View Full Version : Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Abu Dhabi 29-31.12.11
The first tennis tournament after Xmas is Abu Dhabi (exho) starting on 29th December - taking part are Nole, Rafa, Roger, Ferru, Tsonga & Monfils. What a lineup! I wonder why Andy doesn't do this one? The organisers have obviously got plenty of money.
The first tennis tournament after Xmas is Abu Dhabi (exho) starting on 29th December - taking part are Nole, Rafa, Roger, Ferru, Tsonga & Monfils. What a lineup! I wonder why Andy doesn't do this one?
Didn't Andy get to the Final of Abu Dhabi in 2009 - and then decided to change it up in 2010 by playing with Laura in The Hopman Cup, which guaranteed 6 matches, some doubles practice, some light-hearted moments, and matches in Australian heat as his preparation for Melborne.
For those suffering tennis withdrawal symptoms, the first event of the year (in fact it's at the end of this year) is the Mubadala World Tennis Championships. Although it's only an exho, it features most of the top players (Nole, Rafa, Fed, Ferru, Tsonga, Monfils) and the players do seem to treat it fairly seriously (remember when Andy played there?). It's also our first look at these players coming into the New Year and invaluable for our Top 8 entries! Here is the website. (http://www.mubadalawtc.com/Home.aspx)
JAMES4578
28-12-2011, 07:34
Not long to go now for our first tennis fix for a while! I'm working myself the rest of this week but will be able to record as it's on Sky (starts 11am our time).
VamosVixs
28-12-2011, 14:33
Woo hoo can't wait! :swingin:
patmoren
28-12-2011, 15:35
Don't suppose there are any streams as it is an Exo.
RoastLamb
28-12-2011, 15:50
I didn't get it last year - on tv, I mean. The year Andy won it was pay-per-view only on my tv. Hope there is a free livestream but I don't recall watching the final last year at all where Rafa beat Federer.
VamosVixs
28-12-2011, 16:57
It's on sky here so I would assume there will be a stream.
I think I heard a rumour that Rafa has pulled out with a shoulder injury - anyone else heard that?
he is on site ATM
http://mypict.me/upload/images3/upload/0/332/139/332139729-500x500.jpg (http://mypict.me/upload/images3/upload/0/332/139/332139729.jpg) (http://mypict.me/upload/images3/upload/0/332/139/332139729.jpg)
patmoren
29-12-2011, 09:47
Live streaming from 12MD on livescorehunter.
In answer to your question, Alis, Rafa does have a shoulder injury, which has prevented him from practising his serve. There was a rumour that he might withdraw from Abu Dhabi because of it, but so far I have not heard that he has withdrawn.
Ferrer beat Tsonga 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
patmoren
29-12-2011, 13:21
Great start for Ferrer. JW on top for the first set then started making a lot of errors especially with his drop shots. Good match overall.
This is a very entertaining match between Nole and Monfils.
patmoren
29-12-2011, 14:18
Nole looks to be back on form, an easy first set 6-2
patmoren
29-12-2011, 14:35
Lost my stream!! Can't get it back so having to give up.
I'm watching on mypremium.tv
patmoren
29-12-2011, 15:04
Have you got a score Linda?
Djoko eventually won 6-2 in the third. Very entertaining exhibition stuff played in good spirits.
RoastLamb
29-12-2011, 16:27
Didn't know it was starting today. Oh well. Will look out for it tomorrow but it sounds as though it's too early for me. I hope Rafa doesn't play. Just pointless playing an exho if he's not anything less than 100%.
Rafa is scheduled to play against Ferrer tomorrow.
Can anyone tell me why Rafa and Federer were given a bye rather than Rafa and Djoko?
lankster2003
29-12-2011, 21:12
This 'tournament' does not interest me in the slightest to be honest
Rafa is scheduled to play against Ferrer tomorrow.
Can anyone tell me why Rafa and Federer were given a bye rather than Rafa and Djoko?
I've heard two different reasons - that Djokovic was a late entrant after the byes were handed out, and that Fed and Rafa got the byes because they're the finalists from last year. None of the reasons sound that convincing really, but as Djokovic isn't playing another tournament until the AO he probably doesn't mind that much playing more matches.
