Cincinnati Final: John Isner vs. Rafael Nadal

[calitennis127]

Rafa disposition and commitment to hit forehands on the rise and inside the court during the last two weeks it's a first. I mean, he is just thumping balls or like some people say "ball bashing"

There are only two tournaments where Rafa came close to hit as good of a "hardcourt" forehand as he is doing now. That was 2008 Olympics and 2010 UO. He must be feeling really good to go for it as often as he is doing it now. That's what won him the match against Novak which was crucial for him.

Interestingly, Rafa said Montreal was a faster court than cincy..........funny how people's myth become truth after repeating it for a million times. My guess is, the weather was mild this year and that made a difference. I always thought Montreal was pretty quick and this confirms it. For sure it has to be the lower bounce what gives Rafa problems (see WTF)

http://www.rtve.es/m/alacarta/videos/tenis/nadal-voy-intentar-ir-numero-uno/1997567/?media=tve

It's still funny how people bring up draws when Rafa wins titles like this. I mean, in 2010 he beat Novak but it didn't count because it didn't happen a year later, but a year later an inferior rafa with a WTA serve still made the final, beat Murray in the SF with conviction and took a set of ultra Novak. The fact is, in 2010 there was NO player on tour that would have beaten Rafa at the UO......

Basically, it's lose-lose scenario. Beat Novak and it was because he was at C level with mental issues, beat Federer on his favorite court and well he is a granpa isn't he? Maybe he should beat the guy he owns 13-5 too......nah who am I kidding; excuses will be made because that the life of a Rafa detractor

Without trying to ignite an insult war, I have a couple quick points in response:

1) I am not one of the people who blamed the Federer loss to Nadal on Friday night on "age". That is a ridiculous excuse. Check out my post on the Video Vault page in which I posted the highlights of a very similar match - the Dubai final in 2006.

The issues between Federer and Nadal, on all surfaces, are psychological and strategic/tactical.

2) In 2011, why was Nadal so much worse at the US Open than he was in 2010? Because he actually played a few opponents in 2011?

Yes, the serve wasn't as good overall, but the most important aspects of his game were all in-tact, as the Murray semifinal displayed. He just couldn't beat Djokovic.

3) As for the 2010 US Open final match itself, I can quite confidently state that Djokovic played far more below his capability in that match than Nadal did in the 2011 US Open final.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Poor approach by Nadal and Iznah has 2 SP's

Yeh, but according to Mr. Carillo, Iznah can't play defense..really? He played a perfect defensive point to get to SP.

Exactly. Between her silliness and Courier's Rafa lovefest. I don't know if I can take much more. I agree Nadal is a fierce competitor, but Courier is talking as if he has an unreciprocated teenage crush on Nadal. :snigger

Hey Kskate, I am just watching my dvr version of the match. There isn't anything wrong with a former warrior the caliber of Courier having an appreciation for the Ultimate Warrior: Rafa. Rafa's is a Man's man if that makes sense. Jim feels like most of us alpha males in regards to if we had to pick one player to play the match for my life, I am choosing the same as John McEnroe, Courier, Gilbert and others, Rafa Nadal. :clap Congrats Rafa on complete the rare double, back to back master series hardcourt titles.

 

[atttomole]

Nadal's skills and shots are elite but not spectacular.

However, psychologically and mentally he is just of a different breed than everyone else; that includes even Djokovic and Federer. Those two have higher peaks of play than Nadal but Nadal's consistency is awfully unique.

I have to agree. Nadal's consistency is something that we have never seen in tennis before. Added to that is the fact that he is always trying to improve his game. He has a decent serve, and has the wheels to run once he gets into the point, such that his service games look almost as easy as those of better servers.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal's skills and shots are elite but not spectacular.

Really, and Paula Dean is going to be Jet Magazine centerfold beauty for the month of September!

 

[kskate2]

Poor approach by Nadal and Iznah has 2 SP's

Yeh, but according to Mr. Carillo, Iznah can't play defense..really? He played a perfect defensive point to get to SP.

Exactly. Between her silliness and Courier's Rafa lovefest. I don't know if I can take much more. I agree Nadal is a fierce competitor, but Courier is talking as if he has an unreciprocated teenage crush on Nadal. :snigger

Hey Kskate, I am just watching my dvr version of the match. There isn't anything wrong with a former warrior the caliber of Courier having an appreciation for the Ultimate Warrior: Rafa. Rafa's is a Man's man if that makes sense. Jim feels like most of us alpha males in regards to if we had to pick one player to play the match for my life, I am choosing the same as John McEnroe, Courier, Gilbert and others, Rafa Nadal. :clap Congrats Rafa on complete the rare double, back to back master series hardcourt titles.

AP, while Rafa is not my favorite, I do appreciate what he brings to the game and have never belittled his accomplishments in any way. That being said, come on man, be real. I'm not kidding when I say Courier was laying it on so thick. You would have thought Nadal was playing a challenger out there today. Just sayin...:snigger

 

[the AntiPusher]

Poor approach by Nadal and Iznah has 2 SP's

Yeh, but according to Mr. Carillo, Iznah can't play defense..really? He played a perfect defensive point to get to SP.

Exactly. Between her silliness and Courier's Rafa lovefest. I don't know if I can take much more. I agree Nadal is a fierce competitor, but Courier is talking as if he has an unreciprocated teenage crush on Nadal. :snigger

Hey Kskate, I am just watching my dvr version of the match. There isn't anything wrong with a former warrior the caliber of Courier having an appreciation for the Ultimate Warrior: Rafa. Rafa's is a Man's man if that makes sense. Jim feels like most of us alpha males in regards to if we had to pick one player to play the match for my life, I am choosing the same as John McEnroe, Courier, Gilbert and others, Rafa Nadal. :clap Congrats Rafa on complete the rare double, back to back master series hardcourt titles.

AP, while Rafa is not my favorite, I do appreciate what he brings to the game and have never belittled his accomplishments in any way. That being said, come on man, be real. I'm not kidding when I say Courier was laying it on so thick. You would have thought Nadal was playing a challenger out there today. Just sayin...:snigger

How many years have we listen to Espn(Cliff Drystale, Pat McEnroe, Cahill and the 2 Marys) carry on about ROger, Federer or the ROG.. Let Rafa have his time.

 

[kskate2]

Plenty of years and they were/are annoying too.

 

[Postpre]

Nadal's skills and shots are elite but not spectacular.

However, psychologically and mentally he is just of a different breed than everyone else; that includes even Djokovic and Federer. Those two have higher peaks of play than Nadal but Nadal's consistency is awfully unique.

I have to agree. Nadal's consistency is something that we have never seen in tennis before. Added to that is the fact that he is always trying to improve his game. He has a decent serve, and has the wheels to run once he gets into the point, such that his service games look almost as easy as those of better servers.

If they are merely elite, but presumably fall below those in the game whose skills and shots are spectacular, then that, my friend, is tomfoolery.

 

[britbox]

Nice write-up on the match and it's significance from our new blogger Jesse Pentecost.

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/blogs/jesse-pentecost/we-might-run-out-of-words/

 

[ClayDeath]

quality read.

 

[secrettennisjunkie]

Tough loss for Isner, he loses a match in straight sets while not facing a break point. Now here's another exhibit why Rafa hates playing folks like Isner.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa couldn't dream up an easier path to this title but congrats to him anyways

Two Tiebreakers vs Isner.. you think is easier path... He beat Fed, he beat Berdych who was by far the better player vs Murray.. He beat Isner who was the better player vs Djoker.. Show me Once when Fed, Murray or Djoker has won without Rafa being in the tournament where you have stated that they couldn't "have dream up an easier path to a title".. That's not cool Darth.. you are beginning to come off sounding like the poster from the west coast.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Tough loss for Isner, he loses a match in straight sets while not facing a break point. Now here's another exhibit why Rafa can't stand playing folks like Isner.

I don't get your point but Isner has earned his right.. JI has game.. he may not be the mover that Sampras was but he gets the job done in a very similar way... Rafa has to play them all regardless of their style of play..I actually thought this was an entertaining match.. Big John steps up his game when he faces Nadal and Rafa has the utmost respect towards and for him, IMO

 

[ClayDeath]

we will have to check in with general darth fed in about 3 weeks.

that is when the clay warrior will be chomping on a u.s. open trophy.


what will be his conclusion then?

 

[ClayDeath]

Nice write-up on the match and it's significance from our new blogger Jesse Pentecost.

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/blogs/jesse-pentecost/we-might-run-out-of-words/

superb read.


he is a great writer.


keep them coming.

 

[DarthFed]

we will have to check in with general darth fed in about 3 weeks.

that is when the clay warrior will be chomping on a u.s. open trophy.


what will be his conclusion then?

Funny what a different tone you have after 2 weeks. What gives? :angel:

 

[the AntiPusher]

we will have to check in with general darth fed in about 3 weeks.

that is when the clay warrior will be chomping on a u.s. open trophy.


what will be his conclusion then?

Agreed Commander... God help you and general Kieran because the next few weeks may be one for the Ages

 

[ClayDeath]

we will have to check in with general darth fed in about 3 weeks.

that is when the clay warrior will be chomping on a u.s. open trophy.


what will be his conclusion then?

Funny what a different tone you have after 2 weeks. What gives? :angel:

nothing gives general.

I am just like the others. only I am far more critical of my player than anybody alive. I am still not happy with him.



nadal lost early at Wimbledon and then did not resurface until montreal. nobody gave him a chance at the title there. he surprised the world.

and then surely he was not going to pull off a double in cincy. we all thought it would be difficult at best.

after all he had never won that title before. then he just keeps going and going like a runaway freight train.

and he surprised the world again.



so nothing gives. but it does turn the tennis world upside down.

now he will have to be in the mix for the title at flushing meadows.


I am seeing that certain look in his eyes. he is not playing his best but he could really get rolling and hit his stride at the open after about 5 matches there.


I think the wants this slam and he wants the #1 spot again.

 

[DarthFed]

Rafa couldn't dream up an easier path to this title but congrats to him anyways

Two Tiebreakers vs Isner.. you think is easier path... He beat Fed, he beat Berdych who was by far the better player vs Murray.. He beat Isner who was the better player vs Djoker.. Show me Once when Fed, Murray or Djoker has won without Rafa being in the tournament where you have stated that they couldn't "have dream up an easier path to a title".. That's not cool Darth.. you are beginning to come off sounding like the poster from the west coast.

Not my #1 priority to pay homage to your boy AP. He beat who was in front of him and that's what matters. It's not like "competition issues" haven't been brought up in a lot of Federer's wins. I will hope something similarly bizarre doesn't happen at the USO though, we know by now Fed, Berd and Isner are zero threat to Nadal.

 

[ClayDeath]

we will have to check in with general darth fed in about 3 weeks.

that is when the clay warrior will be chomping on a u.s. open trophy.


what will be his conclusion then?

Agreed Commander... God help you and general Kieran because the next few weeks may be one for the Ages

I have instructed general Kieran to start preparing the troops for operation "mallorcan blitzkrieg" at once. we march for flushing meadows at dawn.

our mission is to attack flushing meadows and capture it. we intend to spare nothing and no one that gets in our way.