Roger Federer will continue his Miami campaign and try to maintain his hot streak when he faces Tomas Berdych during quarterfinal action on Thursday. Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev are also one step away from the semis.
(4) Roger Federer vs. (10) Tomas Berdych
Federer and Berdych will be squaring off for the 24th time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Miami Open semifinals on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 17-6 in favor of Federer, who has won six in a row at Berdych’s expense since losing two straight to the Czech in 2012 (U.S. Open) and 2013 (Dubai). The 35-year-old Swiss has also taken 14 sets in succession against Berdych while needing a tiebreaker in only one of those 14. They most recently collided at the Australian Open two months ago, when Federer cruised through a third-round affair 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Based on how well Federer is playing right now, there is no reason to think the tide will suddenly turn. The 18-time Grand Slam champion triumphed Down Under and also captured the Indian Wells title. He is an amazing 16-1 this season following straight-set victories in Miami over Frances Tiafoe, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Roberto Bautista Agut. Berdych, on the other hand, needed a strong result this fortnight in the worst way. The 31-year-old had been just 10-5 in 2017 with no final appearances and he has plunged to No. 14 in the world. He arguably hit a low point in Indian Wells, where he squandered a 6-1, 6-2 advantage against Yoshihito Nishioka in the third round and lost in three sets. So far in Miami, however, Berdych has advanced with straight-set defeats of Andrey Rublev, Gilles Muller, and Adrian Mannarino. A steep step up in competition should prove to be the 10th seed’s ouster.
Pick: Federer in 2 with no tiebreakers
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(16) Alexander Zverev vs. (12) Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios and Zverev will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in as many tournaments when they meet again on Thursday. The two friends and occasional doubles partners just faced each other in Indian Wells, where Kyrgios cruised through a a third-round showdown 6-3, 6-4. The 16th-ranked Australian still has not lost since then, as his Indian Wells exit came via a quarterfinal walkover that he gave Federer because of illness. Kyrgios is 13-3 this season and 6-0 in his last six matches following Miami wins over Damir Dzumhur (6-4, 6-3), Ivo Karlovic (in a third-set tiebreaker), and David Goffin (7-6(5), 6-3).
Two years Kyrgios’ junior at 19, Zverev is not far behind at No. 20 in the rankings. The German has already captured one title in 2017 on the indoor hard courts of Montpellier and following a relative three-tournament slump he is back on track this fortnight with victories at the expense of Yen-Hsun Lu, John Isner, and No. 1 seed Stan Wawrinka. Zverev saved three match points to outlast Isner 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-6(5) and returned to the court one day later for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 upset of Wawrinka. This will undoubtedly be more competitive than what transpired in the California desert, but Kyrgios’ serve and baseline ball-striking at the moment are such that it is almost impossible to bet against him with anyone other than Federer on the other side of the net.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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WWW?
Well Ricky,
How can Federer win in a Kyrgios vs Zverev match! ?
Haha! had to read it twice to make sure what I was reading. I’m guessing you’re going with Nick.
oops!
Depends on how Fed plays, if he plays like in his R4 match then Berdych will have his chances; otherwise Fed will win in straight sets.
I suspect Fed was tired after the Delpo match, but with a day’s rest he should be back to normal.
This one will be easy for Fed. Berdy is playing a bit better than in IW but nit enough to beat Maestro. Don’t think there will be a tiebreaker. Fed in 2
My favorite youngsters are playing each other. The sweet Zverev is on the run, I am so happy for him…Kyrgios is doing exactly what he was supposed to do given his talent and the easiness in executing some of his best tennis…either one of them winning is fine for me…I give slight edge to Nick though…
So I agree with Ricky. Nick in 3
I think this is a much easier match for Fed and he takes it in two. He was trying too hard today, and I think he’ll be back to normal with a day’s rest. Plus, he’s really had Berdych’s number lately.
I just do not see Fed losing to Berdych on any surface . Its just not possible given Fed’s amazing physical prowess this season
agreed
I think Roger wins here but it’s a tough call between Kyrgios and Zverev. Kyrgios beat him in IW last week but this is a new week and a new match. Zverev might take this one away from Kyrgios. In the meanwhile this is turning out to be another Roger v/ Rafa final. I say bring it on. Here is an interesting take on Roger, Rafa, Djokovic and Murray http://www.138mph.com/decoding-the-big-three-murray-part-ii/
Jeez Kavita, how many time are you gonna reference that article. I can’t bring myself to click on it. I’m afraid my pc could melt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hfTDuISM4U
bloody hell…
Fed in two with no breakers and Kyrgios in two
As far as Berdych goes, #GOAT2.0 is indeed invulnerable and unbeatable so Berdych should save himself the embarrassment and forfeit.