JAMES4578
30-12-2011, 07:46
A few good matches yesterday and should be interesing today with Nole taking on Fed and Rafa (looks like he will take to court) verus Ferrer. Though of course not quite the same as a tour event.
I think that the real reason that Fed and Rafa have the byes is that the contracts were done immediately after last year's tournament.
mypremium.tv just lost their connection to Sky. The livescorehunter stream is not as good :grrr:
Nole takes the first set. He's playing incredibly well.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 11:35
Adje Djoko!!! Looking very sharp.
He played really well yesterday, too, painting the lines with many of his shots. When his level lowered in the second set I think he did it on purpose to give the crowd three sets - he could afford to let Gael take the second as he was so sure of his winning the third. I suspect that he'll not be as generous to Roger - I expect he'll win in straights.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 11:41
Hope so too. SEND A MESSAGE TO HIM!
But do we want Nole getting another boost to his confidence before AO? :sofa:
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 11:44
The crowd are not liking this. Tee hee.
I don't mind really. I like him and I love the way he plays. Nothing but admiration.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 11:57
6-2 6-1 demolition Djoko!
Well, I can't say I'm happy. I don't want Nole winning virtually everything again this year!
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 11:59
Let's hope Andy can stop him, then! :)
MurrayAOne
30-12-2011, 12:17
Let's hope Andy can stop him, then! :)
Yeeees!!! GO ANDYYYY!!!!! ....never hurts to be prepared...cheer wise....
Poor Barry must be in shock. trying to play it down of course.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 13:16
I hope Rafa beats Ferru coz if he doesn't he'll have to take on Fed tomorrow. :sad:
JAMES4578
30-12-2011, 13:16
Certainly didn't expect that crushing scoreline, could there be a bit of a dent in Fed's ego! Maybe he wasn't putting everything into it though. Hope the 2nd match will be a bit closer.
good to see te djokeinator demolish the goat
rafa struggling 3-0
supergran
30-12-2011, 13:34
4-0 now for David
supergran
30-12-2011, 13:35
David 5-0 against Rafa!!
supergran
30-12-2011, 13:41
Rafa wins 2 games.
supergran
30-12-2011, 13:50
Ferrer wins 1st set 6-3.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 13:50
I think Rafa's strategy is to avoid Djokovic at all costs. :lol:
supergran
30-12-2011, 14:14
I agree...is Rafa injured though I'm taking nothing away from Daveed?
Yes SG, Rafa's had a shoulder injury for the past few weeks and hasn't been able to practise his serve. Daveed is playing very well too.
supergran
30-12-2011, 14:28
So Daveed wins 6-3, 6-2. Well done.
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 14:29
Sure hope Rafa thought it was worth it to play this exo. Coz I don't.
Well done Daveed. I wonder how he'll fare against Nole tomorrow.
least he will still get his appearance fee ;)
patmoren
30-12-2011, 14:33
I would agree but maybe he wanted to see how much he could take without further injury.
He still has to play Fed tomorrow in the 3rd place playoff. I think it was better to try out the shoulder here rather than in a real ATP tournament. Maybe he'll withdraw from Doha if he feels he's not ready.
Not good from Fed and Rafa today! Fed often doesn't seem to care much about this tournament but Rafa usually does put up a good level of tennis. But if he's not been able to practise much in the off-season then that would explain it. Watching the Andy/Rafa final from 2008 really showed the differences between Rafa then and now - he was so much more aggressive and played further up the court then.
Novak and Daveed played great today, really impressive tennis from both of them. :)
RoastLamb
30-12-2011, 16:53
Dunno if Ferru played that great, more like Rafa was crap. Whereas Djoko played amazing tennis and Fed just couldn't keep up. Djoko kept his shots nice and deep and Fed hates that. I reckon Fed will paste Rafa tomorrow. Sigh.
A very comprehensive win for Djoko today. Fed's successful run at the end of last season has been much vaunted but he didn't have a lot of opposition - much less IMO than Andy had on the Asian swing. It will be very interesting to see how he performs both in Doha and in the AO.
