2018 French Open Mens QF: Nadal - Schwartzman

[GameSetAndMath]

Calm down folks. The dirt devil will repair itself and suck the life off shortman very soon.

 

[Carol]

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

I’m waiting for the grass season.......

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Looking at the stats.

Diego 20 winners and Rafa 4 in the first set. Diego 6 to Rafa 4 in second set so far.

More importantly Rafa has not even crossed 50% mark in first serve points won or in second serve points won in either set.

If Rafa gets more time to think, he will figure out what is going wrong and come out with good strategy.

Rain Rain go away, come again another day.

 

[DarthFed]

Nadal would've rallied anyways but I better never again hear any complaining from the Rafa contingent that Fed is lucky with the rain. All based on one rain delay in 2008 when Fed was ahead 5-4 or 6-5 on serve in the 3rd set. A little different from this or the recent Rome final wouldn't you say?

 

[Denis]

Promising scoreline. I guess Nadal will righten the ship with this gift from heaven. Go little Diego!

 

[Front242]

Only able to view the scoreline but no doubt the stadium sounds like a mass orgy from all the grunting right now.

 

[Moxie]

I think that ball from Nadal was going out, but Diego went for the overhead and blew it. Back on serve.

 

[Federberg]

I think that ball from Nadal was going out, but Diego went for the overhead and blew it. Back on serve.

That was Djokovian sadly...

This set is huge. If Diego is to stand any chance he has to take this

 

[DarthFed]

Predictable. Tyrion isn't going to beat Nads on clay. Not in this universe.

 

[Federberg]

Rafa is killing him with deep spinning balls now. Uncle Toni has given the right instructions

 

[DarthFed]

Best we can hope for now is for the runt to keep him out there an hour more or so. Attack the legs and hopefully the lucky bitch gets worn down

 

[atttomole]

Not sure if Rafa changed much from the little that I saw in this match. I think the Shwartzman is missing more after resumption of play.

 

[brokenshoelace]

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..

Irrespective of what happens this tournament (Nadal may well win it and he'll continue to be the favorite if he wins this match), it's important not to take things for granted, especially at the age these guys are at. Nadal won't dominate the FO forever when he's not nearly the physical specimen he used to be. That's why this year is so important, because he needs to win every major (especially RG) while he still can.

 

[Front242]

Rafa is killing him with deep spinning balls now. Uncle Toni has given the right instructions

Neither guy should be allowed get coaching even with weather delays imo. If they can't figure the tactics out themselves play a different sport or, better still, play as Nadless. Get the snip and join the WTA tour. All the talk of tennis IQ and it's all the coach...

 

[atttomole]

Best we can hope for now is for the runt to keep him out there an hour more or so. Attack the legs and hopefully the lucky bitch gets worn down

How does the Schwratzman attack the legs, considering that Rafa is way fitter than him?

 

[DarthFed]

How does the Schwratzman attack the legs, considering that Rafa is way fitter than him?

Keeping the bastard on the court as long as possible.

 

[kskate2]

Will they finish these matches today? It's already 7pm over there. Only 2 more hours of daylight

 

[Front242]

How does the Schwratzman attack the legs, considering that Rafa is way fitter than him?

Is he really fitter though? Schwartzman is very fast, takes the ball very early and hits with great angles. I see him personally as a shorter Nishikori who actually isn't made of glass.

 

[Front242]

Will they finish these matches today? It's already 7pm over there. Only 2 more hours of daylight

More than 2 but umpire's discretion I guess if play goes on past say 9:30. It's still very bright at that hour but probably getting tougher to see the lines alright. Either way, gym time for me.

 

[atttomole]

Keeping the bastard on the court as long as possible.

I see what you mean. Considering how he was shanking after the first rain break, I think Rafa will dispatch him in less than an hour.