Topic: ATP/WTA INDIAN WELLS, 3/4-17/2013

[Alex]

Congrats to DP. great match. Nole too flat ... DP's FH literally killed him. Let's hope Potro can challenge Nadal too.

[swish]

Spot on Sir Swish.  The key to Juan Martin's victory was his variety and mixing pace.  This is how Djokovic can get beaten. Not that it always works, but I believe it is the best chance one has. Djokovic usually eats up consistent pace, even if it is very fast. But mix in some slow stuff and then pound it, and it discombobulates Nole. And you have to hit to the right spots on the court. You can't go too wide on the forehand, Nole loves hooking, slapping from outside the court. No, when he is on the run to his forehand side, better to go about 2 meters inside the line, but deep, and many times Novak will put it in the net.  Now on Nole's backhand side, better in general to hit with more angle and good pace so he can't use his up the line shot. Then there is a good chance that Nole will hit it out.  But those winning shots have to be set up with off pace stuff, the lower the better.  Then occasionally, Del Potro mixed it up by going toe to toe with Nole and just pounding forehands with him, and Del Potro got the better of him more than not.

Federer used to have this strategy all the time, but lately he seems to be fixated on trying to outhit Nole from the baseline too much, without giving enough off pace lower bouncing shots, and varying the depth of the slices.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Good analysis MC as always. 
 
It's so good that DelPo has some "Murray" like elements added to his game.
I like the raw power he would show in the past but if off a little then the errors would pile up.
Players like Fed, Murray, Nadal and Nole get used to the power and get a rhythm when they know it's coming.
 
I always wanted DelPo to be more patient.
Even that USO win over Fed, he was lucky his power shots where going in time and again.
Not a long term solution.
 
DelPo beat the last two HC slam winners here, if he can take out Nadal this may be a better indicator of his game than the USO win.
 
As I mentioned the other day, DelPo has added a new and very valuable dimension to his game.
 
 
 

[Orange Wombat]

Djokovic winners: 35, Del Potro winners: 25

Pusherfest in the final  I won't watch

[Alex]

Djokovic winners: 35, Del Potro winners: 25

Pusherfest in the final  I won't watch

Nole can only blame himself. I got spoiled with his consistency etc. Today he wasn't that sharp. I guess nobody, no matter how good you are can sustain at such a high level all the time. I've seen signs of Nole's lapses earlier in this tournament, playing a fantastic set and then brain farting the next one as if something was bothering him. After all, Djokovic is not a machine although he appears to be one.

It's too bad as I wanted to see the Nole/Rafa match after a long time. I just hope that DP will win his first master and prove that this wasn't a fluke victory.

[tio_toni]

Juan Martin is a BEAST!!    
But unfortunately he'll lose for the 3rd time against Nadal at IW. 

[Alex]

Juan Martin is a BEAST!!    
But unfortunately he'll lose for the 3rd time against Nadal at IW. 

not so sure about that, but good luck 

[Babblelot]

Pretty exciting week I've missed

[masterclass]

Speaking of missing, does anyone know where Nole's coach, Marián Vajda, was this week?  I notice that when he is absent, Nole seems more unsure of himself.



Respectfully,
masterclass

[Gawdblessya]

I actually managed to watch the SF's !! Hurrah!   

Only the second set of the Nadal / Berdych, though, which was as predictable as it was uninteresting.  Nadal has yet again shown how a focused & determined champion plays, even though not at his best.  An excellent result for him to get to the finals.

The Djokovic / Del Potro match was worth watching. Hats off to both men for putting up a good contest, with some quite superb play from both at times.  Djokovic hadn't been tested all tournament until now, yet his demeanour had rightly given the impression that he could simply go up a few gears when required. 

But in this match, although he could outplay D-P at times, he was de-railed. D-P's phenomenal forehand was clicking, but more importantly, he made opportunities to use it & to use it to effect. His backhand too stood up to Djokovic's pounding, and he played an intelligent game to maximise the chances that presented.
To have come back from 0-3 to win the match as he did was testament to his self belief & focus.  I am really pleased to see D-P playing with such conviction again. His confidence no doubt stems from feeling fit again, given his ongoing wrist injury problems.

Alex - I disagree that Djokovic hasn't played well this tournament, nor was he lax in this match.  D-P was too good for him here, and that is the long & short of it.   Of course no one can win everything, and it would be foolish to suppose that this loss means anything more than it is.   But in this match, he was outplayed, pure & simple.  I doubt that Djokovic will be losing sleep over it, nor should he. 

For D-P, I hope it is the coming of better times.  He beat Murray & Djokovic in back to back 3 set matches, which is a quite superb performance.   I hope he retains the attitude displayed thus far, and keeps focused for the final.  How I'd love him to win a 1000 Masters series title - I don't think he's won one yet, has he?

Come on Del Potro!  Take the title!!! 

[monstertruck]

DPot is oozing confidence as a direct result from his physical fitness and being able to swing freely on both the serve and FH, now that he appears to be pain free.  This spells trouble for the competition.  He also appears to be maturing as a player and more able to create opportunities for his weapon as noted by Gawdblessya.  To me, this makes for interesting tennis.  I was also stunned by his willingness and ability to play defense.
Though perhaps not yet in the same class as the top 4, most folks know that outstanding balance and movement are the hallmarks of a consistent champion. 

ATP beware, The Wolf looks hungry!

[Dallas]

Novak said his coach was on a much needed vacation with his family but he will be back.

As fat as the match today. - I think Nadal will win, but I'm pulling for Del Po!!!!


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[Tennis4you]

I think Rafa has more chances against Delpo than if he were to face Djokovic....

Agreed

[huntingyou]

Djokovic winners: 35, Del Potro winners: 25

Pusherfest in the final  I won't watch

Where are you from? mtf?

I take your narrow mind it's tax to the max and can only rely on meaningless stat sheets after a match instead of doing the hard work of using your own eyes.

If Delpo and Nadal are pushers, then post a video of yourself showing us what type of grounstroke qualifies as a non pusher.

We are never short of clowns it seems 

[Orange Wombat]

Djokovic winners: 35, Del Potro winners: 25

Pusherfest in the final  I won't watch

Where are you from? mtf?

I take your narrow mind it's tax to the max and can only rely on meaningless stat sheets after a match instead of doing the hard work of using your own eyes.

If Delpo and Nadal are pushers, then post a video of yourself showing us what type of grounstroke qualifies as a non pusher.

We are never short of clowns it seems 

I don't know how to upload on Youtube  And no, there are barely any clowns on T4U

[Freak3yman84]

Where are you from? mtf?

I take your narrow mind it's tax to the max and can only rely on meaningless stat sheets after a match instead of doing the hard work of using your own eyes.

If Delpo and Nadal are pushers, then post a video of yourself showing us what type of grounstroke qualifies as a non pusher.

We are never short of clowns it seems 

Rosol = Not a pusher

[Urbansa]

Del Potro is a epic gladiator. I'm  from Argentina and I'm proud.

[Tennis4you]

Djokovic winners: 35, Del Potro winners: 25

Pusherfest in the final  I won't watch

Where are you from? mtf?

I take your narrow mind it's tax to the max and can only rely on meaningless stat sheets after a match instead of doing the hard work of using your own eyes.

If Delpo and Nadal are pushers, then post a video of yourself showing us what type of grounstroke qualifies as a non pusher.

We are never short of clowns it seems 

I don't know how to upload on Youtube  And no, there are barely any clowns on T4U

I would technically be the only clown, everyone else here rules, so no need to speak such.  Thanks for handling well Orange!

[Tennis4you]

Has anyone ever beat Murray, Djokovic and Nadal in the same tourney before?

[Urbansa]

Has anyone ever beat Murray, Djokovic and Nadal in the same tourney before?

In the same title not, exactly Del Potro I believe that it them won to them in the US OPEN but to Djokovic not.

Sorry for my bad english :c

[Urbansa]

Game, set, and match Sharapova.
6-2 6-2
32 winners vs 2 winners.

Epic victory.