Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will begin their final tournament prior to the French Open on Wednesday, with both men going up against Frenchmen. Nadal is taking on Gilles Simon and Federer is facing Jeremy Chardy.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Gilles Simon
Nadal and Simon will squaring off for the seventh time in their careers when they do battle in round two of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 5-1 in Nadal’s favor, but they have faced each other only once on clay. That was their most recent encounter, won by the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4 at the 2012 Monte-Carlo Masters. Simon’s lone victory came during his memorable second half of 2008 run, which included a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) semifinal upset of Nadal on the indoor hard courts of Madrid.
Simon played his way into this matchup by trouncing Italy’s own Filippo Volandri 6-2, 6-3 on Tuesday. The Frenchman is still a disappointing 7-10 this season and will in all likelihood just barely manage to maintain a seed for Roland Garros, currently at 30th in the world. Nadal is coming off a title in Madrid, where he got past Kei Nishikori via a third-set retirement on Sunday. The world No. 1 is not as dominant on the red stuff right now as he has been in the past, but last week should give him some confidence as he looks to three-peat in Rome.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
[polldaddy poll=8043269]
Jeremy Chardy vs. (4) Roger Federer
Federer and Chardy will be going head-to-head for just the second time in their careers but also for the second time this season. Their only previous meeting came in January in the Brisbane semifinals, with Federer prevailing 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3. Chardy advanced on Sunday in Rome with a 6-4, 6-4 ousting of Robin Haase. The 47th-ranked Frenchman is a decent 15-11 for the year, which includes only two first-round losses in 12 tournaments.
This is, of course, Federer’s first appearance since his wife gave birth to twin boys last week. The Monte-Carlo finalist and 2013 Rome runner-up is 28-5 on the season with additional runner-up showings in Brisbane and Indian Wells to go along with a title in Dubai. The Swiss’ focus may not be entirely there right from the start, but his 2014 form is far superior to that of last year and he should not have too much trouble getting the best of Chardy.
Pick: Federer in 2 losing more than 8 games
[polldaddy poll=8043266]
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/466419225088000001/photo/1
@augusta, you are stretching these pics and making them larger, aren’t you? Not complaining at all, just saying…….I’m onto you!!
Vamos Rafa!!
I did not stretch the picture, (W) did.
Of course I am going with Rafa in two sets. Simon has not looked good this year and seems to be on a kind of downslide right now. I think that I voted for Rafa losing 8-10 games, just to be cautious. But it could be less. I think Rafa should come into Rome with good feelings from Madrid, despite the way that final ended.
As for Fed, I think he’s going to win in two sets over Chardy. I went back and forth a little between two sets and three sets. I finally voted for Fed in two, losing more than 8 games.
I saw that Rafa will play a night match, which means I get to see it live without having to try to stay up until all hours. It’s 10:30 am my time! I can’t wait to see Rafa in action in Rome. 🙂
A night match may be good for you NNY. Not sure Rafa will be so pleased.
Gillou happens to be No.3 on my list of favourites so I dont relish watching him being spanked yet again by Rafa 😉
Nadline: Just so you know………….
#NoConflictOfInterests
So exactly how many hounds do you run with @ed251137? The other day you owned up to Berdy, are you adding Gillou? That would double the potential punishment, you are aware??!!
” No.3 on my list of favourites” is an oxymoron. 😀
ed251137 says May 14, 2014 at 6:39 am
Teeheehee! smart woman……………
I guess you don’t think a night match is good for Rafa. I can’t help it, because I so rarely get to see him live. But I don’t want bad scheduling for Rafa, if you feel that this is not good for him. I just kind of freaked out when I saw the time and realized I could see him.
I have enjoyed watching Simon over the years, but he’s not special to me. He’s not playing well at all now, so I can’t see this being a tough match for Rafa.
Nadline@6:42am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du6wiLRgm8o
Vamos Rafa!
Sorry, I forgot to indicate that my comment @ 6:58 am was directed to ed.
ed, both you and ritb are going to get mauled by the hounds if you keep running with the deer.
@nadline28, some deer are too cute to ignore (exhibit A: Pico), I’ll take my chances with the hounds!
😀
You could try sitting on the fence, but that’s not comfortable either, I’m told.
Better a mauling by hounds than subject my whatsit to a mauling by a fence, ¡muchas gracias.
Picks:
Rafa
Fed
Nadline. the expression is ‘to run with the HARE and hunt with the hounds.
which has its origin in the sport of beagling – something I used to do when a lot, lot younger. lol.
I must confess I had never heard of the expression until I saw it from @nadline on TT. I just found it so funny, still do. Conjured up all sorts of possibilities, especially me being a runner and all! And of course I can never get it right, always confuse which animal is doing the running and which the hunting……………
😀
ed, thanks. So you should know better.
Maybe sleeping with the enemy might be a better option.
quelle riposte
?
19h30 Rome Rafa’s match. Won’t miss that for all the tea in China…………
ritb, unless Pico is playing in a Challenger somewhere.
^^Couldn’t resist, could you? Picking on poor Pico’s form :/
His true friendship to Rafa makes up for his poor on-court form, imo. For that, he will always be my hare…..oops, deer, oh whatever…
Weather forecast (no rain in the evening)
http://www.accuweather.com/en/it/rome/213490/hourly-weather-forecast/213490?hour=17
I am expecting a very strong performance from Rafa today
vamosrafa,
Me too! 😀
Simon today is light years away from the Simon who had his one and only win over Rafa
(by coincidence in Madrid) when it was an indoor hard court tourney. There is no risk he will repeat that performance today but it should be a good match.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uiJ5NKK4ns
And by another coincidence my 2nd favourite beat my 3rd favourite in the final.
#123
Now you are confusing me. Keep it simple and just stick with your ‘first’ favourite. 🙂
Let’s hope the real Rafa turns up not the one who was impersonating him on Sunday. Still don’t understand why he was playing so poorly in the final against as opponent he knew wasn’t fit.
