It will be an all-Spanish affair when Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer do battle in the Paris semifinals on Saturday. Either Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer awaits the winner.
Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer will be squaring off for the 25th time in their careers when they meet in the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Masters on Saturday.
Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 20-4, including nine wins in a row and 16 the last 17. However, they have faced each other only six times on hard courts and they have split those six encounters. Four of Nadal’s victories over his fellow Spaniard have come this season, although he lost sets in both Madrid and Rome.
Ferrer does not have much going for him as he heads into what will be another tall task against Nadal, but he at least has something from which to take heart in addition to his past history versus his countryman on the hard stuff. While this is not Ferrer’s best surface, either, he captured his first and only Masters 1000 title at this same Paris event last year. Furthermore, the world No. 3 is heating back up after a post-Wimbledon slump that lasted most of the summer and fall aside from a quarterfinal run at the U.S. Open. Ferrer finished runner-up in both Stockholm and Valencia and so far this week he has dismissed Lukas Rosol, Gilles Simon, and Tomas Berdych.
Of course, nobody has been more consistent or even more dominant than Nadal in 2013. The world No. 1 owns 10 titles and four have come on hard courts. He has suffered two of his five defeats this fall, but those setbacks came against Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro–in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. Nadal booked his spot in the Paris last four with straight-set scalps of Marcel Granollers, Jerzy Janowicz, and Richard Gasquet.
Ferrer obviously does not have the necessary firepower that is required to match up relatively well against Nadal, plus he is not at the very top of his game right now, so it’s hard to expect an ultra-competitive match. At the same time, this surface allows the underdog to play more inside the court against Nadal and hit balls at least close to his strike zone as opposed to up around shoulder height. The top seed should win without too much trouble, but not before plenty of entertaining baseline rallies ensue.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing more than 7 games
[polldaddy poll=7527643]
It’s hard to see this being anything but a straight sets victory for Rafa tomorrow. In the match against Gasquet today, those balls were bouncing sky high and David will be forced to step forward and try and take every ball early in order to counteract that. I don’t see that happening. I think the good thing for Rafa is that there will be some rallies that allow him to hone his feel for the court. He’s still hitting some of his forehands long and his backhands wide. He’ll need as much precision as possible in hopefully facing either Roger or Novak in the final.
Jpacnw,
I agree about there being some good rallies that should allow Rafa to get his timing and rhythm working better. I have noticed that he is over hitting some of his forehand shots and his dtl backhands have missed the mark. I thought the backhand issues were especially important in that close match with JJ.
Rafa is playing well, but not quite at his best. So this match with Ferrer should give him additional match play so that he can be ready for the final.
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides and commented:
Again worth a look
Ferru doesn’t have a big serve like the 2 players who have stretched Rafa so far………..Marcel and Jerzy, so it’s hard to see where his redemption will come from. Berdy would have made it more competitive although he would have lost in the end.
does anyone have the year-end No. 1 math? or know what thread it’s already on?
Rafa needs 310 points to seal the World No 1.
So if when he beats Ferru it’s clinched, no?
No, ed, it doesn’t clinch it, if Novak wins today. If Novak loses, though, Rafa doesn’t have to win the semis or the final. If Rafa makes the final he’s almost there, even if he loses to Djoker. He would then need just one win in London to nail it.
ed251137@November 2, 2013 at 9:30 am
¤ No – If Djoko wins his SF match;
¤ If Djoko loses, Rafa will clinch the YE No.1 before his match against Ferru.
My head is spinning……………talk about trying to hit a moving target 🙂
Not much chance of Nole losing today 🙁
Pity. I was so sure he was going to want to keep something in reserve for next week.
And he still has Davis Cup to play after that.
Well, ed, you never know. Nole’s chances for No 1 have become extremely slim, as I detailed below. He won’t believe, that Rafa will lose to Daveed either. And he might not be hell bent to exaust himself in another gruelling Djokal final…
No, I don’t think, the Djoker will loses. But, I also don’t think, Rafa will lose. And then, he almost crossed the finish line. With Wawa And Richard in the mix for the WTF, how likely is it, thatRafa doesn’t win one single match in London? It’s not 2009. 🙂
––he might not be hell bent to exaust himself in another gruelling Djokal final––
Logically that would make sense. When push comes to shove though he’ll go flat out in an attempt to score another win against Rafa.
Agree, it is inconceivable Rafa wont acquit himself well in London. I reckon he might even WIN it!
#MiraclesDoHappen
Oh, ed, when Nole meet Rafa in the final, he will do everything for the win. Keeping his psychological edge etc. But I think, there’s a slight chance, that he will prefer, not to meet Rafa in the final. He must know, that the race for No 1 is almost over.
The WTF points for 2012 come off tomorrow so whatever happens in Paris, Rafa will still be #1 going into the WTF and Nole will have to win every match from now on to be close to clinching #1.
What’s the maximum points Nole can win in DC?
nadline@November 2, 2013 at 1:28 pm
—What’s the maximum points Nole can win in DC?—
225
Novak already has 310 points counted, does that mean he could have up to 535 points in one season?
The WTF draw is made.
Group A
1. Rafael Nadal
2. David Ferrer
3. Tomas Berdych
4. Stanislas Wawrinka
Group B
1. Novak Djokovic
2. Juan Martín del Potro
3. Roger Federer
4.Richard Gasquet
Not bad!
It’s time for Rafa to go into battle.
Keep your mind focused, stay confident and remain strong, Rafa!
They mirrored each other at the net, bouncing up and down and back and forth, like boxers do before a match. Fun to see.
David breaks.
David takes the 1st set 6/3. He’s playing a very intelligent match…very strategic.
Rafa lost the 1st set 63. I hope he gets his act together in the 2nd set.
Vamos Rafa
ferru is on shark mode 😀
It’s surprising to see Rafa lose the first set, although I did not believe that this match would be as easy as Ricky predicted. Ferrer has a lot on the line defending his win from last year.
We have seen Ferrer come out aggressive initially in matches and try to get the advantage. I hope that Rafa is waking up now.
Ok, Rafa is going home! On to WTF!!!
Rafa had som many chances to get the match back on track and he blew them all!! What the hell?! Ferrer down firmn 0-40?!! Even Berdych took a set from Ferru! Crap!!!!
What is Rafa doing? He doesn’t seem to be on song at all.
I think the year end no1 is getting far from his hands!
He cant serve, he cant rally…….nothing!!! He is being totally outplayed!!! And that f*cking slice is really pissing me off!!!
This is not how you want to be playing right before London. Usually Rafa shows some fight. But playing like this he would have no chance against Djoker in the final.
This is painful to watch.
Rafa has not won ONE tournement after getting the #1! Not sure if he has even reached a final!! What an anticlimax!!
monalysa13@November 2, 2013 at 5:14 pm
—Rafa has not won ONE tournement after getting the #1!–
Rafa became No.1 on October 7th. After that he has played only 2 tournaments – in Shanghai and Paris. He reached SF of both tournaments.
Maybe he wants to go to London early………
To those watching, how does Uncle T look: concerned? Indifferent?
U. Toni looks puzzled I’d say.
Does Rafa look like he is struggling physically? If he isn’t then it’s just a combination of a bad day at the office for Rafa and a good one for Ferru…….
And Maria is stone faced.
I am just hoping there is nothing physically wrong with Rafa.
Just got in and switched on. Please tell me I’m hallucinating. That can’t be the score.
Guys, maybe it’s not a bad idea to lose to Ferru today! saves Rafa a humdinger tomorrow against Novak! saving himself for WTF. Remember, Rafa’s post USO objectives were getting #1 and winning WTF. He will need 2 wins out of the group stage to secure #1……
‘Always Look On The Bright Side’ ………….as the song goes.
David is playing at his best, hitting very intelligently. Rafa is missing some shots in crucial moments. Rafa is being outplayed.
A really, really bad day at the office for Rafa!!!
Guys, none of the pundits had Rafa even reaching the semis in Paris so it’s all good…….as long as he is okay physically.
RIBT, but at least if Rafa gets to the final and loses, he is even closer to the clinch!! When he loses here, what might it do to his confidence going tino WTF?!!
@monalysa13, I think losing to Novak in the final would be worse for his confidence at this time. Looking at his group, he will get the 2 wins he needs to clinch. He is still on course, no worries……..
