Miami Masters 27 March 2014

Dolgo up and down with Berdy,  breaks him, then loses his serve.

Come on Dolgo, spit him like a cheap czech lager   

Dolgopolov's an average player at best. Sure, he might turn up every once and a while and play well (like anyone in the top 50 can) but he'll never sustain it. One of my least favourite players to watch due to his horrible-looking shots.

Dolgo chokes serving for second set and gets broken. 6:5 for Berdy.

Berdy takes it 6:4, 7:6. Very aggressive  play,  well deserved.

Dolgo chokes breaks in both sets.

the bad news for nadal is he will have to fight past good hitters and if he gets to the final will find a totally diferent beast. a well in form djokovic thursty for his number 1 spot

Raonic first serve of the match, ace 139mph.

Raonic takes the first set. Upset on?

uh... No

Great match, Milos had his chances tonight but I am hoping for another dramatic Nole v. Rafa Miami final. We haven't seen them play each other now in many months and it is time. Milos played well and showed some fight but he really could have won this match if not for some poor errors on the forehand side. A shot that frankly he can and does usually hit better than this. Rafa showed a lot of fight and competitive greatness.

Nishikori has pulled out with injury. Djokovic to play nadal or berdych in final. Real shame for nishikori after a great tournament!

Well that really freaking stinks. I was looking forward to that match. Nishikori was playing some great stuff in the last few weeks. No tennis today then. I really would like to see Nadal in the final eventhough it cuts down on Novak's chance to win. I really enjoy that rivalry and if Novak wins it will give him a big boost of confidence going into the clay court season. For all the talk about Novak in crisis he is now one match away from pulling off the vaunted Miami and IW double. If he does pull the trick off he will join federer as the only man to have done it twice.

That's a great shame.

Nishikori worked so hard for that SF spot ......

socal1976 wrote:Well that really freaking stinks. I was looking forward to that match. Nishikori was playing some great stuff in the last few weeks. No tennis today then. I really would like to see Nadal in the final eventhough it cuts down on Novak's chance to win. I really enjoy that rivalry and if Novak wins it will give him a big boost of confidence going into the clay court season. For all the talk about Novak in crisis he is now one match away from pulling off the vaunted Miami and IW double. If he does pull the trick off he will join federer as the only man to have done it twice.

The only people talking about a Djokovic crisis were his fans, I believe.

That is really sad. Nishi had earnt the right for a crack at Novak and it would have been a great match I reckon. Sadly, it means a walkover.

Novak in the final after playing just three matches!

Shame about that, I was looking forward to seeing Nishikori.

Will Novak be undercooked for the final? Will we have to update Fogniniiiiiiii to Nishikoriiiiiii! 

Very funny Murdoch. I was thinking the same thing. But lets remember there was a certain context to the 4 or 5 day gap in FO 2011 with the streak and all that.

The Special Juan wrote:

socal1976 wrote:Well that really freaking stinks. I was looking forward to that match. Nishikori was playing some great stuff in the last few weeks. No tennis today then. I really would like to see Nadal in the final eventhough it cuts down on Novak's chance to win. I really enjoy that rivalry and if Novak wins it will give him a big boost of confidence going into the clay court season. For all the talk about Novak in crisis he is now one match away from pulling off the vaunted Miami and IW double. If he does pull the trick off he will join federer as the only man to have done it twice.

The only people talking about a Djokovic crisis were his fans, I believe.

Hope you don't mean me because I remember downplaying the whole Novak is in crisis talk.

We all tried to cheer HM up and convince him that Djoko would win another slam

I am disappointed that Djokovic v Nishikori did not take place.

Berydch v Nadal can be a good one, if Berdych keeps his focus.

No Fognini effect, please HM, do not jinx Djokovic.

If Djokovic makes the IW-Miami double, and matches Federer, very and matches his 2011 a bit, perhaps he can have a good crack at the RG this year, after being so close. (But he has had two W/Os, one against Mayer and now Nishikori).

Speaking of Fognini, does anyone know how he is? I heard he was off home for an MRI scan and was by no means a cert for the DC tie.

JuliusHMarx wrote:We all tried to cheer HM up and convince him that Djoko would win another slam

Thank you all for being there in my hour of need!

Laver fan defeating the foggnini effect can be as challenging as playing a match. I am hoping for a clash of titans between djoko and rafa. I personally can't get enough of two greats in their prime fighting it out in a competitive rivalry. Although Tomas is playing really well lately and he certainly has a chance against either of these two.

Berdych does indeed have a good chance, although on balance I would expect Rafa to take him out. And from there, I'm tipping Novak to take the title.

Either way, yes we need a competitive final.

Here's hoping it's every bit as competitive as the Indian Wells final the other week - when both players won the same number of games, with a difference of just one point throughout the match and Novak staying strong to edge the deciding breaker ; and got his revenge for Dubai .......

It would be an awesom tournament if Berdych downs Nadal and withdraws citing some abdominal strain.    

Whatever Nishikori's reason be, I am just peed with the current ATP setup, a player who wins QF and withdraw before semi's should only get the points of QF and not semi's and same should be for the money and the loser in QF should be considered as lucky loser and be allowed to play semis and should get the points.

JuliusHMarx wrote:We all tried to cheer HM up and convince him that Djoko would win another slam

   

But why didn't u do the same thing in the past for Amritea aka RED when he was worried of Rafa ever winning a RG [specifically when he starts most RG as 8th-9th fav behind Almugro].  

Blimey, Berdy has withdrawn too now. W/O for both  

Berdych out with gastroenteritis! That's really bad luck.

That was a very exciting SF day.  Which of the two bruised warriors will now have to withdraw from the final?

Winners of the last 6 Masters 1000 or higher tournaments:

Shanghai: Djokovic
Paris: Djokovic
WTF: Djokovic
AO: Wawrinka
Indian Wells: Djokovic
Miami: Djokovic or Nadal

HMM: You still think the odds are against Nole ever winning another slam?

summerblues wrote:Winners of the last 6 Masters 1000 or higher tournaments:

Shanghai: Djokovic
Paris: Djokovic
WTF: Djokovic
AO: Wawrinka
Indian Wells: Djokovic
Miami: Djokovic or Nadal

HMM: You still think the odds are against Nole ever winning another slam?

I back HMM, but the rule applies only till the upcoming FO .  

summerblues wrote:Winners of the last 6 Masters 1000 or higher tournaments:

Shanghai: Djokovic
Paris: Djokovic
WTF: Djokovic
AO: Wawrinka
Indian Wells: Djokovic
Miami: Djokovic or Nadal

HMM: You still think the odds are against Nole ever winning another slam?

Funny thing is I don't think Novak has played particularly well the last couple of months but he still has posted good results. So I sympathize with Murdoch in that Novak hasn't hit the high notes by any stretch of the imagination. Also in the last 12-18 months he has lost a number of grand slam matches to his top rivals when he was in a winning position. Notably the FO match against Nadal. There have been some spectacular mental collapses from Djokovic that would make any fan scratch his head.

I think, chiefly, the idea that Novak was in a dip came from his recent slam form in the last year and a half. He lost to Murray in the US Open Final 2012, won the Australian Open in 2013 and that to date has been his last slam win. He has reached finals and lost and then never even made the final of the Australian Open which he has made his own in recent years so this magnified things. Away from slams his form has still been impressive but now I feel he is judged purely on slam form.

summerblues wrote:Winners of the last 6 Masters 1000 or higher tournaments:

Shanghai: Djokovic
Paris: Djokovic
WTF: Djokovic
AO: Wawrinka
Indian Wells: Djokovic
Miami: Djokovic or Nadal

HMM: You still think the odds are against Nole ever winning another slam?

Well technically those results show Novak winning lots but failing at the slam!  

Those results show his quality, which is not in doubt. My reason for thinking it is more likely he will stay at 6 slams than win a 7th is because of the mental lapses, particularly at slams.

