[Puschkin]

Convincing win against Falla 6-3 6-2 6-2. Again, I could not see anything, but the stats look good: 41 winners, 13 UEs.

[ImmzB]

Allez!

[Gul]

)))) Love it!

[Puschkin]

Richard winning without his backhand. Richard started poorly, but turned it on for the rebreak in the second set, from then on Dodig started his collapse, he paid for his five setter in the heat two days ago.

[ImmzB]

Allez!!

Nice comeback from Richard, staying very strong mentally!!

[afterglows]

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...ts_won_ms.html

I hope he will continue to serve well. Tsonga isn't the best returner. This could be a advantage in R4.

Allez Richard!! I want to believe!

[Nena]

[Vlad1980]

Richard, please don't become the most pathetic round of 16 player.

Your effort today, against Tsonga was miserable, even worse than against Mayer.

[ImmzB]

Arrrrgh!!! Anothet 4th round defeat for Richard!! Tsonga started the match well, dominating play!! Richard did have TBP when Tsonga served for it. Richard started to play better towards the end of the 1st set and he continued this on the 2nd when he got the break. In set 3 & 4 Richard was decent, he was passive and waiting for Jo to make the errors. Not a good match from Richard, I really thought he would step up today. Jo was good in set 1 but after he was just good, Richard missed a chance!!


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[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by ImmzB

Richard missed a chance!

Exactly. Tsonga was only really good in the first three games. After that there was no difference and that's why it went to one set all. Tsonga had a lucky break in the third with two net cords in his favour, but the match was far from decided at that point, Richard, however, lacked conviction and so the outcome was obvious. Indeed a missed opportunity.

[ImmzB]

Richard had chances in all games that Tsonga was serving for to win the set. European Indoor season coming up, Allez Richard!! Put this defeat behind you!! Also any news if Richard will be part of the Davis Cup team against Israel which is next week?


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[Schu]

Very disappointing - Richard started off the match 0-40 and things went down from there. Have no idea where the focused, confident, fighting Richard went but he was surly missing in action. I'm beginning to believe that he really doesn't want to go past GS R4.

Tsonga was very beatable but Richard didn't seem to even care. Thought Richard had maybe finally learned how to compete like a top 10 player but not even close.

[GasquetFan]

Dissapointing performance, another fourth round defeat. Had a great opportunity here against an out of form Tsonga. Richard appeared to have given up completely by the final set.

[Vlad1980]

Originally Posted by Schu

Very disappointing - Richard started off the match 0-40 and things went down from there. Have no idea where the focused, confident, fighting Richard went but he was surly missing in action. I'm beginning to believe that he really doesn't want to go past GS R4.

Tsonga was very beatable but Richard didn't seem to even care. Thought Richard had maybe finally learned how to compete like a top 10 player but not even close.

He clearly has some mental block about 4th round right now. I doubt that he doesn't want to compete, he just goes through the motions for some reason. Perhaps it is that losses such as to Murray at Wimbledon in 2008 and to Gonzalez in 5 that did him in, but he is not the same player once he reaches second week.

Of course given the Wawrinka's effort against Djokovic, Richard's performance seems not worthy of top 10 player. Is someone like Wawrinka that much more talented and that much more of a fighter? Or Tipsarevic's fight against Ferrer at last year's US Open (compared to Richard's meek and predictable straight set loss)

There is a reason why Richard has no respect and almost goes unmentioned before he reaches second week. Even now that he is top 10. He has to prove himself