^^No, no, no please………..do not mention Rafa impersonations! I still have nightmares re-living one match (we were still on TT) where a definite alien took over Rafa’s body and was doing a bad job of hiding the fact that it had never seen a tennis court, never mind ever playing on one!
I think Uncle T did a good job of exorcising that creature…….our boy’s back, I believe!
Vamos Rafa!
ritb, see pictures of hunting with hounds. The hounds are the dogs that the hunters use to chase and track down the animal, usually a fox.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hunting+with+dogs&client=opera&hs=UDC&tbm=isch&imgil=Suy39A1BpTtUYM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcRcTVcoh72FdO_-FlyFDsTrqkoAUNixqfmOb4n-YgIoukJ2Ul1YBQ%253B460%253B288%253BL7PjKsqrDXsKSM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%25252Fearth%25252Fwildlife%25252F4939484%25252FRuling-further-weakens-hunting-ban.html&source=iu&usg=__TFjjnHtdBIuOBBHkrI5GAKoy2OI%3D&sa=X&ei=VTJzU4SGHeeJ0AXq94GYAg&ved=0CFgQ9QEwBg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=-_IqjLPj3YC-HM%253A%3BMd3T0E6HJ-GKaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fstatic.guim.co.uk%252Fsys-images%252FGuardian%252FPix%252Fpictures%252F2012%252F12%252F26%252F1356545024919%252FAvon-Vale-hunt-on-Boxing–010.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.theguardian.com%252Fuk%252F2012%252Fdec%252F26%252Fhunting-ban-unlikely-vote-tories%3B460%3B276
^^Eew, glad I saw this before me lunch……………
Yes, I think Muzza will be vigilant today……..
My pick is Andy over Marcel.
RT @Jamie_murray: “IMO – Andy #feel #creativity #handskills and Rafa #physicality #brutestrength are the 2 toughest wind opponents on @ATPWorldTour”
Mmmm, I think you should add #handskills to Rafa as well, Jamie.
Jamie, describing Rafa’s best tennis abilities in terms of brute strength and physicality is very old now, has been proven wrongheaded a long time ago. Even the most biased commentators already know better.
Eh @chloro, where Rafa’s concerned, a lot of people feel more comfortable stuck in a time-warp……….
I think we may finally see a Muzza/Rafa match at this tournament. Meltzer and Cilic are battling in a 3rd set, hopefully the winner emerges too tired to mount a serious challenge to Muzza, whom I expect to move past Granollers.
So long as the real Rafa turns up, no worries, as far as I’m concerned. I wonder whether Rafa was taking a rest during the Madrid final and sent his double in to bat in his place..
Don’t worry @nadline28, The Bull is in the Eternal City!
Muzza through in straights, should meet Meltzer next, who is a break up in th 3rd against Cilic
…Meltzer it is, who beats Cilic
I’m sorry but Cilic is still in my bad books…………. 🙁
I’m a bit thrown by this new smiley, smiley Andy. Did he make a promise to Bally he would reform?
I don’t like it.
Fed has finalist points to defend here so he needs to be careful……………
I hadn’t thought of that. It explains why he has interrupted his paternity leave.
Less than 700 points separating him (#4) from Ferru (#5). I don’t think he wants to get to RG outside of the Top 4 and risk meeting Rafa or Novak in the quarters………
…I mean, God forbid, Rafa could suffer a shock early exit at RG and guess who could benefit from that if well placed in the draw?
#TMF
That’s what I’ve been thinking about over the last weeks of Rafa’s struggles. Roger is bound to have some level of realistic hope to get a second career slam. I can imagine his heart sank when he realised Rafa was headed to the finals at AO and no one strong enough to beat him there, such as Novak, was going to be his opponent. He must have been very upset at the prospect of Rafa getting his 14th at the same time as a double career slam. At that time it didn’t look likely that Roger would ever complete his. Now there is a realistic opening.
Hold your horses, mind. I am NOT saying I am predicting Rafa losing an out of 5 match at RG this year.
ed, you’re right he’s come to defend his points.
And he also has to negotiate RG not to suffer the same fate for Wimbledon, no?
How did Meldza beat Marin ON CLAY???
Isn’t it Melzer who took out Djokovic at RG in 2010? He is good on clay………
#Facetious
Fed serving up a Baker’s bagel to the youngster Chardy.
Thought Chardy was older than 27. Still though, he would have made a great weak era player.
What a boring match…………Fed having his way with Chardy. Am switching over to Jo-Willy/Anderson…
Chardy up a break in the 2nd. ritb, don’t switch back!!!
#Jinx
Chardy now leading 4:1 2nd set. One break of serve.
Only because ritb switched off!
Fed was down a double break. Got one back.
ritb, are you wathing Fedfan again? Switch off!!!
Chardy has the 2nd set. Federer will have to up his level now.
hawkeye63@May 14, 2014 at 12:59 pm
—Fed was down a double break. Got one back.—
Nope! I didn’t watch the match, I re-winded the video. Fed was broken once.
Chardy takes the 2nd set, 6:3.
Onto a deciding set then.
Thanks ritb.
Testing:
http://clips.tennistv.com/g/v/Lfo33pl0c9z
Testing
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/466551770731544576
OK now you’re just bragging. 🙂
How you do this? It should not be difficult!!!!
#HUMB2ED
hawkeye63@May 14, 2014 at 1:03 pm
Was THIS your comment sent to the moderation ?
I don’t understand HOW you did THIS.
Nope. It was a tweet from Stan wearing his Baby shirt. If you go to his twitter page and click on Photos, you will see it.
If you click on “more” and then select “embed tweet”, you get hypertext that supposedly allows you to copy and paste to post said tweet. It shows you a preview. Doesn’t seem to work properly.
hawkeye63@May 14, 2014 at 4:09 pm
I never went and I’ll (probably) never go to his Twitter page.
