The 2013 In Between Grand Slam Thread

yerwanthere123

RosyLily wrote: »

Got Wimbledon tickets in the ballot!!!:D:D 4th time's a charm!

Fair play What day/week are the tickets for?

RosyLily

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Fair play What day/week are the tickets for?

Wednesday 3rd July- Men's QF Day on Court No.1.:) Got a pair of tickets so bringing a friend who's been dying to go for years.

yerwanthere123

RosyLily wrote: »

Wednesday 3rd July- Men's QF Day on Court No.1.:) Got a pair of tickets so bringing a friend who's been dying to go for years.

Congrats, you must be delighted. I'll definitely go to Wimbledon some day when the time is right.

RosyLily

I highly recommend a visit to Wimbledon!! Gorgeous place when it's sunny.:)

Kvitova-Errani final in Dubai....can't say I would have predicted that match last week. Petra has a terrible record in Dubai & Errani hasn't really had a great start to 2013. I'm hoping this is the start of a turnaround for Petra; she's notched up good wins this week and could ride the momentum to Indian Wells & Miami. She's got the talent, just needs to work on the other aspects.

yerwanthere123

Oh dear GOD! Wozniacki loses to #186 ranked Wang Qiang

RosyLily

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Oh dear GOD! Wozniacki loses to #186 ranked Wang Qiang

Oh no. What's the bets she still won't change up her game or get a new coach. Fresh eyes and ears could do her the world of good!!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

RosyLily wrote: »

Oh no. What's the bets she still won't change up her game or get a new coach. Fresh eyes and ears could do her the world of good!!

She admitted there the other week that after she got to #1 she lost interest, said it seemed more like a job than the game she had loved. (It is a F-ing job, a fairly easy and rewarding one compared to us mortals!) But I digress....
Doesn't seem to me like she's got any of that motivation back since losing the #1 ranking. I'm no expert on the ins and outs of it all but it seems fairly obvious that her relationship with her dad isn't a healthy one. She wins a set 6-1 and still calls him on to the court? Compare that to someone like Azarenka who I cna only remember calling her coach on once, and that was when she had an injury and to discuss whether she should retire or not.

RosyLily

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

(It is a F-ing job, a fairly easy and rewarding one compared to us mortals!)

+1,000!! I'd love to be a pro!! Caroline got £14,500 for losing in the first round of Wimbledon 2012....how long would it take average Joe to make that??

I can understand why you would relax a little after reaching No.1; it's a huge goal to accomplish and not many women make it. But, imo, Wozniacki has so many more goals to fulfil- no GS, no Tour Final title, no Olympic medal etc. I doubt many people will remember her when she retires.

Even Marion Bartoli has gotten rid of her dad as coach!

Time to shake some cages Caro.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

RosyLily wrote: »

I can understand why you would relax a little after reaching No.1; it's a huge goal to accomplish and not many women make it. But, imo, Wozniacki has so many more goals to fulfil- no GS, no Tour Final title, no Olympic medal etc. I doubt many people will remember her when she retires.

True, and that year she was #1 for wasn't that great an achievement in itself. Serena out for most of it, Sharapova still on the comeback from her surgery, Vika still mentally unstable, and that was about it. No great challenge for the #1 spot.

Plus right after her year at #1 Vika had pretty much a full year there with 2 Slams, a Slam RU, and 2 Olympic medals. That's how you do a year at #1.

KINGVictor

RosyLily wrote: »

Oh no. What's the bets she still won't change up her game or get a new coach. Fresh eyes and ears could do her the world of good!!

Agreed-She really needs a change in her entire game. I know it is conspiracy theory territory but with Rory also messing up during the weekend, it could be something to do with their relationship.

RosyLily

Would they see each other that much? Both should be travelling all over the world competing and whatnot. Anyway, I digress!

If only she would get rid of Piotr Wozniacki. Not many dads can do the father-coach thing properly. Mary Pierce's dad = bad! Richard Williams = good.:p

the_monkey

God , Nadal seems to be back ... what a disaster ... hopefully it will be only for the dirty clay - suits him.

yerwanthere123

When do the seeds usually begin play at Indian can anyone remember? Friday/Saturday perhaps?

RosyLily

Not sure. Maybe Wednesday or Thursday? The draw will be released later tonight....looking forward to seeing if there'll be any good match-ups.

Rafa has confirmed he'll play Indian Wells this week. Li Na & Serena Williams are not included on the player's list.

Roger & Vika are the defending champions.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

No surprise Serena isn't there, she never plays it. Li Na still bothered by the ankle injury she got in Australia.

Gossip flying about that Rory and Woz are on the rocks. He walked off the course after 8 holes at the weekend.

RosyLily

Potential QF between Nadal & Federer at Indian Wells. It will be interesting to see how Nadal plays on the hard-court. Federer hasn't played in a bit. Since Rotterdam? Can't remember the last time these two played a quarter! Hard to know whether it would be a good match.

Isner-Hewitt could be one to look out for, as would Tomic-Gasquet. Dimitrov-Djokovic in R3 could be a fun match.

The Women's draw has a few ones to look out for. Possible QFs: Azarenka-Wozniacki, Kerber-Stosur, Radwanska-Kvitova, Errani-Sharapova. I'm gonna hazard a guess and say that we'll only see 4 or 5 of these women in the quarters.:p


EDIT: 1,000 post!!! YEAAA!!:D:D Kinda wish I said something more insightful or important....

mickmackey1

RosyLily wrote: »

Federer hasn't played in a bit. Since Rotterdam?

Eh no... dubai last week actually;)

RosyLily

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Eh no... dubai last week actually;)

Woops!:o Keep losing track of tournament times.

Sky Sports are starting their Indian Wells coverage tonight. Roger & Rafa are up tonight. Azarenka should be on later tonight; she's playing Hantuchova.

Looking forward to Isner-Hewitt. Hope Sky show it.

yerwanthere123

3rd consecutive early loss for Sloane, hope she picks up again soon!

Floppybits

Good win for Wozniacki yesterday but she wont beat anyone of the better players and she still needs to get a new coach and sort her game out.

yerwanthere123

Floppybits wrote: »

Good win for Wozniacki yesterday but she wont beat anyone of the better players and she still needs to get a new coach and sort her game out.

I actually hope she gets to the quarters and plays Azarenka. Woz leads the h2h 4-2, but they haven't played in about 2 years and Azarenka is ten times the player she was then, so basically I'm hoping Vika destroys her

Who knows when Woz will see sense and sack her father.. here's hoping she won't wait until she's 28 like Marion Bartoli!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Who knows when Woz will see sense and sack her father.. here's hoping she won't wait until she's 28 like Marion Bartoli!

Shame Bartoli didn't do it a bit sooner. She missed out on the Olympics because of it. Maybe that's what made her do it in the end.

yerwanthere123

Also good to see Barthel playing well. Stosur next, hope she can take her out!

RosyLily

The likes of Michael Joyce would do wonders for Wozniacki's career. Because, let's face it, she's been on a slump since she lost the No.1 spot.

Barthel-Stosur should be a good match. Both players had to come through tough 3-setters. Just hoping neither of them implode mid-match. Looking forward to Djokovic-Dimitrov tonight. It's 3rd on court, should be on around 9 or 10pm.

In more gossipy news, I didn't know Soderling is a dad now! According to Twitter, his partner gave birth to a girl last October. He's also hoping to return to the court this year. Here's hoping!:)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

RosyLily wrote: »

The likes of Michael Joyce would do wonders for Wozniacki's career. Because, let's face it, she's been on a slump since she lost the No.1 spot.

