Two clay-loving competitors will finally be facing each other away from their preferred stomping grounds when Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem clash in the U.S. Open quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Even for the best clay-court player ever and the second-best clay-courter of the present, 10 consecutive encounters on the red stuff without a single one on any other surface is an alarming number. But that is the case with Nadal vs. Thiem, which will be a rematch of this year’s French Open final–won by the Spaniard 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. He leads the head-to-head series 7-3 overall, including 2-1 this season and 5-2 dating back to the start of 2017.
Even when they landed in the same quarter of the draw, another installment of this familiar rivalry could not have been expected due to Thiem’s recent woes. The world No. 9 endured his usual post-Roland Garros slump, compiling a 1-2 record on grass, even falling twice early in clay-court events, and exiting Toronto in his first match with a loss to eventual runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas. But Thiem has suddenly turned it all around in New York, where he is through to the quarters for the first time following wins over Mirza Basic, Steve Johnson, Taylor Fritz, and Kevin Anderson.
Nadal’s U.S. Open title defense has not been completely smooth sailing, as he has has been pushed twice through four matches while also dealing with an apparent minor knee issue. The world No. 1 rolled over David Ferrer and Vasek Pospisil before dropping one set to both Karen Khachanov and Nikoloz Basilashvili, even trailing Khachanov by a set and a break at one point. Nonetheless, Nadal has improved to an awesome 44-3 in 2018 to set up another showdown against an opponent who always looked up to him.
“[My] earliest memories I think was when he beat Roger in the French semis in 2005,” Thiem said of Nadal. “I was 11 back then. Didn’t really think that I would also play him one day, but it’s very nice. It’s going to be the first time on hard court, which is a completely new experience.
“[I’ve had] three very nice experiences and [seven] horrible experiences,” the Austrian joked. “But no, I’m really looking forward to play him on hard court for the first time. On clay, I think it’s one of the biggest challenges in sports to beat this guy or to compete with this guy. I hope that it’s a little bit more comfortable on hard court, but I’m not sure.”
“He’s a fantastic player,” Nadal said of Thiem. “He’s a very powerful player. He’s a great guy; very good relationship with him. Happy for him that he’s in quarterfinals here…. Gonna be a tough one. Yeah, I need to play my best match of the tournament if I want to keep having chances to stay in the tournament.”
The 17-time major champion says that before every match, but he may really mean it this time based on how Thiem played against Anderson (the 24-year-old called it one of the best matches of his career). Still, Thiem’s hard-court history is such that it is difficult to see him turning in that kind of performance twice in succession–especially with Nadal on the other side of the net.
As long as Nadal is at or very close to 100 percent, he should have both the physical and mental edge in a grueling baseline battle.
Pick: Nadal in 4
[polldaddy poll=10096350]
Thiem in 5
Nadal in four
Eugene…you usually forecast right..now that’s concerning
What is your pred for fed novak
Sanju, Nadal could also nicely make it in 4. The reason I chose Thiem in 5 is because Rafa seemed worried about something/less confident. On other hand, maybe the last 2 matches will have an empowering effect on him and he will cruise. Also Thiem played amazing vs Anderson. We all know however how unstable his form is. If Nadal will play at the same level he did against Bas and Kachanov with very volatile serving game and Thiem keeps it strong, I see a long battle. The best of Thiem would have to fight hard to put down this Rafa.
Fed – Djoko… hard to say. Let’s see how they do in their 4th round matches first 😉
Yes his body language seems to have some underlying concern just like fed had last year
Could be another heavyweight fight…like the Katchanov match….but Rafa in 3.
GOAT FTW!!!
I am sticking with Rafa to bring it in this match. He knows what has to be done. He is battling so hard and I have to respect that.
Vamos Rafa!
A normal Rafa, no doubt I would pick him against Theim! But this Rafa I really dot know!
If Thiem does win, it’ll be because Nadal was injured/nervous /etc.
A ‘normal’ Rafa wouldn’t need any excuses, certainly not in advance .
Yeah, Big Al. I’d be very surprised if Theim gets a set. Should be a straight forward win for Rafa. It’s surprising to me that Thiem got this far. But if the court is playing super slow that suits Thiem – also I imagine he keeps himself in good fitness and trains to endure these conditions. (unlike Jack Sock)
Thiem does have huge potential , but I haven’t much faith in anyone with a SHBH against Nadal (with one exception)
Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, Al?
If Thiem wins, Id like to see him get some credit , that’s all.
Fat chance on this forum.
Rafan axiom #1: If Nadal loses, he must be injured.
Match of the day was Osaka v Sabalenka!
No one gives a rip about that though lol
I actually watched a bit of it over breakfast. Great match!
Missed it , love Osakas game.
Rafans have already resigned themselves that their man isn’t going to win the US Open.
Whoever does win , will at least have a trophy , asterisk or not .
Id love to see someone different win, like Goffin or Nishikori .
No that’s actually your axiom Joe Blow unless you can tell me when Federer lost at his best on grass orchard court.
#CricketsChirping
#NotAsLoudAsTheHypocrites
his knee is in pain, no? and he is not doing himself a favor by playing long matches, no?
I expect Nadal to bring the form he has in his last two matches, which has generally been good except for his serve. The outcome of this match will hinge on Thiem’s form. If he plays like he did against Anderson, he will win going away; I doubt present-form Nadal could defeat him at that level on this surface. There is no guarantee that Thiem will be able to replicate that form, of course, but I think he is more likely to play very well than very poorly. Thiem in 4.
According to fedfans hurting that Federer is no longer GOAT, Rafa will always lose against any inform player off clay.
It’s quite funny. Yet also sad.
Beating Nadal in Madrid, then losing badly at RG and Rosewall even said he was disappointing, might just be the shot in the arm he needs to beat him this time.
But Im still going with Nadal, Id prefer to see a Delpo rematch .
I have it on good authority that Thiem’s coach secretly told Roswall to say that to motivate Thiem the next time they met!
#SavvyCoachingMoves
I am very very sure there’ll be an up & downs from Rafa in this match…A few heart flippin’ for me,a few buckets of lovin’ & cursin’ words from me to Rafa,a few rounds of sofa kicking…And then….RAFA WIN!!!….Wooohooo!!
As much as Thiem was impressive against Anderson..i believe the loss to Rafa at FO still lingered in his mind…after that loss,Thiem confessed that playing Rafa was horrible!…Even tho the win was on clay…but the dust of that ‘horrible’ feelings will appear again tonight…And Rafa promised to up his game & be aggressive…And heh heh….i believe him…..Therefore,Rafa in 3….or 4[if lapses & loss of focus still showing their face..URGH!!]
VAMOS RAFA!!!….WHOOOOOO!!..BRING IT ON!!…LET’S TEACH THIS KID A LESSON AGAIN BOSS!!!!
dude u pick nadal to win every match. thiems winning this one. kachy pushed him hard. thiems flat over better than kachy
Tennis is not necessarily linear. Transitive property doesn’t apply particularly when it’s Rafa.
(That said, go big on Thiem!!!)
Rafa in 4 or 5. Rafa tends to play himself into shape during the early rounds. He’s stated himself that he has not been at his best level and knows he has to find it NOW. He’ll do his bestest and, as always, he’ll leave it all out there on the court.
For the record, after winning Toronto Rafa (and his team) said he had not been “feeling the ball” well, but had competed very well.
