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Outside top 10

Space for your posts, comments, tidbits on players not in the top ten.

Courtesy: Jenny, Sarah and Adrian.

69 Responses to “Outside top 10”

  1. Jenny said

    August 9, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    You’re a STAR, TP! Thanks again!

    Reply

  2. Jenny said

    August 10, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Mikhail Youzhny – Great first win for ages, he’s just beaten Marin Cilic in Montreal. Love his game. Well done!

    Reply

  3. Jenny said

    August 12, 2009 at 2:05 am

    Outside the Top 10 – ranked 679 to be precise, 18yr old Milos Raonic from Canada, [sounds like Balkans ancestry], he has apparently been on the tour for a year. This tall, lanky baby faced assassin with the big brown eyes went through quallies beating fine players, and in the early hours [for me] he had a stunned Fernando Gonzalez pinned to the wall in Montreal. He strolled to the baseline whacking down aces at will, 20 in all, and other good stuff too. He was overpowering Gonz which isn’t easy [admittedly, I didn't think Gonzo was at his fiery best] plus, he isn’t just power merchant and he has room for improvement. A few of us die hards on the live thread just couldn’t believe what was happening out there. The home crowd were loving it. Raonic took the first set 6-4 from a rather lacklustre Gonzo who seemed to be in a state of disbelief that this kid would even have the gall to take him on, at one point Gonzo managed to smile at one of his forehand shots. Take him on he did, big time, no fear, little emotion, cool as a cucumber, great demeanour. I was far from cool, I felt sick at one point and I’m pretty tough. Fortunately, Gonzo held himself together on this occasion, and squeaked out the second set on a tie break. I was seriously waiting for smashed racquets and a volcanic eruption, warnings. As Mike so rightly said, it was a great match where experience prevailed.

    If this kid can maintain consistency, work on his movement and fitness, I think we have a new young gun with serious potential in our midst. Well Done, Milos Raonic, even if you nearly did send one of my boys out of the tournament reeling.

    Reply

    • Sol said

      August 12, 2009 at 3:31 am

      Thanks Jenny. Didn’t watch it but sounds like it was a good match. How come Fena didn’t smash his racket, like you say (or wipe his butt on court)? And what happened eventually? Did Raonic break under the pressure or did Fena elevate his level of play?

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        August 12, 2009 at 4:13 am

        How he never smashed a racquet, I’ll never know, Sol! There were times he looked about ready! A year ago the lines people and front rows would have needed tin hats or hiding under their seats! Actually, I was proud of him last night, he showed guts and maturity with no histrionics. Raonic didn’t really crack as such, but Fena held firm and with his experience and a good serve in the 3rd set, he managed to prevail, and I thought, Raonic was starting to fade ever so slightly. I think that was the only time Fena broke him.

  4. Sol said

    August 12, 2009 at 3:35 am

    Jenny, any matches by outside top 10 players coming up next that you’d recommend? I still can’t open the “Oder of play” pdf on the Rogers Cup site…Argh.

    Reply

  5. Jenny said

    August 12, 2009 at 3:58 am

    Ferrero [29]/Monfils
    Verdasco/Mayer – both big hitters
    Two potential classics to follow AT THE SAME TIME – night matches for us Sol!
    Nadal/Ferrer – You know David leads their head to head on a hard court. He just needs to keep his confidence and serve, he doesn’t fear Rafa.
    Haas/Gonzo – I think I might go for Haas, given the shock Gonzo had last night!

    I’m sure the other matches will favour the favourites.

    Reply

    • Sol said

      August 12, 2009 at 5:26 am

      Thanks Jenny.

      Although I’m curious to see Nadal back in action, I think I’ll watch Haas/Gonzo. Not only cause I like watching the “oldies” but also cause there will be a clash of styles. Gonzo the big hitter and Haas the volleyer. Should be good.
      BTW ladies, I saw a vid of a shirtless Haas: wowzee. These “oldies” are like wine, they get better with time.

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        August 12, 2009 at 5:39 am

        You’re welcome, Sol. I’m going to have two streams running at once, both faves playing. I like the ‘oldies’ too. One of our commentators remarked just before the Ferrero/Hewitt match, something like, go down to the wine cellar and if you find 2 bottles of vintage, why not. Very apt.