#GOAT2.0 in two routine sets including at least one bakery product.
Nick vs Sascha is THE popcorn match of the tournament. PERIOD! These two will invulnerably be meeting in slam finals before the end of 2018. PERIOD!
With that said, Nick for the win in three sets but tennis fans are the real winner in this one.
#PoliteFree
let’s hope it’s better than what we saw in Indian Wells
For sure. I think Sascha will have learnt from that first meeting loss and will make adjustments for a closer match.
But Nick has a two year advantage which is still big at that age which should be all he needs for the win in this one.
If Berdych has done it before, he can do it again, Hawks!!……I think….Maybe….Possibly….Potentially….One day………If Fed plays horribly……………………….Maybe.
“Hypothetically yes, technically no.”
Hope Sasha wins tomorrow, but think it will be Nick in 3
depends which Kyrgios shows up. For the most part it has been the good Kyrgios in Miami.
want Sasha to beat the “good Kyrgios” haha
for the sake of the match quality, that would be fun
I think Fed should get the win over Berdy in straight sets. He’s had his number for a while now.
Kyrgios/Zverev is the highlight match of the day. After seeing Kyrgios win over Goffin in convincing fashion, I give him the edge in this match. Goffin couldn’t touch Nik’s serve. We will see if Zverev can do better. Zverev has looked really good in Miami. Victories over Isner and Stan were impressive.
I am giving the edge to Kyrgios because of how focused he has been in his matches. Playing brilliant tennis without the drama. I expect a good match between these two, with Kyrgios getting the win in 3 sets.
Kyrgios/Zverev is tomorrow. But yes, it’s the highlight of the 4 quarterfinals.
#ByFar
Ricky
Yes, thanks for the correction! I guess that I am looking forward to this match so much that I wanted it to be a day earlier!
If you watched Goffin play absolutely perfect tennis and get beat 7-6 6-3 last night you should get a sense that Zverev will NOT be able to win this match unless Kyrgios has some serious mental lapses. Pointblank the kid is a future #1.
perfect? I would say good, not perfect.
Mr. Steve is by far the GOAT of tennis writing. Here he illustrates his inimitable tennis insights (a journo with a passion for both watching and playing the game) by observing how fast Sascha is improving and maturing and why Zvergios II The Sequel should prove more intriguing…
Tiggy writes:
“Two weeks ago in Indian Wells, Nick Kyrgios made Zverev look like the 19-year-old kid that he is. Against The Western Tennis Pox, Zverev played like the man, and the crowd-pleasing star, that he’s soon going to become.
Another part of growing up on tour is learning to win matches on back-to-back days. Thinking ahead to Zverev’s Tuesday meeting with Stan Wawrinka, I wondered if he would be ready to face the top seed 24 hours after facing down The Eastern Tennis Pox. But again, over the course of his 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win on the Grandstand, you could see Zverev mature a little more. He lost the first, but rather than get tired or down on himself, he relaxed; not many guys hit the ball as well as Zverev does, from both sides, when he’s relaxed and in the flow.
When there’s nothing standing in the way of a victory, it’s easy to overthink, relax too much or get nervous. Instead, Zverev showed how impervious his shots are to all of those potentially destabilizing psychological aspects of the sport.
The biggest reason to believe that Zverev is going to be a Top 5 (or higher) player is that he has weapons that are solid enough to withstand pressure. His serve and his backhand, in particular, are always there for him, and they helped him make finishing off the top-seeded CryBaby #WLB look easy.
When it was over, there was no need to wag his finger.”
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2017/03/alexander-zverev-stan-wawrinka-miami-open-atp-tennis/65068/
#GettinTiggyWidIt
“it’s easy to overthink, relax too much or get nervous. Instead, Zverev showed how impervious his shots are to all of those potentially destabilizing psychological aspects of the sport.”
AKA: “being polite” or “only joking”
The poster AT 4:36 PM has falsified the second to last paragraph in the article.
The poster AT 5:03 PM has falsified the reason that Rafa said he was dealing with anxiety issues negatively affecting his results in 2015.
The poster who has given Rafa an armchair diagnosis of mental illness, generated yet another fake story AT 7:31 PM !
Uncle Toni has explained several times that Rafa lacked confidence during 2015 due to injuries he suffered in 2014.
