To be accurate, he's always said it's not a superstition, just a way of organizing his thoughts and dissipating the tension of a match. And it does seem to work for him.Not even that could upset Rafa.
I don't think it's a gimme. And I'd kinda like to root for Tsitsipas, , given that Rafa doesn't need it, and it's Stefanos' bday and all. And he could be one of my next favorites. Except that you and a few others have been such assholes all week (season?) that I want Rafa to win just to piss you off. :devilfinger:
Nothing is a gimme with the young Greek hero. The forehand and serve are already pretty big weapons and he is clutch and focused beyond his years. That will help him today but I think Rafa will have plenty of success with his normal pattern. And Perseus has to be pretty exhausted by now. So Medusa will win this in straights.
I think he is your next new favorite, not just one of your next favorites. We will be on the same team soon enough, once this prison sentence of having to watch Nads comes to a much needed end. Imagine us on the same team
It's more than the fact that Nadal is a good retriever. He's using that lefty spin to the nth degree today. He looks a bit more aggressive this match than the others and the young Greek has to be on fumes by now, so he's as slow as a turtle to me.
I noticed that the Greek is missing some of the backhands, but I would have expected him to do better with the Rafa's spin, given his height. However, I also think that he is trying to shorten the points and over-hitting as a result.
Also, this is the best Nadal has served all week, by far. It's really not about "retrieving" at all. The aggression and great play is basically all from Nadal. The kid does look tired, but he's being far out-played.
