Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open, CA, USA, ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

That's the dtl FH that @MargaretMcAleer was talking about. He hit a fair few of those, which means he's feeling the ball.

 

[britbox]

He's going to need to be feeling it tomorrow... but he's improving definitely. I think we'll have a decent match for the semi.

 

[britbox]

Indian Wells Semi Final 2

v

Milos Raonic v David Goffin

H2H: Tied at 1-1

2014 Basel QF Hard David Goffin Milos Raonic 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4
2011 Australian Open QF Hard Milos Raonic David Goffin 6-2 Retired

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

rafa played well after a poor start, some classic shots, some booming fh that actually landed in and were winners,. but nish was dismal. I mean it was borderline self humiliation. nish was playing decent tennis at start, nothing too amazing, he had breakpoints to go up doublebreak on rafa lol (bit like zverev in 3rd set v rafa), at least rafa has got some steel back in his play

..Djokovic seems to be coughing up some df these days..maybe rafa should try to play on that and stand on the baseline on 1st and 2nd serves..but he will probably be his usual backstop bothering self..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I pray for Wind in the Rafa v Novak s/final))))))))))))))))))))

 

[Moxie]

I pray for Wind in the Rafa v Novak s/final))))))))))))))))))))

And sun in Novak's eyes...two of our best chances.

 

[Moxie]

rafa played well after a poor start, some classic shots, some booming fh that actually landed in and were winners,. but nish was dismal. I mean it was borderline self humiliation. nish was playing decent tennis to start, nothing to amazing and he had breakpoints to go up doublebreak on rafa lol (bit like zverev in 3rd set v rafa), at least rafa has got some steel back in his play

..Djokovic seems to be coughing up some df these days..maybe rafa should try to play on that and stand on the baseline on 1st and 2nd serves..but he will probably be his usual backstop bothering self..

Rafa started nervously, knowing it was going to be a tough match. When he found his game, he was much better. For sure Nishikori lost his best level and never found it again, mostly. Nadal cannot afford to start tight against Djokovic, though I can nearly guarantee he will. And while Djokovic hasn't been his best most of the tournament, I'm sure he will turn it up to try to beat Rafa. My best case tomorrow is a long day for Rafa, and a crabby one for Nole.

 

[Moxie]

Indian Wells Semi Final 2

v

Milos Raonic v David Goffin

H2H: Tied at 1-1

2014 Basel QF Hard David Goffin Milos Raonic 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4
2011 Australian Open QF Hard Milos Raonic David Goffin 6-2 Retired

Both are playing really well at the moment. Obviously size and serve favors Raonic. Goffin has a lot of moves, but I think Raonic has also improved his movement, too. I think Raonic will make the final

 

[Moxie]

Indian Wells Semi Final

v

Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal

H2H: Djokovic leads 24-23

Nadal is finding his game, and Djokovic is not completely top-drawer. That said, Rafa will still need his A-game, and Djokovic's C-game, at this stage. It's going to be hot tomorrow when they play, which will favor Nadal. Rather windless, though. We'll see if Novak is bothered by the sun again on his serve.

 

[Carol]

Nadal is finding his game, and Djokovic is not completely top-drawer. That said, Rafa will still need his A-game, and Djokovic's C-game, at this stage. It's going to be hot tomorrow when they play, which will favor Nadal. Rather windless, though. We'll see if Novak is bothered by the sun again on his serve.

If Rafa plays his A game then Novak will need his A game too to be competitive

 

[Moxie]

If Rafa plays his A game then Novak will need his A game too to be competitive

That's slightly optimistic, given where they are at this point. If Rafa brings his A-game to the whole match, he has a shot. The problem with Djokovic is, even when he's not bringing his A game, he can bring it under pressure.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Delusional. We know if Nole plays his A game on any kind of a slow hard court it will be an easy win vs. anyone in the world. Nadal seems to have found a bit of confidence after Zverev choked away the match. As someone who wants him gone as soon as possible it is not good to see. Hope Djoker annihilates him tomorrow

 

[Moxie]

^ Delusional. We know if Nole plays his A game on any kind of a slow hard court it will be an easy win vs. anyone in the world. Nadal seems to have found a bit of confidence after Zverev choked away the match. As someone who wants him gone as soon as possible it is not good to see. Hope Djoker annihilates him tomorrow

It's well know that you're dying to see the back end of Nadal's career. #sourgrapes. I know the last thing you want to see is a resurgent Nadal to form. But I agree that Djokovic will have to gift something if Rafa is going to win, at this point.

 

[Carol]

^ Delusional. We know if Nole plays his A game on any kind of a slow hard court it will be an easy win vs. anyone in the world. Nadal seems to have found a bit of confidence after Zverev choked away the match. As someone who wants him gone as soon as possible it is not good to see. Hope Djoker annihilates him tomorrow

Well, if we talk about "choked" we would say the same about Feli who played horrible and also Tsonga who today has beaten himself in both tiebreaks
I don't say that Rafa is going to win but I haven't seen Novak playing so well since he got a "bad eye" but he has had a lot of help from his opponents. In one word, he will have to play with his A game and Rafa not so well to be able to win, otherwise I don't see so easy like some of you see it

 

[Moxie]

Well, if we talk about "choked" we would say the same about Feli who played horrible and also Tsonga who today has beaten himself in both tiebreaks
I don't say that Rafa is going to win but I haven't seen Novak playing so well since he got a "bad eye" but he has had a lot of help from his opponents. In one word, he will have to play with his A game and Rafa not so well to be able to win, otherwise I don't see so easy like some of you see it

Carol, it's one thing to be a fan and another to not see matches for what they are, or possibilities, equally. While Djokovic hasn't been always at the top of his game at this tournament, you can't blame Lopez or Tsonga for those losses. Rafa will have to bring his best, and Djokovovic can still win with his B+, anyway.

 

[Carol]

Carol, it's one thing to be a fan and another to not see matches for what they are, or possibilities, equally. While Djokovic hasn't been always at the top of his game at this tournament, you can't blame Lopez or Tsonga for those losses. Rafa will have to bring his best, and Djokovovic can still win with his B+, anyway.

I'm not talking like a fan but what I'm seeing. People is seeing now Novak as "the unbeatable" "the monster of the seven heads" and also I see that some players see him like "the boogie man" but not by Rafa who we know how bad has played for more than one year against anyone. But in a short time he seems have changed his mentality which has been his problem for long time making him to play bad, really bad, I see him with other motivation and if he plays with confidence we will see a very interesting match because he is not afraid of anyone

 

[DarthFed]

It's well know that you're dying to see the back end of Nadal's career. #sourgrapes. I know the last thing you want to see is a resurgent Nadal to form. But I agree that Djokovic will have to gift something if Rafa is going to win, at this point.

We are seeing the back end now and I have enjoyed the last year +. If Rafa is going to make his move it has to be this year at RG, otherwise I think he's done.

 

[Moxie]

We are seeing the back end now and I have enjoyed the last year +. If Rafa is going to make his move it has to be this year at RG, otherwise I think he's done.

Not an original thought. He'll be done when he's done, Twisted old soul. It's a bit sad how badly you want to see a great champion out, though.

 

[DarthFed]

Nothing sad about it. One day you'll figure it out.

 

[Carol]

Nothing sad about it. One day you'll figure out it out.

Federer fanatic?