:LOL:
@hawkeye63, You mean this?
https://twitter.com/stanwawrinka
….try again, fail better……
https://twitter.com/stanwawrinka/status/463715760649797633/photo/1
I don’t think Ricky likes Stan much, my post shows the photo in my second post but it is under moderation……….
That’s just his main twitter page ritb. I’ll try again as I type this. From that page, click on Photos and Videos (in the left-hand pane). Click on the photo of interest (in my case, his Evian tweet). Click on the embedded pic.twitter link as per Agusta’s instructions and copy and paste the link ending in …photo/1
On second thought, I’ll post the link below this one so that it isn’t moderated!
https://twitter.com/stanwawrinka/status/463715760649797633/photo/1
Yep. Moderated just like I thought.
#SeanDimon
hawkeye63@May 14, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Testing (3)
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/statuses/466551770731544576
How you do this gussie???
#Jealous
hawkeye63@May 14, 2014 at 4:18 pm
It works! You have to click the TIMESTAMP !
http://en.support.wordpress.com/comments/embeds/
(Tweets containing a PICTURE should be posted like I recommended).
RITB, please stay away from Fedardy. You can even watch Sjisling vs Haas if you get disenchanted with Tsonga vs Anderson.
Am switching back to Fedardy, it’s exciting now, no?!
Fed only dropped the second set because he was thinking of Leo and Lenny……….
Am rooting for the twinses Daddy!!!!
Allez Fed!!
Stop it ritb. Chardy had a break point and you went and RUINEd it.
Go back to Tsonga. I hear there is quite the controversy over there now!!!
Aside: is it CON-troversy? or con-TRO-versy
#DontYou?
#OrDoYou.
In GB it’s con-TRO-versy.
Fed is having a week of quiet from TWO screaming newborns. One is bad enough, but TWO!!!!!!!!
^^The week lasted a day.
Twinses calling!
https://twitter.com/PseudoFed/status/466564578928001024
^^Priceless!!
Spank him Fed! No, not Leo, Chardy…….
#ChannellingYourInnerGillou
Chardy said, “I’m hoping that maybe since he now has four kids, he might be a little tired”.
#VamosChardy
Federer racking up an impressive number of UEs ?
Shanklings???
Mostly but some awesome mishits too
DF game point to deuce.
TURN IT OFF RITB!!!!
God, it’s KILLING Me!!!!
@hawkeye63, you just want the pleasure of going to Fed-x blog and rubbing it up the Federazzi’s noses if Leo’s Daddy loses…………..
#DoYou?
#Don’tYou?
#Mean
Am now watching both matches…………
#BecauseICan
Tie break Tsonga/Anderson……..
Spanking alert! Leo’s Daddy’s in the mood………………..
Chardy making a good fist of hanging strong. But for how much longer. That is the question.
I think they made a mistake at the hospital, missed another tot in the counting: Fed had triplets, Leo, Lenny and Shanklings……
TRIPLE BREAK POINT!!!!
Switch OFF ritb!!!
C’mon Fed!!!
Double BP
bp
#hohum
Chardy gets a break in the final set.
4-2 Ahahahahahahhaha.
#WontLast
Fed WILL break for 3-4.
#NID
#(AntiJinx)
Sorry for 3-all
Bad luck to screw up an antijinx.
#Backfire
What happened??!!
Did you MISS it?
I closed me eyes, couldn’t bear to see le break………..
Vamos Fed!!
Remember when Fed beat Rafa at IW ritb? And at Wimby 2007.
Allez Fed!
*winding up the jinx-o-meter full blast*
If Fed doesn’t hold here he’s done. 4: Chardy
Remember Jeremy – one point at a time. Don’t think about the finishing post.
Keep blinking slowly RITB (esp. during BPs on fedfan’s serve).
Leo’s Daddy in da house!!
If you are worried about the twins, you should hope fed has an early exit.
#FamilyGOAT
Fed to break for 4-all.
#GSM
#NID
I think my jinx-o-meter just packed up……………
13-All in 1st set TB in Tsonga match ritb.
Switch over!
Meanwhile………..Tsonga/Anderson doing a good Isner/Mahut impersonation………..
14 all TB….
Even if fedfan doen’t break here. No WAY Chardy could serve it out. Only chance would be for him to win on fedfan’s serve.
Okay…am now watching Tsonga/Anderson…………
*njinx fail*
BP fedfan.
#NID
Anderson had nine set points and lost the set.
4-All for fedfan.
#NID
#GoodNiteIrene
Did Fed just concede a line call? First time I’ve seen that.
^^He did.
#LeoAndLennyEffect
No, it’s called “the mark in the clay doesn’t lie” effect.
#TheresNoSpace!
#NoSpace
#ComeDownNowIWantToTalkToYouDontBeScared
https://twitter.com/ESPNTennis/status/466575719968284674/photo/1
FED FANS went wild.
Same thing (mostly).
Give up Chardy. You blew it.
#WeakEraWannaBe
Both my streams have died…………
Too little too late ritb!
Am back on………….
Chardy’s a wuss……………
TB. Hope Sir Shankalot is in the building.
Why nadline? Chardy would just hand it back to him.
Chardy’s a bum.
Boooooo Chardy.
Chardy stinks.
Chardy doesn’t recycle.
Chardy leaves his socks on the floor.
Chardy needs to hold here.
Chardy can’t hold a minibreak.
Chardy couldn’t hold a door open.
BOOOOOOOOOOO Chardy!!!!!!!
Chardy couldn’t hold his breath.
Chardy is pathetic!
Chardy can’t hold a spork.
Twins will just have to wait.
Twins have competition with Chardy.
#WhosYourDaddy
Fed couldn’t hold a door shut.
Chardy couldnt win a MP on his serve if his life demepded on it.
Chardy will choke here. He can only win on fedfan’s serve.
HE DID IT!
Vamos Chardy!
Chardy is awesome.
I like his moxy.
Hahahahahahaha. Over to Roger-X I go with my new moniker in tow.
#Humb1e
fedfan 0-1 doing his best Mike Brady impression.