If Rafa is not on his game I’d rather he didn’t play Novak.
^^second that!
Please don’t let the crowd boo him off the court.
ed251137@November 2, 2013 at 5:34 pm
The crowd applauded Rafa when he was leaving the court.
This is one time when I can’t see him coming back from the dead…………..
Don’t worry folks, this is a strategic loss by Rafa..,…..,
Holy cow!!! Maybe this break will revitalize Rafa.
This Rafael Nadal is a REAl drama queen…………….but I love it!!!
Just finished my work-out, Rafa, I need to shower per favore……….finish this, whichever way…….
Gosh, Rafa could NOT consolidate!! UFEs!!!
For just a moment I thought this might be one of those matches he should have lost but didn’t.
Not to be.
My concern is that Rafa is going to have to face Ferrer at the WTF next week. This will give Ferrer a big boost.
Winning this match and getting to the final would have meant that Rafa would go into the WTF with no pressure and assured of being year end #1. This way he has more work to do.
Brilliant peformance by Ferrer! Rafa left his game in the locker room. Well deserved by Ferrer!!!
Well done Ferru! Now I can have my shower…….
Rafa has more work to do maybe but he should be well up to it! I think in all fairness its good that Ferrer can get an opportunity to defend his title……………….good for him and I wish him the best!!
If it didn’t have such worrying consequences I would be really happy for Ferru. As it is I can only say well done and good luck for tomorrow.
Bet the Djoker is smirking 🙁
Sorry, but I am a Rafa fan. I can’t be happy for Ferrer. It came at Rafa’s expense. I don’t get it. Ferrer is older than Rafa, has played more tennis this year than him. Yet he can come into this tournament and still produce excellent tennis.
the better man won! commies to myself and all of you my friends!
well done ferru
but I think this will cost the year end No1 for rafa 😐
Rafa preferred to travel to London.
Have a nice trip, Rafa!
Wow, that was a turn up for the book. Ferrer was terrific, nobody beats him 20 times in a row…;)
deucy@November 2, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Ferru’s win means that he’ll remain ahead of Andy Murray in the rankings. 🙂
I know. But can’t worry about that. Andy needs to come back fit and healthy first. He’s been 5 at AO before anyway and did gr8. Am so pleased for Ferrer, always the bridesmaid….
Rafa was hitting shots wide and long, just like as he’s been doing all week. It’ll be a difficult job for David tomorrow. Novak will be the obvious favorite. However, the last time David and Novak met on indoor hardcourts was in the WTF in 2011 and David won that 6/3 6/1. Since then, Novak has beat David 6 straight times, all on outdoor hardcourts.
Wow, if the No1 thing had’nt gotten a ton more difficult for Rafa now, I’d be happy for Ferru. Unfortunately he will lose the umpteens final in a row tomorrow 🙁
Rafa needs two wins in London now. Still doable in his group, but it’s not encouraging, that one member of this group just beat him.
If, by some kind of rare twist of fate, Ferru should win tomorrow, he would clinch the No 1 spot for Rafa. That would be very sweet, but I don’t see this happening….
Indeed, it’s not likely that David will win tomorrow, but it would be especially nice for him as he would be the first player to every successfully defend their title in this tournament.
Rafa has played at the Paris Masters four (only!) times during his career. His today’s result there is not the worst one.
Year — Round—Opponent—Score
2013—S—David Ferrer—L 3-6, 5-7
2009—S —Novak Djokovic —L 2-6, 3-6
2008—Q —Nikolay Davydenko —L 1-6 RET
2007—F—David Nalbandian (ARG)—L 4-6, 0-6
The WTF OOP is out. Rafa plays Ferru Tuesday afternoon, Djoker plays Fed Tuesday evening. I have a feeling Rafa and Fed will be feeling not so bad about their losses now……
WHAT. That’s not how they usually do the schedule, is it?
Shocked at this..this is crazy..did not see the match..Thank God
310 points Rafa needs and that means 2 RR matches are a MUST. It is bad he plays Ferru first..Stan or Berdy would have been better
Na, doesn’t have to be bad. Lightning normally doesn’t strike twice, and Ferru might be really exhausted.
My feeling is that Rafa has set WTF 2013 as a goal and will leave all on court next week.