I just can't understand why Rafa is playing if his shoulder is still bothering him - surely he would be better to rest it and come back with a bang when fully recovered or is there something I'm not seeing here? Surely he can't be playing for the money!
I'm really looking forward to seeing how Djoko plays against Daveed tomorrow - is he really playing that well already? If so, then the rest of the tour had better take note!
Could 2012 be the year when Djoko and Andy dominate the scene? It's certainly possible.
Rafa takes the first set from Fed 6-1. Fed is really out of sorts.
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 11:45
Just woke up. Bummer I missed that first set. Glad Rafa won it.
Fed woke up when you did. This second set is very close.
Rafa won 6-1, 7-5. Both players still looking rusty.
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 12:40
Jolly good!
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 12:57
Going for Ferrer in this one.
I'm cheering for Ferrer but not hopeful.
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 13:00
Going for Djoko. When does it start? Can't get a livestream. Rafa/Fed turned into footie.
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 13:06
Not sure when it starts. I just keep checking channel. Must be on soon though.
I think it might be at 1.30. Not sure though.
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 13:14
Match has begun.
supergran
31-12-2011, 13:17
Good afternoon! Watched the first match, glad Rafa won. I'm supporting Daveed but not very hopeful......but you never know!!!
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 13:18
Volley not good.
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 13:18
Got a couple of Brits as commies. Djoko looking unstoppable already.
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 13:18
Good afternoon! Watched the first match, glad Rafa won. I'm supporting Daveed but not very hopeful......but you never know!!!
Me too!
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 13:21
Adje Djoko! :lol:
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 13:28
shot Daveeed!!!
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 13:44
6-2 Djoko. Looking mighty good!
And Nole a break up in the 2nd. But Ferru was in the same position against Tsonga and came back to win - so you never know.
RoastLamb
31-12-2011, 14:14
I think you do know with Djokovic. :lol:
Amazing stuff from Djoko to win Abu Dhabi 6-2 6-1. :clap: :clap: :clap: Just phenomenal tennis. Going back to bed.
Ugh. I can't understand why you're so happy about Nole playing so well. I remember when he & Andy started out together and I thought they would reach the top together - not that Nole would become all-conquering :sad:
supergran
31-12-2011, 14:32
Oh well, perhaps Djoko will weary soon!!!
Ugh. I can't understand why you're so happy about Nole playing so well. I remember when he & Andy started out together and I thought they would reach the top together - not that Nole would become all-conquering :sad:
I still think they will be at the top together at the end of this year - hopefully with Andy in front!
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 14:46
I still think they will be at the top together at the end of this year - hopefully with Andy in front!
Here! Here!
MurrayAOne
31-12-2011, 14:49
Oh well, perhaps Djoko will weary soon!!!
Doesn't need to dip. He can carry on playing as good as he is. Andy on top form can come through however Nole plays.
JAMES4578
31-12-2011, 14:55
Well Nole was pretty awesome, but fair to say he wasn't tested too much in the last few days! In the Australian he may be under a bit more pressure and hopefully Andy will be amongst his top challengers in 2012! Rafa did step it up today but still far from his best and whilst Fed fought back still seemed to be struggling somewhat!
VamosVixs
31-12-2011, 15:31
Looks like Nole has not lost any form over the break. Hopefully Andy can stop him dominating 2012.
supergran
31-12-2011, 17:57
Doesn't need to dip. He can carry on playing as good as he is. Andy on top form can come through however Nole plays. But I'd like a dip!:lol:
RoastLamb
01-01-2012, 01:14
Ugh. I can't understand why you're so happy about Nole playing so well. I remember when he & Andy started out together and I thought they would reach the top together - not that Nole would become all-conquering :sad:
He's a fabulous player. I'm gobsmacked sometimes at the shots he pulls out of nowhere. Incredible stuff. Still prefer Andy and Rafa - of course - but I still can find it in my heart to admire Djoko's tennis.
VamosVixs
01-01-2012, 01:57
You can't help but admire Nole's game. He is amazing to watch and at the moment the best in the world. As much as I admire what he achieved in 2011, I just hope he doesn't dominate 2012.
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