Nadal v Nishikori - Mutua Madrid Masters Final

[brokenshoelace]

Hope Kei will be allright for RG. And that he will be in Rafas quarter.

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he's in Rafa's quarter, to be honest...

I actually agree with this. In a best of 5 on clay, it's a huge ask, especially because, under normal circumstances, this is a pretty difficult match-up for Nishikori given his small stature. The cool conditions certainly helped him. If it's a hot day in Paris, even a struggling Nadal will likely beat him. An in form Nadal torches him. And I mean this as no slight against Kei, who's been phenomenal this year.

 

[Denis]

Hope Kei will be allright for RG. And that he will be in Rafas quarter.

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he's in Rafa's quarter, to be honest...

You clearly didnt see the first set and a half. I have never seen Nadal been schooled like that before.

I didn't see it, but I've seen Rafa outplayed before. I still wouldn't worry about Kei in Paris. It is a huge pity though, what happened to him today, because he's definitely heading in the right direction...

Not like this, and not on clay. Rafa needs to step up big time.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I know I'll rattle some cages, but Rafa lucked out.

Why would that rattle cages?

After the AO final debacle, I think anything other than congratulating the winner on a fully deserved victory is frowned upon.

 

[tented]

Hope Kei will be allright for RG. And that he will be in Rafas quarter.

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he's in Rafa's quarter, to be honest...

You clearly didnt see the first set and a half. I have never seen Nadal been schooled like that before.

Then you need to see some more of his matches. '07 Paris final, for example. '08 Miami final.

Hmm, yes but not on clay.

OK, then we have the '11 Rome final ...

 

[Denis]

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he's in Rafa's quarter, to be honest...

You clearly didnt see the first set and a half. I have never seen Nadal been schooled like that before.

Then you need to see some more of his matches. '07 Paris final, for example. '08 Miami final.

Hmm, yes but not on clay.

OK, then we have the '11 Rome final ...

I´d put this match above that one, but thats also due to Rafas level this match.

 

[tented]

I know I'll rattle some cages, but Rafa lucked out.

Why would that rattle cages?

After the AO final debacle, I think anything other than congratulating the winner on a fully deserved victory is frowned upon.

My question was more rhetorical, but I know what you mean. Trust me.

 

[Denis]

I know I'll rattle some cages, but Rafa lucked out.

Why would that rattle cages?

After the AO final debacle, I think anything other than congratulating the winner on a fully deserved victory is frowned upon.

The comparison is preposterous. Stan was schooling Rafa when Rafa was healthy.

 

[Kieran]

Hope Kei will be allright for RG. And that he will be in Rafas quarter.

I wouldn't be overly concerned if he's in Rafa's quarter, to be honest...

I actually agree with this. In a best of 5 on clay, it's a huge ask, especially because, under normal circumstances, this is a pretty difficult match-up for Nishikori given his small stature. The cool conditions certainly helped him. If it's a hot day in Paris, even a struggling Nadal will likely beat him. An in form Nadal torches him. And I mean this as no slight against Kei, who's been phenomenal this year.

Exactly. It was a great performance by Kei, by all accounts, but I think a few of us predicted that Rafa would be shaky today. I predicted a three setter, and that Rafa wouldn't be so confident as he looked the last few days. He'll improve, and I expect in Paris he'll be safe enough playing best of five...

 

[brokenshoelace]

You clearly didnt see the first set and a half. I have never seen Nadal been schooled like that before.

Then you need to see some more of his matches. '07 Paris final, for example. '08 Miami final.

Hmm, yes but not on clay.

OK, then we have the '11 Rome final ...

I´d put this match above that one, but thats also due to Rafas level this match.

I'll play mediator:

I've never seen Rafa play this poorly on clay for more than one tournament in a long time.

I think that's a fair statement we can all agree on.

 

[golds girl]

I hope in 5-10 yrs we're not reminiscing about 'that Japanese player' who had GS potential and could beat anyone when he's on, but kept getting injured

 

[brokenshoelace]

I know I'll rattle some cages, but Rafa lucked out.