Vamos!
RITB..you have been saying that since Beijing..Beijing..move to Shanghai..Shanghai to Paris..Truth is he played bad in all those 3 matches he lost ..there is no other reason..we should stop telling yourselves its sum grand strategic move..it clearly IS NOT.
Ill be very happy if he wins WTF but guys he has never done well there..just reached final once..we really honestly expect lot out of him there?
@sanju, I agree he played badly in the matches he lost! he had to to lose! I did not say losing was part of Rafa’s Fall strategy. I said his goals, as articulated by Uncle T, were to snag #1 and WTF 2013. He is still in the mix on both, this is why I am relaxed tbh. Rafa was outplayed by Delpo in Shanghai and my sense is he was similarly outplayed by Ferru today. I would have liked Rafato have won both matches but truth be told, I am glad he avoided an inevitable mauling by Novak in both finals given the way he was playing.
I do not think Rafa has to win every match he plays, he has to choose his battles. To me, losing to Delpo and Ferru in semis is better than losing to Novak in finals. Makes no sense to me for Rafa to expend a lot of energy fighting Novak for a Shanghai or Paris title. What’s the pay-off, another Masters title? At what cost, getting to the WTF (his intended target) exhausted?
I may be wrong, but I believe we are going to see Rafa the warrior next week…..
Sanju, while I really don’t think, he played badly in all those tourneys (he really showed excellent game sometimes), I also don’t think, he’s saving himself for the WTF, and I for one do NOT expect him to win, but I DO expect him to put up a hell of a fight for those two missing wins for No 1. And, if he’s more or less healthy, he should pull them off with his draw. I just can’t imagine, that Daveed beats him twice in a row. If that does happen, something is seriously wrong.
RITB, while I don’t wholly share your optimism concerning a possible title in London, I think your evaluation goes in the right direction. We will see him fighting in London, if he is healthy, and I think, he played some real good tennis this fall. Those losses are inconvenient, but not exactly troubling for me. Maybe a bit puzzling, but who knows, how eager he really was to play Novak again. That’s a subconscious process and not a deliberate strategy.
Fed should come to Rafas rescue by beating him on Tuesday but Rafa plays earlier..so it could be high presure for Rafa
If anything, this win over Rafa will help Ferrer when they meet in London. A bad time for Rafa to give up a loss to him.
I don’t know what to think at this point. I agree with Jpacnw. Rafa was off the mark with his shots all week. He managed to get to the semis but Ferrer came out and played some great tennis.
I really don’t know what’s going on with Rafa. I am just concerned at how he lost, not the mere fact that he lost. Rafa doesn’t have bad days at the office when he gets to the semis of tournaments. He usually gets better the deeper he goes. But in his recent losses at Beijing and Shanghai, those were also not that competitive.
NNY, I disagree with you, that Rafa was off all week. He played some excellent indoor tennis against Jersey and Richard. That’s, why I find this loss extremely puzzling. But I agree with you: his three post US Open losses were all in straight sets and not all that competitive. I don’t know, what to make of it. We just have to wit and see, how he will do in London
littlefoot,
I didn’t mean to say that Rafa was off so much that he did not play good tennis. Obviously, he played well in the match with JJ. Otherwise he would have lost. He looked good against Gasquet, but that’s because Gasquet can’t really challenge Rafa.
He has been off on the timing of his groundstrokes. Even in the win against JJ, his dtl backhand was way off. But he served well and his forehand was good enough to get the win.
In my previous post, I said that Rafa doesn’t go backwards as he advances in a tournament. He gets better with every match. That is why the way he lost is so concerning to me.
At least we do agree as to the manner in which he has lost his post USO matches.
if Novak wins tomorrow (expected by one and all) but does not win the WTF, and if Novak then still gets all of the 225 DCP points (not certain to happen), does Rafa still need to win two of the three RRs to retain no 1 ranking by year end?
No..then he can lose all RR matches as 500 points are awarded for final and Rafa just needs 310 points to take No 1 YE
Agree NNY..I was disappointed when Ferru won yesterday..I was fearing him a bit.
Rafa really looks subpar the last 3 tournaments..all the matches hes lost he has lost in straights to Novak, Delpo, Ferrer (:-..def not good..Damn even Fed put up better fight against Novak
I am not surewhat to expect from Rafa in WTF
I disagree, Sanju. Rafa looked subpar in his losses, but he played some excellent tennis leading up to them. Just remember the great match against Wawa, and he was the only one in Paris, who didn’t lose a set up to the semis. Jersey was a tough customer, but Rafa still got it done in two on his least favorite surface. That’s pretty good stuff. But, yes, in his losses he didn’t look like himself.
Sanju,
I am with you in not being sure what to expect from Rafa in WTF. I also don’t believe in strategic losses. If you win, then you control your own destiny. Rafa has had chances to close out the year end #1 ranking and hasn’t done it. Djoker seems more than ready to step up and try to take it if Rafa is not up to it.
I was very upset when Rafa decided to play DC right after the USO. He was dehydrated and had lost some weight due to the excessive sweating in the humidity. It was such a quick turnaround. It really bothered me at the time, because I wanted Rafa to take care of himself and have a break to be ready for the last tournaments of the year. I can’t say for certain that this is why he is now so tired, but I don’t think it helped.
Ferrer is older than Rafa, has played more tennis than Rafa and yet he still looked fresh as a daisy in their semifinal match. I simply do not understand why Rafa lost in the way that he did.
So are we now clear at least on what Rafa has to do to clinch year end #1 at WTF? How many points do you get for each win there?
NNY, Rafa is still in controll of his own destiny: With two wins in London it’s done, even, if Novak runs the table.
If Novak loses just one RR match in London, Rafa needs only one win. Since I firmly believe, Rafa will manage one win in London, Novak has to win the WTF without a loss, if he wants to leapfrog Rafa. And, of course, he has to win tomorrow.
You get 200 p for a RR win. Since Rafa needs 310 more points, if Novak wins it all, that translates into 2 wins at RR in London.
@littlefoot, indoor HC is Rafa’s worst surface, so I am not penciling Rafa in for the win. However, I believe Rafa and his team want this title and this gives me comfort that Rafa will be very motivated next week. I just do not expect the Rafa who turned up today against Ferru will be the same Rafa who will turn up against Ferru on Tuesday.
Rafa will get the needed 2 wins next week and fight for the title. This will be the last tournament of the season, makes more sense for Rafa to leave all on the line.
RITB, I expect Rafa to put up quite a fight for those two wins as well. Hope, he’s physically ok though. On the po
itive side: Needing and getting two wins, almost certainly would place him in the semis in London, lol!
littlefoot,
Thanks for the info about what Rafa has to do in London to get year end #1. I have been feeling more like Sanju, but I do agree that ritb has made some good points in her post @8:13 pm. I truly hope that she is right, but honestly I am not as confident.
I really do appreciate you breaking it all down. That makes it easier to understand and keeps it simple. It’s certainly quite doable at this point for Rafa to get the necessary match wins in London to get the year end #1. Of course, I will be keeping my eye on Djoker to see how he does.
ritb,
You did remind us that one of Rafa’s stated goals was to win the WTF. Normally I don’t subscribe to strategic losses, but if Rafa really is just that tired then maybe it just couldn’t kill himself to try to get to the final of Paris or win it. If he is still feeling exhausted, then it makes sense for him to focus on the WTF.
I just don’t know how confident I am that he can win it. Getting the year end #1 ranking is definitely realistic. That is something I dearly want for him. He deserves it, he earned it, he’s been the best player this year.
Rafa did get a good group. It’s the best possible scenario for him. I appreciate the positive thoughts so that I don’t fall apart.
Maybe it makes me selfish, but I don’t care about Ferrer winning and getting to the final. Especially when it is at Rafa’s expense. I am not a fan of the Spanish players. I am a fan of Rafa. I enjoy watching them play, but that’s about it. If Rafa had to lose to anyone, I am sure he would be okay with it being his good friend Ferrer. But he’s not my good friend. I don’t think Ferrer did anything different from what he usually tries to do against Rafa. The book on Rafa is that you have to come out very aggressive and put him on the defensive. Ferrer did that, as he has so many times in the past. But Rafa had the answers.
Again, I am very appreciative of the good thoughts and the specific info about what has to be done in London.
Many thanks! 🙂
been gone all day.
All I can say is WOW
When Rafa went to the AO in 2011 he was on course to win a fourth consecutive Slam which, although not a true GS, would have been a record breaking achievement and a huge feather in his cap. Ironically it was his friend Ferrer who put an end to those hopes when Rafa aggravated an injury which severely hampered his movement. Afterwards he refused to discuss the injury saying he didn’t want to detract from Ferrer’s win or give the impression he was making excuses.
We can only hope there was nothing sinister in the below par performance today but even if there were it’s unlkely he would go public about it unless it becomes a longer term issue.
It has been clear all week the fast court conditions and high bouncing balls were causing Rafa to mistime many of his shots. This was not too serious against less tenacious opponents but left him badly exposed when it came to the unrelenting onslaught from Ferrer.
Rafa’s post-match interview on 02/11/13
Question. It seems like you never really found your best game against David. How do you explain this?
RAFA. Sometimes in sport we look for complicated explanations. But it’s really very simple. I just need to play better and make fewer mistakes. I need to move quicker. Today I felt like I was always a little late on the ball. David is so quick and he puts you under pressure all the time. In the second set I had chances. I made a big mistake at 5-5. I really needed to win that one. David played much better than me today, so I congratulate him.
Question. Is there any particular reason you were slower than usual? Did you have any kind of physical problems?
RAFA. No, there was no one particular problem. I don’t know why, but today I was sweating much more than previous days. I feel a little bit slower but nothing that really should affect to my movements. I was just not in top form this afternoon. The only thing I can do in these situations is congratulate my friend and wish him the best of luck for tomorrow in the final.
Question. Now you head to London for the World Tour Finals. What do you think you need to correct to do better in London?
RAFA. I just have Sunday and Monday to practice a little bit in London. I need to practice to work on a few things. It’s a very short period of time, but that’s all I’ve got. There’s one tournament left in the year. I will just try to play with a positive attitude. Today I tried to stay positive, to fight until the end, but was not my day. Now I have to try to play better in London. I played here four matches at Bercy and that’s positive thing in terms of preparation for London.
http://www.fft.fr/en/bnp-paribas-masters-official-website/news/nadal-best-luck-david
Rafa was outplayed today…he was late on most of the shots, mishitting all over the place…he was not at his top level this whole tourney but it mostly has to do with fast conditions and him needing match play to adjust…Rafa dislikes indoor tournaments and he has never done well in this time of the year…also true, he must be tired as he has accomplished so much this year…
However, I expect Rafa the warrior to show up In London…he is not losing to Ferru in London that is for sure…how many of you here believed Rafa would win both Montreal and Cincy? How many of you believed Rafa would win USO? And yet he was there to make us all proud…Rafa is special…he draws energy from his loses, from his ups and downs…Rafa will be fine…
Vamos Rafa!
your comments are full of common sense littlefoot, ed, augusta and natashao
we were out all day so I read your comments here and there. I might not bother watching the taped match. From reading your comments on the match I thought that perhaps another factor is simply that Rafa is still relatively tired mentally and physically after all the matches since February. Yes he had a break after the start of Wimbledon and another one recently, so he is fresher than he’s been in Bercy before, but relatively speaking he is not near enough his higher / highest levels. If this is one of the reasons his matches were not all that great lately he’s done well to get this far. And all power to Ferrer for having played so well today.
In London Rafa will not be at his best levels, and that’s OK. He has done the almost literally incredible since February, a return from major injury for the ages. In London he will fight despite not being at his best. He might get himself to the right heights of mental focus and fight. And that should be enough to win at least one RR and probably more than one. Fantastic 2013.
And tremendous pressure on Novak since he seems to believe he might make the year end number one still. Tremendous pressure through a fantastic year and the way their respective ATP points have ended so incredibly close to each other. It could have so easily been a much larger difference in ATP points either way.
