Shanghai Rolex Masters ATP 1000...Shanghai, China

[don_budge]

Everybody's there except Andy Murray...so why not start a thread. Roger's there. Perhaps he's rested and whatever it is that has been ailing him is clearing up. Djokovic and Nadal at opposite ends of the draw...they just met again last week. Is anybody up to challenging them? John Isner? Roger Federer? Ferris...Buehler? Somebody please!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2013&EventId=5014&Draw=ms

[stotty]

I can't watch this stuff. It's just too dull. I think I''ll just tune in for the final...maybe the semis. I've just been watching a bit of Ferrer but gave it up. It's like watching paint dry. I'm going to take the dog for a walk instead.

[don_budge]

Walking the doggie...

I can't watch this stuff. It's just too dull. I think I''ll just tune in for the final...maybe the semis. I've just been watching a bit of Ferrer but gave it up. It's like watching paint dry. I'm going to take the dog for a walk instead.

What a great idea! Take Pancho for a walk!!!

[tennis_chiro]

Still a couple of interesting players

What a great idea! Take Pancho for a walk!!!

I'd kind of like to see if Monfils can make Roger play and if he's up to the challenge. Haas could show us a little bit of a move toward the net against Del Potro. But the one player who offers me a glimmer of hope for something different is Wawrinka. If he can play well, he can push Rafa to the limit if not beyond; and, if he survives that, he may be the only player I would give a chance against a healthy Djokovic. Nadal is beginning to complain about his knees again so I don't think he is going to do any better in Shanghai against Djoker than he did in Beijing. Nole's level is pretty high right now. Of course, if Roger gets by Monfils, he could have an interesting match with Djokovic; but only if he's make considerably more improvement in the condition of his back. He looked good in the semis of Cincinnati against Rafa for 2 sets, but it is going to take more to get this version of Djokovic.

don

[klacr]

This tournament is tough for me to watch. Not because of the style or anything, just because of the time difference. It's not coordinating with my schedule this week. Looks like we are headed for a Nadal-Djokovic final again.

Monfils took out Federer. Haas pulled up lame against Del Potro and gave him a walkove. Berdych lost in a 3rd set tie-breaker to Almagro. Just been tough to get into.

Even harder now that Federer is out. Even at his worst, I still prefer watching Federer more than anyone at their best. The game is so classic yet so modern. He's the final thread we have connecting us to the days of old...

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[GeoffWilliams]

One handers in the open era had won most slam titles; Mac, Edberg, Becker, Sampras, Fed, but the tide has shifted. The one hander 60/40 domination days was due to mostly two guys: Sam/Fed. 31 titles between them. SAd to see that no one can teach one handers how to handle/attack high balls off serve returns, and hit the powerful short angle cross court. Everyone is taught to run around every back hand they can, including Fed/Sam.

[stotty]

Shanghai Final

I can't say I enjoyed the final. Del Potro is the most boring player (next to Raonic) on earth. It's just a slugfest with him. I'd like to take players like him, Berdych, Raonic and others like them and stick them on the moon. Let them slug it out together...out of range of my TV. I find them talentless.

Djokovic versus Nadal is a better buzz and always worth a look. Federer looks finished. I know no one wants to hear it but it has to be said. I've been kidding myself over the past year that he could still pull off big wins...he can't...time is up.

I enjoyed Stan's first set against Nadal the most. I delayed walking the dog for that. Nadal just played so well on the big points...as always. It's amazing how much Stan has improved in the last 18 months.

Monfils played well but he's still as daft as a brush at times. It can be an asset to be thick...but being daft is a liability. At least he provided us with a few good matches, though. He's talented.

(Okay...I'll let Berdych stay, for Klacr's sake...but he's the only one...off to the moon with the rest)

[klacr]

I can't say I enjoyed the final. Del Potro is the most boring player (next to Raonic) on earth. It's just a slugfest with him. I'd like to take players like him, Berdych, Raonic and others like them and stick them on the moon. Let them slug it out together...out of range of my TV. I find them talentless.

Djokovic versus Nadal is a better buzz and always worth a look. Federer looks finished. I know no one wants to hear it but it has to be said. I've been kidding myself over the past year that he could still pull off big wins...he can't...time is up.

I enjoyed Stan's first set against Nadal the most. I delayed walking the dog for that. Nadal just played so well on the big points...as always. It's amazing how much Stan has improved in the last 18 months.

