[tennisace]

It was horrible to watch. I never saw him
playing so badly....What goes on in his mind ? The big danger is to be out of top 20...

[krystlel]

Yeah, although he only improved a bit towards the end, enough to be able to rally past a couple of shots (nowhere near enough really). But it was similar how he had chances to get back into it but made one or two decisive bad errors.

[Minerva]

Predictable!
Just like last year, after a hard loss in IW (Nadal/Fish) an early exit in two easy sets in his first match (Troicki/Malisse).
This is getting really boring.

[HeretiC]

Originally Posted by Joolz

Hmm. That match reminded me a bit of the one against Ferrero at last year's AO. Worst possible start and then some improvement. But too little and way too late...

Exactly, but it was more that Troicki choked a bit and played passive and tentative than David playing much better.

[Joolz]

Originally Posted by krystlel

Yeah, although he only improved a bit towards the end, enough to be able to rally past a couple of shots (nowhere near enough really). But it was similar how he had chances to get back into it but made one or two decisive bad errors.

It was nowhere near enough. It came far too late. And those two shots in the final game (the easy forehand and the drop-shot) really broke his neck. What I don't understand is - what has become of David's ability to turn around matches? To come back from virtually hopeless situations?
Apart from that, throughout the second set I kept asking myself not only how he could possibly take that match to a third set. But also whether he'd be fit enough for a third set...

[sigmagirl91]

Clearly, he's still not well from that virus. I don't think he ever had a virus, but that's another news flash/story altogether.

[Joolz]

Originally Posted by HeretiC

Exactly, but it was more that Troicki choked a bit and played passive and tentative than David playing much better.

David didn't play much better. Just with a little bit more control and confidence and his timing not so completely off. And yeah, that Troicki didn't go for as much with his shots towards the end surely helped.

[HeretiC]

Originally Posted by Joolz

It was nowhere near enough. It came far too late. And those two shots in the final game (the easy forehand and the drop-shot) really broke his neck. What I don't understand is - what has become of David's ability to turn around matches? To come back from virtually hopeless situations?
Apart from that, throughout the second set I kept asking myself not only how he could possibly take that match to a third set. But also whether he'd be fit enough for a third set...

It is been awhile since he turned a match around, lately everyone is turning around matches against him.
Even if he somehow managed to get into the third set, with this play the outcome would have depended on Troicki to lose it, not on David to win it. Lets face it, he was simply pathetic today in all areas, no serve, UEs from both wings, he was even awful at net.

[krystlel]

Originally Posted by Joolz

It was nowhere near enough. It came far too late. And those two shots in the final game (the easy forehand and the drop-shot) really broke his neck. What I don't understand is - what has become of David's ability to turn around matches? To come back from virtually hopeless situations?
Apart from that, throughout the second set I kept asking myself not only how he could possibly take that match to a third set. But also whether he'd be fit enough for a third set...

Well I just couldn't have even imagined the match going to a third set. After the first set, it never really looked like he was going to be able to improve enough, and that only Troicki getting tight made it closer towards the end.

Sure he was playing a bit better but really only hoping for Troicki to make errors. I remember a couple of years back when he used to often pick up his level when his opponent was serving for the match, and that was how he was able to turn around so many matches.

But for me, what is more disturbing is how it's possible for him to play that badly in a match. He could have lost to anyone playing like that, and convincingly as well...

[HeretiC]

Originally Posted by sigmagirl91

Clearly, he's still not well from that virus. I don't think he ever had a virus, but that's another news flash/story altogether.

Ehhhh, I wish I could have the ability to believe in that. Maybe we should be prepared to use the virus excuse until the indoor season.

[krystlel]

I had a look to see when the last time David won a match after losing the first set since I couldn't remember...

And guess how long it's been? Since Barcelona last year, after losing the first set 6-1 against Calleri. Almost an entire year. (What a contrast to late 2006/early 2007 when he was doing it seemingly in every match)

[HeretiC]

Such a shame, cause he was indeed the player who was able to turn around matches even on MPs and most of the commentators are saying just that, without noticing that was the ability he already lost long time ago.

[Joolz]

That's exactly the point, Krystle.
I mean, the first set today was shocking. I'd be fine with that if it was just a bad or even horrible day he had now and then. But what I find alarming is not only his more recent tendency to fail at closing out sets/matches. It's also that once he's down a set and maybe also a break, there's practically no way he'll recover from that.
Both signs that he's struggling mentally. And in my opinion, it all began at the DC final...

[sigmagirl91]

Originally Posted by HeretiC

Ehhhh, I wish I could have the ability to believe in that. Maybe we should be prepared to use the virus excuse until the indoor season.

That excuse only goes so far. I'm inclined to believe what Joolz was saying. His mentality has gone to spot, as well as his physical condition. It's almost as if he doesn't have anything to play for anymore.