Why would that rattle cages?

After the AO final debacle, I think anything other than congratulating the winner on a fully deserved victory is frowned upon.

The comparison is preposterous. Stan was schooling Rafa when Rafa was healthy.

Where did I make a comparison between the two matches? I was strictly talking about how people reacting after the match to anyone saying Nadal's back injury affected the way the match unfolded (which is undeniable unless you think the final 3 sets would have unfolded exactly like that without an injury).

 

[tented]

Then you need to see some more of his matches. '07 Paris final, for example. '08 Miami final.

Hmm, yes but not on clay.

OK, then we have the '11 Rome final ...

I´d put this match above that one, but thats also due to Rafas level this match.

I'll play mediator:

I've never seen Rafa play this poorly on clay for more than one tournament in a long time.

I think that's a fair statement we can all agree on.

Absolutely.

 

[Denis]

I know I'll rattle some cages, but Rafa lucked out.

Why would that rattle cages?

After the AO final debacle, I think anything other than congratulating the winner on a fully deserved victory is frowned upon.

The comparison is preposterous. Stan was schooling Rafa when Rafa was healthy.

Where did I make a comparison between the two matches? I was strictly talking about how people reacting after the match to anyone saying Nadal's back injury affected the way the match unfolded (which is undeniable unless you think the final 3 sets would have unfolded exactly like that without an injury).

So why bring up the AO final in the first place?

 

[Kieran]

Then you need to see some more of his matches. '07 Paris final, for example. '08 Miami final.

Hmm, yes but not on clay.

OK, then we have the '11 Rome final ...

I´d put this match above that one, but thats also due to Rafas level this match.

I'll play mediator:

I've never seen Rafa play this poorly on clay for more than one tournament in a long time.

I think that's a fair statement we can all agree on.

I never seen Rafa look unsettled on clay. He usually loves the stuff but this year he looks awkward and lacking zest, and confidence. I think that anyone can fall victim to a lights out show, so Kei obviously was exceptional today, but still, Rafa has lost a lot of bite...

 

[the AntiPusher]

What a shame. I won't even congratulate Rafa. :nono

Agreed, this was embarrassing..this is worst than a defeat, a Rafa victory due to his opponent's injury retirement. This is not how this Rafa fan rolls.

 

[Kieran]

What a shame. I won't even congratulate Rafa. :nono

Agreed, this was embarrassing..this is worst than a defeat, a Rafa victory due to his opponent's injury retirement. This is not how this Rafa fan rolls.

Come on, buddy, let's not lapse into unnecessary hyperbole. It's not "worse than a defeat." It's a pity Kei got injured but he's made huge strides and hopefully his injury isn't anything that'll affect him long term...

 

[tented]

What a shame. I won't even congratulate Rafa. :nono

Agreed, this was embarrassing..this is worst than a defeat, a Rafa victory due to his opponent's injury retirement. This is not how this Rafa fan rolls.

Yeah, I don't ever remember feeling this bad while watching a live shot of Rafa holding the trophy.

(Or, in this case, the medieval sexy toy.)

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgRt5u8HDqw[/video]

 

[Kieran]

Thanks Pavlik, that's fast!

 

[the AntiPusher]

What a shame. I won't even congratulate Rafa. :nono

Agreed, this was embarrassing..this is worst than a defeat, a Rafa victory due to his opponent's injury retirement. This is not how this Rafa fan rolls.

Come on, buddy, let's not lapse into unnecessary hyperbole. It's not "worse than a defeat." It's a pity Kei got injured but he's made huge strides and hopefully his injury isn't anything that'll affect him long term...

Mr K Rafa play was dreadful, it's been like this all year, this was so reminiscinic of Miami but Djoker's injury came a week later..Rafa plays with no real Drive these days. His serve is WTA at best, his service returns are at a high college level and bh is just a rally counter punch..however, his movement is great but nothing real special about Rafa 's game these days..( good grief, I am turning into Darth Fed, all due respect to that poster )