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

[DarthFed]

Where did everyone go? That was fun It is interesting that Rafa won because he had to put every thing he had in every shot while Murray's shot making looked much easier. But I don't know if Rafa can keep pulling out 3 Set Matches?

True, the Rafa grunting was even more obnoxious than normal. These are only 3 set matches, I doubt Rafa will be affected much.

 

[Front242]

Exciting match but probably not a happy night's viewing for Nadal fans.

Are you Nuts! That was phoenomal tennis by Rafa and Murray.. the best match I seen by far.. Rafa is back.. If Rafa can regain his legs he will crush Grigor.. Finally , My top dawg is Back. Thank you Andy Murray for producing that type of tennis out of Rafa..

Well Nadal fans can't be happy to see him lose a set 6-1 to Murray on clay is mostly what I was alluding to and again he got lucky at the end that Murray caved. More to feel happy about when he wins convincingly but hey, a win is a win. Unlike that Federer fella who did the opposite, winning his first set of his match 6-1 and then spewing gunk all over the place the rest of the match and losing :nono

 

[the AntiPusher]

Exciting match but probably not a happy night's viewing for Nadal fans.

Are you Nuts! That was phoenomal tennis by Rafa and Murray.. the best match I seen by far.. Rafa is back.. If Rafa can regain his legs he will crush Grigor.. Finally , My top dawg is Back. Thank you Andy Murray for producing that type of tennis out of Rafa..

Eh, did you see the first set? .... uzzled

Nope. but I did see the 2nd and 3rd! What's your point.. its how you finish not how you begin

 

[Denis]

Exciting match but probably not a happy night's viewing for Nadal fans.

Are you Nuts! That was phoenomal tennis by Rafa and Murray.. the best match I seen by far.. Rafa is back.. If Rafa can regain his legs he will crush Grigor.. Finally , My top dawg is Back. Thank you Andy Murray for producing that type of tennis out of Rafa..

Eh, did you see the first set? .... uzzled

Nope. but I did see the 2nd and 3rd! What's your point.. its how you finish not how you begin

That's very true. First set didn't look good though.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

rafa is somehow battling his way through the draw..

all 3 matches has been 3 sets.. around 2hrs 45mins, (inc 3hr 18mins vs simone)

 

[huntingyou]

wow I don't know what standards of tennis you guys are used to but what I saw was phenomenal ball striking, touch, movement and defense by both players. Andy's return was poison and DTL forehand and backhand were beautiful. Rafa finally brought out his magic on the dirt and for that I thank Mr. Murray.

 

[Rose]

A win is like the saying about the Rose--"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - William Shakespeare

 

[Kirijax]

I think with this match both Rafa and Andy are back.

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

 

[Riotbeard]

wow I don't know what standards of tennis you guys are used to but what I saw was phenomenal ball striking, touch, movement and defense by both players. Andy's return was poison and DTL forehand and backhand were beautiful. Rafa finally brought out his magic on the dirt and for that I thank Mr. Murray.

The last set (all I saw) was really good. Maybe the best rafa has played since the AO. It was not vintage rafa on clay though. Andy kind of fell apart at the end...

 

[huntingyou]

I think with this match both Rafa and Andy are back.

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

Murray has never made a final on clay.....I say he will be fine on grass.

 

[Riotbeard]

I think with this match both Rafa and Andy are back.

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

He's never done either of those things on clay, so... I don't what you expect of Andy on the surface.

 

[huntingyou]

wow I don't know what standards of tennis you guys are used to but what I saw was phenomenal ball striking, touch, movement and defense by both players. Andy's return was poison and DTL forehand and backhand were beautiful. Rafa finally brought out his magic on the dirt and for that I thank Mr. Murray.

The last set (all I saw) was really good. Maybe the best rafa has played since the AO. It was not vintage rafa on clay though. Andy kind of fell apart at the end...

Set #2 was really good as well, specially for Rafa. I think at the end what happened to Andy it's what happens to most opponents of Rafa on clay when he is playing at high level during the business end of a match.

 

[Kirijax]

I think with this match both Rafa and Andy are back.

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

He's never done either of those things on clay, so... I don't what you expect of Andy on the surface.

He was leading 4-2 and serving in the third. Gotta take those.

 

[Kieran]

You write him off at your peril. Kiu, you can watch now, it's over. Rafa is finding his ranges

My only concern is that he should win quick tomoro so he isn't gassed on the final, but really, my only concern is Paris, and I'm not overly concerned about that now. He's been excellent at digging out the wins this week... :clap

 

[the AntiPusher]

Where did everyone go? That was fun It is interesting that Rafa won because he had to put every thing he had in every shot while Murray's shot making looked much easier. But I don't know if Rafa can keep pulling out 3 Set Matches?

True, the Rafa grunting was even more obnoxious than normal. These are only 3 set matches, I doubt Rafa will be affected much.

One day this Summer, you and I are gonna have to meet for a beer in Cincy or the US Open, I need for you to explain why you dont like Rafa.. its like dislike Barry Sanders or Michael Jordan.. or even for me to dislike Fed.. I think Fed is the most talented tennis player other than Safin and Sampras that I have ever seen. Rafa is something special and I just dont understand how his passion doesnt amazes you because I know you know your sports and special players:clap

 

[Riotbeard]

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

He's never done either of those things on clay, so... I don't what you expect of Andy on the surface.

He was leading 4-2 and serving in the third. Gotta take those.

Maybe, but final set against rafa on clay you gotta expect to trade breaks until the end. What was bad is how he played after being broken back...

 

[huntingyou]

Murray is not back.

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

He's never done either of those things on clay, so... I don't what you expect of Andy on the surface.

He was leading 4-2 and serving in the third. Gotta take those.

the beauty about tennis is you have to win the last point of the match. 4-2 on clay against Rafa it's far away from the last point of the match. Novak can speak to that!

 

[Kirijax]

wrong. lol.

If your idea of "being back" is being able to play a close match with a poor Nadal then you're right! LOL

IMO, being back means winning titles again. Or even making a final once in a while. Murray has done neither in almost a year. He ain't back.

He's never done either of those things on clay, so... I don't what you expect of Andy on the surface.

He was leading 4-2 and serving in the third. Gotta take those.

Maybe, but final set against rafa on clay you gotta expect to trade breaks until the end. What was bad is how he played after being broken back...

True. Losing 12 of the last 13 points on whatever surface doesn't say "I'm back!"

 

[Kieran]

Come on, give Andy a break, he made an immense charge at the start and broke back in the third, led, 4-2, and Rafa kept coming. It was a brave match by Andy, going for early strikes and mainly getting them. I wouldn't say "he's back" because where is "back" for Andy on clay, but it's a very encouraging performance by him...

 

[Front242]

Murray folded like a cheap tent at the end.