Australian Open

[marshall stalin]

How about Keifer to beat Federer tonight? It is the german's time. He has played and fought very well so far.

the german will be defeated by the cheeseman. It's Unfortunate that Comrade Devydenko did not win and play the German as for sure and certain it would have been another great soviet victory over germany.

I would say and it may sound strange but the cyprus player would rather play the cheeseman (federer) than schnapps (the german). He is the underdog against the cheeseman( federer) and would be an even money or possible slight favourite against schnapps( the german). He thrives on the underdog tag and who would have thought he could beat amexman(the americano) , bosniova(croation) and argy bargy(argentinian)

 

[marshall stalin]

I still think Mauresmo has a dick.

you commenting or hoping - i read an article that women love these transexuals - they say they get the best parts of the man and women in the one package without having a hang up on whether they are leso's or not

 

[marshall stalin]

Both Agassi and Safin have beaten Federer on this surface. Safin did last year. Nalbandian hasn't for 3 years, before Federer won his 1st slam.

This is the first year he made the Semi's here.

Yet he first made the Semis at Wimbledon(Grass) in 2002, US Open(Decoturf) in 2003, and French Open(clay) in 2004.

Rebound Ace would be the one of the worst surfaces for Nalbandian. His style of game doesn't suit this surface at all, which is why he has struggled in his previous matches against low quality opponents.

If Comrade Safin played tennis at close to his best all the time he would be number 1 and daylight second.

 

[Mr Saab]

If Comrade Safin played tennis at close to his best all the time he would be number 1 and daylight second.

but he doesnt and federer does...it is what seperates the greats from the goods.
Ivanisavic was the same in the 90s. Had the game to win wimbledon many times, but the mental side let him down....goran even said as much.
Sampras was mentally strong and he won W'don 93/4/5/7/8/9/00.

 

[Razor]

If Comrade Safin played tennis at close to his best all the time he would be number 1 and daylight second.

I wouldn't say that, but Safin and Federer will be number 1 & 2 with daylight 3rd. Safin and Federer are very much equal on hardcourt, Federer better on grass, Safin better on clay (same as Agassi and Sampras). But Safin is a mental headcase and is constantly injured. So he has 2 big hurdles to overcome. Again similar to Agassi and Sampras. Both very equal, but Agassi was weak mentally, until he was in his late 20s. Before then Agassi only came up occasionally like Safin. Agassi also had a lot of injury problems in his early 20s. Hopefully, like Agassi, Safin gets better mentally when he's older and less injury-prone. However now (due to age obviously) Agassi is starting to become injury prone again.

 

[Moffo]

Federer is far from his best at the moment

 

[aussies1st]

Lol if Federer is far from his best then the men should just give up. Apart from that 2nd set Federer hammered Kiefer.

 

[Matt23]

Far from his best...He'll still win rather easily

 

[Rammo]

To call Federer the best player in history is such an overstatement imo.

Who has he beaten of any substance in this tournament?

Sampras nailed players who were Federer's standard to win his Grand Slams, Federer has had noone to beat.

He had to beat players like Agassi, Rafter, Courier, Chang, Becker, Edberg even.

 

[Matt23]

Excellent point, Nalbandian and Safin are the only one's that can get anywhere near him.

 

[Razor]

To call Federer the best player in history is such an overstatement imo.

Who has he beaten of any substance in this tournament?

Sampras nailed players who were Federer's standard to win his Grand Slams, Federer has had noone to beat.

He had to beat players like Agassi, Rafter, Courier, Chang, Becker, Edberg even.

Courier and Chang are nothing special. Courier and Chang did well for a short while in the changeover period. The same as when Hewitt was doing well a couple of years back. The changeover period. And Rafter was also not that good. His 1997 Slam as the biggest fluke as he didn't have to play anyone. His 1998 USO was given to him by the umpire in the 1st round when he was being hammered, down 2-sets to love and a break, the umpire decided to make an overrule that would have guarenteed victory to Arazi. Don't get me wrong - Courier, Chang, and Rafter weren't bad, but not superstars. They're equal to the likes of Roddick, Nalbandian, etc.

Sampras never had to beat Edberg to win a Grand Slam. The only 2 times Sampras-Edberg played at Grand Slams, Edberg won.

The only times Becker and Sampras played at Grand Slams was nearing the end of Beckers career. Same as when Federer plays Agassi at Grand Slams now.

Nalbandian and Safin are the only one's that can get anywhere near him.

• Safin yes on fast hardcourt, indoor hard, carpet and clay. Safin would be better than Federer on carpet.

• Nedal on slow hardcourt and clay. Nadal would be better on clay than Federer

Grass would be the only surface where no one can get close to him.

Nalbandian can't get anywhere near Federer. Federer has absolutly hammered Nalbandian the last few times

2005 US Open - 62 64 61..........(Hardcourt - Decoturf)
2004 AO Open - 75 64 57 63......(Hardcourt - Rebound Ace)
2003 Masters - 63 60...............(Carpet)

2005 Masters Cup Federer was injured, but still won 1 of the 2 matches played

RR - 63 26 64
Final - 76 76 26 16 67

So take the 2005 MC out, since December 2003, Federer has totally dominated. At the same time Hewitt had a 7-2 winning record over Federer. Hasn't been close since. Federer has gone to another level since then.

 

[Rammo]

Nadal can as well, and maybe Roddick if he has a good day, but that's it.

I would have loved to have seen Federer play in the early to mid 90s.

 

[Matt23]

ATM, Henin Hardenne is having her arse handed to her, and now she's "injured" :roll:

 

[El Diablo]

quitter

 

[NPK]

Was it a stomach illness? If she played on maybe she would have shat herself or something.

 

[Razor]

Was it a stomach illness? If she played on maybe she would have shat herself or something.

She says it was, but Double-H is the Hewitt of the womens game. Whenever she's losing she's injured or sick.

 

[lockyno1]

Well at least Mary Pierce didn't win it! FFS you wouldn't see Sharapova quit like that! What a disgrace! Sick or not this is a grand slam final!

 

[NPK]

Well at least Mary Pierce didn't win it! FFS you wouldn't see Sharapova quit like that! What a disgrace! Sick or not this is a grand slam final!

If you had a gastric illness you wouldn't want to risk soiling yourself in front of millions of people would you?

 

[lockyno1]

If you had a gastric illness you wouldn't want to risk soiling yourself in front of millions of people would you?

If it is a grand slam final, I would! I mean what on earth happened. The roof was closed, the match was less than a hour. Then you are sick? Um...just doesn't seem right. I really think Henin just chickened out becuase she was getting kicked! Fight for it!

 

[Razor]

If you had a gastric illness you wouldn't want to risk soiling yourself in front of millions of people would you?

I doubt she was sick, but players have thrown up on court and continued to play - and that was outside in unbearable heat. This was a Slam final and indoors. Players have gone to hospital after matches. She wanted an excuse when she lost. So she came up with this idea.