2014 Miami Quarterfinal: Nadal vs. Raonic

[tented]

Who wins?

 

[tented]

Rafa has played well the last few rounds, but look at his opponents. Raonic is different. I think he'll take a set, but Rafa wins in three.

 

[nehmeth]

Based on Rafa's IW play I had picked Raonic in the challenge. Seeing him here, he looks like he did in Canada last Summer. Calm day, Rafa in 2. Windy day, Rafa in a quick 2.

 

[Riotbeard]

I picked nadal in 3, because with Raonic's serve, he could always grab a set via tb, but would not be surprised at all if Rafa took in two.

 

[Kieran]

I haven't seen any of this event but the reports suggest Rafa is in similar mood to last years summer HC swing. If so, then Raonic might bring him to a close tiebreak set by serving well, but otherwise, this one is routine. Rafa in 2!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Milos has to have a great serving day to maybe take one set to TB and he has been playing great tennis during TBs recently with good composure. But against THIS Rafa..?

Nadal in 2 .

 

[Denis]

Can't really enjoy big servers anymore. Nadal in two, but maybe on a good serving day Raonic can take a tie-break or something like that. Looking forward to an interesting semi (hopefully) with Dolgopolov.

 

[Front242]

Raonic gets easily rattled when top players keep returning his serve and when you neutralize his biggest weapon and he starts shaking his head the rest of his game suffers and there can be only one outcome: Nadal in 2.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa in straight sets

 

[brokenshoelace]

Raonic needs an otherworldly service display. Nadal in 2.

 

[Andrew William]

Raonic has the weapons to do it in that bludgeoning serve and powerful forehand. I remember Roddick, years before here, just started swinging for the fences and really pushed the pace against the Spaniard and pulled off the upset.

I think Nadal will be up to the task though. Imposing his will on the rallies with his own forehand and with brutal efficiency getting past the Canadian in two rather close, but workman like sets.

 

[herios]

Milos has to have a great serving day to maybe take one set to TB and he has been playing great tennis during TBs recently with good composure. But against THIS Rafa..?

Nadal in 2 .

I thought you have more belief in our kid...I am disappointed

 

[Riotbeard]

Who's here for ralph vs. mr. big boy haircut

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Milos has to have a great serving day to maybe take one set to TB and he has been playing great tennis during TBs recently with good composure. But against THIS Rafa..?

Nadal in 2 .

I thought you have more belief in our kid...I am disappointed

Have you seen Nadal this week? He is kicking ass and taking names brother. I support our boy and Believe in him, but realistically, this might be too much for him to handle. I will celebrate if he wins and makes me look stupid.

Guys are warming up. At least this one is on TV and I don't have to watch it on the computer.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Big key for Milos: Hold your first service game. I think Nadal started with breaking everyone he faced so far.

 

[Riotbeard]

Monkey is off his back.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Very positive from Milos...couple of forehand errors but it was important to hold.

 

[nehmeth]

And... he did

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Very nice DTL forehand.

 

[Front242]

Nice from Golum there.