U.Toni in his interview with COP, a radio network in Spain, in Dec.2015: “Getting injured in the AO 2014 final was a big blow. When he recovered [therapies helped him temporarily], the wrist issue happened [July 2014] and then appendicitis [Oct-Nov. 2014] when he was trying to come back. All this caused him a huge stress and lack of confidence in his body [in the 2015 season]. He was going on court [in 2015] without knowing/trusting what his body would do.”
The poster who made up a story about Rafa’s admission of anxiety, generated yet another fake story AT 9:24 PM!
She has no proof of her claims about her made up excuses regarding Rafa’s statement of a serious issue or about her claims about me.
The explanation of Toni is irrelevant and not pertinent to her made up excuses nor made up stories about me.
Nothing new from this poster who has never had a single original opinion on tennis (Rafa included) but plenty of opinions about other posters.
I add to my post AT 9:35,
Her explanation of Toni is just a desperate and transparent diversionary tactic from her own made up fake stories.
Keep your mind focused, remain confident, be strong and show your warrior spirit, Nicky!
https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/ap_us_open_tennis_755372741.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1
Augusta and Hawks-
You two have had this same exact argument so many times now that I’ve lost count! Could you at least come up with a different thing to fight about please?? 🙂
Kevin…Don’t worry much about Hawks and Augusta…They’re just fighting like a brothers @ sisters would…i bet,they love each other in their own way but too proud to admit it!Hehehawhaw!!
I’ll admit it!!!
Kisses and Huggies gussie!!!!
Love,
Hawky
#Avatar
Hawks..hahahahaha…Thank u for your sporting sportsmanship!But u should say ‘love u Augusta’ and not just ‘love’…
@ 10.29pm march 29
Kevin has a point
As always, I’m open to ideas. I’ve tried everything to no avail.
So if Fed was going to be vulnerable to Berdych again, I think today would be a good time for it. I really think Fed might be starting to get a little worn out. This is probably the first time that Fed has played this many matches over a three week period since 2015. The long time off was good in terms of freshness, but it also could mean that he could be relatively unprepared for playing this many matches in back to back tournaments. I also think that the Florida humidity takes more out of players than less-humid tournaments. I could be wrong and we could get a typical rout over Berdych. But if Berdych is really in good form, he could have a chance to push Fed if Fed is out of sorts. I still could never pick Berdych over Fed these days until I see him actually do it again. Let’s hope we at least have us a match!
Yeah, could very well happen. It’s a lot of tennis for him going deep in back to back tournaments.
Over a few hours in any given match, he hasn’t really shown his age at all and I laugh at everyone calling him an old man because for the most part he hasn’t shown it.
But cumulatively, I’d tend to agree that it may be wearing him out.
Regardless, I doubt he’d think it was a mistake to play Miami.
If it’s a close match because #GOAT2.0 is tired, it would be a very good match.
If he’s NOT tired, it won’t be very good either LOL.
Still, I’m taking #GOAT2.0 in two easy sets losing eight games or less.
#ForTheRecord
#ImFromMissouri
Early break for Fed; he looks pretty sharp. Tomas has to get his 1st serve pct. much higher to have any chance.
How many times does Fed hit an ace facing break point? I’m sure Rafa and Novak hit them disproportionately in those circumstances as well. It’s incredible and really sets them apart from the rest.
Wow, what a service game from Berdych. An ace and three winners.
Berdych not playing badly but he has no chance against this kind of tennis. Not sure who does. Fed in full flight.
Berdych breaks.
Will now hand it back failing to serve for the second set.
NID
2nd serve. 0-15
NID
Another second serve.
15-all
15-30.
NID
ANOTHER second serve
30-all
Ace. Set point.
Wow. What a return from Fed and good response from Berdych to force the error from Fed and snatch the set.
Who knew?
Phenomenal set from Berdych. He returned really well and went for more on his groundies. He has so much power so why not use it!
Wow! Mr Berdych showing some guts out there! Good job!
Berdych wil capitulate meekly in the decider.
Classic letdown syndrome.
That’s what I really dislike with fedomania.
Berdy makes some great shots and about four people clap which is probably just his coaching team.
Show some respect worshipping Fedfawns.
Hardly tennis fans.
Awesome hold. He looked out of sorts and then recovered after 15-40
Wow he is reading Fed’s serves really well. He is all over Fed’s kick serve.
Oh my what a miss from Berdych lol
Tomas has his Sock moment LOL.
