Valencia Open

[Cerji]

Cerji def. Michael.D 6/4 6/4

Well he started the match pretty well winning his first two service to love and being agressive on return.
Then at 3-3 we had a long game and i had 3 BP but he saved them all.
He had a bad game at 4-4 and i broke him to love and closed it out on my serve to win 6-4.

Even though the score is the same in the second, it was a bit easier for me i felt like i was better in rallys and i was dangerous on all his service games.
He played some great points when i was serving for the match though, and i had to save BP on that game so i'm still happy i managed to win it 6-4

[Robbin92]

Robbin92 DEF. Algo4 6-7 7-6 7-6

It was incredible match. First set I had the feeling I wasn't only playing Algo, but also the net cord; without exaggeration I think he had about 12-15 net cords. Though I created two break points, but Algo worked one away with an ace and on the other I made a stupid error. I didn't had any problems on my service and we went to the tiebreak. Here Algo took a quick 4-0 lead by mixing his play very good. I came back one minibreak, but it wasn't enough as Algo finished it on his first setpoint.

In the second set Algo was the one who had a break point, but I could work it away and we went to another tiebreak. Algo again took a quick minibreak, but I was able to take it back immediately. At 4-4, how suprisingly, the net cord this his trick giving Algo seemingly the decive minibreak. Algo aced for 6-4 and I almost already was accepting defeat. But somehow I managed to work away the two match points and even take the set due to a BH error of Algo.

In the third set I finally forced the first break of the match and I was leading 3-1 when Algo served again. I missed about 3 or 4 breakpoints this game and in the next game Algo showed me how to be efficient, he broke me back first opportunity he had this set. At 4-4 I again created a break point, but Algo worked it away and a third set tiebreak had to be played. Remembering myself the Cincy final against Fox which I won trough three tiebreaks as Berdych against Federer I went in to the tiebreak with confidence. For the first time we both achieved to hold my first two service points, after which I placed the first minibreak. Now playing at a good level I had the confidence to steal another minibreak and serve it out!

Looking forward to play the conquerer of Michael, I'm the underdog

[VMoe86]

First day members of the tour meet once again: VMoe86 (Wawrinka) defeats eliomelma (del Potro)

Always nice to play against Elio, who was here from the start, did good promotion and had my number in the early days. I remember vividly how he was breaking me down in the clay season with his defence, fighting for every ball. Back then I gave him in the errors, but not so today.

Del Potro's serve and forehand are a lethal combination, so I tried to neutralize it as much as possible on returns, move him around and then pound on the short balls. Thus I quickly got to a 4-0 lead in the first set, but Elio was starting to play better, hit with more authority. So he deservedly got the following two games, although I hardly got a first serve in at 4-1, but on the break point I had good first serve which he returned brilliantly to force an error. After the match he thought I gifted these games, but I can assure that I don't do such things. In order to stop that little run I put high focus in the next return game and it paid off, another break. Serving the first set out was not problematic at all.

Second set I started well in the first return game, but Elio managed to hold. Until 2-2 it was all serve, even good returns did not help. At 2-2 I got a look with 0-30, broke and ran away with the match.

My goal here was to reach the SF, which I have accomplished with this win. Everything else is a bonus, lets see how far I can carry Wawrinka here. I definitely won't surrender easily, even if there is a Federer or Nadal on the other side of the net.

[eliomelma]

First day members of the tour meet once again: VMoe86 (Wawrinka) defeats eliomelma (del Potro)

Always nice to play against Elio, who was here from the start, did good promotion and had my number in the early days. I remember vividly how he was breaking me down in the clay season with his defence, fighting for every ball. Back then I gave him in the errors, but not so today.

Del Potro's serve and forehand are a lethal combination, so I tried to neutralize it as much as possible on returns, move him around and then pound on the short balls. Thus I quickly got to a 4-0 lead in the first set, but Elio was starting to play better, hit with more authority. So he deservedly got the following two games, although I hardly got a first serve in at 4-1, but on the break point I had good first serve which he returned brilliantly to force an error. After the match he thought I gifted these games, but I can assure that I don't do such things. In order to stop that little run I put high focus in the next return game and it paid off, another break. Serving the first set out was not problematic at all.

Second set I started well in the first return game, but Elio managed to hold. Until 2-2 it was all serve, even good returns did not help. At 2-2 I got a look with 0-30, broke and ran away with the match.

My goal here was to reach the SF, which I have accomplished with this win. Everything else is a bonus, lets see how far I can carry Wawrinka here. I definitely won't surrender easily, even if there is a Federer or Nadal on the other side of the net.

Yep nice to play against Moe again, in clay season i gave him some bad days but today's ha is a new player, a wall that know how to do in every moment of the match . He is now simply in another level, don't surprise for his results. I am happy to see this because we thought that in managames forum there were players who play TE from many years and they were unreachable for us that begin to play 8 months ago. But isn't true , our older players, Elias ,Moe , c4ill reached in this months a level reached after years of play. So for the newers is a good example , how to train hardly, give high results !
Good luck in next matches

[spencercarlos]

Spencercarlos def TW FOX 6-3 6-3.

Well lets not get carried away here, FOX did not play his best and he probably carried on his form of the last couple of losing matches to this match.

At first he started dictating very well, he was winning his service games easily almost losing no points and i had to save a couple of deuce games and 15-30 games. But at some point at 3-3 i was able to hang in there a long game where he had some game points, until i reached break point and got the break.

I served for 5-3 then found myself in a good position on his service game, and another deuce game and got the break for the set.

In this set he got to the net several times, pretty much since the beggining probably trying some new strategies, and i was able to pass him especially on important points (to get to break points and stuff).

In the second set things got better for me as i started serving and was winning my service games with more ease as the match went on, at 1-2 he saved a 0-30 situations, then at 2-3i he saved another 15-30 game with some great play, but then at 3-4 i got to another break point which i took.

Converting in all break points was crucial today. Then at 5-3 served for the match, he got to save one match point but then a forehand winner sealed the deal.

To sum things up he started better than me and he dissapeared as the match went on, whereareas i improved tons as the match went on, and was able to serve really well today and convert 100% of break points, which is all you can ask in a match like this.


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[C4iLL]

@Fox : it's interesting you tried to come to the net, but in my opinion with Federer, it depends on the player you have in front of you. As Carlos is one of the top passing shot guy of the tour, it was then not the best tactic I think ^^

[TWM-Fox]

Well honestly C4iLL i think the one who deal the best with lags won the match. I could not keep my serve as i couldn't mostly return as i wanted. Most of my return was simply neutral aiming the middle of the court. And could not have enough impact at volley as i had the same problem with neutral shot.

I usually adapt my game to those condition after 4-5 games but i simply didn't managed the whole match unlike Spencer who was pretty strong on the baseline. Indeed he made some big fault due to those lags, but he still could maintain an offensive ame.

I already played Spencer in exhibition, and i wasn't really expecting that large win from him. The game condition was pretty bad, he simply managed with it better than me so he won. But i really think my tactic would have work especially it as already worked against him in the past in exhib match. I played one set just after against Kyuuji and i lost 7-6, and i just played the same way.

I think my game was pretty well on tract but unfortunatly i I couldn't play my tennis. This is part of the game, would have prefer to play Spencer just like in the same condition with had before. But i'll have my rematch next time

[costiiforzaa]

vlad def me 7/5 7/6

EDIT by VMoe86: Sorry, but this is a private matter. I have taken note of it and it will be discussed, but the next time just send a Private Message to the tournament's host (in this case me ).

[C4iLL]

Quarter final, Carlos vs C4iLL = 6-3, 7-6.

Carlos dominated the match as he won his serve 40-0 and me always struggle, saving break point, winning it often 40-30.

Fortunately I served really well today and that helps me a lot, but my returns were really bad... That allowed him to score a lot of points in 2 shots and gives him confidence. He got a break by playing an amazing point, catching a smash etc ^^

I could have lost the second set 6-0, but I always managed to save my service. At 6-5 for me, for the first time I had an opportunity to make a big hold-up as we were 30-a and I felt his level lowered a bit. I would have laugh if I would have won a set by playing at such a level ^^

But he stayed calm and we went to tie-break.

In the tie-break, the best guy, who wanted it the most, logically won it. If I would have won this set, it would have been unfair ^^

[spencercarlos]

Quarter final, Carlos vs C4iLL = 6-3, 7-6.

Carlos dominated the match as he won his serve 40-0 and me always struggle, saving break point, winning it often 40-30.

Fortunately I served really well today and that helps me a lot, but my returns were really bad... That allowed him to score a lot of points in 2 shots and gives him confidence. He got a break by playing an amazing point, catching a smash etc ^^

I could have lost the second set 6-0, but I always managed to save my service. At 6-5 for me, for the first time I had an opportunity to make a big hold-up as we were 30-a and I felt his level lowered a bit. I would have laugh if I would have won a set by playing at such a level ^^

But he stayed calm and we went to tie-break.

In the tie-break, the best guy, who wanted it the most, logically won it. If I would have won this set, it would have been unfair ^^

Thanks C4ill indeed it was a tought match, you made 17 errors in set one if i remmember correctly and i had made 5, but i guess we both did not play that good of a second set.

Anyway good battle always tought against you.

Now Cerji Hope not to be destroyed 6-0 6-0

[VMoe86]

The clash with Cerji is set: VMoe86 (Wawrinka) defeats vlad449 (Federer) 7-6 (8), 6-1.

The last time Vlad and I played I did not provide a full report, but since then he learned how to behave and improved his game from the baseline. So, as a reward I give a match report.

First set, he started serving and I got to deuce in that first service game. This was the closest I could get to a break chance for quite some time, because afterwards he served quite well and backed up his serve with good aggressive play, which is always nice to see. At the same time, I took care of my serve with a couple of holds to love. Suddenly, serving at 3-4, I found myself double break point down. I saved the first one, but not much I could do on the second one. So, Vlad was serving for the first set, but certainly I wanted him to earn it. I put good returns in play, he had a couple of second serves and I had two chances to break back. First one, saved by a good one-two punch, second one I took control of the point via a second serve and took my chance, phew. Serving for 5-5 was easy then, but he also held easily for 6-5. The pressure shifted back to me to force a tie break. We got 30-30, when we had a huge rally, in which he kept the ball in play, stamina depleted and finally he made an error. The next point was easy compared to that and so we had a tie break.

There, I was the first one to get a mini break, but he got it back and so it all stayed on serve until 8-8, where I was finally able to take advantage of a second serve, get a mini break and thus set point on my serve. I felt like I was lucky to win this set, in the end I toughed it out.

Second set I got the early break and was up quickly 2-0. I guess, this was due to him losing a huge first set. I took advantage of this less consistency and played really well, hardly in danger on serve anymore. So I ran away with the second set (and thus the match) quickly.

Good match Vlad!

In the final one streak will end: Cerji's or mine. Either way, it should be a good match.

[VMoe86]

The streak is over, long live the streak: VMoe86 (Wawrinka) defeats Cerji (Federer) 6-0, 6-2.

Obviously happy to have won here in Valencia, but I felt a bit less satisfaction because Cerji was not there for a set and a half. I did what I had to do, but it still needed to be very well executed. Maybe pressure got to him, he had a bad day, I don't know. It happens in tennis, though, so it was maybe not that spectacular for the audience. Better luck next time, Cerji!

The first set went over quickly: He was making quite some errors or bad shots and I could dominate. Sometimes I was also lucky, with the net cord. I did not show any mercy, after all this is competition. I was looking to start well in the second set and I did, because his level did not increase immediately there: I got up with a double break for a 3-0.

Then Cerji got into my service game for the first time really and broke with some fine shotmaking. He was now playing more aggressively, making less errors, moving well. So I knew this was not over, yet. It's also not easy to see your opponent increasing his level, so I remained calm and held comfortably for 4-2 (after he consolidated the break). Somehow I managed to get another break point at 4-2 up and he attacked the net, I passed him, and it was looking really good for me now. Well, he was still fighting, and when I served for the match, we got to a 0-30. I got out of it with good serving, giving me the returns I wanted.

Now I can fully focus on Paris, where some tough tasks are awaiting.

[eliomelma]

Wow !!!ELO BATTLE!!congrats again, tour tennis now is amazing!!!