2015 Australian Open Quarterfinals: Berdych vs. Nadal

[Fiero425]

Better depth from Nadal (per the commentator) and ... lesser depth from Berdych.

Well Tomas tried to give it back, but Nadal wasn't up to the challenge! :cover

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Bye Nadal!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Bird has a pretty solid H2H against Murray , as well as Murray's coach. He might have a slam final in his near future, who knows.

 

[Postpre]

Why did Nadal stand so far in on that second serve on match point?

 

[herios]

Congrats Tomas!!!

Hard to believe, but he did it, after 10 years. This is a gift to your fiancee

 

[Fiero425]

Bye Nadal!

Well that's a significant loss of points! Will he drop below Stan now? Gotta go look! :angel:

 

[brokenshoelace]

Well, valiant effort in the third, but ultimately that was too big of a hole to climb out of. It's not simply about coming back from two sets to love. It's about coming back from 6-2 6-0 sets. And no, it's not the scoreline. It's what led to that scoreline. Nadal was playing so out of sorts that he needed a night-and-day sort of performance to really turn things around, especially with Berdych growing in confidence. Oh well.

Rafa will be interesting to keep an eye on this year. If this sort of movement is going to become the norm, it's going to be a problem. That's what it boils down to with him. If he's not moving well, nothing else will click.

Good on Berdych. It actually puts these 17 wins in perspective. What separates these players isn't much, despite such a resounding H2H lead. And all it takes is one sub-par performance here, and another good performance there, and an upset is caused.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Whoa. That's surprising. A bit more on the second serve. But still surprising to see Rafa not get it over. He found a way through the nerves. Did very well. Nadal just not .... Nadal at all today. Not good for most of it. And never great. I was wrong the other day that he wouldn't make the quarters. But, playing like he was against Smyczek, this just is not surprising. I mean, it is, because this is Berdych we're talking about. But not surprised to see him not make the final or semis.

Just not as easy to recover from long layoffs at 28 as it was at 25 or even 27. He'll be back by the French and he'll certainly contend and probably win it. But just not there yet as far as match toughness and tournament toughness goes.

But.... credit to Berdych. He really did try something new against Nadal tonight AND he executed it. And it worked.

 

[TsarMatt]

 

[DarthFed]

Berdych doesn't know how to beat Nadal. Maybe, he'll grab a set but I doubt it. Nadal in straights.

Nadal is looming like a dark cloud over my coming week.

The dark cloud has left Australia and is taking a dump in the Northeast now

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Well, hopefully Nadal doesn't slide too much after all doesn't want a lower seeding at the French. Well the other players don't want him seeded lower. I doubt he cares about his seeding on the clay.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I honestly am not too disappointed. It's important to keep expectations measured. Yes, Nadal automatically becomes one of the favorites whenever he reaches the second week, but even he, prior to the tournament, was keeping his expectations grounded, and not in the typical "downplay your chances" sort of way. He wasn't going to win a slam so soon. Let's not forget this is virtually his first tournament back. Roland Garros 2013 was not his first tournament back after that comeback, and he'd had plenty of time to rediscover his form. I don't expect similar results this time around, but let's wait and see.

Ultimately, I wouldn't call this tournament encouraging nor discouraging for Nadal. It was just about what it was. Like I said, movement is the key. If that's a sign of things to come, it's a problem. If he'll still be able to move better when it matters (as he hasn't moved consistently well in a couple of years), the same way he's been able to do as he's gotten older, it won't be a problem.

 

[DarthFed]

Berd's movement and footwork looks better than it's ever been. That kept him in points he would normally be out of and kept the UE count low. Aside from that it was one of those matches where his return and serve were lights out. We Federer fans have seen plenty of that over the years.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The ghost of the late VItas Gerulatis hovered over that match.. Nobody beats Tomas 18 times in a row

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Fed will get another chance to be the first man to win two career Slams in the open era. Not that he has much of a chance at success. But, at least he gets a chance. Still, I'd be inclined to think Rafa still does it before Fed. I didn't realize that this was his 8th qf here in a row. Definitely his best slam outside of the French now.

 

[DarthFed]

Well, hopefully Nadal doesn't slide too much after all doesn't want a lower seeding at the French. Well the other players don't want him seeded lower. I doubt he cares about his seeding on the clay.

I think he's 3rd by a lot. Regardless, barring injury he won't be falling out of the top 4.

 

[DarthFed]

If Berd plays anywhere near that level he will be in the final. He has a good history vs. Murray and I suspect slow hards is a good surface for him matchup wise vs. Andy.

 

[tented]

Congrats to Berdych! Well done. :clap

As for Rafa, he said he wasn't ready to win, and, well, he showed us. I didn't pick him in my draw challenge, so I'm not surprised or disappointed.

 

[nehmeth]

If Berd plays anywhere near that level he will be in the final. He has a good history vs. Murray and I suspect slow hards is a good surface for him matchup wise vs. Andy.

His new coach was an integral part of Murray's team. Big plus for Berdych if Andy wins.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Berd's movement and footwork looks better than it's ever been. That kept him in points he would normally be out of and kept the UE count low. Aside from that it was one of those matches where his return and serve were lights out. We Federer fans have seen plenty of that over the years.

I actually disagree that the movement played that big of a factor for Berd. It does look improved yes, but when Nadal actually hit an aggressive shot with power, or wrong footed Berdych, the point was over. It was the same lack of agility that hinders him against the top guys. The difference is Nadal was taking racket head speed off and hitting with less depth and power, which allowed Berdych to get to some balls faster, and he was able to belt his forehand.

He did return Nadal's serve much better than usual though.