Tennis League All Thread

[Trofo]

Further even I was expecting Thiem to win his match against Bautista-Agut, but unfortunately he lost, and I hope that he’ll come back stronger and learn from this defeat.

I am seeing Thiem as a clay player and that is it. He is quite prone to unexpected loses or at least loosing a set in the match on other surfaces. I am looking to exploit handicaps on his opponents but I missed my chance yesterday. Handicap on Bautista was 3.5 if I remember correctly and that was a bit low for security. When clay season starts I am gonna bet on him destroying all opponents except maybe Nadal and Djoko. He is my first pick for RG for sure.

[hulla]

as predicted that Federer will be able to beat Evan but this time Evan is able to get one set, Federer's experience and quality is not in doubt if he loses in the next round it is likely just due to the stamina factor.

Another match of top seeds in this tournament Thiem vs Augut, their last meet was 2018 and Thiem was able to win, it will be a tough match for him.

Yeah its going to take a few matches and tournaments for Federer to get back to 100% match fitness. Its ok to train and build up from training but its not like playing matches. I think Federer will be using this tournaments to build towards the Olympics as he will be aiming for that singles gold medal which is one title he doesn't have currently. It was great to see him back playing again and we hope that he can do well this year and get back to being a top ranked player again.

I believe Federer is a born to play tennis player due to his performance in the Doha game against Evans in spite that he undergoes rehab from two knee surgeries which literally making him not playing the game at his best, he still defeated Evans. Also, believe it will take some time before to recover 20% but we have seen another different case though due to how he played against Evans

[vella85]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

[Kemarit]

Further even I was expecting Thiem to win his match against Bautista-Agut, but unfortunately he lost, and I hope that he’ll come back stronger and learn from this defeat.

I am seeing Thiem as a clay player and that is it. He is quite prone to unexpected loses or at least loosing a set in the match on other surfaces. I am looking to exploit handicaps on his opponents but I missed my chance yesterday. Handicap on Bautista was 3.5 if I remember correctly and that was a bit low for security. When clay season starts I am gonna bet on him destroying all opponents except maybe Nadal and Djoko. He is my first pick for RG for sure.

Thiem could be clay court specialist, heir apparent to Nadal.

So it's going to be Bautista-Agut vs Basilashvili in the finals.

@Juggy777 - it's too early to say that Federer can't win tournaments, he just had this first comeback tournaments, and as I have said, he is just testing his body. He needs to start slowly and not push himself. Maybe in the next 2-3 tournaments that he will enter, we might see a clearer picture of he still has it or not.

[vennali]

Thiem could be clay court specialist, heir apparent to Nadal.

So it's going to be Bautista-Agut vs Basilashvili in the finals.

@Juggy777 - it's too early to say that Federer can't win tournaments, he just had this first comeback tournaments, and as I have said, he is just testing his body. He needs to start slowly and not push himself. Maybe in the next 2-3 tournaments that he will enter, we might see a clearer picture of he still has it or not.

Thiem is clay court specialist. About being the heir to Nadal, It seems very likely but I have seen a lot of underwhelming performances from him. Someone like Medvedev, Rublev, Zverev could give him a lot of trouble.
About Federer, I was discussing it with my friend who was convinced that Federer cant win an ATP 500 and above event anymore and is willing to bet on it. I think he still can, but he needs to work on his stamina.. Lets see, if I take the bet or not

Edit: Agut should win in straight sets vs Basilashvili.

[Jating]

Thiem could be clay court specialist, heir apparent to Nadal.

So it's going to be Bautista-Agut vs Basilashvili in the finals.

@Juggy777 - it's too early to say that Federer can't win tournaments, he just had this first comeback tournaments, and as I have said, he is just testing his body. He needs to start slowly and not push himself. Maybe in the next 2-3 tournaments that he will enter, we might see a clearer picture of he still has it or not.

Thiem is clay court specialist. About being the heir to Nadal, It seems very likely but I have seen a lot of underwhelming performances from him. Someone like Medvedev, Rublev, Zverev could give him a lot of trouble.
About Federer, I was discussing it with my friend who was convinced that Federer cant win an ATP 500 and above event anymore and is willing to bet on it. I think he still can, but he needs to work on his stamina.. Lets see, if I take the bet or not

Edit: Agut should win in straight sets vs Basilashvili.

Checking the odds:



What do you think of the totals though? The over 21.5 looks very attractive, anyone taking bets on this finals? I'm also for Agut to win here.

On the contrary, for me Federer can still make a final push to at least win an ATP 500 this year. He has been carefully choosing tournaments he enter to conserved stamina. I think it's more if his body is going to continue to hold and not break into another injury.

[Trofo]

What do you think of the totals though? The over 21.5 looks very attractive, anyone taking bets on this finals? I'm also for Agut to win here.

I am on Agut ML here. I watched him in couple matches recently and he is playing maybe the best tennis of his career. H2H is also in his favor. I don't see a way he looses this match. Too bad the odds are not a bit better on him, I feel like he can cover the handicap or maybe 2:0 in sets but that is too risky since Basilashvili is also playing with belief once more.

[Daniel91]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

It seems that Federer's return to the top of world tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible given his health and age.
Here is what Federer said after his shocking and unexpected defeat in the Qatar Open by Basilashvili:
 "I've come from so far away that I am actually happy I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players," he said.

"That's an important step forward for me. I'm not at 100% yet.

"I still need another five or six weeks in fitness.

"In the next four months until Wimbledon, we've got to take a real good look at the schedule and see how much workload the knee can take, and what's the best way to prepare for what's basically the beginning of the season for me - which is the grass court season."

In the meantime, this news came: ''Andy Murray will not play in next week's Dubai Championships after the birth of his fourth child.''
Another tennis giant who is getting further and further away from the top of tennis.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56364635
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56375025

[babygun]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

Exactly, I would't write Federer off just becuase he surprisingly lost against against Basilashvilli. It was his second match after a couple of months of injury, it will take some time before he is really match fit.

In the meantime, this news came: ''Andy Murray will not play in next week's Dubai Championships after the birth of his fourth child.''
Another tennis giant who is getting further and further away from the top of tennis.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56364635
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56375025

I think Murray should better retire from tennis, he has not been able to compete on top level after his injury. It sounds harsh, but I think this would be the best decision.

[wildan88]

Murray was a very big player, and a great name. He surely was into the world top on his best days. Now, maybe he should think about retirement, as he will never reach his level like before.
For a player with his reputation, that is not acceptable I think.

[vella85]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

It seems that Federer's return to the top of world tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible given his health and age.
Here is what Federer said after his shocking and unexpected defeat in the Qatar Open by Basilashvili:
 "I've come from so far away that I am actually happy I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players," he said.

"That's an important step forward for me. I'm not at 100% yet.

"I still need another five or six weeks in fitness.

"In the next four months until Wimbledon, we've got to take a real good look at the schedule and see how much workload the knee can take, and what's the best way to prepare for what's basically the beginning of the season for me - which is the grass court season."

In the meantime, this news came: ''Andy Murray will not play in next week's Dubai Championships after the birth of his fourth child.''
Another tennis giant who is getting further and further away from the top of tennis.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56364635
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56375025

I think Wimbledon will help Federer a lot as playing on grass is a lot stress on the body and especially the knee. So we could see him play more grass tournaments in the lead up to Wimbledon, the problem is not many tournaments are played on grass. He has to pick which tournaments will suit him leading into Wimbledon as I'm sure that will be his main goal and the Olympics.

[casperBGD]

~snip
The situation with Federer's health is not entirely clear, given that he withdrew from the tournament in Dubai after losing in Doha and decided to concentrate on training. Either the health situation has not yet fully recovered, or Federer is not completely satisfied with his current physical form. In any case, Federer needs to get in shape, and it can only be gained by participating in official tournaments.

it is clear, if you want to say it, he is just to old to play, and could not compete on a same level anymore
I like Fedex, think that he is real tennis player, what game should be (Novak and Rafa are more fighters than elegant), since this is kind of aristocrat sport, and he is playing it as it should be, but there is a question of his age, and seems that he is just to old to play

[Kemarit]

Hard to believe that Nikoloz Basilashvili beat RBA in the finals. The conditions were extreme and surprisingly very little errors from Nikoloz. RBA seemed to be struggling with the wind and temprature there and it was evident. Surprised to see a Georgian get accustomed to the weather better than a Spaniard. I guess its just a case of individual preference and what they are accustomed to I suppose.

Very surprising indeed that Bautista-Agut, who has been playing high level tennis, turns cold in the finals and having a hard time with the extreme conditions. He has been here before.

In any case, congrats to Basilashvili, nothing can be taken away from him, this is his day. He adjusted well, take advantage of situation. And it somewhat justified Basilashvili defeating Roger Federer in this tournament.

[Jating]

What do you think of the totals though? The over 21.5 looks very attractive, anyone taking bets on this finals? I'm also for Agut to win here.

I am on Agut ML here. I watched him in couple matches recently and he is playing maybe the best tennis of his career. H2H is also in his favor. I don't see a way he looses this match. Too bad the odds are not a bit better on him, I feel like he can cover the handicap or maybe 2:0 in sets but that is too risky since Basilashvili is also playing with belief once more.

Lost this one, we don't know what went down, but Agut loses steam here?

Anyhow, no biggie, just part of the game, sometimes this underground can really pull surprises specially a relatively unknown. This pandemic also affected a lot of players mentality. Probably we should read the cue of Basilashvili winning against Federer a sign that he will be the giant killer in this tournament.

[Daniel91]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

It seems that Federer's return to the top of world tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible given his health and age.
Here is what Federer said after his shocking and unexpected defeat in the Qatar Open by Basilashvili:
 "I've come from so far away that I am actually happy I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players," he said.

"That's an important step forward for me. I'm not at 100% yet.

"I still need another five or six weeks in fitness.

"In the next four months until Wimbledon, we've got to take a real good look at the schedule and see how much workload the knee can take, and what's the best way to prepare for what's basically the beginning of the season for me - which is the grass court season."

