronto last year so he should be ok.

[The Wengerbabies]

True. One of the two cups named after him :bow:

Who else can say that?

[Master Splinter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCjw0Unm8OY

Nadal :bow:.

Federer is forever his bitch.

[Master Splinter]

True. One of the two cups named after him :bow:

Who else can say that?

Well the Wimbledon trophy is named after Venus Williams.

Venus gets the biggest tournament in the world, Federer gets some pub team tournament in Canada.