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Post by davis on Aug 4, 2007 1:37:54 GMT 3
This was no surprise after two tough three set wins over people ranked around No. 100. He's not good enough to keep up with the top players right now (and Monfils is one whenever he keeps his focus) - I keep my fingers crossed that working with Gumy will change that in the not too distant future (i.e. the Fall indoor season). Until then it's probably best to lean back, enjoy, watch the progress, and keep expectations at bay. P.S. If you get tired of seeing him lose, watch some old matches. I enjoyed part of his thriller against Roger at the AO 05 for the umpteenth time last night (I use Marat as distraction during workout - really keeps me going  ). The 4th set is just mammoth! One wouldn't think the Marat back then and the Marat today are the same players, though... P.S.2: I'm off on holidays now so I'll miss the whole of Montreal.  Keep your fingers crossed for me as well, please. Good luck Marat, at least kick Soderling's ass (and give Rafa a little bit of trouble...). |
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rafa
Junior Member
Papa was a rolling Tsar
Posts: 65
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Post by rafa on Aug 4, 2007 1:50:59 GMT 3
I don't know, I thought the second half of the draw was pretty much wide open. I don't particularly rate Monfils either, he had a lot of potential but hasn't been ranked higher than 42 this year.
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Post by davis on Aug 4, 2007 2:21:39 GMT 3
I don't know, I thought the second half of the draw was pretty much wide open. I don't particularly rate Monfils either, he had a lot of potential but hasn't been ranked higher than 42 this year. Well, rafa, Marat isn't ranked No. 22 because he plays well at the moment - he just hasn't played as abysmally bad as last year so he keeps his position so far. And while Monfils is one of those eternal talents who don't seem to find any consistency, any player in the Top 50 is more than just a theoretic threat to our Russian at the moment (remember Lee ...?). Don't get me wrong, I support Marat and I'm not mad or frustrated; I just don't see the point of being overly optimistic about his current situation. Marat has always been dubbed the prodigy, the guy with the most talent, and while in theory all this still applies, he was injured for a long time, he is getting older, other players have caught up to his power play, and he has huge problems of finding his game in general (ergo the hiring of Hernan Gumy). I don't see him being able to win tournaments right now (not that I wouldn't love to be wrong...). So calling a draw wide open seems reckless to me at this point in time. Anyway, I do believe he'll improve again - just give it time. And now, after this long ramble, I'm definitely off for the next week or so. Have fun all of you and enjoy the next Masters Event! ;D |
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rafa
Junior Member
Papa was a rolling Tsar
Posts: 65
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Post by rafa on Aug 4, 2007 3:16:28 GMT 3
Actually Monfils is ranked outside the top 50 at the moment and has had 10 first round exits this year alone. Also, it turns out that the second half of the draw was pretty much wide open as the finalist from this half will either be the 54th or the 416th in the world.
Marat didn't play so abysmally last year at Washington, he reached the semis only to lose to the eventual champion. Although he hasn't had a great deal of points to defend this year, he still had to gain points and that has ultimately gained him his current ranking.
I don't think by saying the second half of the draw was wide open or that I don't rate Monfils is being particularly over-optimistic. Whilst he has problems with his game he is still a talented player just outside the top 20, maybe it's a case of don't be too pessimistic and write him off.
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Post by maryb on Aug 4, 2007 12:13:04 GMT 3
I think Monfils has suffered the same fate as the Big Yin, lack of confidence in his career, not lack of ability. Unfortunately, Monfils found his in this match! Bugger.  Oh well, get your Big Bird outfit washed and ironed for Montreal. And start working on the heid and the footwork again. |
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Post by Anne on Aug 4, 2007 12:58:00 GMT 3
Sad that Marat lost but I'm not worried yet.. I think Marat is already improvig a lot in my eyes, so let's take it step by step..!
Soderling.. mhmm.. a tough player but I've got faith in you Marat!
kisses
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Post by Jehaan on Aug 4, 2007 20:40:35 GMT 3
Aww poor Marat but to get past the third round is an achievement anyway! don't know if this has been mentioned before, but has anyone noticed the mini video clip on the main page of the tournament website... www.leggmasontennisclassic.com/ it has andy roddick, the bryans and marat talking about why they love the tournament and marat comes out with 'the american girls' with a smirk on his face...made me laugh! |
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Post by jenhatter06 on Aug 5, 2007 5:47:39 GMT 3
Monfils/Isner SF .... wowee! what a match!!!! Incredible stuff -- both players gave it their all, tons of great shots and rallies -- both were so much fun to watch  .... they stayed toe-to-toe with each other til the very end ..... and Isner -- he is having one heck of a spectacular week! It's only his 2nd ATP tour-level event, after winning college championships in May, a Futures tourney in June and a challenger in July .... and what a trooper he is too -- all 5 matches this week went down to 3rd set TBs (10 out of the 15 sets this week have been TBs) !! No matter what happens tomorrow, this is a week to remember for him!  |
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Post by iluvsafin22 on Aug 6, 2007 8:30:01 GMT 3
D.C. was ahhh---maaaazzzzing....such a small venue...nobody around... I commented to my buddy where do i have to i be when Marat walks in,,,swear to God ... 2 sec.s later I turn around and there he is...ALONE....he checked in...kicked the door it was stuck....came over to me signed my ball with a " oh mygod idon't have a sharpee' I askjed him if he was nervous(idiot)...he looked me dead in the eyes & said .." Why would I be nervous" ...breathe breathe breathe....i said (something retarded)..bcuz you're in my country America...... I had all the opportunity to be clever and fabulous ,,, but I was awestruck or as my friend who snapped my picture of my most exquisite shoulder blades....said , "frozen:"....true that....because I was speechless he left and I went right to the bar ...big shot....waited for my hands to quit shaking.....watched practise....with a wasps nesting in the fence right where I was...didn't care....people swarmed him as he was leaving I hung back ...introduced myself to his partner he signed my ball,,, he said I'm nobody famous and I said I perfectly aware of that...Hernan was his name .. I'm assuming it still is...new coach and all...met Lars...love Lars the ump....saw Marat defeat Hernych? WHO?...looking absolutely gorgeous and sweaty... shook his hand minutes after winning from the first row...he smiled grandly and wasn't until later I realized he was so eye level with my cleavage...well done... ...so, thats my Marat story... so trying to go to cincinatti...any help would be appreciated and when I get the photos I d be happy to share...peace
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Post by Annie on Aug 9, 2007 16:12:20 GMT 3
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Post by davis on Sept 1, 2007 19:52:08 GMT 3
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Post by hipponette on Sept 1, 2007 20:11:18 GMT 3
Oooh! Puuuuurrrty shirtless pics ;D
Thanks so much!!!! *sigh*
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Post by jenhatter06 on Sept 2, 2007 3:22:02 GMT 3
very (sun-burnt) HOT ;D  |
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). The 4th set is just mammoth! One wouldn't think the Marat back then and the Marat today are the same players, though...
Keep your fingers crossed for me as well, please. Good luck Marat, at least kick Soderling's ass (and give Rafa a little bit of trouble...).
.... they stayed toe-to-toe with each other til the very end ..... and Isner -- he is having one heck of a spectacular week! It's only his 2nd ATP tour-level event, after winning college championships in May, a Futures tourney in June and a challenger in July .... and what a trooper he is too -- all 5 matches this week went down to 3rd set TBs (10 out of the 15 sets this week have been TBs) !! No matter what happens tomorrow, this is a week to remember for him! 
