US Open, Flushing Meadows, NY USA - Grand Slam (Men)

[brokenshoelace]

As much as Nadal's game has improved throughout the years in terms of becoming more well-rounded (the backhand and serve have really come a long way), I actually think his ability to change direction with the forehand dropped noticeably post-2008. His rally forehand became much better starting 2010 but both the inside out and DTL forehands have regressed.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Ok, that was some shot by Nadal... Jesus.

 

[Moxie]

There's a FHDL!

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wow, seeing that on the replay, it's even more impressive. Incredible shot.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Monfils retired in 2nd set, it was a matter of who is more injured

This whole tourney is like that!

 

[Front242]

Nadal IS playing himself into form. Let's hope Roger does a bit of that too.

It's all down to Roger's back really.

 

[DarthFed]

Thiem is in that half of the draw, isn't he? I haven't been paying close attention to the draw beyond Rafa's quarter.

Yes but he has DP next. Thiem is a barely top 15-20 player off clay too it must be said. He could lose to DP or even someone like Kohli/Lopez in the QF if Fed isn't there.

 

[Moxie]

And that was a great shot by Mayer.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Yes but he has DP next. Thiem is a barely top 15-20 player off clay too it must be said. He could lose to DP or even someone like Kohli/Lopez in the QF if Fed isn't there.

Well but by the same token, Del Potro, if playing well enough to get to the semis of a major on hards (and the one major he's actually won), is definitely a top-10 player. He definitely worries me more than Thiem.

 

[the AntiPusher]

It's 106 here in Santa Cruz, Ca..nothing like cooling off by riding the boogy boards on the cold Pacific Ocean coast to shore..hows Rafa doing today..

 

[Moxie]

It's 106 here in Santa Cruz, Ca..nothing like cooling off by riding the boogy boards on the cold Pacific Ocean coast to shore..hows Rafa doing today..

He's winning, although he made it tricky in the first set +. Enjoy the ocean and stay cool!

 

[brokenshoelace]

A typical Nadal fan conundrum:

*Nadal stands miles behind the baseline to return, drops every return short*

Nadal fan: What are you doing? Stand closer.

*Nadal stands closer, missing every return*

Nadal fan: Go back to standing back.

 

[Moxie]

I'm not sure who said that, except you.

 

[Moxie]

Can`t believe he didn't close this out. Get it over with, Rafa.

 

[DarthFed]

Well but by the same token, Del Potro, if playing well enough to get to the semis of a major on hards (and the one major he's actually won), is definitely a top-10 player. He definitely worries me more than Thiem.

I'm not sure he has that level left in him. That's what is infuriating about Fed being such a tard and playing Canada without any practice. Not a single player left in the draw except Nadal could trouble him normally and even that semi he'd be a heavy favorite in. This tournament would be all but won if he was healthy, worst mistake of his career.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Honestly this is an ugly ass performance from Nadal. Just wrap it up already.

 

[Moxie]

I'm not sure he has that level left in him. That's what is infuriating about Fed being such a tard and playing Canada without any practice. Not a single player left in the draw except Nadal could trouble him normally and even that semi he'd be a heavy favorite in. This tournament would be all but won if he was healthy, worst mistake of his career.

I still don't see how you think that Canada is exactly the touchstone of disaster. If the back was going to go, why only Canada and not Cincinnati? Roger says it's not his back, but lack of preparation. But if the back had gone in Cincy, he'd be worse off.

 

[brokenshoelace]

There's Nadal's "underrated" volleys, which have quickly become the most overrated on tour.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm not sure who said that, except you.

Not sure who else missed the point, except for you.

Point is, we all cry for Rafa to stand closer to the baseline when returning, but every time he does, he misses badly and is clearly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, standing back leads to short returns and easy put aways.

The point wasn't about Rafa fans... it was about Rafa's awful return game.

 

[Moxie]

Well, finally. Rafa's got a lot of gear to find, we can only hope.