Shanghai Masters

[djarvik]

Manutoo should forbid in game the utilization of something which can only be considered as a bug.

That. Manu needs to make this return EXTREMELY risky. More so then anything. Lob is all about control, you need to have the ball at relatively lower pace so you can add the needed speed and "control" to make a lob. Serve is anything but THAT shot. No way you should be able to hit more then one lob return in 10 matches it is just too hard in real life.

As for "Right Now". Since they are not in the rules - they are not forbidden. We will certainly discuss this and see if we need to create a rule.

[Elias]

Well you can't hit a perfect top spinned lob from a first serve, right. But you can hit those flat lobs, just pushing the ball towards the skies (defensive lobs ?). I guess i saw this in real tennis sometimes, especially in doubles. Also in traingings (smash training, sparring sending back lobs), though those are not agressive lobs, obviously.

The problem is more assuming rules wich have not being defined in our matches rules. If this has to be defined as a rule then we'll add it, but for now nobody should enforce an opponent to observe a rule that doesn't exists.

=> So we have to discuss this subject and decide something clear about it.

I've myself not a clear opinion about it. I think abusing it would be cheesy. I also think a lob return here and there against a systematic S&V player doesn't especially shocks me, i think i did one or two vs you C4iLL @ UsOpen, and you smashed most of it without any problem (the autojump of a good volleyer is large enough it seems to reach most lobs pretty well ? ), but it was only defensive ones.

[djarvik]

Indeed, second serve returns and in doubles, the idea is to go over the opponent at the net into the open court, forcing the server to run up to that ball and likely not have enough time to hit a smash, thus hitting a stroke. At the same time, the returner takes that time it takes the lob to travel to position himself at the net, so now the returning team has 2 up formation and the serving team has one no-mans land and one back. Easy point for returning team if done right.

When it comes to training, exchanging lobs and smashes, that is simply just that - a high short lob, and a relatively slow smash with zero direction, just so returner can block it back and an exchange can happen. This is NOT reflective of reality of singles match.

In my opinion - there is no room for Lob returns in Singles matches. Not sure we need a rule for that though, it will have to be proven that these Lob returns are effective against Basliners. If you put away 9 out of 10 of them, then they are not effective, even if that 1 you didn't put away comes at a match point.

[Michael.D]

Semifinal 1

MichaelD def Kyuuji(1)

Set 1: Win the set 6-0 thanks to errors kyuuji
Set 2: Much better, he began making good points, I focus on what I do best, save a break point at 3-4 30-40, and then a set point at 5-6 30-40.
I was lucky

Stats
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/6391/sinttulobcc.png

dmo

[spencercarlos]

Semifinal 1

MichaelD def Kyuuji(1)

Set 1: Win the set 6-0 thanks to errors kyuuji
Set 2: Much better, he began making good points, I focus on what I do best, save a break point at 3-4 30-40, and then a set point at 5-6 30-40.
I was lucky

Stats
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/6391/sinttulobcc.png

dmo

Great summary, your longest ever.



PD. Lookslike the match really started in the second set. One of the many battles you will both have.

[VMoe86]

The last Nadal standing in Shanghai: VMoe86 (Nadal) defeats spencercarlos (Federer) 6-2, 7-6 (3)

Well, what can I say? I am very happy to give Nadal some glory on hardcourts. Let me give a short summary of the match.

First set, I was starting very well. I was hitting all shots well, forehand, backhand, used the spin nicely to force short balls, which I could put away. He was too passive and allowed me to dictate. I faced two break points, but otherwise was never in trouble on serve. He also did not go for much on his serve, so I could get control there, too, by using Nadal's spin and counter. I think he was like 3 winners and 14 errors in the first set, which tells the whole story, I guess.

Second set was much better from spencercarlos. He served better, played more aggressive and went for more. I definitely felt more pressure. The main point was the the BH to BH rallies, down the line, then cross court to the FH. I managed it well most of the time and held on serve until 3-2. There I had my first break points of the second set, chance to get to 4-2, but he saved one with an ace and the other one with a smart second serve (and thus a weak return from me). Chances gone and as it is in tennis so often, you pay the price -- I was broken and down 3-4. I think I made a couple of errors there, but not sure. He held for 5-3, and after 30-30 I did so to get to 4-5. So he had to serve it out: I hit a couple of good returns, he went for his shots, but they went out and I had triple break point! This was enough for me to get back in the set. I held comfortably for 6-5 and had 15-30 or 0-30 when he was serving to stay in the match, but he got out of it.

Thus a tie break had to decide the match. First point, I was serving and we had our typical rally: BH to BH down the line, I went cross court with the BH and he with his FH, but I run around the BH (did not do it often during the match) and unloaded the FH to Fed's FH, which turned the rally in my favour. Up until 3-3, both of us held on their serve. Then I got the first mini-break and a second one to win the tie break 7-3.

Good match spencercarlos, second set could have gone either way. Luckily it went my way, keeping in mind my deciding set record.

Next up is Fox. He is the favourite, no? Number 2, won Olympics, US Open, no? I'll have to be prepared very well to stand a chance.

Here are the stats:

[C4iLL]

Really nice performance Vmoe, it seems you have learnt from your previous "mental" errors
This may also confirm Nadal is a good counter to Federer in the good hands !

When I played with him, my goal was to make people do faults and regarding the stats, it's what you perfectly did. It's really not simple because you need to be very regular and fully focus.

[VMoe86]

Nadal reaches his first final: VMoe86 (Nadal) defeats TWM-Fox (Federer) 6-1, 6-2.

This was obviously a big win for me, because I lost five times to Fox before and the last two matches were really close against him, in the last one I was serving twice for the match and held match point on serve. So, finally breaking this losing streak was a good feeling.

So, about the match. My goal was to control the rallies, where Nadal obviously should be favoured. On serve I accomplished that by placing my first serve well with b1 serves. On return I used mainly the top spin return to get it deep, at least not that easy to attack when it was shorter. Obviously both of us hit frequently to the BH of each other, trying to open up the FH side. I defended very well on the BH side with spin and normal shots, whereas he used also slices down the line in addition to that.

Fox did not have a good day at serving and was not that patient during the rallies, whereas almost everything went my way, the decisions I made on court, for instance. And I wasn't giving up any point, always played at 100%, even at 5-1 in the second set when he was serving to stay in the match he was up 40-30 or 40-15, I got to a match point. I put the FH down the line a bit wide on my first match point, but I served the match out without much problems, in fact I did not face single break point!

Overall, very satisfied with this performance. Fox can play better, but he had a great run from Wimbledon until US Open -- surely he can summon that form again on another day, but tonight it wasn't meant to be and I'd trade this win tonight any day for a win at Olympics, for instance.

In the last Masters 1000 final in the pre-Voja era I'll face Michael.D, who has been crowned future #1 already by some players here. So, I have no chances, no? Will have to play as well or better to be competitive, no?

Here are the stats:

[C4iLL]

Awesome victory !
Fox only scoring 3 games with Fed, that's a surprise !

[VMoe86]

First title of the season: VMoe86 (Nadal) defeats Michael.D (Federer) 6-1, 6-3.

First of all congrats to Michael for an impressive winning streak and another final. There were some occasional lag/freezes in our final and at least to my impression, it was in balance for each player when it happened. He did not say anything to me, so I don't know what impression he had. I think the expectations were high on him, because he was on that incredible streak and just won against kyuuji.

Before I summarise the match briefly, I'd like to dedicate this title to Elias. The two of us have spent so much time playing TE against each other with various characters, very long sessions we had there. As a side-effect, it was the the best practice I could get. My game improved so much over time and it has been due to these sessions, which were always fun on and off the court. Besides, he has done so much regarding the ITST Mod, so I hope to auto-step back you to my current level.

There are of course other guys which inspired me with their games and to whom I lost several times: Elio, kyuuji and most importantly Fox, who was such a good rolemodel regarding footwork. Also thanks to everyone who supported me, I'm sure there were some.

It was time to step it up for me, I was so focused for every match in this tournament. In fact, I have been broken only once the whole tournament and did not face a single break point in my last two matches. Obviously happy, because the tour is so competitive these days.

Now about the match, which reminded me somehow of my match against Fox. In the first set, Michael started serving and I immediately got a double break point. He mistimed a BH on the first break point due to some lag, which is a pity. I then held for 2-0, he for 2-1 and from then on I found my rhythm and broke him a second time and maybe also his will for the first set with it. He was only slicing until the end of the first set, forehands, backhands, constantly. I simply was not making positioning errors on them and put them all away, after two or three accelerations of course, because Michael defends so well with Federer.

After winning the first set by breaking him again, I was certainly looking to break early, but finally he was playing more aggressive, serving bigger. He was holding his serve more easily now and in one service game I had to escape a 0-30 situation, that was the closest he was to a break point. At 4-3 then, I took a little step backwards on return and it worked, I got to a double break point. First break point was saved due to some weird netcord and then I mistimed my shot. Second one I made an error, I think. But I stayed focused, created another chance and took it. At the end I served it out without problems.

[Robbin92]

Congrats Moe!
Good to see you winning a title, you certainly deserved it for all the effort you put in the ITST mod.

[eliomelma]

Congrats Moe! You deserve this title! Impressive victory!

[Michael.D]

First title of the season: VMoe86 (Nadal) defeats Michael.D (Federer) 6-1, 6-3.

First of all congrats to Michael for an impressive winning streak and another final. There were some occasional lag/freezes in our final and at least to my impression, it was in balance for each player when it happened. He did not say anything to me, so I don't know what impression he had. I think the expectations were high on him, because he was on that incredible streak and just won against kyuuji.

Before I summarise the match briefly, I'd like to dedicate this title to Elias. The two of us have spent so much time playing TE against each other with various characters, very long sessions we had there. As a side-effect, it was the the best practice I could get. My game improved so much over time and it has been due to these sessions, which were always fun on and off the court. Besides, he has done so much regarding the ITST Mod, so I hope to auto-step back you to my current level.

There are of course other guys which inspired me with their games and to whom I lost several times: Elio, kyuuji and most importantly Fox, who was such a good rolemodel regarding footwork. Also thanks to everyone who supported me, I'm sure there were some.

It was time to step it up for me, I was so focused for every match in this tournament. In fact, I have been broken only once the whole tournament and did not face a single break point in my last two matches. Obviously happy, because the tour is so competitive these days.

Now about the match, which reminded me somehow of my match against Fox. In the first set, Michael started serving and I immediately got a double break point. He mistimed a BH on the first break point due to some lag, which is a pity. I then held for 2-0, he for 2-1 and from then on I found my rhythm and broke him a second time and maybe also his will for the first set with it. He was only slicing until the end of the first set, forehands, backhands, constantly. I simply was not making positioning errors on them and put them all away, after two or three accelerations of course, because Michael defends so well with Federer.

After winning the first set by breaking him again, I was certainly looking to break early, but finally he was playing more aggressive, serving bigger. He was holding his serve more easily now and in one service game I had to escape a 0-30 situation, that was the closest he was to a break point. At 4-3 then, I took a little step backwards on return and it worked, I got to a double break point. First break point was saved due to some weird netcord and then I mistimed my shot. Second one I made an error, I think. But I stayed focused, created another chance and took it. At the end I served it out without problems.

Congrats VMoe, Incredible match
Simply, you were better than me!
PD: Spencercarlos, que lindo partido, lo disfrute , (ganaste por el retardo triple hpta) TE PARECE SUFICIENTE?

[costiiforzaa]

Vmoe congrats! You are impressive this weeks and I think that right now you are the best in the tour! You have the biggest chance to win WTF for now! Great form!

[Elias]

Congrats 'Moe, finally it was waiting you @ Shangai , well deserved crown regarding your recent progress. impressive scorelines by the way against such players.