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

[DarthFed]

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

Probably touched another hot plate or did something else stupid.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

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

Pure pusher? You are kidding right?

 

[Goldenboy]

Yup, trainer came. But he did nothing, at least as far as I saw.

 

[brokenshoelace]

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

Probably touched another hot plate or did something else stupid.

Blisters.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

agitated rafa not judging court speed too well.

 

[Moxie]

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

Probably touched another hot plate or did something else stupid.

Blisters.

I read in the Spanish press yesterday. He does have blisters on his fingers.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

In the mean time several top seeds fell in Men's Doubles. Good opportunity for
Leander and Radek to win another doubles title. They are the highest seed left.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

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

Probably touched another hot plate or did something else stupid.

Blisters.

I read in the Spanish press yesterday. He does have blisters on his fingers.

The last time he had blisters, he lost to Mosquito in Rome.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

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

Probably touched another hot plate or did something else stupid.

Blisters.

I read in the Spanish press yesterday. He does have blisters on his fingers.

So did Ringo.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Rafa is clearly agitated and angry. He often gives "looks" to Kei.

 

[britbox]

Kei gets the break.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Was that the worst miss of Nadal's career (not taking importance into consideration)?

 

[calitennis127]

Rafa is clearly agitated and angry. He often gives "looks" to Kei.

Hopefully he won't glare at him. Or else Kei might wither by it.

 

[britbox]

It was a bad miss. I can only assume Nishikori has been out socialising with the Seahawks defensive backfield.

 

[brokenshoelace]

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.

That's the only way he'll have a chance. He has to hit flat and aggressive. Against Nadal, you gotta accept that you'll be making errors (in the case of Kei, lots of them), but you want to compensate with forcing errors and dictating. So far, I'd say it's working for Nishikori.

 

[calitennis127]

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.

That's the only way he'll have a chance. He has to hit flat and aggressive. Against Nadal, you gotta accept that you'll be making errors (in the case of Kei, lots of them), but you want to compensate with forcing errors and dictating. So far, I'd say it's working for Nishikori.

Amazing that the super-tough-minded Frenchman Gael Monfils (who is a far more gifted athlete than Nishikori) has never really tried that against Nadal, despite the fact that he is no less aggressive or assertive in his mindset than your average American athlete. Fascinating, isn't it?

 

[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.

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.

That's the only way he'll have a chance. He has to hit flat and aggressive. Against Nadal, you gotta accept that you'll be making errors (in the case of Kei, lots of them), but you want to compensate with forcing errors and dictating. So far, I'd say it's working for Nishikori.

That is how Davy used to beat Nadal

 

[calitennis127]

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.

That's the only way he'll have a chance. He has to hit flat and aggressive. Against Nadal, you gotta accept that you'll be making errors (in the case of Kei, lots of them), but you want to compensate with forcing errors and dictating. So far, I'd say it's working for Nishikori.

That is how Davy used to beat Nadal

Yes, and it was a pleasure to witness.

 

[DarthFed]

The break on a Djokovic overhead too.

 

[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.

That's the only way he'll have a chance. He has to hit flat and aggressive. Against Nadal, you gotta accept that you'll be making errors (in the case of Kei, lots of them), but you want to compensate with forcing errors and dictating. So far, I'd say it's working for Nishikori.

That is how Davy used to beat Nadal

With all due respect to Kei, Davy in his prime is IMO a far more pure of a ball striker, a better mover,
and a smarter player.