RIO OLYMPICS 2016

[Front242]

Considering he can't hit backhands properly yet I guess slice is pretty much the only option. Hope it's not gonna be like the this the rest of his career and that his wrist finally recovers enough for him to be able to hit proper hard 2 handed backhands again.

 

[Backhand_DTL]

Considering he can't hit backhands properly yet I guess slice is pretty much the only option. Hope it's not gonna be like the this the rest of his career and that his wrist finally recovers enough for him to be able to hit proper hard 2 handed backhands again.

But at the Olympics he was able to hit significantly more topspin backhands than he was during the clay and grass court season so he definitely seems to make progress in trusting his wrist. Of course it's still far away from a weapon and he hardly hits any backhand winners but the ability to hit with topspin or slice from a neutral position within a rally already helps a lot in covering his backhand as an exploitable weakness on slow, high bouncing courts and seems to be enough for him to be really dangerous when the rest of his game is clicking.

 

[Front242]

Considering he can't hit backhands properly yet I guess slice is pretty much the only option. Hope it's not gonna be like the this the rest of his career and that his wrist finally recovers enough for him to be able to hit proper hard 2 handed backhands again.

But at the Olympics he was able to hit significantly more topspin backhands than he was during the clay and grass court season so he definitely seems to make progress in trusting his wrist. Of course it's still far away from a weapon and he hardly hits any backhand winners but the ability to hit with topspin or slice from a neutral position within a rally already helps a lot in covering his backhand as an exploitable weakness on slow, high bouncing courts and seems to be enough for him to be really dangerous when the rest of his game is clicking.

Yeah, it's definitely improving from when he was slicing like a butcher but you just feel all people need to do is pin him in the corner by hitting hard forehands to his backhand and the point is over. Nadal tried yesterday but didn't really hit them hard enough to his backhand most of the time to trouble him. A guy like Federer exploits every weakness out of any player and would be running him wide left to right and hitting drop shots to expose his relatively poor lateral movement. Murray will likely do the same. Silver medal is a fantastic and most unexpected result for him here anyway.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

True but I don't expect him to win 7 best of 5 matches so I didn't even mention it. Not a hope of that happening with no backhand. Best of 3 here is why he's able to do well but he'll probably lose badly to Murray.

Delpo was able to protect his bh vs Nadal but not against Murray. Hopefully Rafa will withdraw and give the bronze to Kei

The gold's medal match is not over and you are already talking in the past saying delpo was not able to protect his bh against murray. Wait and see.

 

[Front242]

I'll sell my house and car if Murray loses. Can't stand him but he won't lose this.

 

[coban]

I'll sell my house and car if Murray loses. Can't stand him but he won't lose this.

Saving this for later;-)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Rafa down a set 6-2. I did not watch it. I guess the fire is missing playing for bronze.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Wow, great win from Del Potro! I thought after Nadal won the first set, he would win in straights but Delpo showed why he could have been a great player without those wrist injuries. Reaching the Gold Medal match is already a great accomplishment for him especially beating Djokovic and Nadal along the way. However, I do not see him beating Murray tomorrow in a best of 5 format. Murray would just maneuver him from side to side all day long. Also, Delpo has got to be physically and mentally exhausted from all the Tennis he has played in this Olympics.

As for Nadal, it is already a great Olympics for him as he was able to be flag bearer and he was able to win a Gold Medal with Marc Lopez in Doubles. I don't expect him to win tomorrow against Nishikori because of all the Tennis he has played in this Olympics. Furthermore, playing a 3 hour long match the day before would surely affect his level of play. I'm just hoping the match will be competitive tomorrow.

While everyone is rooting for Del Potro (as it should be) tomorrow, I will root for Murray to win his 2nd Gold Medal. I know Murray has a Gold Medal already but winning a 2nd one would be a special one because of his shortcomings in Grand Slams.

Hey R, Rafa wasn't gonna defeat Murray in a best of five format like you said, it's been way too much time on court. Rafa's level of tennis this week has been remarkably very good. I truly believe Rafa had no intention on advancing far into medal round this week. No shame loosing that War vs Delpo

 

[Front242]

Rafa down a set 6-2. I did not watch it. I guess the fire is missing playing for bronze.