She has been on a bit of a slump but you have to take into account that quite a few players have become far more consistent than they were while she was #1. Serena, Vika and Sharapova are regularly in QF, SF, F. Even Errani, Kerber and Kvitova have a fair level of consistency in the bigger events.
I don't think Woz is doing anything all that different to how she did when she was #1, but that in itself is obviously an issue, as everyone seems to have figured out how easy it is to actually beat her.

RosyLily

Exactly. Players have copped on to her game plan and know how to beat her. Unfortunately she doesn't seem to be Plan B or C if A goes kaput!

Disappointed by Dmitrov yesterday. He was going so well, 4-1 up, then started to slump.

Some good matches tonight! Raonic-Tsonga, Berdych-Gasquet, Haas-del Potro. Impressed by how well Fish played against Tsonga yesterday. Hope he'll keep healthy.

Sharapova will play Errani in a rematch from the French Open final. Sara made quick work of Bartoli yesterday; Masha had to work in the first set but cruised the second against Arruabarrena-Vecino.

Date-Krumm is on a roll in the women's doubles! Partnered with Casey Dellacqua, they've reached the SFs and will play #4 Vesnina & Makarova tomorrow night.

yerwanthere123

Seems we'll be waiting a while for an Azarenka-Wozniacki rematch, Vika has pulled out! It's Sharapovas for the taking now, Kirilenko in the semis and Woz/Kerber in the final. If she wins she actually won't be too far away from the #1 spot, improbable as it may seem.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

^
So does that mean there's no women's tennis today at all?

I can see Sharapova losing to Kirilenko. She's been playing terribly, the DF's are back with a vengeance. Kirilenko on the other hand has been playing fantastically. I'd be happy enough with either Maria winning it to be honest

RosyLily

No tennis on at the mo'! Federer-Nadal is scheduled for 7pm Californian time. I'm starting to doze off already so I'll probably be out when that match starts.:o

Definitely would not be surprised if Kirilenko reaches the final either. It's been a fantastic week for her and she's got a great chance to beat Masha. Stosur also pulled out of her match against Kerber. What a downer for the IW fans....women's QFs today.
Women's SFs will be tomorrow; Woz-Kerber followed by Sharapova-Kirilenko. I hope Kerber smashes Woz...I'd be happy with either Maria reaching the final.:)

yerwanthere123

I'd like Sharapova to win the whole thing, I want her to stay in the mix with Serena and Vika as much as possible. Wouldn't mind Kirilenko doing it either though, I've always felt that she had the game to be a top ten player. Just as long as Woz doesn't win :eek:

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Sharapova could over take Vika in the rankings if she makes the final, not sure if she needs to win or not, wouldn't hurt though

mickmackey1

RosyLily wrote: »

Federer-Nadal is scheduled for 7pm Californian time.

Gosh that was quite a pasting, it looks more and more like Fed is heading for the sunset...

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Gosh that was quite a pasting, it looks more and more like Fed is heading for the sunset...

I dunno. Nadal always beats Federer. I've no idea why the media gets so hyped up about their matches, they're always one sided and boring.

_Bella_

I didn't see the match but the reports I read said that Federer was clearly struggling with a a back injury and as a result his serve was quite affected. I'm interested to see how he fairs against Berdych who has been having a pretty good week.

RosyLily

That's 29 meetings between Nadal & Federer now. Pretty impressive! I thought Fed looked uncomfortable on the court and wasn't moving freely.

Berdych has been in great form, not dropping a set all week. 2006 was the last time Tomas beat Rafa. I'd fancy his chances tomorrow night. (In saying that now I've probably jinxed him!:o)

mickmackey1

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Nadal always beats Federer.

Well, kind of...

Clay : Nadal 12 Fed 2
Non-clay : Fed 8 Nadal 7

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Well, kind of...

Clay : Nadal 12 Fed 2
Non-clay : Fed 8 Nadal 7

I think they're level on non clay now after yesterday.

