AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Melbourne, ATP GRAND SLAM

[brokenshoelace]

Big hold by Raonic when it looked like he's in trouble. This has been a nervy set all around without either player playing particularly well, and you gotta fear for Nadal as one bad service game and Raonic is somehow back in the match.

 

[britbox]

I kind of feel Raonic shouldn't even be in contention. Rafa's just let sneak back into the match...

 

[britbox]

Nadal's going to have to be careful with time, he's already had one warning.

 

[brokenshoelace]

What an awful, awful service game by Nadal... 2 set points for Raonic.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal was unbelievably tentative on that point... No idea how Raonic allowed him to get away with it.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Jesus Christ, what on earth was that drop shot? Nerves getting the better of Nadal. Was in full control of that point.

 

[Moxie]

And then he butchered that drop. Some crap by both, atm.

 

[britbox]

Raonic should have nailed that second BP. Nadal gives him another.

 

[brokenshoelace]

No idea how Rafa went on to hold... But there's no excuse for him being this nervous given how much in charge he's been this match. Settle down and play your game.

 

[Moxie]

Well, both blew opportunities to break and Rafa holds.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The big worry for Rafa this set is given how fragile his groundies had looked and the fact that he's taken pace off his serve, there's no way I can see him winning a tie-break. Not with him being so nervous.

 

[britbox]

No idea how Rafa went on to hold... But there's no excuse for him being this nervous given how much in charge he's been this match. Settle down and play your game.

Yep, looked incredibly nervous. First time I've seen it from him during the tournament.

 

[mrzz]

You were completely right, @Moxie. This is as far as it can get to a classic.

 

[mrzz]

Fantastic passing there in the first decent approach shot by Raonic

 

[Moxie]

You were completely right, @Moxie. This is as far as it can get to a classic.

I'll settle for the ugly W by Nadal. Tie-break it is, then.

 

[britbox]

This ump is usually excellent.... not having one of her better days.

 

[brokenshoelace]

More bad misses.. Ugh.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal should seriously have been 4-0 up this tie-break. Two awful forehands and it's 2-2.

 

[mrzz]

The tie break is a portrait of the set so far. Decided by UFE´s

 

[brokenshoelace]

First well played point of the tie-break goes Raonic's way. Well deserved. 4-3 with a mini break.