Monte Carlo.... tennis is finally coming home!
After weeks of sleepless nights caused by travelless jetlag, tennis caravan is back to where it belongs and looks best: Europe!
Ahead are a few potentially historically huge months:
Novak Djokovic could be the first man after Rod Laver to hold all 4 slam titles.
He could also be the first man to achieve the Golden slam, if he wins the gold at the Olympics.
All grand dreams, very difficult to achieve, yet, for this grand dreamer, nothing is impossible
Back to Monte Carlo, and the first 1000 Masters even on clay:
Bar Federer's last minute wild-card change of mind, all the best players are in town:
*Legendary Rafael Nadal with his mind-boggling 7 straight tournament wins.
*Novak Djokovic with his mind-boggling 7 straight finals wins over Nadal
*Andy Murray , pressure free and hungry. Could surprise many.
*David Ferrer, the eternal bridesmaid...will give someone a great workout in the semi-final!
*Delpo? No Federer in the draw, may release the "old" smooth powerhouse.
and.....
everybody else except the Biggest clay question mark called Isner, who withdrew from the tournament needing rest and preparation for the remainder of the season.
Official website:
http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/
The Draw:
http://www.monte-carlorolexmasters.com/Share/Event-Draws.aspx?Year=2012&Draw=ms
Easier to follow, PDF version of the draw:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/410/mds.pdf
Order of play for Friday 20th of April (no PDF version yet):
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=410&Year=2012&Seq=7
Set in the glorious scenery of glittering, breath-taking sparkling Medditeranean vista, I will be there daily in spirit sighing and dreaming....
For Monte Carlo with its vintage charm, class and timeless air of dolce vita is my favourite tournament (let's leave that heart-breaker called Wimbledon out of this conversation just this once!)
I have bought a large vintage poster of Monte Carlo recently, and it hangs framed behind my desk reminding me of those days when the world took its time....and nobody moaned that much ....and ladies wore dresses when they played....and looked and behaved like ladies ....
http://img2.photographersdirect.com/img/16398/wm/pd1802170.jpg
Now, let's get into the mood, shall we?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFabjc6mFk4
AND, last but not the least...
GO NOLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!1
ATP Masters 1000: Monte Carlo
posted on 21/4/12
Simon was very good, Tenez, just didn't have enough fizz on some of his shots.
Nada's moonballs reached epic net clearance
posted on 21/4/12
So we are ready for the main course. An incredible 8th MC title in a row or an incredible 8th consecutive win over Nadal tomorrow.
Having watched Nadal's game after the AO, I just do not see anything in his game that could change the dynamics of his recent encountrers with Djoko. On strength of that I favor Djoko - perhaps even by some margin. However, Nadal is Nadal and this is MC. He will not go away easily. Should be good. Much better than Djoko-Simon
posted on 21/4/12
Tenez,
No worries. I have been lurking on the old 606 (even before it was named 606 - cannot remember the old name now) for years without really posting so I know what to expect of you . Clearly it does not bother me or else I would not be testing this place out.
I hope you guys do manage to make it work here. Not sure how much I will be able to post (different time zone and life outside tennis make it difficult at times). Do not expect me to keep up with the likes of yourself or nitb, but I will try to stick around.
posted on 21/4/12
Indeed - You were already posting sparsly on v2...but it was quality posting.
As I mentioned a few times, it will do me lots of good to slow down posting too but I want to give this forum the best possible start so I will respond to most posts for now.
Again, great to have you. We need TA, Barry, M4C and a few others and we are up and running.
posted on 21/4/12
Having watched Nadal's game after the AO, I just do not see anything in his game that could change the dynamics of his recent encountrers with Djoko.
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I woudl tend to agree with that...but there is always a chance on the day. Rafa is going to fight like mad.
I think it is again, Rafa's most important match of the season thus far. If he loses convincingly, his spirit is going to get down badly. Really curious.
GP - YOu may be right about Wyse. You remember on CC we had a very good "version" of him. He was knowledgeable and fun.
posted on 21/4/12
Having watched Nadal's game after the AO, I just do not see anything in his game that could change the dynamics of his recent encountrers with Djoko.
-----------------------------------------------
I woudl tend to agree with that...but there is always a chance on the day. Rafa is going to fight like mad.
I think it is again, Rafa's most important match of the season thus far. If he loses convincingly, his spirit is going to get down badly. Really curious.
GP - YOu may be right about Wyse. You remember on CC we had a very good "version" of him. He was knowledgeable and fun.
posted on 22/4/12
Yeah, the one from Columbia. He wasn't posting to annoy other posters imo, at CC that is, before that he actually was at 606.
Wasn't he deeply in love with Ivanovic?
posted on 22/4/12
I remember somebody offering lots of cash for Ivanovic's bath water
posted on 22/4/12
Expect great match analysis when I check in later guys - can't watch so will be desperate to know all the details
posted on 22/4/12
Don't put pressure on us!
Will do our best! Might be a bit biased though!
Enjoy your lunch.