Australian Open Day 5: Friday, January 23

[brokenshoelace]

OK, this is better from Nadal. He's hitting the ball well. He seems to have given up on the return position he adopted in his past two games though.

 

[Federberg]

...or Fed is growing old

Haha! Happens to all of us. But from the little I've seen this wasn't about old age? I could be wrong...

Well, I mean, age is why Federer now loses matches he didn't use to before. He's just not as good. However, he got old years ago, so there's no point in bringing that up now (even though I just jokingly did). We can't hold him to the same standards anymore. However, even by his standards these days, he would definitely hope to play better in the future.

agreed

 

[nehmeth]

Is it me or is Nadal's cross court forehand lacking a little ferocity? Not sure if it's the court or the fact that he's hitting with more angle due to his opponent being one handed.

Um, 6-1, 4-0 is a beat down Broken. You think he needs to hit the ball harder??

 

[brokenshoelace]

And Bernie is what, a third tier player? He has the potential to frustrate Tomas, but that doesn't mean he will.

I was talking about Berdych's ranking maybe I should have clarified that in my post,I dont rate him,as high as Novak,Rafa,Federer or Murray,I think his wins show that over the years,to me he hasnt got the 'will to win,nor does he play the big points,like the other three'

Of course I dont have a crystal ball,I have been impressed with Tomic,to me he has improved with each match.

I agree about Berdych; my point is that Tomic is a third rate player. His best and most consistent shot is the gun he's taken to his career.

Tomic has some things that bother Berdych. He breaks rhythm well, can make Berdych run, surprise him with drop shots, force him to bend low with some slices, etc...

However, while Tomic reads the game very well and anticipates really well, he's also quite lazy and doesn't like to move and defend (which is why he relies on anticipating). Against someone who hits the ball as hard as Berdych does, this could be a problem because he can overpower him easily, and force him to move around. He just hits too big to simply rely on anticipation. To compensate, Tomic would have to be able to do his own dictating, which I'm not sure he can do consistently. I expect Berdych to win a competitive 4 setter.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Is it me or is Nadal's cross court forehand lacking a little ferocity? Not sure if it's the court or the fact that he's hitting with more angle due to his opponent being one handed.

Um, 6-1, 4-0 is a beat down Broken. You think he needs to hit the ball harder??

It's funny because as I typed that he's actually stepped up his aggression and increased racket head speed on his forehand (or I'm just seeing things). Pretty sure Uncle Toni was checking out the forums on his iPhone.

 

[rafanoy1992]

It will be interesting on how Nadal plays against Anderson.

 

[nehmeth]

It's funny because as I typed that he's actually stepped up his aggression and increased racket head speed on his forehand (or I'm just seeing things). Pretty sure Uncle Toni was checking out the forums on his iPhone.

... and sending signals to Rafa saying, "Damn but Broken won't be happy with anything less than destroying your opponent. Kick it up a gear Ralf!"

 

[Haelfix]

Rafa is just practicing at this point. This could be the most singularly unfair matchup i've ever seen on a tennis court. Sela's backhand actually, incredibly holds up to a certain degree, it's just that he's about 50 feet behind the baseline within two strokes.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's funny how match-ups work. Sela just beat Rosol handily, who is no scrub (as Nadal knows all too well), he's been on tour for a long time and has some quality wins. He's even ranked ahead of Nadal's previous opponent (who took him to five), yet it looks like Nadal is literally playing an amateur to where Sela has to work his butt off to just stay in rallies.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Disregard earlier post about the forehand.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Disregard earlier post about the forehand.

What do you think of the Nadal-Anderson match?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

And Bernie is what, a third tier player? He has the potential to frustrate Tomas, but that doesn't mean he will.

I was talking about Berdych's ranking maybe I should have clarified that in my post,I dont rate him,as high as Novak,Rafa,Federer or Murray,I think his wins show that over the years,to me he hasnt got the 'will to win,nor does he play the big points,like the other three'

Of course I dont have a crystal ball,I have been impressed with Tomic,to me he has improved with each match.

I agree about Berdych; my point is that Tomic is a third rate player. His best and most consistent



shot is the gun he's taken to his career.

Well I have followed Tomic as a junior,his game in ways,hasnt evolved,as a player you have to keep evolving,as a junior he never like playing the volley,to me adding the more variety in your game can only be a plus.His needs to address his transition game for starters,his approach to the volley at times is plain woeful,though I put that onus on his coach in ways.He is a tall player and at the net if he was solid,his wing span would make it hard for a player to pass him.I have often said he needs a new coach,sad to say that wont be happening.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Disregard earlier post about the forehand.

What do you think of the Nadal-Anderson match?

Rafa should have a pretty distinct advantage in the rallies because he can move Anderson around and expose his movement. That said, Anderson does hit pretty big and Rafa isn't moving great so he will be able to hit through him more than usual, and of course, Anderson has a huge serve. I like Rafa's chances but it will be one of those low-margin for error match-ups as Rafa doesn't want to go down a break against a serve like Anderson.

 

[tented]

Trivia question: When's the last time Rafa lost only two games in a GS match?

 

[rafanoy1992]

Trivia question: When's the last time Rafa lost only two games in a GS match?

Easy: againt Juan Monaco in the 2012 RG. The score was 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. He won the last 14 games I think

 

[tented]

Trivia question: When's the last time Rafa lost only two games in a GS match?

Easy: againt Juan Monaco in the 2012 RG. The score was 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. He won the last 14 games I think

Well done. :clap

 

[rafanoy1992]

Trivia question: When's the last time Rafa lost only two games in a GS match?

Easy: againt Juan Monaco in the 2012 RG. The score was 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. He won the last 14 games I think

Well done. :clap

Here's a weird stat: If Nadal wins this tournament, this will be his 2nd Career Slam, 2nd Aussie Title and he will move to second in all time slam wins.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Easy: againt Juan Monaco in the 2012 RG. The score was 6-2, 6-0, 6-0. He won the last 14 games I think

Well done. :clap

Here's a weird stat: If Nadal wins this tournament, this will be his 2nd Career Slam, 2nd Aussie Title and he will move to second in all time slam wins.

I think 2nd place is about as much as we can dream this year

 

[pavlik89]

[split] Australian Open Day 5: Friday, January 23

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LEhRbuCnMQ[/video]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa too many ufe from you in this service game,you should have broken Sela by now in the 3rd set