Fed seeded 5th at RG if Ferru makes it to semis.
Where are all the pundits saying Nole is breathing a sigh of relief!
#TwoFaced
And RITB was bored by that match.
I never counted Chardy out. I knew he could do it.
What a fighter!
I think I should change my moniker to @jinxminx, no?
RT @Mike_Dickson_DM : “At least Roger Federer home for bathtime tonight, loses 7-6 in a decider against Jeremy Chardy.”
Nole will secure fedfan’s No. 4 RG seed.
Berdych can also pass Fed
#TechnicallyYesHypotheticallyNo
First time fedfan lost before the quarters since last October and last first round loss since last July.
He shouldn’t have left the family.
RT @SI_BTBaseline: “Roger Federer said he didn’t care if he won a match this week in Rome, just wanted to get back to tournament rhythm. Back to babysitting.”
Did Fed had a match point??
I only got to see the match at score of 6-6 in the TB!!
He had a MP alright @abhirf but Chardy saved it with the best FH get of his career………
legendary save
MP on his own serve too.
did he miss 1st serve?
Dunno.
#TwoMinutesForScoreBoarding
https://twitter.com/augustazeight/status/466592303671693313/photo/1
Meanwhile…………….
All quiet on the western front….
#Roger-x blog
I was gutted. First my stream died then just as it came back somebody called to see me so I missed all the drama. What did Fed have to say for himself? “I was sorry to have to leave the family so I’m really excited to be going home so soon” ?
I’m off to watch the final moments on Catch Up.
@ed251137, yet to hear TMF’s reaction, but this is PSF’s:
RT @PseudoFed : “Courtside tweetings: I bet you didn’t expect that result #meneither”
Fed also said he hoped to be around for 5-6 days, which means he expected to make the final.
but he said didn’t care if he only played one match
#babies
#handy
Just like Nole said.
#FamilyFirst
#OnceElimiated
‘He didn’t care’ – that’s what Fed fans ALWAYS say when Fed loses.
Now wait for Tiggy or Bodo’s RR: only passing references to Chardy and spin on Fed’s loss…..
They only come to bury Rafa.
#DoubleStandards
Commies:
Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more
#EtTuCommies?
Fascinated to hear the reasons why he didn’t win ……………….. the wind, the dust, the state of the court, sleepless nights, back playing up, lack of match practice etc. etc.
It was planned.
Meanwhile……………
Over at Roger-x blog, congratulations were offered to BOTH and Fed, and the conversation quickly turned to exhortations for Gulbis to win and channel his inner Kei (how to beat and nearly beat top-tenners) in an possible match against Ferru….
You cannot make this up……………
#RafaObssessionMuch
#KeiIsTheNewBlack
^^should read, “BOTH Chardy and Fed…..”
What was feddie congratulated on? Twintwins?
^^Who knows? Maybe for the twinses, maybe just for being……………………Fed.
Chardy channeled his inner Gulbis – how to beat Fed!
One of them was me.
#Humb1e
#CantKeepAGoodManDown
so why did Fed lose? did Chardy play lights out tennis? Did Roger just play horrible? combination of both? he’s prob happy to go back to Leonard x 2. (Lenny and Leo). #twinswithsamename.
^^No. Chardy was a bag of nerves, literally begged Fed to put him away at times. Fed was just…….there, nothing special. Fed would have won except for one unbelievable FH get by Chardy, at MP, on Fed’s serve.
They’ll have to hold their breath a bit longer. Robert has just taken the first set.
obligatory racquet smash by Ernie
In his pre-tournament interview he did mention 5-6 days
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYfB1N_60SY
Fed fans on TW were already licking their that the year his first twins were born he won Madrid, RG and Wimbledon.
^^their chops
Stephane ‘LuckyLoser’ Robert breaks Ernie in 2nd set. Ernie breaks straight back.
then again. Serving for the set.
The Spoilt Brat behaviour has become wearisome. His behaviour towards umpires is obnoxiously insolent – I guess that’s how he treats the servants at home. Dah
^^So uncool…………
I didn’t see it but well I just hope that you not comparing Gulbis with Foggy Fabio. Don’t you? Or do you.
“If I lose this match, you’re in big trouble.
Come down now. I want to see you now. Come down and don’t be scared. Don’t be scared!”
Whada punk.
Foggy’s is insupportable agreed but I think at the same time he has his tongue in his cheek. And I wouldn’t mind betting he apologised to Mohamed afterwards.
Gulbis is far more menacing and he treats umpires like skivvies. I cant imagine him ever apologising.
#QuestionOfDegree
And Roddick. Wholenuther punk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff6_UTPDO9s
Just. Wow. Chardy MP down on fedfan’s serve…
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/466584868638687234
OK. WTF (and I don’t mean World Tour Final). I did EXACTLY as Gussie/WordPress instructions say and STILL moderated).
Whatever.
clips.tennistv.com/g/v/itusmIRYT24
For those who haven’t seen it, check out Fed’s MP.
Just. Wow.
https://twitter.com/PseudoFed/status/466626860827561985
Bull in the Arena!
Vamos!!
Gillou nonchalantly sits back, leg crossed……………
Rafa, don’t disappoint. Gillou is expecting a spanking, please oblige………..whichever way you do it…….
YAY! I get to watch Rafa live!
Do your thing, Rafa!
Gillou’s come to play……….
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “Incredible defences by Nadal, who seemed to have no chance in that final rally but breaks for 3-2.”
There must be … fifty ways to spank the Gillou.
That was meant to be:
There must be … fifty ways to spank your Gillou.
He’s not laying down, Gillou…………determined to be spanked standing tall!
Stop it, Gillou!
Koenig says this is the best he’s seen Gillou strike the ball in a long while……
Now, serve out the set Rafa……
Vamos!!
If you can’t spank in the first spank in the next.
Rafa is broken serving for the set……after being given a time violation warning at BP.
Vamos Rafa!
Rafa is bringing out the best in Gillou. He’s playingat a higher level than we’ve seen for a long time.
Well I just hope karma ain’t a b*tch today. Won’t it? Or will it.
Rafa breaks!
#OK
#Good
Vamos Rafa! He’s playing loose today!
Broken twice while serving for the set is playing loose?
Seems tight to me but I’m scoreboarding so…
Gillou is dialed in……..
Spoke too soon. So 10 of Gillou’s 15 return points won came on the last two service games from Rafa – both when serving for it.
Like I said before, he ain’t back yet.
#NotGoodEnough
Rafa still having problems closing it out. His second serve is a real liability right now.
Simon is playing very well, too. As they all seem to do against Rafa.
Come on Rafa!
5-1. This is good.
This set is now well and truly in the bag………….6: TB
BREADSTICK?
STIRSTICK.
Set, Rafa.
Vamos!!
BRRADSTICK
Rafa needs his 1st serve, his 2nd serve is not there yet. But looks less tense, I really like his demeanor.
Gillou is enjoying himself out there.
Vamos Rafa!
RT @NeilHarmanTimes: “First set Nadal 7-6. Simon played his worst tennis of the set in the TB. Had been resourceful, intelligent and brave before then.”
“Resourceful”
Rafa, break his serve and break his spirit.
Vamos
Rafa finally got it done in that tb. But failing to serve out the set two times just won’t get it done in the later stages of this tournament. He raised his level of play in that tb and Simon just didn’t deliver.
I can’t think that Simon will be able to hang with Rafa much longer. Rafa getting the early break would be great!
Gillou broken, but not in spirit………..yet
Rafa breaks! Now get this done!
One more break will seal the deal.
breadstick in the TB and bagel in the 2nd set. #romanbreakfast Andiamo!!
An espresso to go with the biscotti.
3 UEs in a row Rafa………….steady on…..
4 UEs……Rafa gave away that break.
Vamos Rafa!
That was a terrible game from Rafa. Simon didn’t even have to do anything. Rafa just missed like three easy shots in a row. He’s gone off again. I don’t know what is going on with him.
Tough to watch. Come on Rafa!
Why are all of the tennis streams either broken or just terrible for this match.
#BlessingInDisguise?
What really stinks is that assuming Rafa wins here, his next two matches will likely be at night.
#PleaseDontTakeMySunshineAway
Really getting tired of seeing Rafa look skyward over the last few weeks.
Down 0-40, Rafa plays like he knows he can.
Fight Rafa!
Rafa is playing daytime tomorrow. Nole has the night match.
Up 5-4 playing short moon ball again.
#BetweenTheEars
Simon is beginning to annoy me…………
No. Rafa’s doing it to himself. Simon is 6-10 on the year. Please.
Almugro et. al.
What’s Simon bleating about?
https://twitter.com/SI_BTBaseline/status/466669013574356993
Rafa playing aggressive when facing 3 break points…a very good sign…Simon running like a rabbit out there…I can’t blame Simon for not giving up…he must have watched the Madrid final…
That MP says it all.
Nothing to do with Simon. Flubs a 2nd serve MP into the bottom of the net.
Hitting. Too. Short.
Rafa’s cooked…….
When you hit that short, any opponent looks “great”.
except for that last point. 1-2
OK I’m beginning to annoy me so I will stop.
Vamos Rafa. Win ugly. Just. Win.
17 C and dark in Roma ATM.
Simon takes the 2nd set………
Fully deserves to take it to a 3rd, does Gillou………
Or is it Rafa who deserves not to win in 2. Sigh.
It’s the chances not taken, @chloro, the chances not taken…………
I hear you, ritb. But aren’t they Rafa’s today? Gillou is capable of being a very tough contender but Rafa just isn’t playing the way he usually can.
Yep, it’s Rafa who has not taken his chances………..
C’mon Rafa!
Vamos!
this is ridiculous…why do we have to go through this again…Rafa is working against himself…
So here in Kanada, instead of getting this match live, we are getting a tape delayed Fed vs Chardy broadcast.
Should be a straight forward win for Fed.
#W.T.F.
For the love of me, I cannot understand why Rafa plays tentative on 2nd serves……….should have won the match on the 2nd serve MP…….
It’s fortunate not many people in the stadium could hear what Simon was saying or he would be lynched by the crowd.
what did he say
He asked how many times Rafa had gone over 25 secs. umpire admitted ‘quite a few’ and had given him a time violation warning.
So Simon asked why only one or words to that effect.
how long has Simon been playing like he was at the end of the second set?
et tu ricky?
Missed the question. Most of the time except for a poor tie break.
https://twitter.com/tennisabstract/status/466674946337673217
just approved SIX comments by Hawkeye
Why are they moderated to begin with?
FINALLY!!!!!
If he wins, Rafa on third match tomorrow.
Too ugly for me. 0-30.
Switching off now.
#YoureWelcome
It’s like every player in the locker room has belief against Rafa now…………..
Is three TBs going to be the charm? I hope not.
I’m getting a nasty sinking feeling Gillou plans to reprise Madrid 2008 🙁
I had to go out and expected the match to be over. I came back to see it’s still going on and Simon won the second set. Maybe it’s best that I missed it.
This is just hard to watch. It’s giving me a sick feeling. Watching Rafa struggle against Simon is rough. Battling himself all the way.
Unforced errors Nadal 30 Simon 50
Winners Nadal 30 Simon 50
well he broke and will now serve for it…I am leaving again because everytime I post I jinx him…ta.
I really feel that every player brings the best tennis ever when they play Rafa…they do not care about wining the next match…they only want to win the one against Rafa…unbelievable…this Simon is killing himself out there..
Rafa’s dominance and success may forever be his downfall, unfortunately!
Good fight by Gilles but our man prevailed in the end. Good work out and no nerves.
Vamos Rafa!
Players just bring their best game against Rafa.
RT @scambers73 :”Got a funny feeling that match might do Rafa Nadal a lot of good. Simon outstanding but Rafa still got it done and improved as it went on”
Agree……………..
I had reached the same conclusion. Hopefully he is well and truly battle hardened now and starting to peak for RG.
Tomorrow Murray and Rafa will be the same age.
Switched back on at 3-2.
Got the win in tough conditions.
Commies say why doesn’t Simon play like that more often.
Simon (or any decent player) will beat pretty much ANY player who continually tees the ball up high and short like that. Simon dictated this match and still lost.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/466686794252423168/photo/1
RT @SharkoTennis: ” Done now. 3:21. Kudos to Simon sez for putting up a good fight. Rafa is Indefatigable.”
If you want to beat Rafa you better throw the utensils, water and damn sink at him. Even then, it won’t be enough………..
This was the longest 3-setter of the season. Rafa looked fresh, good sign……….
Simon is a poor man’s Djokovic. I remember him giving Rafa trouble at MC2012 which gave Rafa the confidence to play Novak later in the tournament
At least Rafa got the win. I am thankful for that. I am telling myself that a win like this, where he had to battle over three sets, just might help him. That’s the way I am trying to look at it, but part of me is very nervous.
In 2011, it was only Novak who Rafa couldn’t beat. This time, things are different. It’s players that he has owned who can trouble him. I just think that the other players realize that Rafa hasn’t been his usual self on clay. So they come out trying to play their best in hopes of dethroning the King of Clay. They seem to know exactly how to go after him. Simon knew exactly when to pull the trigger and go for Rafa’s forehand side. It’s the go-to strategy these days.
But he is still in it, unlike Fed. A win is a win.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/466688123704184833/photo/1
overall, Rafa played way better that in Madrid finals…he had a very tough opponent today…this was something like live or die for Simon…I don’t remember seeing him play like this…he must have been inspired by Almagro…or Dolgo… 🙂
I always thought Simon was a nice guy but I just learned from the commentator that Simon can be rude, annoying and apparently enjoys making up excuses when he loses the match…not shaking the hand of the umpire is plain stupid thing to do…he really disappoints me now…
Rafa has improved his movements, he is showing signs of his old ‘never give up’ attitude and he is playing with much more confidence…yes, he was broken a lot but he won convincingly at the end…This match was very useful work out for our Rafa…
^^^^^Simon played like that against Rafa in Madrid (indoor H/C) in 2008 which was by far the most successful year of his career. Lost in the final to Murray.
I am going to watch the part of the match that I didn’t see. Then maybe I can assess what happened. I just have to believe that Rafa fighting and hanging in there and being able to pull this out will be a good thing.
Nick Lester who was commentating described his physique as being shaped like a paper clip. lol.
Oh gosh, Rafa is such a pain!! Why cant he win easy like everyone else?!!! I am getting way too old for this, and so is he by the way!
mona,
I feel you! It’s hard on my blood pressure, that’s for sure! I don’t like Simon is going to be able to replicate this effort against other players. I think he just came out without any pressure, no expectations, maybe thinking that Rafa might be vulnerable. Rafa will have to just fight them all off, one by one and show them that he’s still the man on clay.
I did see the end of the match and it was encouraging to see the positive body language from Rafa. He was pumping his fist, very animated and jumped in the air at the end. We never know how matches affect players. Fans think differently when they watch their favorite play. But for Rafa, he could see this as a great effort where he didn’t quit, stayed in it and never game up. I am hoping that it will give him some of the confidence. He seems to be having some mental lapses out there, but at least now he bounces back.
He’s still standing! 🙂
when Rafa the warrior shows up it does not matter who the opponent is…he will beat him! I love Rafa’s courageous heart. That’s our Rafa…this is what I was waiting to see from him…he continues to fight…that is what he said he would do in his interview after he lost in Barcelona…
Simon made a huge effort today…it will take time for him to recover from the match like this…and Rafa was only getting stronger as the match progressed…I really think this was an improved performance by Rafa…
Vamos Rafa the Brave Heart! 😉
Gillou was stunning out there. He played like a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain. I hope this is not just a flash in the pan and this is a sign he is getting over his injuries, back to his pain-in-the-butt Simon. He gave Rafa a rough time out there. Chapeau.
Rafa played a fantastic 1st set and should have finished off the match in two sets by converting the MP on 2nd serve. Dumping a second serve, on MP, into the net is plain wrong. I would say the one negative take-out from the match was Rafa’s inability to close out the first set, twice, and failing to close out the match in the 2nd set. That’s a mental thing. Team Rafa needs to work on that.
Having said that, there was a lot to like for me in this match. Rafa was working hard out there. There were signs of negativity e.g. looking skywards and scrunching his face after an error, but they were less than in Madrid. He was much more expressive positively, Vamossing and punching the air, a good sign. I especially liked his attitude in the 3rd set. He maintained a level of calm even though Simon was doing his best to get the Umpire working against him. In Barcelona, after he lost the 3rd set he simply unraveled in the 3rd, not so today.
More importantly, his stamina. He was still looking fresh at the end, Simon was cooked, he was not running any more.
I think we have to accept that a lot of players are willing to take it to Rafa. Some of them have genuinely closed the gap, like Nishi. It’s okay. The important thing is, Rafa will jot hand any match to anybody. They want it, they have to take it from his cold dead hands.
Vamos Rafa!
Very well said.
After reviewing the TB and the third set, I feel better about his gradual improvements.
In my mind, he’s not quite back yet but he is well on his way.
#HUM9LE
I surprised myself last night. After Gillou snagged the 2nd set, I remained calm. What made me calm was Rafa’s attitude, he was fighting, he was more positive than negative and to be honest, if he had lost with that kind of attitude, I was okay with it. What bothered me about MC and Barcelona was he appeared to have forgotten how to fight.
A lot of players visibly deflate after a break, a dropped set a dropped point etc. It happened to Gillou yesterday. After Rafa broke him in the first game of the 3rd set, you could see his shoulders slump, his step falter a little. This was Rafa in MC and Barcelona, he became ordinary.
