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~Clay Season 2012 []~

26K views 519 replies 48 participants last post by  Filo V. 
#1 · (Edited)
A preview of Jarkko's clay court season

As we all know, by this time of the year the European clay court season is just around the corner. After playing in the Davis Cup for Finland next weekend, Jarkko begins his preparations for the physically and mentally very demanding part of his yearly schedule, playing on the red clay. I have always considered this part of the tennis season as the most exciting one, clay court tennis is my favourite kind of tennis. Great tournaments such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Hamburg lead up to the big one, French Open, which I consider as the most difficult and most demanding Slam to win for any player.

Jarkko heads for the clay season after the best start of the year in his career. He won his first ATP title in Auckland and had the best result of his life in Masters Series tournaments in Indian Wells where he reached the quarterfinals. Jarkko is in career high ranking position of 22 (next week) and even the Top 10 isn't very far away. All in all, we can say that Jarkko is in the form of his life and he's in very good shape for the next challenges that await him.

Jarkko has always enjoyed good success playing on clay and the statistics prove it. Jarkko has a win/loss record of 106-43 on clay (including challengers) and he has reached 3 ATP finals on clay (Estoril, Mallorca, Munich) and won 4 challenger tournaments on the 'dirt'. His best showing so far in the French Open is from year 2003, when he lost in the 4th round to Fernando Gonzalez. Based on these facts it's safe to assume that Jarkko can have great success in the upcoming clay court season, if and when he stays healthy.

Next I will go through Jarkko's playing schedule tournament by tournament giving my own opinions on how Jarkko will do in each of these tournaments. Eventhough I'm a big fan of Jarkko, I try to be as realistic as I can in my predictions. It's a bit difficult to predict the results for a single tournament without knowing what kind draws Jarkko will get, but I will give it a go anyway.

Masters Series Monte Carlo, April 17-23
2005: did not play (0 points to defend)
Best result: 3rd round (2003)

The first clay court tournament of the year for Jarkko is immediately one of the most important ones. It's always tough to make the transition from hard to clay, but with the right kind of preparation I'm sure Jarkko won't have many problems in doing so. Jarkko has played this tournament three times before and never lost in the first round. There's a small chance that Jarkko could be seeded here, if many of the top ranked Americans don't show up like in the past years, which would improve Jarkko's chances considerably.

Prediction: a solid start to the clay season with a 3rd round defeat to one of the top seeds of this tournament (75 ranking points)

~1st round loss (5 points)

Barcelona, April 24-30
2005: 2nd round (15 points to defend)
Best result: 3rd round (2003)

After MC Jarkko heads to Barcelona for another fairly big tournament which has many tough players on it's entry list. Jarkko is very likely to be seeded here. After getting some much needed match practise on clay in the previous week, I expect Jarkko to do well in this tournament as long as he can avoid the likes of Nadal and Gaudio in the early rounds.

Prediction: a good run to the quarter finals where Nadal is still too strong for Jarkko (75 points)

~QF loss to Nadal (75 points)(look above :angel: )

Munich, May 1-7
2005: SF (75+? points to defend)
Best result: Runner-up (2003)

Jarkko has many times played some of his best tennis in Germany and Munich is a place where Jarkko has many good memories. Losing the 2003 Final to Federer and last year reaching the semifinals after coming through the quallies winning six matches in a row, are proof that this is one of Jarkko's favourite tournaments. Looking at the current entry list, it looks like Jarkko could very well be the second seed here with Coria as the top seed. I see no reason why Jarkko wouldn't do well in Munich.

Prediction: a second career title is a realistic possibility for Jarkko if everything goes to plan. semifinals at worst, but I have a feeling that Jarkko will come out on top here (175 points)

~SF loss to Vliegen (75 points)(damn that flu :fiery: )

Masters Series Rome, May 8-14
2005: did not play (0 points to defend)
Best result: 3rd round (2003)

If Jarkko has done well in the previous weeks in Munchen and Barcelona, he might arrive to the 'Eternal City' mentally and physically tired. Jarkko has only played once here reaching the 3rd round in 2003. The Masters Series draws are ruthless and there are no easy matches even in the first rounds, so this might be one of those rare bad tournaments for Jarkko.

Prediction: tired Jarkko will lose in the first round to some dangerous floater (5 points). if he's not that tired, a third round appearance is on the cards

~2nd round loss to Stepanek (35 points)(Jarkko still tired after the flu :( )

Masters Series Hamburg, May 15-20
2005: did not play (0 points to defend)
Best result: 2nd round (2003)

Back in Germany, this time for a Masters tournament and the last one before the French Open. After an early defeat in Rome, Jarkko will be again full of energy and fight for this one. A lot depends on the draws again, but this could be an ideal place to make inroads to the latter stages of a big tournament.

Prediction: 4th round or a quarter final for Jarkko in Hamburg (75-125 points). Federer will take Jarkko out this time, but not without a great fight

~3rd round loss to Davydenko (75 points)(Jarkko had a great chance here :sad: )

Roland Garros (The French Open), May 28-June 11
2005: 2nd round (35 points to defend)
Best result: 4th round (2003)

This is the climax of the clay court season. Here's where Jarkko wants to succeed the most and I'm sure he will be very well prepared for this 'adventure'. After a hopefully very good clay court season behind him Jarkko will be full of confidence in his ability to go far here. And I will be there to support him with many other 'vocal' Finns. :D

Prediction: If Jarkko can make it to QFs of the US Open, why not here? A heartbreaking 5-set loss to another surpriser Acasuso in the quarter finals after a great run of hard fought victories (250 points). Though he has to avoid Federer and Nadal for this to be possible

These are my predictions, I would now like to hear yours. Also any comments or corrections conserning the text are welcome. I hope the text isn't too long and some of you might even enjoy reading it. I look forward to many discussion in this thread about Jarkko's progress on clay.

Ville :wavey:
 
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#327 ·
Re: ~~Paris is waiting for Jarkko~Only 2 days to go till RG!!!~~

Jarkko was so unlucky! If the singles match would had been on Tuesday, things would have gone a lot better than now, when it was on Monday. So sad that this could cost him a realistic fight for a place in the Masters Cup and the breakthrough to the top 10 this year. Very frustrating. Why this illness had to be just before Roland Garros? Almost anywhere else it would have been better time (ok, maybe not US Open) if he had to become sick.

But let's hope he'll do well with Robert in the doubles and get a good form for the grass season. After that there will be some claycourt tournaments still left, and there Jarkko should be able to have some extra points too.
 
#328 ·
Re: ~~Paris is waiting for Jarkko~Only 2 days to go till RG!!!~~

el güero said:
Jarkko told the Finnish TV today (Tuesday) that he was feeling a lot better. Tuesday was the first day when he woke up feeling well. Jarkko said he was really sorry that the time proved too short to recover for the singles match (he got sick already last Wednesday in Finland), as the illness took away all his strength~
Thanks for his info! I am relieved to hear that :D
 
#329 · (Edited)
Re: ~~Thread for the clay season~~

bump

I read that Jarkko won't play on Sunday, that means his only chances for Bundesliga matches should be on next Sunday (16.7.) and week 30 (30.7.). Maybe also on 4th august, but that's really close to Toronto. Possible opponents for the first date would be Bracciali/Greul/Sabau, for the 2nd Melzer/Alves/Ascione/Hartfield and for the third Marach/Minar/Zib.

For Båstad I would like to see a wc for Nieminen/Nieminen. :angel:
 
#331 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Båstad draw, Jarkko's section

FERRERO, Juan Carlos ESP (8) vs ELESKOVIC, Ervin SWE (WC)
MARACH, Oliver AUT vs PRPIC, Filip SWE (WC)
VINCIGUERRA, Andreas SWE (WC) vs DLOUHY, Lukas CZE
CHELA, Juan Ignacio ARG vs NIEMINEN, Jarkko FIN (4)

Tough opener, but could have been even worse :bounce:

It will be interesting to see how Jarkko will adjust back to clay. It's funny that Jarkko was expected to reach the quarters at Roland Garros and maybe lose in the first round at Wimbledon, and he did just the opposite. :D
 
#333 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Labamba said:
Båstad draw, Jarkko's section

FERRERO, Juan Carlos ESP (8) vs ELESKOVIC, Ervin SWE (WC)
MARACH, Oliver AUT vs PRPIC, Filip SWE (WC)
VINCIGUERRA, Andreas SWE (WC) vs DLOUHY, Lukas CZE
CHELA, Juan Ignacio ARG vs NIEMINEN, Jarkko FIN (4)

Tough opener, but could have been even worse :bounce:

It will be interesting to see how Jarkko will adjust back to clay. It's funny that Jarkko was expected to reach the quarters at Roland Garros and maybe lose in the first round at Wimbledon, and he did just the opposite. :D
It is quite typical for him, to do the opposite. All the best Jarkko :D I'm sure Chela would want to stay in Bastad for long :unsure:
 
#334 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Nieminen def. Chela 6-4 5-7 6-1 :yeah:
 
#337 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Some stats of Jarkko from 2006 (21/03/2006):

TB Won 9
TB Loss 5
Aces/Match 3.0
AvgDF/Match 1.8
Avg 1st Srv 67% (6th best in ATP)
1st Srv Won 68% (54th)
2nd Srv Won 53% (19th)
Srv Gam Won 82% (14th)
BP's Svd 69% (6th)
Pts Won Ret 1st Srv 33% (19th)
Pts Won Ret 2nd Srv 50% (45th)
BP's Won 49% (8th)
Ret Gam Won 29% (21st)

10/07/2006:

TB Won 15
TB Loss 10
Aces/Match 3.3
AvgDF/Match 1.8
Avg 1st Srv 64% (12th best in ATP)
1st Srv Won 68% (43th)
2nd Srv Won 52% (19th)
Srv Gam Won 80% (18th)
BP's Svd 66% (11th)
Pts Won Ret 1st Srv 32% (22nd)
Pts Won Ret 2nd Srv 52% (19th)
BP's Won 48% (2nd, only Grosjean is ahead of Jarkko :eek: )
Ret Gam Won 29% (13th)
 
#340 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

It seems the news section on the Båstad site has some problems at the moment, stuff just vanished all of a sudden.

For memory Jarkko said. " It's great to be in the quarter finals and the transition from grass to clay hasn't been as difficult as expected".

He had the break in the 1st set and then lost it and steadied in the 2nd set with Dlouhy missing his dropshots, then held it together and he was the crowd favourite.
 
#341 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Center Court
Starting at 11.00


Nikolay DAVYDENKO (RUS) - Nicolas MASSU (CHI)
Followed by
Evgeny KOROLEV (RUS) - Tommy ROBREDO (ESP)
Followed by
Agustin CALLERI (ARG) - Robin SÖDERLING (SWE)
Followed by
Juan Carlos FERRERO (ESP) - Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)

Jarkko is hungry for his second ATP title, good luck in the 'hunt' Jakke! :rocker2:
 
#343 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

what an impressive victory over JCF. The Spaniard clearly lacks self confidence nowadays as he crumbled after losing that 1st set. Taking the TB was crucial, way to go Jarkko!! He has a good chance against Robredo too, especially now when this match was over so quickly.
 
#345 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

Jakke to win Båstad and Labamba and myself to win TT doubles.
 
#346 ·
Re: ~Thread for the clay season~Båstad, Davis Cup, Kitzbühel up next~

From the Swedish section of the site.

http://www.swedishopen.org/news/default.asp?itemname=news&newsid=437&page=1&lang=sv

After a tight first set, Ferrero couldn't hurt him with anything and handled the adjustment from grass to clay easily.

- Det var svårt att spela i vinden men i andra set ändrade jag mitt spel lite och han missade mera.

Efter seger i tiebreak i första set släppte Nieminen bara två game i det andra setet mot den forne världsettan Ferrero.

- Jag känner mig mentalt starkare, säger Nieminen och anser det vara en av anledningarna till hans framgångar i år. Nieminen segrade i år i Auckland och har genom flera stadiga resultat avancerat till plats 13 på världsrankingen.

Nieminen kommer nu bli publikens favorit i semifinalerna och han känner att han har publikens stöd.

- Det känns nästan som att spela på hemmaplan, avslutar Nieminen som fortsätter sin jakt på en topp 10 placering.


It's difficult to play in the wind, but in the 2nd set I changed my game and he missed more".

After winning the tiebreaker Nieminen dropped only 2 games against the former world number 1 Ferrero.

"I am feeling mentally stronger", said Nieminen, and regards it as an opportunity to further his success this year. Nieminen won this year in Auckland and has several steady results and advanced to the 13th in the world rankings.

Nieminen has become the crowd favourite in the semis and he feels he has the public support

"It feels almost like playing at home concluded Nieminen who continues on his hunt for a top 10 spot.
 
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