2018 AO Men's QF: Nadal - Cilic

[mrzz]

Cilic stepped up immensely on the fourth set, I guess we can all agree on that.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Well show me a fan that complains when their guy is basically getting a walkover from an opponent playing terribly...

As for this match it is a difference of opinion. Cilic isn't some talentless scrub. He's inherently a tough matchup for Nadal on paper and Rafa is not playing well at all as you admit. I'm not saying Cilic is playing like it's Wimbledon final or that he's atrocious but I think you're exaggerating his level a lot.

How can you exaggerate someone's level by saying they played "well"? That is literally the only adjective I used. If "well" is exaggerated then he's actually playing poorly, which I don't think anyone would actually believe.

 

[mrzz]

Oh, dear, a MTO that I'll have to hear about for the rest of my tennis forum life.

It depends. You will hear it less if he ends up losing, and not at all if he actually withdraws. Now you chose what you root for.

 

[Moxie]

Well show me a fan that complains when their guy is basically getting a walkover from an opponent playing terribly...

As for this match it is a difference of opinion. Cilic isn't some talentless scrub. He's inherently a tough matchup for Nadal on paper and Rafa is not playing well at all as you admit. I'm not saying Cilic is playing like it's Wimbledon final or that he's atrocious but I think you're exaggerating his level a lot.

Have you read the paper on that match-up? Cilic has had basically nothing on Nadal before today.

 

[Federberg]

I'll buck the trend and say Cilic is playing well.

I think Cilic is playing at a decent level. That's not the problem. He's consistently chickening out when he has the chance to actually win this thing. That's just who he is. I'm not arguing he's playing badly. He's just messing up when there really isn't a reason to do so

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal didn't chase that. This is officially the cursed slam for him.

 

[Moxie]

It depends. You will hear it less if he ends up losing, and not all if he actually withdraws. Now you chose what you root for.

I choose hearing about it forever.

 

[DarthFed]

How can you exaggerate someone's level by saying they played "well"? That is literally the only adjective I used. If "well" is exaggerated then he's actually playing poorly, which I don't think anyone would actually believe.

You initially said "very well" and Moxie called it Cilic at his best... just saying.

Anyways I'd say this injury is probably legit because Rafa looks about 2 steps slower than the first few rounds

 

[brokenshoelace]

If Rafa cries will Cilic be able to relate?

 

[Federberg]

Have you read the paper on that match-up? Cilic has had basically nothing on Nadal before today.

I'll do a Moxie, and respond on DF's behalf Everything Cilic does should mean that he's a nightmare match up for Rafa. But somehow he fluffs the script. That's the problem

 

[mrzz]

I choose hearing about it forever.

See? You're asking for it.

 

[Moxie]

I told you the footwork was off.

 

[Moxie]

See? You're asking for it.

No, just facing reality.

 

[Denis]

Cilic manages to waste three bp.

 

[Moxie]

He's not giving up.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'll do a Moxie, and respond on DF's behalf Everything Cilic does should mean that he's a nightmare match up for Rafa. But somehow he fluffs the script. That's the problem

Hold on, nightmare? I disagree. Yeah, if we live in a world where these tall guys will play like 2009 French Open Soderling every time then maybe. Djokovic is a nightmare match-up for Nadal. Cilic, even on paper (which is what we're discussing), is a potentially tough match-up for Nadal. But it's funny, these things are looked at one-sidedly. As in, it's only a "nightmare" match-up if you discount what Nadal can do to Cilic.

 

[DarthFed]

lol I could still see him losing this set from 4-1 0-40. Just terrible returning

 

[mrzz]

Crucial game here

 

[Moxie]

I'll do a Moxie, and respond on DF's behalf Everything Cilic does should mean that he's a nightmare match up for Rafa. But somehow he fluffs the script. That's the problem

Today. You should look at the H2H, though.

 

[DarthFed]

Lol this is funny if it wasn't sad