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		<title><![CDATA[GrandSlamFantasyTennis.com Forum - Now that the draws are out]]></title>
		<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/146/now-that-the-draws-are-out/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent posts in Now that the draws are out.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:44:17 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/898/#p898</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I stand corrected.  Still, it's one thing to beat Rafa on hard courts and another altogether to beat him on grass.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:44:17 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/898/#p898</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/897/#p897</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[quote=DonDenman]Murray was well on his way to beating Rafa before Rafa retired in the Aussie BECAUSE RAFA WAS INJURED and for no other reason.  Otherwise, Rafa would have beaten Murray as usual -- just as he will Friday if he's healthy.  Unless Rafa's injuries flare up, Murray will be lucky to win a set.  Or so I think.  

Most of the people at the top on the men's side now had Murray in the finals before the tourney started.  He has done nothing to make them think they chose badly.  I think they're wrong.  We'll see. 

The Djokovic/Berdych match should be close.  Both are playing extremely well.  The match will come down to a few big points.  I'm sure most people will pick the Djoker because of their past matches.  I think that's the wrong reason, because Berdych is a different player now than he was last year or any time earlier.  However, Djokovic is #1 at getting serves into play and he has a lot more big match experience.  Those are legitimate reasons to favor him slightly.[/quote]

I just want to comment on the Aussie Open thing here. I saw the first set and a half of that live (came on at like 3:30 AM). There was absolutely, positively no way Nadal was walking out of that match a winner. He came into the match fired up, seemingly injury free. The match was quality stuff from the beginning, and Nadal went up an early break if memory serves. Murray then broke right back and took control of the set. Nadal was into the set from the get-go, even screaming "come on" in English, which is something I never heard him do before that and have never heard him do since. There were no signs of injury at all. Murray was the better player, period. Murray won the first set 6-3. I turned off the match and went to bed with the score probably 4-3 or something. I saw no signs of injury, and I was disappointed that I had to turn off a quality match. I tuned into the highlights the next day, and Rafa started looking labored in the second set breaker. He lost that breaker and retired shortly after.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:38:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/897/#p897</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/896/#p896</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Good analysis of the Djokovic/Berdych match.

I was under the impression that Nadal was fine going into the match with Murray in Australia, but it was after the second set (both of which he lost) that his injuries flared up, and he had to retire.  If you look at the way Rafa was playing that first set, in particular, I don't think there is any way you could say that he was injured going into it.  Rafa and Murray were both playing awesome tennis; both were playing fantastic defense and offense.  Murray was just playing even that much better that day ... the best I had ever seen Murray play ever (his performance in the final, then, was baffling to me, however).  If Murray employs the same strategy as he did in Australia against Rafa and if he executes that game plan effectively, I think Murray has the potential to beat even a healthy Rafa.

But we'll see.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Camdawg)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:32:50 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/896/#p896</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/895/#p895</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Murray was well on his way to beating Rafa before Rafa retired in the Aussie BECAUSE RAFA WAS INJURED and for no other reason.  Otherwise, Rafa would have beaten Murray as usual -- just as he will Friday if he's healthy.  Unless Rafa's injuries flare up, Murray will be lucky to win a set.  Or so I think.  

Most of the people at the top on the men's side now had Murray in the finals before the tourney started.  He has done nothing to make them think they chose badly.  I think they're wrong.  We'll see. 

The Djokovic/Berdych match should be close.  Both are playing extremely well.  The match will come down to a few big points.  I'm sure most people will pick the Djoker because of their past matches.  I think that's the wrong reason, because Berdych is a different player now than he was last year or any time earlier.  However, Djokovic is #1 at getting serves into play and he has a lot more big match experience.  Those are legitimate reasons to favor him slightly.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:28:55 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/895/#p895</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/894/#p894</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I was also worried once Soderling won the first set that Nadal would lose, but Nadal stepped it up big time.  Nadal seemed very confident in his serving, and I think it helped him get an edge in the match.  To me, I think Soderling has to learn to find a different game plan when things aren't working, and remain mentally tough and focused.  This is easier said than done, but I think until that happens, he won't win a grand slam.

I do hope Federer recuperates in time for the U.S. Open.  I think he still has a lot of great tennis in him yet, and I would venture to say that he has more than just one more grand slam left in him.  But the field is certainly starting to open up on the men's side.

Now that we have reached the men's semifinal stage, who do you all think will progress to the final and win it?  I have been impressed with Djokovic's form of late (and he has finished his last two matches with screaming winners), and I think he will be able to get past Berdych (though perhaps in 4 or even 5 sets).  Based on recent form, I think Murray has been more impressive than Nadal, though Nadal has had to face more difficult opposition.  It's a tough one to call, but I think the momentum is going with Murray ... I think it is his time (at least to reach the final).  In Australia, Murray played incredibly well and was well on his way to beating Nadal before Rafa retired.  I think we will be in for a special treat come Friday in that match.  From there, if Murray and Djokovic reach the final ... it's anybody's match.  Exciting stuff!!]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Camdawg)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:52:31 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/894/#p894</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/893/#p893</link>
			<description><![CDATA[You're right about Fed having changed expectations.  When you make 23 straight Slam semis, and the finals of almost all of those, everybody expects you to make the finals of EVERY Slam.  That's just absurd on its face.  

Before Fed, if anyone had expressed such expectations -- about any player in history at the time of his ascendancy -- everybody would have said that person was insane or on drugs.  That's the extent to which Fed's incredible consistency has changed the way we think, and it's astonishing.

IF Fed recovers completely (and I hope he does), he'll win more than one more Slam, I think.  At least three more would be my guess, and another five wouldn't surprise me at all.   

In my opinion, the only thing that can keep Rafa from winning Wimbledon this year would be a recurrence of his injuries.  God willing, that won't happen.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:44:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/893/#p893</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/892/#p892</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm very impressed with Nadal's play today. I thought Soderling would win but Nadal played amazing tennis and kept his focus. If he keeps this amazing play up then he will win the whole thing. 

And I totally agree with you about Federer. Before the Fed era it was common for top players to lose in the QF or SF a few times and then win the next slam. No one expected Sampres to get to the finals of every tournament, and he might have a few bad tournaments and then kick ass and win one. Fed will heal and feel better and will win at least one more slam before he is done.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (charles)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:26:11 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/892/#p892</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/891/#p891</link>
			<description><![CDATA[So the truth comes out.  Fed is suffering from back and right leg problems.  I never suspected it because he's never injured.  He kept mum about it and was wise to do so.  We may be extremely premature in proclaiming his fall from the top of the game.  If his movement and balance return to normal, he'll be back where he was in no time.  What we now know for sure is that without those things, he's a very vulnerable player.

And I must say I TOLD YOU SO.  Rafa beat Soderling like a bad dog.  The real #1 player is playing like -- well, the real #1 player!  He will win Wimbledon for the second time.  No one but Fed has beaten Rafa at Wimbledon since 2005 and no one is going to beat him this year either.  GO NADAL!!!]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:16:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/891/#p891</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/890/#p890</link>
			<description><![CDATA[No doubt Fed has declined immensely in recent months.  I think you're right that a large part of the reason is to be found between his ears.  But there's another factor, too, that I think is even bigger and may even be the cause of his mental weakness: his balance and movement.

Used to be, Fed glided around the court VERY quickly, was always in position with lots of tiny little steps, and was always on balance.  Now as often as not he's out of position, his balance is wrong, and he falls off his forehand.  I have NO IDEA why this has happened, but you could see it in every match he played at RG and again at Wimbledon.  His movement and balance are no longer a big advantage for him; they have become his greatest weakness by far in my estimation.  

If he does not correct these problems -- and I don't know how he's going to do that -- then he is going to be routinely beaten by players like Soderling and Berdych as well as Nadal.  If Djokovic and Murray continue their resurgence, they will dominate him, too.  So will Del Potro if he comes back strong from his injury.  If this continues, I am afraid that by the end of 2011 Federer will be fighting it out with Verdasco for the top spot among the second tier of players.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:08:44 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/890/#p890</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/889/#p889</link>
			<description><![CDATA[As much as it pains me to say it, Roger is definitely starting to lose it. Guys he would handle easily a couple years ago now routinely take him to 3 or 5 sets or even beat him. He certainly is still capable of winning 'Slams as evidence in Australia, but it seems to me that he can't keep his focus anymore. He certainly has the game to win many more 'Slams, but his brain just lets him down. Something you wouldn't expect to see from a 16-time 'Slam Champion.