Even though he won IW, that tournament was a horror show for mental lapses. So my fears were not really assuaged by it.

He's looked better in Miami. If he can beat Rafa, things start to get interesting.

Winners of the last 8 slams:

AO14: Not Djokovic
USO13: Not Djokovic
W13: Not Djokovic
RG13 Not Djokovic
AO13: Djokovic
USO12: Not Djokovic
W12: Not Djokovic
RG12 Not Djokovic

Aged 25-27, mostly as number 1, with rivals missing at various times.

That's the set of results that makes me doubt he'll get beyond 6.

Come on HM, where is the positivity? The fact is he consistently puts himself in position. I can definitely see him getting 8-10 slams. I think if he can reach that figure and get a French title he will definitely be among the all time greats. I already think he has reached an elite category with 6 slams, 3 year end championships, 17 masters, over 40 titles, Davis cup, Olympic medal and over 100 weeks at number one.

You can almost take for granted the phenomenal career he has already had

HM Murdoch wrote:Winners of the last 8 slams:

AO14: Not Djokovic
USO13: Not Djokovic
W13: Not Djokovic
RG13 Not Djokovic
AO13: Djokovic
USO12: Not Djokovic
W12: Not Djokovic
RG12 Not Djokovic

Aged 25-27, mostly as number 1, with rivals missing at various times.

That's the set of results that makes me doubt he'll get beyond 6.

But you can't overlook the fact that:-

AU14: Beaten semi-finalist.
USO13: Beaten finalist.
W13: Beaten finalist.
RG13: Beaten semi-finalist.
AO13: WON.
USO12: Beaten finalist
W12: Beaten semi-finalist.
RG12: Beaten finalist.

Those stats say it looks far more likely he will win another slam rather than he won't.

Slasher, Craig, both fair posts. I'm certainly not suggesting he has no chance.

It's more that the last two years were a golden opportunity to really rack up some numbers and but he frequently fell (just) short.

I don't think his chances have improved now that he is getting older, getting married and getting used to a new coaching arrangement.

It's a subject where I'd very much like to be wrong though. I'll gladly eat any egg on my face!

HM Murdoch wrote:Winners of the last 8 slams:

AO14: Not Djokovic
USO13: Not Djokovic
W13: Not Djokovic
RG13 Not Djokovic
AO13: Djokovic
USO12: Not Djokovic
W12: Not Djokovic
RG12 Not Djokovic

Aged 25-27, mostly as number 1, with rivals missing at various times.

That's the set of results that makes me doubt he'll get beyond 6.

lol

The point is though HM that in recent weeks he has shown he has the beating (currently) of Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Now who do you see Novak fouling up against in a slam? Rafa is the only man to hold the upper hand over him in recent visits so unless we get another Wawrinka-type surge from outside the usual main suspects then Novak is very handily placed to challenge very strongly in slams for the forseeable future (say the next two to three years) - at the moment I may add.

this match is crucial.

Don't think so - Next Slam is on clay, then grass, and two HC Masters before the following HC Slam. Still, probably going to be good fun. Big weekend in general... World #1 & 2 facing off in both marquee finals.

Craig, I think Andy proved this week he will again be a serious threat to Novak. That could have gone either way and it was as much a mental implosion by Andy that lost him the match as it was good play from Novak (who did play very well too).

The issue for Novak is not so much who will beat him, it's can he avoid a 5 set QF or SF bloodbath against a lower ranked player. That's  been an issue for him in the past.

slashermcguirk wrote:Come on HM, where is the positivity? The fact is he consistently puts himself in position. I can definitely see him getting 8-10 slams. I think if he can reach that figure and get a French title he will definitely be among the all time greats. I already think he has reached an elite category with 6 slams, 3 year end championships, 17 masters, over 40 titles, Davis cup, Olympic medal and over 100 weeks at number one.

