ATP Rotterdam

Sheddie · administrator

ATP Rotterdam

Sheddie · administrator

Saw the Monfils loss this afternoon, he lost 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to Van Scheppingen, a Dutch lucky loser. It's Monfils' second early defeat in a row. He serves really well but as Sam Smith said during the Aussie Open, his game style doesn't really make use of his obvious physical attributes. He mainly stays way behind the baseline and uses his speed to win points, occasionally teeing off and going for crazy winners. He should be playing close to the baseline, looking to be aggressive and taking control of points, given how hard he can strike the ball. As he is, he won't make top 20 unless he changes his game.

He stayed on the defensive for too many of the baseline rallies in this match, allowed Van Scheppingen to work the points and dominate the rallies...didn't make too many errors, just was too passive. Did hit 3 straight aces from 0-40 at 7-6, 4-6, 3-5 though, saving 3 match points

Van Scheppingen's a good solid player, nothing spectacular but has a good serve and he works the points really well, using angles and changing the direction of the rallies and coming into the net to finish things off. Doesn't have the ability to really tee off from the baseline and hit ferocious winners off one side, he doesn't possess that amount of power, so this is probably why he hasn't made top 50.

Salmon · Tennis legend

ultimateshedman wrote:
Saw Thiemo De Bakker in action against Ljubicic yesterday. I was impressed, he's definately got the game to be top 100. Can hit big shots off both sides, especially the forehand and he works the points really well. Not afraid to come into the net and finish off points. He's got a big serve but he needs to get more consistency on it, first serve % was pretty low I'd think. Ljubicic's serve really got him out of trouble in this one and he was able to benefit from two sloppy service games from De Bakker, who understandably got a bit tight.

A classic example of how late you jump the gun. Junior world number one after playing just eight events in 2006 and a win-loss record of 44-3, 18 years of age but inside the top 450, already has a Tour win over a top 60 player, can play on all surfaces, and all Mr. Cox will go for is top 100.

In any case, thanks a lot for describing the style.

Monfils has started to move backwards in the last six or seven months.

A real shame as I used to think that he would be top 10 by now.

Salmon · Tennis legend

Really off topic here, but I finally got the chance to see Tamira Paszek play (in Dubai). She qualified and defeated world number 23 Katarina Srebotnik in the first round before facing Henin.

I saw the last two sets and she should have beaten Henin, but couldn't do it because she was exhausted and completely lost control of her serve. Has got great power on her two handed backhand, which seemed to be her real weapon, besides having bludgeoning groundstrokes. She seems to be all of power, but was a bit slow in movement. I must say that she is overweight and needs to reduce her tummy immediately.

If she works on her body, it's sort of obvious that she'll be contending for Slams in the next few years.

-- Edited by Arka at 12:25, 2007-02-22

eblunt · Club Coach

RE: ATP Rotterdam - Qualifying

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RE: ATP Rotterdam

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Madeline wrote:

ultimateshedman wrote:

Have been watching quite a bit of this over the last few days...

Saw Thiemo De Bakker in action against Ljubicic yesterday.

I watched part of that match too on a livestream, now I can't remember where I got the link! I have looked on the tournament website and can't find it. Anybody help?

Have you tried looking at the 'history' option on your web-browser? That's usually how I find livestreams/scores again. Sorry I can't help anymore.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

I have been on so many sites since then it is well buried!

goldfish · Futures qualifying

I went to the main site and clicked on live scores in the left hand menu. It then took me to live streaming showing tennis plaza. Click on centre court tv. Link below but not sure if that will allow you direct access.

http://www.abnamrowtt.nl/centrecourttv/

imoen · Admin: Moderator+Tennis Legend

Lol, yeah I have that problem too. And then of course the live scores and streams always have really obscure urls so you have no idea which one it is and which ones are rubbish or pop-ups you passed by!

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

Ha - found it. If anybody else wants it it is http://www.abnamrowtt.nl/centrecourttv/

Click on Channel 1.

Edit - Ah, I see Goldfish beat me to it. Welcome to the forum, Goldie!

-- Edited by Madeline at 12:20, 2007-02-22

Sheddie · administrator

Welcome to the forum goldfish

Just watched the Haase-Youzhny match. Youzhny won 6-2, 6-4 but it could have been simpler, he missed 8 break points at 6-2, 4-2 and another one in Haase's next service games. Fell 0-40 down before getting himself back togther and holding to take the match.

My impressions of Haase: He has a good serve, it's not blistering pace but just very well placed. Got him out of jail on quite a few bps. Needs to get a higher % though, like De Bakker. Haase is predominantly a counter-puncher, stays several feet behind the baseline and tries to outrally opponents, I think he'll be good on clay. He's fast about the court but is too passive in the rallies a lot of the time. He can tee off on both sides and has an effective backhand down the line with which to go from defence to attack but doesn't really do it enough. Towards the end of the match he started going for more on his forehand which proved successful but he made too many backhand errors when he tried to up the pace. He comes to the net quite a bit and that's very successful for him in general, he has good hands and good touch, again something he could do more.

Tbh, from what I've seen, I'd favour Boggo to beat him at the moment. I'd say that De Bakker looks like a better prospect. Can't see Haase making top 50 at the moment

Sally · Grand Slam Champion

ultimateshedman wrote:

Who did he lose to in the AO ?

Federer I think.

Sheddie · administrator

Ah yes I remember, straight sets to Federer in rd3. Really unfortunate draw for Youzhny, he was playing so well in Doha, could have caused some big upsets if he'd been in another section.