Tennis: All Purpose Tennis Thread XI

[kihei]

That will understandably be a bitter loss for Felix, but it will hopefully be a good lesson, too.

As for Big John, chalk one up for an old pro who knew how to take advantage of the gifts Felix gave him.

 

[discostu]

If one was trying to put a game plan on how to defeat skmeone like John Isner, I'd think keeping your double faults to below 7 would be a critical item.

I'm eager to see the highlights on this one when I have a chance. I think Felix should be able to walk away from this tournament feeling that he's a part of this club now. He started the year outside the top 100. He's now top 40 and should be well placed to move up if he brings this type of game to the clay courts.

 

[Tuggy]

Really tough loss but should be a good learning experience.

 

[kihei]

If one was trying to put a game plan on how to defeat skmeone like John Isner, I'd think keeping your double faults to below 7 would be a critical item.

Another suggestion: stay aggressive on baseline rallies; just because John makes a few early mistakes doesn't mean a cakewalk awaits you so don't get tempted to just push the ball and hope things work out.

 

[MsMeow]

Oh no, he lost in 2 breakers? I'm actually quite surprised he took it to 2 breakers but that has to be heartbreaking.

 

[MsMeow]

Both of Denis' knees are taped

 

[kihei]

Denis is going to need to be super-sharp. no prolonged walkabouts.

 

[kihei]

Oh no, he lost in 2 breakers? I'm actually quite surprised he took it to 2 breakers but that has to be heartbreaking.

Served for the set in each case and was broken. Definitely a painful loss.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Pretty shaky game for Denis.

 

[Tuggy]

Long opening service game for Denis with plenty of errors, but he holds.

 

[kihei]

Roger holds at love. Classic move--right back to you, Denis....and, voila, the break.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

This is going just about as bad as you could have written up for Denis so far lol

 

[kihei]

Unforced errors: 1 and 14. Tough to be competitive with those numbers.

 

[Cruor]

First Federer match I'm watching live in a while, has he looked this crisp the entire tournament?

 

[kihei]

Pretty ugly stuff right now from Denis who seems to have entered a death spiral.

 

[kihei]

First Federer match I'm watching live in a while, has he looked this crisp the entire tournament?

Everytime that I have watched him he has been very sharp--he's had a terrific tournament so far.

 

[Hadoop]

In his post-match interview Denis mentioned that Roger was his idol and that he's been waiting his whole life for this match (side note: Denis really is great in his interviews sometimes). Well it certainly looks like a fan taking on his idol out there right now.

 

[kihei]

In his post-match interview Denis mentioned that Roger was his idol and that he's been waiting his whole life for this match (side note: Denis really is great in his interviews sometimes). Well it certainly looks like a fan taking on his idol out there right now.

Exactly. He may take a deep breath and come out fighting in the next set, or the "wow' factor may do him in again. Maybe, this is just one match he has to get out of his system.

 

[kihei]

In a curious kind of way, Denis' hero isn't disappointing him.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Seems like he has loosened up a little bit now.

 

[Hadoop]

Tough loss for Felix but he broke Isner, TWICE. His return game is phenomenal and once he gets a more consistent ball toss and second serve he'll be headed straight to the top-10 and beyond.

 

[discostu]

I wonder how many young players have come up against Federer like this and figure they'll get their chance to be the best once he retires.

One of the downsides of Felix's loss today is that he's misses a chance to go against Federer when he's at this level in a match with a lot on the line. A match like this should hopefully be a guide for Denis to realize where his game needs to be. Let's see what the second set reveals.

 

[kihei]

Denis needs to slow everything down right now.

 

[kihei]

4-2 in the second. The patient has a faint pulse.

 

[kihei]

Roger makes it mercifully quick. Nobody beats their hero on the first try.