- Joined
- Apr 16, 2013
- Messages
- 1,723
- Reactions
- 470
- Points
- 83
As you know many tennis fans stop watching past USO and if you are one of them too bad, you missed to see glimpses of the future in No1e's performances in Beijing and Shanghai.
At both tournaments No1e showed set of improvements that if he manages to have condensed and to execute consistently in his matches, he will be able to have 2014 to dwarf his 2011 season.
What are those improvements in No1e's game?
First of all during the Beijing tournament No1e showed huge improvement in his service. This was obvious in his singles and also doubles matches partnering Wawrinka. No1e has many nayesayers who would love to dispute this and they may say that the quality of the returners wasn't the best (Rosol, Verdasco, Gasquet, Querrey, Haas, Meyer) however the final he played against one of the very best, so the quality of No1e's service can't be disputed. To many, No1e's service was better than his childhood idol's.
In Shanghai, No1e's service wasn't as brilliant but he was obviously shifted his focus to other elements of his game. Still, he had up to 10 aces per match and many quick service games.
What became obvious to everyone watching No1e's matches in Shanghai is that No1e started playing more on the net and that he is excellent there having success rate of 18 to 19 in 20 points, which is 90 to 95%. This is against all high quality top 40 opponents who are most or all but perhaps Granollers (Fognini, Monfils, Tsonga, del Potro) well known by their passing shots which guarantees that No1e's success rate on the net of above 90% does mean that his net game is simply that - outstanding!.
Is this all, improved service and improved net game? Not at all.
Shot selection too. Many tennis fans noticed in last two years that No1e was lacking shots he was once famous for, namely down the line and inside out shots from both wings. In last 2 years, No1e either didn't hit them or would do with not much power and hope in them, just to continue the point, but only sometimes to make a winner or to force his opponent to error what was often his main weapon in past. Not in Asia in last two weeks. No1e was again hitting down the line and inside out winners from both sides "just like that" (read - frequently and with huge success and authority).
Keep in mind that he is also the best returner ever and that he's been working hard on improving his fitness.
To summarize, in 2014 in No1e we will potentially have someone with yet unseen combination of tennis skills, some people say No1e v 3.0.
At both tournaments No1e showed set of improvements that if he manages to have condensed and to execute consistently in his matches, he will be able to have 2014 to dwarf his 2011 season.
What are those improvements in No1e's game?
First of all during the Beijing tournament No1e showed huge improvement in his service. This was obvious in his singles and also doubles matches partnering Wawrinka. No1e has many nayesayers who would love to dispute this and they may say that the quality of the returners wasn't the best (Rosol, Verdasco, Gasquet, Querrey, Haas, Meyer) however the final he played against one of the very best, so the quality of No1e's service can't be disputed. To many, No1e's service was better than his childhood idol's.
In Shanghai, No1e's service wasn't as brilliant but he was obviously shifted his focus to other elements of his game. Still, he had up to 10 aces per match and many quick service games.
What became obvious to everyone watching No1e's matches in Shanghai is that No1e started playing more on the net and that he is excellent there having success rate of 18 to 19 in 20 points, which is 90 to 95%. This is against all high quality top 40 opponents who are most or all but perhaps Granollers (Fognini, Monfils, Tsonga, del Potro) well known by their passing shots which guarantees that No1e's success rate on the net of above 90% does mean that his net game is simply that - outstanding!.
Is this all, improved service and improved net game? Not at all.
Shot selection too. Many tennis fans noticed in last two years that No1e was lacking shots he was once famous for, namely down the line and inside out shots from both wings. In last 2 years, No1e either didn't hit them or would do with not much power and hope in them, just to continue the point, but only sometimes to make a winner or to force his opponent to error what was often his main weapon in past. Not in Asia in last two weeks. No1e was again hitting down the line and inside out winners from both sides "just like that" (read - frequently and with huge success and authority).
Keep in mind that he is also the best returner ever and that he's been working hard on improving his fitness.
To summarize, in 2014 in No1e we will potentially have someone with yet unseen combination of tennis skills, some people say No1e v 3.0.
He looked razor sharp alright apart from the 2nd set yesterday where it appeared he was either half cut (drunk) or his blood sugar levels were low. Weird balance issues there. Topping 2011 is going to be hard, probably impossible but it's good to be optimistic and I like what I saw from him. Defending two straight tournaments is impressive. I personally see him as a red hot favourite to defend the WTF and Del Potro is gonna be a factor there too. Though many will say this is Nadal's best shot at winning the WTF (and it is with Fed struggling and Murray out) I just don't see it happening based on the last two tournaments but we'll see.
: he does.
