Monte Carlo Masters 2013

[kskate2]

Dimitrov is hitting very well. Rafa doesn't have the answers at present.

And he doesn't have a lot of time to figure it out does he? If he can't get it done in the next couple of games, he's toast.

 

[shawnbm]

Are y'all kidding me? Nadal went to the bathroom after the first set? Funny, he hasn't done that all week.

 

[Riotbeard]

Dimitrov is hitting very well. Rafa doesn't have the answers at present.

And he doesn't have a lot of time to figure it out does he? If he can't get it done in the next couple of games, he's toast.

Agreed. Right now Dimitrov would definitely be the favorite (based on current play) in a tie-break.

 

[herios]

Are y'all kidding me? Nadal went to the bathroom after the first set? Funny, he hasn't done that all week.

Time to break Nadal again

 

[kskate2]

Rafa comes up with a big serve at 30-30.

And another big one at 40-30 to hold 4-4

---

Are y'all kidding me? Nadal went to the bathroom after the first set? Funny, he hasn't done that all week.

I didn't see the 1st set, but he did go after the 2nd set.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

only following the scores. break point for Rafa now. wow, that's a tight one.

just saw that Novak went the distance again. judging from the scoreline, it's the same little play that he had with Youzhny. what gives?

 

[Kieran]

Just tuned in. Kudos to Dmitrov, seems like he's really putting it up the Man...

 

[tennisville]

its over

 

[kskate2]

G.D. loses his nerve and his broken 5-4. Rafa to serve for it

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

and Rafa breaks. i wonder, was it Rafa stepping up when it counted the most, or Grigor's nerves letting him down? we've seen plenty of both in the past, i guess.

 

[kskate2]

This match is reminiscent of the Gulbis match (Rome?) where he almost took Nadal out.

 

[tennisville]

and Rafa breaks. i wonder, was it Rafa stepping up when it counted the most, or Grigor's nerves letting him down? we've seen plenty of both in the past, i guess.

his string broke at deuce in that game which gave Rafa BP

 

[britbox]

and Rafa breaks. i wonder, was it Rafa stepping up when it counted the most, or Grigor's nerves letting him down? we've seen plenty of both in the past, i guess.

Both I think. We've seen both happen before and they've dovetailed here.

 

[tennisville]

and cramps coming in as well

 

[Kieran]

Fatigue, more than anything with Dimitrov.

And it's Mid-Court Ralph out there today, isn't it? And sometimes Mid-Mid-Court...

 

[kskate2]

Rafa is totally stinking up at net... poor choices to approach and getting passed like a novice.

Just wandering into net w/ no conviction. That's a sign of low confidence that he's trying to end the points quickly on clay.

 

[Riotbeard]

Disappointing. Dimitrov was the better player for most of that match.

 

[tennisville]

one of the good matches and fights against Rafa on clay

 

[Kieran]

Fatigue, more than anything with Dimitrov.

And it's Mid-Court Ralph out there today, isn't it? And sometimes Mid-Mid-Court...

Good wake-up call for the 8 time winner. Dimitrov was able to expose areas that need tuning. Tio Toni will be sure to address them.

Exactly. You get matches like this over a long reign in one place and all credit to Dimitrov for not sticking to the script...

 

[Kieran]

to lesser extent a Nieminen fan

Nieminen has a fan? :blush: