Australian Open 2017

EagererBeaver

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

No need for sarcasm - as in if Fed wins its basically 100% guaranteed Nadal will win, he owns Federer in slam finals..

It wasn't sarcasm, but as the above isn't what you said, I'll bite anyway.

You said if Stan won he would have a great shot at winning the tournament. Given that he's the higher seeded, higher ranked player with a much better recent performance history, I was making a light hearted remark at the wonderful insight your comment provided. Or, to be coarse about it, "talk about stating the bleedin' obvious!"

mickmackey1

Unbelievable! Now lets see if the Mallorcan Mr Muscle can keep his side of the bargain

RobertKK

Didn't realise that Federer and Nadal are such good friends.

Happy Federer won the Swiss civil war, the Aussie Open has been like a renaissance tournament.

On a separate note, there is speculation that Eurosport could become part of the BT sports package on Sky.

Chivito550

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Not great odds. I had €8 in there and stand to get €19 back, as much as I love Federer he has a terrible record against Nadal. But I guess it's a good while since these players were competing against each other at this level so who knows???

Dimitrov to win now so.

20 down at 7/2 = 90 for me. Should the unthinkable happen this will soften the blow a bit.

Jan_de_Bakker

Chivito550 wrote: »

20 down at 7/2 = 90 for me. Should the unthinkable happen this will soften the blow a bit.

I got him at 10-1 around the 2nd round, only stuck a tenner down tho ... pity ..

yerwanthere123

Very cool seeing Venus back in a slam final, although suely it's finally Serena's time to break Steffi's record. There doesn't seem to be a lot of fanfare about it, weirdly? If she does break it then Margaret Court's 'record' will be the next one in sight. If she does break Court's record in the future, how perfect would it be if she could do it in Australia, with the miserable old trout watching on? :cool:

On the men's side, disappointed Federer won but also relieved Wawrinka won't get a chance, for now at least, to overtake Andy's slam count. Would love Dimitrov to take the title but beating both Nadal and Federer is probably a tall order. Also deserves to be mentioned as well that if Nadal was making this kind of a comeback after a six month layoff then there'd probably be a few raised eyebrows, but that's probably a conversation for elsewhere.

walshb

I'm praying Dimitrov doesn't beat Nadal. Really will put a dampener on the occasion. It's all about the occasion. Two of finest players to ever play the game. Probably the top 2 ever, at the backend of their careers one more time in a slam final...

yerwanthere123

It's been a poor tournament for me anyway. With Sharapova, Azarenka and Kvitova all out most of the remaining top WTA players just didn't show up, leaving Serena and Venus with a relatively clear path to the final.

On the men's side Andy losing so early was a disaster for me. Del Potro didn't play and Kyrgios lost early too.. little to get excited by. Dimitrov can be the saving grace!

Chivito550

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

It's been a poor tournament for me anyway. With Sharapova, Azarenka and Kvitova all out most of the remaining top WTA players just didn't show up, leaving Serena and Venus with a relatively clear path to the final.

On the men's side Andy losing so early was a disaster for me. Del Potro didn't play and Kyrgios lost early too.. little to get excited by. Dimitrov can be the saving grace!

Kyrgios is the most overhyped player I've ever seen. He's beyond a joke.

NoviGlitzko

walshb wrote: »

I'm praying Dimitrov doesn't beat Nadal. Really will put a dampener on the occasion. It's all about the occasion. Two of finest players to ever play the game. Probably the top 2 ever, at the backend of their careers one more time in a slam final...

Federer vs. Dimitrov is the dream final for me! Love the two of them and their game and it will be crazy to see such strikingly similar styles a generation apart play on such a grand stage.

The only dampener on this tournament for me so far is that Del Potro hasn't played. Other than that its been on of the best slams I can remember for years.

Also, did anyone else catch Venus's celebration? It was the most whimsical and overly girly thing I've seen on a tennis court it was strange to say the least.

walshb

Chivito550 wrote: »

Kyrgios is the most overhyped player I've ever seen. He's beyond a joke.

Hyped for being a prat!

NoviGlitzko

walshb wrote: »

Hyped for being a prat!

Ah I like Kyrgios adds a bit of excitment to tennis. I think he's got talent, just feels sorry for himself too much and needs to grow up.

Chivito550

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Ah I like Kyrgios adds a bit of excitment to tennis. I think he's got talent, just feels sorry for himself too much and needs to grow up.

I watched him on Chatrier at RG last year, and his demeanour on court was embarrassing. He'll never win a slam. Just doesn't have the head for it.

lostcat

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

The only dampener on this tournament for me so far is that Del Potro hasn't played. Other than that its been on of the best slams I can remember for years.

I wonder is he regretting not coming now? He could have made the semis at least without having to beat very much, with the way the draw fell and many players not being at their best.....

still, better not to rush back I guess, and i'm looking forward to seeing him later in the year

Jan_de_Bakker

walshb wrote: »

I'm praying Dimitrov doesn't beat Nadal. Really will put a dampener on the occasion. It's all about the occasion. Two of finest players to ever play the game. Probably the top 2 ever, at the backend of their careers one more time in a slam final...

Yeah but if its a Nadal Federer final - let´s be honest there is only one way it's going .... whereas if Dmitrov can upset Nadal he will have a real shot v Federer...

Burial.

F*ck Dimitrov tbh. He's a young enough pup he'll have his day in the future. With an all Williams women's final it needs to be Federer/Nadal.

walshb

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Yeah but if its a Nadal Federer final - let´s be honest there is only one way it's going .... whereas if Dmitrov can upset Nadal he will have a real shot v Federer...

I don't really care. As mentioned, Dimitrov has time on his hands. We may never get to see these two legends play each other again, never mind it being a slam final. It's just too big and too tempting for the world of tennis and these guys' legacies to pass up.

Jan_de_Bakker

walshb wrote: »

I don't really care. As mentioned, Dimitrov has time on his hands. We may never get to see these two legends play each other again, never mind it being a slam final. It's just too big and too tempting for the world of tennis and these guys' legacies to pass up.

oh dont worry, you will see plenty more of Nadal winning slams at least ...

The Golden Miller

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Very cool seeing Venus back in a slam final, although suely it's finally Serena's time to break Steffi's record. There doesn't seem to be a lot of fanfare about it, weirdly? If she does break it then Margaret Court's 'record' will be the next one in sight. If she does break Court's record in the future, how perfect would it be if she could do it in Australia, with the miserable old trout watching on? :cool:

On the men's side, disappointed Federer won but also relieved Wawrinka won't get a chance, for now at least, to overtake Andy's slam count. Would love Dimitrov to take the title but beating both Nadal and Federer is probably a tall order. Also deserves to be mentioned as well that if Nadal was making this kind of a comeback after a six month layoff then there'd probably be a few raised eyebrows, but that's probably a conversation for elsewhere.

What's wrong with Wawrinka surpassing Murray's slam count?

mickmackey1

walshb wrote: »

I don't really care. As mentioned, Dimitrov has time on his hands. We may never get to see these two legends play each other again, never mind it being a slam final. It's just too big and too tempting for the world of tennis and these guys' legacies to pass up.

There's actually a lot of added pressure on Nadal because of that very reason. He knows thats what the world wants. He could very well fúck it up.

lostcat

mickmackey1 wrote: »

There's actually a lot of added pressure on Nadal because of that very reason. He knows thats what the world wants. He could very well fúck it up.

disagree with this, Nadal handles pressure better than anyone I have ever seen.

theres at least equal pressure on Federer, who doesn't handle it as well.

I was hoping that these two would play an important match two years ago when Fed was flying (I thought fed would have a very very decent chance). i'm not so sure now, but its a quicker court this year, and its nadals least favourite slam so...

still hope dimitirov wins it

mickmackey1

lostcat wrote: »

disagree with this, Nadal handles pressure better than anyone I have ever seen.

The old Nadal certainly did, not sure about the newer model.

josip

What's the consensus about Nadal's wrist injury?
Is it just a matter of time before it flares up again or did he take enough time off for it to fully recover?

Dirty Dingus McGee

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

Yeah but if its a Nadal Federer final - let´s be honest there is only one way it's going .... whereas if Dmitrov can upset Nadal he will have a real shot v Federer...

But it's 2-2 between them in grand slam finals outside of the French Open.

Jan_de_Bakker

The Golden Miller wrote: »

What's wrong with Wawrinka surpassing Murray's slam count?

Maybe cos then the BBC would have to include Wavrinka as a "Big" player ?

walshb

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

But it's 2-2 between them in grand slam finals outside of the French Open.

Nadal is 3/0 at Melbourne.

A Fed win would not be a huge shock, but looking at both now, and going on past slam meetings one would have to be somewhat confident that Nadal is a little too strong.

lostcat

mickmackey1 wrote: »

The old Nadal certainly did, not sure about the newer model.

if nadal has the 'confidence' he talks about, there is hardly any stopping him, and he's is playing with that confidence this week.

Any slam final he has lost, it has taken an amazing performance to beat him, he hardly ever 'gives one up' unlike say, Djokovic, who seemed out of sorts in a few of the slam finals he lost

Chivito550

Just seen post match interview with Jim Courier there. Interesting insight from Roger. Thinks he played Rafa too many times on clay early in his career and he let that possibly affect how he played him on other courts, but he thinks this court can allow him play offensive against him. Refreshing honesty.

Found it a bit disrespectful of Jim Courier to be asking Roger about a final against Rafa when Dimitriov is very much still in the competition. There have been far bigger shocks in sport than Grioger winning tomorrow that's for sure.

NoviGlitzko

As well as Dimitrov has started, Rafa looks on a different planet. Can't hit through him ATM. Big favourite for the title.

EagererBeaver

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

As well as Dimitrov has started, Rafa looks on a different planet. Can't hit through him ATM. Big favourite for the title.

As soon as Nadal saved the break points in the opening game you got the impression that was Dimitrov's chance gone in the set.

walshb

Dimitrov well up here in the second.

Jan_de_Bakker

And Nadal breaks back

always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...
always coming back ...

A match for him is a recursive representation of his career ... or other way around ... fractals maybe ?

Burial.

Nadal just won't give up the set. Unreal

Jan_de_Bakker

Burial. wrote: »

Nadal just won't give up the set. Unreal

in fairness its how he always plays .. like a gladiator

Burial.

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

in fairness its how he always plays .. like a gladiator

Pretty special to break back twice in one set though. Even for Nadal

Jan_de_Bakker

Burial. wrote: »

Pretty special to break back twice in one set though. Even for Nadal

Not when your name is on the cup...

Jan_de_Bakker

4 SPs saved ... ok im done here ...

Burial.

What a set. Game on.

NoviGlitzko

Great work from Dimi to somehow get himself back in the match. Still a huge ask but he has belief now. Bit of choking going on by both. C'mon Grigor!

A Fed vs. Dimitrov final would be more entertaining for me.

EagererBeaver

Cracking match. Nadal's forehand doesn't have the same whip on it at the minute.

NoviGlitzko

In fairness to Rafa he's being more aggressive than I thought he'd be and he looks a more dangerous player because of it.

Jan_de_Bakker

Joke ..

SlickRic

Win or lose, this match could be the making of Dimitrov.

NoviGlitzko

Bit of a heart-breaker with the tie-break. Hope he can at least take it to a 5th.

EagererBeaver

I want Nadal to win but I have to say, win or lose, this is a tremendous performance from Dimitrov that he can hopefully build on rather than flattering to deceive as he has so many times in the past.

walshb

Fook you, Dimitrov! Looks like we have a 5th set.

Floppybits

Come on Grigor ya little beaut. Great to see him playing like this.😀

NoviGlitzko

Awesome!!! C'mon Grigor! What a match so far.

walshb

Fed the happiest man on earth at the moment!

mickmackey1

26-24 in the 5th now please