Overall Novak has had a lack-luster year _relatively speaking_ (only relatively speaking) until the week when Rafa got to the number one position. Then a few tournaments closer to his 2011 level. I don’t expect he will be able to sustain close to 2011 levels through 2014, judging by his late 2011, 2012 and 2013 levels, and if Rafa remains healthy though in pain he will have something to say about that. In a way it doesn’t matter too much either way, except for Nole and his fans, how well Nole plays next year as Rafa has already accomplished more than could have been wished for year after year, so anything that he achieves in 2014 will be more icing on the cake. What I am trying to get to is that while Novak had a strong year albeit somewhat weak compared to his previously achieved level Rafa has had one of the most astonishing years. One of the many ways you could measure that is that their ATP points are this close, despite having missed all of January and the AO 2013, and having lost his first match of another slam. The year end number one, that is likely for Rafa, would be just another icing on the cake.
Since I have written one of those long comments let me write as I used to write at least once a year on TT: all I wish for Rafa is that he remains largely injury-free for another year, I mean suffer no more than tiny injuries at worst.
Right you are, chloro! And… ah… better don’t watch your taped match. It really was a VERY puzzling performance from Rafa, especially after he breadsticked Gasquet yesterday. That’s the only thing, that worries me a bit. That something WAS wrong with Rafa. If that’s so, we have to hope, it can get fixed until Tuesday.
I totally reject the notion that Rafa’s post US open performances were subpar. Off my head I’d say, he collected more points than he does normally at this time of the season. We fans just got gready because of his great season. The goal of securing the year end No 1 spot is still very realistic. Winning the WTF title not so much. We gonna see, no?
And Vamos, Daveed! Give the DJoker at least a good work out!
not really a worrying loss.
Rafa will sweep his RR matches
vamosrafa,
Where have you been? I have missed hearing from you. Can you please help me to put this in perspective? Some of the posts here have already helped quite a bit. I have been worrying that Rafa may be having some kind of physical problem. He was sweating bullets in the match with Ferrer.
He said again in his post-match presser that he was a bit slow in his movements. That’s what he said at the beginning of the tournament, right after his first match and before the match with JJ. But he said that we look for a complicated explanation, when it’s much more simple. For now I have to take him at his word. As long as he’s okay.
You really think he will sweep his RR matches? Then you would be thinking along the same lines as ritb, i.e. that he was saving himself for the WTF.
I hope all of you are right. At least now I am feeling better. I worry so much about Rafa that it’s not good for my health! 🙂
final preview – https://tenngrand.com/2013/11/03/paris-final-preview-and-pick-djokovic-vs-ferrer/
@nny, I do not think Rafa went out to tank his match against Ferru to save himself for the WTF. I think this is how it panned out: Ferru came into the match with a very effective aggressive gameplay and the execution was perfect too. Rafa, otoh, was slow and lethargic, for whatever reason, and it was clear to beat this Ferru, Rafa had to step up a couple of gears. This is where, I suspect, Rafa may have made the calculation that it would not help his overall cause to climb those extra gears. The key was Ferru’s form on the day. If the “usual” Ferru had turned up, Rafa would have coasted to victory.
So yes, it was a strategic loss, but not planned I do not think.
it might be in his best interests to go 2-1
vamosrafa..reason for your confidence?
littlefoot, I agree. Relative to other years Rafa’s fall season was not at all subpar, even the last tournaments since he became number one were not. They were only compared to most of his stronger 2013 tournaments. 12 months ago at this time of the year was there a single commentator, fan or member of Rafa’s team who could have seriously expected as good a year as it has been so far?
vamosrafa, You must be right. At least two but three is very possible if he can keep his head where it needs to be. For once his draw is a little kinder on his ‘worst’ surface.
I go into shock mode when Rafa loses especially to people like Ferrer and avoid tennis forums for a few days sometimes. Thanks for all your comments. From Rafa’s first strike of the ball, I didn’t get a good feeling about his game yesterday. He just didn’t seem to be fired up at all.
On to London were I hope he will do well. He’ll need to up his game to have a chance to take the title and I am not writing him off for that either.
Let’s keep this loss in perspective. Chloro reminded us all that ten months ago it was impossible to imagine we would even be having this discussion.
Given what has happened since, that match is hard to understand but
as NNY said it is not the loss itself but the manner of losing that was the more unsettling.
No winning streak ever lasts forever which didn’t stop us hoping and praying he would be able to keep it up long enough to clinch Y/E No.1.
All is not yet lost. I hope it is not a case of clutching at straws. For my part I’m not sure my nerves will be good enough to watch next week.
