Federer passes toughest test of the event in straight sets but……
Posted by tennisplanet on June 11, 2010
………….he is still waiting for a memo to inform him that it’s OK to break more than once in a set. At two of the three wins here, he has broken just once in each set after serving at over 70 percent for his first serve and maintaining a double-digit ace count per match. The latter part doesn’t affect your break record but it should however eliminate multiple BP offerings.
First match: Offered 3.
Second match: 2.
Third match: 1.
Translation: He is winning with the minimum of margins and we are talking about early rounds of an already ‘depleted to the basement’ field. While a win is a win, under the conditions these matches may not do much in bolstering the morale and confidence, if they are not hurting that is. After all, this is Federer’s surface of choice leading to the Slam of choice. Shouldn’t he be at least matching if not exceeding Nadal’s showing on his surface of choice – even if those were 1000 events on clay – to keep hopes of winning HIS backyard Slam alive?
Nadal switched from hard to clay seamlessly to throw out the ‘new surface’ alibi. Federer desperately needs a string of statement games right here right now not just for the rest of the field but for himself. With title here more or less a foregone conclusion since his next two matches are against some guy who likes pets and Hewitt, this is a good time to bring out the artillery to post matches named ‘destruction with no mercy’. If not the close albeit straight set wins will begin tipping over in the wrong direction.
But today, all that may be just fine since all seeded players at Queens have been sown back in the ground for fresh growth. Nadal’s lopsided loss to Lopez may prove to be a blessing in disguise if the discomfort or injury is weak enough to be healed before Wimbledon. Or was this all planned? With No. 1 rank secured irrespective of what happens at Wimbledon – that might have played into this result / plan.
If Nadal is more concerned about denying Federer those last 7 days at No. 1 needed to overtake Sampras more than his own obsession with the position, it would be far more sensible to let whatever injury it is to heal by skipping Wimbledon and concentrate at the US Open instead, as that’s where it (No. 1 rank) is more likely to get contentious. But if Wimbledon aggravates the problem, US hard courts will destroy him and the top rank title thereby releasing the seven-day hold.
And is anybody else interested in playing tennis anymore or should we start recruiting from WTA / WNBA /BoardgamesBA? Geeeeeeezzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jill said
Flipping heck TP, Federer could go through the entire tournament double bageling everyone and you would still find something to berate him for.
banti said
this.
TGiT said
For the love of tennis give Fed a break. His player’s in his draw have played far more daring games than any of those seeded players in Queens. I think he is playing exceptionally well. Why are you not including points on his serve. It has been great!
Where is the love!
PS Nadal totally faked the ass pinch.
Jenny said
I didn’t see the match, but looking at the scoreline, winning in straights against a quality opponent looks like a good result to me. The top seeds have dropped like flies at Queens with disappointing performances given their ranking, and Fed is still in Halle and winning
Sir Vibhudi Aatmapudi said
Indeed, Kohlshredder served well enough not to disgrace himself. There’s little anyone can do when confronted with aces and genuine service winners and on the other hand, Federer hardly looked in any trouble with his own serve. He could do with less UEs on his Backhand side, but it is something that I expect will be ironed out come Wimbledon.
Bridgeglutton said
It is wrong-headed to think that Fed “fattens” from beating up on minnows.
He, essentially, uses these matches as practice sessions; to hone his serve, get the timing down on backhands (& forehands), get effective slices, volleying under match conditions.
Actually, the early rounds is where the opponents have a better chance of beating him (when practice idea misfires!). Why would he hurry up and finish matches quickly? Also he does not enjoy pummelling the lower seeded players. He reserves bagels & bread-sticks for the players like Hewitt, Nalbandian et al.
TGiT said
Sayt it brother! (or sister)
Fedrose said
Exactly. It is in experiments and surprises that Fed falters sometimes. He has more time and patience/focus to recover from experimental miss and surprises in Grand slams than in smaller tournaments.
jennifur said
1 break a set is all thats needed … how pistol pete usually did it … special k played pretty good in 1st set tdy … but never found 1st serve whole match …
Zorana said
Miss Wimbledon where every point is pure gain?He has nothing to defend.No way!!!
Bento said
It’s typical Federer behavior, TP, to break only once. He would bagel top tens more often.
Claire said
Wondering, how come there are no 1000 atp events on grass? Aren’t there like 3 on clay and at least that much on hard? Why are Halle and Queens only 250 events???
ricky said
good question, Claire!
Dee said
Hi Claire,
Hope this would help. This has info regarding- what ATP 250,1000 and 500 are
The ATP World Tour 250 series is a new series for tennis tournaments of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) from the 2009 ATP World Tour. It is the lowest tier of events on the tour, and is a continuation of the ATP International Series.[1]
The series includes 40 tournaments, with a number of 250 rankings points to win for the events’ singles champions –which accounts for the name of the series. All tournaments have a draw of 32 for singles and 16 for doubles, except for the AEGON Championships, which has a draw of 56 for singles and 24 for doubles
The ATP World Tour Masters 1000 is a series of nine tennis tournaments that are part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour, held annually throughout the year in Europe, North America and (as of 2009) Asia. The tournaments are important for the top male players on the professional circuit as the series constitutes the most prestigious tournaments in men’s tennis after the four Grand Slam events and the ATP World Tour Finals.
