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#Post#: 12835--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: Clay Death
Date: March 28, 2014, 2:24 pm
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I see 3-4 issues that seem to tilt the final slightly in nole's
favor:
1. he is healthy and fit. and now he will be well rested as
well.
2. these are the hard courts and this is a best of 3 sets final.
nole has the edge in such formats.
3. nole is serving and returning better than Rafa. that is what
gives nole the competitive edge on the hard courts. on the
average, the guy is just a beast when returning and serving on
the hard courts.
4. nole has had no back issues like Rafa has. Rafa was not able
to even serve for 10 days after Rio.
5. Rafa wont give his backhand a chance to get in the groove. he
keeps running around it when returning serve and also in
rallies.
that costs him the control of the center of the court. that
forces him to account for more space.
so we will just have to see if he can make some adjustments in
the final. I do expect Rafa to get by Berdych today.
all that being said, I have to support my player as much as
possible. I will say Rafa in 3 in the final provided he makes
the adjustments I have outlined.
and the biggest key for Rafa: he has to return well. and in
addition, he has to have some rhythm with his backhand.
#Post#: 12836--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: masterclass
Date: March 28, 2014, 2:35 pm
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I have to admit I'm worried about Rafa general. Another deep
run on slow hard court and possible battle with Djokovic right
before the clay season. Is it worth it for Rafa to go all out
if it jeopardizes the real prize - RG? I know that's his
character, and this is why I have reservations. I've seen it
happen too many times before. Miami is relatively small
potatoes compared to a healthy clay season and a 14th major at
Roland Garros. Losing to Berdych might be a blessing in
disguise, as much as that might irk him in the short term.
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 12838--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: Clay Death
Date: March 28, 2014, 2:44 pm
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that is a great point general.
you know nole is going to stretch the court tomorrow.
Rafa has to play tonight and then come right back and play
tomorrow afternoon.
well one has to hope for the best at this point. we want all
these players 100% for the rest of the year.
as it is we have lost del potro for the rest of the year.
Rafa is in the middle of the stretch run or home stretch as they
call it. he cannot afford another injury now. next back injury
could compromise his career and his momentum that he worked so
hard to gather in 2013.
#Post#: 12841--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: masterclass
Date: March 28, 2014, 3:10 pm
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Exactly general. Just look at poor Kei Nishikori. He made a
huge effort to beat Ferrer, and then had to come back a day
later to beat Federer, and now he's out for I don't know how
long. Though Kei has shown increases in strength and fitness
this year, he has been prone to injury with his high octane
game. I wish him well in his recovery.
These guys are not machines. It is not a team sport. They are
only one man. There is nobody to replace them on the bench. If
they get hurt, that's it. They are on the sidelines, fishing,
playing poker, whatever, and watching the rest of the tennis
world go by. Though there can be freak accidents, players at
this level usually get hurt when they really have had to extend
themselves to the fullest, not when they are playing easier
matches. For the players who have a lot of matches in them,
each injury might be the last.
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 12842--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: thetruth
Date: March 28, 2014, 5:15 pm
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This is a hard one. I don't think a loss to Berdych would be the
end of the world. And, Berdych is playing well and with more
belief. But, at the same time I don't think Nadal has extended
himself much either. He went out early in IW and his first three
matches here were basically walkovers.
I also don't think the Raonic match is an indicator of anything.
Rafa played a nervous first set, but thereafter pretty much had
his way with him. I know the conditions were bad, but Raonic
actually showed me very little. He has his serve, but his
groundies, unless he's going for an outright winner look pretty
weak, to me.
His anticipation is horrible and he doesn't move that well. I
don't think it took much out of Rafa at all.
At any rate, Nadal has garnered enough points to stay
comfortably ahead, so it's a win-win for me.
#Post#: 12848--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: thetruth
Date: March 28, 2014, 5:36 pm
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--- Quote from: masterclass link ---
>
> Confirmed by ATP, General Tee, thanks. Nishikori withdrew due
to left groin strain injury. Commiserations to him and his
fans.
> It shows how much he had to extend himself to beat two top 5
players in a row. The sport can be brutal even for the fittest.
>
> Congratulations to Djokovic and his fans. He has reached the
final playing only 3 matches and 6 sets - Chardy, Robredo, and
Murray.
>
> We'll find out if it is better to be rested and fresher, or
battle hardened.
> I'm going to guess the former in the case of the second of
back to back Masters, but we'll see.
>
> If Nadal gets past Berdych (I know most think it's a given,
considering Nadal hasn't lost in 16 matches since the 2006
Madrid insult), it might be another big battle on slow hard
court. Just think if Masters finals were still best of 5. I
think Djokovic will be a tough man to beat in best of 3 in
Miami.
>
> Respectfully,
> masterclass
>
--- End Quote ---
No more ifs, General Masterclass. Berych also withdrew.
SONY OPEN TENNIS 2014
NADAL TO FACE DJOKOVIC IN MIAMI FINAL
Miami, U.S.A.
by ATP Staff
HTML http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/03/13/Miami-Friday2-Djokovic-Nishikori.aspx
|
28.03.2014
© Getty ImagesRafael Nadal will look to win the Miami crown at
the fourth attempt.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will contest the Sony Open
Tennis final for the second time after both received walkovers
through the semi-finals on Friday in Miami.