NNY..any updtaes from other forums on health?
I think the YE No 1 is getting to him, he is pressurized by it
I think you could be right Sanju. That and the sheer effort expended for it to even be a possibility.
Sanju,
I haven’t found anything on vb about any possible injury. If something is going on, Rafa’s not talking. We only have Rafa’s words in his presser, which augusta was kind enough to post here.
I just don’t know. Someone on vb said that they thought it was mental with Rafa. I think that mental fatigue can make you move a bit slower and maybe react slower, which were things Rafa mentioned in his presser.
I am still worried about how Rafa lost the match. But reading everyone’s thoughts has really helped. There’s nothing I can do to help him, so worrying will only wear me out.
I hope Rafa has it in him to make one more push at the WTF. I do think the pressure could be getting to him.
I always check in on vb for any possible info. If I do hear anything, then I will let everyone know. I was very upset after the match earlier today, but now I am calmer. It really helps to discuss it here with his loyal fans. 🙂
That is why help from other qtrs lik Fed or Delpo will help . If either of them beat Djoko, Rafa will be calmer. If Fed would have beaten Djoko yesterday, I am sure Rafa would have won the match too. I think the minute he wraps up the YE No 1, he will play calmer.
The slight worrying part is Rafa plays before Djoker on Tuesday and Ferrer is his 1st match just afte a loss
That loss could make him even more determined to erase the memory!
Rafa will beat Ferru on Tuesday…I am almost certain about it…if Rafa played the least near his best yesterday he would have won the match…Rafa is worn out and playing another final with Nole does no good to him…and it’s not worth it having the WTF right after…but London is a different thing…I believe Rafa will play much better even though I don’t expect him to be at his top either…we shall see…I hope Rafa is not injured…I hope he finds the strength to fight for the year end No1…I think that he deserves it after all he has done this year…
we, his fans will sure be here to support him…to believe in him in every single match of his…to be his strength from the shadow…I decide to be optimistic and to trust our Rafa has enough in him left to clinch the year end No1…wining the WTF is another issue…if he does it I will be trilled…if not, I will direct my hopes for the another AO title…
when did our Rafa ever do the things easy way… did he ever let us relax drawn in certainty like Fed did to his fans for multiple years…being a Rafan is a special demand…don’t we all enjoy suffering in a way 🙂 and that is why we all love him and respect him so much!
Vamos Rafa!
I have been wondering about the extra sweating yesterday. Bit of flue? Or it is I guess quite possible simply due to being _relatively_ tired added to a bit of nervousness. Added to finding from the start how well Ferrer was going to play this match. Ferrer has rarely given Rafa an easy match. Even when Rafa was in near top level eg some of the MC matches and the scoreline was very uneven Ferrer was still playing well himself.
Djokovic was also hot. There were beads of sweat glistening in his hair during the match with Federer.
Totally agree, @chloro. Rafa was within 2 points of losing to Ferru at Madrid 2013. He pushed Rafa in Rome. The difference is yesterday he did not fold as has been his wont. So, Ferru has indeed upped his game against Rafa and we really now need to discard the “he’s Rafa’s bunny” tag.
I also am concerned about the extra sweating. Rafa is a “sweater”, that much we know. However, it has to be of concern since Rafa himself commented on it as being a lot. Added to his sluggishness on court, that would normally be enough to signal something is not right.
Having said that, I will trust Rafa on this. If he says there is nothing wrong with him, then there is nothing wrong with him.
To be honest, all I want is for him to lock up the YE#1, the rest is just gravy……..
Vamos Rafa! Let’s finish this!
Guys please dont scare about the sweating, flu bit..Last I want is this YE No 1 to be anti climatic this way by him being sick.
Rafa’s first match at the WTF is on Tuesday:Tue, 05 Nov 2013
Afternoon Session
Get Tickets
Doubles B / 12:00 PM
A PeyaB Soares
vs
L PaesR Stepanek
Singles A / 2:00 PM
Nadal
vs
Ferrer
Evening Session
Get Tickets
Doubles A / 6:00 PM
B BryanM Bryan
vs
I DodigM Melo
Singles B / 8:00 PM
Djokovic
vs
Federer