Just wanted to add that several really good and in form players (all but one of Federer, Djokovic, Cilic, Nishikori, Thiem, Isner, Del Potro and, yes, Nadal) are not going to win this tournament. Losing a tournament isn’t a character flaw. All but one guy is going to lose. That’s just the way it works. I think this looks like maybe the best major we’ve had in awhile. So kudos to the winner and condolences to the losers. You’ve all done very well, and will, I trust, continue to be a credit to your profession and an inspiration to fans everywhere.
Nadal all the way to the final facing Nole
hopefully thiem to save tennis. he is more talented player even if he loses. will have to put my noise canceling headphones in order to block wafa’s uncomfortable grunting.
Why to watch the match if you have so much pain seeing it. Nobody is forcing you. You are just a troll and attention seeker.
Nadal already saved tennis from The Weak Era.
(No coincidence around the same time that Roger won his last US Open.)
Awwwwwwww.
#TooSoon?
Yes too soon. Not fair on great people like Benny Eugene and Kevin!
Thx Amy. I’m ok when hawks tries to mess with trolls like grassgoat so its all good. Still too soon though hawks 🙂
Sorry BG. I’ll leave it out then.
Federer is not done IMO. This really was a one off loss in the most extreme conditions players have faced and it’s a crap shoot now. I believe that Federer was sincere when he said it was simply the overbearing heat and that he was unable to breathe or stop sweating heavily.
Up for grabs to the player that handles it best.
(Also, commies to Scoot, another very fine fedfan – other than his definitely not Rafa faux pas.)
Rafa, see what happen to Fed? ok!!!! You better come out swinging!! Vamos!!
With the loss of Fed,i hope Rafa will find a new zen to do everything he could here to secure his 18th…Hopefully,he will handle Thiem in just 2 hrs…And DelPo/Isner in 2 1/2 hrs…That’s it!
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Thiem might be in some form, but a HC match against Nadal is always going to be a tall order. Given Rafa has dropped some sets recently I wouldn’t be that surprised if he drops one more, but I’m not seeing a loss here unless he’s physically struggling.
At this point I think the writing is on the wall regarding Fed’s age. As Agassi said, when it happens, it happens very fast. It’s hard to remember now that Fed had the best ever start to his career just this year. In six months, it has all come crashing down. We have to enjoy these great players toward the end of their career while we can.
Rafans!…For those of u who still not reading it yet….A good article before rafa’s match….
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1012783/Rafael-Nadal-Dominic-Thiem-US-Open-Carlos-Moya-Francis-Roig
Federer complained about being soaking wet while playing. At least Rafa is used to that! But, yes, Rafa will have to try to keep it short or he will dehydrate. He knows that better than we do.
A Rafa fan tweeted: “So, all of a sudden high humidity is accepted by a majority as a cause for bad performance. Rafa has always struggled in places with high humidity but hey, he was just a whiner & bad loser [in the eyes of Fedfans].”
It seems that Karma striked back on Monday.
no karma involved at all. fed tanked, it was so obvious.
Poor sampras goat is simultaneously in all five stages of realizing that his God is not a God after all…
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
Go away Augusta. You too grassgoat
I think Fed needed more than 25 seconds between points last night. Fed had no sympathy when Sock collapsed in the heat at the USO in 2015 against Bemelmans. He said players have to train properly to deal with all conditions.
But as per Fed’s presser he is not looking for sympathy. What I heard was him giving credit to Millman and also saying that he is more used to this due to him being a Brisbane native one of the more humid places on planet.
Lol, at the rate things are going, look like we’ll have to start playing tennis in the snow!!!
The conditions cannot be the only explanation for Fed’s tennis last night!! Lets just admit it, his age is starting to show boldly!!! The time is getting nigh to start seriously considering retirement!!
Fed lost to Anderson a Wimby after leading two sets!! What was the excuse then!! The moon? He just lost meekly a few weeks ago to Novak, in straight sets!! What was the reason then?! Sky was not blue enough?!! I mean c’mon!!! IT’S HIS AGE!!! No shame in that!! Even the commentators are unbelievably promoting this excuse about the conditions!! This is just really stupid!!!!
#ItsHisAge!!!
Combination of age and conditions, you can say . Yes no shame in saying that he has got old.
But Djoker also struggled in first round. So, conditions are tough too. Rafa struggled in his AO QF after a tough and physical 4th round with Diego. So, noone likes these conditions for sure.
Looks like global warming putting oldies to retirement something which newer generation could not do. Noone can fight with nature.
He made it to the finals of Cincy and lost to an in form Djokovic.
He’s No. 2 in the world.
He won the Australian Open seven months ago.
Players are dropping like flies under the conditions. They are all saying (including Rafa) that it is not good for the players or the quality of the game.
Commentators are always making up their own stories – no different than anyone else. I believe Federer over the commies. Nadal too.
It’s the extreme conditions.
#PlayersMeltAt100DegreesPercentHumidity
Well, then call off the tournament!!! Especially if players are dropping like flies!! Lol!!
#ItsHisAge!!
Yep. The game is suffering. We are not seeing good tennis in pretty much every match in these conditions at the USO this year. More extreme than Australia and probably the worst ever at the US Open.
Cilic and Del Potro are the youngest active slam champions and both will turn 30 in a few short weeks.
Federer WON the Australian Open seven months ago and is No. 2 in the world.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/heatwave-conditions-at-us-open-becoming-dangerous-for-players-in-new-york/news-story/0b77b6f5174c7f66eb7e5a2733051d67
#EndOf
I dont think USO conditions are worse than what Djoker and Monfilis went through in AO. I believe the only difference is AO night sesions were far better both in terms of heat and humidity but in USO , night sessions are more humid than day, so all through the day you have these tough conditions.
And unfortunately when Djoker complains, noone listens to him . When Fed says its a different story.
P.S. Name one good high level match at the US Open this year other than Fri-Sun when the extreme conditions temporarily broke.
They’ve been few and far between.
#RealEndOf
I guess that these extreme meteorological and ambient conditions will also not be too peachy for Thiem, let’s see how this pans out.
It sounds a no-brainer but if one of them has to run more than the other in the first two sets then he’ll be more likely to blow a gasket sooner than the other. I hope it isn’t Rafa
Hottest day , today. Isner might as well enjoy these warm conditions, not sure about DelPo.
Wimbledon closes the roof when one match gets prolonged due to no-tiebreak in fifth. And next day match is started under roof.
But USO does not want to close the roof as extreme conditions bar is not met. That sums up the senseless rules prevailing on ATP tour.
Slams are NOT a part of the ATP! They are ruled by the ITF and the tennis federations of the countries where the slam is: Autralia, France, England and USA.
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DmRMa2lW0AAFDi4.jpg
I hope match between Delpo and Isner go 11 sets!!!!!
BG saying brutal conditions out there …101 degrees and extremely humid!😕
Good luck darling Rafa! Be aggressive and get it done fast!
Vacationing in Malorca this week and sending good vibes from Rafa’s island. The metador will be aggressive today and if he finds a decent serving rhythm, he’ll put on a great shot
Mallorca*
put up**
VR,
Great to hear from you! It must be great in Mallorca!
Do you have any thoughts on Rafa in the tournament? The heat and humidity is supposed to be awful.
Hello VR, how are you?
