The Dirt Devil vs the Serbian Slayer

[Kieran]

The best match by Novak in this tournament, he was authoritative and sharp. Well deserved victory, and he looks in good nick for tomorrow...

 

[Front242]

MP. Cinnamon-raisin french toast here I come!

Just had a homemade flapjack with oats, chocolate brownie protein powder and pecan nuts.

 

[Front242]

23-23 now.

 

[Kieran]

MP. Cinnamon-raisin french toast here I come!

Just had a homemade flapjack with oats, chocolate brownie protein powder and pecan nuts.

Is that the work they were doing in your kitchen? catering? :snicker

 

[kskate2]

Sounds yummy. I only cook extravagant breakfast on Sat.

 

[Front242]

24 winners by Novak to 9 for Rafa. That's a telling stat. 24 winners on this slow court is very good.

 

[nehmeth]

Nads had nothing to challenge Nole today. Nada. :snicker

 

[Kieran]

Nads had nothing to challenge Nole today. Nada. :snicker

That's the way it goes. They've both been there, over the course of their 46 matches. What a great rivalry...

 

[Front242]

MP. Cinnamon-raisin french toast here I come!

Just had a homemade flapjack with oats, chocolate brownie protein powder and pecan nuts.

Is that the work they were doing in your kitchen? catering? :snicker

Lol nah. Had some slabs that needed changing 'cos we have 2 balconies that had water getting under the doors 'cos the dopes who built the house put no lead flashing under them. All sorted now but just needs to be replastered and repainted. Bit of an inconvenience with the mess and will have to get it repainted next. Doh. Will be sorted soon though

 

[nehmeth]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

 

[Front242]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

Murray lost to Stan "the inconsistent man" too. Clearly not playing great. There was more pushing going on in that match than down the docks with the local dealers :snicker

 

[shawnbm]

I think Paul and Jim had it pretty spot on--the Novak of the last few years is probably the only player who takes Nadal out of his comfort zone and forces him to adjust. Nole plays his game and Rafael has to change what he does.

 

[herios]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

He is past his prime, that is the reality. I do not see him getting much better than he was these last weeks.

 

[nehmeth]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

Murray lost to Stan "the inconsistent man" too. Clearly not playing great. There was more pushing going on in that match than down the docks with the local dealers :snicker

I am not sold on GSM's incline. Hard Courts in Oz and then USA will be interesting to see if Ralf can make continued improvements over his poor 2015 form.

 

[the AntiPusher]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

Only for Novak, Rafa's game is good enough to defeat anyone but just as I have stated numerous times, he has got to make the match uncomfortable for Novak.As a player, you know when you need to make adjustments however I didn't see a lot of work from Rafa. I told Front I felt he wouldn't be fresh today but it probably wouldn't have made a difference. The good thing about this week, team uncle Toni/Rafa knows they.have caught up the top of the tour.

 

[Puppet Master]

Complete mockery. A parody of a matchup .One guy is hitting way better groundstrokes than you, serving and returning miles better, it's not even comparable. The other guy's reply? Better play spinny shots with tons of margin and serve slow spinny serves, that will surely rattle him. And to the people saying he has tons of work to do, please shut up. Will you be saying that until he retires? When will you realise that nothing will change?

 

[shawnbm]

Even if Nadal is on the other side of the mountain, the descent will likely take some time, and he will climb up a bit now and then. Federer was six in the world at this time two years ago and look at all he did. I think Rafael is capable of doing similar things.

 

[Front242]

I personally don't think he's caught up with the top four. He beat a very sub par Stan twice in succession and Murray's performance in this tournament was downright poor. Some of those short balls would be walloped to kingdom come on a faster court. Novak managed to get 24 winners on this slow court so can you imagine the difference on a faster court?

 

[nehmeth]

People made so much of Nad's win over Murray. He's got a lot of work to do yet.

Only for Novak, Rafa's game is good enough to defeat anyone but just as I have stated numerous times, he has got to make the match uncomfortable for Novak.As a player, you know when you need to make adjustments however I didn't see a lot of work from Rafa. I told Front I felt he wouldn't be fresh today but it probably wouldn't have made a difference. The good thing about this week, team uncle Toni/Rafa knows they.have caught up the top of the tour.

Novak was focused in spots during the match. More often than not he seemed almost casual out there. Not good news for Ralf.

As to the others? It's the end of the year. Stan looked as though he was sleep walking. Murray was not going to extend himself, as he has bigger fish to fry - in bringing the Davis Cup back to the UK. Fed took him down in Bercy.

Beginning of the year with everyone fresh and rested?? We'll be able to tell better then.

 

[nehmeth]

Even if Nadal is on the other side of the mountain, the descent will likely take some time, and he will climb up a bit now and then. Federer was six in the world at this time two years ago and look at all he did. I think Rafael is capable of doing similar things.

Roger's style of play isn't as taxing on the body shawn. I doubt that he will duplicate, but we'll see.