  6. Jenny said

    August 12, 2009 at 4:28 am

    Central

    Schuettler/Tsonga
    Ferrero/Monfils
    Roddick/Andreev
    Ferrer/Nadal

    BN Court
    Mayer/Verdasco
    Del Potro/Hernych
    Simon/Falla
    Gonzalez/Haas

    Court 9 second on after doubs
    Robredo/Petzchzner
    Wawrinka/Golubev

    Reply

  7. Jenny said

    August 14, 2009 at 6:50 am

    A roughly translated message from David Ferrer’s website. I think all tennis fans will be relieved to hear it’s nothing serious this time.

    Hello everyone. Good morning from canada. first thank all the messages of support after the scare in the knee. During the game I felt weird little hitches in the tendon of the knee. Ever noticed the more and decided not to continue, each support? was difficult and demands a match against rafa are maximum. Yesterday the doctors ruled out anything serious for now, but will have to walk carefully. Within a short time we are going to Cincinnati and I hope to play there. Thank you all again and I count it as such by the U.S.. Un saludo.

    Reply

    • Sol said

      August 14, 2009 at 8:27 am

      Jenny, I checked out Ferrer’s site and I was stunned to see he actually answers some messages himself (in the “diario” part). He’s such a sweetheart. Glad to know his injury is not serious.

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        August 14, 2009 at 8:35 am

        Sol, He’s been doing it for years, interacts, answers questions, he writes from everywhere, players lounge, hotel, at home. He’s a special human being with humility and a big heart.

    • M said

      August 14, 2009 at 8:35 am

      *cheers*
      *swoons @ Ferru answering his mail*

      Such a relief. So many injuries during hardcourt season. Can’t we campaign for, like, softcourt season or something?

      Thanks so much for the translation, Jenny!

      Reply

  8. M said

    August 14, 2009 at 8:39 am

    Anybody know where they’re hiding Dimitrov? Is Mr. Lundgren Frankensteining him somewhere?

    Reply

    • Jenny said

      August 14, 2009 at 8:43 am

      LOL M, I believe he played a challenger in Spain recently, Feli Lopez won the title, God knows what he’s doing playing challengers. The last time I saw Dimitrov, he had both knees taped, so young too.

      Reply

  9. Jenny said

    August 14, 2009 at 9:00 am

    PS Sol and M, Admitedly I understand basic Spanish, but sometimes David’s messages are beyond me, he only writes in Spanish. On this occasion I ran the message through Google Translator, it’s not perfect and it can be hilarious at times, but a very useful tool to get the rough drift.

    Reply

    • Sol said

      August 18, 2009 at 5:16 am

      Lol, Jenny, as long as he doesn’t write in catalan, I can help if you need a translation.

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        August 18, 2009 at 5:45 am

        Thanks, Sol – Catalan gets lost on me too, but his writing is articulate, imo he’s a bit of a hidden academic of the literary type. Have you registered on the Foro? David played a great match against Stan yesterday, drove him bonkers, [I like Stan very much btw, wonderful backhand and underrated as a player] discarded his bandage in the first set because it got loose. He’ll have a tough time with Cilic that’s for sure, but he did beat him the last time they met this year. Lol! David is going to have to be at his cruel clay court best, neutralise that serve, and move him. Juan Carlos just wasn’t strong enough yesterday.

      • Sol said

        August 18, 2009 at 4:07 pm

        I didn’t register Jenny. I love Ferrer, but I’m no fan of players’ websites. Some of the fans are too crazy for me. I might enter the site sometimes, to read some stuff, but not become a member.
        I’m off to watch him play Cilic. Hasta pronto!

      • Jenny said

        August 18, 2009 at 6:23 pm

        I’m not into all that fan chat stuff on the players sites either, I’m only registered on Roger and David’s sites, purely just to send support messages to the players and one can only do that if registered.

        Hey! What did you think of Ferru’s match? He did exactly what I thought he might do, break his opponent down, despite having the weaker serve, so not too many easy points, this is typical clay court mindset and MO.

  10. Jenny said

    August 17, 2009 at 4:40 am

    Juan Carlos Ferrero.

    Former #1 and French Open Champ in 2003.

    Ranking 11.5.09 #115
    As of 17.8.09 #25

    Not bad for a 29yr old classy gent who didn’t give up!

    Reply

    • M said

      August 17, 2009 at 7:53 am

      Agreed. Enthusiastically.

      JCF is only a year older than Roger – he won that RG the year Roger won his first Wimbledon, yes?

      (I think Roger continuing to play is encouraging other “veterans” to do their best to return to form.)

      Jenny, do you think JCF will win today?

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        August 17, 2009 at 8:10 am

        He’s playing Cilic who is a tall power guy with a bomber of a serve, who does come into the net. JC is quicker, has guile and could kill a weak second serve with his returns. I think JC would be better in the heat. 50-50, edge to JC.

  11. Jenny said

    August 24, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Ivo Minar, ranked #66 has tested positive for a banned substance.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4418515

    Reply

  12. Jenny said

    August 24, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    I know, M, it’s tough, but I’m sure there must be a suitable alternative for congestion that isn’t on the banned substance list. I’m pretty sure Pseudoephedrine has stimulant properties though.

    Reply

  13. Sergeant said

    September 16, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    Hi all. I didn’t know where exactly to write this comment. Since there are several players outside the top 10 in my comment, I chose here.

    The grand slams of 2009 are over. I ended up with this feeling that the Fernandos did just about as well as Murray and Djokovic as far as majors are concerned. Since I was not sure, I decided to add the points of all four majors for these and other players who reached the quarterfinal or better of at least one major.

    The 10 players who did better in grand slams this year are

    Player: Points
    Federer: 6400
    Del Potro: 3125
    Nadal: 2900
    Roddick: 2190
    Soderling: 1785
    Djokovic: 1530
    Verdasco, Murray: 1440
    Gonzalez: 1350
    Haas: 1080

    Reply

  14. Jenny said

    September 17, 2009 at 4:20 am

    Again, interesting stats, Sergeant, thank you. Yes, the two Fernandos have done rather well and Haas is in your line up too. However, I noted that Gonzo has dropped a rank place, and I’m still trying to figure it out!

    Reply

    • Sergeant said

      September 17, 2009 at 10:04 am

      Thanks Jenny. Also, I figured out why Gonzo dropped a rank place. It was because Soderling did bad at the US open 2008. He was defending 10 points, while Gonzo was defending 300 points. They both reached quarterfinals this year so they earned 360 points.

      Net gain for Soderling = 350 points,
      net gain for Gonzo = 60 points,

      which was enough for Soderling to overtake Gonzo.

      Reply

  15. Sergeant said

    September 21, 2009 at 10:57 am

    Don’t worry, Jenny. In a few weeks from today, you might like the ranking system much better.

    Davydenko, Soderling, Tsonga, and Simon all have a truck load of points to defend from October and November 2008. As things stand today, Roddick, Verdasco, and Gonzo (in that order) have the best chances to clinch the remaining three spots of the ATP world tour finals in London!

    Reply

    • M said

      September 21, 2009 at 11:09 am

      *cheers*

      Reply

    • Jenny said

      September 21, 2009 at 11:11 am

      LOL Sergeant, I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on the situation for me, thanks. We like Roddick and Gonzo here. The Brits aren’t too familiar with Verdasco.

      Reply

    • Sergeant said

      October 11, 2009 at 12:06 am

      Jenny, M, anyone interested in the race to the ATP finals in London, I have an update.

      Davydenko and Tsonga have “defended” well their points thus far. Unfortunately for Gonzalez, this means that his lead over these two players in the race to London has evaporated.

      Roddick and Verdasco are still more likely to clinch the 6th and 7th berths. Gonzo, Davy, and Tsonga have about the same chance to clinch the 8th and last spot.

      Simon is far behind in the race, with Soderling, Cilic, and Monfils ahead of him.

      Keeping an eye in London, the key matches in Shanghai are

      Gonzo – Davy, 3rd round.
      Soderling – Tsonga, 3rd round.

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        October 11, 2009 at 12:17 am

        Hi Sergeant, Of course I’m interested, need you ask! Many thanks. As you know, I want a spot for my man Gonzalez, he could also be first alternate. lol it looks like I’ve got some serious rooting to do!

  16. Jenny said

    September 25, 2009 at 5:50 am

    Former world #13 Andrei Pavel from Romania has just retired at 35yrs old.

    Reply

  17. Sergeant said

    October 11, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Update on Nalbandian’s ranking. His hip surgery and recovery period will finally take their toll on his ranking, which is currently 14.

