OT: The Other Sports Thread IX - Go Astros go!

[OldCraig71]

Second no-hitter for Verlander vs The Jays this year.

It’s his second one but not in the same year. The last one came when he was pitching for the Tigers in 2011.

 

[Tighthead]

Andreescu in prime time tonight, 9 pm.

NFL starts Thursday. I’m not that big a fan anymore but my personal sports landscape is bleak right now.

 

[GoodKiwi]

Yeah, his footwork, and technical ability to strike balls in a variety of ways seemed to save alot of strain on his body.

There alot of herky jerky movements at this level that look so unnatural for the body, but Roger always got himself in positions to make it look natural.

Constrast to the way Djokovic plays. He looks like gumby out there, and while Nadal has toned it down a little bit these days, I remember feeling pain just watching him lol.

The bolded part is key when it comes to Federer's success. I wouldn't call him quick around the court, but if you watch his side of the court (ignoring the opponent completely) you will notice two things that stand out the most.

First it's the anticipation and the ability to read his opponent. 9 times out of ten you will see that Roger places himself around the court in the way that allows him to take away the obvious angles. It's a probability play basically. He dares for you to beat him with a difficult shot.

The second, and the most important part (IMO), is his footwork. There has never been a male tennis player that set his feet even during the most difficult of shots as well as Federer does. Unless he's totally scrambling to put his racket on the ball, he never strikes the ball too early. Placing your feet properly to drive the ball is the most important aspect of tennis. It is that what drives precision and ball placement.

Lastly I want to mention his defensive backhand slice. It is very important to his game as it allows him to buy some time and re-group. Federer absolutely possesses a variety of shots, but it's this slice that is the most impactful to his overall game IMO.

 

[peate]

It’s his second one but not in the same year. The last one came when he was pitching for the Tigers in 2011.

Thanks, I noticed my mistake this morning when I read it.

 

[DangerDave]

Feel like Andreescu vs Townsend will be a pretty brief affair. Bianca is making some great shots

 

[stanley25]

Feel like Andreescu vs Townsend will be a pretty brief affair. Bianca is making some great shots

She looks like she's on a whole other level than Townsend. Broke her serve all 3 times in the 1st set.

 

[peate]

She looks like she's on a whole other level than Townsend. Broke her serve all 3 times in the 1st set.

She "uses" the court to her advantage so well.

 

[stanley25]

Towsend not making this that easy for Andreescu. These 2 are competing hard.

 

[ThaDevilGirl]

Glad that Bianca won. But 11 PM starts...

 

[DangerDave]

Man Bianca was rattled yesterday. Can't blame her. On top of it being insanely hot and humid and Townsend playing an extremely annoying style, those fans were extremely disrespectful.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

I absolutely love watching Bianca play.

I also absolutely hate watching Bianca play.

Guess that's a consequence of her being quite entertaining to watch.

 

[peate]

Bianca not in it early on.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Bianca getting into the groove now.

 

[Adam Michaels]

This girl is a lot of fun to watch. She pushes this game to a third set.

 

[peate]

Comes roaring back to win the 2nd set.

 

[stanley25]

Great 2nd set!

Love how Bianca's a fighter and has an act to turn things around when its not going her way.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Great 2nd set!

Love how Bianca's a fighter and has an act to turn things around when its not going her way.

Fully agreed.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

This girl is a lot of fun to watch. She pushes this game to a third set.

I said it the other night. I've been watching for over 15 years and she's one of the funniest female player I've seen play. Even though she can be frustrating.

 

[DangerDave]

Damn a missed break opportunity. Bianca is looking strong though.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Match point... let's do this!

 

[Adam Michaels]

YEAAAHHHH!!!!!!!

 

[DangerDave]

That was close. Great match

 

[peate]

Great comeback win.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

She's entertaining on the field but also in interview.

 

[Adam Michaels]

She's entertaining on the field but also in interview.

"Get your s#!t together."