2022 Australian Open Men’s Quarterfinal: Rafael Nadal vs. Denis Shapovalov

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa said he had his chances in the 3rd set
Conditions were tough and he started feeling sick in the stomach
Knew Denis was a dangerous player
Felt better after the pills.Happy to be in the s/finals because 2 months ago he didn't think he would be back playing the tour

 

[Moxie]

The Curse is officially BROKEN! YAY!

Not officially, yet. But I take your point.

 

[rafanoy1992]

What I meant by "curse" is that he is finally able to surpass the QF curse that is plagued by injuries!

 

[Vince Evert]

I can hardly believe it!

Believe what ?!?? That he was able to find a way to win even though he was injured? Say, Mox what exactly and where abouts did the injury occur? We missed out on seeing the bulk of the match here.

 

[Moxie]

This really is going to sting watching Shapovalov lose this match. It would be scary to imagine where this match would be if he halved his error count.

I didn't want to respond to this until it was over, so as not to jinx it, but for sure this will sting for Denis. But his error count is part of his problem, in general. This is not an anomaly for him. He himself said that he knew the match would be physical, and tough, and he'd have to be patient and find his moments. He had a great champion on the ropes, and he couldn't close. He couldn't do what he knew he had to. That's something he needs to work on. I like him, and I like his game, but he needs to recognize where the lines of the court are, and that blasting the ball is not the only way to win matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I need a stiff drink now before Barty's match

 

[rafanoy1992]

I will say this again: The heat might be tough on his body, but his game suits very well on a hot day! He just needs to find a way to finish the match quickly as possible! It's tough because he is 35.5 years old, but just need to finish sooner rather than later!

 

[Moxie]

What I meant by "curse" is that he is finally able to surpass the QF curse that is plagued by injuries!

I know. But there is a bigger curse, and we're still 2 matches away.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

What I meant by "curse" is that he is finally able to surpass the QF curse that is plagued by injuries!

I still would never put that out in the universe.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Quite frankly I did not expect Rafa to make the s/finals at the AO,so with all the drama in this match I am a happy fan

 

[rafanoy1992]

I know. But there is a bigger curse, and we're still 2 matches away.

One match at a time, Moxie!

 

[Moxie]

Didn't Djokovic also have a stomach injury this time last year in a quarterfinal. Might've been against Zverev? He was able to win the match - and the championship.
Might be an omen but i reckon Nadal will do the same.

That was against Fritz. Ab, he said. This I think was just illness, maybe due to heat.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Stomach problems like Rafa can also be a heat issue
If it was a serious ab issue his serve would go south
R,emeber Matteo had a stomach issue in one of his game,got some pills and was fine

 

[Moxie]

Believe what ?!?? That he was able to find a way to win even though he was injured? Say, Mox what exactly and where abouts did the injury occur? We missed out on seeing the bulk of the match here.

It wasn't an injury, he was just sick to his stomach. Maybe heat. He said they took his blood pressure off court, gave him a tablet, and declared him fit to play.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Quite frankly I did not expect Rafa to make the s/finals at the AO,so with all the drama in this match I am a happy fan

Dont give me a Angry sign AP....just because your girl made the s/final earlier.I was speaking how I felt okay

 

[rafanoy1992]

In all seriousness, Nadal has to find a way to win the 3rd set quickly after winning the two sets. Either that or just focus on his own service games until it is 4-4 later in the set.

I think he focus too much on trying to play point by point that by the time it is the end of the set, he get tired or nervous.

 

[Vince Evert]

It wasn't an injury, he was just sick to his stomach. Maybe heat. He said they took his blood pressure off court, gave him a tablet, and declared him fit to play.

Thanks. So at what stage of the match did he become ill? Was it during the third set when leading? Like i said C9 left the match and crossed to the "Special K" doubles when that got underway. Pathetic decision, hope disgruntled Nadal fans (and i'm not one of them) jam Channel 9 switchboard with complaints.

 

[Moxie]

One match at a time, Moxie!

I think that's what I have been saying.

Once Rafa recovers, and luckily he has a few days, I like what he's trying to do with his serve, but his timing on the ball is lacking. And I think he's going to have to take a more aggressive position in the court on the 2nd serve. Try to take the ball earlier. Unless he gets Monfils in the SF (unlikely), he's going to get tall guys with big serves from her on in. No surprise. Prepare for that.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In all seriousness, Nadal has to find a way to win the 3rd set quickly after winning the two sets. Either that or just focus on his own service games until it is 4-4 later in the set.

I think he focus too much on trying to play point by point that by the time it is the end of the set, he get tired or nervous.

Rafa has always played like that,I still feel his age has something to do with the fact he can get nervous closing out sets

 

[Moxie]

Thanks. So at what stage of the match did he become ill? Was it during the third set when leading? Like i said C9 left the match and crossed to the "Special K" doubles when that got underway. Pathetic decision, hope disgruntled Nadal fans (and i'm not one of them) jam Channel 9 switchboard with complaints.

I really think it was heat, so it was just that he was sinking, and getting more ill. You could see the energy leaking out of him. So, did Special K win?