2018 French Open Mens QF: Nadal - Schwartzman

[DarthFed]

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..

Any loss that Nadal would have here at age 32 isn't anywhere near as shocking as Sod was. This would have been a massive, Earth-shattering upset but that was universe-shattering.

 

[atttomole]

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.

The Schwartzman is a bundle of energy, but Rafa is definitely fitter than him. If he can prolong the points, Rafa will win in 4.

 

[Front242]

The Schwartzman is a bungle of energy, but Rafa is definitely fitter than him. If he can prolong the points, Rafa will win if 4.

I won't even go there regarding fitness. Oops, I already did.

 

[imjimmy]

Any loss that Nadal would have here at age 32 isn't anywhere near as shocking as Sod was. This would have been a massive, Earth-shattering upset but that was universe-shattering.

That's basically what I was saying. Soderling 2009 F.O R4 was one of the biggest upsets of all time. And to do that, Soderling played a hell of a match.
This match, if Nadal loses, is more due to Nadal's form than due to his opponent. Diego is playing well, but Soderling in 2009 was on another planet. If the Nadal of today would have played the 2009 Soderling, he wouldn't have won a set, not even gotten to a TB.

 

[kskate2]

guess we can always resort to the fashion thread during this delay.

 

[Moxie]

I guess that's it for today.

 

[kskate2]

oh. they called it for today already?

 

[Moxie]

oh. they called it for today already?

It seems early, but TTC signed off and said they'd come back with the OOP for tomorrow. I'm not totally clear.

 

[El Dude]

Clearly what happened is that Rafa was struggling, so the Powers That Be used their Weather Manipulator to give Rafa a chance to rest and recuperate, and also threaten Little Diego with pain and dismemberment of a family member if he didn't comply with The Plan.

 

[Horsa]

Clearly what happened is that Rafa was struggling, so the Powers That Be used their Weather Manipulator to give Rafa a chance to rest and recuperate, and also threaten Little Diego with pain and dismemberment of a family member if he didn't comply with The Plan.

Haha! Very funny. (Not meant sarcastically). I think you should be a comedian.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Clearly what happened is that Rafa was struggling, so the Powers That Be used their Weather Manipulator to give Rafa a chance to rest and recuperate, and also threaten Little Diego with pain and dismemberment of a family member if he didn't comply with The Plan.

So you dont believed the AP's 25% Native American Heritage dance is what causes the storm clouds to emerge for Rafa?

 

[DarthFed]

So you dont believed the AP's 25% Native American Heritage dance is what causes the storm clouds to emerge for Rafa?

Y'all can't sabotage Tyrion like that. Let him have his fill of glory (wine and other pleasures) at Ralphie's expense.

 

[Horsa]

So you dont believed the AP's 25% Native American Heritage dance is what causes the storm clouds to emerge for Rafa?

I'm very sorry for interrupting but I just had to say that I was going to mention Native American rain dances earlier but didn't want to accidentally offend anyone. I obviously wouldn't have meant it wrong but a lot of people take things the wrong way nowadays. You've got to be careful on what you say & how you say things. There are too many taboo subjects (& I don't mean a certain drink with lemonade, lol.) & it can be hard to have a laugh.

 

[Moxie]

Clearly what happened is that Rafa was struggling, so the Powers That Be used their Weather Manipulator to give Rafa a chance to rest and recuperate, and also threaten Little Diego with pain and dismemberment of a family member if he didn't comply with The Plan.

If you were a closer follower of the Rafa Story, you would know that Toni can make it rain. And Toni is in Paris. End of story.

 

[monfed]

This moonballing lucker gets away with it again. Can't believe luck goes in favour of mowgli

 

[mrzz]

Even so I will go with a twist in the plot: Schwartzman gets the first set and will lead by a break in the second. Then...

Ha! My best prediction ever by a country mile! Even the dramatic pause was correctly used!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Y'all can't sabotage Tyrion like that. Let him have his fill of glory (wine and other pleasures) at Ralphie's expense.

I got to do what I got to do to counter act all those voodoo dolls that you, GSM, Front, BB, KS and about 90 % of this board possess. The AntiRafa tribe had a great day.. I am glad you all enjoyed it at poor Rafa’s expense. I have contacted the Tennis gods and it will be sunny but cloudy on Thursday.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Nad plays badly today, we all agree on it, regardless of littleman's level.
While speculations about the reasons for Nad's poor performance are coming, few has been stressing the heavily taped wrists. I think that taping may be a key reason. My speculation is the unthinkable may have happened: the wrist injury starts bothering the champion again. Such case would be a very bad news at this stage, even if he pulls out of this match. He has to win two more potentially more difficult matches to defend his ranking position.
The delay due to rain may seem to benefit him but the potetial injury (or more likely body wear-down due to lotta play) will not go away overnight. It'll become stiffer/more aching next morning. If he managed to keep it OK with bandages last night, it will be harder in 15h time when the match resumes. We need to admit it folks: even little but healthier body has huge advantage.

 

[DarthFed]

Ha! My best prediction ever by a country mile! Even the dramatic pause was correctly used!

I hope your crystal ball includes the inevitable destruction of a certain someone as well :sith:

 

[Moxie]

All joking aside, terrible time to have to suspend those matches. No love for Cilic v JMDP, but they were all even in the first set TB, and Nadal just 2 (?) points from the 2nd set. Both matches up first tomorrow at 12 noon local Paris time.