Barcelona Open 2019, Spain, ATP 500

[tented]

Nadal started the match playing well, but (I cannot believe I am writing this, but that is what I suspected), could not sustain it. Thiem up a break and hammering the ball.

With this level of play, he could go into RG without a clay title.

 

[mrzz]

Absolute missile from Thiem on the backhand DTL to set up BP

 

[mrzz]

Fourth BP. Thiem better break or he might see the momentum shift.

 

[tented]

Absolute missile from Thiem on the backhand DTL to set up BP

Thiem has had more wins against Rafa on clay than any other player with a one-handed backhand. Are you smiling?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Thiem up a break!

 

[mrzz]

Nadal holds. Very important game coming up.

 

[mrzz]

Thiem has had more wins against Rafa on clay than any other player with a one-handed backhand. Are you smiling?

Actually, I mentioned it to Moxie once, I compiled the numbers and one handed back hand players have a better percentage against Nadal than two handers, inclusive on clay only. If Thiem wins this, it gets even better...

 

[mrzz]

Extremely important hold. Some amazing winners on this game.

 

[tented]

Impressive hold by Thiem, after going down 15-30.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Too bad he didn’t do Kei’s match. He would have allowed not-a-samurai to take a shower before the third set.

wow..I recalled he did that during a match vs Rafa ..was was it at the 2016 Olympic games

 

[tented]

I’m looking at Rafa’s head-to-head (on clay) against players with one-handed backhands. Anyone remember this? Crazy score.

 

[tented]

wow..I recalled he did that during a match vs Rafa ..was was it at the 2016 Olympic games

Yep. Kei was off the court for ages.

 

[tented]

Dreadful time to attempt a drop shot, but congrats to Thiem for grabbing the first set.

 

[the AntiPusher]

With this level of play, he could go into RG without a clay title.

going clay title less prior to RG .
Maybe this is what he may need to inspire him to win RG for the 12 time..

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Thiem takes the first.

 

[tented]

going clay title less prior to RG .
Maybe this is what he may need to inspire him to win RG for the 12 time..

No, Rafa is a confidence player. With no titles leading into Paris, he’ll be a mental midget.

 

[kskate2]

I see Rafa has his not favorite umpire in the chair today .

He has more important things to worry about than Bernardes (whose just doing his job), like all those haymakers that keep zipping by him

 

[mrzz]

^^^This match is not over and there are still Madrid and Rome.

Anyway first set Thiem. He deserved it.

 

[kskate2]

No, Rafa is a confidence player. With no titles leading into Paris, he’ll be a mental midget.

What year was that Novak won all those pre RG matches against him? Did he win a title that year?

 

[the AntiPusher]

He has more important things to worry about than Bernardes (whose just doing his job), like all those haymakers that keep zipping by him

Rafa is too passively letting Thiem dictate the match. I didn't see the match last vs F3 but I read it was very similar..my champion has lost his mojo