And Roger is just rolling along. I was surprised how easy his win over RGA was. His play was a tad erratic in the second set but ok for just his second match back.
I was surprised Djoker lost to Vesily no matter how “tired” he was. I think I heard this was the first time since 2010 he’s lost to a player ranked below 50.
He was not tired, he played poorly and Vesily played well at the right times. In best of five scenarios, he can usually snap out of it (as he did against Anderson at Wimbledon last year), and win in 5, but in best of three, he is susceptible. When I said that Djokovic needs to relax, I meant for the long haul. He has played with virtually no rest since early January and, should he have continued winning, would have gone without much rest until early June. That’s 5 straight months. It may not be a problem against lesser opponents, but come the second week of RG, against the likes of Federer, Wawrinka, Murray and Nadal, fatigue can play a detrimental role.
If I remember correctly, Djokovic didn’t look great in the early rounds at Indian Wells, but was playing much better by the end. I read that because the labs don’t know exactly how long meldonium is detectable in the urine after administration, Sharapova (and the various other Russian athletes) may have a loophole.
@tx5athome all athletes(173) that tested positive are getting a pass this time.
That is not what he said in his presser. He said he was tired.
I don’t think the Meldonium controversy is settled yet - unless something has changed in the last few hours. Maria is still scheduled for her tribunal later this month.
Off to hubby’s leaving-do. Catch you all later!
emilybee, Djokovic did not attribute his loss to fatigue in the presser. He simply said that he did not play well and that Vesily played well. He did say that he was tired (mostly mentally) and looked forward to a much needed break, but he did not say that his fatigue was the determining factor in his loss.
I didn’t say he attributed his loss to being tired - just that he said was going to do nothing but rest for awhile. Complete rest, in fact is what he said. IMO, that is a polite way of saying “I am tired.”
Here is WADA’s statement re Meldomium issue.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/13/wada-one-microgram-meldonium-vitaly-mutko
Nothing has been determined yet in Maria’s case and she still has to go before the tribunal.
ITF also removed her name today from RG entry list.
I agree emilybee, and it is a good thing too. Like I said, I was glad he lost. He does need a breather. I felt uncomfortable with his schedule. Had he won Monte Carlo, I would have expected him to skip Madrid or Rome. I also expect many top players to skip Cincinnati this year, because of the Olympics cramming the North American season.
Vamos!!!
This Monte Carlo final is quite a battle.
Very happy for Rafa and also that Xisca was there to share his victory. King of Clay!
I think my dream was prescient. 
On to Madrid!
Good to have Nadal back. If Djokovic wants to legitimately claim RG, he will have to beat a full-strength Nadal in the process. I have to say, Emily’s dream may come true!
Rafa!
tx5athome, you cannot spell Nole without “No”?
Bumping for Madrid.
I’ve dvr’d so just starting to watch the days coverage.
Good match just now between Aga and Cibulkova…
I’m not there yet -still watching Mugu and ACS.
What a bizarre ending in Istanbul. I can’t recall ever seeing anyone deliberately defaulting to end a match. What a diva. Hope he gets a big fine.
I felt so badly for both Aga and Domi. Freezing cold and no one in the stands. Bit of a mess of a match with 18 breaks between them but some entertaining points.