Indian Wells Masters 1000 (2016)

[Kieran]

Good win by Djoker, solid, then stellar. And a promising performance by Rafa, almost taking a set, but he faded badly in the second, while Novak relaxed and took a swing at things. I enjoyed the match though!

 

[Front242]

I love how Rafa slows things down when his opponent is playing well. :nono

Who could ever forget this gem. Incidentally from this tournament also in the semi also before Roger was serving for the match.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

OMG, I'm going to be rooting for Raonic. :cover

It's not THAT bad...like rooting for Monfils or something

:nono

It's more like cheering for the Orcs in Lord of the Rings.

I have always cheered for the Orcs...they get no respect :snicker

 

[Front242]

Good match but doubt I'll bother watching the final.

 

[herios]

Congrats Novak, but next time you convert the first MP, because that was a gimme.
:clap

 

[Kieran]

It's not THAT bad...like rooting for Monfils or something

:nono

It's more like cheering for the Orcs in Lord of the Rings.

I have always cheered for the Orcs...they get no respect :snicker

That's right, and they're good kids: they always send a postcard home to mammy from Mordor. "Dear mum, it's so nice and creepy here, you;d love it!" :devil

 

[tented]

OMG, I'm going to be rooting for Raonic. :cover

It's not THAT bad...like rooting for Monfils or something

It's pretty bad, brother. Not as bad as rooting for Isner, when he's Novak's opponent, but it's up there.

 

[atttomole]

Rafa fans should be optimistic. Looks like he is improving.

 

[Kieran]

Good match but doubt I'll bother watching the final.

In agreement, for once... :hug

 

[Front242]

I think most of the improvement was to do with the slow court to be honest. Miami is similarly slow or has been in the past. Hard place for Roger to come back too but I guess he wants to try and wrestle back the number 2 position. The real gauge of form will be European clay season imo. The slower court and high bounce suited Rafa's game here much more than Novak's.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

One small step for Nole, giant leap for Rafa...or am I too optimistic here? I haven't watched the whole thing but looks like it is still a positive for Rafa.

 

[tented]

Rafa fans should be optimistic. Looks like he is improving.

We are, and he is. And I'm not basing this on just today. If you take it all into account -- Muller, Verdasco, Zverev, Nishikori, and, yes, even Novak -- it's a much better Nadal than we've seen in nearly two years.

 

[Kieran]

One small step for Nole, giant leap for Rafa...or am I too optimistic here? I haven't watched the whole thing but looks like it is still a positive for Rafa.

First set was, he was hitting deep, aggressive, and cocky at times. Second set he looked like the wind was taken out of his sails. Novak is still miles ahead of him in the key moments though, but Rafa had set point in the first, and that's better than he's done in a while. I sense even better things ahead, if he can keep this level.*






* I said that before Christmas, though... :cover

 

[Riotbeard]

One small step for Nole, giant leap for Rafa...or am I too optimistic here? I haven't watched the whole thing but looks like it is still a positive for Rafa.

Giant keep is a stretch but reason for optimism. If there was consistent improvement from the fall to now it would be good, but he was terrible at the AO and in South America, so guarded optimism to me seems fair


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[herios]

The final I was rooting for has come true....
laydownlaughing

 

[Kieran]

The final I was rooting for has come true....
laydownlaughing

You'll have the thread to yourself... :devil

 

[nehmeth]

The final I was rooting for has come true....
laydownlaughing

cover

You just saw the final herios. Tomorrow is the exho.

 

[herios]

The final I was rooting for has come true....
laydownlaughing

You'll have the thread to yourself... :devil

Considering the snarky comments, I am not sure why I even bother posting?
uzzled

 

[Carol]

Well, Novak has played better than the previous matches (his strong ego has helped him) and Nadal worse and worse in the second set and I don't think he left the court very happy but he only has to blame himself. If Raonic plays WELL tomorrow will win, it has been enough how much good luck Novak has had during the whole tournament

 

[herios]

The final I was rooting for has come true....
laydownlaughing

cover

You just saw the final herios. Tomorrow is the exho.

You and everyone else will have to get used to these finals because they will happen more and more!