I think he could hit a major tailspin in the next couple months and could very well end up ranked #4 after the US Open.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:22:08 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/889/#p889</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/884/#p884</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Neither Rafa nor Federer has played their best so far, but they keep moving forward.  I expect both of them to play better in the second week, but it is uncertain whether either of them will make the final.  Fed has to face Berdych and then Roddick or Djokovic or Hewitt.  Rafa will have Soderling and then either Murray or Tsonga.  Tough.  Still, there's a reason they're 1-2, so maybe they'll make it.  I hope so.  But either or both could lose in the quarters or semis.   

I think the match with Mathieu will be easier for Rafa, and maybe give him a chance to recuperate a little bit.  Of course, any physical problem is a concern, but neither of the problems for which Rafa got treatment seemed too serious at this point.  God willing, it will get better, not worse.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:38:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/884/#p884</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/883/#p883</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm concerned for Nadal going forward. He has not looked sharp at all, and now we are starting with the injuries again. I think Soderling might beat him down in straights, assuming he can get by PHM.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/883/#p883</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/882/#p882</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Mathieu has had the year from hell until this tournament.  It's good to see him playing like himself again for sure.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/882/#p882</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/881/#p881</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Good to see PHM playing well again.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:14:34 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/881/#p881</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Re: Now that the draws are out]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/880/#p880</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Right about Brands and Lu.  They made the 4th round.  Amazing!  So amazing, in fact, that I'm astonished you think anyone here took Lu, Cam.  Actually, no one took either of them.  Pre-tourney they were laughable choices: only their mothers would have picked them.
 
Seppi lost in the second round to Tobias Kamke (who?).  Kamke is alive and plays Tsonga.  Go Kamke!  

Jeremy Chardy is unseeded and still alive.  He plays Ferrer, against whom he has an outside chance, I suppose.  Two people with good men's teams actually DID take Chardy.  Go Ferrer!!!  

Of course, Petzschner will lose to Nadal unless a miracle befalls him.  Like you, Cam, I took Petzschner, and as you say, he served his purpose.  

Malisse is in with a shot against Querrey, though Querrey did just beat him in straights at Queen's Club.  No one took Malisse, of course, because he had Ferrero first round.  Ferrero was a quarterfinalist here two of the last three years.  Malisse was far too dangerous a pick with a -16 penalty for first round losses.

Fabio Fognini is still alive.  He plays Benneteau and certainly has a chance, but no one expected him to beat Verdasco in the first round. 
 
The other unseeded players left are De Bakker and Mathieu, who play each other.  Clearly, one of them will win.  I suspect it will be De Bakker, but I hope I'm wrong.  Before the draw, I jokingly suggested De Bakker as a dark horse.  I hope I'm not the reason that several people picked him.  GO MATHIEU!!!  

Hewitt is a top 16 seed who will prove a good choice ONLY if he beats Djokovic next round to make the quarters.  A number of people who are in the hunt took Hewitt, and a number of others took the Djoker.  One of those groups is wrong.  Since Nole has pretty much owned Rusty, I suspect he will turn out to be the better pick.  We'll see.  In any event, I'm glad I took Berdych instead of either of them, as he has Brands next round and Djokovic and Hewitt have each other.   

I hope your boy Isner didn't suffer any serious damage from that marathon.  At 250 pounds, no wonder he had no skin on any of his toes when he faced De Bakker this morning.  His toes will heal.  Hopefully, the neck issue will resolve soon, too.  You have to admire the guy.  Both he and Mahut are heroic figures -- in my opinion, especially Mahut.  If Isner gets healthy, he has a real shot at the top 10 with the hard court season on the horizon.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Don)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:20:27 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/post/880/#p880</guid>
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