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

[calitennis127]

his game for whatever reason deserted him at the crucial final phase of the match.

I actually agree 100% with your post. I'd also agree with the above statement if it hadn't been for "whatever reason." Where I differ with a lot of the non-Rafa fans when it comes to "OMG X PLAYER IMPLODED" is not whether or not they imploded (though I do feel this would be too strong a word to describe the Murray match), but rather, the way said fans act like this implosion is just random, with no rhyme or reasons behind it.

Serious question: how many times have you seen it happen against Nadal?

If I say that, it probably happened some 50 times in Rafa's career, would you say that's an accurate number? Hell, I'd say it's probably too low a number.

Why do you think that is? All you have to do is read Murray's own quotes:

"I'm disappointed with the game I played at 4-2, I was still in a good position but you don't get many chances against him. He finished very well and was physically stronger than me in the end," Murray said.

"Maybe I rushed a bit. I feel like I had the right shots in that match but messed them up."

Now, I am not saying Murray was completely out of gas, neither is he, but he did acknowledge that Nadal had an extra bit of physicality towards the end. After such a match, against Nadal, on clay, you are bound to lose some intensity towards the end because it's taken so much out of you. Meanwhile, Nadal is generally still able to play with the same intensity, and the same physicality. That split second extra quickness (compared to the opponent), that little extra spring in his steps and fire on his shots is the difference between splitting 8 points and winning 8 points in a row. It's tennis, a point can only go two ways.

But when I have said that stamina is one of the key elements in helping Nadal win big matches, I was belittling him and demeaning his talent.

You've got to love this.

 

[Rose]

I was not surprised about how this Final came out--sad, but not surprised. The Rafa of this year is not the same Rafa as last year and I fully expect that this will be the year he loses the French Open. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

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.

wrong. lol.

Of course you are wrong. He is back ...in EDngland

:s wrong. lol.