Rafael Nadal will look to win back-to-back hard-court Masters 1000 events when he takes the court on Sunday in Cincinnati. Standing in his way is surprising finalist John Isner.
Rafael Nadal and John Isner will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they clash in the final of the Western & Southern Open on Sunday afternoon. They have not faced each other since 2011, when Nadal survived a first-round French Open thriller 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4. The Spaniard also took came out on top in a pair of 2010 encounters; 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 at the Indian Wells Masters and 7-5, 6-4 on the clay courts of Madrid.
Nadal, of course, is in rare hard-court form at the moment. He is 15-0 on the surface this season, with Masters titles in Indian Wells and last week in Montreal. In fact, other than his well-documented hiccup at Wimbledon, Nadal has been on fire just about everywhere. The third-ranked Spaniard 52-3 for the year following Cincinnati scalps of Benjamin Becker, Grigor Dimitrov, Roger Federer, and Tomas Berdych.
This is a matchup between two of the hottest players on tour, as Isner is up to his usual tricks–and even exceeding them–on U.S. hard courts. After reaching a grass-court semifinal in Newport, the 22nd-ranked American took home the title from Atlanta and finished runner-up to Juan Martin Del Potro in Washington, D.C. It has only gotten better for Isner in Cincinnati. His road to the final features three Top 10 scalps (Milos Raonic, Novak Djokovic, and Del Potro) in addition to straight-set dismissals of Florian Mayer and Richard Gasquet. Isner is 32-18 for his 2013 campaign, including 28-9 in the United States and 21-2 in his last 23 matches on home soil.
“Nobody likes to play against a player who you will not have a chance to be on rhythm most of the time,” Nadal explained. “John is this kind of player. He should be fighting for the Masters, for the Top 10. With his serve, advantage is huge. He’s playing well, mentally, and making the right decisions in important moments.
“It’s the kind of match that the only thing you can try is what is in your hands. What is in your hands is serve well and play solid from the baseline and play aggressive.”
The world No. 1 had been serving extremely well this week until he double-faulted six times–all in the second set–against Berdych. If Nadal cleans that up, he should have an edge in this one. He has dropped only one set (the first to Federer) in Cincinnati, whereas Isner is coming off consecutive emotional three-setters that lasted a combined five hours and 11 minutes. The underdog can level the playing field and keep it competitive with monster serves and forehands, but capping off his remarkable run with a win over Nadal may be too much to ask.
Pick: Nadal 7-6(6), 6-3
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I sure don’t. Of course Isner is bombing aces all over the place. Once in a while Rafa gets into a brief rally.
Saying that Isner has no chance is a bit much. Rafa has constant pressure to hold his serve. He can’t affort to double fault or give anything away because that would mean losing the set.
Now it’s hold his serve just to get to the tb. This was my worst nightmare. I would rather Rafa played anyone else.
Say a little prayer………………
Believe me, I am!
My stomach is in knots.
The prayer has been answered!
But our nerves are shredded…………not home and dry yet. Dont forget Isner earned the title of Marathon Man!!!!!
justtt reached home…was getting score updates on my way…opened my laptop to see rafa winning 10-8 !! what happened? did he save any set pnt?
rafa has saved 2 break pnts :O that would have been scary..and isner winning 80% 2nd serve pnts is most suprising…normally rafa does not allow opponents to win enough 2nd serve points
vamosrafa,
Rafa did save a few set points. It was beyond nerve wracking. Rafa has nerves of steel.
As ed said, we are not home and dry yet! Another tight, tense set to get through.
wooooofff..the last game was scary too..
RT @TennisReporters: “Carillo just noted that Nadal has winning head to head vs everyone in top 30”
isner’s 2nd serve is turning out to be even tougher..rafa is standing so far behind the baseline that those monster kick serves are forcing him to play returns from above his head , which usually land very short…he is more comfortable returning 1st serves as he can chip it back..
did rafa expertiment standing closer to the baselineto return 2nd serves early on? i remember rafa changing his return positioning so many times in the RG 2011 rnd 1…the isner serve makes him clueless :S
We’re going to another breaker….groan…
26 times: vamoooooooooooooooooooooooooos, Rafa!
Unbelievable Rafa!
Sensational Rafa!
The Bull!
3 HC Masters wins on the trot!
Back to back HC Masters 1000!
1st player to win 4 straight Masters 1000s!
#2 in the rankings!
Extends his lead in the Race to London!
Ties Djokovic’s 2011 record of 5 Masters 1000s in a season!
Vamos!!
woooohhhoooooooooooooooooo 😀 😀 😀 HIGH FIVE RAFA FANS VAMOSSSSSSSSSSS
Rafa is the only player EVER to win 4 Masters 1000s in a row!
He did it again back to back champion of Montrial and Cincinnati…watch out the dirtballer. He learnt how to play in the cement…here we come US Open.
Vamos Rafa….
fist pump around the world.
Hi @Raindrops, good to see you here!
Hello there RITB. I am always around but opted to lurk for I might jinx Rafa if I get loud again but this time i can’t just keep myself quiet. I need to vent out my happiness about this great feat of our man Rafa.
Also, there were no trolls anymore so you don’t hear me now talking cheap haha
unbelievable feat that Rafa did. I was too scared just looking the towering Isner with his booming serve. So stressful and I thought Rafa got no chance at the breaker but thank goodness He did it in both sets. woooohooooo vamosssses !!!!
Hi 5!!!!
Congratulations, Rafa on your 26th!!!!! You just continue to amaze!!!! Life all of a sudden seems a whole lot better!!!!……………..lol!!!!
Great match, commies to Isner’s fans but like Rafa said he is certainly a contender!!!!
Rest well Rafa, stay healthy, and cant wait to see you at the US Open!!! Good luck!!!!
VAMOS!!!!
I keep thinking back to this time last year when we were fearful we would never see the Rafa we knew playing at the height of his powers. And pinching myself I’m actually witnessing the miracle we have seen since his comeback. Words fail me.
Hugs to all fellow Rafa fans and all the other great tennis fans who have re-gathered here.
OH MY GOD… GREAT win! many congrats to rafa and all of his sweet fans here 🙂
So Rafaelo..hope you happy my friend :-).. What you gifting your sis this time ? 🙂
thanks sanju 🙂 ,I have already bought her a manteau! 😀