Barcelona Open 2017, Barcelona, Spain, ATP 500

[the AntiPusher]

James Blake was asked have he noticed any improvement or differences in Rafa's game since he left the tour. He said a few years ago he thought his level of play dropped a bit. However, the past 6 months he feels that his form is as good as when he was amongst the top 3 players and his touch around the net really is at the level of the best. He felt if Rafa is one the best doubles players in the game

 

[britbox]

I had a feeling Thiem might take the opener, but it's the Spaniard who draws first blood. 6/4.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Thiem really looks the part of a clay court specialist with the headband. He looks a bit like a taller Ferrer if you don't look too closely. Even grown his hair longer Ferrer style.

Thiem is tall as Rafa 6'1.. I doubt if Ferrer is 5'9

 

[Front242]

James Blake was asked have he noticed any improvement or differences in Rafa's game since he left the tour. He said a few years ago he thought his level of play dropped a bit. However, the past 6 months he feels that his form is as good as when he was amongst the top 3 players and his touch around the net really is at the level of the best. He felt if Rafa is one the best doubles players in the game

Absolutely. I've often said Nadal's volleying skills are great. He should approach the net way more often. Glad he doesn't :snicker Let him run till the cows come home! But seriously, his stop volleys are excellent and just touch in general as Blake said. It's a major failing point in Toni's coaching that he hasn't adapted his game to approach the net more often.

 

[the AntiPusher]

^ That being said, it is boring without Novak, Andy and Roger let's face it!

Thiem is knocking the living daylights out of the ball..I thought this was the type of tennis you fancy..and now here comes the sun :clap

 

[the AntiPusher]

James Blake was asked have he noticed any improvement or differences in Rafa's game since he left the tour. He said a few years ago he thought his level of play dropped a bit. However, the past 6 months he feels that his form is as good as when he was amongst the top 3 players and his touch around the net really is at the level of the best. He felt if Rafa is one the best doubles players in the game

Absolutely. I've often said Nadal's volleying skills are great. He should approach the net way more often. Glad he doesn't :snicker Let him run till the cows come home! But seriously, his stop volleys are excellent and just touch in general as Blake said. It's a major failing point in Toni's coaching that he hasn't adapted his game to approach the net more often.

I am comfortable with Rafa's net game but he doesn't have the serve to attack the net more..it's not Toni's fault but rather his nephew's

 

[Front242]

^ That being said, it is boring without Novak, Andy and Roger let's face it!

Thiem is knocking the living daylights out of the ball..I thought this was the type of tennis you fancy..and now here comes the sun :clap

It is but he makes too many lame errors. The last game of the previous set was terrible by him after playing so well up to then. I keep waiting for him to improve year to year but the errors just don't go away. The top guys know it's just a case of weathering the storm 'cos he'll implode eventually and his first serve % is too low.

 

[Front242]

Thiem gave Djokovic some tough matches last year too but it was the same thing. Too many errors and failed break point opportunities, coupled with low first serve % If he manages to fix that, he'll be a beast.

 

[the AntiPusher]

^ That being said, it is boring without Novak, Andy and Roger let's face it!

Thiem is knocking the living daylights out of the ball..I thought this was the type of tennis you fancy..and now here comes the sun :clap

It is but he makes too many lame errors. The last game of the previous set was terrible by him after playing so well up to then. I keep waiting for him to improve year to year but the errors just don't go away. The top guys know it's just a case of weathering the storm 'cos he'll implode eventually and his first serve % is too low.

He is only 23 and he is improving..this is one of herios 's kiddies I like. He has more weapons than Pouille although Pouille keeps making it to the latter rounds of non DYJr encountered tournaments..

 

[Front242]

Thiem is knocking the living daylights out of the ball..I thought this was the type of tennis you fancy..and now here comes the sun :clap

It is but he makes too many lame errors. The last game of the previous set was terrible by him after playing so well up to then. I keep waiting for him to improve year to year but the errors just don't go away. The top guys know it's just a case of weathering the storm 'cos he'll implode eventually and his first serve % is too low.

He is only 23 and he is improving..this is one of herios 's kiddies I like. He has more weapons than Pouille although Pouille keeps making it to the latter rounds of non DYJr encountered tournaments..

Non DYJr tournaments :laydownlaughing:clap Another thing about Thiem though is he's hitting the ball too hard sometimes. Grand when there's an empty court for inside out winners but it doesn't always have to be quite so hard and that's the reason he's making so many errors.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It is but he makes too many lame errors. The last game of the previous set was terrible by him after playing so well up to then. I keep waiting for him to improve year to year but the errors just don't go away. The top guys know it's just a case of weathering the storm 'cos he'll implode eventually and his first serve % is too low.

He is only 23 and he is improving..this is one of herios 's kiddies I like. He has more weapons than Pouille although Pouille keeps making it to the latter rounds of non DYJr encountered tournaments..

Non DYJr tournaments :laydownlaughing:clap Another thing about Thiem though is he's hitting the ball too hard sometimes. Grand when there's an empty court for inside out winners but it doesn't always have to be quite so hard and that's the reason he's making so many errors.

Wow.,that's an insane hit fh by Rafa and it was HARD

 

[Front242]

^ Missed it.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It is but he makes too many lame errors. The last game of the previous set was terrible by him after playing so well up to then. I keep waiting for him to improve year to year but the errors just don't go away. The top guys know it's just a case of weathering the storm 'cos he'll implode eventually and his first serve % is too low.

He is only 23 and he is improving..this is one of herios 's kiddies I like. He has more weapons than Pouille although Pouille keeps making it to the latter rounds of non DYJr encountered tournaments..

Non DYJr tournaments :laydownlaughing:clap Another thing about Thiem though is he's hitting the ball too hard sometimes. Grand when there's an empty court for inside out winners but it doesn't always have to be quite so hard and that's the reason he's making so many errors.

The folks at TC said that a lot of the ufes are due to the insane defense by Nadal..it's really true but it's may come off as a bit bias from me:devil

 

[Front242]

Well he makes these errors against everyone so my guess is that's plain wrong

 

[the AntiPusher]

Now Thiem is making too many unnecessary errors

 

[Front242]

Yup, disappointing second set.

 

[Front242]

Some consolation there with that ripped forehand.

 

[Carol]

Now Thiem is making too many unnecessary errors

He gave up but I don't blame him, he has tried everything without any good results, his oponente playing well is not easy to play with

 

[Carol]

CONGRATS RAFA for your second '10'!!!!!! :celeb::reel:

 

[the AntiPusher]

Now Thiem is making too many unnecessary errors

He gave up but I don't blame him, he has tried everything without anybody results, his oponente playing well is not easy to play with

Rafa broke his will....Rafa played very well today..Vamos #X