Rome Masters 2013 (Internazionali BNL d'Italia)

[Didi]

But that's been basically Gulbis biggest problem in his career, he simply doesn't understand how pace himself over the course of a match. He goes out all guns blazing only to be gassed within seconds. The talent is there for everybody to see, just not the tactical nous. Something you would expect from a 24 year old player. Anyway he's up 5-0. If he bagels Rafa on clay, he'll be famous for the rest of his career.

 

[Ricardo]

up till now, Gulbis probably the best level of tennis I've seen on a clay court. He's got enough power to blast winners from 6-7 m behind the baseline, how can someone have so much brute power?

 

[kskate2]

Just like MC, Nadal avoids the bagel.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

wtf happened there? a bit surprised. also, in what regards is it just like M(onte) C(arlo)?

 

[Ricardo]

choking starts!!

 

[Kieran]

wtf happened there? a bit surprised. also, in what regards is it just like M(onte) C(arlo)?

Novak went 5-0 up in the first in MC, before Rafa stopped the bagel...

 

[kskate2]

wtf happened there? a bit surprised. also, in what regards is it just like M(onte) C(arlo)?

In MC final he was blasted of the court by Nole. Was down 5-0 w/ set points against and he avoided the bagel by winning his serve.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Del Potro loses in straights to Benoit Paire. This opens up a once in a lifetime chance for the likes of Paire, Chardy and Granollers to make it to the semis of Rome. What a crazy week in Rome. We are basically left with Nole, Roger, Rafa and Berdych before the Quarterfinals even started.

could be left with even less before the day's over.

Roger's half more than wide-open by now. i guess we'll see if he's still got the old spirit to seize the moment.

 

[Kieran]

Rafa in three, the 3rd being fairly easy.

Too obvious?

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Gulbis showing the kind of tennis that made me a fan of him 3 or 4 years ago. SO good when he's clicking. Such ridiculous power. Amazing talent. It may not last. It may not even last the rest of this match. But I hope it does.

 

[Ricardo]

wtf happened there? a bit surprised. also, in what regards is it just like M(onte) C(arlo)?

nothing really, in MC Nadal was able to get into long rallies - not here, Nadal can't even stay in a point - like Koenig said, this is jaw-dropping stuff!! this is beyond what even Djoker can do, i wouldn't call it tennis really; this is ball blasting and just happen to go in

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

wtf happened there? a bit surprised. also, in what regards is it just like M(onte) C(arlo)?

In MC final he was blasted of the court by Nole. Was down 5-0 w/ set points against and he avoided the bagel by winning his serve.

true, i'd actually forgotten how that one went down.

 

[Didi]

The Gulbinator takes the first 6-1 in stunning fashion, hitting through the court like a knife through butter. Some of them around 170 km/h. You got to be kidding me. Don't the Yankees need a new backup pitcher? Now let's see how long he can maintain it. My head still says Nadal prevails in 3.

 

[Ricardo]

Rafa in three, the 3rd being fairly easy.

Too obvious?

that's my bet. Nobody in the history of sport can sustain play like this, that set was a fluke. Gulbis was a point away from a bagel set, imagine if that forehand didn't clip the net (he wasn't missing until then)

 

[herios]

I am not surprised by this. Ernest had always had the skills, but he never was seriosu about tennis. But he declared this year he will commit. This set comes in line to what is to be expecting if he really watns it. But of course, mentally he will need to sustain such a level more than a set.

 

[Kieran]

What were they squabbling about there? Anybody know?

 

[Ricardo]

The Gulbinator takes the first 6-1 in stunning fashion, hitting through the court like a knife through butter. Some of them around 170 km/h. You got to be kidding me. Don't the Yankees need a new backup pitcher? Now let's see how long he can maintain it. My head still says Nadal prevails in 3.

that's right, you can't consistently hit as hard as that without missing. A lot of balls got through Nadal and they weren't even directed that far from him, such was the power and penetration behind it.

 

[Kieran]

Clobber!

 

[kskate2]

It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Didn't he have Rafa on the ropes a few years ago at this same tournament?

 

[Ricardo]

I am not surprised by this. Ernest had always had the skills, but he never was seriosu about tennis. But he declared this year he will commit. This set comes in line to what is to be expecting if he really watns it. But of course, mentally he will need to sustain such a level more than a set.

no no no, gulbis doesn't have the skills.... what he has is the ability to crash balls from either side, but his skill set is seriously incomplete. He either does this inhuman bull, or he plays like crap when he is normal