Internazionali BNL d'Italia - ATP 1000 - May 11th to May 18th

[Kieran]

It's precocious stuff from Andy, to be fair. He's on fire like he hasn't been in ages.

Meanwhile, Rafa still looks like he's in the same tailspin he's been in since Flushing Meadows, playing without the same urgency or intent, and hitting balls carelessly... :nono

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Impressive first set from Murray in just 31 mins.

 

[Front242]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

 

[Kieran]

Having said that - Rafa will win.

I'm out of here, enjoy the tennis, I have some dark brew to swallow...

 

[nehmeth]

I get back from lunch in time to see Ralf eat a breadstick??? What the heck... and on clay?? Is Rafa's poor form coming back to bite him or is Andy really playing that well??

 

[tented]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

Plus I think it has been drizzling, which slows down the court, and diminishes the spin.

 

[Rose]

Great Scots! This is the best I have seen Andy play since his back surgery!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Christ.,rocksolid andy interspersed with some magic wastes rafa 6-1...:speechless:

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

^ Rafa's is clearly the more egregious. :snigger

I really think Rafa has NO CHANCE of winning this!
Kieran said too!
But then I am known to be wrong....

Oh, come on. Jurgen Melzer has NO CHANCE of winning this. Rafa must have at least a decent one. And count him out at your peril.

Can I count him out now?
He is playing below par, and that's putting it nicely.

 

[Front242]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

Plus I think it has been drizzling, which slows down the court, and diminishes the spin.

Yeah, the conditions definitely favour guys playing super aggressive and Murray's really belting the ball out there more than usual, fully realizing this is his best chance of not only beating Nadal on clay but also winning Rome.

 

[Denis]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

I took that into account. There is just nothing on it. Plus, he's missing a lot. Weak serving too. I have never seen Rafa play like this before. What IS going on?

 

[Kieran]

^ Rafa's is clearly the more egregious. :snigger

I really think Rafa has NO CHANCE of winning this!
Kieran said too!
But then I am known to be wrong....

Oh, come on. Jurgen Melzer has NO CHANCE of winning this. Rafa must have at least a decent one. And count him out at your peril.

Can I count him out now?
He is playing below par, and that's putting it nicely.

No! Second set always gives a chance to reset the defaults. Count him out at your peril...

 

[Front242]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

I took that into account. There is just nothing on it. Plus, he's missing a lot. Weak serving too. I have never seen Rafa play like this before. What IS going on?

Federer started declining at this age too. It happens to them all.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

a small vamos.

 

[nehmeth]

Nice volley for Ad-in

 

[tented]

Meanwhile, Rafa still looks like he's in the same tailspin he's been in since Flushing Meadows, playing without the same urgency or intent, and hitting balls carelessly... :nono

Yep, ever since the USO he has frequently played mediocre, thoroughly uninspired tennis. I'm not sure what will get him going again. He often seems as if he's just going through the motions.

 

[Denis]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

I took that into account. There is just nothing on it. Plus, he's missing a lot. Weak serving too. I have never seen Rafa play like this before. What IS going on?

Federer started declining at this age too. It happens to them all.

Its rather sudden though, don't you think? You would expect him to start losing finals first or something. But he's not even making those.

 

[Front242]

Well, Murray will get a second chance next set. Man, Rafa is looking mediocre out there. Even the ferocious spin is gone.

The absence of spin is likely 'cos it's a night match. Could well be why he's having a hard time all week 'cos they're playing very late every night.

I took that into account. There is just nothing on it. Plus, he's missing a lot. Weak serving too. I have never seen Rafa play like this before. What IS going on?

Federer started declining at this age too. It happens to them all.

Its rather sudden though, don't you think? You would expect him to start losing finals first or something. But he's not even making those.

He's probably run 1000 times more than Federer 'cos of how he chooses to play despite the age difference. Probably zapped of all energy and hence no intensity.

 

[nehmeth]

Wow. Murray is hitting well. Betting Iona is chuffed to see this from her boy.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

awesome andy.