In the meantime, this news came: ''Andy Murray will not play in next week's Dubai Championships after the birth of his fourth child.''
Another tennis giant who is getting further and further away from the top of tennis.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56364635
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56375025

I think Wimbledon will help Federer a lot as playing on grass is a lot stress on the body and especially the knee. So we could see him play more grass tournaments in the lead up to Wimbledon, the problem is not many tournaments are played on grass. He has to pick which tournaments will suit him leading into Wimbledon as I'm sure that will be his main goal and the Olympics.

In fact, Wimbledon was the last GS in which Federer managed to reach the final, 2 years ago, but he lost to Djokovic in an incredible way.
If Federer still has enough strength and health to try to win another GS it's obviously Wimbledon, his favorite GS.
However, given his current form and readiness, and his age, it is very difficult to expect Federer to win 1 more GS or win a gold medal at the Olympics.

[Daniel91]

Latest news: ''
Britain's Andy Murray has been awarded a wildcard for this month's Miami Open.''
Is this the last attempt to save a once great tennis career?
After a lot of health problems in recent years, Murray is no longer even among the top 100 players in the world and his return to the top of tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible.
What do you think?

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56408414

[vella85]

As I mentioned in my previous post its going to take a while before we see Federer back to match fitness. Yes he has been training and looks fit but not match fit. This is to be expected which is why I wouldn't be betting on Federer until we see him being more consistent with his matches and that he is at peak match fitness. Its sad to hear that he will be pulling out of next weeks ATP 500 tournament in Dubai but I think its the right decision until he feels that he can play up to the standard. We just hope that he doesn't end up like Murray and not be able to get back to his best.

It seems that Federer's return to the top of world tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible given his health and age.
Here is what Federer said after his shocking and unexpected defeat in the Qatar Open by Basilashvili:
 "I've come from so far away that I am actually happy I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players," he said.

"That's an important step forward for me. I'm not at 100% yet.

"I still need another five or six weeks in fitness.

"In the next four months until Wimbledon, we've got to take a real good look at the schedule and see how much workload the knee can take, and what's the best way to prepare for what's basically the beginning of the season for me - which is the grass court season."

In the meantime, this news came: ''Andy Murray will not play in next week's Dubai Championships after the birth of his fourth child.''
Another tennis giant who is getting further and further away from the top of tennis.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56364635
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56375025

I think Wimbledon will help Federer a lot as playing on grass is a lot stress on the body and especially the knee. So we could see him play more grass tournaments in the lead up to Wimbledon, the problem is not many tournaments are played on grass. He has to pick which tournaments will suit him leading into Wimbledon as I'm sure that will be his main goal and the Olympics.

In fact, Wimbledon was the last GS in which Federer managed to reach the final, 2 years ago, but he lost to Djokovic in an incredible way.
If Federer still has enough strength and health to try to win another GS it's obviously Wimbledon, his favorite GS.
However, given his current form and readiness, and his age, it is very difficult to expect Federer to win 1 more GS or win a gold medal at the Olympics.

This is true, its been a long time since we have seen Federer in a GS final however last year we can basically say that it didn't matter of that much due to the situation of the virus. I said months ago that I believe Federer's main target this year will be Wimbledon as like you said, its his favourite GS. Only he knows how he feels and which tournaments to play in but as we have seen, he is not at match fitness yet so it will be interesting to see which tournaments he picks and plays in. Even if he loses in the second round of each tournament, it all helps build on his match fitness.

[Strongkored]

Changes in rank 2 and 3, Nadal fell to number 3 and Medvedev rose to rank 2
https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles

In the Dubai tournament, D. Thiem lost to Harris which was quite surprising, and in 2021 he has not yet shown an impressive performance.

[Jating]

Latest news: ''
Britain's Andy Murray has been awarded a wildcard for this month's Miami Open.''
Is this the last attempt to save a once great tennis career?
After a lot of health problems in recent years, Murray is no longer even among the top 100 players in the world and his return to the top of tennis will be very difficult, if not impossible.
What do you think?

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/56408414

Murray for me is pretty much done on tennis and I doubt that he can recover his old self and salvage his tennis career.

Good to see him being awarded a wild card in Miami, and hope that he can perform at least to go past the second round. Maybe we can see some semblance of his old self, but it will be difficult for him to regain because of the injuries, wear and tear in his body.

[vella85]

Changes in rank 2 and 3, Nadal fell to number 3 and Medvedev rose to rank 2
https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles

In the Dubai tournament, D. Thiem lost to Harris which was quite surprising, and in 2021 he has not yet shown an impressive performance.

For me this doesn't mean much to see Medvedev overtake Nadal in the rankings as Medvedev is still yet to win a major tournament. He has played in 6 more tournaments then Nadal so it was coming for him to overtake Nadal. Most likely Nadal will reach the French Open final and maybe even win it which will see him take back the number 2 ranking and put a decent sized gap between him and Medvedev.

Thiem seems to be down on form this year but hopefully the clay court season will see him find some form again like we have seen in the past. For some reason Thiem seems to have a good mid to end season but not so good at the start of the year.