The Castle

[britbox]

Thanks mc. His wife Daga was a great help. I like the way he writes because it's straight from the heart - no political bull.

 

[masterclass]

Congratulations to Rafael Nadal and his fans for his victory over Novak Djokovic! :clap
Commiserations to Novak and his fans.

It was a close battle as I thought it might be, with both players playing their best tennis in the decider up to the tiebreaker.

Rafa played very aggressively for the most part, standing near the baseline or even inside, served well, and made some key drop shots and volleys. He played a bit tentatively in the 2nd set, and also tightened up some when he got to a winning position, which cost him a couple of games. But with the match undecided into the final set tiebreaker, he played very confidently, aggressively, and I believe mentally broke Nole a bit at the end. Fortune favors the bravest.

Nole had a rather poor first set on service, giving Nadal too many free points, but picked it up in the second set, but it went away on him again late in the 3rd set. Too many double faults, not enough first serves cost him dearly. His play improved significantly in the second set and through the third, but in the tiebreaker, he became a bit tight and tentative relative to Rafa, and I believe he suffered mentally, and didn't go for it until it was too late, when all looked lost, down 6-0.

Bottom line, Nadal came through at the end and in most of the crucial situations. Well done to him.

I'm not sure Nadal will blow Raonic away in the final as many people seem to think.

I'm guessing Nadal might come out a bit slow, and I wouldn't be surprised if Raonic took the first set as long as he is serving well. Raonic has the ability to get to a tiebreaker just on his strength of serve. But I believe Nadal will eventually start reading the serve and be able to eventually break Raonic. If Raonic serves and plays well, I think he could take the first set, but I think Nadal will eventually wear him down and win it going away. I wouldn't be surprised at a result something like 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. If Raonic is not on, then obviously it could be quicker.

All that said, Nadal could lose this if Raonic is on fire with his serve or if Nadal has not recovered mentally or physically from the Djokovic match. It is only best of 3 and anything can happen in that format. By the way, I believe the Final and maybe even the SF (with 1 day rest) in any of the masters series should be best of 5, and they should never play two masters in succession without a week between.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[britbox]

Good post mc, as always. I don't think it's cut and dried either. You can't write off a serving machine like Raonic... but I still expect Rafa to prevail in two tight sets, one maybe a breaker. From Milos point of view, I think it's essential he takes the first set.

 

[ClayDeath]

que pasa sports fans.


who is bold enough to make a prediction or two for cincy?

 

[britbox]

I'll see the draw first and then make a prediction.

 

[kskate2]

Nadal won't be in final next week. Murray will be and I think DP will make it further than Novak and Fed.

 

[Kieran]

I think Nadal will pull out of Cinci if he wins tonight. It's a brutal draw for him and he may want to conserve himself for Flushing Meadows...

 

[ClayDeath]

que pasa princess kskate, general masterclass, and general kieran the destroyer.


no telling what nadal does about cincy.

My guess: he is going there.

 

[ClayDeath]

Do you folks think he should play cincy if he snatches the title in Montreal?

 

[EnriqueIG8]

I miss Andy Roddick, JCF and Feña Gonzalez.

 

[Kieran]

The advantages of Nadal playing Cinci are that he gets more HC matches in, he gains ranking points and he has the opportunity to scalp a few honchos.

The disadvantages are that it's immediately after Montreal and so he may prefer to rest, he has a tough draw, which he may prefer not to get worked up about and keep it for Flushing Meadows, and it's an event he doesn't really need, if he takes Montreal. He won't want to peak too soon and turn up in New York with all his best shots hit, already.

I wouldn't be surprised either way, but he's got to be prudent about his knees, give them plenty of space to recover and rest so he's fully fit for New York...

 

[masterclass]

Well, unfortunately it looks like Raonic is going to get blown out of the final. But Nadal hasn't had to do that much.
Poor Milos has imploded. Someone who normally wins over 90% of his service games is barely putting 50% of his first serves in. That won't cut it. His second serve isn't getting it done either. So without his best weapon, his serve, he is a non-factor. His movement is too slow and his backhand too weak.
He lost the first set 6-2 and has been already broken in the first set serving up a double fault to hand over the break.

I guess the moment has been too much for Milos, or perhaps he is tired. Rafa is playing his usual level and it is more than enough to get the job done. Unless something drastic happens it's congrats to the Clay Warrior for his 25th Master's title.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[tented]

I miss Andy Roddick, JCF and Feña Gonzalez.

Me, too. And I never thought I would say that about Roddick, but I do miss him. Ferrero was such a class-act both on and off court, so a joy at any time. And Gonzo -- loved him. Watching him tear through the '07 AO is one of my best tennis memories.

 

[tented]

Nadal won't be in final next week. Murray will be and I think DP will make it further than Novak and Fed.

This seems right. I don't see Roger defending, Rafa may not even go, and Djokovic is losing too many important matches these days.

Murray will take Cincinnati. It will be important to win this before the USO.

 

[Moxie]

Nadal won't be in final next week. Murray will be and I think DP will make it further than Novak and Fed.

This seems right. I don't see Roger defending, Rafa may not even go, and Djokovic is losing too many important matches these days.

Murray will take Cincinnati. It will be important to win this before the USO.

Yeah, Nadal doesn't have to do much, even if he plays. He's laid his marker down. Djokovic, Murray and Federer must all feel they have to do well. Andy and Novak for some confidence points, but Roger specifically. I haven't done the math, but doesn't he pretty much have to make the SFs, at least, not to fall below Berdych? As it is, he'll be at the mercy of the draw at the USO, so I guess it doesn't matter if he's 5-7. And Del Potro will be looking to make a statement, I'd wager.

 

[ClayDeath]

Que pasa generalito, lady mox, general tented, and all the others.


I am out and about at the moment.


Will be home later on tonight.


Dinner at Hollywood casino tonight.

 

[ClayDeath]

Clay warrior has some options now.


He can play cincy or he can take a few days off and just practice and generally relax.


I have a feeling he will go to cincy.

 

[britbox]

I think Rafa will go to Cinci.

 

[ClayDeath]

i think so too.

he might pick up that massive appearance fee and then grab a few extra points while the grabbing is good.

 

[ClayDeath]

so we are back to square one with predictions:

for cincy, i will go with nole and murray again.

one of these days i am bound to be right.