2015 Monte Carlo Masters Semifinal: Djokovic v. Nadal

[Denis]

Bueno. 5 - 3 Novak gets the break.

 

[Denis]

They both look exhausted already.

 

[El Dude]

Come on Rafa, give us a good match at least.

 

[kskate2]

ESPN 3 works beautifully, thanks.

This is the first I've watched Rafa play in months and he looks just fine to me. What a high level of tennis these two are playing.

He looks better than he has in a long time, but that BH is weak and the serve is still very much an offering.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

interesting..very interesting.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

That break was sort of expected given that Novak held after a 10 min long game previously.

 

[Fiero425]

They both look exhausted already.

It's the drop shots! :snicker :laydownlaughing Set Nole!

 

[Denis]

Serve gets Novak there once again. 6 -3 first set to Novak.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

one done.

 

[Denis]

ESPN 3 works beautifully, thanks.

This is the first I've watched Rafa play in months and he looks just fine to me. What a high level of tennis these two are playing.

He looks better than he has in a long time, but that BH is weak and the serve is still very much an offering.

This is the first time I am kind of relaxed watching Novak play Nadal. That probably says a lot.

 

[Kieran]

Good first set! Both really stretching the other. Nole has settled and looks stronger but I like Rafa so far, in his attitude and a lot of his shots. He had bp's in 3 of Nole's service games, and he's making it competitive. Novak actually looked a bit gassed at the 4-3 changeover - then won the last two games.

Good stuff so far...

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

nadal looked decent enough, sometimes excellent..but still falls short. as expected really.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Rafa is showing glimpses of form that tells me if he can get to a level where he can sustain that play, he is still the guy to beat on dirt. I don't think he is that far off.

Nole is the more confident of the two it looks like.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Yes, both players are indulging in more drop shots compared to their normal tendencies of grinding baseline rallies. Perhaps both trying to save the energy for the last set which will become the standard set (with mostly baseline rallies)?

 

[Denis]

Novak clearly the better player now. Nadal hanging in there with his slices.

 

[Kieran]

It's a cruel business, isn't it?

 

[Kieran]

Some serious rallies in this one...

 

[Denis]

Too bad Novak did not get that break.

Curious to see how this unfolds.

 

[Kieran]

Phew. Won't be a bagel. But seriously, this is a great match so far. I think Nole wins this set too, but if Rafa takes it, we could be in for a classic...

 

[kskate2]

Will any Bagels be served this morning?

None will happen in the first two sets. Will we make it to a 3rd?