The end of the clay TMS events is upon us and the circus goes to Hamburg. It's not one of my favourite places on the planet, but this event has a 100 years of tradition on it and also the fact that the claycourts here are very heavy and slow and that gives it something different.
With these factors it's interesting that Federer is so at home here. Yes, he likes to play in German-speaking countries and the like, but the surface is very slow and he does not have the footing problems as he has had at Roland Garros for example and at the time the heaviness of the court due to the weather and the extra clay on the court help him and give him more time to execute his shots, even though his have a greater chance of being chased down, he has won it 3 times and the question is will he play here again.
Enough of Federer for now. This is the last big event for the guys before RG and also the players that are bordering on whether they are seeded or not will be looking for some big performances. For once Acasuso has a reasonable draw and he is in the top 30 and hope he can take advantage of this and he has Ljubicic as a possible second round contender and if he can't beat him on this surface, then it's doubtful that he will beat him anywhere.
The big Russian Safin will need a good performance here just for his confidence and he has made the finals of Hamburg before. The only thing that is predictable about him is his unpredictability and for once the solidly built Saretta has qualified for a main draw and instead of getting Coria, he gets Safin.
- Gasquet makes a comeback to tennis and plays against the Flea.
- Berdych plays the annoying Serra and annoying only in reference to his game style and I can see Serra winning this one quite easily.
- PMK and Massu: There should be a lot of ballbashing in this one and I would love to see a few serve/volley points in this one for humourous reasons. Massu does need to win this match, if he serves well then he has a chance.
- Seppi and Wawrinka : At least Stani has had one good tournament and Andy hasn't been setting the world on fire at the moment, but he made the quarters here last year as a qualifier and maybe that could inspire him to do well and for Seppi to win this match. He needs to get the big Stani moving as while Wawrinka has the shots especially that backhand, he can move like he is in wet cement at times.
- Monfils and Murray: The battle of the two youngsters one who has actually start to win some matches and has the crazy dancing and one who will cramp after 10 minutes of play. They played against each other in juniors and should be interesting result and allez Monfils.
- Moya and Blake: Carlos has a good draw and can take advantage of it and as much I think Blake is a good guy and good for the game, he is a claycourt clown and Moya should do the business here quite easily.
- Gonzalez v Tursunov: This could get very ugly and imagine these two on a bad day. The Danes would be in danger from tennis balls as these guys could easily reach Denmark with some bad shots and Mitya treats the clay season as a joke and he will just swing and hope for the best. A match between he and the Srich at RG would be sold out in 2 mins or less.
- Djokovic vs Coria: Djokovic would have to think Xmas has come early, but at the same time there will be a time when Coria stops giving away presents, though I hope it's not too soon, but I wouldn't be surprised if Coria won this match and Djokovic needs to get some more wins under his belt.
- Gaudio vs Martin: Gaston has won the last 3 against Martin and knows how to play him, but he really needs to be prepared to work very hard and stay out there as long as necessary to win. If he plays to his talents or near enough he should win and at the same time get to hit a lot of balls and that is what he needs at the moment.
Lucho better win against Mirnyi and the same for Grosjean against Gineprick and I am still doubtful that Nadal will play in Hamburg, but onward bound I say.
15 comments:
Monfils and Murray. Now that would be a match!
Without Federer and Nadal, I have to say I'm very much looking forward to this event It will be nice to see a different winner of a TMS event - and whether it is Gaudio, Acasuso, Safin, Robredo, Ferrer or Gonzalez - I will be happy.
Well, I agree. With Nadal and Federer out, the outcome is very interesting to look forward to.
1st day and already big surprises. Good as well as very bad ones. Safin lost to Saretta, Gasquet to Vliegen. And Baghdatis had to retire against Stepanek because he's pretty sick. Was painfull to watch btw...I was so much looking forward to a 2nd round Santoro/Baghdatis.
Anyway, tomorrow, Monfils vs Murray. Very interesting to say the least. Allez la Monf!!!!
And now, Santoro lost to Phau. Definitely, me seeing that dream 2nd round match wasn't meant to be.
Good win for Saretta there against Safin, just hope for him that he may build up some confidence for the rest of the season now. Safin looked very heavy indeed.
Federer and Nadal both out, well this does give someone else an opportunity to win here, but strange things can still happen and they do in Hamburg.
Quite a disappointment in Hamburg. All top 4 players are out before first round. Add the first day casualties, Moya, Safin, Baghdatis, Gasquet, ToJo and Coria.
The only positive notes for the organiser is with Federer and Nadal withdrawing, their German opponents have the chance to advance to another round. lol
Of coures, I'm very excited that Saretta finally win some matches with his new look. *wink* although I don't really like this look but as long as he's winning matches, he better hangs on to his beard. *reminds me of the hockey players during playoff* lol
Not surprising Federer and Nadal pulled out considering what a bunch of arseclowns the ATP really are. They still don't get it, but then again they wouldn't. Good that Fed told them personally, but he is not the first or last person to do that.
Blogger favourite Seppi got on the board with a win and turned around a difficult situation and played a good last set against Stani, just hope he beats the PMK.
Acasuso needs to stand up today and he has a very good chance of taking Ljubo out and if he can't beat him on this kind of a court he never will.
As for Gaudio anything can and probably will happen. I hope Saretta can hang tough and cause Ferrer some problems, then again this tournament is very open for sure. It's good in that way.
Gaudio losing 5 games in a row to lose the last set to Simon 6-4 and ripping his shorts and Mo not tolerating his nonsense.
The Beast on fire this week after I called him a claycourt clown for losing to Ginepri and will play Thunder Lips for a place in the semis.
Chuuuuuuuuuuuucho taking out Ljubo for the lost of 2 games and then playing like crap against Grosjean winning. Then some huge arse clown on MTF is suggesting Acasuso is winning RG. Fine QF match with Verdasco potentially.
Hamburg has had some interesting winners and let the trend continue.
Stepanek was very solid against Mirnyi and he will be playing the big Argentine Acasuso in the semis.
Acasuso had some problems with closing out his match against the inconsistent but talented Verdasco, hope that Acasuso can hold it together for this match.
Vamos Chucho!!!!
Thunderlips can NOT win a
Masters'..........Vamos Tommy!
I'm gonna cheer for the umpire, sorry.
This has nothing to do with the Hamburg tournament but reading GWH's comment about Saretta and I have to *banghead*
Saretta was in the quali in St. Pölten and he lost in first round 6-4 6-1 to a 20 years old WC Austrian with a ranking below 800.
Gaudio, Gonzalez, Acasuso, Davydenko must be all in the same room kicking the crap out of themselves for blowing this opportunity.
The thought of Thunder Lips and Boredo battling out for a TMS event is humourous in its own way, but Boredo won't be like Acastupid and won't allow Thunder Lips to get away with what he did yesterday.
The ATP need to wake up from their collective slumber and well this week upcoming should be fun in its own way.
Boredo a TMS champion does have a certain humour value in its own way.
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