I don’t like Rafa just standing behind the baseline waiting for the ball to come to him; Thiem just hits hard and tries moving forward once he sees Rafa’s short balls. Rafa losing his first service game means he has to chase from behind right from the start, no good!
butt picker down 2 games already.
wrong mate, 3.
Rafa just doesn’t have the power like his opponent(s); once the ball is in play, he’s being put in a defensive position! This is like that match vs Cilic at Toronto!
thiem is roasting dull. can he keep it up?
headed for 6-0 set for Thiem. Hope Rafa figures it out in 2nd set.
It could be a bagel. Rafa just needs to stop one way traffic. Things can change although Theim is playing powerful tennis.
Thiem on fire but Nadal not moving well
Rafa is nervous like s@#$!…I don’t know why he’s like that!….he’s 17th grand slams champion after all!….Urgh!!…This si sooo sickening!!
nah, physical not mental
rafatards in their hideouts.
a tasty bagel.
Wow. I figured Thiem would be tough, but didn’t think there would be this big a difference. Have to think Thiem will come down a bit, and Nadal will make it a match. Hope so. I really think the older players have a tougher time in this heat.
Heat can’t be that big a problem in first twenty minutes. Its the level of tennis on either side which is the issue
Well I knew thats how Theim would come out! Rafa has to be patient and hope Theims level of play goes down while he ups his game!
But its not looking good for our champ!
Goodness me, if Rafa continues to play like this, he’ll be beaten in straight sets – 6-0, 6-1, 6-2! Can’t even hold serve a single time! It’s not like he hasn’t faced a hard hitter like Thiem before on the HCs.
He’s just not moving his feet, not moving inside the court and allowing Thiem to dictate the whole set!
Nadal has a habit of winning matches after losing the first set in a bagel. Happened just last year with Kohlschreiber, I believe. I wouldn’t give up hope if I was a Rafa fan.
I think Nadal has to look for a new coach. I can”t see any real change since he took over
Rafa has to learn to play more offensive tennis! And that’s the issue here now! Hes always playing defensive tennis, so tonite he has to go for his shots, his serves mediocre still
i am sure the ‘injury’ will fix itself.
Rafa should attack the FH of Thiem more; Rafa’s CC BH and FHDTL could do the job. Thiem is expecting the ball to come to his BH hence he’s well prepared for it!
I can’t see why Nadal’serve is so weak. His serve used to bite more
Hes getting older, lol!
Theim really cannot win this match and expect to have any shoulders let for next matches!! I mean he is really digging his own grave here, win or lose! Y must he play so hard!!
agreed, best if thiem just retired so wafa can advance.
I do feel the night matches are tougher, more humid but the temperature not necessarily down by much from the day. I think Djoko may also suffer tomorrow night against Millman.
Rafa is trying to slow the pace of the ball by putting more spin on the ball, hope that will change things for him. He’s not returning serves well, poorer than before.
When is the last time Thiem lost a point on serve? He’s holding so easily.
barely winning points on thiem’s serve and thiem is returning everying making harder for rafa. just saw on TV that he is asking for racket to be restrung
The thing is Rafa looks cool, so I am not too anxious…..yet!
But Theim’s tennis may look awesome, but it is so taxing and risky! Not sure if the trade-off is worth it!!
Also how long he can keep it in current weather conditions.
Rafa is figuring out how to break Thiem’s serve. Thiem’s level is bound to come down a bit so Rafa is waiting…,
totally not worth it. best for his career and his health is just to bend over now.
Rafa just needed more time to get going, But that first set was awfully weak. He’s going now and Dom is making more errors. Dominic’s serve was great that first set. And that’s dropped off. 5 aces in the first set and only 1 this set.
Yep Rafa’s rolling now. Stats are evening out. Rafa only had 3 winners in the entire first set v 9 ue’s.
I love watching these two play (on clay). When I think of Thiem I don’t think of him as a great hc player. Surprised he’s gone this far. His age helps!
Rafa much much better now!
This is so sickening from Rafa! Why also lost serve after breaking serve!!!!????
I really don’t like it when he keeps looking at the clock, please concentrate on your first serve, Rafa!!!
Wow, Thiem breaks right back. Like Fed, Rafa has developed a bit of a habit of failing to serve out sets. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Rafa take the set here with 3rd break in a row.
Rafa’s serves are just not solid when he needs them!! Wow!!!
Can’t believe Thiem got the break back.
Rafa will rebreak for the set!
It’s like WTA
it is safe now to get out from the hideouts.
Phew! So Thiem suddenly lost serve twice in a row to lose the set! Come on Rafa, serves properly now and wins this match!!!!
Rafa’s won a set, at least, lol!!!
Happy he’s serving first in set 3!!
Wow. I’ve not seen someone choke as badly as Thiem just did. He literally handed Rafa that set. Considering Rafa choked himself right before, he is quite lucky to have been handed that set.
Typical Thiem vs. Rafa grand slam match from here on out. You can’t win the first set 6-0 and then choke away the 2nd so meekly. Game set match, Rafa, in 4. I’ll be lucky if it’s competitive at all the rest of the way.
This (Thiem) my friends is the quintessential display of why none of these younger dudes can touch the Big 3 (in their primes, as Fed may be finished). Big 3 would never lose a match after winning a set 6-0…
Kevin, lol, Rafa has not yet won the match!! Who knows?!
There id no way Theim could have sustained this level of play for three set far less 5!!! And while Rafa has upped his level!!
Vamos. Rafa!!
Vamos! I thought Rafa would retire after the first set.,,the way he was not moving, the way he was giving up on points and allowing Thiem to dominate him..,it was easy to bagel that Rafa! But Rafa never gives up! How could I forget that?
Vamos Champ!
Thank goodness, Rafa raises his level, add in some varieties to make things difficult for Thiem. The first set was truly atrocious from Rafa, no varieties, just rallying from the baseline and defending all the time.
This has been one crazy ride! Rafa was getting better and Thiem’s level started dropping.
Then the trading of breaks. Crazy!
Agree with Kevin. Rafa will kill it now. Thiem got lost in that last set – he doesn’t know what to do. Dominic might try holding serve this set – that would be a good strategy.
You all will appreciate this-
I’m with my friend who doesn’t follow tennis like we do. After Thiem won that first set so dominantly, I turned to my friend and rather cockily said, “Rafa’s going to win the 2nd set. I guarantee it.” He looked at me like I was crazy, just because he doesn’t know the deal with Rafa.
So I took it even further and said, “I’ll bet you $50 dollars that Rafa wins the 2nd set. When Rafa plays a bad first set, he always ups his level very significantly, and Thiem is the definition of streaky and mentally fragile.”
He didn’t take the bet haha. 🙂 But he’s surprised that I was so sure that it would happen like I said. It’s almost like the script for Rafa when he has a slow start. Best competitor ever.
99% of players on tour would be too demoralized after losing 6-0 to stay that competitive. Not Rafa… Now my friend knows haha! 🙂
Yeah, Kevin, let your friend know!!!
Rafa has lost focus now!!! Choops, y does he do that crap?!!!
Wow, Thiem not giving an inch and Rafa refusing to miss! Great tennis!
That was some hold from Rafa. Spectacular attempt to break by Thiem.
I want more of that!
Hold your dang serve Dominic.
This Rafa match is so similar to the Rafa match I watched last year against Mayer in round 3. Rafa started slowly and lost the first set. And once he found his rhythm in the second set, it was over.
Thiem should learn a lesson from Millman! Twice when Millman broke Fed when Fed was serving for sets, Millman stayed tough and smart, whereas Thiem made a bunch of errors and handed Rafa the set.
I can’t help but be hard on Thiem because we’ve seen this show so many times, and so many times with his generation. The Lost Gen.
Yep
surprise me LOST GEN
except Thiem is playing about 1,000 times better than Mayer was
Oh…only Nole would have got that! 😀 Thiem can’t stretch for it like Novak.
Thiem broke rafa from 40-15. lets see if rafa breaks back
Sigh! Rafa’s serve is his undoing! No words!
Its a problem right throughout his play post Roland Garros. Should have won 40-15 game.
I have an inkling Theim might win this one and Rafa had got back. He is behind because of this 401-5 game.
But Thiem is very questionable holding serve after breaking Rafa.
That time, he did it. But you are never safe with only one break, Dominic (not that I want him to win. I don’t. I’m already thinking Rafole final. Vamos!
I hope Novak can beat Millman …😫
Thiem is returning crazy now
Rafa and that serve! Maddening!
at least he’s playing way better than he was in the 1st
I can play better than he did in the first set.
The third set is gone for Rafa. Sad to say I think Rafa will lose here. His serve and the muggy conditions are his greatest enemies, his opponents just serve big and hit as hard as possible to beat him. Well done to Thiem for not losing heart after losing the second set.
Not gone for Rafa. Rafa will get this set, you’ll see. Double Fault right on time.
Oh Geez !
Is this Thiem making me look like an asshole?
Not quite yet, Kevin hahaha
Oh dear… Thiem’s gotta hard task serving for this set. Can he make it? I think NOT.lol
Can’t believe both serving so poorly and have their serves broken. Rafa is being thrown a lifeline here, please hold serve Rafa!!!
He should its 40-0 now. Yes but Theim is unpredictable. He comes up with crazy shot sometimes.
Time is right for Rafa to break for the set. That’s my bet. Skip the TB.
This match. LOL. Sometimes I think Nadal does this on purpose.
Ok now, Rafa is 6-5 so please break Thiem’s serve again to take the set! Come on Rafa!!! Vamos!!!
Thiem is getting irritated.
mental difference in this match is massive
I’ll be shocked if Thiem can hold
Well. That was emphatic.
Rafa playing out of his mind at the moment.
What a winner BHDTL deuced it up.
Set point – geez. Thiem will wilt.
such a turnaround, and it was NEVER in doubt.
Here we go….
Thiem is too anxious to hold serve, poor kid. Such a mental disadvantage.
Rafa takes the third one. It is quite a ride. Rafa’s passion is like a teenager. I have to go to work now and I am already exhausted.
Rafa should not take the pedal off now. Theim can still make a comeback.
I stopped watching before Rafa got broken! I am so happy he finally won the set by breaking Theim!! Yeah!!
Still not watching, lol!!! Think he plays much better when im not!!
Theim’s stats are better than Rafa’s and yet Rafa is still up two sets to 1!!
If anyone ever wondered why Nadal has so many fans, that set should answer the question. He completely put the bagel out of his mind. It’s really quite fascinating.
Yep, thats y i fell in love with Rafa when i saw him play at RG when he won his first slam!! He was just awesome!!! Relinquishes nothing, gives u nothing!! It IS fascinating!
But that comes at a price, he gives me too much heartbreak, i cant take it, lol!!
rafatards out of their hideouts including their spiritual leader Cheryl Murray haha.
Their spiritual leader? hahahahaha. THat’s funny. You may all now call me Mother Cheryl. 😀
I’m just making an observation. Nothing “tard” about it. Federer and Djokovic (and Serena) are similarly capable of producing other-worldly tennis and whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Well, okay. Maybe not Djokovic so much, but I feel tennis fans are rather unfair about that.
Poor grassoat!…he’s still bitter bout Fed loss & start attacking our nice & knowledgable leader Cheryl…Keep doing it gg!!
I think the spectators enjoy watching this gladiatorial Rafa but his fans here, at least me here, really don’t like the way Rafa plays – serve shaky, losing serve so often; defensive in the first set to lose it meekly, as a result spending so much time and energy on court, etc. it’s his fighting spirit that’s still intact!
Nadal’s FHDTL is on fire. Very good because that is THE key shot against Delpo.
That’s a good point, Lucky. I was more referring to the casual fan. He does a spectacular job entertaining the viewing audience. I believe they think there is a possibility of a “great” (i.e. close) match when they tune in.
Thiem will get up 5-1 here and then lose it 7-5
That’s so cruel
dull standing 5 meters behind the baseline. thiem made some pure decisions, could’ve been leading 2:1. really hard to watch tennis where dulls wins with his style.
Please help it be a Delpo v Rafa SF…
It’s not at all surprising that Thiem’s stats are better so far. Thiem has simply played poorly in the few biggest moments, while Rafa has hung on throughout and then was tougher than Thiem when it really counted.
Shouldn’t be a surprise really… There’s good reason why 3 guys win like 98% of the majors!
Thiem still hanging in there.
The repeat of the 3rd sets??Thiem broke him early & choke to closing out the set?And Rafa take adv?I mean again?I’ll take it with this ‘Rafa’!…
Rafa is not helping himself, lost his serve so meekly after having BPs in Thiem’s service game. If this goes five sets, Delpo will be the one benefitting from this in the SF.
Rafa killing me slowly here!…
That was a lucky hold for Nadal. Thiem had chances there. Two shanked returns.
Come on Rafa! Please hold serve! Why every of your service game is such a torture!! You’re the world no.1, why serve so poorly?? How many times your serve has been broken?
Even if Rafa wins this, it’s even tougher road ahead facing Delpo in the SF. Delpo is not Thiem, he won’t give Rafa these chances to break serve!
Delpo had a long match in the heat of the day vs Isner. Didn’t Delpo start complaining of leg cramps? 3.5 hr. match.
Rafa has two days to recover if he wins this. Should be fine physically if he manages to pull this off. But that serve…
That was well done by Thiem to hold onto to that service game.
Rafa better finishes this in four sets; I think if this goes to five, Rafa will be the one running out of steam. I don’t think this is a high quality match, just some high quality in patches. Both are losing serves so often it’s ridiculous.
Yes, this match has been streaky. Sometimes great.
Oh no, Deja Vu. Thiem serving to stay in the match.
walking a tightrope
Oh God!U’re right Lucky!Every Rafa service game is TORTURED TO US!!…URGHHH!!….Chest hurt!!@#$%^&&***
MA, no worries. Thiem is mentally weak on most clutch moments.
Rafa will win the TB
Or win in the 5th set…
Btw..Miss u mucho RC!Hehehe..
xxoo 😘 MA!
XXOO back RC!!…
Ohh!..U still not sleepin’ yet RC??..Bout the TB,don’t know RC…Rafa not his usual self this USO…
I’m falling asleep, MA.
Vamos Rafa! in the 5th!
U’re not working tomorrow RC?
Sweet dreams k?Nitey nite!!
I think Rafa should stop going to the net…How many times he shanked easy ball at the nets!…I think he could finish this match early if he just a little bit aggressive…not FH BH,FH BH all the time…He just waiting for Thiem to makes mistakes…I can’t even remember he blast his FH DTL in the 4th sets..
I now declared Rafa officially out of contention for Trophy….RIP 18th slams![for now at least}…
Brain cramp from Rafa!!…God!…That hurts!!
I really give up. How many errors Rafa must hit!! Rafa is not going to win this, as Thiem looks the fitter player out there. I’m really very pissed with what I’ve watched so far. They’re killing each other for the benefit of Delpo!
I think it’ll be a Delpo vs Cilic or Delpo vs Djoko final. I can’t imagine how much Rafa’s game have deteriorated after Toronto! His serve is poor by any standard, esp for a world no.1.
And i officially done watching Rafa…
Nooooo not another five set loss at a major😭😭😭😭
If Thiem wins here, I’ve to thank him for putting us and Rafa out of miseries. This Rafa is really miserable for us to watch, fighting spirit regardless.
I mean what have his coaches done, to at least instill some belief in Rafa, or at least help him to improve that miserable serve! He’s taking so long to serve and is looking at the shot clock all the time instead of concentrating on serving a good first serve! That may be why he’s poor in his first serve% and he couldn’t win cheap points on his second serve because it has deteriorated from what it was last year.
Hang on you guys. This is what your man lives for! I can’t even tell you the feelings I’ve gone through watching this match here… The humidity is just sweltering. Dare I say the humidity in here is worse than it was during day session? Between the up and down emotional roller coaster of this match, and the oppressive humidity, i’ve Entered a state of delirium.
If I feel this way in the stands, I can’t imagine what these guys are feeling right now. It’s truly unfathomable. Although one could argue that Thiem should have won the match by now, he has earned my respect whatever the outcome here. I truly thought he would go away after failing to serve out the third set and losing it. But he fought. Against the toughest guy to fight against.
And as for Rafa, there’s nothing else to be said that hasn’t been said forever… The guy is just the best competitor. He’s upped his game at nearly all the biggest moments to stay in this match. I’m just blown away by these two guys…
Congrats on surviving such a hard fought match, Kevin. And thanks for the post to tell us what it was like on the front lines!
Don’t understand why such poor design for the roof, cutting off all the wind from the arena, it’s really torturing for those inside the arena in such conditions.
I won’t be surprised that Rafa and Djoko will lose here playing the night session, not unlike Fed. Djoko is also not a hard hitter so he also needs to do all the running and defending, not good under such conditions.
Rafa i dont think is the favorite anymore in the matches that go 5th set. His recent history is miserable
He’s going to lose this, having to serve from behind all the time. I really hate to see Rafa playing like crap like this, when he has so many chances of closing this match in four sets. His BP conversion was so poor,just like in the Basilashvili match; had his chances in Thiem’s first service game in the fourth set but chose to run all over the place to retrieve instead of be more aggressive with those BPs. I’m just fed up with the way he plays this match, worse than the Khachanov match!
Thiem has gone for broke and managed to land it in more often than not. It is rafas will which has kept him in this even now. Thiem deserves this but our guy has spoilt us by pulling victories from the jaws of defeat so many times
Thiem has 23 BH winners, and Rafa is still hitting to Thiem’s BH all night long; just like he did vs Basiliashvili. He didn’t learn any lesson from his previous match!
Thiem oh my.. what a beauty
And he said he wanna play aggressive…aggressive my a@$!!
Mira, I understand your frustration, me feeling the same way too. However, theres no need to be so angry now, Rafa wins in the end and that’s what matters! We finally have a Delpo vs Rafa SF, after all the doubts during the match, even though I don’t place much hope of this Rafa beating Delpo. Well, getting to the SF is still better than being stopped at the QF, I suppose.
Lucky!..I think we’re & Monalisa r the most passionate & outspoken Rafans on here!Hehehe….Can’t help it!!…Many times i telling my self not to posting anything coz it’s hard to hold myself back if circumstances like tonight arise…And i tend to lashed out my frustrations to Rafa…But,i failed everytime!….
And i wannna apologize to all Rafans for my passionate post & offended u guys with my words…I will try to be patient next time k?
Oh yeah!….Semis vs DelPo…Another torture session no doubt…Hehe..I gotta prepare myself!…Okay!Bring it on Rafa!!
another tie break
Oh wooooohoo vamoossssss to alll my fellow rafaans and i get to see him on friday liver😁😁😁🤣🤣🤣😨😊😨👀🙊✌🏿Yipppppeee
Credit to Rafa for fighting hard out there, even with such a crappy serve; has he been able to serve better, ie with a better serve, he won’t even need to fight so hard to win.
I really want to cry, for these two gladiators out there. Commies to Thiem, plays his heart out but loses. Big applause and standing ovations for Thiem! He really plays well esp with that serve of his.
Rafa escapes again! I think some of those spectators who are Rafa fans, almost suffer heart attack! They really suffer with Rafa!! We his fans suffer with him too!! Watching Rafa is no good for our hearts!
Rafa should’ve won this in four sets, beating Thiem in five sets really add on to the miseries Thiem already has after losing another five setter to Delpo last year when Thiem was two sets up!
Lucky, I agree with everything u say! But there must be a reason y Rafa’s serve is so poor. U can see him trying to serve well but he just cant seem to deliver. But at least he lives to fight another day!
Commies to Theim, he did give a good account of himself! He gave it his all only to still come up short. There’s no doubt he has a great future before him!
From here on now, im just going to take one game at a time, no expectations! But it would be great for Rafa to at least make the finals!
I am a huge Rafa fan and see every single Rafa fan on here is the same. We have zero faith in our guy for every close match he gets into. We would love to see him fire 135 mph aces like in 2013 which somehow he chooses not to.. Watching him run around every single point / every close service game / every set makes our hearts ready to explode. And I reply to this post of a true Rafan.. oh atleast the finals pls. Like we wouldnt want him to win if the got there.. “Please please survive this and make it to 18”.. Can hear a million fans screaming inside their heads just the same.
I have long stopped watching Rafas match. I need to give him 5 hours before I can even check the scores.. End up somehow googling every point. and stopped that and came here to see how our co fans are doing. Certainly doesnt help .. Oh poor serve.. oh running around.. oh damn service games… Certainly doesnt help the heart..
Live to see another day.. and my prayers for Rafa to scrape through.
how many died here of heart attack ? 🙂
I honestly could not watch after the third set! I watched scores instead, and it was still horrible experience! Talking about going down to the wire!
#GOAT
#NID
thiem should’ve taken this in 4 really, he can only blame himself for the loss. dull has his template of play that works against one handed bhs + moonballs + retrieve all + run like a rabbit even with your ‘injured’ knee. an epitome of anti-tennis; hope rafatrads are happy.
anyway, dull needs to go through delpo and most likely djokovic if he wants the trophy. i don’t think even dull himself believes he can achieve that.
did you eat the grass from the court 1 that fed lost at wimby qf? Hope it satiated you and filled your stomach?
you have to address fed as ‘your highness’ – you indians should know that too well.
haha..showed your class..rascist pig 🙂
watch your mouth indian brother 🙂
Ricky you should block this guy for that comment.
Btw I’m referring to grassgoat @ 6:35 am
Now we have a racist as well as two homophobes…
I agree with Benny. It’s time to get rid of this troll. There should be no place for racist comments of any kind here.
racistgoat probably voted for trump.
Nah, too stupid to vote.
(As usual, Big Al has no idea what point he’s trying to make at 3:20pm.)
