Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[britbox]

Thiem needs to stop stalling when he thinks he's won the point. Twice he's been found wanting in this game alone. He's playing Nadal not some challenger.

Nadal breaks back.

 

[Bert]

Bed time here... leave the suspense until tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow guys Enjoy !!!!

 

[britbox]

Bed time here... leave the suspense until tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow guys Enjoy !!!!

See you bert, have a good night's kip. I'll be waking up bleary eyed tomorrow but need to see this one out.

 

[Moxie]

See ya Bert. No offense, but I hope you lose this bet.

 

[britbox]

Break Point Rafa.

 

[britbox]

Nadal breaks and will serve for the match.

 

[Moxie]

The break, but let's see if Rafa can close it out, which he hasn't been as strong at lately.

 

[britbox]

3 Match points.... Thiem smokes an overhead long.

 

[britbox]

Rafa wins...

Excellent match.

Thiem must be thinking this is one the got away, but kudos to Rafa... he got it done.

 

[Moxie]

Vamos! Great win for Rafa. Thiem looked great, though.

 

[britbox]

Monfils wins the first set against Veseley 6-1

 

[Moxie]

Rafa wins...

Excellent match.

Thiem must be thinking this is one the got away, but kudos to Rafa... he got it done.

That's a little much. Paire will be thinking that. But Thiem will think he should at least be in a 3rd set.

 

[britbox]

That's a little much. Paire will be thinking that. But Thiem will think he should at least be in a 3rd set.

2/17 of Break Points... I think Thiem will be kicking himself. Rafa got out jail... but he knew exactly when to step on the gas pedal... so fair play, he got it done.

 

[britbox]

... Paire just choked .

 

[Moxie]

2/17 of Break Points... I think Thiem will be kicking himself. Rafa got out jail... but he knew exactly when to step on the gas pedal... so fair play, he got it done.

In the first set, yes. I already said that. But the whole match? Thiem was far from having it in the bag. His level dropped in the 2nd.

 

[britbox]

In the first set, yes. I already said that. But the whole match? Thiem was far from having it in the bag. His level dropped in the 2nd.

He had BPs in the second set too, but I agree that was far more evenly balanced.

 

[Moxie]

He had BPs in the second set too, but I agree that was far more evenly balanced.

OK, in a parallel universe, if he'd converted more in both sets, he could be through himself in straights. But I think if you lose in straights, you could regret that you didn't get it to three, but not feel the match was yours. Especially playing Nadal in MC. Even this version.

 

[Carol]

Rafa gradually raised his level, was patient and smart.
Classic Nadal win over someone who outplayed him much of the time (first set only)

 

[britbox]

OK, in a parallel universe, if he'd converted more in both sets, he could be through himself in straights. But I think if you lose in straights, you could regret that you didn't get it to three, but not feel the match was yours. Especially playing Nadal in MC. Even this version.

No argument here... it's all about execution... and I don't think Thiem did a lot wrong in the way he played them. He went after his shots... obviously made some errors and they will be listed as unforced errors no doubt... but as far as I'm concerned, in the main, they were positive errors - he played to win the point rather than sitting back... maybe he'll play the percentages a little more in future... but it's all a learning process, and I have little doubt this guy has a major winning future.

 

[Moxie]

I agree with you about Thiem. He's strong and smart and calm, and his errors were mostly just execution on good and aggressive ideas. But he painted a lot of lines, too, and passed Nadal with some amazing shots that probably made Rafa feel like he used to make everyone else feel, watching that ball go by. Even a few points that Rafa was bossing. He just rose up in possibility for my future favorite.