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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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#103 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

Pista Central start 11:00 AM
(6)T Robredo (ESP) vs (12)F Verdasco (ESP)
Not before 11:45 AM
S Wawrinka (SUI) vs I Karlovic (CRO)
Not before 2:30 PM
(6)T Robredo (ESP) or (12)F Verdasco (ESP) vs (4)R Stepanek (CZE)
Not before 4:45 PM
(1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs (7)Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
N Almagro (ESP) vs (10)J Ferrero (ESP)

C'mon Jarkko! :rocker2:
 
#108 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

I'm proud of Jarkko :bowdown: The first 1 1/2 sets he played some amazing tennis, the best I've seen for a long long time. Jarkko changed his serve well and Nadal couldn't take any advantage of his second serve, Jarkko's bh was very good and he punished Rafa many times with that beautiful down the line bh. :cool: Forehand didn't work that well at the key moments - few painful UEs with it in the second set and he couldn't finish the points with it as well as with his backhand. Nadal's game improved in the second set when it was 4-1 for Jarkko. He started to hit some huge winners and most all his passing shots were tremendous. But if Jarkko can keep up this form and play like this in the coming tournaments, he will get some great results. I am 100% sure of it :yeah:

Few screenshots I took again from tv :secret:
 

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#110 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

Yes, I've rarely been so happy after Jarkko's loss. Based on Smasher's incredible reporting, Jarkko played just the right way against Nadal and executed his tactics perfectly! Just keep working with that aggressive forehand and believe in it in key moments, and you'll start winning against the big guys as well!! This is great :D
 
#114 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

This is from the official Barcelona website. I like the title :cool:

FANTASTIC FINN CHALLENGES DOMINANCE OF CLAY COURT KING

Rafael Nadal came into his quarterfinal match at Open SEAT 2006 boasting an impressive 44-match winning streak on clay, but Jarkko Nieminen showed no sign of being intimidated.

The 24-year-old Finn instead proved himself up to the challenge of surmounting an upset against the young Spaniard, and despite falling short in the end, he succeeded in further establishing his place among the circuit's best.

Nieminen put on his game face immediately out of the gate, and forced Nadal to play catch-up twice in the first set. Nadal got back on serve at 1-1 and at 4-4, but again allowed Nieminen to take the lead. He dropped his first set in Barcelona in seven matches - dating back to a second-round loss to Alex Corretja in 2003.

His winning-streak appeared to be in serious peril as Nieminen built a 4-1 advantage in the second set, but Nadal rolled out his response attack. Cheered on by a packed house of countrymen, Nadal reeled off the next seven games before Nieminen managed another tally.

Nieminen had four chances to level the score 2-apiece, but Nadal pulled through and broke open the lead. He closed out the match on Nieminen's serve, converting on his second match point to punctuate the 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Nadal notched his 20th victory of the year with his quarterfinal comeback, joining Nieminen, Roger Federer, Ivan Ljubicic, Tommy Haas and James Blake to reach the 20-win mark thus far in 2006.
Here is the link: http://www.openseatbarcelona.com/en/news/stories/06_friday2.asp
 
#115 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

In a post-match interview by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Jarkko says he feels having missed a great chance but tries to take it positively. He thinks that if he can control Nadal on clay like he did the first half of the match, it means he can beat anyone.

Jarkko also tells he kept playing very positively and succesfully attacking Nadal's serve. At 4-1 in the second set, however, he feels his own standard fell - Rafa didn't play any better.
 
#116 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko in Barcelona~The clay season is finally here~~

Sad for Jarkko that he lost but from what's been said, sounds like he layed a great match, espeically to win the first set. Well done Jarkko even if you didn't win :)
 
#117 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko taking Munich by storm~The clay season in full swing now~~

Great work Smasher and thanks for the news. One of my was friends was watching the match and he said the turning point was when Jarkko was up 4-2 30-15 and he had an easy forehand which he missed, then Nadal got it on level terms and was mentally too strong.

He did an excellent job and there is a good base to build from there.
 
#118 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko taking Munich by storm~The clay season in full swing now~~

Hi George & co here! Even if I wanted Rafa to win Jarkko played a great match, indeed he kept fighting till the end, stayed positive. Rafa was shocking me at first, I guess he was tired from all the PR commitments or smth, I even thought huh doesn't he wanna win this match? And at 1-4 in the 2nd set when Rafa couldn't break him I really thought Jarkko might win but you know, those 2 (I mean fed and Rafa) are not up there for nothing.

Anyway, REALLY great match from Jarkko despite the loss! :yeah:
Sorry I'm not as good as Matti taking pics from my TV just wanted to say there were even 2 Finnish (?) guys with the Finnish flag supporting Jarkko which was nice to see. :)
:wavey:
 
#120 · (Edited)
Re: ~~Jarkko taking Munich by storm~The clay season in full swing now~~

Well done Jarkko for pushing Nadal for as long as you did. It's a shame that he couldn't finish him off but it was a great effort in the biggest clay test there is!

I'm very happy that I've chosen this time to increase my Jarkko fandom :)

:wavey:
 
#121 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko taking Munich by storm~The clay season in full swing now~~

In my opinion, Jarkko is the biggest favourite in Munich. Coria is not playing well and Ancic on clay :rolleyes: There's a good chance to take the 2nd title! :yeah:
 
#126 ·
Re: ~~Jarkko taking Munich by storm~The clay season in full swing now~~

Jarkko's quarter

(6) SRICHAPHAN, Paradorn THA v MONACO, Juan ARG
VIK, Robin CZE v SCHUETTLER, Rainer GER
(WC) WASKE, Alexander GER v MAYER, Florian GER
PAVEL, Andrei ROM v (3) NIEMINEN, Jarkko FIN

I like this draw :yeah:
 
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