Surprising: only one top 10 player is in the Monte-Carlo semifinals. Not surprising: that player is Rafael Nadal. The seventh-ranked Spaniard will battle David Goffin on Saturday, while Lucas Pouille and Albert Ramos-Vinolas are set for an unexpected showdown.
(4) Rafael Nadal vs. (10) David Goffin
Surprisingly–even shockingly–Nadal and Goffin have never faced each other as they head into semifinal action at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Saturday. Nadal had been on a collision course with familiar foe Novak Djokovic, but Goffin upset the second-ranked ranked Serb 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 on Friday. Thus Goffin appears to be in line for another stellar clay-court swing on the heels of an awesome 2016 campaign that saw him reach quarterfinals at the Rome Masters and French Open. The 10th-seeded Belgian is 22-7 this year and also boasts victories this week over Nicolas Almagro and Dominic Thiem.
Nadal has as many titles (nine) as the other three semifinalists combined (Goffin, Lucas Pouille, and Albert Ramos-Vinolas) had single-match wins in Monte-Carlo before this week started. The Spaniard is two victories away from a 10th triumph following defeats of Kyle Edmund (6-0, 5-7, 6-3), Alexander Zverev (6-1, 6-1), and Diego Schwartzman (6-4, 6-4). Nadal is 22-5 this season and 22-2 against players not named Roger Federer. Goffin is tough, but it won’t be easy for him to follow up the biggest win of his career just 24 hours later–and he is not exactly running into the easiest of opponents.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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(15) Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs. (11) Lucas Pouille
Pouille and Ramos-Vinolas will be squaring off for the third time in their careers (second at the ATP level) on Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at one win apiece, with Ramos-Vinolas having survived in a third-set tiebreaker at a clay-court Challenger three years ago before Pouille prevailed 6-3, 6-2 on the hard courts of Auckland one season later.
To say this is a surprising Masters 1000 semifinal would be a gross understatement. Both players are seeded, but Ramos-Vinolas had to go through world No. 1 Andy Murray and fifth-seeded Marin Cilic in addition to picking up victories over Renzo Olivo and Carlos Berlocq. The 24th-ranked Spaniard now has three clay-court semifinal appearances in 2017, two other quarterfinals, and one final (lost to Pablo Cuevas in Sao Paulo). Pouille, a semifinalist in Rome last spring, has advanced by taking out Ryan Harrison, Paolo Lorenzi, Adrian Mannarino (via a first-set retirement), and Cuevas (6-0, 3-6, 7-5 on Friday). The Frenchman has bounced back nicely from early losses in Indian Wells and Miami to Donald Young, but Ramos-Vinolas has been an absolute beast on the slow stuff this year.
Pick:Â Ramos-Vinolas in 3
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WWW?
There have been some great matches at MC this week….gut-wrenching 3 setters. Wish I was there. I like Goffin in 2 and ARV in 3.
WHAT. Goffin in TWO?! U must be trolling mate (I can picture Kyrgios saying that to an ump)
?
Goffin even have problems taking out a subpar Djoko and you think he will beat Rafa in two??
Maybe he thinks rafa might play subpar.
When is the last time that ever happened.
?
you expected Goffin to not have problems against a subpar Djoker?
I’m going with Rafa in three and Pouille in three
Rafa 2 ARV 3
I’ve already picked Rafa in 3 elsewhere. I don’t think Goffin has enough weapons to seriously trouble Nadal if Rafa is playing the game he played against Zverev and at the end against Diego.
That said, I think the main factor in the match is probably the Nadal serve and the Goffin return. Rafa struggled at times with his serve against Diego and at times throughout the tournament. And I’ve been impressed with the Goffin return; for awhile in the 3rd set he was ripping returns even off Djoko’s 1st serve. I’m not sure that dynamic will repeat itself, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if it does, at least in patches. IMO, that is the main potential danger for Rafa in the match.
You have to look at the court conditions. It will not be a night match hence conditions won’t be heavy, so Rafa can serve and play better. Rafa went for more pace in that Zverev match hence his serve % went down.
The Diego match was played in heavier conditions thus favored the hard hitters like Diego ( and Kyle too, in set 2&3 in the R2 match).
Rafa should be able to deal with Goffin in sunny conditions; Goffin not hitting as hard as Kyle or Diego so even conditions turns heavy, I think Rafa could still handle him.
I’ve been impressed with ARV this tournament, especially his never say die attitude. Pouille has a nice game and is up and coming, but I think ARV takes this one in 3.
You guys were wrong about cuevas and nojak lol
Why lol? It’s not as if they were soundly beaten! Cuevas was serving for the match when he was 5-4 up in the third set but faltered and then lost the match. Djoko too was in a good position to win but was affected by the sun glaring in his face st that side of the court where he had to play two games and he lost his serve then and allowed Goffin to level it. The ending part of the match was dramatic and Goffin could only take it after having five MPs!
I mean who can be 100% right in predictions?? Can you?
Is Nadal vs Goffin a mismatch? Or does Goffin have a chance to upset here like yesterday
What you think Julius?
Yes Julius…i admit i was wrong about Novak and Goffin,but,this is also the first time i saw Goffin stand up to the big boys in such a manner and not wavered[at least for long]..i am very very surprised to see the new improvement from Goffin..it’s not easy to spar with one of the best in history but he did it…as for today,i still think Rafa will win..my guess in 2..but it’s easily could go to 3..
Ia anelar acesso amadurecer pra adentrar teu Ăştero no entanto
seu cu celeste, no entanto respectivo epidemia foi também apurado contudo mais aberto que aquele que tive
junto meus filhos. http://www.hotside.com.br/acompanhantes-garotas-de-programa-rio-de-janeiro-rj.html
Ricky says in the article: “Surprisingly–even shockingly–Nadal and Goffin have never faced each other.”
Rafa and D.Goffin faced each other at the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament on Dec. 31, 2016:
https://tenngrand.com/2016/12/31/nadal-repeats-champion-abu-dhabi/
Rafa on Goffin in his interview in Spanish (translated by GSS):
“I’ve trained with him this week and know he’s playing very well. He hardly has any weakness, has a fantastic backhand and moves really fast.”
“I have to try to keep him from hitting from comfortable positions, but it’s going to be difficult.”
Expected Novak to close out the match when he went a break up in that third set, cant see Goffin beating two of the all time greats back to back, but a great win, and things seem to be changing at the top of the mens game, exciting times ahead in tennis ….
Ancient Chinese curse: May you live in exciting times.
Keep your mind sharp and focused, stay confident and show your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-A9DhQXUAEFZ9-.jpg
Rafa was never doubtful to beat Schwartzman! I think he himself was sure of it! Although Rafa never underestimated his opponents, Rafa seemed a bit relaxed and loose in this match! Once he got focused and kind off ‘angry’ at himself, he played well and restored the order to win in 2!
Goffin played great match against great opponent! Those of you who think Novak did not play well or looked uninterested are so wrong! Novak hit well, he served great to save himself from trouble and returning well..But Goffin would not go away! He fought like a lion out there and deserved the win! Don’t think Nole expected Goffin would stay mentally in the match but he sure did!
It’s gonna be tough for Rafa, but I expect focused and determined Rafa to show up, with clear game plan! Goffin to face top spin shots which may trouble him big! Hope Rafa beats Goffin in two to be rested and ready for the finals!
Vamos!
The Novak of old would not have lustcthst match, Novak up a break in the third set was not going to let a match get away from him.
Novak raised his level of play in the second d set and Goffin’s level went down. The difference now is that Novak can’t sustain it.he’s lost edge. Novak won so many matches when he wasn’t at his best on sheer mental will. He doesn’t have that now.
Goffin did well to stay in the match and try to create chances. But Novak has lost his mojo these days. That does not mean he can’t play well anymore. You don’t see Novak being out hit in baseline rallies.
Today Rafa needs to come out and play his game.
Good luck, Rafa! Let’s do this!
Rafa foughtviff two break points. He holds. For some reason I am nervous.
Yeah, more importantly opponents now believe they could beat Novak so it is twice as hard for him to win close matches…the same happened to Rafa at dome point in his career..,
Rafa played sub-par yesterday and needs significant improvement today. I understand the need to just put lots of ball in play in a match to gain confidence but today is not the day as the opponent is more aggressive.
I agree with this.
Good start! solid hold.
Rafa needs to get out of his comfort zone a bit and spread the court more. He has been playing too safe in relation to the sidelines.
Now that was a goood forehand DTL winner.
Yes, Rafa needs that DTL forehand in this match.
My goodness is he intentionally giving so much air to his backhands DTL because Goffin is a short guy? Trying to get the ball bounce above his head? lol
There were some WTA-like loopers in that game. I hope he keeps them very infrequent.
Another backhand looper down the middle of the court punished by Goffin. DON’T do this Rafa.
WHY GIVE SO MUCH AIR TO ALL YOUR BACKHANDS??!!! come on!!
You know why VR.
Rafa again facing break points.
Rafa is broken. Not the start I hoped for. It’s never a good sign when Rafa starts a match like this. The last thing he needed was to give up an early break.
For what it’s worth, Goffin doesn’t look tired to me at all.
Broken! His service game is oh so unsteady! Very scary this match is for Rafa!
Yes. Rafa does not seem comfortable out there.
he has hardly been comfortable this week. He is doing a fine job keeping unforced errors low but I haven’t seen the goods I was hoping for to be honest. Last year’s Rafa at MC was much better. Anyway, I do think he will improve enough to win this match. I haven’t been impressed with any of these matches though.
Rafa needs to get himself together here. Goffin is playing with a lot of confidence.
Seems to me Rafa has his strategy wrong! He should play like vs Zverev, ie stepping inside the court and be more offensive.
Players these days will play like Kyle Edmund to have a chance to beat Rafa on clay and they know it! Everyone of Rafa’s opponents is hitting as hard as possible and he’ll have a hard time dealing with them. He just has to fight fire with fire, ie be offensive!
Only because Rafa allowed this strategy.
Not because it suddenly was discovered as something that ever would have been a reliable strategy when Rafa was near his best.
No, it is not ‘strategy’ all the time. His deteriorated self-beleif and being wanting in confidence is the bigger reason. His performance against Zverev, although better, was overrated as well.
Today, he is at least trying to be more aggressive and not play safe shots consistently. Yesterday was TERRIBLE. He could afford that yesterday but not today.
Exactly!
The more confident player will win the match.
Nothing new.
And, Rafa is not winning the longer rallies these days, surprise! Diego was winning more of the longer rallies; so Rafa needs to keep points short!
First rally of the match where he’s hit every shot with good penertation. 40-30
Can someone provide me with a streaming link for the match?
No telecast here
There’s that DTL forehand!
I was feeling apprehensive to start with. Now I’m biting my nails and chain smoking. Can think of better ways to spend a Saturday afternoon than this:-(
LOL! Me too!
I’m no longer as nervous as. I used to be.
#LoweredExpectation
What the hell was that! that was really unfair to Goffin. that was miles out!!
Must have been looking at the wrong mark. The umpire I mean.
That’s why Rafa is obsessive with cleaning the lines.
Well one of the reasons anyways.
that was so strange. how could the ump get it so wrong…
Crowd booing every time Nadal wins a point now.
To be fair, this game should be done and dusted.
Goffin deserves this game.
(And Goffin speaks French)
I was actually hoping Goffin wins that game. Anyway, 3-3 now and after that ugly deuce, Rafa has started playing much better.
Rafa breaks but the crowd is booing the umpire, not Rafa in this case.
No respect for the nine time champion! I bet if it’s Fed, they would cheer him on! Such is the difference!
True! It’s not Rafa’s fault the Umpire made wrong decision…the crowd is disrespectful…nothing new though..,
That is certainly true.
Also the crowd needs to let it go.
One thing to do it after Rafa broke but they continued doing it after Rafa held.
No class snobs.
true! they were being stupid. They have zipped it now. Rafa’s good tennis is overshadowing everything now. 5-3
they are booing mourier.
How much of a difference it makes when he prepares mentally to go more more penetration on his backhand! Best hold for him in quite a while.
Any good streaming website
Google streamhunter.eu.
But only if you are a savvy tennis streamer.
You have to know what x’s to click on and more importantly which ones not to or you could get a virus.
Yeah, I normally use that but it says no sources found now. I am looking up sportlemon.tv however can hardly see the ball
http://www.sportcategory.com/c-4.html
http://www.stream2watch.eu/tennis
Rafa has been playing quite well since that ugly umpire decision!
umpire decided the match. goffin completely deflated now.
I think the crowd decided it even more.
Rafa didn’t like their boorish no class behaviour and channeled it to his advantage.
That’s on Goffin then. You can’t let a bad call make you fall apart. It’s not the first time and won’t be the last. You have to put it behind you and move on
It’s not Rafa’s fault. The crowd is out of hand now.
no, Nadal is playing aggressive tennis now and there is nothing Goffin can do. But yes, it was unfair. That ball was out by a good margin.
See VR, Rafa can play aggressive tennis but he so often starts a match playing tentatively. It’s when he feels that he really needs to be aggressive, like vs Zverev a very offensive player, that he starts out very determined to be and to stay aggressive all the time. I don’t see why he didn’t view Goffin the same way he viewed Zverev, when Goffin was so aggressive playing against Djoko. Perhaps Rafa just can’t play with that aggression in every match.
I wish Rafa stepped in and give the point to Goffin..it’s just one point!It’s Goffin’s anyway…even though the score would have been 4 2,but Rafa lose or win didn’t depend on that 1 point…It’s unfortunate this kind of unnecessary incident happened..
Rafa not in position to make that call.
Otherwise likely would have.
The snob crowd are classless
Likely due to their proximity to Paris.
I know Hawks…that’s why i said “i wish”..i guess,in the end it went down to a question whether we want to be generous or not,want to be selfish or not…same with Tim Smyczek at AO 15…he didn’t have to do that,but he did..and Rafa win in the end..but Tim will be remembered for a long time for his amazing sporstmanship that day…
Mary Carrillo just said that Rafa should have given Hoffin the point.
Goffin! Stupid autocorrect. I guess it’s typical that Carrillo would say that. I just think it was strange that Rafa loosened up and started playing better.
He was pissed at the disrespectful snob elitist crowd.
I wonder if Mary Carrillo would have said that if it was Fed!
She’s always been an idiot IMO.
Otherwise she should know that if the umpire couldn’t see it then how could Rafa.
Exactly!
andy’s the the only one out of the big 4 who really does that
Not at all.
Nole learnt to as well channelling the boorish US Open fedfawn crowd to beat Federer in the 2015 final and elsewhere as well.
IMO however that chronic disrespect has eventually wore him down and is part of the reason for his recent decline.
Federazzi crowd and media fawning is good for Federer but bad for the long term health of the game.
Did Rafa know it was out? Probably yes. Was it Rafa’s duty to give him the point ? No. Can’t expect him to say to walk there and say no this is not the mark, when the umpire is pointing to a mark himself! What’s funny however is that Rafa didn’t tell the umpire to go check the mark, or did he? I am watching without commentary..
You are lucky to be watching without commentary! I wish I was! They need to get rid of Mary Carrillo! She is the absolute worst!
Justin Gimelstob disagreed with her. He said Rafa could not be sure that the mark was out. He also said that Rafa is a great sportsman and if he knew for sure then he would have done it.
But that call changed the match. Rafa played better and Goffin went away.
Gimelstob another idiot misogynist what he said about women players and Anna kournikova.
Mira, how could Rafa step in, when it’s the umpire who checked the mark? You mean both Goffin and Rafa had to tell the umpire that he’s looking at the wrong mark? Rafa was in no position to step in, as he was at the far end across the net.
Rafa was wise enough to stay out of this; I mean how would Rafa know for sure that the ball didn’t hit the line by say one mm for e.g.?
MA is the most selfless poster here and is suggesting that Rafa should have just given the point to Goffin and take his word for it even if Rafa didn’t see it.
While I admire MA’s sentiment, I don’t agree but again speaks to MA’s very kind heart especially as a Rafan.
I didn’t think Rafa deserved the game after that because that was game point for Goffin. But, as a Rafan, I’m happy Rafa got the break regardless especially when he (and pretty much every player) has had some crucial bad calls go against them also.
Hawks!Thank u thank u thank u for your kind words!Love u Hawks..and agree with what u said..
Rafa said it during his on court interview after the match, that he was on the other side of the court so he couldn’t see it and couldn’t give an opinion, and said he believed Goffin when Goffin said the ball was out but it’s the umpire who made the final decision.
A player isn’t allowed to go over to the other side and check the mark. He has to depend on the umpire. This is a professional match and there is no reason for Rafa to just concede the point because the opponent thinks it is out. If he cannot see the mark, he will depend on the umpire. Cases where sporting players gave the point to the opponent would have happened on their side of the court where the player could verify. If any player has given away a point merely on blind faith in the opponent without being able to see the mark then he is unprofessional and an idiot.
Rafa is used to boos from the French speaking audience. He plays to win, whether the crowd likes it or not.
Mary (AT 7:35 PM),
Some spectators (hooligan-Fedfans) have booed Rafa at RG only once – it was during the match between him and Soderling in 2009.
augusta008 (AT 8:33 PM),
Few spectators gave Rafa a suitable, well deserved, respectful applause when Rafa, a four time champion then, left the court.
The tepid applause of the boorish RG crowd spoke for itself.
The reality differs from the brainwashing attempt posted AT 9:36 PM.
Rafa received a standing ovation after the match between him and Soderling at Roland Garros 2009:
https://youtu.be/3fAsjN1Z3hQ
Lucky..i know,i know and understand what u said and respect your opinion very much..i guess,i’m just being silly and just want Rafa do the right thing all the time and not get boo’ed and jeered because it hurts to see your hero be treated like that…but yeah,things like this happen sometimes..as a gentle person,of course i see things differently from u and also it hurts to see David lose like that..sorry Lucky if my comments riled u a little bit..like i said,i’m just being silly..hehe..
Sorry Mira, gentle person or not, you have to be realistic, not idealistic. Rafa was just doing something that’s being reasonable, not stepping in at the authorities or overruling the umpire’s decision. Like Rafa said it himself, if it’s at his side of the court where he could see the mark, he could give the point to his opponent.
There are always people who dislike Rafa and would seize such opportunities to boo him or jeer at him. As long as Rafa is not at fault, it shows it’s those people themselves who are classless, not Rafa.
Being a gentle person doesn’t mean you expect Rafa to be an idiot. I cannot see why you would expect him to concede a point when he cannot verify the mark? If being gentle means siding with the haters, I am glad I am not gentle.
Can’t stand Robbie Koenig, if Goffin was so weak minded that he let that point or that game affected him, then he’s not deserving to be the winner of this match! It’s not Rafa’s fault so it’s stupid to say it took the luster or the life out of the match! Koenig has something against Rafa these days!
Anyway, Goffin did play very well during that game after that point, to save many BPs after that, before losing the game. It’s so easy that after losing the set to blame everything on that game!
it’s not being weak minded in that situation. he ended playing an extra service game with that decision.
So what with playing another service game? And it’s Robbie Koenig who talked as if Goffin was so weak minded, not me!
No. It’s not weak minded at all.
You’ve completely misquoted Koenig and putting words in his mouth now.
Pfft.
There was NO drop in Goffin’s level after that point. He did pretty well!! It was much more aggressive tennis from Nadal that earned him the set!!
playing from behind maybe he’s not so confident and agggressive?
what?
PaulP, are you kidding? That’s what Goffin did yesterday when he was 2-4 down in the third set to beat Djoko, and you’re here telling us he’s not so confident now? If anything, he should be more aggressive to make up for the game lost! You’re the one now implying he’s weak minded!
wasn’t even talking about goffin. rafa went up all the way up to 11 after getting the break. goffin might not have won the set but we’d be watching a different kind of match.
Goffin wasn’t even playing from behind, at worst it was 3-3, so he still had chances if he broke Rafa’s service game next. Goffin let that point affected him, not wise.
PaulP, if you’re referring to Rafa, that if he went down 2-4 instead, that he would not be playing with confidence or being aggressive, then I’m afraid that you are wrong. He was 2-4 down to Diego in the second set yesterday, and the way Diego was playing, should Rafa lose that second set, there’s no guarantee that Rafa would win the match should they go the distance. What Rafa did when he was 2-4 down was he made changes and Diego couldn’t handle them and so Diego ended up losing the set and the match.
If Rafa was 2-4 down in the first set today, I’m sure Rafa would fight very hard to get back into the match, instead of losing confidence, because it’s a SF and at his fav masters event.
Exactly VR!
As if one service game decides the whole set! Goffin could always fight back, like Rafa or Djoko does, or Goffin himself did yesterday against Djoko.
I wonder how LS would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and that was the break that Rafa lost the set.
#JustCurious
Phenomenadal!!!
Luckystar (AT 3:23 PM) says:”Koenig has something against Rafa these days!”
He has always had ‘something’ against Rafa. I mute the sound when I hear him commenting, I did it today, too.
There are more British commentators (on Tennis TV.com) because of whom I mute the sound, for example N.Lester (who is a Djoko-lover) and J.Goodall.
The crowd is terrible! So unfair to Rafa! Stupid idiots!
The crowd obviously booing Rafa now as he returns to the court.
yep. even after this Goffin hold, I could here some booing.
(Federazzi fedal PTSD is everywhere.)
I see people blaming Nadal on social media as well. Can’t help but beat some sense into people:
You are in a position to overrule calls when the mark is on YOUR side of the court! You can’t f**** expect the player to go the other side to show what he THINKS is the mark from the other corner of the court, OR expect him to shout ‘hey umpire,it LOOKED out’.
Fedfawns are everywhere VR.
Lol. Rafa had bad decisions go against him in the past, only to make him play even better. Its all in the mind. Learning experience for Goffin
exactly. Many times bad calls against him have fired him up to play better.
Atul got it! Rafa had poor umpire decisions against him quite a few times, he just moved on and I’m so glad he did!
No player can match Rafa’s legendary mental strength.
(Unfair comparison.)
Good point, Atul! Totally agree!
I agree! Rafa has had his fair share of bad calls. But he fought and persevered. That is what champions do
The idea that Rafa should have challenged The call himself is absurd!
I remember Rafa not being allowed to challenge vs Berdych in a qf at the AO2012 on set point and ended up losing the first set. He came back to win in 4.
And I think VR mentioned, Roger hit a forehand long in the 2005 miami final at 0-30 in the third set with the umpire not calling it out and Rafa lost the set and the match
It is part and parcel of the game. Rafa, if he knew it was out should and would have given the point
Truth.
Vmk1, right!
that fed forehand was almost EXACTLY as much out!! And, fed hit it from inside the court and had a better visual too! Nadal had a Goffin-like reaction (both hands on the head) but he then moved on and played pretty good tie break which he lost 7-5 I guess.
Rafa also had a bad call against Berdych in the WTFs and theh umpire was Bernardes.
Vmk1,
Great comment! Well said!
It would be shocking for Rafa to not win this title now… There’s just no way Ramos-Vinolas would beat him in a Monte Carlo final.
There NOTHING Goffin could have done. Rafa’s level was too much for Goffin after that ugly deuce. That was more like the king of clay ! 6-3 6-1
The crowd was split. After a warm embrace at the net, I heard some booing and then when the umpire announced ‘rafaelll Nadall’ there was a lot of cheering too. When the cheering dampened, the booing resumed.
STUPID crowd!
He will win regardless of the opponent. That forehand is on fire.
As Rafa would say, this is the sport!
Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4GkjRyrXls
Watch the 0-30 point around the 28 minute mark!
#YoucanThankMeLater
there is booing in this video as well lol
That bad call cost Rafa triple break point and likely the title as he would have been up two sets and a break at 5-3 and an opportunity to serve for it..
The crowd was booing Rafa for questioning the peRFectly out ball.
The take aways are that Rafa immediately put it behind him and moved on, and that this happens occasionally to everyone (except Fed).
Rafa truly professional enough to ignore the booing and jeering in the end.
Goffin, really disappointed with him. I thought after yesterday’s match, he ought to have some confidence and fighting quality in him. It end up he’s so easily affected and lost his fighting spirit, very disappointing, like nothing has changed regarding his mental strength.
Rafa is through to the final, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd!
Woohoo!!!
Rafa played brilliant match, there was nothing Goffin could do! Rafa would have beaten him no matter what! I ferl sorry for Rafa, he deserved better than this from the fans. Those stupid ungrateful morons!
Those that booed Rafa were probably the Goffin fans and also those who disliked Rafa and didn’t want to see him winning MC for the tenth time creating a new record.
Some people just waiting and wanting such chances to boo Rafa, or whoever they dislike.
Luckystar (AT 4:08 PM) says: “Some people just waiting and wanting such chances to boo Rafa…”
The journalists set the tone…
LS, that.
Boorish Fedfawn fedal h2h PTSD.
Journalists and media only respond to what the people want (in sports anyways).
#ClickBait
AT 5:26 PM,
Media companies hire employees who are capable of doing the brainwashing.
That 18 min game sucked the energy out of him.
yup.
I think you make an excellent point about that long game taking all the energy out of Goffin. He also had chances to win the game.
There is too much being made about that call. A player has to deal with adversity.
On to Barcelona and Madrid where is the crowd will all be in his support.
Oops I forgot, there is still a final to play tomorrow.
He should play like he did post that ‘ugly deuce’. If he does that, no chance for ARV. ARV is playing great clay-court tennis. He is constructing points well. Spreading the court well with both wings not making many mistakes.And, he is a LEFTY. Rafa will be ready and win his 10th title tomorrow.
SWEET start to the clay season this has been. Although were expecting him to face at least one of Djo/Muzz/Wawa but that didn’t happen. I am not at all surprised about that though as I knew Djo could lose to any player playing well.
Something has to be done about Mary Carillo! She went on another rant after the match during a discussion about what happpened. Someone should send her the link of that match with Rafa and Fed!
I’m beginning to wonder at this point if Rafa may be able to sweep the whole clay season without even having to face any real competition… I would expect Novak to pick up his level at least a little bit, but who knows? Maybe he’s really in a long-term slump? At this point, I feel like the only person who could potentially stand in his way at Roland Garros is Stan, but he has equal potential of losing in the first round as he does of winning the whole thing… I have this feeling deep down that Federer will skip Roland Garros, too (which I personally think he should), but if he does play it, should we be expecting another Fedal final or semifinal as the blockbuster matchup of Roland Garros in 2017 haha?? I just don’t know what to think anymore about this season. I’m really enjoying seeing Rafa and Fed have resurgences, but it feels weird… It’s as if the rest of the top-10 are going through some weird mid-career crisis, and Fed and Rafa are like, “Alrighty then! We’re just gonna run the table now!” 🙂
No stan is is no match to Rafa on a clay court if the latter is playing at a high level. Yes, the competition has faded and I hope Rafa stays injury-free to take full advantage as he totally deserves it. Murray is trying to play lots of matches (he has is playing Barcelona as well) and get ready for RG. Djokovic is the biggest mystery at the moment.
I can’t comment on Federer .I am not even sure if he is going to play at the French. I guess he’d see the competition haha.
I do think Fed and Rafa will end the year in the top 2.
If rafa wins tomorrow, he will be 810 points behind Federer. He will be no.1 in the race before RG begins by some lead.
Does Rafa have a chance to get the #4 ranking before RG?
NNY, yes, if he does well to defend MC and Barcelona titles and then wins at Madrid, and Fed not playing any warm up tournament or loses early if Fed plays. Rafa also has 180 points at Rome to defend.
Kei and Raonic not looking likely to threaten for no.4 position before RG as they both are injured or recovering from injury. Kei pulls out of Barcelona because of a wrist injury.
I hear you, VR. However, if Stan shows up to RG this year playing like he played there in 2015, you can’t tell me that that Stan is “no match” for Rafa. If this was pre-2014 Rafa, sure, Stan wouldn’t have much of a chance. But if Stan can play like he did at 2015 RG, in a final against this current Rafa, I would actually pick Stan to
win that. The problem is that we never know if that Stan is going to show up until the match actually starts, so there’s no way to tell… Do you think that a top-form Stan would really be “no match” for the current Rafa? Not 2017 Monte Carlo Stan, but 2015 Roland Garros Stan. It could be that Stan isn’t even capable of ever reaching the level he did in the 2015 final against Novak. Like maybe it was a one-off performance that he can’t replicate. If I knew for a fact that that were the case, then I don’t know if he would have more than slight chance of beating current Rafa at RG. But if Stan is capable of playing at that level again, than he could certainly have a shot at beating Rafa in a RG final or semi…
Kevin,
Isn’t it unfair to bring out the 2015 stan against the ‘current Rafa’? I mean, I would totally expect Nadal to be playing a lot better and more aggressive at RG if he keeps building momentum the way he is. So yes, stan would not be able to match Rafa because I am expecting Rafa to keep improving and reach a very high level at RG.
Secondly, there is one thing you need to keep in mind. When Rafa is playing aggressive, his forehand prevents wawrinka from imposing his game to a very good degree. Djokovic really allows stan to unleash the stanimal as he doesn’t have as much firepower to push stan back. Sure, Novak is aggressive, his court positioning is great when he is confident but he doesn’t have that next-level firepower. Stan simply bunts back so many returns and is able to start the rally and then hit a big shot to turn it in his favor. If stan chips a return back to Nadal, don’t even ask what would happen on the court of RG.
I have said this many times in the past. Stan finds it the toughest to impose his game against Nadal, followed by Fed and then Nole. Fed is able to destroy stan’s rhythm with his backhand slice and he can KILL short balls with his huge forehand. Rafa’s forehand, esp on clay, keeps stan pushed behind the basline ( even more so because Stan returns serves from deep behind) and he pounces on stan’s chipped/sliced returns. Novak gives him a lot of rhythm and allows the stanimal to be unleashed.
I know 2015 stan was quite something and beat Federer quite handily as well but that was clay. Clay is the surface where stan can impose his game better against Fed.
Watch the 2013 RG match between Rafa and stan to get an idea. Not saying that match is a perfect barometer but it illustrates the idea of how stan is not able to impose his game on Rafa on clay. There is NO way stan’s backhand can be the same weapon against Rafa at RG as it was against Djokovic.
I agree 2015 Stan will cause problems to Nadal but it won’t be enough at all. And yes this is assuming Nadal continues to build momentum and peaks at RG (which is a reasonable assumption as it was happening last year as well).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vyg6pNxKGU
Nadal Wawrinka 2013 RG.
Notice how Rafa uses not only forehand but is backhand, to limit Stan’s backhand. It’s a bad matchup for Stan when Nadal’s playing at a high level.
Agree with VR that Rafa’s best would beat CB’s best anywhere anytime IMO.
CB’s best could possibly very well beat current Rafa (not at his best) but so could a handful of other slam winners at their best level.
But none of them are at their best (other than Federer).
So Rafa still has to improve.
I think Roger will most likely play RG unless he sees Rafa, Nole and Murray all playing fantastic on clay.
If it’s just one of them playing great, I think Fed would take his chances and play with a shot at a double career slam and keep hopes alive for the calendar slam to “one up” Nole’s Grand Slam last year.
Well, the big four, especially, take turns to have their respective slumps! It’s up to their fellow big four plus all others to take advantage of the situations and seize the opportunities opened up for or to them!
I think the current scenario is that some of these past 30 yo guys are beginning to decline, and the young gen guys are still up and coming, trying to move up the rankings but still not there yet to be in the top ten or to challenge the big guys at the slams.
Fedal are now taking full advantage, Fed fending off Kyrgios, and Rafa A Zverev. But credit has to be given to Fedal, for being ready and good enough to be there to take advantage.
I think Rafa has a real opportunity in this clay season. Like Fed had his opportunity in the HC season. There is a vacuum at the top of men’s tennis now. Murray didn’t look fully recovered from that elbow tear and may need more time before he is ready. I heard that he was serving about 20 miles an hour slower in his match with ARV. Novak is still struggling. Stan has not looked that good.
It’s an opportunity for the young guys if they are ready to step up. But Rafa has a great chance to get some titles and get momentum heading into RG.
Someone may yet heat up in Madrid and Rome. We will have to wait and see. But the opening is there for Rafa.
Rafa’s best will always beat CryBaby’s best.
Neither are at their respective best ATM.
The only player that can stop Rafa is Rafa.
Overall I really liked what I saw from him today. Best performance in MC so far.
Great fighting spirit channeling the boorish French crowd. It enabled him to forget any earlier nervousness and his confidence would not be denied.
Of course Rafa’s best will beat Stan’s best… But I’m not convinced that Rafa not at his peak would be a lock against a streaking Stan.
Well you could say that about a streaking Djokovic, Federer or even Murray.
A streaking Novak and a streaking Soderling beat a non-peak Rafa at the French Open. And Soderling is no three time slam winner like CB.
Rafa has to be at his 95% best to win the French Open. Always been that way.
Kevin, I don’t know which version of Rafa you are picking to compare to Stan of FO2015 – the Rafa of 2015, or MC 2016, or the Rafa now at MC2017?
Imo, the Rafa of MC2016 was good enough to beat the Stan at FO2015. As long as Rafa could hit with depth esp with his FH and plays with enough aggression, he will beat Stan.
The current Rafa (of MC2017), well, if he plays like he did vs Zverev, or vs Goffin from 3-3 first set onwards, then yes he can beat that Stan. In both these matches, Rafa was hitting with depth and intensity, not missing much, so Stan won’t find it easy to push Rafa back or to dictate points.
I agree with VR, that Djoko lacks the fire power, that of Rafa’s FH. Djoko’s DHBH was not hit with much topspin that could have troubled Stan’s SHBH, so Stan could boss Djoko around hitting with his raw power all day long, and Stan is a strong guy.
I also saw a Delpo bossing Djoko around on the HCs at Shanghai with his raw power, but Djoko used his guile and his quickness to beat Delpo in the end. On clay I guess it’s harder to do that and so Stan could have his way.
Oh god, there is no way to convince anyone about these pointless subjective year vs year hypothetical matchups.
They are ridiculous heavily biased preformed conclusions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m92Ajy280HQ
Watch the point around 3:40 from the Youzhny-Rafa R! LOLLL
Watch thelast point from Djokovic-Tsonga Shanghai 2015!! Djokovic lost his serve , was as furious as you will ever see him but he still managed to win the set 6-4 lol.
Goffin was disappointing.
AT 4:24 PM,
It’s sweet to hear the crowd booing Fed! LOL
Only in Spain.
Nothing new.
Of cource, it’s not new! It happened in 2011 and I have posted this video more than once:
https://youtu.be/XPBwjZwpOKw
That one was hilarious. As usual, Fed was (intentionally) wrong.
Again though, it was in Spain.
Federer is GOD everywhere else and doesn’t get booed.
AT 5:49 PM,
Again???
This is the incident I mentioned AT 4:52 PM.
AT 5:54 PM,
Yes.
“Again” in the sense that I was pointing it out “again” that it was in Spain. And “nothing new” in the sense that Roger was on tour long before 2011 and never booed outside 2011.
Not that complicated.
Not sure what your point was though and how it contributes to VR’s link AT 5:42 PM.
shoud read “outside Spain”
1. Rafa was mostly right.
2. Federer and Nole were mostly wrong.
3. Bernardes is a horrible umpire.
My favorite quote from Andy Roddick: “I wasn’t as right as I thought I was.”
True there’s no way Rafa can make the call. You can’t see where the ball lands from where he was. You can guess, sure, and he was not about to challenge the linesman’s original call of out. But you can’t know. No idea what got into Mourier’s head. The US commies said he wasn’t paying attention but if that’s the case, why in blazes would he over rule?
Mary Carillo has a thing for Goffin. She should have known better.
So glad I wasn’t stuck with the US feed.
You can say what you want about Koenig et al but Carillo is insufferable (not as bad as David Mercer though).
The stars are perfectly aligned for Rafa to win his tenth MC title. God willing.
I firsf time I saw Rafa was at RG in 2005 he was up against Sebastian Grosjean, the darling of the French crowd,
and play was held up for over five minutes while the crowd booed non stop over the umpires line: decision.
There used to be a YouTube clip but it was removed – most likely because the French Tenni’s Association didn’t want the world to see how badly behaved the spectators could be at RG. . Rafa was just short of his 19th birthday and went on to win the title. W hat struck me at the time was how he managed to keep his cool However the antipathy towards Rafa carried on for many years.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/2360417/Nadal-unruffled-by-agent-provocateur.html
ed251137 (AT 4:33 PM) says: “What struck me at the time was how he managed to keep his cool.”
He understood that the crowd was booing the umpire, not him.
ed, wow, I can’t believe I can’t find a video from any source on the web anymore of that spectacle.
To be fair to augusta, I did find a video of that match highlights (less the controversial moment) and at the end the crowd was very respectful of Nadal but that was before he started beating down Federer year after year after year there when they turned on him.
Here it is…
http://www.ina.fr/video/2845450001002
#TheTruthIsOutThere
#TrustNo1
AT 6:37 PM.
¤ The article ed posted is clear enough to understand why the spectators booed.
¤ The spectators have booed Rafa at RG only once – it was during the match between him and Soderling in 2009.
I wonder WHY one poster has been trying to convince (i.e. attempting to brainwash) the GS readers year after year that the RG crowd has regularly been disrespectful to Rafa.
AT 7:30 PM,
¤ I was talking to ed referring to her not being able to find the video and showing that the crowd in those early days were respectful to Rafa so your point is incorrect as usual.
¤ They boo, whistle and disrespect him cheering for his opponent on many occasions (even when the opponent is relatively unknown).
You don’t give respect to posters here like Mary, ed, vr and many others who know about the boorisih French Crowd behaviour. Even Uncle Tony and Rafa have commented on their disrespectful behaviour.
I wonder WHY one poster is trying to convince herself (i.e, self brainwashing via confirmatory bias) year after year that the RG crowd (dominated by fedfawns) has not disrespected Rafa (just like the MC crowd did today after they booed when Rafa returned to the court and the AO crowd did against Rafa vs CryBaby (also dominated by fedfawns).
I add to My post AT 7:50 PM,
At 7:30 PM, my how your tune has changed. You once claimed that the spectators NEVER booed Rafa but it was just the “hooligan-Fedfans”.
#CantKeepYourOwnWebOfDecietStraight
AT 8:10 PM,
Yes, the hooligan-Fedfans who were among spectators booed, not the French crowd.
[augusta08 says on November 2, 2015 at 6:53 pm: “Speaking of the French crowd, hawk is permanently trying to convince people here that Rafa has ALWAYS been treated badly by them. I have always said that hooligan-Fedfans booed Rafa and it has happened twice: at the Paris Masters in 2008 and at RG in 2009.]
#MovingTheGoalposts
#Sad
AT 8:21 PM,
Always the same.
AT 8:38 PM,
Yes. You are.
I add to My post AT 8:10 PM,
Many posters here and elsewhere as well as tennis players and coach already agree that the french crowd disrespected Rafa in the past including:
VR
NNY
ed
vamosrafa
Mary
natashao
rickydimon
shireling
chloro
rafaisthebest
holdserve
deuce
Andy Murray
Rafael Nadal
Uncle Toni
(just to name a few)
AT 8:30 PM,
It’s the result of the brainwashing.
AT 8:39 PM,
So all of those people have been brainwashed according to you.
augusta008 is always the same.
Hilarious!
What is with the hooligan fed fans?? So these special type of people are different from the ‘crowd’ and are some sort of hooligans sponsored by Fed or someone? :s truly mindboggling lol. Yes, there would be federer fanatics who would try bring name to Nadal but there are Nadal fans as well who do the same Augusta you are one of them.
It is a sport, come on!
Of course a lot of people like and respect Rafa in France. But, they have shown disrespect as well and there is no secret. Fed is more loved there and it happens! It is sport so chill out.
AT 10:49 PM,
Try to avoid commenting on topics that are ‘mindboggling’ for you. LOL
and you try to make sense at least once. ‘Fed hooligans’ ! what the heck!! sounds as if fed sends thousands of paid people to stadiums to attend Nadal matches!!
And the only one who seems to be brainwashed is you. Not us,.
VR here are some of the dangerous Federer hooligans!!!!
Who knew Augusta was onto something afterall!!!
The following images are shocking!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ6wo74uvdM
My biggest hope right now is that Rafa does not get injured again… That would just put the biggest damper on this season, and would obviously absolutely devastating for his fans. Assuming Rafa at very least makes the final or semifinal of every clay tournament, I actually think he would be very wise to skip grass all together. I know he won’t because he loves Wimbledon so much and missed it last year. But considering how prone to injury he is, I think that it would be wise for him to get a lot of rest before the hardcourt season so he can have his best shot at US Open. Much like with Fed and the clay season. I really think that Fed shouldn’t even bother playing Roland Garros. I think it puts him a greater risk of injury, and makes him less rested for grass, especially since he’s playing Stuttgart immediately after RG. Sure, if he could make the final or even semis of RG, it would help his chances of finishing the year #1, but I don’t think that is a priority for him anymore. If he wants Wimbledon and US Open more than anything else, he would be wise to skip RG…
For good entertainment value take a look at this classic meltdown from Robin Soderling:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnX6k0snxA
Lol this was classic. ‘I want to see the mark’. Yeah dude, the mark you pointed out was the right one. We are all blind.
What happened that got Goffin so mad. Was it a call or something? He didn’t even shake the umps hand
Never mind just watched it. The ball was literally half a foot out. Happy for Rafa but what the hell. That completely deflated the match for David. Damn
David only has himself to blame for sulking through a whole match after one bad mistake by the umpire. These errors happen all the time and he still had chances to hold his serve because it went to a couple of deuces before Rafa finally won the game. Rafa himself suffered exactly the same mistake from Mourier with the ball as far out as it was today in Madrid in 2013 against Youzhny. Even though Mourier actually admitted during the match that he got it wrong and apologised to Rafa, Rafa still lost the point.
Is it safe to assume that Ramos-Vinolas has the “bow down to my all-time great countryman” syndrome that Stan has also suffered from with Fed? I get the feeling that Albert has too much respect for Rafa to even make tomorrow competitive…
Kevin (AT 5:55 PM),
Nope, Spaniards are always trying to beat Rafa.
Players with this syndrome always try… They think that their respect for their all-time great countryman doesn’t negatively affect their matches against them, but it often does!
How many top players did Stan beat until recently?
Kevin, I don’t agree with you. On the contrary, all Spaniards want to join the “I beat Rafa” club. As for Stan, I don’t think he was capable of beating Roger until he finally did.
It never sits well with me, when points in matches are decided by contentious decisions ….
No one likes it, but it happens. It happened to Rafa at the hands of the same umpire in Madrid in 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v2vDxzthJ0
They should use hawkeye on clay and not rely on looking at marks on the ground.
I Meant to add in my post, that they should use HE on clay ….
HE has a measurement error that is greater than the mark left on the court.
It would be ridiculous to put HE into place on clay in these extremely rare instances when the umpire doesn’t know which mark to check.
Alison you do not like conflict so you feel upset. It is part of the game and if the crowd doesn’t like it or some fans of other stars go on and on about it, they should go watch some other sport. There is no need for Rafa fans to feel defensive. In the instant case it must be remembered that while Koening and other insufferables could see where the ball went, Rafa couldn’t. It is absolutely ridiculous to expect Rafa to give away a point without knowing.
Mary, maybe you can pass on that exercise for brain fog.
#HereToHelp
In his post match interview, Rafa said he didn’t know whether the ball was in or out so he really doesn’t care because it was the umpire’s decision and he didn’t do anything wrong. Rafa also said a bad call at 3:2 in the first set is not that important because so many more points had to be played in the match tennis is not like other sports where one score makes a big difference to the outcome.
I Dont mind conflict Mary, theres not much point being on an internet chat forum if you do, i just get annoyed by contentious decisions, so theres a bit of a difference ….
So why do you get annoyed by contentious decisions?
And why do her posts always end in four periods ….
Four is my lucky number HE ….
I Like players to be treated fairly ….
Wrong decisions are part of the game so once in a while every player gets a wrong decision. There is nothing unfair about it. It would be unfair if the umpire deliberately gave a wrong decision.
Alison, everyone likes players to be treated fairly. It happens. Watch the video I posted above, Rafa lost his serve to Youzhny in Madrid 2013 in exactly the same circumstances with the same umpire no one ever mentioned it after the match.
There was that match where Djokovic played the ball in Murray’s half of the court and even though everyone saw it the umpire didn’t and gave Djokovic the point. It’s annoying and unfortunate for the player at the wrong end of the mistake but that’s right.
“but that’s right.”
….but that’s life.
LOL RickyDimon…
https://twitter.com/Dimonator/status/855889792294408194
LOL RickyDimon….
Ricky Dimon‏ @Dimonator 23m23 minutes ago
just saw the the incident. LOL at anyone who thinks Nadal should have given Goffin the point. Ball bounced 82 feet away from him.
#….
LOL RickyDimon….
Ricky Dimon‏ @Dimonator 20m20 minutes ago
1) why didn’t Goffin find the right mark?
2) why didn’t he hold serve when he still had 12 game points after that?
3) Cedric is awful.
LOL RickyDimon….
Ricky Dimon‏ @Dimonator
it’s hard to even describe how lucky Mary Carillo is that she isn’t on Twitter
and i’m probably even luckier
https://twitter.com/Dimonator/status/855892694639529988
#CarilloIsAwful
#SeeLinkForVideo
I am disgusted with Mary Carillo! She made it all about Rafa, when it was about the. Hair umpire. He went over to check the mark and looked at the wrong one. None of the commentators on the tennis channel said a word about Rafa! They were criticizing the chair umpire!
Mary Carillo wasn’t doing commentary on this match. It was only when they went to her for a preview of what was up next, that she felt the need to open her big mouth and somehow put this all in Rafa! Why am I not surprised!
She has said spiteful things about Rafa throughout the years. Her bias is beyond obvious and renders her useless as a commentator.
Oh and I really enjoyed reading Ricky’s comments! Good stuff!
Hair impire should be chair umpire in my previous post!
I don’t usually think much of Bodo, but this is worth a read:
http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19218562/tennis-how-one-bad-line-call-helped-rafael-nadal-advance-monte-carlo-final
A few comments:
1. Hawk-eye should be mandatory at all professional events. A call that bad should never happen, period, and is easy to avoid.
2. The call probably quite possibly changed the result of the set. The change in Goffin’s play was marked and immediate after he lost that game.
3. Goffin is not as mentally tough as I thought. I can’t see that sustained drop in play happening to Novak or Fed, or even Murray.
4. Rafa did raise his level after that, and the result may well have been the same even if Goffin did stay at his high level, though it would have been very close.
5. I think Rafa should have conceded the point. He knew it was out; just watch his body language after the call. I know when I hit a shot a foot and a half out; I’m sure professional players do.
6. To his credit, I think even though Rafa praised Smycek (sp?) a couple years ago for conceding a point, if I remember correctly, I think he said that he’s not sure he would have done the same. Bad calls are part of the game, and these guys are playing to win the match.
I came across that article and declined to read it because of the author. Gave up on his clickbait years ago.
So my response to your points Joe:
1. Hawk-eye (like any measurement device) has a measurement accuracy (or error) which is within 3 mm. It’s not used on clay because the mark left on clay is more accurate. The umpire not knowing the right mark is extremely rare and doesn’t justify the cost for those few cases.
2. No doubt Goffin deserved the win however this happens to every player on tour. Nadal was up two sets agains Fed in the 2005 Miami final and he had a bad call that fed hit way long as shown by hawkeye that was called good. It would have given Rafa triple break point to go up 5-3 and serve for the title but instead fed held serve and came back to win in five. Rafa argued incredulously but moved on putting it behind him. Sure Goffin would have been up 4-2 yes but with Nadal on the other side, I’m not sure that break would have been sufficient otherwise.
3. Agreed. If you watch guys like Nadal and Federer, they will likely argue the call vociferously (as one can find on youtube) but they immediately put it behind them, a mark of a true champion, And yes Murray has a temper but it’s directed at his own play and he is also able to move on.
4. Yeah I think so. Not uncommon for Rafa to start slow throughout his whole career.
5. Could he have, sure. Should he have, no way. He may have THOUGHT it went out, but he couldn’t have KNOWN it was out to overrule the umpire and lines person who are in much better positions.
6. Rafa has shown good sportsmanship in many ways throughout his career. These calls go both ways in the long run. Unfortunate but not the players responsibility IMO.
7. Bodo is just AWFUL.
From VR earlier today, check out the bad call that likely cost Rafa the Miami title in 2005 vs Fed at the 27:40 mark::
https://youtu.be/k4GkjRyrXls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4GkjRyrXls&t
Hawk,
1. I didn’t know about the relative margin of error on clay. Had always wondered whether something like that may have been true, but that it was mainly tradition and the thought that the mark on clay was good enough that kept the status quo in play. Perhaps it could be reserved for extraordinary situations like this one; perhaps the umpire could have access to it privately to make sure he didn’t mess up badly like in this case.
2. Certainly if there is a ‘should’ it is very weak. It is very understandable that Rafa didn’t concede it, and I think it’s a rare player who would in that situation. But I do think that if he had thought his shot was close he would have acted differently, probably asking for the umpire to check the mark.
Rafa’s right that at the end of the day it’s one point in the middle of the match. It obviously didn’t decide the match and as I said, I’m not sure the ultimate outcome would have been different. But I’m sure it would have been a better match had Goffin been able to put it behind him.
I don’t think Rafa or any other player out of position from so far away would have done otherwise.
I think it’s overblown and Goffin should have handled it better overall and gotten over it before Rafa went up a break. It was still on serve.
Unfortunate but part of the game.
Ao I’m replaying that point on TennisTV and the linesperson immediately yells “OUT” and raises his arm yo indicate it.
Mourier doen’t overrule (at least audibly by saying something like “Correction, the ball was in.” but he gets down out of his chair to check the mark! When no one asked him to.
Why did he do that?
Yeah Mourier truly is awful (along with Bernardes FTM).
He gets out of his chair reacting to Goffin pointing at the mark but I don’t know why he would because Goffin is not disagreeing with the call.
Bizarre.
one question is why is everyone in the world dissecting one single point in a match that ended 6-3, 6-1
it would have beatdown city regardless
Apparently Goffin is a snowflake.
Is that the right term?
I can understand if it was matchpoint for Goffin.
Because they made such a big deal out of it on the tennis channel.
conceding from the other side of the court doesn’t even make sense esp when the umpire is confidently pointing to a specific mark!
IF you are really observing that closely, watch it again. When the ball is travelling in the air and is close to landing, Nadal is still moving his feet. When the ball makes contact with the ground he is still moving his feet but after the linesman yelled OUT then he stops and turns away. He didn’t look back because he would have felt the ball was long but if were so sure of it going out the moment he hit it, he wouldn’t be moving his feet right till the end! Then he sees umpire pointing to a mark. How could he have overruled that?
I have seen Nadal concede points when the ball lands on HIS side of the court. He was in no position to have a say in that.
I know he would be doubtful at Cedric’s call but he was not in a position to know with certainty. Just like Federer didn’t act any differently in that video I shared. He probably felt the ball was long but he was in the worst position to tell so can’t blame him.
Cedric running to check the mark was strange though.
I think poor Goffin unnecessarily pointed to the mark with his racket and that caused Cedric to just go and have a look. It was unfair with Goffin but trust me, Rafa really improved his level and there was nothing much GOffin could have done. I don’t hesitate from criticising Nadal’s poor play but after that deuce he was really strong.
Agreed on both counts.
I’m guessing that anytime a player points to a mark on clay, the umpire inspects it. That’s all I can come up with.
Goffin didn’t even point to theright mark
yeah that was funny/werid too. He should learn from Soderling LOL. See the video ed posted at the bottom of page 2.
Does anyone have information about how many sporting concessions were made by players when the ball was on the other side and they couldn’t see the mark? As far as I know all such concessions have been made by a player when he could see that the linesman or umpire was wrong.
I think your exactly right Mary. I’ve never seen an example of what the federazzi Carillo and Bodo are saying Rafa should have done. Only when it’s obvious and pretty much always when it’s on their own side of the court.
Ridiculous, criticizing Rafa for not doing something that no one else has ever done
Nadal’s take, which is kind of hilarious to picture:
“Asked if he talked with David after the match, Nadal added: ‘I was talking with him in the shower, but not about that, because there is nothing to talk about that. I was talking with him about who he plays against in Barcelona and who I play against in Barcelona. There is no talk about this ball because if he has to talk with somebody, it’s with umpire, not with me. I repeat, I cannot do anything from 20 something meters away from the other part of the court.’ “
Yeah saw that. His last sentence says it all when umpire and lines person in a much better position.
Ricky’s comments are spot on! Brilliant! ?
Nothing that Bodo has to say would interest me in the least! Talk about being biased! I really disgusted with his some line Carillo and Bodo are putting this on Rafa! All he did was hit the shot!
I like vr’s take on how it all played out. Rafa heard the linesperdon call it out DVD round have accepted it. As vr said, Rafa kept moving his feet. It’s not like Rafa got involved in this thing. I assume Mourier went to look st the mark when Goffin pointed to it. That’s when things got crazy. Rafa had no way of knowing if Mourier was looking at the wrong mark or not. The tennis channel commies said that Mourier looked at the wrong mark and that was when Goffin got upset and started arguing. There was nothing Rafa could do way on the other side at the back of the court. There is no reason why he should have gotten involved in it.
I also think that Rafa had already raised his level of play at that point. This was the first time he was able to pressure Goffin in his service game. At one point it was 40-0. But Rafa got it to deuce and then there was this battle as he was pushing Goffin to get the break back. Goffin had his chances even after the bad call.
I think Rafa was already making adjustments in the match and it’s not unreasonable to think he was getting into the match. Goffin needed to put this bad call behind him and move in and try to break back. This happened relatively early in the match, so there was every reason for Goffin to believe that he could still be competitive.
Trying to put this on Rafa is absolutely outrageous.
There are done autocorrect mist shed early in my last post. Too much to even correct. Basically I was upset with Carillo and Bodo for trying to put this on Rafa. Rafa accepted the “out” call initially. What happened once Mourier got out of the chair and looked st the mark, was out of Rafa’s hands.
I give up with auto correct! It’s out of control!
Hahaha..that’s alright Nny!we’re all understand what r u trying to say..that’s okay..no worries..
Hawks!Come join me and rc and Nny on jalep wildguess!C’mon!It’s fun!!I wait for u to do Barcelona okay?Oh!and u too Kev!!It’s time u guys shows how awesome u are in a real competition!!And yeah!..it’s a DARE!!Woohoo!!
And Nny!!..don’t forget to do the Bracket okay?It’s open now!!Good luck Nny!!..oh…rc sure will win this week!!Haha..She’s sooooo deserve it!!woohooo!!
MA,
It’s good that you reminded me! I have to type more carefully because auto correct on my iPhone gets dhead of me and rewrites what say!
Oh really Nny?In that case u have to be very careful indeed…i don’t want to see your pick for winner in your bracket other than rafa’s name Nny..
MA,
Do you have the link to the bracket challenge?
Sure Nny!here it is!….http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/bracket/edit
Btw Nny…i’m dying to know how’re you doing nowadays..is it getting better?
MA,
Yes I am doing very well now! Feeling good now!
So I am up to doing the bracket challenge now!
?♥️
Nny!YAY!!…https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cb/f7/c8/cbf7c8d1ee4020861f4ea25fb6a1d144.jpg
And here’s your reward Nny!..
pizzahouse-bangor.co.uk/images/slideshow/desktop/italian%20pizza1.jpg
Nny!Hahaha…sorry,your ‘reward’ failed to come up!!hehehe…
MA,
I know! But that’s okay!
I filled out my bracket. I hope that I did it right and it shows that I am entered.
I always used to have to ask rc if she would check to make sure I was entered.
Nny!…I’m glad you’re already filled out your bracket…and i’m sure that you’re already IN…Anyway,R U READY TO RUMBLE WITH RAFA Nny??LET’S RUMBLE!!!!WOOOHOOOO!!!
Goffin himself says Nadal could not have done anything
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Rafael_Nadal/42717/david-goffin-nadal-is-one-of-the-most-fair-players-he-couldn-t-do-anything-/
Why are these useless commentators and writers going on and on about 1 point. Seriously 1 point decided the match, you gotta be kidding me.
Who ever has conceded a point from other side of the court ? Rafa may have felt it’s out but he can’t overrule an umpire …people seriously have unrealistic expectations and those who do seriously must be the one who dislike him and want to tarnish his victory
They are just finding fault with Rafa; and some crazy people expect Rafa to override the umpire’ s decision from Rafa’s side of the court! I mean who they think Rafa is, that he has higher authority than the umpire of the match?? (It will be very embarrassing for the umpire if both players toppled his decision.)
Some comments in that article (on Rafa’s take of the incident) were laughable, losing respect for Rafa because of that? More like seizing an opportunity to bash Rafa!
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Rafael_Nadal/42718/rafael-nadal–i-was-hundred-percent-correct-i-didn-t-do-anything-wrong-/
Nadals take on it
The people who claim they lost respect for Rafa are clearly the ones who have hated him always. Infinite disrespect+ additional loss of respect= infinite disrespect. No change in status quo. So who cares. Let them gnash their teeth. They will be toothless before long.
Rafa plays to win, not to please haters.
Ricky’s take on this explains it all: why even talk about this when the score speaks for itself! One point does not define the match and it’s not as Goffin did not have a chance to win that game. Rafa was obviously playing better at that point of the match and would have beaten Goffin even though the score could have been closer or not!
It’s time to rest this issue and enjoy Rafa’s sucess! Rafa haters can enjoy their missery, hope they will get more of it in the time to come!
Bad calls happen all the time! It’s those ignorant so called ‘tennis experts & commentators” spreading hatred whom I can’t stand…