Monfils played well but he's still as daft as a brush at times. It can be an asset to be thick...but being daft is a liability. At least he provided us with a few good matches, though. He's talented.

(Okay...I'll let Berdych stay, for Klacr's sake...but he's the only one...off to the moon with the rest)

Stotty,

Send Berdych to the Moon if you wish. It's your prerogative. Thanks for thinking of me. No hard feelings. I get it. He makes me feel that way at times but I can never bring myself to do it.

I was up and awake at 4:30am this morning for work so I had the Djokovic-Del Potro match on. The 1st set was a blur for me. Coincidentally it was also a blur for Del Potro as he lost it 1-6. I was hoping to see repeat of that Wimbledon semifinal. Even after Del Potro won the 2nd, I was still certain Djokovic would find a way to pull it out. And that he did in a 3rd set tie-break. Paris is the next masters event coming up just before the finals in London.

Can Djokovic reclaim the #1 ranking and hold it for the end of the year? I'm saying yes.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[tennis_chiro]

Mathematical possibility?

Stotty,

Send Berdych to the Moon if you wish. It's your prerogative. Thanks for thinking of me. No hard feelings. I get it. He makes me feel that way at times but I can never bring myself to do it.

I was up and awake at 4:30am this morning for work so I had the Djokovic-Del Potro match on. The 1st set was a blur for me. Coincidentally it was also a blur for Del Potro as he lost it 1-6. I was hoping to see repeat of that Wimbledon semifinal. Even after Del Potro won the 2nd, I was still certain Djokovic would find a way to pull it out. And that he did in a 3rd set tie-break. Paris is the next masters event coming up just before the finals in London.

Can Djokovic reclaim the #1 ranking and hold it for the end of the year? I'm saying yes.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Djokovic trails Nadal by 2060 points. Federer won 3000 points in this period two years ago when he swept Basel, Paris and London. He can also pick up another 225 points in they win Davis Cup (75 point bonus for winning 7 matches and winning the Cup). But the problem is he has to win 2061 points more than Nadal. When Federer swept, Djokovic and Nadal were on fumes. I think Djoker could sweep, but I think it's less likely that Nadal picks up less than 1200 points in those three weeks. Figure at least 180 at Basel/Valencia, at least 360 at Paris and at least 400 at London. But that's only 940, so it is a mathematical possibility!

don

[klacr]

Don,

Good number crunching. What rankings are you looking at? I'm looking at the 52 week rankings...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/Rankings-Home.aspx

Looks closer to me.


The ATP Points Race to London Rafa has a considerable lead.

Rafael Nadal 11,670

Novak Djokovic 9,610

Am I missing something? Wouldn't surprise me if I am.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[tennis_chiro]

Exactly

Don,

Good number crunching. What rankings are you looking at? I'm looking at the 52 week rankings...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/Rankings-Home.aspx

Looks closer to me.


The ATP Points Race to London Rafa has a considerable lead.

Rafael Nadal 11,670

Novak Djokovic 9,610

Am I missing something? Wouldn't surprise me if I am.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

We are looking at the same stats. Difference is 2060 points. Novak is defending 1500 points for London and 10 points for Paris. I thought he would play Basel or Valencia, but I don't think he is (Paris is next according to his website). So not only does he have to win Paris and London to have even a mathematical chance, he has to have some help with Nadal getting upset without getting 441 points total! And Nadal has entered Basel. Djoker can get a few additional points if he wins two matches in Davis Cup (225), but it's unlikely Nadal fails to pick up 666 points (how about that number!!!) in Basil, Paris and London. Unless the knees give out again.

So if you want to place a bet on Djoker getting that yearend number one, you better ask for some good odds. Nadal could run into Fed or T-Bird in semis in Basel, but that would still be 180. Could run into Wawrinka in quarters; that would make it interesting - only 90 points. (entries for Basel: http://www.swissindoorsbasel.ch/Play...7573ab0.0.html) Then onto Paris and London. Curious to see tomorrow how Jerzy plays tomorrow in his comeback after back surgery. Indoor hard: a lot of people can pull an upset.

I believe like you that Djoker will sweep the end of the year and establish himself as the best player in the world, but I don't think he'll be able to earn the year-end number one ranking. Nadal's record this year has been phenomenal.

don

[klacr]

Don,

I see the light. Gotcha. My math skills and number crunching are rudimentary at best. Yes, I see what you are saying. Djokovic has to sweep and needs help from others.

It will be an interesting and close race nonetheless.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton