2014 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters...Monte-Carlo, Monaco

[don_budge]

The road to Roland Garros begins in Monte-Carlo...Rafael's personal sand box for the past nine years. Forget about the loss to Novak Djokovic last year...it was to no avail once they reached the coliseum in Paris. Nadal owns this place which for me is good enough reason to not like it.

Most of the top players are present and accounted for and there will be very few surprises as the order of the day resumes on the red clay. If it isn't going to be a rematch of last years final...who's it going to be?

Andy Murray is missing. Where is he? He has struggled since moving up the food chain in mens professional tennis. Grand Slam echelon. Perhaps the price of success was too much for him. Jerzy Janowicz and Kevin Anderson were seeded players...key operative word is were. Gone...already sent packing. Tomas Berdych has scooted out to the third round...but don't tell klacr. We don't want to get his hopes up. Again.

Speaking of klacr...any serve and volley tennis will have to be put on hold for at least another month...that is until the tour veers off of the path of red clay in front of it. I hope to collide with the tour in Paris. Wouldn't that be fun?

[klacr]

don_budge,

Thanks for starting Monte Carlo thread. One of the most beautiful tournaments and locations there is. The serve and volley I did see was from Michael Llodra who took out Janowicz 6-4, 6-2 and Radek Stepanek who took out Karlovic 6-1, 6-2.

Patrick Rafter and Tim Henman both made it to the semis of the French Open playing serve and volley. It's not impossible. Certainly you must bemore patient and quite selective in your shots but it's not unfathomable.

Djokovic has a bit of a wrist injury. It was taed up in his match against Montanes. Rafa is Rafa. We may see a Djokovic-Nadal final again. No doubt Rafa owns this tourney though. If Djokovic can beat him again perhaps a seed of change will be planed. But winning 8 of the last 9 years is a remarkable feat for any player.

Berdych stepped up his level when he needed to. His opponent Dimitry Tursunov played a very good match but Tberd showing why he's #5 in the world and hopefully moving up even higher. don_budge you started it so now this thread will be sprinkled with Berdych updates and references. Sorry.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

The road to Roland Garros begins in Monte-Carlo...Rafael's personal sand box for the past nine years. Forget about the loss to Novak Djokovic last year...it was to no avail once they reached the coliseum in Paris. Nadal owns this place which for me is good enough reason to not like it.

don_budge,
Djokovic has a bit of a wrist injury. It was taped up in his match against Montanes. Rafa is Rafa. We may see a Djokovic-Nadal final again. No doubt Rafa owns this tourney though. If Djokovic can beat him again perhaps a seed of change will be planed. But winning 8 of the last 9 years is a remarkable feat for any player.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Nadal got out of jail the last two times against Djokovic at Garros. Both matches had a story behind them. Maybe this time there will be no story and Djokovic may usurp the tough Spaniard. It's possible. And tennis could do with it.

[gzhpcu]

Just watching Dimitrov vs Ramos. Dimitrov hits swinging volleys straight down the middle with a high bounce which pose no problem for Ramos... but Dimitrov wins in the end (3 sets though...)

[gzhpcu]

Just subscribed to the ATP Tennis TV, and am watching the Monte Carlo matches. Just love it! Great resolution, and like the replay feature for missed matches...

[klacr]

It is an awesome site Phil! Love Tennis TV.

I was hoping for a better performance for Dimitrov against Ferrer. Ferrer in complete control. Berdych vs. Guillermo Garcia Lopez coming up next, as always, love Tberd's chances.

Nadal crushes Seppi, Wawrinka has a walkover against Almagro but his performance against Cilic in the 2nd round was damn impressive, a 6-0, 6-2 destruction against a very capable Cilic sends a message. Will be interesting to see the Raonic-Wawrinka match tomorrow.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

David Ferrer gave an awesome performance today to take out Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-4 in quarters.

Stan Wawrinka took out Milos Raonic. With Nadal's exit, Could this tournament be Djokovic's title for the taking? Watching Federer and Tsonga right now. Very preicatble pattern of play with Tsonga hitting everything to the Federer backhand. Federer content to chip it back but will probably have to pull the trigger for that backhand down the line to keep Tsonga honest and from keep him away from camping in the ad corner.

Djokovic is playing Guillermo Garcia Lopez who upset someone yesterday I shall not mention. Djokovic has lost only two games on his way to the quarters and has not been on the court for more than two hours. Djokovic in very fine form.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

Watching Federer and Tsonga right now. Very preicatble pattern of play with Tsonga hitting everything to the Federer backhand. Federer content to chip it back but will probably have to pull the trigger for that backhand down the line to keep Tsonga honest and from keep him away from camping in the ad corner.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Tsonga has started to find a terrific length to go up 4-2. Good ploy. Hit to a length and make sure you stay outside of Federer's five shot rally territory. It's better to get in the longer rallies with Federer...you then have more chance.

[stotty]

Tsonga now a set and 2-1 to the good. He's playing really well. He'll win if he keeps it up.

[klacr]

Tsonga now a set and 2-1 to the good. He's playing really well. He'll win if he keeps it up.

Hitting every serve and 80% of groundstrokes to Federer's backhand and Federer being 0/10 on break point chances is a major contributor.

Federer clearly frustrated. Just got a ball abuse warning. Never saw that happen before.

Here's a crazy idea, Maybe Federer should start getting to the net. Serve and volley perhaps. Tsonga's returns have not been brilliant. He needs to manufacture a spark. He's had plenty of opportunities with Tsonga chipping back many returns. Fed content rallying from the baseline. Put the pressure on the Frenchman.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Make that 0 for 11 on Break point chances. Tsonga doing a good job of staying composed. I'll be surprised if Federer lets Tsonga get away with this match in straight sets. Hoping for a 3rd.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

Hoping for a 3rd.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Me too...

[stotty]

Great second set...terrific. I won't see the third...got to pop out...keep me posted, Klacr

[klacr]

No one misses 16 break point chances in a row!

Federer capitalizes on his 16th break point chance. How'd he do it. By moving into the net of course. Roger can thank me later. He was clearly reading my tweets.

Federer hit 77% of his shots from behind the baseline in that first set. In the 2nd set he began drifting forward hitting just 67% of his shots from behind the baseline. Federer up 3-0 now in the 3rd set.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Make that 4-0!!!

Roger in the driver's seat. Tsonga a broken man.

Forget about the 0 for 16 break point conversation rate. In the 3rd set he's 2 for 3. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton