2013 Paris BNP Paribas Masters SF: Nadal v. Ferrer

[Kieran]

Good start by Ferrer...

 

[BalaryKar]

Good start by Ferrer...

Did he hold the serve at love?

 

[Kieran]

Good start by Ferrer...

Did he hold the serve at love?

Ferrer saved break point on his last serve.

As "tactics" go, Rafa's plan of hitting short is not the best...

 

[brokenshoelace]

Yeah, so about Nadal hitting with extreme depth, extreme angles, and playing at his US Open level...

 

[brokenshoelace]

I am voting for Ferrer in three! No, wait, that's not possible. Still going with Ferrer, just to keep my last irrational hopes for the YE no 1 ranking alive. And there is a 3-3 hardcord h2h between the two. Who knows?

What needs to happen for Nole to finish at number 1?

 

[kskate2]

I am voting for Ferrer in three! No, wait, that's not possible. Still going with Ferrer, just to keep my last irrational hopes for the YE no 1 ranking alive. And there is a 3-3 hardcord h2h between the two. Who knows?

What needs to happen for Nole to finish at number 1?

I thought he needed to win here and in London.

 

[Kieran]

That's a remarkable hold by Rafa but he's very sporadic and playing as he has all week, short and without driving through his man.

Rafa needs two wins to finish the year at #1...

 

[Front242]

I am voting for Ferrer in three! No, wait, that's not possible. Still going with Ferrer, just to keep my last irrational hopes for the YE no 1 ranking alive. And there is a 3-3 hardcord h2h between the two. Who knows?

What needs to happen for Nole to finish at number 1?

Probably a miracle. Davis Cup points will be needed to clinch it too I believe.

 

[Denis]

I am voting for Ferrer in three! No, wait, that's not possible. Still going with Ferrer, just to keep my last irrational hopes for the YE no 1 ranking alive. And there is a 3-3 hardcord h2h between the two. Who knows?

What needs to happen for Nole to finish at number 1?

I thought he needed to win here and in London.

And needs to win the Davis Cup including playing two live rubbers. The win at WTF needs to be undefeated too. Unless Nadal loses everything from now on.

 

[Kieran]

Great set by Ferrer. I have to say, as a defending champ, his attitude and level is immense. he's taking his role seriously!

Rafa needs to be much more aggressive in set 2...

 

[kskate2]

Awww. Daveed is trying to defend his points. Must applaud his effort. :clap Takes the opener 6-3

 

[brokenshoelace]

This will sound controversial, but if I'm Nadal, I'd take the second set off, go through the motions and lose the match. While he can still win this match, I'm not sure it's worth the effort only to get slaughtered by Djokovic tomorrow. No reason to lose another match to Novak and give him even more confidence. Just call it a day and prepare for the WTF. I'm genuinely rooting for him to lose this one, because, and I'm calling it right now, he's going to get hammered by Novak. Quote me on this if and when Rafa gets back into this match and beats David.

 

[Denis]

Ferrer takes the first set.

 

[Kieran]

This will sound controversial, but if I'm Nadal, I'd take the second set off, go through the motions and lose the match. While he can still win this match, I'm not sure it's worth the effort only to get slaughtered by Djokovic tomorrow. No reason to lose another match to Novak and give him even more confidence. Just call it a day and prepare for the WTF. I'm genuinely rooting for him to lose this one, because, and I'm calling it right now, he's going to get hammered by Novak. Quote me on this if and when Rafa gets back into this match and beats David.

I like your chutzpah! :lolz: :clap

It depends on what Rafa wants from the rest of the year. He needs two wins to secure the year end #1 - surely his primary goal. A victory here would more or less kill it off. I wouldn't worry about a loss to Nole - the next big goal should be Oz!

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's so easy to tell when Nadal is not feeling it and struggling. I said as much after his first match of the tournament. It's about time we admit his natural level is really below par (compared to his usual insane standards) indoors. Obviously, he's so good that this means consistently reaching semis or even finals during this time of the year, but there's a reason he seldom goes all the way.

 

[Front242]

Ferrer takes the first set.

Unexpected I must say. Not watching it, so just following the comments here.

 

[kskate2]

I am voting for Ferrer in three! No, wait, that's not possible. Still going with Ferrer, just to keep my last irrational hopes for the YE no 1 ranking alive. And there is a 3-3 hardcord h2h between the two. Who knows?

What needs to happen for Nole to finish at number 1?

I thought he needed to win here and in London.

And needs to win the Davis Cup including playing two live rubbers. The win at WTF needs to be undefeated too. Unless Nadal loses everything from now on.

Thanks Denis. I knew about the 5-0 at London, but I'd forgotten about the DC matches.

 

[kskate2]

Broken, I don't think you will see Nadal lay down in this match. Even if it means a slaughter tomorrow.

 

[Kieran]

Rafa's like Superman without his powers out there....

 

[Front242]

Rafa's like Superman without his powers out there....

Indoor season is his kryptonite.