    Date, Projected ranking (approx.)
    12 Oct, 19
    19 Oct, 22
    26 Oct, 28
    2 Nov, 96

    Reply

    • Jenny said

      October 11, 2009 at 12:22 am

      Oh dear!

      Reply

      • Jenny said

        October 11, 2009 at 12:26 am

        Doesn’t Nalbs get some sort of rank protection, Sergeant?

      • Sergeant said

        October 11, 2009 at 12:49 am

        Don’t quote me on this, Jenny, but I believe his official rank would still be at the bottom of the top 100 in November. The protected rank will help him to be treated as a top 20 player when he gets back to play. That means he will be a seeded player at the Australian Open even if his official rank is outside the top 50.

        Can anyone confirm/correct my belief?

      • Joolz said

        October 11, 2009 at 10:59 am

        He’ll get a protected ranking, which he’ll be able to use for 8 tournaments next season. The protected ranking will be based on his average ranking during the first three months of his injury pause if I remember correctly. So yeah, he’ll be treated and seeded like a Top 20 player when he makes use of it.

        In one of his recent interviews he talked about using a combination of protected ranking and wild cards (at smaller tournaments) to be able to play the tournaments he wants to play. Regardless of his actual ranking. Sounded like he has a plan… Well, I hope he does. And that he’ll be able to improve his ranking again soon.

        By the way, David will play 2 exhos in Argentina in December. The Copa San Juan Minero (12/13th) and a week later the Copa Argentina (17-20th). And he may play Sydney. Though that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

      • Jenny said

        October 11, 2009 at 12:04 pm

        Thank you Sergeant and Joolz. Goodness, we can’t have him meeting seeded nightmares or even having to qualify early on in 8 tourneys next year, David needs some support from the ATP. Those exhos sound like a good warm up and as to how he feels physically, post op.

      • Joolz said

        October 15, 2009 at 11:44 am

        I’ve done some more reading about the protected ranking and now I’m confused. Because in the rules, it says that the protected ranking may not be “used for seeding purposes”. Without giving any further details. So I’m no longer sure whether he’ll be seeded or whether it just means he’ll get into the main draw.

      • Jenny said

        October 15, 2009 at 12:07 pm

        Thanks Joolz, let’s hope David understands it all. Very confusing, I give up!

      • Sergeant said

        October 15, 2009 at 7:49 pm

        Confusing indeed. I give up too. Thanks Joolz.

    • Sergeant said

      October 26, 2009 at 2:18 pm

      So far my calculations have been close to the actual rank. This week Nalbandian is ranked 27 and I said 28. However, I must have made a mistake in the end. I said 96 next week. I checked the numbers again and it seems it will be more like 69, perhaps even higher than that.

      Guys like Haas, Hewitt, and Ferrero started the year at the bottom of the top 100. Hewitt and Ferrero even fell off the top 100. Now the three of them are back to the top 20 (ok, top 22). I’m confident David will be back to the top 10 where he belongs next year.

      Reply

  18. Sarah said

    October 16, 2009 at 9:45 am

    http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Philipp-Petzschner.aspx

    http://www.atpworldtour.com/Media/Channels.aspx?gt=Uncovered&q=ATP+World+Tour+Uncovered

    Reply

  19. Jenny said

    October 21, 2009 at 10:41 am

    http://www.atpworldtour.com/

    Reply

  20. Joolz said

    October 22, 2009 at 4:04 am

    David Nalbandian will make his official comeback at the Heineken Open in Auckland (January 12-17).

    Reply

  21. Jenny said

    November 17, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    I found this quote by David Nalbandian since his surgery. Courtesy of RF.com General Forum. I’m sure Joolz will contribute further, but for now.

    ” I WANT TO BEAT THEM ALL ! ”

    Good for you David, and you know you can.

    Reply

    • Joolz said

      November 20, 2009 at 4:58 pm

      That line really made it onto the RF.com General Forum, Jenny?
      But yeah, he said that. In reply to the question who he’d like to beat after his comeback. (In an interview about a week ago.)
      We’ll see… But it’s less than a month now until his first exho match.

