Monte Carlo Masters 2013

[Andrew William]

Nadal's net game has looked surprisingly shaky since coming back. The one thing that stood out to me today is that for the most part, he was dictating, but actually grew frustrated when Dimitrov was tracking down some shots, which is unusual for Nadal. The main issue was indecision. Whenever he attacked the net, he do did so late. His positioning in the forecourt was verging on awful, and his volleys were pretty terrible as well.

His actual ground strokes were looking fine though, and he's moving well enough. I continue to be very impressed with his backhand since the comeback. I think the conditions actually didn't suit him, and his forehand wasn't getting as much work off the courts as it normally does on this surface. If the sun is out in the semis and final, don't be surprised to see him look much sharper.

The main aspect he needs to work on is the serve, as right now, it's really a non factor, and he's having to work extra hard.

Dimitrov actually played a very smart match, and playing the slice to Rafa's forehand is a damn smart strategy. Slicing to Rafa's backhand is suicide since his footwork allows him to run around it and basically do whatever he wants with the ball (nobody punishes slices like Nadal), but when you slice to his forehand, he usually doesn't have much to work with beyond hitting a relatively tame cross court forehand (he especially hates changing directions and going up the line off of low cross court slices to his forehand).

Awesome breakdown as usual Broken. I totally agree with you and others that felt Nadal was in no man's land far too often. Usually Rafa is dictating pace and comes in on HIS TERMS, but in this match it was Dimitrov who was spinning the web and it was awfully easy to see Nadal's uncertainty when he approached. The only place I would differ slightly in opinion is Nadal's backhand. I saw him shank and under hit a few too many returns and routine rally strokes for my liking. I'm with you on the serve, it's looking pretty rough. I've been really impressed with Dimitrov for a while now. A lot of Nadal's troubles have to be credited to Grigor. Keep 'em coming Broken and good to see ya again!

 

[herios]

Madness! Dimitrov takes the second with two breaks!

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So strange that Nadal so regularly has to go to the bathroom after loosing a set.

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Not strange at all. It is just a tactic to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

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Give me a break. He went to the bathroom at the end of the second set, and before the third set began. It was a completely legitimate time to go. It's not like he stopped play.

And keep in mind, everyone, that there's an umpire out there. Rafa would not have been allowed to leave court without his permission.

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Chill don tented.
I didn't say he was not allowed to go, nor that he got a favor by doing so.
But a bathroom break, while is within the rules, is STILL A TACTIC, used by some players to disrupt the rythm of te opponents, when things don't go their way.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

But then it would be the WTA.

Watch it now!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Madness! Dimitrov takes the second with two breaks!

---

So strange that Nadal so regularly has to go to the bathroom after loosing a set.

---

Not strange at all. It is just a tactic to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

---

Give me a break. He went to the bathroom at the end of the second set, and before the third set began. It was a completely legitimate time to go. It's not like he stopped play.

And keep in mind, everyone, that there's an umpire out there. Rafa would not have been allowed to leave court without his permission.

---

Chill don tented.
I didn't say he was not allowed to go, nor that he got a favor by doing so.
But a bathroom break, while is within the rules, is STILL A TACTIC, used by some players disrupt the rythm of te opponents, when things don't go their way.

---

herios.. I think a player even of Rafa's caliaber should know when his bladder is Full:angel:

 

[Moxie]

But then it would be the WTA.

Watch it now!

No ill-intent, but you might have noticed that I am not a fan of on-court coaching in the WTA.

 

[Moxie]

Madness! Dimitrov takes the second with two breaks!

---

So strange that Nadal so regularly has to go to the bathroom after loosing a set.

---

Not strange at all. It is just a tactic to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

---

Give me a break. He went to the bathroom at the end of the second set, and before the third set began. It was a completely legitimate time to go. It's not like he stopped play.

And keep in mind, everyone, that there's an umpire out there. Rafa would not have been allowed to leave court without his permission.

---

Chill don tented.
I didn't say he was not allowed to go, nor that he got a favor by doing so.
But a bathroom break, while is within the rules, is STILL A TACTIC, used by some players disrupt the rythm of te opponents, when things don't go their way.

---

herios.. I think a player even of Rafa's caliaber should know when his bladder is Full:angel:

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Exactly. Honestly, herios. Can't a pee break just be a pee break? Nadal is notoriously hydrated. (What about all that talk about the water bottles?) And he hasn't been pressed to 3 sets at MC in, what, 7 years? He only thought he'd have to hold it for 2 sets. Stop being so punitive. Not EVERYTHING is gamesmanship.

 

[tented]

Madness! Dimitrov takes the second with two breaks!

---

So strange that Nadal so regularly has to go to the bathroom after loosing a set.

---

Not strange at all. It is just a tactic to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

---

Give me a break. He went to the bathroom at the end of the second set, and before the third set began. It was a completely legitimate time to go. It's not like he stopped play.

And keep in mind, everyone, that there's an umpire out there. Rafa would not have been allowed to leave court without his permission.

---

Chill don tented.
I didn't say he was not allowed to go, nor that he got a favor by doing so.
But a bathroom break, while is within the rules, is STILL A TACTIC, used by some players to disrupt the rythm of te opponents, when things don't go their way.

---

How could taking a toilet break during the changeover between sets be disrupting a player's rhythm?

 

[I.Haychew]

^You can use all the help you can get when you aren't all that talented.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

why cant they go to the toilet though :huh:

what do you want ?? for players to pull down their shorts and pants and then wee and defecate on the innocent court ...what a freaking mess

maybe it could be a tactical sh1t on court..:dodgy:.

 

[tented]

^You can use all the help you can get when you aren't all that talented.

Who's not "all that talented" -- Rafa?

PLEASE tell me I'm misunderstanding you.

 

[Denis]

Vintage point by Nadal at 30 -40

 

[kskate2]

Rafa saves 3 BP's 2-2

 

[Denis]

Predictably Nadal breaks Tsonga straight after.

 

[kskate2]

Jo can't return the favor and gets broken on the 2nd BP. Rafa up 3-2

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Jo dumps serve again and Nadal wraps up the opening set 6-3

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Nadal is on a roll of games, now up a set and 3-0

 

[kskate2]

why cant they go to the toilet though :huh:

what do you want ?? for players to pull down their shorts and pants and then wee and defecate on the innocent court ...what a freaking mess
..:dodgy:.

next thing you know... a little trowel in the gear bag during clay season

Ewww...

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Things have gotten interesting in the 2nd set. Nadal was up 5-1 and served for match. Since then Jo starts pummeling the ball and finds himself at 5-4 on serve

 

[Denis]

And we're back on serve. From 5-1 to 5-4.

Tsonga is playing amazing, but will it last?

6-5 now. I think Nadal has had 3 matchpoints so far. Make that 4.

 

[kskate2]

Rafa needs to break right here. I don't think I fancy his chances in a breaker

 

[Denis]

Another 3 match points for Nadal...

And converts the fifth one. Too bad for Jo, the wind affected his play in the first part of the match.

 

[kskate2]

Nice regroup from Rafa to close this out in straights. He was looking a little fragile there

 

[tented]

Whew! That was nerve-wrecking, but it's over.