Ricky Dimon of the Grandstand and Pete Ziebron of Tennis Acumen preview and pick the two men’s singles matches on Tuesday at the Australian Open. Tomas Berdych is looking to upset nemesis Rafael Nadal while Nick Kyrgios hopes to continue his magical run at the expense of Andy Murray.
(7) Tomas Berdych vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Ricky: How many people are going to fall into the trap and pick this one to be extremely competitive–if not pick Berdych to win altogether? I already know a lot of people are…and I’m expecting more and more to do so before the match starts. The Czech’s style is one that should trouble Nadal and his form at this Australian Open has been scary. But…but…we’ve seen this story before and we know how the story ends. Berdych is 0-17 in his last 17 matches against Nadal and on more than a few occasions he was playing incredible tennis prior to meeting the Spaniard. The best among a plethora of examples is Wimbledon in 2010, when Berdych took Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to the woodshed in consecutive rounds then promptly lost to Nadal in straights in the championship. It doesn’t help the underdog that Nadal has dominated two matches since his second-round scare against Tim Smyczek. Berdych knows he can’t beat Nadal. HOW MANY TIMES must Nadal beat him before everyone else figures out the same thing? Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Pete: Berdych, my pre-tournament dark horse selection, comes into his quarterfinal match against Nadal having not dropped a set through the first four rounds. Berdych is appearing in his fifth consecutive Australian Open quarterfinal and he hopes to at least equal last year’s semifinal berth with a win. However, the Czech has dropped 17 consecutive matches to Nadal and has only managed to win three of 40 sets played in those contests. Nadal’s five-set, second-round thriller against Smyczek seems like long ago and now the Spaniard will seek to continue the form he showed against Kevin Anderson in the round of 16, when he cruised to a straight-set win. Berdych will manage to stay with Nadal early on and have opportunities to do damage, but it will be business as usual once again for Nadal in this lopsided matchup. Nadal 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
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(6) Andy Murray vs. Nick Kyrgios
Ricky: Murray and Kyrgios have no such extensive head-to-head history, of course, since the Aussie is really in just his second season on tour. In their only previous encounter, Kyrgios was still in a twilight zone after Wimbledon and got clobbered by Murray 6-2, 6-2 in Toronto. It won’t be so lopsided this time around with the youngster in outstanding form and enjoying circus-like crowd support. But Kyrgios has been tested physically throughout this tournament and mentally he has had plenty to think about (minor controversy over his on-court antics, for example). His awesome run this fortnight has been predicated on winning free points in the most important moments. He won’t win many of those against the Scot. Murray 7-6(6), 7-5, 6-1.
Pete: At the ripe age of 19, Kyrgios finds himself in his second quarterfinal in the last three majors. The Aussie has been able to meander his way through a tricky draw, finally steadying his game late in his first-round match and then escaping yet again in the round of 16 as he staged a dramatic, five-set victories in both. Murray, a three-time Australian Open finalist, has taken a much more efficient route into this quarterfinal. The Brit had not been threatened in the tournament until the fourth round, when Dimitrov nearly took him to a fifth set. The battle-tested Kyrgios will feed off of the boisterous crowd at Rod Laver Arena, but it will certainly not be nearly enough against the experience and craftiness of Murray, who will relish this particular challenge and gladly play the villain role. Murray 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4.
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If not playing with confidence means you lose then why not just go for it and see what happens. I’m glad that he is not injured. Soon he will be on his beloved clay and all will be well………I hope.
His next tournament on clay – the Rio Open (in Rio de Janeiro) – will start on February 16.
New coach? Wasn’t his new coach dany with Murray all these years n Murray is 15-5 against Rafa
I think its not so much the new coach its more the belief and the desire n will to do it n a subpar rafa
Rafa is fine, taking the loss in his stride………..
RT @FortyDeuceTwits: “.@nickmccarvel tries to be nice, says Rafa played a “so-so match.” Rafa: “No, so-so match. Bad match. You can say it.” Laughter.”
Well played, Rafa. (the repartee with the journos, not the match, lol)
Cheer up Rafans, Rafa will be showing us his abs and fishing skills soon………Oh no it’s winter. Maybe he’ll play some poker for our enjoyment.
NNY my message was not directed to you, in general the mood on forum was Rafa will win as berdy will choke and not believe.
I somehow felt today won’t be good and in a way its good the winning streak is off n its reset
@Sanju, I believed Rafa will win and Berdy will choke, as usual. I believed this before the match and even after Berdy won the 1st set. I was wrong, on all accounts. And I am sure this not the last time I will be wrong, hehehe!
As Rafa says, just accept. We move on………..
@Sanju,
Thanks for the clarification. I also had my concerns about this match, but I preferred to keep them private. I don’t always say everything that I think. I was nervous about this match and wondered if Rafa was going to be up to it. This was always going to be a difficult thing, coming back after so much time off with little preparation to play a slam.
I couldn’t pick against Rafa. But as the match got closer, I started having a bad feeling. I tried to ignore it, thinking it was just nerves. It’s not like I am clairvoyant or anything. But I have had these kinds of sensations in the past. When Rafa was broken early in the match, I knew something was wrong.
So I actually had similar feelings to you. It is what it is and Rafa seems to be dealing with it quite well. There is a lot more tennis to be played. He has to think of the big picture. I just want to see him getting fitter and and finding that great form again. Playing on clay can only help him, as it did in 2013.
Which Brazil tournament is Rafa playing, the 250 or the 500?
He is playing Rio (500), followed by B. Aries (250).
Thanks, makes sense.
Rafa will play in Buenos Aires, the 250 event on clay. It will start on February 23.
When Rafa is playing well you can hear the sound of the ball on his racquet. There was none of that today even though I kept turning the volume up on the tv. He will go home, have some down time and fly off to Brazil to start practicing on his beloved clay.
I have to admit, I had started believing in him biting the AO trophy on Sunday. I didn’t say it because I didn’t want to jinx him…………..this jinx thing is nonsense as RITB always said. Now I’ll just say what I think, because what I say or think is unlikely to affect anything as there are millions of other people thinking and saying things too and we can’t all affect the outcome.
Just read an interesting comment from another forum. A poster said Rafa didn’t break a sweat in the first 2 sets, which is odd for normal Rafa. Usually Rafa would be drenched in sweat after a few games, especially Down Under.
Funny how we worry when he sweats a lot and worry when he doesn’t!
rafaisthebest says:
January 27, 2015 at 7:04 am
—Just read an interesting comment from another forum. A poster said Rafa didn’t break a sweat in the first 2 sets,—
It seemed me too that he didn’t sweat. I thought I was wrong.
Has anyone noticed that sanju only turns like a bad coin when Rafa is on a low ebb, just like a bad coin and seemingly enjoying every minute of the loss.
@nadline, don’t worry about @Sanju’s Rafa-pessimism, he does have a reason be self-congratulatory, no?. He was pessimistic about Rafa’s chances pre-match, his pessimism has been well rewarded.
Haha
Go on you are surely frustrated today and you can vent it out
The difference is I am not blinded in my adulation for Rafa and am realistic in my assessment . I sensed Berdych cannot be taken lightly n knew he would cause the upset. That’s why I wanted Tonic to win in 4th round . You all were worrying about Kyrgios , I knew Rafa can handle kyrgios but will lose to both Murray n nerdy
But it would make a change if you didn’t only show up when Rafa is not doing well. It’s been your pattern since the Tennistalk days. Of course some of us are more optimistic than others but as a ‘Rafa fan’ you don’t often seem to have high opinions of him as a player which I find odd. You say you want him to win and then always say you don’t expect him to.
How much has Rafa played in the last 6 months that I need to show up?
And one is disappointed when he looses , so one comes to vent out here
And on expecting him to win, let me say I am prepared for him to lose anytime and this is simply because he has given me multiple reasons to believe that in the last 4 years
@Sanju, please do not say things like, “I am not blinded in my adulation for Rafa and am realistic in my assessment .” It is woefully condescending and sanctimonious. Ricky predicted a straight sets win for Rafa, are you saying he is blinded by an adulation for Rafa and is unrealistic in his assessment? Because nearly everyone agreed with Ricky.
This is why some people get annoyed with you. It’s like you are putting them down.
Offended by me? Oh really
Please read who made a personal attack on me first calling me a bad coin. My name was called out .
I still reverted back saying I am not blinded without naming anyone.
I ddon’t make personal attacks on people I talk about Rafa n only Rafa n praise him n criticize him too as I feel based on how he paus
@Sanju, I am not referring to the conversation you had with @nadline. I am referring specifically to your use of the phrase, “I am not blinded in my adulation for Rafa………”, which you have used quite often in the past. The implication is that everyone else, except you, suffers from this affliction you call blind adulation. It’s not a nice term, is it?
Why can’t you just say your instincts were right and everyone else’s wrong, evidently? People wish the best for Rafa and express themselves in a prediction and they are blind? C’mon…………………..
I repeat, I am not referring to your conversation with @nadline10 on this thread, but am talking about a specific phrase which you use sometimes, which comes across as condescending.
This not an attack. Thanks.
Rafa’s post-match press conference (transcript):
Rafael Nadal 27-01-15
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2015-01-27/201501271422342227906.html
Thanks Gussie.
Q. Were you feeling at all unwell or unfit today?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. I am feeling okay. Just was not my day. I didn’t play with the right intensity, with the right rhythm, and the opponent played better than me. In sport, when you are going to play against an opponent, was a day that the opponent played better than
Q. Do you think it’s also the fact that you haven’t played such a player for a while, the whole process of coming back?
………… it’s obvious that before I didn’t play with the right confidence, with the right intensity, losing court, playing very short. I make him play very easy.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
This was exactly my take during the match:
nadline10 says:
January 27, 2015 at 4:41 am
Rafa is not injured, he’s got no rhythm at all, not feeling the ball. Berdych doesn’t have to do much because Rafa is not doing anything.
