Doha 2014

[Goldenboy]

Fantastic tiebreaker from Gael. Got lucky with one framed return. Not much Rafa could do.

 

[shawnbm]

Set point #3 goes Gael's way. On to set three which I'll not be able to watch unfortunately--gotta go. Enjoy the tennis and I'm retiring "indeed" from the boards for the day!

 

[Kieran]

Ah come on, lads, I've things to do! A 3rd set? :nono

In fairness to Monfils, he took that tiebreak well, playing a huge point at 5-3 with the volley, and finishing with an ace. More of the same from Rafa should be enough, however. I don't think he was far off closing this one out...

 

[Kieran]

Now that's sloppy. He got a great return and bunched the backhand, on break point!

 

[Moxie]

Awesome pass!

 

[Kieran]

Hmm, I thought Rafa's forehand off the netcord went long...

 

[Kieran]

Why didn't Monfils challenge? has he none left? I have the audio switched off...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Have I ever mentioned that I do not like the challenge system as it is today? I am sure I have...:nono

 

[Front242]

Man, that was nuts. Monfils is dense.

 

[Front242]

Crazy last game. Awesome BH pass from Nadal but Monfils not challenging was ridiculous.

 

[Front242]

Why didn't Monfils challenge? has he none left? I have the audio switched off...

Ah man. You're missing all that lovely grunting

 

[Kieran]

So he just didn't challenge? Even though he stopped playing to argue with the ump?

 

[Goldenboy]

One day a player will be match point down in a slam final and hit the ball out but it will get called in.

The other guy will have no challenges left and will end up losing the match. This isn't prediction, its probability and will happen eventually.

Wonder whether they will rethink the rules then.

 

[Kieran]

Who's that cupid in Rafa's box, sitting beside his ma? :heart:

 

[Goldenboy]

Rafa won!

Yay!!!

Sorry for Gael and his fans.

 

[Kieran]

One day a player will be match point down in a slam final and hit the ball out but it will get called in.

The other guy will have no challenges left and will end up losing the match. This isn't prediction, its probability and will happen eventually.

Wonder whether they will rethink the rules then.

Good point. But the rule will stand and he'll lose because he wasted challenges elsewhere...

 

[Front242]

So he just didn't challenge? Even though he stopped playing to argue with the ump?

Nope. Surely he had a clear view of it from there. Pretty bad that the umpire didn't overrule too as it was clearly out even on a stream. Decent match though. Only caught it from the 2nd set TB though. Nice to see the genuine mutual respect at the net afterwards. Monfils needs to learn how to challenge before the AO though. Doh(a) !

 

[Moxie]

Hoo-ray! Rafa finally gets Doha. Good play from Gael. He could definitely cause trouble in Oz.

 

[Front242]

Cool looking trophy.

 

[Goldenboy]

I agree, one of the best I've seen. A lot of trophies nowadays look terrible.