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

[Moxie]

Well, Djokovic is still too much for Nadal, but it was much better from Rafa. I'll take some comfort in that while I go drown my sorrows. And you guys better watch it with the Vamosade comments...Rafa will sue you.

 

[britbox]

Nadal played better than I've seen him for a while, but Djokovic is just a cut above everybody at the moment.

He's also got more grey matter than Rafa with the way he constructs points, changes things up based on the opponent and manages the match in progress. He's a smart on court general.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa is underrated in the on-court smarts department. He's great at making adjustments with lots of opponents. There's only so much he can do with Novak at this level. It was also Novak's best of the week. He always makes more UFEs when he's playing Nadal and Nadal is playing well. And he was bothered somewhat by the sun, and the wind got them both a few times, though it tends to be more of a problem for Novak, with the flatter shot.

 

[herios]

I am extremely happy seeing my dream final come true.
Good job by Djonic

 

[Moxie]

I'm not sure that's an amalgamation that will stick, but I'm pleased for you, herios. Your boy Milos is playing very well. Much improved. How do you rate his chances tomorrow?

 

[herios]

I'm not sure that's an amalgamation that will stick, but I'm pleased for you, herios. Your boy Milos is playing very well. Much improved. How do you rate his chances tomorrow?

Thanks moxie. I could see him managing to win a set. I would be happy that way.
Nole is still my main guy I root for, but I want to see Milos returning to the top 8 a.s.a.p.., because I feel the way he plays, he belongs now there (Brad Gilbert said he could be a top 6 by year end, by I like to be conservative in expectations)

 

[Moxie]

Thanks moxie. I could see him managing to win a set. I would be happy that way.
Nole is still my main guy I root for, but I want to see Milos returning to the top 8 a.s.a.p.., because I feel the way he plays, he belongs now there (Brad Gilbert said he could be a top 6 by year end, by I like to be conservative in expectations)

Yes, BG has him pegged for the YEC already. I would agree. He's looking very solid. Obviously, Nole's return game will pressure the serve. Not to mention the pressure of the event. But he has a good head, and could very well take a set, mostly likely in a TB. And if he gets a bit lucky, and 2 sets go to TBs, he could snatch it.

 

[Ricardo]

Rafa is underrated in the on-court smarts department. He's great at making adjustments with lots of opponents. There's only so much he can do with Novak at this level. It was also Novak's best of the week. He always makes more UFEs when he's playing Nadal and Nadal is playing well. And he was bothered somewhat by the sun, and the wind got them both a few times, though it tends to be more of a problem for Novak, with the flatter shot.

Just wondering what isn't under-rated when it comes to people's judgement of Nadal? we can't all be biased just because he isn't our 'idol' you know!

 

[Mastoor]

So what we have tomorrow : two Serbs with origin in Montenegro and residence in Monte Carlo , but that is where similarity stops.

Raonic won "only" 8 titles, which is "only" because we compare him to a Big 3. All those but Washington 2014 are 250 level and if ATP website doesn't lie, he never played a Masters final before. His record with No1e is 0-5.

His strengths are immaculate service and improved game, also No1e's service from ad side is crap in this tournament.

Idemo No1e!

 

[Carol]

After to watch this magic shot I can't understand why Rafa lost the first set and why he play so bad the second

 

[Mastoor]

After to watch this magic shot I can't understand why Rafa lost the first set and why he play so bad the second

I think it has something to do with the fact he played numero uno

 

[Moxie]

Just wondering what isn't under-rated when it comes to people's judgement of Nadal? we can't all be biased just because he isn't our 'idol' you know!

Since Nadal is a 14 times Slam winner, second only to Roger and tied with Pete, Open-era, I'd say that anyone who doubts his tennis IQ is underrating him. And I wish I had a dime on a dollar for every time a commentator says that Nadal is underrated at the net, or underrated for his soft hands. That's them saying it.

And then there are the Federer fans who feel that Roger was hard done by because Rafa beat him at Wimbledon in 2008. (He still had mono, he wasn't playing well, etc. And how can this possibly be the greatest tennis match of all time, if Federer lost it?) This underrates Rafa's peaking in 2008, and just getting the better of Roger.

Yes, I'm a Rafa fan, but it's not fandom that makes me see him as underrated. Perhaps I spend too much time arguing with biased people on tennis boards, but luck has nothing to do with his success. You can complain about his serve, but not his tennis acumen, IMO.

 

[Carol]

I think it has something to do with the fact he played numero uno

I agree, but Novak right now is not playing so well and Rafa has played even worse

 

[herios]

So what we have tomorrow : two Serbs with origin in Montenegro and residence in Monte Carlo , but that is where similarity stops.

Raonic won "only" 8 titles, which is "only" because we compare him to a Big 3. All those but Washington 2014 are 250 level and if ATP website doesn't lie, he never played a Masters final before. His record with No1e is 0-5.

I am not sure where are you looking on the ATP site...
This will be the 3 master final for Milos:
2013 Canada lost to Nadal
2014 Paris Bercy lost to Novak.

 

[Mastoor]

I am not sure where are you looking on the ATP site...
This will be the 3 master final for Milos:
2013 Canada lost to Nadal
2014 Paris Bercy lost to Novak.

You are right. I didn't figure out they had another drop box to change for finals, so I saw only titles won. But regardless, No1e is by far more achieved and must be more self-confident.

 

[Moxie]

I am not sure where are you looking on the ATP site...
This will be the 3 master final for Milos:
2013 Canada lost to Nadal
2014 Paris Bercy lost to Novak.

Correct, herios. And Milos will be very hungry for this one, as he has also established a Major as his goal. He's got to get through Novak if he's going to win a Major any time soon. Also, without looking it up, I think if Novak wins, he ties Nadal for most MS 1000 wins.

 

[britbox]

This might be a bridge too far for Milos right now... but trust me, he's improved a hell of a lot this season. He'll ask a few questions... at least more than Goffin would have done.

 

[Moxie]

For sure Goffin would have been feather-weight v. heavy-weight. Milos will have his chances, with that big serve. If he gets to TBs, he's in with a chance.

 

[Ricardo]

If a guy like Karlovic has close sets (tiebreaks or 7-5's) with the big 3 frequently, Milos should do at least that; granted he isn't quite as good a server but his ground game is so much better as to put away soft returns.

 

[britbox]