Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Masters 1000

[Moxie]

Didn't see the Federer match but looked like it was pretty comfortable based on the score.

And speedy. If you'd blinked, you'd have missed it anyway. Also good Rafa. Thought he might start a little sleepy-head with the early slot, but he was OK with it.

 

[El Dude]

Anyone dare warrant a guess on Fedal? They haven't played since Shanghai 2017 when Roger had Rafa's number. But that was a year and a half ago and much has changed.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Anyone dare warrant a guess on Fedal? They haven't played since Shanghai 2017 when Roger had Rafa's number. But that was a year and a half ago and much has changed.

I would prefer to see Fed beating up Ralph and improving H2H. But, unfortunately Khachanov might not let it happen.

 

[Moxie]

Anyone dare warrant a guess on Fedal? They haven't played since Shanghai 2017 when Roger had Rafa's number. But that was a year and a half ago and much has changed.

Both looking good, and have the best chance of winning the tournament, now. Although Roger had that string of wins, I do think Rafa's due to get him back soon, should that match happen.

I would prefer to see Fed beating up Ralph and improving H2H. But, unfortunately Khachanov might not let it happen.

You invest a lot of energy in hoping someone will pick off Rafa, tournament to tournament. I know you love to see him get beat, but it does make it seem you're not as confident in Roger, when he's in line to play him.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

You invest a lot of energy in hoping someone will pick off Rafa, tournament to tournament. I know you love to see him get beat, but it does make it seem you're not as confident in Roger, when he's in line to play him.

That is your perception. Especially, Rafa in current form is beatable by Roger and so I would prefer that they meet. But, unfortunately I feel it won't happen.

 

[tented]

Anyone dare warrant a guess on Fedal? They haven't played since Shanghai 2017 when Roger had Rafa's number. But that was a year and a half ago and much has changed.

It could go either way, IMO. Roger isn’t quite the Roger of 2017 anymore, but Rafa isn’t exactly playing his best thus far either.

 

[mrzz]

hmm... I like Kachanov a lot but I am afraid his not currently consistent enough to deal with Nadal (given his recent results), but I haven't seen him play so this is just a guess.

As you know I am not particularly impressed with Fedal's level in the last year, with a few exceptions, the last two matches of Dubai for example. Saw Federer playing Edmund today, it was quite good, but the scoreline of the first set was also due to Edmund's very slow start. Being fair to Federer, his stats were quite good, specially for an attacking game plan.

If Fedal do meet, I feel they both will raise considerably their levels, but I think this particular court will favor Federer, let alone the string of results.

 

[Moxie]

hmm... I like Kachanov a lot but I am afraid his not currently consistent enough to deal with Nadal (given his recent results), but I haven't seen him play so this is just a guess.

As you know I am not particularly impressed with Fedal's level in the last year, with a few exceptions, the last two matches of Dubai for example. Saw Federer playing Edmund today, it was quite good, but the scoreline of the first set was also due to Edmund's very slow start. Being fair to Federer, his stats were quite good, specially for an attacking game plan.

If Fedal do meet, I feel they both will raise considerably their levels, but I think this particular court will favor Federer, let alone the string of results.

KK was really impressive today v. Isner, but I don't think that says much. Isner has had a pretty woeful start to the year, and KK hasn't really capitalized on his big finish at the end of last. Good chance he gives Rafa a lot to handle in the next round, but I think Rafa will get past him. KK is really good, but young and can be inconsistent. Should Rafa and Roger meet, it will come down to the day, I think.

 

[El Dude]

Both looking good, and have the best chance of winning the tournament, now. Although Roger had that string of wins, I do think Rafa's due to get him back soon, should that match happen.

You invest a lot of energy in hoping someone will pick off Rafa, tournament to tournament. I know you love to see him get beat, but it does make it seem you're not as confident in Roger, when he's in line to play him.

I know you're talking to Game, but I'll definitely admit to this. I always want someone to take Rafa out "for" Roger, because after years of Rafa owning Roger, I don't have confidence in him being able to beat him - not now, and not even in 2017 going into Shanghai after he beat Rafa three times that year already. A 10-23 H2H (through 2014) is hard to recover from. 5-0 since helps a bit .

 

[Moxie]

I know you're talking to Game, but I'll definitely admit to this. I always want someone to take Rafa out "for" Roger, because after years of Rafa owning Roger, I don't have confidence in him being able to beat him - not now, and not even in 2017 going into Shanghai after he beat Rafa three times that year already. A 10-23 H2H (through 2014) is hard to recover from. 5-0 since helps a bit .

Thanks for coming clean on that. It's the same as the way we Nadal fans would like to see someone take out Djokovic. Old scars. We like to be brave, but bad match-ups are what they are. I think Rafa is aware of what Roger did to him in the recent past, and will have made changes. The surface rather favors Roger, but not hugely, as Rafa has done well at IW. Maybe we'll get that match, and then we'll see.

 

[tented]

I often get the impression no one watches more tennis than Roger.

 

[mrzz]

Just saw Nadal's highlights (long clip) and I still don't know exactly what to think. Some amazing forehands, a pair of them were really classics, huge power, fantastic angle. But at the same time a lot of tentative points. Most of the first set his balls were short, inside the service line. I know Nadal usually builds up during his matches, but this seem different. I guess I will need to catch an entire match to understand it better.

The combination of dry air (which makes the ball travel fast), a relatively slow surface, but with low bouncing, makes a strange combo.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

federer is playing well, tho helped by a befuddled starstruck edmund. alot of clean crisp shots.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

alot of newer blokes winning, and a lucky loser in the qf ,,when was last time that happened ?,

looks like thiem is bach after his sniffles and illness on the clay.

 

[Moxie]

Just saw Nadal's highlights (long clip) and I still don't know exactly what to think. Some amazing forehands, a pair of them were really classics, huge power, fantastic angle. But at the same time a lot of tentative points. Most of the first set his balls were short, inside the service line. I know Nadal usually builds up during his matches, but this seem different. I guess I will need to catch an entire match to understand it better.

The combination of dry air (which makes the ball travel fast), a relatively slow surface, but with low bouncing, makes a strange combo.

I watched the full match. He wasn't hitting the ball short regularly. That's a tell for him, so believe me, I was looking for it. Serve also working pretty well. Good at the net, per usual.

 

[tented]

I watched the full match. He wasn't hitting the ball short regularly. That's a tell for him, so believe me, I was looking for it. Serve also working pretty well. Good at the net, per usual.

His first serve was 56%.

 

[tented]

Why Novak Djokovic Played a Doubles Match Hours After a Singles Upset

 

[Moxie]

I'm loving seeing Monfils back on form and committed to the win.

 

[Moxie]

Tricky meets trickier.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I know you're talking to Game, but I'll definitely admit to this. I always want someone to take Rafa out "for" Roger, because after years of Rafa owning Roger, I don't have confidence in him being able to beat him - not now, and not even in 2017 going into Shanghai after he beat Rafa three times that year already. A 10-23 H2H (through 2014) is hard to recover from. 5-0 since helps a bit .

Not always for me. But, I do admit that I want that to happen on all clay tourneys and especially in RG.