2017 Brisbane International. ATP 250. (Jan 1st-8th)

[AceSalvo]

Nadal seems to own the H2H against Fed (skewed by clay) but Nadal lost in the Brisbane QF to a MUG. Nadal also owns the H2H against the MUG.

Any thoughts H2H experts?

Note: Nadal will never reach another GS final even though he owns the H2H against Fed. Dont ask me why since its "complicated".

 

[LETitBE]

The truth is obvious.....

the truth IS maaaan!and we've seen it here again tonight

 

[Meles]

Awake already?

Not a loss for MyLoss! Looking forward to his semi with Grigolo

Unfortunately after 2 hours of sleep. RaoMug spoiling the plot again, but perhaps he'll be the one who wins Auz. Zverev not so bad now, eh?

 

[Noleberic123]

Not sure you ever tried. But Nadal now is a BAD player. End of story. 3rd-4th round in AO if lucky. Not more.

I have.

Whos your favourite player?

 

[Rafa the King]

If this was a 5-setter, what do you guys reckon would have happened?

 

[Tatenda]

#BrisbaneTennis
@ BrisbaneTennis
11m
#Raonic now moves to 2-6 lifetime against #Nadal . "I'm trying to figure out how to get an ace on each point," he says #BrisbaneTennis

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Hey now, I'm sure you enjoyed this match as well. Some of your favourite matches all have Nadal in them! That makes you one of us, yay!

i haven't watched him playing for a very very long time... it was boring and it wasn't good for my health
ok ok... strictly speaking, you got me: i happen to watch the highlights of the matches where he gets butchered

for instance, if you feel depressed in a gloomy winter day, the AO 2008 is a highly advisable antidote !
let's say it's like a "TUE" for me

but i'm still able to appreciate a tasty result on the scoreboard when i see one...

 

[LETitBE]

If this was a 5-setter, what do you guys reckon would have happened?

he would have lost the 4th 6-2 or 6-1 he was gassed

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

So Milos will probably take the title again and not win anything else for the rest of the year.

LOL, you better watch out, MILOS has just begun. When he adds ST PETERSBURG to his Brisbane title (alongside ok-ish results at those Slam tournaments or whatever they are called) he will dethrone Novak and become #2. BEST EVER #2 of course.

Also, a fun fact that indicates that Brisbane is in trouble:

Pacific Coast Championships tournament was founded in 1889 and lasted for an incredible 124 years. When MILOS won three consecutive titles in 2011-13, they just decided to abolish the tournament because there was no point of it being held anymore. MILOS was just too good.

 

[Noleberic123]

I was always a fan of Nadal. But he is gone forever. Should have retired right after RG 2014.

Just enjoy watching him play from now on.

 

[Meles]

Nadal seems to own the H2H against Fed (skewed by clay) but Nadal lost in the Brisbane QF to a MUG. Nadal also owns the H2H against the MUG.

Any thoughts H2H experts?

Note: Nadal will never reach another GS final even though he owns the H2H against Fed. Dont ask me why since its "complicated".

Raodick's return game has gotten much better in the last year or so. He may not look or play the same, but his stats are like Roddick the latter half of his career. Raonic has a much better first return than Roddick which gives him a more balanced return game. Raonic can get hot on return for a couple games and blow a match open by going up a break.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Just enjoy watching him play from now on.

He'll win 1 more RG and retire with 15 slams and that-s it

 

[Sysyphus]

Excellent etude for the best student of the game

 

[Terenigma]

If this was a 5-setter, what do you guys reckon would have happened?

 

[mike danny]

I think what this match proves is that you can't take anything from an exhibition tournament.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Yeah yeah, easy to talk about a corpse. If you want to see what is prime Nadal against prime Raonic watch Montreal 2013. Beating him today is nothing special to even be mentioned. To beat Thiem is a bigger achievement. And Raonic's serve is not an excuse, that two games on serve...

Prime Raonic before 2016 is an exaggeration. He improved from the ground considerably since that Montreal final. 2016 Peaknic would probably lose it 4-6 5-7.

 

[Tatenda]

If this was a 5-setter, what do you guys reckon would have happened?

I am not sure but I am thinking Rafa sometimes needs to just focus on holding his own serve only before anything else against players like raonic

I think this was a lesson for Rafa , u play 2 bad service games and that's the match

next time he will be readt

 

[Meles]

Knew i'd wake up either to @Meles gloating or Grigolo having been goating. Supremely pleased it turned out to be the latter

Vamónos, amigos!! Friscalating stuff.

@Meles still gloating. Thiem is reinvigorated and played quite well for much of the match.

 

[Noleberic123]

He'll win 1 more RG and retire with 15 slams and that-s it

I wouldn't be surprised

 

[The Green Mile]

What a ridiculous match that was, between Rafa and Milos. From some of the lowest lows in that 1st, but especially 2nd set, to the highest of highs.

Milos executing poorly and struggling to string a couple of good points together, until that 3-4 game. Lol, what a turnaround. Raised his level tenfold. Amazing win for the Canadian. No chance for Rafa on return after 3-4, 2nd set.

 

[Sartorius]

If this was a 5-setter, what do you guys reckon would have happened?

Tough to say as Raonic could have faltered and Nadal still looks good enough to take advantage of that, but it also looked like Nadal needed to catch a second wind.

 

[Sysyphus]

@Meles still gloating. Thiem is reinvigorated and played quite well for much of the match.

Yea, I shoulda known...

 

[SpinToWin]

Unfortunately after 2 hours of sleep. RaoMug spoiling the plot again, but perhaps he'll be the one who wins Auz. Zverev not so bad now, eh?

Dislike both of them, and I'm not one for relativism I'm afraid

 

[Tiki-Taka]

How was the match? Did Nadal's level drop or was Raonic too good?

 

[mike danny]

How was the match? Did Nadal's level drop or was Raonic too good?

Generally those 2 are not mutually exclusive.

For a player's level to rise, the other player's level has to drop.

 

[SQA333]

How was the match? Did Nadal's level drop or was Raonic too good?

Both. Rafa dropped his level and Milos took advantage. Shocked him at the start of the 3rd with an early break.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

We have nadalfan2017 now.

More speeches on Rafa's beauty and humbleness incoming!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

How was the match? Did Nadal's level drop or was Raonic too good?

absolute peak bull, but the field is catching up.



happens.

 

[The Green Mile]

How was the match? Did Nadal's level drop or was Raonic too good?

Definitely Raonic raising his level. So amazing to watch. Here I was, thinking to myself, "typical disappointing Raonic match against a top defender, crappy execution on first stike and finishing shots." A bit harsh probably, but I really wanted a more competitive match.

Then Milos just takes over. Shades of Roddick vs Nadal Miami 2010 slightly, though Milos more dominant after their return game that changed the dynamic of their match....

 

[Tatenda]

He will not. He can't beat Raonic, how do you expect him to beat Djokovic?

come on this was nadal first tournament back for months
at least give him some time to really judge who can or can't beat

and by the way raonic is really good tennis player

 

[SpinToWin]

Yea, I shoulda known...

Hopeless optimist that one

 

[mike danny]

Raonic does have a pretty nasty draw. If he wins this title beating Nadal, Grigolo and Nishikori in a row, hats off to him.

 

[SQA333]

Raonic does have a pretty nasty draw. If he wins this title beating Nadal, Grigolo and Nishikori in a row, hats off to him.

Grigolo is an easy opponent for him.

 

[JonnyMac]

@Meles still gloating. Thiem is reinvigorated and played quite well for much of the match.

Wow missed that, DIM won !

Hmm....SpaceBoy incoming .....

 

[mike danny]

Grigolo is an easy opponent for him.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Grigolo seems (for now) to have found a bit of a 2nd wind. The Grigolo of last year would have lost to Thiem today.

Raonic won't find it easy tomorrow.

 

[Sysyphus]

Hopeless optimist that one

haha, he makes Pollyanna look clinically depressed

 

[SQA333]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Grigolo seems (for now) to have found a bit of a 2nd wind. The Grigolo of last year would have lost to Thiem today.

Raonic won't find it easy tomorrow.

I don't trust Dimitrov to hold his level for tomorrow especially facing the barrage of serves.

 

[mike danny]

I don't trust Dimitrov to hold his level for tomorrow especially facing the barrage of serves.

Me neither. But I don't think Raonic will sleepwalk through him either.

Dimitrov does have wins (or a win) over Raonic, so it's not like beating Raonic is mission impossible.

 

[The Green Mile]

Fun first "official" match of the year for me. Haven't had the chance to watch anything before that.

Rafa played quite good IMO, returning the 2nd serve very well, effective serving of his own. The forehand penetrating, and using the whole court to his advantage. By far the better player before 3-4, 2nd set. The great neutralizer keeping Milos in the 2nd set, by the skin of his teeth.

I usually wouldn't be talking about a match this much after it's finished, but it's just been too long. Looking forward to the 2017 season.

 

[wy2sl0]

Man, that inside out forehand (Raonic) has got to be one of the most deadly shots in tennis. No one hits it that consistent with that crazy of an angle, especially considering it is mostly flat.
Huge weapon.
Good to see him improving still. This past year he has actually become a Top 5 player.

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

Pacific Coast Championships tournament was founded in 1889 and lasted for an incredible 124 years. When MILOS won three consecutive titles in 2011-13, they just decided to abolish the tournament because there was no point of it being held anymore. MILOS was just too good.

Maybe that explains why he decided not to win any Slams yet. Tennis would take a miiiinor step back if those tournaments got abolished.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

@Aussie Darcy tournament thread breaks ahead of the Doha tournament thread and we still have a Nadal match to go in QFs.

I am the GOAT at threads
Nah but I'm so devastated Nadal lost BUT got to see him in the hallway and he smiled, so I'm pleased. I'm wanting Stan or Dimitrov to win the title now. Don't care much for Raonic. Nishikori would be ok but I'd rather see Stan or Dimitrov hold the trophy.

 

[LETitBE]

any stats? please

 

[jaggy]

Major kudos to Oh Canada, I didnt think he would win that one.

 

[tennisaddict]

Nadal had to wear a mouth guard. This guy wears it because he grinds his teeth. There's a big difference. Nadal does't wear it anymore. This guy wears it even when he sleeps LOL.

Man, you really want to ground yourself to death here..

 

[The Green Mile]

any stats? please

From what I can remember

Milos had 23 aces, 50 winners, 35 UEs, 25 of 39 net points, 61% 1st serve in

Rafa around early 70s for 1st serve, 4 aces, 0 DFs, 19 UEs and 19 winners, 7 of 7 net points, 1 of 7 BPs won.

 

[LETitBE]

From what I can remember

Milos had 23 aces, 50 winners, 35 UEs, 25 of 39 net points, 61% 1st serve in

Rafa around early 70s for 1st serve, 4 aces, 0 DFs, 19 UEs and 19 winners, 7 of 7 net points, 1 of 7 BPs won.

thanks

 

[Terenigma]

thanks

If you go here: http://www.flashscore.com/tennis/ and click on any of the matches, it brings up a sub-menu which has stats, set scores ect ect

Raonic v Nadal stats here: http://www.flashscore.com/match/jscs13lR/#match-statistics;0

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

 

[bjk]

Dimitrov wins again. He's looking very strong, has beaten Johnson and Thiem. Dimitrov is hitting his drive backhand with lots of confidence and his slice is much better than Thiem's, Thiem really needs a decent slice backhand so he doesn't have to stand 15 feet behind the baseline all the time. At this point Thiem's game is way too physically demanding, every point is a marathon. He needs to slice more, stand closer to the baseline, hit on the rise, otherwise he'll be a clay court specialist. Other than Acapulco and Stuttgart, his other five tournament wins came on clay. As he gets older and slows down, he won't be able to track down all those balls like he does now. Dimitrov could win the Australian, he's looking very good.