A little help from you tennis gurus out there.

[mikejamm]

Just a quick question, Dose anyone think that Richard Gasquet can knock off Kristof Vliegen in 2 sets? Thank you kindly for your input.

[jojo85]

risky bet if you ask me: jetlag, surface switch, possible injury...

[mikejamm]

They're ranked 40th and 359 respectively, yet their record in head to head is 3-2. Gasquet should dust this guy Vliegen in 2 straight sets right?

[JNic]

haha is this for streak for the cash

[JNic]

i like vliegen to take a set here

[mikejamm]

i like vliegen to take a set here

Really? The guy is has barely taken a set off anybody, let alone the 40th ranked player in the world. So you think he might sneak in there and win one off Gasquet?

[jojo85]

you do realize the game has started?

[mikejamm]

Wow Vliegen up 3-0 already! So much for a -340 fave! Trying to figure this tennis shit out! Do the odds and ranking really mean anything?

[JNic]

yea gasquet is clearly injured, vliegen will get a set 100%

[JNic]

this is a special case, gasquet just played in switzerland on sunday in a clay court final. that was also his first tourny back, so the transition to american hardcourts is very tough and vliegen has been playing every US hard court tourny

[mikejamm]

you do realize the game has started?

Yeah jojo saw that! Espn had the start time listed at 6:00pm.

[Goat Milk]

this is a special case, gasquet just played in switzerland on sunday in a clay court final. that was also his first tourny back, so the transition to american hardcourts is very tough and vliegen has been playing every US hard court tourny

yeah but they ahve been challengers so it doesn't really matter. this is more about Gasquet's condition that Vliegan. If Gasquet was 100% right now, Vliegan wouldn't even come close to taking a set. Gasquet will be back in the top 20 very soon.

[mikejamm]

this is a special case, gasquet just played in switzerland on sunday in a clay court final. that was also his first tourny back, so the transition to american hardcourts is very tough and vliegen has been playing every US hard court tourny

Good analysis JNic. Is there really that much transition from clay to american hardcourts? I can understand the jet lag thing, but don't these guys play on different surfaces all the time?

[mikejamm]

5-2 Vliegen, set 1! Man this got ugly quick! Glad I didn't bet it! Sure would have paid nice if I'd went with the underdog!

[Goat Milk]

Good analysis JNic. Is there really that much transition from clay to american hardcourts? I can understand the jet lag thing, but don't these guys play on different surfaces all the time?

playing consecutive matches on a surface is very important in finding rhythm.

[h3da]

Please retire =.=

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Good analysis JNic. Is there really that much transition from clay to american hardcourts? I can understand the jet lag thing, but don't these guys play on different surfaces all the time?

Yes, it's the movement, grip underfoot, sliding, the speed through the court, the bounce. Gstaad is also at 1000m altitude, so the ball really flies through the air.

Also physical: most top guys making that transition spend a couple of weeks strengthening particular muscle groups. Lower guys can't really afford to do that, and although Gasquet has made nice money his ranking isn't too hot.

Further factor is Gasquet got in as an alternate to the Canada masters next week, so even if he is fit he quite possibly won't be too bothered to lose early here.

[yisman]

yeah, on SftC, and over 86% picked Gasquet in straights. He's about to drop the first set.

If anyone is curious, the odds were about even for "Will Gasquet win 2-0?"

[yisman]

Yeah jojo saw that! Espn had the start time listed at 6:00pm.

6 PM was an estimate. It's on the same court Benneteau/Malisse was on, and that one moved fairly quickly, resulting in an earlier start for Gasquet.

[yisman]

WOW!

Gasquet just retired after dropping the first set 6-3.

Nice call JNic.

[HeeeHAWWWW]

Not going to play 2 more hard sets on a dodgy shoulder with two masters the next two weeks :-)

Anyone top50 in the same situation will do the same, might be a few retirals this week.

[mikejamm]

WOW!

Gasquet just retired after dropping the first set 6-3.

Nice call JNic.

Yeah he did! Dude was getting smoked! Just can't believe the odds were so much in Gasquet's favor! Conditioning definitely played into this one! Great call JNic!