2014 Aussie Open QF: Nadal vs. Dimitrov

[DarthFed]

Lack of confidence, mentally weak, take your pick. Since he is in unprecedented waters it was kind of normal for him to get tight. If he does this the next couple major qfs then there is a serious problem

 

[DarthFed]

The net play is pretty good as well.

 

[Front242]

This is becoming a comedy of errors.

versus

 

[brokenshoelace]

Dimitrov standing so far back on the backhand side allows Nadal to hit these short angled forehands that he has to lean forward and slice in order to get them back.

 

[calitennis127]

Funny how Darren Cahill just commented that for Nadal physically nothing has changed since the 3rd game of the match, while Dimitrov has no legs. Might he have been referring to STAMINA?

 

[Front242]

I should probably go to bed now as this is probably done and dusted at this stage.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Funny how Darren Cahill just commented that for Nadal physically nothing has changed since the 3rd game of the match, while Dimitrov has no legs. Might he have been referring to STAMINA?

Most certainly.

 

[DarthFed]

Anyone else find the Dimitrov slobbing to be ridiculous, did they see the 3rd set breaker. Aside from the 1st serve and forehand Dimitrov has a lot of work before he is good

 

[Front242]

Little jump Dimitrov did there probably means he's cramping like he used to before.

 

[calitennis127]

Nadal always makes over 10 unforced errors per set and only 4 less than his opponents. He also always serves at an average first serve speed of 168 Kph.

Nadal always plays opponents with the shotmaking ability of Dimitrov.

 

[Goldenboy]

I'm really worried for Rafa in the semi if he makes it. That blister is making him serve so slowly. And he cannot hit any forehand if he is not in perfect position. Even then, its 50-50 on him making it.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Anyone else find the Dimitrov slobbing to be ridiculous, did they see the 3rd set breaker. Aside from the 1st serve and forehand Dimitrov has a lot of work before he is good

I actually agree. To be clear: I am impressed. He's top 10 material easily, maybe even more. He does a lot of things right: Very good forehand, great serve, terrific variety, great net play, moments of genius, etc...

However, it's not like he's putting on a clinic. He first terrific in the first set and capitalized on one bad Nadal service game. Aside from that, the match is as close as it is due to Nadal generally not playing well. With that said, there are a lot of players that Nadal would straight set while not playing well, so Dimitrov must be playing well (and he is) to make it this close.

That said, he has obvious issues with his game relating to counter-punching, court positioning, harmless rally backhand, and returning. He does a lot of the pretty things very right though, and has a terrific touch. He's very eye pleasing.

 

[imjimmy]

There is absolutely no basis in arguing that Nadal is playing well. The UFEs are horrendous by his standards to say the least (and at the AO they are usually forgiving - so he probably has more). He is just spinning his first serve in, so afraid he is to expose his second serve. So many times he starts the point on neutral even on serve (no 1-2 punch). His forehand change of direction whether it's inside out or DTL is absolutely abysmal. Every time he tries to attack, he basically misses.

Oddly enough the saving grace (somewhat) for Rafa has been his backhand from the backcourt. He's generally been solid swinging from the baseline from that wing. Suffice to say, Nadal would have lost today to a top player especially Djokovic IMO. It is rather fortunate that he faces someone who is relatively inexperienced as Dmitrov (who has still given a very good account of himself BTW).

 

[Front242]

I'm really worried for Rafa in the semi if he makes it. That blister is making him serve so slowly. And he cannot hit any forehand if he is not in perfect position. Even then, its 50-50 on him making it.

No fear of him not making the semi at this stage. It'd take a miracle for Dimitrov to dig himself out of the rut he's put himself in with the two muck tiebreaks he's played. This match has been over for ages.

 

[DarthFed]

I'd also say his movement is good but not great yet. And "good" doesn't really cut it at the top

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal always makes over 10 unforced errors per set and only 4 less than his opponents. He also always serves at an average first serve speed of 168 Kph.

Nadal always plays opponents with the shotmaking ability of Dimitrov.

Agreed. Shot-making ability affects routine forehand unforced errors and first serve speed. It also makes one serve three double faults in a game.

The disparity in shotmaking is huge. Dimitrov has 50 winners to Nadal's 40. 17 of those winners were aces compared to Nadal's 3 aces.

 

[Front242]

Wrong shot selection, Dimitrov.

 

[brokenshoelace]

There is absolutely no basis in arguing that Nadal is playing well. The UFEs are horrendous by his standards to say the least (and at the AO they are usually forgiving - so he probably has more). He is just spinning his first serve in, so afraid he is to expose his second serve. So many times he starts the point on neutral even on serve (no 1-2 punch). His forehand change of direction whether it's inside out or DTL is absolutely abysmal. Every time he tries to attack, he basically misses.

Oddly enough the saving grace (somewhat) for Rafa has been his backhand from the backcourt. He's generally been solid swinging from the baseline from that wing. Suffice to say, Nadal would have lost today to a top player especially Djokovic IMO. It is rather fortunate that he faces someone who is relatively inexperienced as Dmitrov (who has still given a very good account of himself BTW).

Nadal is essentially navigating through this match with whatever is clicking. The backhand is doing good but most importantly, it's the net play that really got him out of trouble. He was missing a lot of put away forehands so he attacked the net more, to good result.

He's playing terrible. There's no argument otherwise.

Seven double faults, by the way. Totally characteristic for Nadal

 

[DarthFed]

Wow that 2nd was fugly

 

[Front242]

Wow. That serve was about 3 feet wide of the service line.