2014 Aussie Open QF: Nadal vs. Dimitrov

[Front242]

Well, if Ferrer is considered big four (in ranking terms he is number 4 still) then they've already started crumbling. Federer hasn't been part of the big four since 2012 now.

Edit: ok, I was kidding Ferrer was never "big four" just number 3 and now number 4 but his slam consistency last few years has been very commendable and this was the earliest exit for him for 2 years so in that respect, the top players are starting to lose earlier already and Roger's been losing early since post AO '13.

 

[El Dude]

Well, if Ferrer is considered big four (in ranking terms he is number 4 still) then they've already started crumbling. Federer hasn't been part of the big four since 2012 now.

Edit: ok, I was kidding Ferrer was never "big four" just number 3 and now number 4 but his slam consistency last few years has been very commendable and this was the earliest exit for him for 2 years so in that respect, the top players are starting to lose earlier already and Roger's been losing early since post AO '13.

Right - Ferrer has never been Big Four. Since Andy rose to the elite, Daveed's been the "best of the rest" - or at least the most consistent of the near-elite and taken advantage of Roger's fall and Andy's injury.

Roger's fall from the Big Four happened in early 2013 after AO, and maybe even after Roland Garros. But he seems dangerously close to returning to the fold, especially if he can vanquish Andy. Either way, he's not the player he was in 2012, or even 2010-11.

 

[Front242]

A win against Murray would certainly be good for his confidence even if he plays his usual muck against Nadal (no disrespect to Dimitrov but I don't see him winning unless Rafa's blister turns gangrous and they amputate his hand). Beating two top ten players consecutively would at least be a return to decent form and a slam semi is a lot better than going out before the 2nd week.

 

[rafanoy1992]

OK, here's a thought. While I want to say that Dimitrov is going to pull off a victory that we'll look back on as a changing in the balance of power - sort of like the 2008 Wimbledon was, Roger passing (unwillingly) the baton to Rafa - I just wouldn't place my money on it. I don't think Grigor is quite ready to take Rafa. That said, I think he's going to learn from his probable loss to Rafa, and that the fire will be lit under him. Being in a QF is being a contender; he'll have been close enough to the Finals to smell blood, and next time around he'll really want it. We're going to look back at the 2014 as the tournament that Grigor Dimitrov arrived, and he's going to be playing into the second week at most Slams going forward.

Plus, I like his confidence, even if it is a bit premature:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/01/dimitrov-playing-nadal-i-my-chances/50363/#.Ut8NJbQo4l0

I said it last year, but I think 2014 is the year we start to see not only cracks in the Big Four, like we did last year with Roger's fall, but in the Big Three. Andy will be wobbly for at least part of the year, Novak and even Rafa will prove to be mortal. Between the three of them they might still take all four Slams, but we'll start seeing upsets, leading to a true tidal shift in 2015, with 2016 being the new era. So it might not be the AO, but King Rafa is going to be taken down by one of these young pups this year.

By the way, I like how you call Nadal King Rafa even he is not really a King to me

In all seriousness, until I see the young pups beat Nadal in a best of five set match or beat him consistently in the smaller tournaments, then I still think Nadal would still be a top player at least until next year. Same goes to Djokovic. Andy Murray is a question mark because he still recovering from back surgery but we will know soon enough if he starts to crack a little bit.

 

[britbox]

Sounds like Grigor's brought his fan club.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

OK match started!

What did Baby Boy did with his beard?

 

[Moxie]

Sounds like Grigor's brought his fan club.

I was just noticing. His Bulgarian chorus. He'll likely need it.

 

[golds girl]

It's pretty much all of Bulgaria....

 

[Front242]

One starts with an ace, the other a double fault.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

He started the match with an Ace!
Let the record stand, I picked Grigor in 4

 

[nehmeth]

Holy Crap... Greg with the first break. I'm shocked.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Dream start for Grigor...there is a bounce to his step. But Nadal has seen this before, no?

 

[Moxie]

Dream start for Grigor...there is a bounce to his step. But Nadal has seen this before, no?

Yes, weather the aggressive initial push.

 

[britbox]

Long may it continue.

 

[Front242]

Dimitrov hit that last BH just like Roger. Like a total donkey :snigger

 

[herios]

Common Dimi, lost all my soldiers so make my day and win this one

 

[nehmeth]

Just saw a close up of the tape on his hand... that's gotta take some getting used to.

 

[nehmeth]

Dimitrov really does have all the shots in his skill set. If Roger Rasheed's intensity and work ethic can be imparted to this guy, wow.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Pretty aggressive stuff from Grigor but that approach very seldom lasts. And that slice will not work against Rafa.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Dimitrov hit that last BH just like Roger. Like a total donkey :snigger

Hey, hey watch it, I am single backhander!
I can slice it too!