Australian Open Day 3: Wednesday, January 21

[brokenshoelace]

Props to Smyzcek for the way he carried himself throughout. What he did in that last game is something I've never seen (might legitimately be the best act of sportsmanship I've ever seen on a tennis court).

As far his game goes, he's like a much inferior version of Nishikori and he's not exactly young, so I don't expect anything moving forward. But he played a clean match for the most part. He moves very well and reads the game incredibly well. Great shot selection too, in general.

 

[rafanoy1992]

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.

I agree...Also, I think he should his backhand more instead of running around his backhand to hit a forehand. It's just save his energy and he could be more unpredictable.

 

[Vince Evert]

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.

I don't see you giving any credit to Tim after such a gallant effort played over 4 hours. You don't think much of him do you ?

 

[Vince Evert]

Props to Smyzcek for the way he carried himself throughout. What he did in that last game is something I've never seen (might legitimately be the best act of sportsmanship I've ever seen on a tennis court).

As far his game goes, he's like a much inferior version of Nishikori and he's not exactly young, so I don't expect anything moving forward. But he played a clean match for the most part. He moves very well and reads the game incredibly well. Great shot selection too for the most part.

Well said. Disregard my previous post. What do you think BS ? Will he go places from here ? 27 years he could be a late bloomer.

 

[mrzz]

Rosol must be kicking himself real hard right now.

 

[Carol]

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.

I'm not sure how good his opponent has played (probably pretty well) but don't you think that after to have been so long out of the court Rafa is doing pretty well? tell me what player is playing better if he has been under those circunstances (injury/surgery) because I can't think of anyone. Of course Roger and Novak never has been out of the court due to an injury

 

[Vince Evert]

Oh yeah I think BS you were right about the bottom half of the draw providing all the great match-ups.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Props to Smyzcek for the way he carried himself throughout. What he did in that last game is something I've never seen (might legitimately be the best act of sportsmanship I've ever seen on a tennis court).

As far his game goes, he's like a much inferior version of Nishikori and he's not exactly young, so I don't expect anything moving forward. But he played a clean match for the most part. He moves very well and reads the game incredibly well. Great shot selection too for the most part.

Well said. Disregard my previous post. What do you think BS ? Will he go places from here ? 27 years he could be a late bloomer.

Nothing I saw in this game made me think he'll be someone to take note of. It's not that he didn't play well. He played very well under the circumstances. But every professional tennis player can have a good performance in him. But if we're talking about anything consistent then I don't see something out of the ordinary. We gotta remember that these guys are tennis pros. Of course they can make great shots on their day. I feel we often lose sight of that whenever someone puts on a great performance and we act like it's the next coming of Rod Laver.

 

[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.

I agree...Also, I think he should his backhand more instead of running around his backhand to hit a forehand. It's just save his energy and he could be more unpredictable.

If there's one positive to take from this tournament so far, it's that Rafa is at least attempting to do what you described above. He is trying to get on top of the ball with his backhand side and take it earlier. It worked well against Youzhny and it was working fine early in this match before things went downhill.

 

[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.

I'm not sure how good his opponent has played (probably pretty well) but don't you think that after to have been so long out of the court Rafa is doing pretty well? tell me what player is playing better if he has been under those circunstances (injury/surgery) because I can't think of anyone. Of course Roger and Novak never has been out of the court due to an injury

Well, I'm not criticizing Rafa.

I'm pointing out that he's not playing well. It doesn't surprise me, and I do think nobody else would have competed the way he did given all his physical struggles. That is to be admired. Pointing out that a player isn't playing well doesn't imply criticism. It's not like he's doing it on purpose. The man is trying his best. But he'll be the first to tell you he's not playing well.

My above post is what I think he should do in the future, not this tournament, because again, I don't think he's ready to win it, nor does Rafa.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkVVx_O4nRc[/video]

 

[Vince Evert]

Not wanting to get ahead, but a R16 matchup with Richard Gasquet looms for Nadal. You got to wonder what toll this second round match will have on Nadal. On current form, Gasquet will win in straight sets.

