Is this the beginning of The Incline?

[GameSetAndMath]

The European clay season is definitely the beginning of the incline for Rafa. First of all, he did not lose to anyone to whom he is not supposed to lose (as per the ranking charts). Second, he did score wins over Murray and Stan (both in MC) who are ranked higher than him. Last, but not the least his level of play has definitely gone up as seen in today's match against Novak.

Now, whether this is good enough to fetch him RG16, I don't know. But, it sure looks like if someone were to trip Novak, Rafa will be biting some cup.

 

[herios]

The European clay season is definitely the beginning of the incline for Rafa. First of all, he did not lose to anyone to whom he is not supposed to lose (as per the ranking charts). Second, he did score wins over Murray and Stan (both in MC) who are ranked higher than him. Last, but not the least his level of play has definitely gone up as seen in today's match against Novak.

Now, whether this is good enough to fetch him RG16, I don't know. But, it sure looks like if someone were to trip Novak, Rafa will be biting some cup.

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it. :devil
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The European clay season is definitely the beginning of the incline for Rafa. First of all, he did not lose to anyone to whom he is not supposed to lose (as per the ranking charts). Second, he did score wins over Murray and Stan (both in MC) who are ranked higher than him. Last, but not the least his level of play has definitely gone up as seen in today's match against Novak.

Now, whether this is good enough to fetch him RG16, I don't know. But, it sure looks like if someone were to trip Novak, Rafa will be biting some cup.

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it. :devil
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

The "incline" that began late season was a false positive. He went out in AO in the first round and could not even win the SA clay tourneys where only antelopes play. The European clay season is the real beginning of incline. We don't know whether it has ended or not. RG will tell us that.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The European clay season is definitely the beginning of the incline for Rafa. First of all, he did not lose to anyone to whom he is not supposed to lose (as per the ranking charts). Second, he did score wins over Murray and Stan (both in MC) who are ranked higher than him. Last, but not the least his level of play has definitely gone up as seen in today's match against Novak.

Now, whether this is good enough to fetch him RG16, I don't know. But, it sure looks like if someone were to trip Novak, Rafa will be biting some cup.

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it. :devil
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

 

[nehmeth]

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it.
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

 

[herios]

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it.
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

If this is the "beginning" it means you think he will or can further improve. I am curious to hear "how much more" do you think he can go?

 

[nehmeth]

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

If this is the "beginning" it means you think he will or can further improve. I am curious to hear "how much more" do you think he can go?

He could take RG this year herios. It's not a given, but I think he makes his last big push for his tenth and may well call it day if he gets it. End on a high note.

 

[Fiero425]

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

If this is the "beginning" it means you think he will or can further improve. I am curious to hear "how much more" do you think he can go?

He could take RG this year herios. It's not a given, but I think he makes his last big push for his tenth and may well call it day if he gets it. End on a high note.

I doubt Rafa would retire in your scenario! I hoped Roger would have done the same in 2012 after winning Wimbledon, but there's too much money to be made and plenty of adulation to sustain them! It's sometimes hard to walk away; look at Connors and McEnroe! John still can't bow out; constantly showing his skills in exhibitions and Powershare match tourneys! He's old and gray and he just can't give up the spotlight! :cover :nono :lolz: :laydownlaughing

 

[nehmeth]

He could take RG this year herios. It's not a given, but I think he makes his last big push for his tenth and may well call it day if he gets it. End on a high note.

I doubt Rafa would retire in your scenario!

Well, I hope Novak wins RG and makes it all moot.

 

[Fiero425]

He could take RG this year herios. It's not a given, but I think he makes his last big push for his tenth and may well call it day if he gets it. End on a high note.

I doubt Rafa would retire in your scenario!

Well, I hope Novak wins RG and makes it all moot.

I don't personally think Nole needs it, but to own 1 FO title would shut his detractors up! Heaven knows it did wonders for Roger's standing in the eyes of the fans; even though he needed the assist of Soderling! :lolz:

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think he is making his big push this year because it won't get any easier after this year. However, it seems the harder Roger, Andy, and Rafa push back against Nole the greater it seems to spur Novak with his game to keep them at bay.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I doubt Rafa would retire in your scenario!

Well, I hope Novak wins RG and makes it all moot.

I don't personally think Nole needs it, but to own 1 FO title would shut his detractors up! Heaven knows it did wonders for Roger's standing in the eyes of the fans :lolz:

I am all for Novak winning RG and completing the career grand slam; but, I just don't want it to happen this year :devil:nono

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think the incline has ended. He has improved from last year, but further improvement, I just do not see it.
The beginning of the incline was late last season and he stretched it to now.

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

I just hope for tennis fans sake is that Rafa and djoker are on opposite sides of the draw because a "final" between these two may be another Epic.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

I just hope for tennis fans sake is that Rafa and djoker are on opposite sides of the draw because a "final" between these two may be another Epic.

Only problem is that if they are on opposite sides, the chances of the match between them not materializing is lot greater than otherwise.

 

[Riotbeard]

You are gonna be in for a potential surprise in 3 weeks

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

I just hope for tennis fans sake is that Rafa and djoker are on opposite sides of the draw because a "final" between these two may be another Epic.

That would be great too, because Andy and Rafa would be on the same side!

 

[the AntiPusher]

In the Rome quarter, the wind was swirling on the court. Rafa was committed to being aggressive with his shots. He was -8 winners to errors, but he was in the thirties (if I remember correctly) on both. In two sets?? Yeah. He's the best I've seen him in years. This Spring has been the beginning of the real incline.

I just hope for tennis fans sake is that Rafa and djoker are on opposite sides of the draw because a "final" between these two may be another Epic.

That would be great too, because Andy and Rafa would be on the same side!

I would like to see Rafa and Andy play at RG best of 5. that will be some spectacular tennis , IMO

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I just don't want to see a Nolandy final. God, please save me from that!

 

[the AntiPusher]

I just don't want to see a Nolandy final. God, please save me from that!

I would think Rafa would be a heavy favorite over Andy at RG regardless of Andy's recent victories on clay.