AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[britbox]

Order of Play - Sunday

 

[Tennis Fan]

We tend to use the word "choking" way too liberally anyway, and it's often when a match is close but doesn't go the desired way for us as fans. Mats Wilander, who showered Zverev with praise (and rightfully so) brought up a very good point: Zverev was actually never close to winning the match, as the last two sets ended 6-3 6-2 in Nadal's favor.

Therefore, portraying this as some big missed opportunity that Zverev blew away is disingenuous. You could even argue that as good as he played, he was marginally outplayed for 4 out of 5 sets, as I really think Nadal was the better player in the third set but Zverev's serve ultimately won it.

We need to give these kids a break. Zverev was coming up against a better conditioned, far more experienced opponent who as you said, is one of the best ever. Experience plays a huge part in these matches as little things like navigating the match on a point-to-point basis, making strategic adjustments, playing the big points a certain way, and other subtle factors all influence the result heavily, and that is why the higher rated players will more often than not come out on top in these situations.

Great post. So true about using choking when the result doesn't go as fans like. There are many things going on during play and it is more than striking a ball and running across the court. It's the intangibles which you listed very nicely.

Nadal was the better player and made the best decisions. I don't think Zverev choked in any way. He gave it all he had, but he doesn't have grand slam experience and the fitness for the long haul just yet.

 

[Tennis Fan]

The best part of the match for me was that it showed that Rafa HAS been taking his fitness seriously and putting in the hard yards despite what naysayers put out into the universe ad nauseum. and touting him as just talking. But, when a 30 year old, coming off of injury and inactivity can get the young and robust 19 year old to cramp, his words were genuine. Regardless of what happens going forward I personally am so glad that Nadal showed that negative talk to be nothing but wishful thinking.

That's why I never dog out a great champion or write them off even if I don't like them, because somebody does, and to me it's a double whammy, you're not only dogging the player, but also their fans. I don't know what happened to treating others like you would want to be treated but it seems to be nonexistent today.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Close in this case is relative. If it had been two sets to love, then yes, safe to say he was close to winning even if he ended up losing the subsequent three sets by a comfortable margin. But he was up two sets to one and yet from there, never threatened to win the match. Obviously, yes, he was ahead and was one set away. But he never actually got close to winning said set once he got there.

Totally agree!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Also, Istomin got a wildcard? How did he get a wildcard? Not that I don't like Istomin, seems a likable guy and kind of funny he is coached by his mom, but it seems a bit of an odd choice from a PR point of view.

so you are not anti-istomin ? *drum rolls*...baa dum tshhhh.

he got his wildcard by winning a mini tourney, asia-pacific play-off or something
in fact in the last match/final he saved 3 match points to scrape into the aussie main draw. defo earned his wildcard.

 

[britbox]

Murray trying to figure out Mischa Zverev - quite a unique player, leftie, serve and volleyer.

 

[Carol]

Murray trying to figure out Mischa Zverev - quite a unique player, leftie, serve and volleyer.

Muzz has been very lucky with the draw, a lot easier than the others (until now)

 

[britbox]

Muzz has been very lucky with the draw, a lot easier than the others (until now)

I thought he'd cut through Mischa fairly easily... but he hasn't figured him out yet. Still expect him to prevail though.

 

[Carol]

I thought he'd cut through Mischa fairly easily... but he hasn't figured him out yet. Still expect him to prevail though.

Me too

 

[Carol]

Wow, first set for the German

 

[britbox]

What happened? Had to shoot off for a few minutes and then he somehow loses the first set? Zverev won 4 on the spin?

 

[Carol]

He played well, volling and some good shots but I don't think he will keep it

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

A complete contrast of a player to his younger brother......Murray finding him frustrating,he has a weird back swing on his shots,hasnt got the weight of shot,great volley player,also so far has kept his UFE low.

 

[britbox]

3 break points for Mischa to put this back on serve. Murray isn't enjoying this...

 

[britbox]

A complete contrast of a player to his younger brother......Murray finding him frustrating,he has a weird back swing on his shots,hasnt got the weight of shot,great volley player,also so far has kept his UFE low.

Yeah, you couldn't find a player who is so different to his brother. Almost bizarre.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am waiting for Murray to 'explode' already sneering at his player's box

 

[britbox]

Certainly frustrating Murray right now.... back on serve.

 

[Carol]

Hmmmm or he will?

 

[britbox]

I am waiting for Murray to 'explode' already sneering at his player's box

Ha ha. :spank2: Don't think we'll be waiting long if things don't change.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Murray struggling on serve all match,his 2nd serve has always been weak,not having a good day at the office so far