Rafa is extra-ordinary because he does the exact opposite: he fights for every point regardless of the score and with this attitude he wins more than he loses, pretty or not, leaving a host of players clutching at possibilities: I was the better player, I could have won if I had not been injured blah, blah blah.
Rafa is right: it’s all about winning, winning gives him confidence. It was ugly against Gillou for the most part but it was a definite improvement on Madrid.
He starts piling up wins like he did against Nishi in Madrid, Gillou yesterday and they will start to fear him again because they know they have to suffer to beat Rafa.
Not many people like to suffer, let alone enjoy it.
Rafa does.
Talking about stamina. The distances run during the 3 hours were
Nadal 4412m Simon 4373
When you think it was at full tilt, albeit in short bursts, pretty mind boggling.
Sometimes we are so hard on Rafa, but can you imagine what the amount of pressure is like when you are a constant target year after year, esp during the clay court season, bcos everybody wants to take you down! Rafa has made it look easy over the years so we have been spoilt, but remember on June 3, Rafa will be 28….it will only get harder!! I just hope Rafa continues to improve his game and remain healthy and calm. Looking back at Rafa’s career and all what he has been through, he has already cemented his legacy as a legend of the game! For me, all other wins are just icing on the cake!! Vamos, Rafa, and keep keeping on! Your fans will ALWAYS love you!
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/05/first-ball-514-no-holidays-rome/51451/#.U3PsKU1ZrIU
Tiggy:
“(1) I think with this match we can officially say that Nadal’s opponents have more belief than they once did, even when they face him on clay. Simon is a quality player, and he did beat Rafa indoors six years ago, but he hung in longer than I expected when he fell behind today.
(2) One thing that Toni Nadal always stressed to his nephew is that when an opponent wins a set, the best chance you have to break him may come in his opening service game of the next set, when’s happy and relaxed. Nadal broke Simon to start the third set and stopped the Frenchman’s momentum cold.”
That was a match that was. Earlier today I’d watched highlights from their ’08 encounter and had a hunch it would be a battle royal in spite of Simon’s poor showing in recent months. And so it proved to be but when Rafa broke in the first game of set 3 you could see the belief and hope visibly draining out of Simon. He battled on bravely but it was a lost cause.
My gut feeling is Rafa has turned the corner. The anxiety is still there – manifesting itself in the struggles to convert on break points and his failure to serve out the 2nd set – but the steely determination is back. ?
#TTL
I did watch my recording of the match. I didn’t get the middle part of the second set. But I got to see the last part of it, starting when Rafa had MP. That was really hard to watch. I felt that Rafa was playing way too defensively in that second set tb. Simon was able to step up and take it to Rafa. That was frustrating.
However, what I loved was seeing Rafa come out in that third set and get the early break. He just seemed to start playing much more aggressively. He was more present in the match, more focused. I thought he played his best tennis in that set. He was intense and full of purpose. Now that I have seen how he won that third set, I feel a lot better. Rafa once said it’s good if he can finish a match playing better than when he started. Well, that’s what he did in this match. Simon played well, but in the third set he just couldn’t hang with a Rafa who was fiercely determined. You could see that look in his eyes. That’s what has been missing too often. But the warrior was there in full force.
This is good news because it means that the mental strength is also there now. He wasn’t able to find it in his recent losses. His upcoming opponents may think that they now have a chance against Rafa, but they will be sorely disappointed.
Having said all this, I do need to say that if Youhzny makes a match of it, I think that I will have a stroke! 🙂
Also, now that Rafa has a day match, maybe that will be better for him.
Take up yoga NNY!
Me, I just chain smoke. I dare not think how many when Rafa was suffering that run of losses 🙁
ed,
Well I have been doing some deep breathing exercises these days. Recommended by my doctor for a number of reasons. Stress is terrible for anyone with chronic back problems. I also have tried some very basic yoga moves. I can’t get too twisty just yet! 🙂
I do seem to twist myself into a pretzel and contortions when I am watching Rafa these days. The old back can’t take it anymore. No one wants to be around me when I am watching Rafa. It’s best that way.
I don’t smoke. Never did. Now I don’t dare because I have asthma.
I have not been using my deep breathing techniques when watching Rafa. You made me think of it, so now I have to remember to just – breeeaaathe!
Maybe the day match will make it better for Rafa. The match starts at 7:00 am my time, so if I can manage to turn in early, then I just might get up for breakfast with Rafa!
ED, NAUGHTY!!!!!!!!!!!
When Rafa is in a spot of bother in a match I get terrible itching on my feet with the nerves. It goes away if I take a anti-hystamine tablet which I take for my hayfever. Yesterday, I didn’t have any as I now use a very effective nasal spray so I resorted to rubbing Olbas Oil on my feet to get rid of the itching sensation.
If only Rafa knew what he does to his fans.
Folks – Do you all remember that Toni Nadal had chosen Simon to practice with Rafa in 2012 to get over the Djokovic huddle? So he must have chosen Simon for a reason. Simons game does trouble Rafa a bit as does Djokovic whose game troubles Rafa a lot.
Atleast Rafa got hell lot of practice and sharpened his groundstrokes and was battle hardened 🙂
My only worry is the match was so long, hope he will be fresh tomorrow and does not feel stiff, lethargic
Nadal continues to frequently practice with Simon
#bromance
And still he complained about time taken by Rafa?
I mean whats with these guys. They practice a lot with him (Simon, Stan) and on court behave weird complaining and arguing with umpire about Rafa. I don’t understand how can you really not feel odd about it.
It’s called compartmentalization, @Sanju. They may be friends off court but on it, they are competitors. They do not let what happens on court spill over off court and vice versa. True professionals.
It’s business, not personal. Rafa cannot afford to be petty. He has a professional objective, he does not have the luxury of “carrying over” feelings of pique or resentment. If he does that, his professional objectives will suffer.