The series was introduced in 1990 with the inception of the ATP Tour. The events were originally known as “Championship Series, Single Week” events. From 1996 through 1999, the series was known as the Mercedes-Benz Super 9. In 2000, the name was changed to the Tennis Masters Series (TMS) and then changed to ATP Masters Series in 2004. The present name took effect in 2009.
Results in ATP Masters 1000 events earn players more world ranking points than regular tournaments, though not as many as Grand Slam events or the year-end ATP World Tour Finals. Up until 2007, most Master Series finals were contested as best of five set matches. Currently, all Masters Series events are decided in best of three set matches. Rafael Nadal holds the record for the most titles with 18.
The ATP World Tour 500 series is a new series for tennis tournaments of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) from the 2009 ATP World Tour, replacing the ATP International Series Gold, and incorporating many of the same events.[1] It is the third highest tier of men’s tournament after the four Grand Slam tournaments, and the ATP World Tour Masters 1000.
The series includes 11 tournaments, with a number of 500 rankings points to win for the events’ singles champions –which accounts for the name of the series. Tournaments have various draws of 32, 48 and 56 for singles and 16 and 24 for doubles. It is mandatory for leading players to enter at least four 500 events, including at least one after the US Open; if they play less than four, or fail to play in one after the US Open they get a “zero” score towards their world ranking for each one short.
Dee said
These are the ATP World tour 1000 and winner earns 1000 points.
Indian Wells Masters
Miami Masters
Monte-Carlo Masters
Rome Masters
Madrid Masters
Canada Masters
Cincinnati Masters
Shanghai Masters
Paris Masters
Tour Points
Winner 1000
Final 600
Semi-finals 360
Quarter-finals 180
Round of 16 90
Round of 32 45
Round of 64 10
Dee said
So according to these new rules there is a new point system.
ATP 1000-Winner earns 1000 points.
ATP 500- Winner earns 500 points
ATP 250- Winner earns 250 points
Jenny said
Hi Claire, The grass status of the grass tourneys has been a bone of contention for some time. It seems ridiculous to me that these tourneys only carry 250 status and they are popular with players and fans. Having said that, I think it’s complicated, and one of the reasons could most likely be due the crowd capacity of the stadiums. I could be wrong, but I doubt Queens Club are able to enlarge/expand because of something written in the original Deeds. It is an historical club in a residential area which has to be taken into consideration too. Halle may be the better bet because it does have a roof or maybe s-hertongenbosch in Holland. Does anyone know what the crowd capacity is in Halle? Sol?
Thanks for the info, Dee
ricky said
Hi Jenny, I just lokked and the stadium capacity is 12300 people, not bad and the roof is closing in 88 seconds, the hole thing would deserves a better status, right?
Jenny said
Hi Ricky, and thanks. I agree with you. I know the FO may have to move from Roland Garros if they can’t get planning permission to upgrade.
ricky said
I hope they don’t move, as Rafa said the other day: ( inconsiously quoting Fed at Wimbledon) “you can breathe tennis history here” . They just need a roof or lights to finish matches at nightfall. All the political world is talking about it, and most including the Prez want to keep it at RG.
Jenny said
For historic and sentimental reasons I don’t want it to move either.
Jenny said
ATP 1000 Series. Source ATP site. [Tournaments]
Hard Courts:
Cincy, Indian Wells, Miami, Paris, Shanghai, Toronto.
Clay:
Madrid, Monte Carlo, Rome.
chipnputt said
Stunning in terms of geographical location. Of the 1000 pt tournaments — 4 in North America, 4 in Europe and 1 in Asia. Zero in South America or Africa. Looked up the 500 pt tournaments — 4 in Europe, 3 in the US, 2 in Asia, 1 in the Middle East. Zero in South America or Africa.
You wonder if these guys at the guys at the ATP ever think about how to grow tennis viewership and hence playing. Viewership has been falling in the US for two decades and instead of compensating for that and marketing it hard in fast growing markets, they seem intent on making it an Euro-centric sport. Contrast it with Formula 1 — 10 years ago, 17 races of which , 3 in Asia (incl Australia), 2 in North America, 1 in South America, 11 in Europe. Today there are 19 races of which 6 are in Asia (doubled and one more will be added in 2011); 3 in the Middle East; 1 in South America; 1 in North America and 8 in Europe. They’ve recognized Europe’s importance, recognized it can’t take on NASCAR in the US, and recognized which part of the world is growing. And it’s booming.
Jenny said
Absolutely agree, Chip. South America is sadly lacking in higher status tourneys given the large number of quality players it has produced over the years, eg. Argentina.