Indian Wells

[rafanoy1992]

Great effort from Dolgopolov. As for Nadal, I have a feeling he is glad he lost tonight. The way he was playing in this tournament was just abysmal. The good thing he will definitely show up in Miami now.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Congrats to the Dog.....well deserved

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Yes... Nadal was not at his best. Perhaps still suffering from his back injury which is effecting his serve. But... this is proof that the game is not just getting more competitive in the second tier. These young guys are very capable of taking this legends of the game on.

 

[nehmeth]

Dolgo?? Congrats.

 

[golds girl]

Great scalp by Dogolpolov. I thought Rafa was just about to escape.

Yeah but did he really deserve to escape with that play:nono

 

[El Dude]

Watching Rafa play, Kieran, I hate to say it but he looked old. I'm wondering if he's going to want to take the Federer approach of limiting his schedule, making sure he's charged for the big clay courts and Slams.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

*D R A M A*

 

[Front242]

Dolgopolov vs. Fognini should be epic.

Definitely. Two total headcases!

 

[Moxie]

I'm glad I'm not Kieran right now. You Ok, buddy? Must be tense.

Ha, cheers! It wasn't a great match. I think Rafa should take GS&M's advice: hop on a boat and go fishing. Keep his powder dry til the clay...

Personally, I'm not so sad. If he needs to rest the back, then do it properly and get ready for the clay season.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Both players have way more errors than winners, but looks like Dolgo initiated most of the play, both winner and error wise.

No classic whatsoever but Dolgo will take it,no? And somewhere Roger is going "How come he NEVER plays like that against me?" and by he , he is not talking about the Dog.

 

[TsarMatt]

Hell yes! I am currently stuck in a boring lecture, but thankfully I had my iPad with me. I was tense as hell in that tiebreak and nearly screamed in the lecture room when Dog won! Had to compose myself. Man, great match. I mean, really entertaining - the last few encounters between these two have been really fun.

 

[tented]

Congrats to Dolgo! He must feel great right now.

You bet. A well-deserved win. Great match.

 

[Kieran]

Watch Rafa play, Kieran, I hate to say it but he looked old. I'm wondering if he's going to want to take the Federer approach of limiting his schedule, making sure he's charged for the big clay courts and Slams.

He doesn't look fresh, anyway. He didn't look fresh all year, so far, maybe it is that he's getting old. I read that he no longer charges around the dressing room before the match. Remember he used do that? I think it's only natural that he'll start to feel the effects of so long on tour. I just wish he'd prioritise the majors this year. He has enough MS titles...and he doesn't need any more lucrative exos... :nono

 

[Front242]

Good deal of potential points gain for the remaining players now.

 

[Kieran]

Good deal of potential points gain for the remaining players now.

Federer has a chance of winning it now! :snigger

 

[El Dude]

Well the older you get, the longer it takes to get fresh - that might be what we're seeing.

Anyhow, I could see him going after the clay Masters - I mean, why not? But of course they should take second fiddle to the Slams.

 

[Front242]

Good deal of potential points gain for the remaining players now.

Federer has a chance of winning it now! :snigger

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Watch Rafa play, Kieran, I hate to say it but he looked old. I'm wondering if he's going to want to take the Federer approach of limiting his schedule, making sure he's charged for the big clay courts and Slams.

He doesn't look fresh, anyway. He didn't look fresh all year, so far, maybe it is that he's getting old. I read that he no longer charges around the dressing room before the match. Remember he used do that? I think it's only natural that he'll start to feel the effects of so long on tour. I just wish he'd prioritise the majors this year. He has enough MS titles...and he doesn't need any more lucrative exos... :nono

Except against Roger where he looked fresher than a bottle of Febreze

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

shocker!!

 

[El Dude]

Good deal of potential points gain for the remaining players now.

Federer has a chance of winning it now! :snigger

I'm too scarred from Wimbledon last year, because that's exactly what I thought when Rafa went out in the 1R.