(18) Ernests Gulbis vs. (4) Roger Federer
Jared:Gulbis entered Roland Garros with the worst record in Grand Slams (20-26) of any player in the top 30. Since he reached the 2008 quarterfinals in Paris, he has gone 12-21, but with a win on Sunday he could put the perfect bookend on this chapter of his career with another quarterfinal appearance. And his opponent is the polar opposite of him. Federer is the most accomplished male tennis player in slam history and was in cruise control for the most part in his first three matches. Gulbis will be Federer’s first real test, but he won’t be able to defeat his “superb image of a Swiss gentleman.” Federer 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
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Ricky: Berdych has won four of their previous six encounters, a somewhat modest record that in no way tells the true story of the history between these two. In just six matches against the 6’10” American, Berdych has generated an incredible 52 break chances and has broken serve a hard-to-believe 21 times. The Czech is not exactly considered one of the best returners in tennis, but nobody reads the Isner serve like he does. But this won’t be a rout, because Berdych has been far from dominant so far and Isner conserved energy by finishing off both Mikhail Kukushkin and Tommy Robredo prior to a fifth set. Berdych 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6.
Jared: Berdych and Isner may combine for more than 13 feet in height, but when it comes to success at Roland Garros, these two combined for just a 6-6 record over the past three installments of the event with only one appearance in the second week. Still, when this match concludes, one of them will be a FO quarterfinalist. Berdych leads the head-to-head series 4-2, and in those six matches there have been a total of 32 breaks of serve. Berdych has had more success than any player on tour returning the Isner serve. If the No. 1 American is to have a chance, he will have to keep his 65-game unbroken streak alive deep into this round of 16 match. Berdych 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.
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I saw the replay of the Fed/Gulbis match. At least what they decided to show us. They skipped parts of it. However, I did notice that when Fed left the court after he lost, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. The tennis channel commentators even pointed it out. So they do love the Fed there.
They did flashback to show the part where Gulbis had to go off court for treatment and then came bac to boos from the crowd. But he was waving his arms and kind of playing along with them. I am surprised that Gulbis was able to keep it together in a five set match. He was mentally strong and just kept playing his game. I didn’t think he had it in him at this point in his career. The guy has the talent to take out any player on a given day, but just hasn’t seemed motivated to work hard, practice, get physically and mentally fit enough and just make the effort to be able to play well consistently. Is he now ready to go even deeper here? I don’t know.
That MTO was blatant gamesmanship right down to leaving the court so we didn’t see what ‘treatment’ was involved. Still Federer is losing his touch if he let that get to him.
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He wallows in his reputation for ‘bad boy’ behaviour. What started as arrogant exhibitionism has become an irritating affectation.
On the tennis channel they were kind of debating whether the MTO was for real. It was kind of mixed, with nobody really wanting to come right out and say that it was fake. I think Gulbis kind of revels in taunting the crowd. He seems to get a kick out of it.
I saw some of his presser after the match and he spoke about how he had to stay focused and play at a high level and not let the crowd get to him. Then he said that getting the early break in that fifth set was important because it took the crowd out of it. He said that if it stayed tight with no breaks, then the crowd could have been a factor. So he was well aware that they were not on his side!
The bottom line is that Gulbis is a spoiled rich brat. I don’t praise him for being supposedly “honest” because I think he says thing because he can get away with it. For a guy who has thrown away his considerable natural gifts, he seems to have quite the ego. If I were him, I would be embarrassed at wasting my talent and ability.
If he is serious about reaching the top 10 he needs to clean up his act ASAP.
He could start by embracing the concept of good sportsmanship. And at least TRY to conceal his total contempt for opponents, court officials and spectators.
One commentator on the tennis channel said that if you have a hamstring or hip problem then you would have to go off court to have it treated. But others were skeptical. I didn’t see it live and it’s hard to judge when you just have a few moments replayed without seeing it in context. I understand that Fed had the momentum at that time.
I just don’t see Gulbis cleaning up his act. I read all of his comments and it’s clear that he doesn’t like playing by the rules. He also think it’s boring to be polite and a good sportsman. That’s too bad. He’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter, doesn’t know what it means to work for something and make sacrifices. I don’t think this leopard will change his spots. However, I do agree that if he is serious about making the top ten, then he should clean up his act.
Growing up that privileged has not helped Gulbis once he reached the higher echelons of tennis, On the contrary, in his case. Now that he has been working hard since 2012 to do a lot if possible with his abilities I try to look at him with new eyes, not the way I did in the past. I have no idea about that MTO so take his words at face value.
As Gulbis has risen in the rankings, I’ve been paying more attention to his matches and watching more of them, or at least parts of them. I’ve also been paying more attention to his interviews. I’m not a Gulbis fan at all, but I listened to his explanation of his MTO that he gave during his press conference and it seems reasonable. I’m willing to take his explanation at face value. Here’s the part of his presser where he talks about the MTO.
http://youtu.be/veXf4bL4fL4
There is now a new thread for the discussion on the Gulbis MTO
nativenewyorker7@June 1, 2014 at 10:54 pm
—Gulbis had to go off court for treatment and then came bac to boos from the crowd—
It’s the traditional behavior of the legion of the Federazzi. I haven’t heard that they have booed when Fed has left the court for treatment.
And of course pro-Fed commentators don’t recall Fed’s MTOs. And of course legionaries of the Federazzi (plus pro-Fed commentators) have never said that Fed’s MTOs have been blatant gamesmanship.
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/473364243858096128/photo/1
Please can @Petko be in the press pool at the next Gulbis presser!
https://twitter.com/BlairHenley/status/473464755941015552/photo/1
Preach it Petko!!!
#Vamos!!!