2018 French Open Men's SF: Nadal v Del Potro

[kskate2]

This Nadal so far looks more like 2014 or even 2015. The one I saw yesterday and early against the Martyred one looked like the kind I pray I never see again. Beatable at least this set but Del Po blew a lot of chances.

He blew about 6 chances against Cilic in the first set too. Then the rest of the match he capitalized.

 

[Moxie]

For some odd reason a classic clay encounter between del Potro and Nadal on Davis Cup is frequently forgotten. JMdP gave a helluva of a fight that day, won the first set 6x1, and was a up a break and 40-0 while serving in the second... (strangely enough, DS was also 40-0 and a break up in the second in their match. You cannot give nothing to Nadal...).

This one has "classic" written all over it, even if both are not playing their absolute best. But both are playing quite good, it is a big stage, both really want it. Barring injury -- which for some reason I keep thinking will happen quite soon in the match to one of them -- it could be a hard fought and entertaining match, specially if del Potro manages not to go down 0-2.

One odd thing about this matchup is that the both forehand-backhand cross court rallies are completely favorable to the forehand side. The DTL forehand will probably appear just as a point finisher, because it would be in general a quite silly rally shot.

The two keys for me for the match are Nadal's number of UFE's and del Potro's serve. If Nadal is connecting, only a field day on serve can save del Potro, while if del Potro is serving well, Nadal cannot afford to miss much.

(just realized I haven't posted this earlier when I finished writing it, now the match is under way, better late than never).

I actually was thinking about that DC match. It was a final, too. Great match. Nadal won in 4, IIRC.

 

[DarthFed]

One of the things I admire most about DP is he is going to hit the crap out of the ball no matter who or what he's up against. I hate when he does it effectively vs Roger but he seems to be the only player who can consistently play first strike tennis vs. Fed. And obviously his only hope today is first strike tennis without many errors.

 

[DarthFed]

Ugh, he's volleying well, hitting great drop shots. What happened to the days he was one-dimensional.

DP blowing big opportunities this set.

 

[Moxie]

Ugh, he's volleying well, hitting great drop shots. What happened to the days he was one-dimensional.

DP blowing big opportunities this set.

:lulz2:

 

[atttomole]

Shanked forehand with Rafa on the rack.

 

[britbox]

Cracking cross court winner from RN

 

[Denis]

I assume Nadal breaks now and takes the first set.

It's like watching a horror movie over and over.

 

[DarthFed]

I actually was thinking about that DC match. It was a final, too. Great match. Nadal won in 4, IIRC.

That was a pretty straight forward 4 set match. Nothing too special.

 

[britbox]

Great hands at the net from Nadal.

Del Potro will take great comfort from the fact he's deep in virtually every Nadal service game.

 

[Moxie]

That was a great pass.

 

[atttomole]

One of the things I admire most about DP is he is going to hit the crap out of the ball no matter who or what he's up against. I hate when he does it effectively vs Roger but he seems to be the only player who can consistently play first strike tennis vs. Fed. And obviously his only hope today is first strike tennis without many errors.

Del Portro is an amazing player. He could pose problems for Federer even at Wimbledon.

 

[DarthFed]

Predictable bad game for DP

 

[Denis]

Great hands at the net from Nadal.

Del Potro will take great comfort from the fact he's deep in virtually every Nadal service game.

I've seen it before. I almost suspect he does it on purpose to break morale.

 

[DarthFed]

Del Portro is an amazing player. He could pose problems for Federer even at Wimbledon.

If Roger plays poorly sure.

 

[DarthFed]

Piece of cake match after all.

 

[Moxie]

Oh, yes!

 

[DarthFed]

Well this will be over in an hour now, Del Po choked it.

 

[Denis]

Well that sucks.

 

[DarthFed]

Plays his worst game of the match, that's the norm after not breaking despite a million opportunities