Rome Masters 2015

[rafanoy1992]

That first set tiebreak symbolizes Nadal's year. He played well in the tiebreak and had 4 set points but he couldn't close it out. Credit to Stan for hitting those unbelievable winners though.

Like I said before, the key for Nadal is can he solve his own mental blocks during tight situation? I just feel like everytime he is ahead or he is in a tight situation this year, he tends to get super nervous thus preventing him from finishing his opponents.

Now, I do agree is that part of the mental block has to do with age. He is almost 29 years old so it will be harder for him to be confident in tighter situations. However, this is the type of problem that Nadal needs to figure it out. The good thing is he is moving well and he is optimistic but how long can he stay optimistic until he realizes he needs to change something in order for him to start winning consistenly again?

As for Stan, it is great to see that he is hitting the ball big and cleanly. The question now is will he able to show it against Federer tomorrow night? Because Stan to me is like the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde player. When he is playing well, he can beat anyone but when he is playing horrible, he can lose to anyone.

 

[Denis]

Credits to Wawrinka. He played very well, really took it to Nadal. Tie-break was amazing.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Great Job Stan, Never took feet off the gas.

Never blinked.

All Nadalites should write thousand times "The AO win is not a fluke and injury did not play a major role in it". No cut and paste allowed, need to type it in 1000 times.

 

[Riotbeard]

Stan might have the best drive-volley on tour. He can put it away at the net!

 

[crystalfire]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

 

[herios]

We are mercifully spared a Fedal match.

Right on brother

 

[DarthFed]

Great match from Stan. At this point he just seems to play well when he has a chip on his shoulder. Wish it was week to week with him but I don't see him ever becoming too consistent.

Given what happened today it'd be tough for the old man to deal with that viciousness but it's a different day and a different matchup. Also, it will be the their first match since the YEC drama last year.

 

[Kieran]

Great Job Stan, Never took feet off the gas.

Never blinked.

All Nadalites should write thousand times "The AO win is not a fluke and injury did not play a major role in it". No cut and paste allowed, need to type it in 1000 times.

:lolz:

Come on, these two matches are utterly unrelated, but I totally agree with the first part. Stan laid down the law and stood up to Rafa. It was Rafa - again - who looked nervous, unsure and lacked aggression....

 

[rafanoy1992]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

He has a Clay title but that was before Indian Wells. Now, we are talking about European clay title, then yes this is the first time Nadal goes to FO without a european clay title.

 

[Kieran]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

He won some Mickey Mouse event in South America, didn't he?

But the summer clay? Yeah, this year has been worse than last, and last year was his worst in ten years... :cover

 

[DarthFed]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

I think he won one of those crappy South American 250's/500's didn't he?

 

[Denis]

Great Job Stan, Never took feet off the gas.

Never blinked.

All Nadalites should write thousand times "The AO win is not a fluke and injury did not play a major role in it". No cut and paste allowed, need to type it in 1000 times.

:

 

[DarthFed]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

He won some Mickey Mouse event in South America, didn't he?

But the summer clay? Yeah, this year has been worse than last, and last year was his worst in ten years... :cover

For now on Mickey Mouse will be referred to as crappy, and then we will be twins

 

[tented]

All Nadalites should write thousand times "The AO win is not a fluke and injury did not play a major role in it". No cut and paste allowed, need to type it in 1000 times.

I'll assume that's a joke, and move on ...

 

[rafanoy1992]

Great Job Stan, Never took feet off the gas.

Never blinked.

All Nadalites should write thousand times "The AO win is not a fluke and injury did not play a major role in it". No cut and paste allowed, need to type it in 1000 times.

:lolz:

Come on, these two matches are utterly unrelated, but I totally agree with the first part. Stan laid down the law and stood up to Rafa. It was Rafa - again - who looked nervous, unsure and lacked aggression....

I think when Nadal went up 4-3 with the break, that's when he started to miss some easy routine forehand and he became nervous.

It's frustating because that's his theme all year long. He plays well but he get nervous when he is ahead or he is in a tight situation. It's like he forgot to win under immense situation this year...

 

[herios]

is this the first year rafa goes to FO without a clay title

He has one in Buenos Aires. That does not count?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Even though Rafa lost, he played lot better than in the final against Andy. In particular, we did not see any shankfest today. Rafa had less UFE than Stan. It is basically that Stan overpowered him.

 

[Denis]

Even though Rafa lost, he played lot better than in the final against Andy. In particular, we did not see any shankfest today. Rafa had less UFE than Stan. It is basically that Stan overpowered him.

I disagree. Nadal was very passive. Probably trying to avoid a repetition of the Madrid fiasco. He just let Stan mop him up. Credit to Stan getting it done though.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nadalites should take heart. Even though Rafa has lost 5 clay matches this year so far, this is not his worst year as far as clay losses are concerned (if he can keep it there). This is the second highest # of clay losses in a year for Rafa. The first one is 6 losses in 2003 season.

 

[herios]

Nadalites should take heart. Even though Rafa has lost 5 clay matches this year so far, this is not his worst year as far as clay losses are concerned (if he can keep it there). This is the second highest # of clay losses in a year for Rafa. The first one is 6 losses in 2003 season.

That would mean he plays like a junior:lolz: