tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post5219846451472058142..comments2023-07-25T10:37:32.127+01:00Comments on Tennis Is Served...: 2Hander's Take: The 08-09 SeasonZafarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11909444215193865334noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-53431982446565288402009-01-13T22:15:00.000+00:002009-01-13T22:15:00.000+00:00I think I have to agree with dootsiez about Tsonga...I think I have to agree with dootsiez about Tsonga. With his game, I don't see how he CAN'T win a Slam. I was watching that Aussie semi from last year with he and Nadal, and was left thinking "Wow!"Tennis Talk, Anyone?https://www.blogger.com/profile/15851928994754867832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-50964932079640194462009-01-11T23:31:00.000+00:002009-01-11T23:31:00.000+00:00Hello 2Hander, Federer Federer Federer ... he was ...Hello 2Hander, <BR/><BR/>Federer Federer Federer ... he was quite impressive in his early round matches in Doha, oddly the backhand was clicking more than the forehand. But then when he got Murray, it's like he started developing a complex. Of course I don't think Fed plays minor tournaments with a high level of intensity anymore while Murray is still at the stage where he stays intense throughout all tournaments, so maybe that was the problem. Either way, I'm still hopeful of his prospects this year. <BR/><BR/>As for the Frenchies, I love the whole bunch, but are any of them good enough to win a slam? Simon and Monfils can be expected to take down some top seeds along the way, but I honestly don't see slams in them. Tsonga on the other hand ... I have a feeling he's going to rock on grass. His game is perfect for it. <BR/><BR/>Murray's game theoretically should work well on clay, I think the guy trained in spain for a while too. but I'm not sure that murray himself is convinced of his abilities on clay. But clay season 08 was before his big breakthrough so it should be interesting see how he does this year. <BR/><BR/>Anyway nice post, some great food for thought in there for the 09 season. :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-91636990246764618182009-01-11T21:00:00.000+00:002009-01-11T21:00:00.000+00:00Hey 2Hander,I really want to share your optimism t...Hey 2Hander,<BR/><BR/>I really want to share your optimism towards Fed's upcoming season, but am terrified of being disappointed.<BR/><BR/>It seems from some of his post match comments that he's still recovering from last season's disappointments. I think it must suck for him to be No. 2, and now he's realizing that he might be pushed down further in the rankings if Muray, Djokovic et. al. continue their fine form.<BR/><BR/>It will be fascinating to see how Monfils does this season - maybe seeing his buddies Monfils and Simon do well has made him hungrier. And I'm sure Rasheed is making him focus.<BR/><BR/>Should be a great year of tennis!freakyfriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11849509797502704715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-35871465651189911592009-01-09T05:43:00.000+00:002009-01-09T05:43:00.000+00:00As I have said before, the RG semi between Fed and...As I have said before, the RG semi between Fed and Monfils was for me the match of the tournament. I really hope Monfils starts performing to his potential on the Slams and Masters events. <BR/><BR/>Can't wait till 19th Jan...YIKES!!2Handerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05694468226012362282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8948801468516043822.post-70269193495008076612009-01-08T19:49:00.000+00:002009-01-08T19:49:00.000+00:00Hey 2Hander - Long time no speak/hear (how's the t...Hey 2Hander - Long time no speak/hear (how's the teaching?)<BR/><BR/>Really liked this set of predictions and your summaries of the players' differing fortunes.<BR/><BR/>I was about to make a posting on Monfils and Federer who both really brought the season alive for me today, but much of what I was going to say ties in with your post.<BR/><BR/>Federer's form in his match against Kolschreiber (one of my fav and quite underrated players on tour) today was nearly as good as 2007 (still not quite there yet). So I share some of your optimism about what he can achieve this year.<BR/><BR/>But it was Monfils who really announced himself today in his defeat of Nadal, in a way which was perhaps more 'coming-of-age' than Gulbis's win over Djoko.<BR/><BR/>When Monfils first burst on tour he was way too erratic for my liking but that flat hitting was very much in evidence even then. He reigned a lot of that in last year but almost overcompensated and began grinding/looping a little too much.<BR/><BR/>Today I feel he finally achieved the happy medium he needs (a product no doubt of his partnership with Rasheed).<BR/><BR/>Nadal didn't play a bad match (at least not to begin with), he was just out hit in a way that will cause problems for all but the very best. I'll be following the fortunes of Monfils very closely...<BR/><BR/>I'd better stop - apologies for the length of the comment - Great Post!Zafarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11909444215193865334noreply@blogger.com