2014 Roland Garros QF: Nadal vs. Ferrer

[Front242]

Btw, bragging rights on the line between Murray and Monfils as to who is better on clay

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Strange meltdown from David. I thought he would fight , especially after such a positive first set.

 

[Rose]

I'm happy for Rafa But sad for David :cry

 

[Fiero425]

I'm happy for Rafa But sad for David :cry

These guys will never learn! When on top, you need to press the issue and finish off top players! If you continue to play defensive tennis, you allow the higher ranked player breathing room to regroup! Happens all too often! In the old days, if a top pro got down too much, "also rans" served it out most of time! Today's players are just not too bright and gutless! Most have competent volleys, but are scared to go up there except to shake hands after a loss! Murray stayed out there playing his same inane game of keeping the ball in play, then going for winners; extended to 5 sets unnecessarily! I think Rafa has something going on with his confidence or lack thereof, but Andy will have to do more to win; esp. since it's clay! :nono :angel:

 

[Moxie]

I'm happy for Rafa But sad for David :cry

These guys will never learn! When on top, you need to press the issue and finish off top players! If you continue to play defensive tennis, you allow the higher ranked player breathing room to regroup! Happens all too often! In the old days, if a top pro got down too much, "also rans" served it out most of time! Today's players are just not too bright and gutless! Most have competent volleys, but are scared to go up there except to shake hands after a loss! Murray stayed out there playing his same inane game of keeping the ball in play, then going for winners; extended to 5 sets unnecessarily! I think Rafa has something going on with his confidence or lack thereof, but Andy will have to do more to win; esp. since it's clay! :nono :angel:

Actually, that's what Ferrer was trying to do, and it worked for a set. But knowing he has to and keeping it up are two different things. And Rafa upped his level.

 

[rafanoy1992]

With this loss, Ferrer will drop to number 7 in the world. I am very surprised with the last two sets. I never expected Ferrer to lose 0 and 1 on Clay.

 

[Fiero425]

I'm happy for Rafa But sad for David :cry

These guys will never learn! When on top, you need to press the issue and finish off top players! If you continue to play defensive tennis, you allow the higher ranked player breathing room to regroup! Happens all too often! In the old days, if a top pro got down too much, "also rans" served it out most of time! Today's players are just not too bright and gutless! Most have competent volleys, but are scared to go up there except to shake hands after a loss! Murray stayed out there playing his same inane game of keeping the ball in play, then going for winners; extended to 5 sets unnecessarily! I think Rafa has something going on with his confidence or lack thereof, but Andy will have to do more to win; esp. since it's clay! :nono :angel:

Actually, that's what Ferrer was trying to do, and it worked for a set. But knowing he has to and keeping it up are two different things. And Rafa upped his level.

I find these type of matches unwatchable and would only turn over to it periodically, but this is on the player most of the time! They could have hit a great shot, allow Rafa to track it and float the ball back while Ferrer is still stuck to the baseline; way behind the baseline! I just scream at the tv, "move forward and cut that weak arse shot off idiot!" That's why I call them gutless! Even Nole is getting to the net more these days while the rest are stuck in the backcourt; including Murray, Berdych, and of course Ferrer!

 

[Fiero425]

With this loss, Ferrer will drop to number 7 in the world. I am very surprised with the last two sets. I never expected Ferrer to lose 0 and 1 on Clay.

He wears himself out unnecessarily! You can't play so defensively for too long; ya gonna run out of gas like Monfils! :nono uzzled :angel:

 

[brokenshoelace]

So apparently we need to schedule Rafa's matches to begin one hour before sundown in order to get him to play well.

He really didn't though. I mean it's a true testament to how poorly he's been playing that this was considered playing "well" and serving "good."

Quick point about the serving part: He wasn't serving good, compared to when he usually serves good. He only served good in that he was adding a good 15-20 kph on his serve (but still way too slow for what he should be doing against Murray and Djokovic. His hardest serve was something like 186 kph), and there wasn't much variety. Most worryingly, zero angle on the slider out wide which means it'll get eaten up by Murray and Djokovic.

The fact that he served bigger is good news because it means he was just taking pace off in order to protect the back, as opposed to being unable to serve bigger because of the back (important distinction).

As far as how he played, I thought it was overall mediocre. Very poor in the first set, decent in patches, good in a couple of games... The backhand was pretty shaky throughout and he really never got going with the forehand.

I still think he'll play better next round against Murray, but I don't think he has enough to beat Novak. The required level is not something he'll find overnight.

 

[brokenshoelace]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

 

[Fiero425]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Just re-enforces what I've been saying for years about the ATP; GUTLESS! :nono uzzled :huh:

 

[brokenshoelace]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Just re-enforces what I've been saying for years about the ATP; GUTLESS! :nono uzzled :huh:

Yes, because Ferrer = ATP.

You're also out of your mind if you think Ferrer is gutless in general. A bad attitude in one match does not mean he's gutless throughout his career.

 

[Fiero425]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Just re-enforces what I've been saying for years about the ATP; GUTLESS! :nono uzzled :huh:

Yes, because Ferrer = ATP.

You're also out of your mind if you think Ferrer is gutless in general. A bad attitude in one match does not mean he's gutless throughout his career.

He's little different than the rest IMO! No lead is enough, unable to serve a match out, and finds a way to lose no matter how poorly the top player is playing! If you don't like it, don't read it! It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it! :nono :nono uzzled uzzled :s :s :huh: :huh:

 

[TsarMatt]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Indeed. I don't know why Ferrer is like this. He managed to defeat Nadal about a month back at Monte Carlo -- that had to mean something. But still, any player 'throwing in the towel' when it's one set all at a QF major is a bit silly.

 

[Fiero425]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Indeed. I don't know why Ferrer is like this. He managed to defeat Nadal about a month back at Monte Carlo -- that had to mean something. But still, any player 'throwing in the towel' when it's one set all at a QF major is a bit silly.

Thank you! :clap :angel:

 

[Moxie]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Indeed. I don't know why Ferrer is like this. He managed to defeat Nadal about a month back at Monte Carlo -- that had to mean something. But still, any player 'throwing in the towel' when it's one set all at a QF major is a bit silly.

As an attempt at an explanation, not a defense, perhaps Ferrer has just lost to Nadal at too many moments on the big stage, especially at RG. He lost belief, and he got discouraged. Chris Evert says often enough that, after 30, there are days when you're not feeling it as much. I know David is very fit, but if a player loses belief, it must be hard to keep going through those long punishing rallies like they were playing.

 

[Denis]

Absolutely rediculous attitude. What the hell is he thinking in a Grand Slam quarter final? Why is he even playing?



So many players out there that would have loved to have a chance to compete. I could already see it when he won the first set, he was almost apologetic about it. Crap attitude. And he had a chance for sure, Nadal's level was abysmal. Plus, weather favoured Ferrer too.

 

[Denis]

Anyway, still good hopes Novak gets to sugercoat his first French title with a win over the king of clay in the final. Would be good for the h2h too.

 

[Denis]

On one hand, I respect Ferrer for being this candid, on the other hand, this is a shameful attitude:

"(In the second set) Rafael started playing a lot better, making fewer mistakes, and then it's like I threw in the towel," said the fifth-seed, who lost in the all-Spanish final aganst Nadal at Roland Garros last year.

"I don't usually do this, but I thought, I'm not going to be able to come back into the match. I thought, No, no, not against Rafa. He's such good a player."

"I wouldn't even use the word 'frustration' you see. What I missed is perhaps strength or the appetite to win and the drive," he said.

The shameful part is not admitting to that. The shameful part is "throwing the towel" when tied a set apiece against an opponent who wasn't even playing that well.

Just re-enforces what I've been saying for years about the ATP; GUTLESS! :nono uzzled :huh:

Yes, because Ferrer = ATP.

You're also out of your mind if you think Ferrer is gutless in general. A bad attitude in one match does not mean he's gutless throughout his career.

Maybe so, but Ferrer is often gutless against Nadal....

 

[Moxie]

Just re-enforces what I've been saying for years about the ATP; GUTLESS! :nono uzzled :huh:

Yes, because Ferrer = ATP.

You're also out of your mind if you think Ferrer is gutless in general. A bad attitude in one match does not mean he's gutless throughout his career.

Maybe so, but Ferrer is often gutless against Nadal....

You know, virtually everyone around here says that Ferrer's problem is that he hasn't got enough big weapons to beat the Big 4. So only against Nadal he is "gutless?" You have to admit that some of that vitriol is because he didn't take Rafa out. (I doubt you'd say the same if he'd taken a set off of Djokovic before Novak got the better of him. And, btw, neither would I.)