Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2017, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[kskate2]

I think they're all feeling their way back in again. Novak yesterday, Stan today. Players are vulnerable but they'll get stronger as the tourney progresses. I'm worried about Berdych. He has a gorgeous dame who's driven crazy with insane passion by his utter consistency. "Oooh Tommy, you're so.....predictable....gasp!" But now he's down to #12 in the world and a QF won't get him back to his bunk bed slot as world #8.

Real signs of decline, eh?

I would say so.

 

[britbox]

Nadal's kicking some ass. 6-0 bagel.

 

[Moxie]

Edmund got a better handle on the 2nd set, but Rafa evened it back up. He's a bold guy.

 

[britbox]

Rafa's not getting much depth on his groundies.

 

[Carol]

Usually when they (top ten) win the first set so easy then the next one they have to fight more. In one way it's better, it's a good practice

 

[Moxie]

Rafa's not getting much depth on his groundies.

It was much better in the first set.

 

[shawnbm]

Edmund impresses with his attacking style

 

[DarthFed]

Nice second set in this match. Got to love Edmund's fight and positive attitude after the 1st set beatdown. With Rafa the improvements this year are the backhand, serve, and mentally he's been better about recovering after the dips in his play. it'd be interesting if he plays Nole as I feel a decent version of Djoker still beats Rafa pretty easily but Djokovic seems so far off it that I don't see him making the semis here.

 

[DarthFed]

I didn't see that coming, very loose play from Rafa there.

 

[Puppet Master]

Watch Nadal lose to Edmund now...
What a mug Nadal is, it's horrific.

 

[shawnbm]

The kid breaks back and they are level at three in final set!

 

[DarthFed]

Edmund has been more Jekyll and Hyde this set but he's playing the right way and still fighting well. Loose play there to get broken again.

A match like this isn't necessarily terrible for Nadal in that he gets tested right away but at the same time it's never good to have to escape after a first set bagel at one of his best events. And he's had to do a lot of running

 

[Fiero425]

Watch Nadal lose to Edmund now...
What a mug Nadal is, it's horrific.

Hard to believe we're in the 3rd set with Edmund on clay! Simon testing Nole was expected; THIS? :angel: :cover

 

[shawnbm]

Nadalbhas historically taken too damn long too often with inferior players. It weakens him over the course of his career. He should've closed out this guy in straight sets instead of battling for two hours and twenty minutes. It's not like he hasn't had enough match practice; nobody has played more matches than Nadal this year at this level. He needs to conserve energy and move these guys off the court faster, especially since he'll be thirty one years old in a month!

 

[Kieran]

Nadalbhas historically taken too damn long too often with inferior players. It weakens him over the course of his career. He should've closed out this guy in straight sets instead of battling for two hours and twenty minutes. It's not like he hasn't had enough match practice; nobody has played more matches than Nadal this year at this level. He needs to conserve energy and move these guys off the court faster, especially since he'll be thirty one years old in a month!

He's old, brother, old players struggle - fact!

But he never used to struggle against players like this, on clay. 4, 5 years ago, this one would be done as a 6-0, 6-2, maybe. But Rafa isn't the same player, which is understandable, given his years, but also, because of this, players stick with him longer now, expecting him to slip. And he did today. Several times...

 

[shawnbm]

I see nothing good about him struggling after winning the person without dropping a game. He does this far too often and it catches up with him and will catch up with him even more now that he will turn 31 years of age in a month. He should've run this out in straight sets. He's had enough match practice this year. Hell, he's played more top tier matches than anyone, including Federer!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

This Edmund dude, I think he has game. Very impressive forehand. Maybe a top tenner in a couple of years.

 

[Fiero425]

Nadalbhas historically taken too damn long too often with inferior players. It weakens him over the course of his career. He should've closed out this guy in straight sets instead of battling for two hours and twenty minutes. It's not like he hasn't had enough match practice; nobody has played more matches than Nadal this year at this level. He needs to conserve energy and move these guys off the court faster, especially since he'll be thirty one years old in a month!

This is why he's "NO GOAT" IMO and never will be! Battling with this kid on clay makes no sense! He had nothing; wasn't even attacking the net that much! This was a straight-up baseline battle! Nadal stinks! :nono :cover - Nole Blog

 

[Moxie]

I see nothing good about him struggling after winning the person without dropping a game. He does this far too often and it catches up with him and will catch up with him even more now that he will turn 31 years of age in a month. He should've run this out in straight sets. He's had enough match practice this year. Hell, he's played more top tier matches than anyone, including Federer!

I agree. There was no reason for him to retreat so much when Edmund found his game. He's going to have to play better to get past a very in-form Sasha Zverev.

 

[Carol]

I think it was a good practice vs an opponent who said before the match it could be his "oportunity" and obviously has tried his best but.....not enough against Nadal