And the fedfawns cheer his unforced error enthusiastically.
Just a matter of time.
So easy to know who won the point just by listening to fawn reaction.
Sad.
Fed awill break for 4-2.
GSM
NID
Coming over his backhnd returns really helps Federer. All these players are so used to throwing kick serves to Fed’s backhand on big points and FEd used to slice/chip ALMOST ALWAYS! Now he comes over his returns so much more. He surprises his opponents and is able to stay aggressive. But, the better you serve, the more hesitation he will have.
Rumours of #GOAT2.0’s tiring and being an old man have been greatly exaggerated.
Wishful thinking is everywhere.
Fed is not being very polite.
Uncle Toni would not be happy.
WHIFF!!!
Normalcy restored.
Nothing to see here folks.
Go about your business.
These are not the droids your looking for.
Interesting how much success Fed has using that body serve…
The fat lady is about to sing.
#GOAT2.0
Had to go into work so missed rest of 2nd set. Tomas must have played exceptionally well, which he was starting to do as I had to leave. For Fed to serve 67% 1st serves and still lose the set is rare. Looks like he’s got the match now, but nice for Berdych to break that horrible losing set streak.
I stopped watching after the first set. I thought that Fed was going to blow Berdy off the court. So I was quite surprised to see that Berdy made a match of it. But I tuned in just in time to see Fed get the break.
At least Berdy didn’t roll over for Fed.
Uh oh. 0-30.
incredible returning!! 0-40
OMG! Berdy breaks Fed at love to stay alive!
That sure quieted the crowd!
he ATE Fed’s serve in that game!! that was QUICK.
Way to go Berdy!
Not able to watch, but this has the feel of a match that Fed will lose.
Fed will break for the win.
What a gutsy second serve!
WHAT a second serve to save MP . Deuce. Now a good first serve. Adv Berd
Fedfawns cheer the first serve fault.
Classy.
Wow! What a defensive winner to hold.
Don’t make me start believing Tomas.
Sick from Berdych. Great match
Wow! Great stuff from Berdy!
Ooh! DF from Fed!
This is very good tennis to watch.
Moving roger from side to side! get that backhand in play, Tomas.
Roger needs to step it up here. 15-30
Loving the quiet fedfawns
OMG, this must be Goran’s influence for Berdy to serve such a great second serve on match point! Berdy is really brave out there! Respect!
Come on Berdy! Get it to a TB!
40-30. And game.
#GOAT2.0 will break for the Win and save humanity from their sins.
love hold lol
The player who’ll serve better will win the tie break. Fed’s been incredible in TBs this year.
One fan claps at berdy’s service winner.
Tepid applause for Berdy’s winner and ace to force the TB.
To the breaker. Has Roger lost one this year?
It’s been so long since I’ve seen Berdych like this. He is really in the zone.
haha…that was unnecessary from berdych. Good CC forehand from Fed though
Unbelievable, Berdych did not get applause for that fantastic DTL FH! Such a shame! And they now go crazy on his UEs
No one kisses the lines like #GOAT2.0.
Fed wins both points on TB’s serve.
Turning point of the TB.
Fed double faults are everywhere! All credit to Berdy’s ROS.
Yeah, he must be putting a ton of pressure on for Roger to serve that many DFs.
Oh FFS fedfawns suck.
Crowd be like ‘letsss go Rogerrr *clap clap* haha
Berdych showing a lot of composure here. Impressive.
Tomas zoning.
Shut them up Tomas.
It’s on berdych racket now. 5-4 mini break. Two serves!
Oh snap VR
On TB’s racquet.
Can’t believe I’m missing this. Must be a hell of a match. Tomas breaks and will soon serve for the set.
Fcukin’ A
DMP
Great kick serve, and then the backhand DTL! just the combo I was taling about earlier today .
Choke LOL.
HOW MANY TIMES!!!
6-6!! two MP saved. Tomas needs a second serve from Fed.
Tomas you let me believe.
Sayonara baby.
Congrats #GOAT2.0.
How many times! Poor Berdy…
Epic fail.
He never believed
Too funny.
Fedfawns are hilarious.
It’s fair to say,that was crowd pressure bringing about that DF. Pity.
Anyway, very clutch from Federer. This is what confidence can do for you!
Will have to see the tape when I get home, but did Fed play clutch there at the end or did Berdych choke?
Whaaaaa?
Great match though.
Tennis the way it was meant to be played. Match points excepted.
Did Fed epically choke serving for the match? Or did Berdych hit a bunch of winners?
Berdy just zoned in the moment with nothing to lose having lost so many times.
No I wouldn’t call it a choke. Let’s show respect to Berdych. Yes that forehand at 6-5 was makable but wasn’t like a cake forehand. He was falling back and the return was a decent one. He should have made it though. Then Fed served really well but that DF was BAD. I think he stopped believing after losing the Match points.
It is so hard to believe that you can actually beat the top guys, especially when you’ve lost so many times in a row. But Tomas must have played a hell of a match from the second set.
I think he stopped believing once he earned two MPs.
When it mattered he tighten up! An ace would have won him the match in the TB when he was 6-4 up. If it’s Fed he would not miss it; when it mattered the most, Berdych would! This is choking regardless of how well he played the whole match.
That’s what makes him da #GOAT2.0!!!
Again couldn’t execute in the big moments when it was on his racquet but played lights out otherwise.
Double faulted on his second MP ?
Berdych is a big big choker! He had it on his racket when he was 6-4 up in the TB, but he had to miss an ace and then hit Fed’s second serve return into the net! He just couldn’t serve a good ace to finish the job, when in the previous game he served so well to hold!
What a big joker and choker!! Fed was gifting him with all those DFs and poor serves for him to level the match, and he had to lose the TB by a DF! Really hopeless when it mattered after playing so well! What’s the point?
Would have made a great Weak Era player.
Capitulation is everywhere.
Fed was so overconfident, and than when he let Berdych in the match he was not that eager to grind it out. There is no worries about Fed level dropping, he is just not fresh anymore.
Not surprising, at 35. And he’ll have to play again tomorrow, right?
Yeah but he’s still the only player who could be undefeated on hard courts in 2017 having already lost a match on hard court.
Fedfawn revisionism is hilarious!
Damn. Where’s Asif when you need him.
This is comedy gold!
Wow… Crazy. Welp, both our predictions are still hangin on! 🙂 How you feelin currently about your pick? Still confident?
Previous comment was directed toward Hawkeye…
I’m probably more confident than you are with your pick ?.
Between the two, my pick is still playing significantly better with more confidence.
It might surprise you to know that I am more confident in Rafa at this point. Rafa has no reason to not make the final. Fed will probably be pretty tired tomorrow and will be at risk of losing to Kyrgios/Zverev, and if Fed wins that one, he’ll be even that much more tired. I think that a Fed/Rafa final here in Miami could go either way now that Fed is more tired and less on point. So I’m actually more confident in Rafa at the moment. Are you more confident in Fed beating the young gun than in Rafa beating Fognini?
Fed has a day off and that will help a lot so I’d write any tiredness off after today.
He’ll get the evening match on Saturday so heat won’t be an issue.
Sascha won’t take much out of Fed. Fed would win on two losing less that eight.
Kyrgios won’t take much out of him either but he could actually win.
So I don’t see Fed being tired on Sunday.
Rafa will have to up his current level to win.
But it would be on Rafa’s racquet for what that’s worth. Not enough these days.
Huh, that’s weird. When I looked at the Miami website last night, it said that both men’s semis were tomorrow… I’m not sure which would be better, having a day off before his semifinal match, or having the day off before the final. After today’s match, he might want the day off tomorrow. But I feel like anyone would want a day off before the final. Well, there’s another reason I think Rafa can take this title- he’ll be better rested than the other guy!
both semis are tomorrow.
That could make a difference somewhat.
But #GOAT2.0 transcends the concept of age.
He’s unageable!!!!
You’re right, VR. So Fed will be tired tomorrow then… I actually think he’d rather have the day of before the final as opposed to before semi.
I hope that tennis journalists will whine at least a year that Berdych, who had 2 match points, did not win the match. They are still whining that Zverev, who had a match point against Rafa in Indian Wells last year, lost.
http://www.flashscore.com/match/WWMkQKV4/#point-by-point;3
(speaking of whining…) ?
Fed could definitely lose the semi. This match looked like it was really long but it was not even 2 hrs!! 1 hr 57 mins
Hypothetically yes. Technically no.
Nick seems to touch his knee again and again so he may well surrender to Federer like he did last time when he withdrew due to food poisoning
Nick will be tired himself
Journalists won’t whine as much about Berdych because he’s a thirty-something year old veteran who has lost when having match points before… It was such a big deal with Zverev because he was just a kid and almost beat one of the big 4. Berdych choking against an all-time great is not big news. 18 year old Sascha Zverev being one point away from beating an all-time great is big news. Shouldn’t surprise you, really.
Yeah but as much as I hate to admit it. Augusta’s right.
#EveryDogHasItsDay
#FederazziAreEverywhere
No surprise there, Hawks. 😉
#AllABigConspiracy
#AlexJones
No. Just excessive fawning ?
Don’t bait me.
#SeniorWhiteHouseOfficial
#FalseEquivalenciesAreEverywhere
You gotta be willing to take it if you’re gonna dish it, Hawks! 🙂
Not to suggest you’re NOT willing to take it, unlike this old guy I know on twitter, Washington D.C…
IN Washington D.C…. Ya know, I probably didn’t even need to add the “Washington D.C.” part, did I?
I’d have left a long long time ago if I couldn’t.
Allez
If someone hasn’t seen OOP for Friday, here it is:
http://www.protennislive.com/posting/2017/403/op.pdf
That must be for me!
#Someone
It’s time again for….
Fed?
Or PseudoFed.
RT @vgibertini: Fed:”On the last point i thought ‘wow, df, really Tomas? You are too nice, I don’t deserve this”#MiamiOpen
He was taking a chapter out of Toni’s coaching book.
#BeingPolite
#OnlyChoking
A chapter from another family’s book:
http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/uploads/monthly_06_2012/post-37-0-77967000-1338927189.gif
Yet another of your made up stories about why he did that. ???
You’re absolutely nuts, Augusta… Did a Federer fan send you a meme of Rafa snapping at ball kids? Did a Federer fan break your heart at some point? I just can’t wrap my head around how someone could hate a person so much who has done nothing to you… All those pesky Fedfans who you claim to be so awful- do you realize that you are 100% exactly the same as them??
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hold it in anymore… Aside from saying good things about Rafa, you strictly troll Federer and his fans! Nothing else! I’ve seen you go to the Roger Federer page, just to talk shit about him! It just boggles my mind. If you’re going to hate someone, at least hate someone who has done more than break a couple racquets and yell a couple times. You don’t have to like him, but why do you have to devote so much of your time on here just trolling and hating? Why do you think there aren’t more Federer fans who comment on here? It’s because they see endlessly trolling their favorite player, and they think they’re not welcome!
You, and the Federer fan versions of you, don’t seem to realize that your respective heroes would be sickened by your endless trolling of another player…. That’s all.
Well put Kevin. Hard to ignore.
But from personal experience, be careful. It’s like a potato chip. Hard to eat just one.
BTW, that’s her goal. She doesn’t WANT fans of other players here.
Don’t give her that wish. This site has lost too many good fans like yourself because of the childish comments and nothing original to say about tennis. Ever.
Rock on Kev.
Keep calm and Vamos Fed.
Vamos Fed AND Rafa! I’m sick of this either/or shit haha. They’re both incredible tennis players, role models, humanitarians, and all-around humans beings. Just give respect where it’s due. That’s all I’m saying. Thanks though, Hawks. 🙂
Ditto man.
Kevin,
All I can say is Bravo to your post at 1:15am! It needed to be said by someone who is new to this site and not caught up in the back and forth. It’s true that we have lost fans if other players just because of this kind of mean-spirited behavior.
I just hope you stay here and keep in posting! We need fans of Fed, Novak, Murray and many others. That is what makes for great discussions.
I think you are spot on in pointing out the petty attacks on Fed. We should be able to celebrate these two tennis greats. I have no doubt that Rafa would be appalled to read some of the churlish things said about Fed. He has great respect for Fed. Always has. Rafa is a class act. We should follow his example!
The poster AT 1:37 AM shouldn worry, he is capable of filling all the bandwagons alone, especially when trolling Rafa & and his team (with his “original thoughts”).
Totally agree with Hawkeye!
@kevin, spot on!
It’s a pity that a behaviour of few here have always discouraged fans of other players.
It is really nice to some new fed fans posting here. You, Joe smith some others. I really like reading thoughts from you and Joe as you are fed fans and perspective differ more so that’s great.
I have always failed to understand Augusta08’s hatred for Federer and Djokovic. On the contrary Rafa has so much respect for both of them and she has this most RIDICULOUS justification that rafa is only being polite !! what the…. LOL
I urge the fed fans to keep posting 🙂 You must all feel welcome.
AT 2:27 PM,
I keep failing to understand your “original thoughts” about other posters.
Lol. no, there is nothing for you to understand so you’re not failing at it. What you are failing at is being repetitive and you can’t help it.
As far are original thoughts are concerned, I try to post them on tennis and not posters.
AT 2:54 PM,
Keep trying not to post “original thoughts” on posters!
?
AT 3:39 PM,
Difference being is those are your ONLY “original thoughts” here. 100% vs <1% for VR.
#FalseEquivalenciesAreEverywhere
HOW the F*** does Kyrgios keep hitting those between the leg shots?? they are clean winners!! he is a super talented shot maker.
Youthful exhuberance.
Sad that if he reaches the top, he will lose this from his game the same way Nole lost his playful nature on and off the court and earned him his djoker nick.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
It’s also the other way around hawks. To reach the top, you need to be serious af. lol
Shhh. Don’t tell Nole.
And I didn’t say nick wasn’t serious.
He finally is.
But eventually he’ll become more serious and lose some of that personality which is probably a necessary evil and eventually a long term potential hindrance.
But don’t get me wrong. That’s still a couple of years away at best.
Kyrgios. Just.
I. Am. A. Fan.
I actually saw him hitting one during the practice session too.He loves it.
Will see these two playing at the big stages a lot in the future. That’s for sure.
Yup. Said same yesterday.
But I’m not trying to take credit for saying it first lol.
Perfect tennis minds think alike.
#Humb1e
Just remembered that Fed had also had a walkover in IW. haha. Don’t think he’ll tired as such.
Dear Hawkeye, I am massively busy these days to launch my GAME in two weeks, hopefully. I couldn’t visit this website on regular basis, but it seems you are taking my comment about Federer remaining undefeated on remaining hard court matches he plays in its literal meaning. Dear When I mentioned Federer remaining undefeated, it didn’t mean that he would win every single match. It was a general gesture that he would dominate the hard court events. Just like when I thought in 2010 that Rafa would dominate the entire clay events. I did not think you would take it in its literal meaning. What I personally think Federer would win Cincinnati, Shanghai, US Open and WTF –if not all hard court events–. But if wins all the mentioned events, it would be nothing less than a complete domination on hard court….Although I think Federer could also grab slow Miami this year.
By the way, I like your funny commentary.
Aww Asif. You make My head get too fat.
So when you asked if Fed could possibly go undefeated in 2017 on hard court, you hadn’t forgotten he’d already lost but instead you were “only joking.”
Apparently you have that in common with Rafa! ?
You can not be serious..Lol…It was logical I was mentioning the domination on remaining hard court tournaments Feder would enter. But, your Hawk eye included the previous defeat that has nothing to do with remaining hard court events I meant to say.
Uh-huh.
Makes peRFect sense now.
#AsifItNeverHappened
Kyrgios with net +9 aces (9A-0DF); Zverev with net -3 (1A -4 DF). That’s half a set worth of games right there. Hard to overcome for Sascha.
What a horrible time violation call.
Damn. Zverev fends off a bunch of MPs to take the second set. Didn’t see that coming. If the kid can improve his serve he is going to be a monster.
I really enjoying watching these two young guys go at it. Good stuff! I am particularly impressed with Zverev’s mental toughness and how he hung in there in the second set to ultimately prevail.
Oh and btw, when Kyrgios was called for that time violation, he blurted to the umpire – you should give one to Rafa! It was a bad call, but I don’ t like Kyrgios bringing Rafa into it. Rafa has had more than his share of bad TV calls.
Yes, poor form to bring Rafa into it. But I think tennis needs a shot clock (not sure what it should be with the modern game). It would really improve things, imo, in the same way that Hawkeye (!)improved the game.
He had a point.
But Murray and Djoko are more guilty than Rafa these days.
Rafa has actually improved significantly in this regard.
As Cahill just said after Sascha’s bathroom break, tennis has the most inconsistent rules in sport.
No Kyrgios didn’t have a point. Rafa is not the issue here and certainly is not the worst offender. The point is that Rafa gets called for it. And what’s more, Nik knows it!
Yeah he did have a point. Rules are more lax for the big four.
Unbelievable TB! Such a treat to watch these two play!
Guess, this is a punishment to Nick for dragging Rafa into his time violation argument…will he ever learn first to respect other players…
Hawkeye, by the way did you see that today Nadal missed to championship points at 6-4 in Federer vs Berdych match. Can you decode what I mean? Or do you think I am being illogical here considering there was no Rafa today in that match; I mean I am afraid you would take this thing again in its literal meaning.
Correction: Hawkeye, by the way did you see that today Nadal missed TWO championship points at 6-4 in TIEBREAK in Federer vs Berdych match.
