The Fall of Rafael Nadal

[Billie]

Oh @mrzz

Andy was very good on clay last year.

 

[masterclass]

splendid casino indeed general. this is top of the line. one needs serious net worth to land in this one. no Mississippi rednecks can get in obviously.


Rafa still has a deal with Poker Stars so that may be in the works soon.

Agreed general.
One can't underrate his future on the table, and elsewhere, for what may be a billion of reasons.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[mrzz]

Oh @mrzz

Andy was very good on clay last year.

Yes, Billie, you´re indeed right. But I couldn´t help myself...

Anyway I guess he won´t repeat it...

 

[ClayDeath]

Djokovic is out.

Can Rafa take advantage of this opportunity?

 

[Denis]

Djokovic is out.

Can Rafa take advantage of this opportunity?

Uhm doesn't he need to do a lot of fitness to become a top 100 player again? Novak hasn't been his only problem. This is his favorite tournament though, let's see.

 

[shawnbm]

Yes, master general, he can--if he makes it to the semifinals, which may be a tall order for him. He has the Austrian next, and I doubt the Austrian has much fear in his eyes. Nadal will have to bring it to the youngster.

 

[Rides]

.....
last year both rafa and roger said that djokovic's level was going to decline this year.
keep waiting. good luck with that.
he is not going to lose a single match the rest of the year.
(edited).

Hmm.

Andplusalso, while 105 year olds *might* be running marathons, they sure ain't winning any.

 

[ClayDeath]

Yes, master general, he can--if he makes it to the semifinals, which may be a tall order for him. He has the Austrian next, and I doubt the Austrian has much fear in his eyes. Nadal will have to bring it to the youngster.

I think the Austrian is going to derail him.

Rafa is paying the price for not bothering to put in the time on the fitness front and in the gym.

It is one ailment after another if it is not fatigue which he constantly complains about.

Now he is carrying a wrist issue.

 

[ClayDeath]

it is just a damn shame that he is so unfit.

now you know why I am not happy with the clay warrior.

he left way too much on the table for others to take right in his prime.

 

[Carol]

I think the Austrian is going to derail him.

Rafa is paying the price for not bothering to put in the time on the fitness front and in the gym.

It is one ailment after another if it is not fatigue which he constantly complains about.

Now he is carrying a wrist issue.

Rafa doesn't carry any wrist issue, Novak loss doesn't give him more or less chance, the only issue he has is his head for almost two years, I would call it an emergency Psychologist call

 

[masterclass]

Rafa can beat Thiem, but I think he has to get it done in 2 sets, one by some margin, and one scrappy as he tires.
Thiem has not looked that good in the last few matches. But then neither has Rafa.
If it goes 3 sets I give Rafa less than a 20% chance to win unless Thiem just doesn't do his part.

Rafa has performed like a cyclist who decided to forgo getting his necessary 100 or more miles/day...
He is obviously missing something important.and it has been his decision. One can't blame Uncle Toni.

Djokovic is out. There won't be many more of these opportunities.
Each of the last 16 players is going to be highly motivated to win this prestigious Masters 1000.
The question is who is most prepared to take advantage.of Novak's rest.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[Bert]

Thiem has a cyst on his foot and was close to retire before his first round. He was treated by the tournament medical team and managed to win in 3. Slow start yesterday again before playing an incredible 2nd set and then Daniel disappeared. Don't know if he is 100% or not, and playing everyday surely doesn't help.

Agree with your analysis. Nadal to win in 2 sets or Thiem in 3.

 

[britbox]

Paire and Murray in a final set decider.

 

[ClayDeath]

Rafa can beat Thiem, but I think he has to get it done in 2 sets, one by some margin, and one scrappy as he tires.
Thiem has not looked that good in the last few matches. But then neither has Rafa.
If it goes 3 sets I give Rafa less than a 20% chance to win unless Thiem just doesn't do his part.

Rafa has performed like a cyclist who decided to forgo getting his necessary 100 or more miles/day...
He is obviously missing something important.and it has been his decision. One can't blame Uncle Toni.

Djokovic is out. There won't be many more of these opportunities.
Each of the last 16 players is going to be highly motivated to win this prestigious Masters 1000.
The question is who is most prepared to take advantage.of Novak's rest.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Fantastic post general.

 

[ClayDeath]

Rafa has an opportunity here.

Must win situation tomorrow against Wawrinka.

Needs to do it in straights.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa has an opportunity here.

Must win situation tomorrow against Wawrinka.

Needs to do it in straights.

Obviously with Djokovic out, this is a big opportunity, and I think Stan is the biggest road block, so tomorrow is the day. I disagree that it has to be in straights. I don't subscribe to your notion that Rafa is completely out of shape, and I still think he's more reliable over the longer term than Wawrinka. But in 2 or 3, he needs this win. I believe if he beats Stan he could very likely retake the title. I'm pretty sure he knows that.

 

[isabelle]

Nadal played well vs Stanimal, he seems to have a decent level,in MC

 

[shawnbm]

I only saw the first set and he was very solid while Stanislas looked almost disinterested and bored. He was hitting shots out all over the place off of both wings. Did Rafa win in straight sets?

 

[britbox]

I only saw the first set and he was very solid while Stanislas looked almost disinterested and bored. He was hitting shots out all over the place off of both wings. Did Rafa win in straight sets?

Yes, 6/1 6/4. I think he handles Murray in the semis...

 

[Moxie]

He did win in straights. Funny, "disinterested" was the word I used for Stan's demeanor (what I saw of it,) too. He has to see the same opportunity with Djoker out, so I don't see why he couldn't come up with more fight. I'd like to say it was all about Rafa's level, but I didn't see enough, but I did see enough to know that Stan was really off.