2018 US Open Men's Quarterfinals: Nadal vs. Thiem

[DarthFed]

I think most would disagree that it wasn't a big match for Thiem going forward.

How is that a big match. Am I missing something? Did he win?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It really got to sting for Thiem. Consider the following stats.

1. Thiem broke Rafa six times. Rafa broke Thiem only five times.

2. Thiem won 171 points. Rafa won 165 points. So, Thiem won six more points than Rafa.

3. Rafa is +6 in the differential. But Thiem is +17 in the differential. So, Thiem is ahead by 11 in the differential.

However, the most important stat is who won the match.

 

[DarthFed]

It is terrible. No use staying up so late and watching.

Got to get up in less than five hours to go to work.

If Ralph has lost at least I would not have nightmares.

I hear you. It was entertaining at least, but I'd rather sleep than watch him win. I think I'd rather eat elephant shit for a few hours than watch him win.

 

[Jelenafan]

I think most would disagree that it wasn't a big match for Thiem going forward.

I’m going to wait and see if Thiem gets better in HC Majors or if this is his high water mark.

 

[DarthFed]

The moral of the study is not to hate watch, bad for the health....

I envy those that don't hate and I'm not kidding. Life would be much easier if I didn't hate certain athletes and people in general. But some things are beyond my control.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nadal had that volley in the 4th set that would have given him MP.

They were gimmees missed on both sides but kudos to both players that they both came roaring back from what could have been crestfallen mini setbacks.

Nadal botched that type of volleys more than once in this match. In fairness, all of them were caused because Thiem got to the ball and somehow got it back in while generally it was kind of assumed that Rafa's previous shot was a winner. But, Rafa should do better. Except for JMac, everyone knows that Rafa is not a great volleyer.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I envy those that don't hate and I'm not kidding. Life would be much easier if I didn't hate certain athletes and people in general. But some things are beyond my control.

You even hate the non-haters.

 

[DarthFed]

I hope Thiem does turn a corner on HC and grass but I wouldn't base it on this. The conditions of the court were better than pretty much any other HC for his game and the fact of the matter is Nadal has been very subpar this tournament including tonight. Lot of big misses, really bad serving and continued long stretches of passive play.

 

[Jelenafan]

I envy those that don't hate and I'm not kidding. Life would be much easier if I didn't hate certain athletes and people in general. But some things are beyond my control.

So who do you hate in football?

 

[DarthFed]

You even hate the non-haters.

There is more hate in me than there is water. I'm a bitter and greedy bitch. What can I say

 

[DarthFed]

So who do you hate in football?

Everybody except the Green Bay Packers. Special hatred for Minnesota, New England, Chicago, and Dallas.

 

[Jelenafan]

Everybody except the Green Bay Packers. Special hatred for Minnesota, New England, Chicago, and Dallas.

That’s fine as long as that translates to love for Aaron Rogers, he’s a Chico boy...

 

[Andy22]

Three grand slam semi finals, in a row for nadal now, great match for D.thiem but nadal was just a little better., feel like his knees was the reason he lost the first set but thats ok he still won, nadal looking really awesome form.

 

[Jelenafan]

Nadal botched that type of volleys more than once in this match. In fairness, all of them were caused because Thiem got to the ball and somehow got it back in while generally it was kind of assumed that Rafa's previous shot was a winner. But, Rafa should do better. Except for JMac, everyone knows that Rafa is not a great volleyer.

He’s certainly better than Thiem.

I’d say Rafa is an opportunistic volleyer, and has good instincts to cut off the court with a well placed volley; but he’s no Stepanek; but then few are.

 

[DarthFed]

That’s fine as long as that translates to love for Aaron Rogers, he’s a Chico boy...

Chico? Is that what they call Southern Cal guys? Yes I have love for Rodgers, he is our whole team. Add Seattle to the list of special hatred.

 

[Jelenafan]

Chico? Is that what they call Southern Cal guys? Yes I have love for Rodgers, he is our whole team. Add Seattle to the list of special hatred.

Bite your tongue...Chico is in Northern Cal. Still kills me he played JC football in Chico because no big colleges wooed him out of high school.

ETA: well yes, everyone should hate the Seahawks...

 

[Chris Koziarz]

It really got to sting for Thiem. Consider the following stats.

1. Thiem broke Rafa six times. Rafa broke Thiem only five times.

2. Thiem won 171 points. Rafa won 165 points. So, Thiem won six more points than Rafa.

3. Rafa is +6 in the differential. But Thiem is +17 in the differential. So, Thiem is ahead by 11 in the differential.

However, the most important stat is who won the match.

The most shocking aspect is the 0-6 first set against the eventual winner. Have you ever seen anything like that in men's game, especially players like Rafa? If Rafa was injured or incapacitated somehow, then the next 2 sets would also be bagels (or sticks maybe) as you originally wished and we would go to beds early...
But no, Rafa undergone miraculous transformation. Even suspicious transformation IMO. That first set looked like tanking, not just on paper: even Moxie commented before 2 set that Rafa "does not look like himself". So this first set was such a tank job from an anti-tanking player, that if I was an umpire there, I would have a strong urge to step down from my chair before 2 set and tell him: "Rafa, are you OK? If so, we know you can play better than this, please engage at your usual level or I need to give you a warning" ))

 

[monfed]

And the nightmare continues. Another match where the opponent was much better but choked. Why do normal tennis fans have to suffer endlessly at the hands of this evil moonballer I will never know. Doesn't stop at RG and now it's spread to non-clay surfaces. Sickening result for tennis.

 

[Andy22]

Nadal showing why he is number one, that a champion win or lose the event he's still the best in the world.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Amazing match. Amazing Rafa. I am so happy he won a close 5 set matches because at the USO he had lost some heartbreaking ones in the past (Fognini, Pouille...). Well done GOAT.