Nadal and Djokovic clashed in the 2011 title match at Crandon
Park, with Djokovic prevailing in a third-set tie-break. The
pair will meet for the first time this season. Nadal leads their
FedEx ATP Head2Head series 22-17, but has lost his past two
meetings with Djokovic, losing in the finals in Beijing and at
the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
Read: Rafa Vs. Novak The Rivalry
Three-time Miami champion Djokovic is bidding to win the Indian
Wells-Miami double for the second time in his career, having
beaten Roger Federer in the Californian desert two weeks ago.
The Belgrade native lifted the trophy in Miami in 2007, ’11-12.
The 27-year-old Nadal is looking to clinch the elusive Miami
crown, having finished runner-up three times previously in 2005
(l. to Federer), 2008 (l. to Davydenko) and 2011.
Djokovic had been due to face Roger Federer’s conqueror, Kei
Nishikori, in the semi-finals, but the Japanese player was
forced to withdraw with a left groin injury.
Writing on his Facebook page, Nishikori said, “Very sorry to say
that I have to pull out today. Very disappointed and I am
obviously very sorry for any fans that wanted to come out for
this match.
“This tournament is very special to me and look forward to
coming back in the years to come. I will work with my medical
team to be back healthy as soon as possible.”
Tomas Berdych then pulled out from his scheduled semi-final
clash with Nadal due to gastroenteritis. The Czech is set for a
return to the Top 5 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on Monday,
having beaten Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarter-finals.
#Post#: 12850--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: masterclass
Date: March 28, 2014, 5:44 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[IMG]
HTML http://images.supersport.com/Toni-Nadal090522ProfileG300.jpg[/img]
[IMG]
HTML http://cms.mumbaimirror.com/portalfiles/29/7/201303/Image/03032012/s122.jpg[/img]
[B]Gastro... what? Cool story bro. Now come join me and very
fine geishas and saké in Tokyo for Davis Cup. Oh, and bring
Kei.[/B]
[IMG]
HTML http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/mypixforum/2013_tb/draw_dc_sf_prague_12sept201305.jpg[/img]
Simply Unbelievable.
Respectfully,
masterclass
#Post#: 12875--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: thetruth
Date: March 28, 2014, 7:39 pm
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--- Quote from: masterclass link ---
>
>
[IMG]
HTML http://images.supersport.com/Toni-Nadal090522ProfileG300.jpg[/img]
>
[IMG]
HTML http://cms.mumbaimirror.com/portalfiles/29/7/201303/Image/03032012/s122.jpg[/img]
>
> [B]Gastro... what? Cool story bro. Now come join me and very
fine geishas and saké in Tokyo for Davis Cup. Oh, and bring
Kei.[/B]
>
[IMG]
HTML http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/mypixforum/2013_tb/draw_dc_sf_prague_12sept201305.jpg[/img]
>
> Simply Unbelievable.
>
> Respectfully,
> masterclass
>
--- End Quote ---
I hate to be a conspiracy theorist (actually, I don't), but this
is unreal. The only question is why? Why would they do that?
What would they stand to gain? It's most bizarre.
But your joke was hilarious, especially the part about bringing
Kei.
#Post#: 12898--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: thetruth
Date: March 29, 2014, 8:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: thetruth link ---
>
> [quote author=masterclass link=topic=702.msg12850#msg12850
date=1396046659]
>
[IMG]
HTML http://images.supersport.com/Toni-Nadal090522ProfileG300.jpg[/img]
>
[IMG]
HTML http://cms.mumbaimirror.com/portalfiles/29/7/201303/Image/03032012/s122.jpg[/img]
>
> [B]Gastro... what? Cool story bro. Now come join me and very
fine geishas and saké in Tokyo for Davis Cup. Oh, and bring
Kei.[/B]
>
[IMG]
HTML http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/mypixforum/2013_tb/draw_dc_sf_prague_12sept201305.jpg[/img]
>
> Simply Unbelievable.
>
> Respectfully,
> masterclass
>
--- End Quote ---
I hate to be a conspiracy theorist (actually, I don't), but this
is unreal. The only question is why? Why would they do that?
What would they stand to gain? It's most bizarre.
But your joke was hilarious, especially the part about bringing
Kei.
[/quote]
And putting Tio Toni up at the top. What are you saying? LOL!
#Post#: 12968--------------------------------------------------
Re: Masterclass 2014 Upset Picks of the Day
DIR By: masterclass
Date: March 30, 2014, 10:28 am
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Ahh, well Lady TT, that's sort of a running comedic story line.
That particular Uncle Toni picture is meant as a reference to
him being the Godfather of Tennis. You know, with the control
he "supposedly" exerts over the tour, making the court
conditions ideal for Rafa, "fixing" the draws to favor Rafa,
etc.. Also refers to accusations that certain players "bend
over" for Rafa because of Uncle Toni's godfather influence and
leave the path open for him to win. If you saw the film the
Godfather, you remember the line, "I'm gonna make him an offer
he can't refuse..." and I think some stories floating around in
this case where that he arranged for Berdych to eat tainted food
that caused his illness.
So basically the idea is that whenever you see that picture,
it's suggestive of Uncle Toni arranging things behind the scenes
for Rafa's benefit. ')
Of course Rafa looks up to Uncle Toni, so that explains that
picture.
And you got the Berdych and "Sexy" Stepanek picture and blurb.
Respectfully,
masterclass
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