Roland Garros Day 5: Thursday, May 29 - Order of Play

[brokenshoelace]

That was an insane read by Nadal not to commit to one side.

 

[Riotbeard]

Thiem brakes on a bad miss from rafa. Now the key, is to not get spooked if and when you get broken back...

Tell that to Rafa when he plays Novak!

They both need to remember that! It's about whoever gets the last break when they play.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thiem dialing in those forehands. He wants to hold so bad here...

 

[brokenshoelace]

Thiem needs to find the balance between not standing too far behind and not hugging the baseline too much. The latter makes it difficult for him to half volley off of his backhand side when Nadal gets a lot of depth from defensive positions. Again, something that Federer struggles with against Nadal.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Whoa, what a touch by Thiem.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

That was an insane read by Nadal not to commit to one side.

Nah, he was just lazy...he said "screw this , I am not running this time.." :snigger

 

[Federberg]

I like the fact that he's getting upset with himself at this late stage in the match. He still wants to compete. Good for the future

 

[Riotbeard]

Good hold!

 

[brokenshoelace]

Note to Thiem: Don't slice. Ever.

EDIT: Unless you're playing someone else.

 

[brokenshoelace]

One thing about Nadal which indicates that he's not fully confident yet is his unwillingness to go for a lot of angle (or power) on his inside out forehand. He's almost hitting it like a rally shot.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Thiem starting to force things a little too much and go for his shots too early. A sign of fatigue.

 

[Riotbeard]

Wow and thiem is understandably wilting.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Not too happy with Clay Warriors forehand returns either. Too many of them are too short.

Thiem is finding out that 4 or 5 good shots in a row might not win you the point against Nadal.. Sometimes you will need 8.

 

[Riotbeard]

Not too happy with Clay Warriors forehand returns either. Too many of them are too short.

Thiem is finding out that 4 or 5 good shots in a row might not win you the point against Nadal.. Sometimes you will need 8.

I see your point. He should have skipped the China Open last fall.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

Decent showing from Thiem, he's showed he's capable of some excellent shots, but there's a lot of lessons to be learnt from this one.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Solid win for Rafa but I will also say good showing from the kid. He can learn from this.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Great prediction by the ever astute Peter Bodo.

 

[Riotbeard]

Solid win for Rafa but I will also say good showing from the kid. He can learn from this.

He definitely made Rafa look a bit vulnerable to a more experienced player who will be able to execute big shot for a sustained period. Ferrer could actually make Rafa work this year.

 

[golds girl]

Thiem might be best served to go back and do some conditioning work. He looked WINDED during that third set. However a nice showing on his first big stage.
Wasn't sure if ESPNs poll question was fair: is the hype about Thiem warranted?. Have we seen enough in the bigger moments to make a judgment either way?
BTW: folks agreed the hype is warranted.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Thiem might be best served to go back and do some conditioning work. He looked WINDED during that third set. However a nice showing on his first big stage.
Wasn't sure if ESPNs poll question was fair: is the hype about Thiem warranted?. Have we seen enough in the bigger moments to make a judgment either way?
BTW: folks agreed the hype is warranted.

There's no way anybody could tell that early, one way or other. But ESPN love their narratives off of unsubstantiated and inconclusive data.