Doha 2014

[Kieran]

Gulbis won't beat Rafa. He's been too mouthy, I think Rafa will see this as an opportunity to raise his game. But he's another swipey, patchy player who blows hot and cold in a point, so it'll be similar to the Rosol match (didn't see today's) where Nadal's opponent misses when the better option is to wait, and then hits one out of the blue. A scrappy, ugly match.

By the way, how was Rafa's serve today?

 

[Front242]

Lovely play by Brands there with the wide serve and crosscourt flick of the wrist winner.

 

[Front242]

Gulbis won't beat Rafa. He's been too mouthy, I think Rafa will see this as an opportunity to raise his game. But he's another swipey, patchy player who blows hot and cold in a point, so it'll be similar to the Rosol match (didn't see today's) where Nadal's opponent misses when the better option is to wait, and then hits one out of the blue. A scrappy, ugly match.

By the way, how was Rafa's serve today?

He actually had 3 more lucky aces than Kamke. (6 aces to 3 I believe). No DFs as I recall. Kamke had 6 including 2 ill-timed ones to give up breaks, most notably the one to go down 5-3 final set. Very entertaining match though.

 

[kskate2]

High % of first serves, 73% I think, 5 aces, no doubs. I don't think Ernie will win either. Nadal knows how Ernie rolls, the last 2 matches will just prepare him for the pace that's coming tomorrow. It'll be entertaining, but like last year at IW, Nadal will pull it out

 

[Goldenboy]

Kieran, Rafa's serve was nothing special in terms of speed. The placement was good though. Kamke couldn't do too much with the first serve.

And we got 5 aces and no DF.

 

[Kieran]

Thanks, folks!

More luck with them aces, eh? Tut! Blumming jammy bass turd... :nono

 

[Front242]

High % of first serves, 73% I think, 5 aces, no doubs. I don't think Ernie will win either. Nadal knows how Ernie rolls, the last 2 matches will just prepare him for the pace that's coming tomorrow. It'll be entertaining, but like last year at IW, Nadal will pull it out

Hope they censor that!

 

[kskate2]

Will you climb out the gutter already...:lolz:

 

[Front242]

Will you climb out the gutter already...:lolz:

 

[Front242]

Huge forehand from Brands.

 

[Front242]

Bit loose from Brands there and first time dropping serve.

 

[Front242]

Another monstrous FH from Brands. Back on serve.

 

[Front242]

Sweet lob there by Brands.

 

[Front242]

Beautiful low angled forehand there by Brands.

 

[Front242]

Brands is on the verge. Keep it up.

 

[Front242]

Brands is on fire. 2 BPs.

 

[Front242]

And he'll serve for the match. And the way he's serving it could well be over soon.

 

[kskate2]

0-30 becomes 15-30. 3 points away

 

[Front242]

Well he got the netcord luck this time round but even without that he would've probably won anyway. great win.

 

[Front242]

Would like to see some of the guys with so much potential actually harness that potential this year. Maybe it'll be Brands who breaks through and starts to become more consistent.