That’s what I thought during the match and I’m still thinking:
RAFAEL NADAL: “…I make him [Berdych] play very easy. So you cannot expect to win matches in quarterfinals of Grand Slam helping the opponent to play well. That’s what I did.”
I always feel better when I read what Rafa has to say after a loss. He has such clarity and keeps it simple. He realizes that this is a process that is going to take some time. He’s not there yet. But he will get there. For sure.
It helps to come here and read everyone’s thoughts. Then I can put it all in perspective.
Krygios stands no chance against Murray from what I saw of Krygios against Seppi the other day.
Could be that Rafa wasn’t fired up because of the likelihood of playing Krygios when he is still not at the top of his game. Whilst I don’t think he lost on purpose I think it didn’t help his mental mindset and rhythm against Berdych.
Personally, I don’t think Rafa needs worry about Krygios. It was a one off at Wimbledon.
https://twitter.com/
At the presser
a bad day to all Rafans but Rafa WILL come back, as he always does. And we know it 🙂
Congrats to Berdych, a well deserved victory that must taste very well after all those defeats.
Shireling,
It was a gift from Rafa.
Shireling, every time I see you here I will know it’s bad news for Rafa as sanju says you are always right about that.
Video of QF presser from Nadalnews.com
http://www.nadalnews.com/2015/01/27/ao-quarterfinal-presser-transcript-3/
The fact of the matter is today’s result was the correct result, Rafa is not yet back to his best so it should not surprise us that he lost to a Top 10 player. It shows that Rafa’s level after such a long hiatus, is not yet at Top 10 level. Will his level remain there? No. One only has to look at his 3rd set performance to see that he is coming. He lost in Doha in what, the 1st round? Here he lost in the quarters, of a Slam. So, if we are going to be honest we should really say: continue with the progress, Rafa!
Brazil and Argentina will provide more opportunities for progress.
On Berdy, I so hope he is thinking and dreaming big, and will not just be content with a win against Rafa. He beat Djokovic in Rome when Djokovic was the favourite. Here Rafa was not even the favourite. So yeah, Berdy has the game. I sure hope he now uses it to win the big trophies.
rafaisthebest says:
January 27, 2015 at 9:41 am
—So, if we are going to be honest we should really say: continue with the progress, Rafa!—
I have always said/expected and I’ll always do. Because I’m a Rafa fan!
Who are “we”?
Ehmm, “we” is Rafans Gussie. I would have thought that was obvious enough. Where are you going with this?
Yes, we just have to accept that Rome was not built in a day. Rafa, like everyone else coming back from injury needs time. I hope it’s not too long though.
@RITB,
Regarding your post @ 9:41 am – well said! I agree with you completely!
Muzza 2 sets up. Making a meal of it but I’ll take it……………
yeah…I am still digesting this loss and thinking about strange behavior of Rafa on court today…I managed to see only the third set but I carefully observed Rafa’s body language and did not see any panic or despair…I think Rafa simply did not expect much from himself in this match and it sure did not surprise him…
I am still worried that there might have been something that bothered him in this match which he refuses to talk about …he was hardly sweating, he was way too slow and not moving properly, even not going for the shots…he had tape on his hands and that may explain his disastrous serving…And he did take a pill for something!
Congrats to Berdych for his outstanding performance and his will to finally beat Rafa…I am just worried that Rafa might still have back issues…I am so discouraged with all these injuries crippling Rafa throughout his career…and they do not seem to go away, they only get worse…
natashao2013 says:
January 27, 2015 at 10:38 am
—he had tape on his hands and that may explain his disastrous—
WHAT tape? I didn’t see anything different between his usual taping and taping today
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8WjAO4IQAIAPtC.png
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2015-01-27/rafa_comeback.html
“There was speculation that a lingering injury might have explained Nadal’s lacklustre movement in the first two sets, his attitude and body language as flat as those American footballs everyone’s bothering about. He had tape on his hands for the first time all tournament. He was hardly sweating at his usual level. Come the third, after popping a pill, he improved. But, as is his way, when asked, he refused to give it any detail”
I did not see it…I only read about it…
natashao2013 says:
January 27, 2015 at 11:30 am
—He had tape on his hands for the first time all tournament—
???
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8Wpn84IAAEDKI6.png
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8WsJcwIAAA_xbk.png
@nats,
Yes, he did take a pill but when he was asked about it in his post match press conference, he didn’t want to talk about it. He indicated that it was not a big deal. So I don’t know if he did have some injury and just did not want to bring it up after this loss or if he was just feeling the strain of playing these matches after such a long time off.
I sure don’t want him to have to deal with any more injuries!
exactly! I only wish Rafa to be injury free for a year or two…is that too much to ask… 🙁