Three Seasons

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Gosh that was quite a pasting, it looks more and more like Fed is heading for the sunset...

Nadal beat Federer in a similar fashion at 2011 Indian wells I believe, or possibly Miami. Since then he has played some incredible tennis, returned to world number 1 and won Wimbledon. Having said that, Father Time catches up with everyone. It does look worrying, I heard he had a bit of a back injury.

yerwanthere123

No live coverage on Eurosport tonight

RosyLily

Think only Sky Sports have it tonight.

jupiterjack

Nadal beats Berdych 6/4 7/5....A bit surprised that Nadal has reached the final in indian well. Did very well in his previous 250 & 500 tournaments but back with the big boys in this 1000 series and he has done very well.

_Bella_

Yeah I'm surprised he has done so well. Interesting parallel with the womans game, when Serena Williams first came back after her really long injury and was really successful, everyone said that it showed the lack of strength and depth that existed in the mens game and that it would never happen in the mens game.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

VAMOS DELPO!!!

Just hope he can take out Nadal tomorrow.

yerwanthere123

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

VAMOS DELPO!!!

Just hope he can take out Nadal tomorrow.

Delighted for him! Didn't get to see the match but was following the score, assumed when Delpo was down 0-3 in the final set that it was all over. Like you, I really hope he can beat Nadal, would love to see Delpo become a major force on the tour again He'll probably feel pretty pissed if he doesn't beat Rafa considering he's just back.

RosyLily

Fantastic stuff from Delpo!!! Thought he might be toast in the 3rd set but he managed to claw his way back into the match. I hope this is the start of a resurgence for the Argentine. He deserves it. Can't believe he's never won a Masters title!:eek:

Bryan Brothers claimed their first Indian Wells doubles title, defeating Treat Huey & Jerzy Janowicz 6-3, 3-6, 10-6. It's their 22nd Masters title & their 4th of the 2013 season. Makarova & Vesnina won the women's doubles; they beat Petrova & Srebotnik 6-0, 5-7, 10-6.

The women's final is on Eurosport at 7pm and men's final coverage begins at 9pm on Sky Sports. Hoping for Sharapova & del Potro wins.:)

elmolesto

Fantastic result from Nadal. 1 final and 3 titles in 4 tournaments after a 7 months away from the courts!

First hard title since Tokyo 2010.

Well done!

yerwanthere123

So disappointed for Delpo, but well done to Rafa I guess.

No excuse for him not to play a full schedule now though!

RosyLily

Never mind Delpo, I still loves ya!!:pac:

Looks like Nadal has pulled out of Miami (Source). Probably wary of playing hard-courts 2 weeks in a row. I expect him to play for the full clay season though!

Easy win for Sharapova. The trophy looks impossibly heavy!!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I couldn't tell if Woz was playing awful tennis or Maria was just blowing her off the court. I'd like to think it was the latter. I'm delighted for Maria, I'd preferred to see her win Miami to be honest, she's never won it, but with Serena and presumably Vika back on form there it's not likely.

Delpo played sooooo well until that one game in the 2nd set allowed Rafa to get the break back and it was just enough to give Rafa the edge. I guess it's nice for Rafa and all that, but as someone pointed out, the women's game was lambasted for allowing Serena to just stroll right back into the winners circle after her layoff. Rafa's just getting endless praise for doing the same thing. Double standards are ridiculous in tennis.

yerwanthere123

RosyLily wrote: »

Never mind Delpo, I still loves ya!!:pac:

Looks like Nadal has pulled out of Miami (Source). Probably wary of playing hard-courts 2 weeks in a row. I expect him to play for the full clay season though!

Easy win for Sharapova. The trophy looks impossibly heavy!!

Oh dear, Miami on the mens side next week is looking a bit crap, no Fed or Nadal. I guess Djokovic will defend his title, but here's hoping Delpo can do it!

I will have zero interest if it's a Djokovic-Murray final -_-