Australian Open Day 3: Wednesday, January 21

[tented]

Yes, thankfully that's over.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Just woke up to see Rafa on his knees, after a win. Did not see this happening this way. What happened?

 

[kskate2]

and there it is. Poor Tim. We'll see what, if any he learns from this match. Good effort though and can be proud he played a 4 hour match w/ a 14-time slam champ. :clap

 

[Kirijax]

I could use some of those meds Nadal takes during his MTOs, whatever they are.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Tim getting a standing ovation from the crowd...well deserved

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

woah. falling on his knees crying after 2nd Rd win against #112, says something about how intense that brush with an early exit was.
i'm really optimistic that in the end, the match will do more good than harm.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Just woke up to see Rafa on his knees, after a win. Did not see this happening this way. What happened?

Nobody knows.

To sum it up:

Routine first set. Bad second set. Patchy third set in which he was up and served for it, got broken after double faulting on break point for the third straight time (yes, he doubled on break point 3 times), lost the tie-break, looked completely out of it physically, went for broke in the fourth set similar to what he did against Wawrinka last year, it worked, then played a good, smart fifth in which he knew how to use whatever energy he has left.

 

[tented]

Just woke up to see Rafa on his knees, after a win. Did not see this happening this way. What happened?

Rafa played.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa being interviewed on court,Rafa felt tired after the 1st set,it was humid.Rafa felt cramps around his body.Rafa thanked the crowd for their support.

 

[brokenshoelace]

woah. falling on his knees crying after 2nd Rd win against #112, says something about how intense that brush with an early exit was.
i'm really optimistic that in the end, the match will do more good than harm.

It will do him good as far as confidence goes and playing in the clutch (even though he played poorly in the clutch but as always, he fought). However, I worry about the physical toll it took on him. I think he's in a similar spot to where Murray was at last year at the same point. He just came back from injury and is not ready physically, and it shows through his game. The movement is worryingly off, and the serve is somewhat harmless.

I do think it's a bit much to ask from Nadal to go deep in this tournament. This is probably the first real "one match at a time" tournament of Nadal's career. Going deep is just a confidence builder, but if this month is any indication, he doesn't have a real shot of winning the tournament.

 

[kskate2]

So, the one-day sale at Kohls was not a success. Weekend puts him away in 4

 

[rafanoy1992]

Rafa being interviewed on court,Rafa felt tired after the 1st set,it was humid.Rafa felt cramps around his body.Rafa thanked the crowd for their support.

I feel like he was just nervous...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Just woke up to see Rafa on his knees, after a win. Did not see this happening this way. What happened?

Nobody knows.

To sum it up:

Routine first set. Bad second set. Patch third set in which he was up and served for it, got broken after double faulting on break point for the third straight time (yes, he doubled on break point 3 times), lost the tie-break, looked completely out of it physically, went for broke in the fourth set similar to what he did against Wawrinka last year, it worked, then played a good, smart fifth in which he knew how to use whatever energy he has left.

Thanks BS. Some might think a win like this is just what Rafa needed, but I tend to disagree. Too much tennis and stress too early. And I am not sure if this gives him confidence or hurts it.:huh:

Tomic just served it out too.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Tomic d Kohlschreiber 67(5) 64 76(6) 76 (5)

Tomic will now play Groth next.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Just woke up to see Rafa on his knees, after a win. Did not see this happening this way. What happened?

Nobody knows.

To sum it up:

Routine first set. Bad second set. Patch third set in which he was up and served for it, got broken after double faulting on break point for the third straight time (yes, he doubled on break point 3 times), lost the tie-break, looked completely out of it physically, went for broke in the fourth set similar to what he did against Wawrinka last year, it worked, then played a good, smart fifth in which he knew how to use whatever energy he has left.

Thanks BS. Some might think a win like this is just what Rafa needed, but I tend to disagree. Too much tennis and stress too early. And I am not sure if this gives him confidence or hurts it.:huh:

Tomic just served it out too.

It's good for the confidence and getting back in the right competitive mental state (no amount of practice can compensate). But physically, this can't be good. As he said in his post match interview, getting cramps after 1 hour of play is not normal, and it does indicate that he's not physically ready for grand slam tennis yet. A 4 hour match couldn't have helped. He needs two smooth back-to-back straight setters, but even then, I don't think he has a chance against the elite. I mean at this point, can you be confident he beats say... Berdych? Even his next match is a question mark at this point, which in some ways, is exciting since it makes it worth watching...

 

[rafanoy1992]

It will be interesting how Nadal does moving forward in this tournament.

BS is right that it might take a toll to Nadal physically because he just came back from injury.

At the same time, it might give Nadal some confidence going forward.

All I know is that he needs to improve A LOT!

 

[Vince Evert]

and there it is. Poor Tim. We'll see what, if any he learns from this match. Good effort though and can be proud he played a 4 hour match w/ a 14-time slam champ. :clap

Agreed. Well said. Also wonderful sportsmanship from the american when at 30-0 some heckler yelled jsut as Rafa toss the ball to serve, Tim then told the umpire to give Nadal two serves. The USTA should put Tim in the Davis Cup team. Hard to believe that his ranking is 112.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Rafa should really take some lessons away from this match though, as far as the rest of his career is concerned. No, he won't be in such a poor physical state every match for the next few years, but it's obvious he's nowhere near the physical beast he once was. He's done so well to adapt his game throughout the years but even that won't be enough as he continues to get older and decline physically (the loss in movement is obvious, though this match was an extreme example. He won't move this poorly for the rest of the year). The way he played in that 4th set should be something to keep in mind. No, I don't advocate going for broke on every shot the way he was doing because under normal circumstances, he won't be this loose and they won't always go in. But that inside out forehand is devastating when he goes for it earlier in the rally. It's pretty unplayable because nobody can read it, as they all expect the rally cross court.

 

[Vince Evert]

Tomic d Kohlschreiber 67(5) 64 76(6) 76 (5)

Tomic will now play Groth next.

Tomic's coming of age. Who you picking for the third round ?

 

[Carol]

My goodness, I've just woke up and I see that Rafa has played a long match and his opponent has gaven him a tough fight which is a good thing for Rafa who needs to be more hours on the court (but not so long lol)
I can imagine that Smyczek has played pretty good or Rafa not too good?, just one ace? hope that he is going to serve much better in the next matches, main weapon playing on HC and more playing against the top ones