Ricky and Cheryl please block rubbishgoat for his racist remarks to sanju!
racistgoat is upset Pederer can no longer enhance his performance to mask his age.
Ricky should ban racistgoat.
Tough match, great fight. Passion and hunger that Rafa shows is unreal.
He is not doing anything tomorrow for sure. Well deserved 2 days break for Rafa now. He never needed it more.
lot of ice bath n massage needed for sure
What a match! High respect and admiration for these two greats! Thiem played the best GS match I have ever seen him play, and Rafa, Gosh, he truly is the greatest of all times! One would think that after losing the first set being clearly outplayed and not feeling well on the court he would give up and let it go! But no! Rafa fought like a lion out there and I have nothing but love and admiration for his tremendous efforts and never give up attitude! Something in Rafa’s attitude and his body language made me believe until the end!
I am proud, more proud than ever to be Rafa fan! He truly is unique!
Vamosssss Champ!
Rafa all the way to final.
if Nole is on the other side, 50:50 chance.
any other opponent in final, 4th USO for Rafa, there is no other player capable to match Rafa on BO5 except Nole.
doubt he will have it easy against Delpo esp after the 13.5 hours on court past 3 matches..
Sanju, Rafa has played 11 hours and 7 minutes before this QF; this QF is 4 hours and 48 mins long, so he has played 15 hours and 55 mins, almost 16 hours already!!
Delpo has played 12 hours and 15 mins so far, so there’s a difference of 3.75 hours between the two. Fortunately there’s a two days break till the SF on Friday, and the conditions on Friday is not so harsh according to the forecast.
I hope Rafa is not physically hampered by this almost five hours match, and can bring his best level when facing Delpo. Delpo is another big server and hard hitter and he’s mentally strong, unlike Thiem, so Rafa really really must come out all guns blazing, and not let his opponent dictate. I hate those matches when Rafa was so nervous and ended up letting his opponents dictate from the get go – QF at RG vs Schwartzman; SF at Toronto vs Cilic, R3 vs Khachanov and QF here vs Thiem.
Hope not another round of suffering for us his fans on Friday!
Sounds like this match was right up there with the Delpo/Nadal one at Wimby.Didnt see it,too late in the UK
I only caught the final TB. That was enough to just about kill me!
But grats to the diehard Rafans here! Our guy lives to fight another day! AND he’s got two days to recover. To quote MA: WOOOHOOOO!
I set my dvr, I went to sleep. I woke up at 1 am. I stayed in bed, fighting myself, trying to get back to sleep. Gave it up at 1:15. The usual siren song, maybe it’s all over, no sense lying here…Score check. Gahhhhh! And Rafa lost the first set at love?!?!? Oh, what’s the use?!? Even if he wins he’ll be chopped liver for DelPo! But Rafa does not think about that. Sufficient for the day… And he fights, and never asks why. Because the fight is all that matters. Put one more ball inside. That’s it. Just one more ball. One more match. Life is a fight. If you can’t give it your very best you give it the best you’ve got. Everything you’ve got. It is what it is. But today gallant young Thiem “died” and Rafa was there to console him with promises of great victories to come. Someday. Just not today.
And that’s why Rafa’s matches were often so exciting, so torturing (if you’re his fan) and so nail biting that you have to watch till the very end to know the result oh so often!
The commentators said that Rafa had played in 17 matches that were more than 4 hours long, my goodness! No wonder he’s called the gladiator, many times he’s not playing that well but just fought all the way to snatch victories in the end.
@ luckystar
One needs to be a masochist to be a Rafan! I’ve lost count of the number of matches when he has snatched the win from the jaws of death – even when he’s been crippled with pain.
I often think of a comment he made many years ago ‘it is the fear of losing which drives him on more than the desire to win’
Kuddos to those who endured the whole match, another epic battle for the history books.
I didn’t watch myself, partly because of the time difference and partly because I knew it was going to be too close for comfort.
Well done Rafa!!!
and Thiem is such a classy guy, he’s shaping up as Rafa’s replacement once he retires.
There are several things to tale from this match:
In crucial moments Rafa served big more than often! It proves he is not that nervous as we may think and that his serve is not that bad as stated here!
Rafa started poorly, complained about conditions…Serena also was behind in the 1st set. But they were both able to recovet and get back on truck!
Thiem played some amazing points, gave it his all, but so did Rafa! They both had beautiful shots, outlasting each other, one outsmarts other, great tennis overall! Although I hated Thiem for his perfect points in clutch moments I know I must credit his amazing performance and gut to keep challenging Nadal!
Although this kind of match is taxing on Rafa’s body and may affect his fragile knees, this was highly needed for Rafa to fine tune his forehead and to prepare mentally for Delpo. It will bring confidence and belief, much needed for what is to come! Rafa breaking the curse of losing five-set showdown is important for Rafa’s positive mindset.
I kept saying Delpo will be the biggest threat for Rafa but now after seeing this match I am more convinced Rafa will be able to handle Delpo and will emerge victorious!
Vamos Champ!
Sorry for the typos: “to TAKE” from this match; to RECOVER”, back on TRACK”’; this is what sleepless night does to me…
But I am happy I stayed up the whole night! This match certainly belongs in history books!
Say that for Novak too natashao 🙂
I’ve just seen some very good, long highlights.. what a gruelling match, the fitness level of these guys is just out of this world. How could they hit the ball like that on the 5th set is beyond me!
Yeah, I asked myself the same question while watching the match. People here kept saying either should drop in level but they simupersisted serving us the treats of some of the most amazing performances…and those who may think it was not a high quality match should watch the reply and then comment…
Well it depends on whats the definition of ‘high quality’! The first set, was it high quality when Rafa was bageled? High quality from Thiem but poor by Rafa.
They kept losing serve and Rafa even lost his serve after breaking serve, and Thiem lost his serve and his nerve when serving to stay in set two. They played ok imo, not really high quality.
Its only when both were desparate to win the match, or survived in the match that they produced some high quality tennis. This match had so many ups and downs, as I said, its high quality but in patches.
PS. A high quality match throughout its duration is something like that Rafa/Verdasco 2009 match; or the Fed/Djoko 2011 FO match, or the Rafa/Djoko 2013 FO match for examples imo.
This was a great tennis match, and a fantastic win for Nadal. He played the big points better, and also took advantage of some tight play from Thiem in crucial moments. The 5th set was awesome, and I thought Rafa played his best tennis in it. He served well, hit the ball deep, and didn’t give up even after making that atrocious volley at the end of the 4th set.
All kudos to Thiem for playing, for the most part, a great match. No doubt he could and perhaps should have won in 4 sets, but he didn’t. Match point pretty much summed it up. Thiem hit two shots that would have been winners against most players, but both came back and Thiem finally missed.
Is there anyone here who still thinks that Nadal is injured? There was absolutely no sign of it, imo. If he’s healthy and plays like he did in the 5th set, he can beat delpo, though it will be very close.
Joe, I agree with your analysis! I also think this was a high quality match with both of them producing some of the best tennis! Thiem in the set 1, both Rafa and Thiem in set 5!
I do not think Rafa is injured, but you know how it is with his fragile knees: they act up under stress and longer matches do contribute to it. The problem is that Rafa is so afraid of getting injured that even a small physical distress create doubts in Rafa’s mind and lead to loss of focus, which all affect first his serve and then his forehands – his strongest weapon.