Methinks thou doth protest too much.
No, really, Asif, it’s ok. I believe you. Others mightn’t but I do. I really really do.
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Don’t know if one of them still have the energy to spar with Rog in semis…and i mean not only physically but mentally as well..This match sure drained them…
MA,
But they have youth on their side. I remember some thinking that Zverev might not be able to take on Stan after that tough three setter with Isner.
I mean, they could hit a wall after this match. These young guys don’t have the fitness of the big four.
Nny….Hehehe..Yeah,u could be right ma’am…but Stan is not Rog and Rog is no Stan…Honestly,i think Rog will go to the final once again..as impressive as Nick is atm..Rog has the advantage this time…and if i’m wrong,i will treat u to a virtual dinner for a month Nny!Wooohoo!!How’s that?
MA,
Oh you don’t have to treat me to dinner! It’s just between friends!
I think it should be a good match with Fed and Kyrgios. Fed has the experience and the confidence of playing well. Nik has the explosive game, great serve and attitude!
Nny…Virtual dinner of my version is a pictures of Pizza,or Seafood[lobster,shrimp,fish etc etc],or spagetti..hahahaha…it’s no trouble ma’am!
Yeah,it should be a good match but i still don’t have a good feeling regarding Nick..he seems have a knee issue and he maybe fatigue…but,let’s see how’s thing goes when the time come k?
I saw Nick mouth to his coach at the changeover that something hurt. It looked like he might be saying “hip”, but who knows…
Yeah it’s his knee.
Damn. please don’t withdraw again, Nick…
Well, unless he has an epic fail, looks like we’re getting Fed/Kyrgios!
Damn, Zverev is piiiiiissed…
Like Sanju said above, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick were to withdraw once again from a Fed match… He is definitely clutching at his knee and saying repeatedly that something hurts. It’s actually pretty crazy that he was able to come through this match. If he can just keep up the consistency and try to work on his fitness, he will be so much better off!
Yeah they were debating during the match who of the two to pick for having the better future.
Gilbert picked Kyrgios for bigger potential despite the risk.
But with two years younger, I think Sascha has both greater potential AND lower risk.
Nick to me doesn’t have the ideal body shape to avoid injury and could also walk away from the game prematurely.
But I’m a bigger fan of Kyrgios despite liking them both.
They might give us reason to watch after the big four are gone. Need a few more young guys to show up.
We’ve been spoiled for a long time.
Its pretty clear what happened. Kyrgios knows it was the wrong call for him to challenge, and feels bad he won it like that. His anger obviously directed towards the limesman, for not calling it, thus the situation would not appear. He wanted to win this fair and square. Typical Nick. Hope he gets over it.
he said so in his presser
I was hoping nick would win because he will give #GOAT2.0 a better match.
Hope his knee is ok.
Just don’t let Rog buy you any of those funky fruit smoothies before the match.
I was right that this second meeting would be better than the last. It had everything and was THE popcorn match of Miami. Two rising stars.
Oh how COULD I forget…. CONGRATS TO MEEEEE!
#HawkstradamusRising
Fed in 2 tomorrow…I think kyrgios may withdraw…
I truly hope that Kyrgios doesn’t withdraw because of the knee. That would be a real disappointment. Back-to-back tournaments? I sure hope not!
I heard the discussion on ESPN during the Kyrgios/Zverev match as to who to take for the better career. I would take Zverev. I think he has all the shots and just needs to bulk up a little bit with more muscle. From what they said, Zverev has a great team working with him. I think he has enormous potential. I really like how he stays in the fight and doesn’t quit when he’s behind or the going gets tough. I do think there is less risk with Zverev.
Kyrgios has shown me something in his recent matches. He is unbelievably talented. When he focuses on his tennis and just goes out there and plays, you realize that he’s got all the weapons. He does seem that be injury prone, so I think there is more risk with him. I also think his unpredictability and attitude could give him problems in his career. I wonder if he will even stick with tennis. You just don’t know with him.
For now I am just enjoying watching Kyrgios play the way he is capable of playing.
It would be a real shame if Kyrgios were to withdraw. I don’t think he will -not two tournaments in a row against the same guy. Even with the knee, he gives Roger a tougher matchup. Zverev, for a dude who is 6’6, just doesn’t have a good enough serve yet. A lot will come down to Roger’s serve and, especially, ROS. If Nick plays another match in which he doesn’t have to face a break point, he will be advancing to the final.