2015 Abu Dhabi

[shawnbm]

Murray winning like that after surviving 11 break points means absolutely nothing other than the score line could have easily been the same for Rafa going the other way.

 

[Federberg]

Murray winning like that after surviving 11 break points means absolutely nothing other than the score line could have easily been the same for Rafa going the other way.

ooooh... I'm not sure about that. Breakpoint execution is an art. If we disregard it, then that opens the door for delusional people to say that a lot of Fedal matches could have gone the other way..

But that said, as I said earlier.. this is just an exhibition. Rafa was surely just trying to work his way back into rhythm

 

[Front242]

I like that the recent exhibitions, IPTL, here etc have all been competitive and not just silly messing about. At least makes them watchable unlike some in the past where they didn't really try hard and just turned up for the dosh.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I know this is only an exhibition and Rafa is playing after a long time. But the scoreline does not
does not bode well for Rafa in 2015. This match says more about Rafa than Murray, given that Murray has to eke out a victory in three sets over Deliciano yesterday.

Lol! I'm reminded of Roddick beating Roger at Kooyong and talking about how he thought he'd solved the Federer riddle. It got unsolved in the AO semi-final that year in 3 brutal sets of a vicious beatdown. This was an exhibition, nothing more.. nothing less

Roddick defeated Federer 6-2 3-6 6-3 in Kooyong. It is true that he mistakenly thought he
figured out how to defeat Fed. I am not alarmed here by the fact that Rafa lost. I am alarmed
by the scoreline. Even iff Rafa had lost in straights with a scoreline of 6-4 6-3 I would not have bothered to post my remark.

Anyway, I think Rafa will not have a good results in both Doha and AO. Definitely, his
results in both of these events will be less than what he achieved there last year ( W and F
respectively). His results will start showing only when he sees the dirt in South America.

Also, I think he would potentially fall below top 4 sometime in March depending on
how he does in NA hard courts. But, even if he does fall below top 4, I am sure he
will bring it up back to top 4 by the time RG starts. But, the RG could be a make or
break event for Rafa as far as his this year's prospects are concerned.

 

[mrzz]

Judging by the highlights, both of them seem to be rusty. I mean, some fantastic shots (Murray was finding some beautiful angles) mixed up with far below average ones. That defines rustyness (if the word exists).

And more fist pumps than an exo would suggest. I guess that playing one more match is a good prize to look for.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Murray winning like that after surviving 11 break points means absolutely nothing other than the score line could have easily been the same for Rafa going the other way.

That actually depends on whether the break points are spread over multiple games or
clustered around few games.

A stat that would be more indicative would be number of break points lost in games
in which you eventually did not manage to get the break. If you have 10 break points in
a game and eventually convert one, it is not a big deal (as you got the job done) even
though the break point conversion ratio (a popular stat) looks bad.

 

[herios]

Exhibition or not, all I care about is that Nole looks good already. I want him to keeps his good form and play like a boss in Melbourne.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I know this is only an exhibition and Rafa is playing after a long time. But the scoreline does not
does not bode well for Rafa in 2015.

The scoreline doesn't bode well for Rafa in January 2015. 2015 on the whole is a long time, but he might struggle early on.

 

[Kieran]

I know this is only an exhibition and Rafa is playing after a long time. But the scoreline does not
does not bode well for Rafa in 2015.

The scoreline doesn't bode well for Rafa in January 2015. 2015 on the whole is a long time, but he might struggle early on.

Most likely it doesn't bode well for him only in this match with Muzza the Slayer. I'm looking forward to Rafa grafting and grifting and grabbing and gripping and getting back a semblance of competitive form by Oz...

 

[the AntiPusher]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2317947-novak-djokovic-illness-updates-on-tennis-stars-status-and-return

too bad for the fans.. question does Novak return some of his millions of dollars appearance fee:nono

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just read on twitter,

Ticket holders to day three of this year's Mubadala World Tennis championship will be offered a 50% discount on tickets to any day of the next year's tournament in lieu of Novak withdrawing due to a fever.After the conclusion of Rafa v Wawrinka's match there will be the trophy presentation with Murray as the winner.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Just read on twitter,

Ticket holders to day three of this year's Mubadala World Tennis championship will be offered a 50% discount on tickets to any day of the next year's tournament in lieu of Novak withdrawing due to a fever.After the conclusion of Rafa v Wawrinka's match there will be the trophy presentation with Murray as the winner.

Hey Fashionista, I know first hand hoe the fans feel.. for the Miami event, the Sony Ericisson 2015 I have to use my Miami tickets from 2014 because of loosing out due to Berdych and Kei N withdrawls vs rafa and Djoker

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just read on twitter,

Ticket holders to day three of this year's Mubadala World Tennis championship will be offered a 50% discount on tickets to any day of the next year's tournament in lieu of Novak withdrawing due to a fever.After the conclusion of Rafa v Wawrinka's match there will be the trophy presentation with Murray as the winner.

Hey Fashionista, I know first hand hoe the fans feel.. for the Miami event, the Sony Ericisson 2015 I have to use my Miami tickets from 2014 because of loosing out due to Berdych and Kei N withdrawls vs rafa and Djoker

Touch wood I have yet to be in that position...

 

[the AntiPusher]

7-6 (7-1) Rafa first set over Stan.. Rafa is playing a lot more aggressive.. Stan doesnt seems to be moving that well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am watching on a live stream match between Rafa v Wawrinka,neither player is playing their best tennis quite frankly,though there is a t/breaker going on in the 1st set,oh my that forehand from Rafa he is leading 6-1 in the t/break.Rafa wins the 1st set 76 (1).

 

[the AntiPusher]

2-1 Nadal in the 2nd ser.. Horrible service game by Rafa, he blew an opportunity for a 3 -0 lead.. Man, its really great to see him back on the court:clap

 

[the AntiPusher]

3-2 Nadal.. mostly likely another tiebreaker they are headed towards

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well at least Rafa has converted BPS so far in this match,small steps from Rafa.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A very poor service game from Wawrinka and Rafa breaks and now consolidates he leads 5-2 2nd set

 

[the AntiPusher]

yes, Just as ShawnbM stated yesterday.. the match vs Murray could have been a lot different if he was able to capitalize