Nats, I think you’re right that there’s a close connection between Nadal’s physical and mental state, especially given his well-founded fear of injury. Maybe that’s true for all players, but it seems especially true in his case.
However, Rafa was incredibly mentally tough in the 5th. (I actually thought Thiem was, too; he didn’t crack.) He must have been so deflated after missing that easy volley at the end of the 4th that would have given him match point, and I think it did affect him for a bit at the beginning of the 5th. But he pulled it all together and actually, somehow, started playing his best tennis of the match.
Yep, true indeed! After terrible miss at the net of that what was supposed to be the match point I honestly expected Rafa to be discouraged and to start making more errors. But he so proved me wrong, thank Goodness! Whatsmore, the expression of his face showed that he was ready to leave it all behind and start over in the 5th. Incredible mental toughness in the 5th set! But Thiem was amazing too, especially when fighting off those break points and serving big in crucial moments! Most of the points in the 5th from both ends were just WOW!
I thought Rafa would lose after losing the 4th set tie-break. But he fought thru the end.
Same here, after he lost the fourth set, those five sets losses at USO 2015/2016 started coming back to my mind. I was really worried that he would lose this match and then his confidence would take a beating and a huge step back. Thank goodness, this time round he won, it’s like a mental battle conquered.
I think its a myth that he loses five-setters. He won good matches in AO2017, Wimbledon 2018 and here as well.
His serve is a worry for me always. He should work that out in off-season. I think Theim will be a very good player on HC, he already is great on clay.
But DelPo is a tougher test. I dont see Rafa winning that honestly. I never thought Rafa would beat Theim this tme around but he proved me wrong. I hope he proves me wrong twice.
But at least fans would remain interested in that high-profile encounter.
Sad I missed this match but I was so tired last night and had to go to sleep early for my 8 am class. Anyways…. WHAT A MATCH 😱
I missed it too because it started around 2am British time!
I just saw some highlights…what was up with rafa in the first set?? He was scarcely moving..just vaguely hovering around the baseline!
Very proud of him but he has to step it up to play Delpo!
Amy, Rafa said it was the conditions that caused his first set setback. Certainly was terrible for us watching the match to see Rafa hopeless like that. Thiem OTOH was simply amazing and should be given a credit for flawless performance in the 1st set.
Serena also suffered a slow start and was down a break, so I’d say conditions were unbearable for those players “of older” type.
I agree though that Rafa can not afford such a slow start vs Delpo. Rafa should not allow Delpo to get too confident and too comfortable in the match. Must ssy that Rafa already raises his level during this match! If he replicated his game from the fifth set he should be fine! It’s gonna be another tough match but I hope Rafa recovers physically and mentally for it!
Thanks Natashao!!
I really hope the conditions improve for the Delpo match…Delpo seemed not so phased by them against isner?!
Rafa has 2 days off so he should be fine physically!
Thanks Natashao I am relieved by what you say!😀
Amy,
Humidity is way worse during night sessions. During daylight it’s hot but not as humid. Hopefully the conditions improve for Friday. Do you think Rafa will be scheduled for daily session on Friday? Not sure which is his preference now…
He has now played shaky both at day and night…so not sure. I hope he gets the day session as vs delpo he will need his sun to rock his fh. Novak cilic n Rafa delpo are both high profile . Final is at 5 pm day time so day sessions are better. Yes unfortunately cooler next few days but prefer it hotter as Novak will thrive in cooler conditions . First semi means more time to recover for semi. Rafa may ask for day session.
Natashao ratings will decide I would imagine and that means rafa Delpo will be the night session!!
I believe that the weather is supposed to be cool off in NY over the next few days?
Rafa broke a streak by losing the first set 6-0, but going on to win the match. ESPN came up with the stat that no
player ever won after that start. Because there is no one like Rafa!
I just hope Rafa can be ready for the semifinal.
That streak is true for quarter finals only.
Rafa would be ready.
Yes that is true about being for quarterfinals. still very impressive.
Didn’t Rafa lose the first set 0-6 to Fed in the 2006 RG final?
2006 Wimbledon final, not RG. RG2006, he lost the first set 1-6.
2006 French Open Final, Federer also took the first set 6-1 before losing the next three sets 1, 4 and 6(4).
Hey Hawks! All Rafans for that matter…
You know Rafa won because of the positive vibes I promised I’d send, right? 😉😉
Although admittedly, there were a few too many times where I worried that my positive vibes were backfiring! 😂
He raises his game when he needs to. That was the common thread last night.
It’s got him this far but he will have to proactively find that level consistently instead of waiting to fall behind like he did several times last night and previous rounds.
Were you there Kevin? It seemed a little cooler than the night before when Fed lost.
Well Kevin what were you doing the first set?! Where was the diversion you promised then??!
Amy,
The first set was over before I could even prepare to run on court haha. And then once Rafa held serve to start the 2nd, I just knew deep down that a diversion wouldn’t be needed. I know Rafa too well, and I’ve seen the “Lost Gen facing a Big 4 at a Major” movie too many times.
In all seriousness, though, Thiem definitely acquitted himself after choking away the 3rd set. He arguably should have won the match in 4, but what we saw last night is just what happens when you face Rafa at a major, especially with court conditions that favor Rafa so much.
That’s why I still feel confident about Rafa winning this tournament. This might be the most suiting hard court for Rafa I’ve ever seen. It’s just so hard to put him away, and you’re not going to out-grind Rafa on a slow/high bouncing hard court, except for maybe top-form Djokovic.
I personally don’t see Del Po beating Rafa because the conditions are just too slow for that. Rafa will get everything back that Del Po gives him, and Del Po’s lack of backhand equals disaster against Rafa on a slow court.
I’m not suggesting that guys like Thiem, Del Po, Cilic, etc. can’t beat Rafa on a slow hard court- it’s just very unlikely, and Rafa would have to collapse so significantly and we just don’t see that these days.
Ok Kevin you are forgiven!! Only temporarily mind… think of it as being on probation!
I was thinking about the match with Delpo this afternoon and I agree that the slowness of the court won’t suit him. How fast was the court playing in 2009 when he won btw? I never saw that tourney but the court was surely much faster then.
It’s pretty much the case that Delpo was playing with much more favourable court conditions at wimby and rafa won that one. But I feel rafa was playing better then but I still think he will raise his level for Delpo.
The person the court conditions suit the most is Nole! But hell let’s wait and see if rafole actually get to meet. The one person I don’t want in the final is the Nazi hugger!!
Amy-
I don’t want any hugger of Nazis sinning anything! I’m headed back to Ashe in a little bit to watch Kei vs. Cilic. I’m really excited because I am a HUGE fan of Kei! In my opinion, when Kei is on, he is the most exciting player to watch… I just love that ultra-aggressive baseline game that he displays when he’s on. He’s so fast around the court, he hits hard penetrating ground strokes, and he’s smaller which makes it even more incredible. I just believe he’s the most exciting baseliner.
From time to time I love to re-watch the 2014 US Open semi of Kei vs. Novak, and it just BLOWS MY MIND. If Kei were ever able to recapture the form he showed during that run to the Final, and then somehow manage to not be totally drained for the Final, he could win a major. That run was amazing- he beat Raonic in a 5 setter in 4th round. Then beat defending AO champ Stan in 5 setter in the QF. And then beat the defending Wimby champ and world #1 Novak in 4 I’m the semis. And we all know what 3 matches in a row of that caliber does to Kei- he’s too physically fragile. And it makes me sad, because I think he could have at very least competed well with Cilic for that title, but he was completely spent. And I also must admit that the Nazi Hugger was on fire.
