2018 French Open Mens QF: Nadal - Schwartzman

[mrzz]

I still think that is unlikely that the match goes on like this (and DS wins it), but one thing that got to my attention right in the third or fourth game is that Nadal was looking tired. If this match goes for too long DS might have a real chance...

while Diego is even smaller at 5'7".

A lot of people here in Brazil that know DS says the ATP site has it wrong and that he is even smaller, measuring 1,65 M. (5'5').

 

[Federberg]

This is about as bad as Nadal has ever played at RG. Hate to be redundant but to me, the easiest player to "feel" at majors is Nadal. It's very obvious early on what kind of form he's in. The only reason he's still the favorite in this tournament (and that is in serious jeopardy now), is that it's Roland Garros, and he's won it 10 times, and if he navigates past this match, he can always step it up a gear. But this has been coming, in terms of his iffy play costing him.

I think the feel you talk about BS comes from being a fan. The number of times DF and I have known beforehand that Roger was going to get broken before he starts a serving game... As fans we get synched with the rhythm of our players

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Diego is breaking at will but lucky for Rafa that his own serve is not a weapon at all...
Diego seems to be winning the longer rallies though and that is more worrying probably.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Finally watching it live with Russian commentary (which I don't understand), thanks to Hoergren.

 

[brokenshoelace]

At least Soderling had to redline his game. Shwartzman isn't even forced to step outside his comfort zone. He doesn't have to be overly aggressive and every long rally favors him as Nadal will miss first, and his pattern of play is way too predictable that Shwartzman is just in practice mode. It doesn't help that Nadal's serve is literally offering him nothing.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Oh God, once I start watching they suspend the play.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think the feel you talk about BS comes from being a fan. The number of times DF and I have known beforehand that Roger was going to get broken before he starts a serving game... As fans we get synched with the rhythm of our players

That's part of it for sure.

 

[kskate2]

Play suspended. Lil Diego will have his momentum halted. Probably will win very few games after play resumes.

 

[atttomole]

Finally watching it live with Russian commentary (which I don't understand), thanks to Hoergren.

Which site are you watching it on GSM?

 

[britbox]

Which site are you watching it on GSM?

Hoergren was giving out Pornhub and Xhamster links.

 

[mrzz]

At least Soderling had to redline his game. Shwartzman isn't even forced to step outside his comfort zone. He doesn't have to be overly aggressive and every long rally favors him as Nadal will miss first, and his pattern of play is way too predictable that Shwartzman is just in practice mode. It doesn't help that Nadal's serve is literally offering him nothing.

But you gotta give credit to Schwartsman forehand. It is consistently lethal.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Hoergren was giving out Pornhub and Xhamster links.

Anything worth checking out to kill time during this rain delay?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Diego is breaking at will but lucky for Rafa that his own serve is not a weapon at all...
Diego seems to be winning the longer rallies though and that is more worrying probably.

He is totally outplaying Rafa.. Rafa needs the Earth’s Sun because he is from Krypton.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Which site are you watching it on GSM?

Very good site. Can pick and choose any match that you want. No need to sign up. No ads.

http://videostream.dn.ua/videopage/...c=en&i=eWl6aXFnc2hxZQ%B9f%B9f&hc_location=ufi

 

[brokenshoelace]

But you gotta give credit to Schwartsman forehand. It is consistently lethal.

Of course. You're not going to beat Nadal without playing well or having great shots. The problem is Nadal's pattern of play is so predictable, and there's so little sting on his shots that Diego can afford to strike his forehand at his own leisure, rather than being forced to rush it, go for it earlier in the rallies, etc... as Nadal's opponents typically do.

I know everyone wants to give the underdog credit and he definitely deserves it, but your job is made easier when your opponent has no serve (luckily neither does Diego otherwise this would have been a massacre), and every shot is within your strike range with very little pace. Plus, there's zero initiative from Nadal to pull the trigger or change direction, and when he does, it's an unforced error.

 

[mrzz]

Of course. You're not going to beat Nadal without playing well or having great shots. The problem is Nadal's pattern of play is so predictable, and there's so little sting on his shots that Diego can afford to strike his forehand at his own leisure, rather than being forced to rush it, go for it earlier in the rallies, etc... as Nadal's opponents typically do.

I know everyone wants to give the underdog credit and he definitely deserves it, but your job is made easier when your opponent has no serve (luckily neither does Diego otherwise this would have been a massacre), and every shot is within your strike range with very little pace. Plus, there's zero initiative from Nadal to pull the trigger or change direction, and when he does, it's an unforced error.

Cannot disagree with this, even if I would just tone it down a little (normal for a fan/non fan point of view). But on the converted set point (just to give even more credit do DS), he won it with a forehand fired quite outside his comfort zone.

 

[imjimmy]

I'm just watching this match puzzled. If Nadal loses, this will be his worst loss at RG. 2009 Soderling played an insane match. 2015 Djokovic was on another level, and Nadal was at his worst mentally.

But today, Rafa is just playing awful by his own standards or as world #1. His serve is slow and he isn't placing it well. His forehand lacks pace and he's just playing it safe. His movement, too, looks compromised. He cannot be aggressive, and lacks the courage to do so, because every time he takes a chance he misses.

The worst part is that Diego isn't even playing an extra-ordinary match, and STILL the match is on the Argentinian's racquet. Hell, the Italian guy who beat Novak played better than this.

I guess, age and overplay during clay season has done Rafa. I don't think he wins this tournament, likely not even this match.
And if he ever wants to win another French Open, he will have to rationalize his schedule with the clay masters (skip Barca at least), so that he can peak in Paris..

 

[kskate2]

Oh my. TTC has Brett (who knows nothing about tennis) and Martina talking strategy during the rain delay.

 

[Carol]

Relax everyone, Diego's got this. 4 sets maybe?

Relax everyone? who? only the antis, don’t be so happy, there is still more to play

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well. I know some of the voultures are going to begin circling looking for the Nadal’s corpse. I am praying my dawg can regroup and take this match