Nadal v Nishikori - Mutua Madrid Masters Final

[Front242]

What a backhand!

 

[kskate2]

Spectators are helping Nadal out. Classy.

Don't be silly. They can't help him get the balls over the net!

But they can make Nishikori miss by shouting during a point and whistling when he talks to the ref about it.

I'm not denying the crowd is obviosly biased, but a tennis player has to work through that. You're always going to be in hostile territory unless you play at home or your opponent isn't from the host country.

 

[Denis]

Nalbyesque backhand!

 

[Tennis Miller]

Even if Kei's nerve fails him and Rafa hangs on, this has got to cause great concern.

Cheers
TM

 

[Front242]

Reminiscent of the lovely winner he (unfortunately!) hit at match point against Fed at Miami.

 

[Denis]

2 more games!

 

[Front242]

This is one hell of a performance by Nishikori. Great serving.

 

[Front242]

Last Nadal FH looked out on my stream.

 

[tented]

I´d add Ferrer and Nadal to that list.

I'd add Djokovic to that list.

He´s not as bad.

Shall I start posting YouTube videos? I will if necessary.

No, let´s stick to the match at hand

I'll get back to it, then.

 

[kskate2]

2 holds. Kei leads 3-2

I missed the first set, and just started watching the last few games. What's going on, K?

Kei is taking the ball early and bossing every baseline point. His underrated serve has come through again and Rafa has not helped himself w/ dropping alot of balls short. When he did try to change things up early in the 2nd set, Kei had the answer and broke anyway.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

2 holds. Kei leads 3-2

I missed the first set, and just started watching the last few games. What's going on, K?

To sum it up, Rafa is running out of chances, couple of more is all he has.

 

[tented]

Even if Kei's nerve fails him and Rafa hangs on, this has got to cause great concern.

Cheers
TM

Based on everything we've seen this season, RG is gone.

 

[Denis]

Kei has done everything right so far. Now let´s see if he can take the final hurdle: closing out a final match against Nadal on clay.

 

[kskate2]

Nalbyesque backhand!

there's a lot of Nalby in Kei's ground game.

 

[Denis]

Another one!

 

[tented]

2 holds. Kei leads 3-2

I missed the first set, and just started watching the last few games. What's going on, K?

Kei is taking the ball early and bossing every baseline point. His underrated serve has come through again and Rafa has not helped himself w/ dropping alot of balls short. When he did try to change things up early in the 2nd set, Kei had the answer and broke anyway.

Thanks, K. I knew I could get an unbiased assessment from you.

I figured dropping balls short had to be a factor -- it always is when he loses -- but I didn't realize Kei has been taking charge of the baseline. Well done.

 

[El Dude]

Uh oh, this doesn't look good for Kei. He definitely looks injured.

 

[kskate2]

But the trainer was out during the changeover and he is looks strained in this service game. Real trouble here.

 

[Front242]

Doh. Nishikori limping

 

[El Dude]

This sucks. Kei had a really good chance of winning this, now I'm afraid Rafa is going to roll over him.