Mostly it's a case of Nishikori seems to play a lot better against Nadal than against Murray or Djokovic. Watched the last 10 minutes and have it on in the background but no real interest except for the final. I reckon Nishikori likes Nadal's high loopy topspin balls 'cos they land just in his hit zone for him to belt them for winners. He can't do that against Djokovic or Murray as they hit with less net clearance/much flatter. The result is not really unexpected.

 

[Fiero425]

Wow, great win from Del Potro! I thought after Nadal won the first set, he would win in straights but Delpo showed why he could have been a great player without those wrist injuries. Reaching the Gold Medal match is already a great accomplishment for him especially beating Djokovic and Nadal along the way. However, I do not see him beating Murray tomorrow in a best of 5 format. Murray would just maneuver him from side to side all day long. Also, Delpo has got to be physically and mentally exhausted from all the Tennis he has played in this Olympics.

As for Nadal, it is already a great Olympics for him as he was able to be flag bearer and he was able to win a Gold Medal with Marc Lopez in Doubles. I don't expect him to win tomorrow against Nishikori because of all the Tennis he has played in this Olympics. Furthermore, playing a 3 hour long match the day before would surely affect his level of play. I'm just hoping the match will be competitive tomorrow.

While everyone is rooting for Del Potro (as it should be) tomorrow, I will root for Murray to win his 2nd Gold Medal. I know Murray has a Gold Medal already but winning a 2nd one would be a special one because of his shortcomings in Grand Slams.

Hey R, Rafa wasn't gonna defeat Murray in a best of five format like you said, it's been way too much time on court. Rafa's level of tennis this week has been remarkably very good. I truly believe Rafa had no intention on advancing far into medal round this week. No shame loosing that War vs Delpo

That's not what Nole detractors were saying! uzzled :nono :cover

- http://fiero4251.blogspot.com/2016/08/fan-page-novak-nole-djokovic.html -

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa down a set 6-2. I did not watch it. I guess the fire is missing playing for bronze.

Mostly it's a case of Nishikori seems to play a lot better against Nadal than against Murray or Djokovic. Watched the last 10 minutes and have it on in the background but no real interest except for the final. I reckon Nishikori likes Nadal's high loopy topspin balls 'cos they land just in his hit zone for him to belt them for winners. He can't do that against Djokovic or Murray as they hit with less net clearance/much flatter. The result is not really unexpected.

Ah come on dude.. Rafa is playing on fumes.. This match doesn't mean a darn thing in the scope of this tennis season..If yesterday's match doesn't make you a fan of Rafa's true grit then you truly don't possess a :basiate for the game of tennis

 

[Carol]

I see that Rafa wants to leave Rio as soon as possible, his goal is done already, not necessary to do more effort :angel:

 

[Front242]

I see that Rafa wants to leave Rio as soon as possible, his goal is done already, not necessary to do more effort :angel:

Nah. You can see he's still trying.

 

[AnonymousFan]

5-5 now in the 2nd. Double Fault by Kei.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Wow, Nadal wrapped this match in a bow for Kei and Kei can't even get it done correctly.

 

[Front242]

Wow, Nadal wrapped this match in a bow for Kei and Kei can't even get it done correctly.

Hilarious alright. Wouldn't surprise me if Nadal won now.

 

[Carol]

Wow Rafa, you are completely burned out and still trying what? admirable but ineffective :cover

 

[Front242]

3rd set will be a massacre. 6-1 or 6-2 Nadal as Nishikori commits hara-kiri.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Wow Rafa, you are completely burned out and still trying what? admirable but ineffective :cover

Maybe it's the reason why a lot of Us are admirers of Rafa's game, this guy plays like someone is trying to steal his food from his plate, you can't teach that innate ability.

 

[Carol]

Wow Rafa, you are completely burned out and still trying what? admirable but ineffective :cover

Maybe it's the reason why a lot of Us are admirers of Rafa's game, this guy plays like someone is trying to steal his food from his plate, you can't teach that innate ability.

And at the same time thanks God his wrist seems to be ok and these matches are a good practice for the USO. Crossing fingers he won't play in Cincy.....please Rafa!
But also Nishi is still trying to steal his food :nono