 

[mrzz]

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.

I agree...Also, I think he should his backhand more instead of running around his backhand to hit a forehand. It's just save his energy and he could be more unpredictable.

If there's one positive to take from this tournament so far, it's that Rafa is at least attempting to do what you described above. He is trying to get on top of the ball with his backhand side and take it earlier. It worked well against Youzhny and it was working fine early in this match before things went downhill.

Regarding just the AO, everything rests on Nadal's ability to recover and improve, specially his movement. I agree about the inside out, only thing is that neither Youznhy nor Smyzcek played deep or fast. He will get much less chances to run around his bh when he meets someone who can hit the ball hard.

 

[the AntiPusher]

WHEW:cover

 

[pavlik89]

Rafael Nadal vs Tim Smyczek FULL MATCH HD Australian Open 2015

http://www.tennishdhighlights.com/australian-open/2015-2/

 

[Vince Evert]

Did you guys know that Roger Federer was stung by a bee during the first set of his match earlier today ? He came back and won in four sets, thanks goodness, LOL -

5pm — FEDERER STUNG BY A BEE, RECOVERS
IT’S not something we’re accustomed to seeing in the first week of a grand slam, but Roger Federer dropped the first set 6-3 against Italy’s Simone Bolelli this afternoon.

The Swiss bounced back quickly, however, to run out a comfortable 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 winner.

He was also stung by a bee, as you can see in the video above.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-day-three-from-melbourne-park/story-fndkzym4-1227191692673

 

[Carol]

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.

I'm not sure how good his opponent has played (probably pretty well) but don't you think that after to have been so long out of the court Rafa is doing pretty well? tell me what player is playing better if he

has been under those circunstances (injury/surgery) because I can't think of anyone. Of course Roger and Novak never has been out of the court due to an injury

Well, I'm not criticizing Rafa.

I'm pointing out that he's not playing well. It doesn't surprise me, and I do think nobody else would have competed the way he did given all his physical struggles. That is to be admired. Pointing out that a
player isn't playing well doesn't imply criticism. It's not like he's doing it on purpose. The man is trying his best. But he'll be the first to tell you he's not playing well.

My above post is what I think he should do in the future, not this tournament, because again, I don't think he's ready to win it, nor does Rafa.

Well, we'll see what happens in the future but since Rafa was 18 years old I have heard many times that his future is not going to be so good, he will retire earlier and etc etc etc and he is still there and he will still for a while

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm not sure how good his opponent has played (probably pretty well) but don't you think that after to have been so long out of the court Rafa is doing pretty well? tell me what player is playing better if he

has been under those circunstances (injury/surgery) because I can't think of anyone. Of course Roger and Novak never has been out of the court due to an injury

Well, I'm not criticizing Rafa.

I'm pointing out that he's not playing well. It doesn't surprise me, and I do think nobody else would have competed the way he did given all his physical struggles. That is to be admired. Pointing out that a
player isn't playing well doesn't imply criticism. It's not like he's doing it on purpose. The man is trying his best. But he'll be the first to tell you he's not playing well.

My above post is what I think he should do in the future, not this tournament, because again, I don't think he's ready to win it, nor does Rafa.

Well, we'll see what happens in the future but since Rafa was 18 years old I have heard many times that his future is not going to be so good, he will retire earlier and etc etc etc and he is still there and he will still for a while

And I fully expect him to.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Tim Smyczek sums up the match better than any of us did:

On Nadal: "That was his C or D game and he found a way to win. Hats off to him. That's why he's one of the best"

Pretty much. Well said, Tim. You've got a fan for a life...who doesn't really believe in your skills, but still.

 

[Front242]

All depends on the kid, Sid. He's got to put Nadal away.

You realize this "kid" is only a year younger than Nadal :cover