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

[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.

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.

But that's irrelevant. Nishikori plays flat in general, he's not going to change that mid-match, especially when it's known to be the way to trouble Nadal. Yeah, he'll probably lose anyway, but it's not like he has much of a chance doing anything else.

 

[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 a horrible paradigm to be in if you ask me...play incredibly high risk, red line tennis in a 3 out
Of 5 set match against the #1 player in the world.:nono

 

[Luxilon Borg]

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.

But that's irrelevant. Nishikori plays flat in general, he's not going to change that mid-match, especially when it's known to be the way to trouble Nadal. Yeah, he'll probably lose anyway, but it's not like he has much of a chance doing anything else.

Yes he hits flat but he can play with higher margin/spin when he needs to. Under 6 foot flat hitters are trying to fool Mother Nature. Good luck.

 

[Moxie]

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 a horrible paradigm to be in if you ask me...play incredibly high risk, red line tennis in a 3 out
Of 5 set match against the #1 player in the world.:nono

But what is his other option? It's the only thing gets also-rans over him.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal has a BROKEN SHOELACE!

 

[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.

That is a horrible paradigm to be in if you ask me...play incredibly high risk, red line tennis in a 3 out
Of 5 set match against the #1 player in the world.:nono

But the alternative is much better? You're 5 foot 10, do you want to wait for Nadal's spin to bounce over your shoulder before you take it, and let him run you ragged around the court?

What would you say is a strategy Kei needs to adopt?

 

[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

Pure pusher? You are kidding right?

He has been playing that way today likely due to the blisters.

 

[Moxie]

Ah, the mythical Broken Shoelace comes to pass. I'm taking it as a good omen.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I can't tell if Nadal is just having trouble reading Kei's game, or he's struggling with his movement, but he's definitely getting there late on his forehand side.

 

[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 a horrible paradigm to be in if you ask me...play incredibly high risk, red line tennis in a 3 out
Of 5 set match against the #1 player in the world.:nono

But the alternative is much better? You're 5 foot 10, do you want to wait for Nadal's spin to bounce over your shoulder before you take it, and let him run you ragged around the court?

What would you say is a strategy Kei needs to adopt?

Aggressive with margin. Play down the middle a lot at Nadal's body. Go for the big flat shots on shots landing near the service line. Approach down the middle.

Listen it is basically hopeless, so I understand he is going down swinging.

Also Rafa's spin is NOT bouncing over his shoulder much in this court.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I can't tell if Nadal is just having trouble reading Kei's game, or he's struggling with his movement, but he's definitely getting there late on his forehand side.

I think it is a combination of lack of rhythm and Kei's surprising game. Let's hope that Broken Shoelace (no pun intended :snigger) wakes him up!

 

[Moxie]

Dumb shot choice there, going for the tweener.

 

[Moxie]

Nadal's timing has definitely gone off. He was so engaged for Monfils. Obviously, Nishikori came to play, but there's something off the boil with Rafa.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Slightly sharper stuff from Nadal. If he wins this set I expect him to take the third somewhat easily, 6-2 or something.

 

[rafanoy1992]

That was some nice hitting from both players in that last game. But still, Nadal is looking for his rhythm especially on his return of serve.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think he'll break now and avoid a TB.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Now that what I want to see from Nadal: hitting the ball cleanly and deep and making his opponent guess and run all over the court.

 

[Goldenboy]

Finally a good game from Rafa.

Ouch!! That looks bad. No wonder he is playing so badly.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Ay, that must be painful.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Bull is physically wearing Kei out. It is over for all practical purposes.

But, my hats off to Nishikori.