2015 ATP World Tour Finals

[Kieran]

I dunno whether to applaud the integrity and professionalism, or cuss young Ralph from a height...

 

[Kieran]

Rafa's getting hammered? I must switch channels. The one I'm watching, he just won the second set...

Yeah, my bad, how stupid of me. Considering the quality of tennis he displayed in both sets, he will double bagel the world #1. :cover:cover:cover:cover:cover:cover:cover:cover

Ah you changed your tune. Good!

 

[bajana]

I dunno whether to applaud the integrity and professionalism, or cuss young Ralph from a height...

lol - here we would say "p1ss on him from on high". I admit I'm somewhat puzzled -- a 15-minute game in a dead rubber with a semi-final coming up tomorrow???

 

[Kieran]

I dunno whether to applaud the integrity and professionalism, or cuss young Ralph from a height...

lol - here we would say "p1ss on him from on high". I admit I'm somewhat puzzled -- a 15-minute game in a dead rubber with a semi-final coming up tomorrow???

Exactly. A semi final against a rested attrition expert, to boot.

I don't think the match has been super-intense until now but still, Rafa was up a double break in the first, served for it and had set point at 6-5. If he wasn't urgent then, I don't see why he is now. Maybe it's a local thing, playing against a spaniard...

 

[Fiero425]

I dunno whether to applaud the integrity and professionalism, or cuss young Ralph from a height...

lol - here we would say "p1ss on him from on high". I admit I'm somewhat puzzled -- a 15-minute game in a dead rubber with a semi-final coming up tomorrow???

Exactly. A semi final against a rested attrition expert, to boot.

I don't think the match has been super-intense until now but still, Rafa was up a double break in the first, served for it and had set point at 6-5. If he wasn't urgent then, I don't see why he is now. Maybe it's a local thing, playing against a spaniard...

Someone I know said the Spaniards were forbidden to challenge Rafa until recently to keep his confidence high! Lopez has broken the rule of late, but Ferrer is just gutless and can't finish his countryman off; no matter the lead! It's still a bit pathetic for Rafa to be so happy beating his countryman in 3 grueling sets! His best outing here? That isn't saying much after so many years of pathetic results at the WTF! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Carol]

I haven't seen the match, just the score but I can imagine that Rafa's serve has been bad? always the same problem

 

[kskate2]

Boy that match took a detour...

He looks a little tired, but maybe at this stage of his career he needs every win to boost his damaged confidence. Maybe a Nadal fan can explain it.

 

[rahulpawar]

lol - here we would say "p1ss on him from on high". I admit I'm somewhat puzzled -- a 15-minute game in a dead rubber with a semi-final coming up tomorrow???

Exactly. A semi final against a rested attrition expert, to boot.

I don't think the match has been super-intense until now but still, Rafa was up a double break in the first, served for it and had set point at 6-5. If he wasn't urgent then, I don't see why he is now. Maybe it's a local thing, playing against a spaniard...

Someone I know said the Spaniards were forbidden to challenge Rafa until recently to keep his confidence high! Lopez has broken the rule of late, but Ferrer is just gutless and can't finish his countryman off; no matter the lead! It's still a bit pathetic for Rafa to be so happy beating his countryman in 3 grueling sets! His best outing here? That isn't saying much after so many year of pathetic results! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy:

Maybe the Swiss as well were forbidden uzzled ...Now it all makes sense !!

 

[Fiero425]

Exactly. A semi final against a rested attrition expert, to boot.

I don't think the match has been super-intense until now but still, Rafa was up a double break in the first, served for it and had set point at 6-5. If he wasn't urgent then, I don't see why he is now. Maybe it's a local thing, playing against a spaniard...

Someone I know said the Spaniards were forbidden to challenge Rafa until recently to keep his confidence high! Lopez has broken the rule of late, but Ferrer is just gutless and can't finish his countryman off; no matter the lead! It's still a bit pathetic for Rafa to be so happy beating his countryman in 3 grueling sets! His best outing here? That isn't saying much after so many years of pathetic results! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy:

Maybe the Swiss as well were forbidden uzzled ...Now it all makes sense !!

I agree wholeheartedly! Stan should have won more over Roger! :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[rahulpawar]

Someone I know said the Spaniards were forbidden to challenge Rafa until recently to keep his confidence high! Lopez has broken the rule of late, but Ferrer is just gutless and can't finish his countryman off; no matter the lead! It's still a bit pathetic for Rafa to be so happy beating his countryman in 3 grueling sets! His best outing here? That isn't saying much after so many year of pathetic results! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy:

Maybe the Swiss as well were forbidden uzzled ...Now it all makes sense !!

