Australian Open Day 8: Monday, Jan 20 - Order of Play

[brokenshoelace]

Not liking Federer's play here. He's spraying errors in typical fashi...wait that's Rafa?

 

[DarthFed]

Rafa is not finding range yet but the serve is good.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

DRAGGING rafa oot wide saved his service game from 0-40..

rafa needs a glug of vamos-ade.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

frew said he heard a muffled vamos from rafa..lol

 

[El Dude]

Psyched about Grigor! He's my favorite non-elite player, so given Federer's decline its nice to have some hope.

I start to get warmed up to him as well. He is a good kid and I think his future starts to get brighter by the day.

I guess I'm a sucker for he smooth, flowing style of play that Roger mastered, so Grigor was a natural for me. I don't expect him to be a great player, but I'm hoping he becomes a factor at ATP 500s and 1000s, and a dark horse at Slams like Tsonga/Berdych, even having a chance in a couple years once Nadjokoray starts to decline. He seems to be the most talented of his sub-generation, with a better overall game than Raonic and Janowicz, so until the Kyrgios/Coric/Garin generation is ready to play at a high level, there might be a year or two when he might have a chance for a Slam or two.

 

[Srini]

Not liking Federer's play here. He's spraying errors in typical fashi...wait that's Rafa?

:laydownlaughing

 

[Moxie]

I'm making a pie. By the time it's done, Rafa will have won.

 

[herios]

I'm making a pie. By the time it's done, Rafa will have won.

That is going to be overbaked

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal's serve keeping him in this set.

 

[DarthFed]

This is the Rafa of 7-8 years ago I especially couldn't stand. He is playing like a pure pusher once the ball is in play. The serve has been amazing though. Kei will be kicking himself if he doesn't win this set and it'd likely lead to a quick 2nd and 3rd set

 

[Moxie]

I'm making a pie. By the time it's done, Rafa will have won.

That is going to be overbaked

No, it's going to be perfect!

 

[DarthFed]

Uncle Homie got a coaching violation. Stunning

 

[Moxie]

Whew…back to the pie.

 

[Goldenboy]

Wow what a crapfest from Rafa. Please improve now.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nishikori has already won as many games as Monfils won in the whole match.

Nice job kid. Just keep the pressure up like Ana. Don't get dejected just because
you lost the first set.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Not a good set from Nadal in terms of consistency and intensity. He's hitting the ball way too short and hitting the net way too many times. I hope he plays better in the next couple of sets.

He's serve though is spectacular right now. He's hitting his serve spots perfectly. I hope he could continue to do that until the end of the tournament.

 

[brokenshoelace]

This is the Rafa of 7-8 years ago I especially couldn't stand. He is playing like a pure pusher once the ball is in play. The serve has been amazing though. Kei will be kicking himself if he doesn't win this set and it'd likely lead to a quick 2nd and 3rd set

Yeah. It's honestly one of the worst sets of tennis he's produced since his comeback from injury. No exaggeration. It's not just about the errors, it's about his entire approach. Serve has been great though I don't understand why he's not going for the slider out wide. Nishikori has a small reach and will likely really struggle with it.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Nishikori has already won as many games as Monfils won in the whole match.

Nice job kid. Just keep the pressure up like Ana. Don't get dejected just because
you lost the first set.

Nihikori is delusional if he thinks he can continue to hit so flat at five foot 10. Way too many net errors.

And the the errors will pile up once Rafa shrinks the court.

 

[Goldenboy]

Rafa has massive tape on his left hand. Could be a blister. Did he just call the trainer?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

I'm making a pie. By the time it's done, Rafa will have won.

This match is so cut and dry. A short , flat hitter against the master matador,

Watch the Nishikori error count pile up. Watch Rafa go into cruise control. Zzzzzzzz