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

[Goldenboy]

Realistically that has to heal if he wants to beat Novak.

 

[Moxie]

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

And you're right.

My pie is about to come out of the oven…Probably just ahead of Rafa closing this out.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

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

And you're right.

My pie is about to come out of the oven…Probably just ahead of Rafa closing this out.

Another 12 or so Kei errors and you can cut me a slice.:clap

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I like this umpire Eva. She has the courage to give warning to top players. Nadal
has already got a coaching warning and time violation warning.

 

[DarthFed]

Decent stuff from Kei this match but a big part of it is that Nadal has been feeding plenty of cupcakes from the baseline just pleading to be hit. Rafa stepped up at the end of the 2nd after Kei muffed some chances on the big points.

 

[brokenshoelace]

That trainer must be ready to throw up by now.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Decent stuff from Kei this match but a big part of it is that Nadal has been feeding plenty of cupcakes from the baseline just pleading to be hit. Rafa stepped up at the end of the 2nd after Kei muffed some chances on the big points.

You mean the reality of physics set in? Trying to play red line, flat tennis against the best defender in the game when you are not tall ? Uh muffed indeed.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Way to go Kei. Bring it on.

 

[Goldenboy]

Decent stuff from Kei this match but a big part of it is that Nadal has been feeding plenty of cupcakes from the baseline just pleading to be hit. Rafa stepped up at the end of the 2nd after Kei muffed some chances on the big points.

You mean the reality of physics set in? Trying to play red line, flat tennis against the best defender in the game when you are not tall ? Uh muffed indeed.

Sorry, but Rafa was crap from the baseline for most of the first 2 sets. He was not defending all that well either. Nishikori should have won one set at least.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Decent stuff from Kei this match but a big part of it is that Nadal has been feeding plenty of cupcakes from the baseline just pleading to be hit. Rafa stepped up at the end of the 2nd after Kei muffed some chances on the big points.

You mean the reality of physics set in? Trying to play red line, flat tennis against the best defender in the game when you are not tall ? Uh muffed indeed.

Sorry, but Rafa was crap from the baseline for most of the first 2 sets. He was not defending all that well either. Nishikori should have won one set at least.

But he did not.

Crap? I'll settle for that kinda crap not to lose a set and make the quarters.

Hard to look good against a slap happy player.

 

[Goldenboy]

Looks like that blister is less of an issue now. He should have re-taped it sonner.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Kei let go of double break point chance again. Too bad.

 

[DarthFed]

Decent stuff from Kei this match but a big part of it is that Nadal has been feeding plenty of cupcakes from the baseline just pleading to be hit. Rafa stepped up at the end of the 2nd after Kei muffed some chances on the big points.

You mean the reality of physics set in? Trying to play red line, flat tennis against the best defender in the game when you are not tall ? Uh muffed indeed.

Not just physics but the fact the guy isn't that good to begin with. I don't think he was red lining, just playing a little more aggressive than normal. Rafa has not hit with authority at all this match except the end of the second set. He has made it easy for Kei to boss him around but at the end of the day he is not in danger from this guy.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Kei not only got the break back, he held his serve after that.

He needs to take this set and if he does that it could become tricky for R

 

[britbox]

BP. Untimely time violation!

 

[DarthFed]

Stunning turn of events, Rafa is pissed at that one

 

[brokenshoelace]

Weird tactical choices from Nadal. Almost completely ditching the slider out wide.

 

[DarthFed]

I've seen this chair ump drive Gulbis nuts too

 

[DarthFed]

Predictably nervous game

 

[britbox]

Bad miss.