I agree wholeheartedly! Stan should have won more over Roger! :nono :angel: :dodgy:

I meant the Swiss were forbidden against Nadal :snicker

 

[Fiero425]

Maybe the Swiss as well were forbidden uzzled ...Now it all makes sense !!

I agree wholeheartedly! Stan should have won more over Roger! :nono :angel: :dodgy:

I meant the Swiss were forbidden against Nadal :snicker

Now you lost credibility! Will have to take my "like" back! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

 

[Busted]

Man, U gotta like Murray, he is one True character in the game. Thanks for the picture

Murray and Wawrinka haven't played since 2013? That's kind of surprising. Given that they're BOTH head cases? I'm going with Stan. Murray just seems to be phoning it in at this tournament. Maybe he's mentally preparing himself for changing nappies - and I mean his soon-to-be born kid's, not his his own. Murray's last 2 Tour Finals have been underwhelming to say the least. Last year he was at least on the combe back trail, but what's his excuse this year - other than lack of a spine...

Davis Cup He's already in Ghent. His body just needs to catch up.

I'd completely forgotten about Davis Cup. Gonna be ugly in the UK if he bollocks' up that one. If he can't beat Goffin and Darcis he may as well just retire and save himself his annual 6 losses to Nole, 2-3 to Roger and 2-3 to Nadal. Lendl sure did know when to bail...

 

[Busted]

Boy that match took a detour...

He looks a little tired, but maybe at this stage of his career he needs every win to boost his damaged confidence. Maybe a Nadal fan can explain it.

Not a Nadal fan, but I think it was more relief than fatigue. If he starts loosing to Ferrer in a match where that Ferrer's basically playing for pride so he doesn't go home 0-3? That's a slippery slope for his fractured ego - especially on a court that's nearly as slow as clay :cry. It's got to be hard to lose to guys you used to be able to beat in your sleep.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Boy that match took a detour...

He looks a little tired, but maybe at this stage of his career he needs every win to boost his damaged confidence. Maybe a Nadal fan can explain it.

Not a Nadal fan, but I think it was more relief than fatigue. If he starts loosing to Ferrer in a match where that Ferrer's basically playing for pride so he doesn't go home 0-3? That's a slippery slope for his fractured ego - especially on a court that's nearly as slow as clay :cry. It's got to be hard to lose to guys you used to be able to beat in your sleep.

I cant see Rafa giving Djoker a major fight after expanding so much energy to defeat Ferrer today. Not making excuses but this was the one match he did not need to have any chance to capture this title. IMO

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiboZk-sgDE[/video]

 

[Kieran]

I don't think he'll be tired. First and second sets were so nondescript and listless it seems he was resting there anyway. I think he should have won this in two easy sets but I don't foresee it being an issue tomorrow...

 

[Front242]

Fatigue is a non issue and a pointless excuse when he loses. Yes when, not if. This is best of 3, not best of 5.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don't think he'll be tired. First and second sets were so nondescript and listless it seems he was resting there anyway. I think he should have won this in two easy sets but I don't foresee it being an issue tomorrow...

Rafa game should be finally tuned. He should have a good feel of the ball and his confidence should be at its highest.. However, Fresh legs is a must to be highly competitive.

 

[Fiero425]

I don't think he'll be tired. First and second sets were so nondescript and listless it seems he was resting there anyway. I think he should have won this in two easy sets but I don't foresee it being an issue tomorrow...

Rafa game should be finally tuned. He should have a good feel of the ball and his confidence should be at its highest.. However, Fresh legs is a must to be highly competitive.

..and what will you say if Nole "routines" Rafa tomorrow? I think you guys are giving him much too much credit for "being back" and on the so called "incline!" To me, he's not doing anything spectacular; opponents gifting matches to him IMO! :nono :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

 

[Kieran]

I don't think he'll be tired. First and second sets were so nondescript and listless it seems he was resting there anyway. I think he should have won this in two easy sets but I don't foresee it being an issue tomorrow...

Rafa game should be finally tuned. He should have a good feel of the ball and his confidence should be at its highest.. However, Fresh legs is a must to be highly competitive.

That'll only come into it if it's a really long match. Mental sharpness too. Make no mistake, I think Rafa has shown himself to be competitive at this event, more than any this year. But I think he's not yet "back" enough to beat Novak. He might take him to three, if he stays calm and finds his shots, but if he loses, it won't be down to fatigue. It'll be down to him just not quite being back to his levels yet.

Like I say, this Autumn sets Rafa up well for next season, and that's most likely his main goal...