2017 RG Semifinals: Nadal vs. Thiem

[kskate2]

here comes break #3

 

[DarthFed]

I don't expect W to fare much better. W is slower.

Stan's movement doesn't matter as much as just big hitting and he is bigger off every shot than Dom. Realistically Rafa is beating Stan pretty easily on Sunday too, but Stan has a lot more game and big-match pedigree than the kid.

 

[kskate2]

BP to avoid the donut

 

[golds girl]

Just looking at scores...is Nadal getting 'yipsy'? break point down?

 

[kskate2]

Can't avoid the carbs. Poor kid needs Nadal to retire and then maybe he can win this tourney.

 

[Moxie]

Wow, and a bagel. (@Denis : well, that helps the record.) I thought Rafa had a good chance to do the job in 3, but I certainly thought it would be a lot harder, and I wouldn't have been surprised if Dominic had taken a set. On to Wawrinka. I don't think Stan's looking his best, and not the laser focus of Rafa. But he's dangerous, esp. in the final of a Slam. Hope Rafa breaks his streak at major finals.

 

[golds girl]

Soo...I think I overhyped this match in my head because of Thiem's performance in Rome.
Neglecting to remember:
1) Nadal was probably tired from Barca and Madrid
2) Thiem is young, lack of big match experience
3) Um...it's the French Open and he's going for 10.

 

[DarthFed]

The kid in a way reminds me of a young Wawrinka so there is hope for him. Stan was always dangerous but mentally was a basketcase and not a big-match player until his late 20's and I think that's where I see Thiem right now. And the good news is he is still just 23.

He has also been one to take advantage of the current landscape, i.e. Fed is out, and Nole and Andy have been terrible more or less. If I had to guess I'd say Dom wins 1 slam at most in a few years, there are better young talents (Zverev and Kyrgios) so the longer it takes the more unlikely it seems.

 

[kskate2]

Well My draw challenge is still intact. As opposed to that farce on women's side.

 

[AnonymousFan]

Well My draw challenge is still intact. As opposed to that farce on women's side.

I thought you picked Halep!

 

[Carol]

Thiem should learn that just trying to hit the ball hard anywhere is not enough on clay, he needs to learn to play more intelligently because that surface requires it

 

[Carol]

Anyway I give a lot of credit to Thiem, he has played a very good tournament and reaching the semis. Obviously he still has to improve more but I'm sure he will

 

[kskate2]

I thought you picked Halep!

She had a gimpy ankle before it started so I chose Svito.

 

[britbox]

What a beatdown. I was hoping for more from Thiem.

 

[isabelle]

Thiem didn't play well, he tried to hit harder than Nadal....not a clever choice. he need to learn but I'm almost sure he'll improve soon
congrats to both players

 

[DarthFed]

What a beatdown. I was hoping for more from Thiem.

I know you were, I've never quite as high on this kid but he is still just 23. But I remember us having similar talks about Dimitrov at such an age when he was falling flat in a major way in every big match...