Anyway, I am really pulling for Kei today… Cilic should probably be at least slightly favored, but I’m not so sure because Cilic said in his presser that this court just doesn’t suit his game at all compared to how it pre-2017. Kei on the other hand is great on slower courts. So maybe Kei can get the upset? I certainly hope so!
And to answer your question about the court speed in 2009- yes, if would much faster than it is now. The general consensus amongst the players and pundits is that this is the slowest hard court anyone has ever seen at a major, between AO and USO. The courts here were historically slow last year, too, but they took it another step this year. The tournament director was talking about it the other day. He says they packed a lot onto the court, thus making it very slow, because they believe it will be better for actual physical longevity of the court surface.
Kevin i have a sneaky feeling Kei is going to beat the Nazi hugger! I really hope so. He was brilliant against kygrios at wimby getting almost every serve back.it was a great performance on return and I definitely think he can take the NH down today. I am not as big a fan as you are but i completely agree that if he wasn’t so frail physically he would have won a major.
Go Kei!!!☺
Ps have a lovely time Kevin!
Just to let you know that you are forgiven for letting rafa lose the first set!
Kevin your confidence on Rafa is good to hear. Hope it all comes true. God bless Rafa
You all forget about the weather conditions! It’s not just the court but the weather, it’s hot and humid out there that’s why it’s the survival of the fittest.
I actually don’t think they slowed down the court this year, perhaps it’s the humidity in the air that slows down everything. The ball absorbs the moisture in the air, so it’s heavier, bounces higher when being hit hard but travels slower through the air.
The higher bouncing conditions may be favorable to Rafa, but Rafa is affected by the high humidity more than the other players as he’s one who perspires heavily, so may feel fatigue more easily than under normal conditions. Even Fed and Djoko are/were affected by the conditions badly and they are two of the fittest guys around.
Just reading BG. He is saying fifth set was exceptional level of tennis. Rafa just needs to bring that form on friday.
Damn exhausted just following this match this morning. Went to the gym and could barely get my day’s workout done. I have no idea how these guys wake up the next morning and not feel drained. I pray Rafa gets to his 18th and possibly get to 20 soon enough.
They do feel drained. But they also know how to recover. Read Rafa’s book, the part about waking up the next day after his AO 2009 match with Verdasco. He spent a day and a half in recovery mode and was convinced there was no way he could put up any kind of fight in the final vs Federer. Dizzy, cramping, couldn’t run, couldn’t move…
yes. Its unbelievable he would have the heart and mind to get on out there for another grind with Del Potro. Two days should give him better chances and I hope one more recovery takes him through to take the title. As much as I hope and pray Rafa gets to his 18th I am certain each one of these guys deserve it if they got there. Like Thiem would have certainly deserved it too.. But one difference with guys like Rafa or Fed or Djokovic over the rest of the pack is that they follow up with these matchces with wins 9 out of 10 times and thats super impressive.
PK, good point about Rafa, Fed and Djoko. I doubt Thiem could put up a good fight against Delpo in the SF had he won this QF. He had not proven that he could do that whilst the big three had done it time and again.
That semi-final between Rafa and Verdasco will live forever in my mind as the most tense, nerve racking match I think I’v ever sat through. And I’ve endured plenty of those in the 15 years I’ve been a Rafan 😉
Hey kev am at the open too. Watching keu cilic😁
Nishikori levels it😁 coming to yesterdays match, there was a nice candid moment when rafa mentioned that the three missed bp chances in the fifth set “broked” his heart😁
It was an absolute delight, sitting here in Mallorca, to witness this man grab another victory when he was under the cosh. Rafa’s been shaky and inconsistent but he has played some awesome tennis too. First serve is in my opinion the biggest liability and the potential roadblock to a 4th USO title.
The two days’ rest is a huge blessing and he’ll be recovered for a huge battle against Delpo. I pick Rafa to win in 4 sets again but totally aware of Delpo’s potential here.
Good luck to Rafa and a shout out to all the tenngranders who know me (esp LS and NNY who left messages on the previous page).
Hey VR. You’re missed heee buddy!
Don’t know where his first serve went. Might be physical.
Also his confidence is all over the place.
Djoko looking really good. His to win unless Rafa can raise his consistency.
Slow court advantage Nole.
VR,
I love hearing from you. I know I keep saying it, but I do miss our tennis discussions. I love my fellow posters here who I have gotten to know in cyberspace and respect so much.
Without saying more, I think you know what I mean. Your good common sense about dealing with the pettiness that sometimes comes up on a forum, having my back when I was up against it. You are the best.
Loved hearing your thoughts on Rafa. I tried to stay up, but when it went to a fifth set I had to turn in. But I did wake up a little later to see that they were still playing! I saw the end sbd just could not believe it.
I do agree about Rafa’s serve. It is a real liability and is hurting him in these kinds of tough matches. Shaky and inconsistent for sure! But also some truly brilliant shot making.
Two days rest is s Godsend.
Lucky: just thinking,on this hypothetical fast grass,a lot of players might be able to serve very well but what about the rest of their game ?Most of them would struggle on their groundstrokes with the low bounce.How many titles would the likes of Nadal,Djoko etc have?
Big Al, watch Stith and Krajchek, did they really need too much of their ground strokes when they’d their big serve?
Anti Rafa or anti Djoko Fed supporters always argue that Rafa and Djoko won’t be able to win Wimbledon should the grass there be fast and low bouncing. They forget that the two are all time greats, highly adaptable, so low bouncing or high bouncing grass, fast or slow grass, they will adapt to win.
So is Fed.
Fed v Djoko or Rafa on fast 90s grass , who would win,I wonder?
Then,whoever won that ,would still have to beat the likes of Roddick or Berdych who are nowhere near as adaptable as the all time greats and not great returners of serve ,as they’d need to be…
Big Al, they all could win, it’s a matter of more or less. And Roddick, Berdych or Cilic might have won one or two too. With their serves, they didn’t need to rely on their ROS, whilst the big three might need their ROS more dealing with the big servers, so it’s advantage big servers/hitters.
Not to mention Ivo who won on serve alone in 2001, but of course everybody knows that 2001 marked the beginning of the Weak Era.
Bien sur!
I think Rafa will beat Delpo. The 2 days rest is golddust. Delpo has had easy opponents thus far. Rafa will be a big step up in class for him.
Though, I just don’t see how Rafa will possibly beat Novak with his current serve. Novak will hit a lot of return winners.
He won’t get past Delpo if he doesn’t improve his serve AND play consistently well, not just when he’s behind.
He can’t donate the first set or let his level drop when he has a lead like he’s done throughout the tournament, particularly vs Thiem.
That said, I think he’ll make it to the Final.
test
DelPo has been sailing thru .Somehow Rafa needs to start well. I thought Theim was a 50-50 match. But if DelPo match turns out to be a 50-50 match then Delpo would be favored as he is more fresh.
I liked Rafa do S&V . I think he can float an outwide serve to DelPo BH on Adcourt and try this tactic out. Also, I guess drop shot will be out against DelPo to test his movement. One thing I did not see from Rafa was the variety he showd in Wimby.
With everything said, I think DelPo is slight favorite as he loves playing in New York. Hope I am proved wrong here.