2014 Aussie Open QF: Nadal vs. Dimitrov

[sid]

Good win for Rafa next Roger or Andy in SF.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

the vamosmobile splutters into the semi final.

 

[DarthFed]

Rafa would still have a walkover vs Roger until we see otherwise, hasn't been a contest in 5 years

 

[imjimmy]

So with this kind of form, would the winner of Fed-Murray become the favorite in the semi? A Nadal-Fed match is certainly more intriguing now.

I agree. I'd think getting over Murray, especially, would be like a mountain for Rafa with this level of play. He better do something and get his house in order..

 

[imjimmy]

Rafa would still have a walkover vs Roger until we see otherwise, hasn't been a contest in 5 years

Fed played great against Tsonga. If he does beat Murray, it would mean that he's playing really well. At any rate he won't make the mistakes that Nishikori and Dmitrov made. So yeah, Fed would be a handful.

 

[DarthFed]

Those are exactly the mistakes Roger will make. Doesn't matter how bad Rafa plays in that matchup. AO 2012 Roger played well coming in.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Interesting Nadal admitting the blister is bothering him this time. He kinda shrugged it off after the Nishikori match. That at least explains why the serve was so poor.

 

[Goldenboy]

Well he admitted its affecting his serve. Hope he can find a solution.

 

[Front242]

Those are exactly the mistakes Roger will make. Doesn't matter how bad Rafa plays in that matchup. AO 2012 Roger played well coming in.

Yup. I remember so many sports editors had him heavy favourite there based on form and past victories here and look how he played that match against Rafa after having been so good leading up to it.

 

[imjimmy]

Well Nadal admitted to Courier that he has difficulty with serving because of the blister and protection. Said that the racquet feel sometimes goes. So there goes the WTA serve and Double faults.

 

[Goldenboy]

Broken, as I said earlier, Rafa told Courier he could play without the tape but it would affect the match after.

If he wins the semi you can be sure the tape will be off for the final. If he loses 2 sets in the semi, the tape may come off. Would be interesting to know if he would have removed it if Dimitrov had won set 3 (although I'm glad we didn't find out).

He played Monfils without the tape and the blister worsened.

He actually got the blister in the week before the tournament. You can see it in the practice pics.

 

[DarthFed]

Those are exactly the mistakes Roger will make. Doesn't matter how bad Rafa plays in that matchup. AO 2012 Roger played well coming in.

Yup. I remember so many sports editors had him heavy favourite there based on form and past victories here and look how he played that match against Rafa after having been so good leading up to it.

Exactly, that match ended up being a practice session for Rafa by the 4th set.

 

[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.

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.

Oh as usual....Broken doesn't relate to the mindset of the players even a tad.

And I am supposed to trust his judgment of soccer players?

Please.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Those are exactly the mistakes Roger will make. Doesn't matter how bad Rafa plays in that matchup. AO 2012 Roger played well coming in.

Yup. I remember so many sports editors had him heavy favourite there based on form and past victories here and look how he played that match against Rafa after having been so good leading up to it.

Exactly, that match ended up being a practice session for Rafa by the 4th set.

3rd set was decided by a tie-break. In the 4th set, Nadal was down a break at 2-4, and when serving for the match, had to save a break point. Hardly a practice session.

If Nadal plays this badly against Federer, he loses.

 

[brokenshoelace]

And I am supposed to trust his judgment of soccer players?

Please.

"JR Smith is a great passer and the most talented player in the NBA."

 

[calitennis127]

Since when do Nadal fans care about someone missing wide open forehands?

When Federer does it against Nadal, it proves Nadal's greatness. When Nadal does it against Dimitrov because Dimitrov is making Nadal feel some pressure, Nadal is playing awful.

I just love double standards like that. I just love them.

 

[the AntiPusher]

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.

Although I think the blisters is having an effect Nadal's play, I don't think the blisters are the main reason why Nadal's level is inconsistent right now.

I think he is anxious and nervous right now. I don't why is nervous maybe because he is facing the young guys or something. I do think potentially winning his second career slam is starting to creep up on him. Him and Uncle Toni knew what's at stakes here before the tournament. And the pressure to win his second career slam skyrocketed when Djokovic lost last night.

I do hope he plays a lot better. Watching him playing like this is horrendous.

That's exactly why I also believe he's playing so badly and not because of his hand.

I honestly doubt that. He might be playing badly due to his hand or just because sometimes things don't click, but I don't think it's anything mental. Nadal has had far bigger pressure on his shoulders before. Is "second career" slam really that much of a pressure thing once you've won your first career slam and 13 slams in total? I never viewed this whole 2nd career slam thing to be a big deal regardless.

ImJimmy, what happened.. years ago you were a huge Rafa fan but I guess his style of play has cause too much drama for you and appears that you appreciate the other top players' talent. That's cool and your prerogative. Its the hand blister that causes the difficulites with Rafa for the past couple of matches. Unfortunately, he has no choice but to manage the discomfort anf continue to grind it out. If Rafa can continue to pull out his matches and capture the title its due to his superior tennis talent and will. I know there is a poster on the west coast who will say its luck or lack of execution by his opponents. Its his opinion but miles away from the actual truth or reality.

 

[Moxie]

the vamosmobile splutters into the semi final.

Well, it's better than not being in the semifinal.

 

[calitennis127]

And I am supposed to trust his judgment of soccer players?

Please.

"JR Smith is a great passer and the most talented player in the NBA."

You don't even want to start that argument. I could make you look like such an idiot. You have no chance in that one.

But, more to the point, you are terrible at reading people and how they think.

On that note, throughout the match I noticed how Nadal "hated" Dimitrov. Thanks for pointing that out to all of us recently. Very informative.

Oh - and that glare of his. So intimidating.

 

[calitennis127]

Those are exactly the mistakes Roger will make. Doesn't matter how bad Rafa plays in that matchup. AO 2012 Roger played well coming in.

Yup. I remember so many sports editors had him heavy favourite there based on form and past victories here and look how he played that match against Rafa after having been so good leading up to it.

Exactly, that match ended up being a practice session for Rafa by the 4th set.

3rd set was decided by a tie-break. In the 4th set, Nadal was down a break at 2-4, and when serving for the match, had to save a break point. Hardly a practice session.

If Nadal plays this badly against Federer, he loses.

If you understood your favorite player at all, you wouldn't even raise that possibility.

Kieran understands Rafa infinitely more than you ever will - because he can actually understand how people think.