AO R1: Lopez def. Kudla 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-2 10-8 saves 3 MPs
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Re: AO R1: Lopez def. Kudla 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-2 10-8 saves 4 MPs
Another classic Feli Lopez 1R GS match. True legend.
Another classic Feli Lopez 1R GS match. True legend.
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Denis did great, hopefully he will take only the positive from this match.
Damn those backhand slices by Lopez...
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Damn those backhand slices by Lopez...
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Re: AO R1: Lopez def. Kudla 3-6 6-2 4-6 6-2 10-8 saves 4 MPs
Only saved 3 MP's but Denis should of took it
Only saved 3 MP's but Denis should of took it
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Embarrassing that it was even this close for Lopez. Clearly an overrated seed. Some patches of good play from Kudla though, nice to see him doing well.
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Heartbreaking loss for Denis. He's not very clutch and it cost him dearly in this match. UEs on 2/3 MPs, and one of them pretty bad. Lopez was only slicing and pushing, but Denis couldn't finish it 
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Tough loss for Kudla, wow he really could have won this
But at least he can take out from this match that he can go right there for 5 sets with a top 30 player
EDIT: Sorry, top 15!! player, even better
But at least he can take out from this match that he can go right there for 5 sets with a top 30 player
EDIT: Sorry, top 15!! player, even better
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Actually that lefty backhand slice is really tough to deal with when you're fatigue and don't have much legs left in you.Heartbreaking loss for Denis. He's not very clutch and it cost him dearly in this match. UEs on 2/3 MPs, and one of them pretty bad. Lopez was only slicing and pushing, but Denis couldn't finish it
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Sure. But when you're fatigued, anything is tough to deal with. And Lopez wasn't slicing very well either in the game Denis was serving for the match; Denis wasn't moved around the court. He was simply hanging in there and waiting for Denis to hit the UE or the winner.
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But dealing with slices requires work from the lower body, and Denis clearly didn't have much legs left in him at the end. He is a counterpuncher, he likes to work with pace, so slices are not a bad idea against him when he's tight. Also I thought the depth of Lopez's shots weren't that bad.
Not that any of this is important. He could have easily lost that service game and be down 3:5 but he fought back. He tried his heart out and that's all I ask from him.
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so disappointing from Kudla, he was so-so close and he choked, on the one hand I'm happy he played so well, fighting the whole time and getting it to 5, but it never should have went that far, this was a winnable match, Flopez was way out of form per usual but Denis got tight and gave it away.
Some incredible shots in this one, lots of touch at the net and fun rallies, Lopez slice vs Kudla's ball striking. It's a shame someone had to lose.
I wish he had taken those match points in the 5th, I fist pumped when he broke Lopez. Both players looked gassed at the end, which is understandable
Some incredible shots in this one, lots of touch at the net and fun rallies, Lopez slice vs Kudla's ball striking. It's a shame someone had to lose.
I wish he had taken those match points in the 5th, I fist pumped when he broke Lopez. Both players looked gassed at the end, which is understandable
kudla is even more of a mental midget than deliciano 
sad to see...
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But certainly those slices are not more difficult to handle than being pushed around the court? That's much more taxing on the legs.
It was a smart strategy on Lopez's behalf to wait for the UEs, because Denis couldn't deal with the pressure (and he's known for that).
I agree that it's great that he fought his heart out and that he made this so competitive. But as a fan, I can't help but be gutted that he didn't win what he worked so hard to turn into a very winnable match.
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Heartbreaking loss for Kubla. It would have been a huge, breakthrough win for him. Hopefully it gives him confidence that he can compete with the best players.
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Trust me, for a counterpuncher, he would have preferred shots with pace. Let's face it, they were both physically drained and tight, neither was going to play "big" to win. It came down to the right shot selection, and in this case, it was Lopez's slice backhand. I really didn't think Lopez was pushing, it was clear thinking and making smart decision when you're choices are limited.
I'm a fan too in case you haven't noticed, and I'm usually tough on him when he chokes, but in this case I think he just wasn't as experienced as the opponent. I actually came across an article that explains the point I was trying to make earlier. http://tennis.com/pro-game/2015/01/...oints-one-tennis-most-underrated-shots/53687/
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