      Reply

    • Jenny said

      November 20, 2009 at 5:35 pm

      As I recall, it was a whole interview/article that was posted there, Joolz, so I knew it was authentic. lots of pics too. The one liner I pasted here was highlighted by several fans on RF.com

      Reply

      • Joolz said

        November 20, 2009 at 6:20 pm

        I translated the whole thing for my blog… But lots of pics? Those must’ve come from somehwere else, there were no new pics with that interview. Maybe from another recent article that had a whole series of them. Anyway, interesting to hear about David’s interview being on the Federer forum. :)

      • Jenny said

        November 20, 2009 at 6:58 pm

        I visited your blog today, replayed the Paris 2008 Murray match, that was pretty stunning tennis against a top player and even more so given his physical condition at the time. Thank you for posting it.

      • Joolz said

        November 21, 2009 at 10:37 am

        I’m glad you enjoyed it. And yeah, incredible match from David, given the circumstances…

      • Jenny said

        November 21, 2009 at 10:57 am

        Joolz, Maybe after the Masters and into the quiet season, you would consider posting it here?

      • Jenny said

        November 21, 2009 at 12:19 pm

        LOL All of those matches! Just post on ‘wanna post’ if you choose to do so. I’ve been watching tennis for a long time and imo that man is one of the true ‘maestros’ in the game, he plays tennis chess and was out-foxing Murray in this match. How does he produce angles like that? I know Roger enjoys playing him. Tennis needs him.

      • Joolz said

        November 21, 2009 at 2:22 pm

        And I know David enjoys playing Federer. :) Well, usually I only post David stuff on my blog. But maybe during the off-season. And it’s not like I couldn’t come up with about tons of clips… But yeah, tennis chess. That’s exactly the point. That is exactly why I love his game so much. And those angles…
        He keeps saying in his interviews that he’s confident about his future as he was in constant pain for such a long time and now, without the pain, things can only get better. But still, I’m not quite sure what to expect.

    • Jenny said

      November 21, 2009 at 2:44 pm

      We must remain cautiously optimistic, remember Hewitt hasn’t done so badly post op, and with all due respect to Lleyton, he doesn’t have as much game as David. He couldn’t have continued to play in pain like that, it wears one down eventually and would have exacerbated his condition, tough choice to elect for surgery, but the right one.

      Reply

      • Joolz said

        November 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm

        True, there was no other choice. Though it took him a long time to accept that. And he’s very lucky that delaying surgery for so long didn’t make things worse.
        Seeing Hewitt do well did help. But with David and his game, so much depends on his feeling for the ball and I just cannot help but think that this is the kind of thing to go down the drain if you can’t play for months… But well, he seems confident enough.

      • Jenny said

        November 21, 2009 at 3:24 pm

        Imo Gonzalez is that way, he needs to ‘feel’ the ball, and as you know has had his own problems with tendinitis, no elective surgery just forced rest. The exos should get him going, know where he’s at, and there’s no ATP ranking pressure, who is he playing?

  22. Milos said

    November 20, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    Compared to Federer, clowns like Rafa, Murray and Djokovic are Outside Top 10. So discuss them here.

    Reply

  23. Joolz said

    November 21, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    You mean at the exhos? At San Juan it’ll be Gaudio, Cañas or Massu for him. I’m hoping for Gaudio.
    At the Copa Argentina, David might get to play Gonzalez. Or Safin, for that matter. I mean, it’s really a great field they’ve managed to get for that one (full list: David, Monaco, Gonzalez, Safin, Moya & Baghdatis). Feña is one of the players I like best apart from David. And I agree, with him it’s also a matter of “feeling”.

    Reply

    • Jenny said

      November 21, 2009 at 4:17 pm

      Very impressive field. Love to see them. Fena may be playing too, that should be fun! I’d pay to watch some of those match-ups. I was always a Coria fan too. Certainly quality competition for David, I’m presuming it’s on clay. Let me know how it all goes or point me in the direction of a stream if there is one.

      Reply

      • Joolz said

        November 21, 2009 at 4:44 pm

        There have been streams for the Copa Argentina in the past, so I can’t really imagine that it’ll be different this year. And I’ll definitely link any stream that’s available on my blog. Same goes for San Juan, which will also be shown in full on Argentine TV (and hopefully streamed by someone). The Copa Argentina is played on hard court. Same stadium as the Copa Telmex but different surface. – I just wish I could’ve seen the doubles match David and Feña played together at L.A., I think it was in 2007… And I liked Coria too, by the way.

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