You can almost take for granted the phenomenal career he has already had

I think Murdoch is being a bit pessimistic. I mean winning slams isn't easy it is possible that Djokovic won't win anymore slams. But I think it is highly improbable that he will never win another slam. There are three great players left in tennis right now. Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal. Federer is a great but he probably has another season or so of being a major threat. Of the three greats Djokovic has been the most durable and the most consistent. He is the only player on tour to have finished in the top 3 for 7 straight season. Plus he isn't always mentally weak, we remember his failings but there have been plenty of times he has had his back against it and has come back in slams against top players. I don't even think it is so much a failing as the fact that the guy is streaky and emotional. 3 times already in his career he has won 20 plus matches in a row, he only needs 7 in a row to get another slam. He is a guy who even when he is off song can still win big tournaments (ie IW) and a guy that when he gets going he can go unbeaten for months at a time. Nadal is the best player of this generation and yet the only guy who plays him even remotely close when he is on song is Djokovic who can beat him even on clay. There is a chance of course that he won't ever win another slam, but I think the chance of that is rather small.

HM Murdoch wrote:Winners of the last 8 slams:

AO14: Not Djokovic
USO13: Not Djokovic
W13: Not Djokovic
RG13 Not Djokovic
AO13: Djokovic
USO12: Not Djokovic
W12: Not Djokovic
RG12 Not Djokovic

Aged 25-27, mostly as number 1, with rivals missing at various times.

That's the set of results that makes me doubt he'll get beyond 6.

Yes but he has been in the semis and finals and losing close matches to the eventual winner. It isn't like he got beat easily in any of these tournaments when he lost for the most it was in a close dogfight very deep in the tournament.

Well said socal

His consistency is incredible. Remember, he's still on for the slam QF streak, which in itself is a remarkable feat. Novak tends to get turfed out by players who really turn up on the day; it's certainly not through his own shoddy play! As socal says, you tend to require open warfare to take Novak out of a slam - a hallmark of a fantastic player.

No tennis yesterday? I was attending my sister's wedding, so for once I can say that I'm happy at a walkover! It's a shame though, hopefully they'll both be fit and ready for the European swing.

Socal - my view is currently different to yours on the matter but that was a blooming good post. I can almost hear an orchestral soundtrack as I read it!

Just to be clear, I'm not down on Novak or anything. He's still my favourite player and the guy I enjoy watching and following the most.

Equating slam finals to MS 1000s is not very prudent. As someone has stated already, slams are a different "animal". I think Djokovic can win Miami and join Federer in the double-peat IW/Miami ranks, if he can stop himself from second-guessing while serving for it.

HM Murdoch wrote:Socal - my view is currently different to yours on the matter but that was a blooming good post. I can almost hear an orchestral soundtrack as I read it!

Just to be clear, I'm not down on Novak or anything. He's still my favourite player and the guy I enjoy watching and following the most.

Murdoch I to have had my misgivings about how Novak in slams over the last two years has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. It doesn't mean I doubt your affection for the player, I would support and I am sure you will even if he never wins another slam. I just think I would need pretty long odds judging by how Novak has performed the last few years to make a bet that he will never win another slam. With how he takes care of himself, how durable and consistent he has been I think his chances are very good. He lost a bunch of slam matches decided by just a couple of points here and there.

laverfan wrote:Equating slam finals to MS 1000s is not very prudent. As someone has stated already, slams are a different  "animal". I think Djokovic can win Miami and join Federer in the double-peat IW/Miami ranks, if he can stop himself from second-guessing while serving for it.

I disagree, look at the list of the slam winners the last few years and the list of masters winners and you will find a lot of the sames names. There is only one player who has won more than one slam and not also won masters events. And there are very few players who regularly win masters and don't win slams. There is a very direct correlation between being good enough to win a masters and good enough to win a slam. If anything you don't get as easy early round matches in a slam as you do in a Masters event where from the get go you are playing the top levels of the tour. If you can beat a player over 3 you can beat him over 5 unless you have a fitness problem that you either can't or won't address.