So, yeah, I agree with you it looks weird and I also have a hard time understanding how Rafa can say “forgive” Stan but then I figure he does not have to: all he needs to do is park stuff in compartments i.e. the proverbial Chinese walls, not let stuff from one compartment spill into the other, and it should work………
Something which is less obvious watching on TV compared with seeing him live is the almost super-natural level of concentration he can sustain throughout even the longest matches: this is what sets him apart from everybody else. It’s when he fails to compartmentalise that the chinks appear in his armour.
#ColmIsEverything
It’s kinda funny, but not surprising, how pundits are yawning about Fed’s loss yesterday and saying his goal is Wimby anyway. As if he does not need to win anything leading up to Wimby. These are the same pundits who have been telling us Rafa’s changes for RG are iffy in spite of him winning Madrid.
A colleague of mine here in Tunis, who is a Fedfan, was hyper-ventilating last Sunday after the Madrid final saying Rafa is finished. I chose not to argue with him except to remind him that Rafa won. But of course for him, Rafa won because Nishi got injured.
Fast forward to yesterday, not a word, nada, from him after Fed’s ouster. I also did not say a word to him about it, pretended the match never happened. But I couldn’t help thinking: if Rafa is finished after winning a Masters trophy, what do we say about Fed, being ousted in the 1st round of a Masters tournament, by a guy with no weapons?
I know, I know………..we say nothing.
rafaisthebest@May 15, 2014 at 8:35 am
As for the pundits, these so-called pundits are actually Fed fans.
I know @augusta08, it just annoys me sometimes how a lot of Fedfans seem more concerned with Rafa’s form than they are about their man. I know why but it is annoying……….
They should talk more about their man, find something positive to say about Fed, anything. Get so tired of all the negativity they spout……….
When Nico beat Rafa and lost the next day he said beating Rafa had done a lot for his career. Obviously killing himself to achieve that and losing the next match due to fatigue was a small price to pay.
As for time violation, the same commies who were campaigning for the enforcement have now had enough of It. Significantly, Mark Petchey said, yesterday, that it appears that the powers that be have asked the umpires not to enforce it too rigidly because it’s disruptive, and thinks that they shoulD either enforce it rigidly or not at all.
It makes no sense @nadline, this application of the time violation rules. If you want to apply it to the letter then do, without exception but as we have seen, the rule has been applied selectively, and yes, targeting Rafa.
I hope the powers that be are now realizing that Fed is history, bowing to his every whim does not make commercial sense anymore, Rafa is the present.
However did they arrive at 25 secs in the first place? What criteria were used? And what bunch of wallies decided it should be 20 secs at Slams? It should be more not less than ATP matches. These guys toil for 4-5 hours or more, sometimes in gruelling heat, yet are expected to serve like automata for up to five sets.
At the very least they could decree an exception to the rule after rallies of more than let’s say 25 strokes.
I forget who was in the chair last night but he’ll be in hot water for acknowledging Rafa was often over 25 secs but was only given one violation.
Do you reckon Rafa could get a medical certificate on account of his OCD exempting him from the 25sec limit? You know the way kids are given extra time in exams for a range of disorders 😉
^^^NNY raised her eyebrows when abhirf said he had no high expectations for Madrid but then he is the exception rather than the rule amongst Fedfans on tennis sites. He is first and foremost a tennis fan: Federer just happens to be his favourite. No rose tinted spectacles for him.
From Vamôs Rafael Nadal site
An interview with Rafa Nadal after the first match on the radio (in Spanish until 3.10).
http://www.ivoox.com/rafael-nadal-estos-partidos-son-te-audios-mp3_rf_3118743_1.html
Tranlsated by Ericka Domenzáin
¤¤ RAFA says: today it was a little complicated to play, bcs it was cold and windy and it was at night so it is more difficult to raise the ball and with an opponent like him the basic thing to do is to make him feel uncomfortable on court, so I can have the control. I wasn´t playing bad but I needed just a little more speed when hitting the ball. I think he played a great match. He was aggressive from the base line. In the 2nd set I had some problems with my backhand and I lost some important points, but at the same time this is the match that I feel more satisfied with. Also with Nishikori, but at the end, we know, he didn´t finish, so I couldn´t really get back in the game enough. The match was a little slow at the end then, and it was complicated for me at the beginning. I tried to change the score but I couldn´t in the 1st set.
I think that in this match after losing the 2nd set and the way I lost it that was very hard mentally for me to go to my seat and think about what I needed to do next, to be able to stay calm and take the right desision. I think, it is the 1st time that I really came back to the game in that way as I used to and I was able to finish the match playing better than how I started and that it is enough reason for me to feel satisfied, I can also say that I needed a match like this.
The most important thing is to do for me now is to have enough rest for tomorrow´s match. I have a complicate match vs Youznhy and I have to be prepared. Tomorrow I won´t play late but as I said before, this match today is the kind of matches that I needed. The ones that require a lot of energy, to make you go to the limit, they make you stronger, mentally and physically…¤¤
^^Choice quote:
” I think, it is the 1st time that I really came back to the game in that way as I used to and I was able to finish the match playing better than how I started and that it is enough reason for me to feel satisfied, I can also say that I needed a match like this.”
Totally agree with this. We saw flashes of the old Rafa last night……………..
#HeIsOnHisWayBack
Nobody, but nobody understands Rafa quite as well as he understands himself. As you said the other day, we expend so much time and mental energy trying to fathom him out. We just need to listen to what he has to say when he is prepared to open up.
ed251137, remember after the Madrid final Uncle Toni came out and said “we did not deserve to win. We did not really come back, Nishikori got injured”. People criticised Uncle Toni for criticizing Rafa in public. Is it a coincidence that the next match, Rafa works at “coming back into the match……..with success”?
People need to give Rafa some respect. The guy is smart. If Uncle Toni was bad for him, he would have changed coaches by now.
Haas is serving for the match!
Stan the man down the pan! 75 62 63.
Vamos Haas.