Goran vs Fed match are you feeling it!

[Kobble]

I hope it is televised, because it has a great chance of happening. Goran claims his serve will never be what it once was, but I just want to see Federer try to get his racquet on those serves. I have seen Goran watch players with his periferal vision, and when he sees them cheat one way he goes another. I wonder what he will do against Fed if he gets the chance?

[sseemiller]

I wonder what Nadal will do against Fed if he gets the chance? I saw a bit of it last week, but it was doubles, so it really didn't count.

Nadal will have his hands full with Goran, but I'm hoping he gets through . . . .

[@wright]

I think Fed would be the one to slay Goran's giant serve. Federer is such an incredible returner, he'll probably be slapping them back for routine winners because of his timing.

[sseemiller]

Okay, Alan, what do you want to bet that Nadal will be the one to slay Goran's serve?

Dinner at the next tournament we jointly attend!

[sliceroni]

Goran vs Federer would be sweet! Definitely a match for the ages. Doubt it would be televised though.

[Kevin Patrick]

I'd rather see Nadal vs. Fed. I've seen enough Goran since 1990, & I'm still pissed espn didn't air the Hewitt-Nadal Aussie Open match.

[James Brown]

id like to see nadal play,hes 17, im 17, i havent see him play (caught the tail end of him vs el aynaoui at the us open i think it was),it would be amusing...but the novelty will wear off. His game isnt anything new. Its the same baseline bashing garbage, without the federer shotmaking, and hes a lefty.

[sseemiller]

I think Nadal will prove you wrong, James. You should see him play doubles. He can volley, as well as bash the stuffing out of the ball. The mighty Fed himself said he was surprised at how good Tommy and Rafael are in doubles. Hey they are No. 7 in the Champions' Race, and on their way to Houston (or so we joke).

Of course their game plan against Federer/Allegro was simple -- keep the ball away from Federer.

IMHO, Nadal is going to be an all-court player. In fact, he's becoming one already. Just needs to improve that serve. Although I am arguably biased, I'm at a bit of an advantage given that I've seen at least 15 of his matches, on all surfaces. I don't think he's the same-old, same-old. If he was, he wouldn't be where he is in doubles/singles rankings at age 17. I think what Mal Washington said about him this week is very true:

"Another name that we're going to see a lot of this year is Rafael Nadal. A teen-age Spaniard who has as much fire in his gut and confidence as any teen-ager I've ever seen. It's his task now to harness his energy and talent to win titles.

Most people don't have as much ability as he does now by the end of their career. And he's just starting."


Anyway, just read a match report of the Escude/Goran match, and there were lots of breaks of serve. Apparently the courts are playing slower than expected, so Goran's serve likely isn't as much of a factor. Should be interesting.

[@wright]

I'd love to see someone like Nadal come out of nowhere and win a slam this year, that is if Fed doesn't win THE SLAM. Seeing an underdog play his heart out is great...

[Kevin Patrick]

I'm not sure Nadal will be an underdog at the French. For all we know, he could be one of the favorites(considering it is his best surface & the clay season hasn't even started yet) I never thought another 17 year old could win a slam, but Rafael is off to a good start on that road.

[spinbalz]

Hmmm, Susan, I'm curious to know what your definition of an allcourt player is?

[Vanja Ljubibratic]

Although I've never seen Nadal, he is only 17 after all, and I know I'll eventually get a chance to see him. Ivanisevic will be gone probably very soon, so it would be nice to see him possibly one last time. If he's playing well, I think he'll be able to give Federer more trouble than Nadal...based on everything that I've heard of the Spaniard. Besides, who wouldn't want to see two Wimbledon champs fight it out? Regardless who he plays, Federer will steam roal either one, but hopefully Goran will be his victim.

[Kevin Patrick]

Here's Nick B's pick:
G. Ivanisevic vs. R. Nadal

Ivanisevic is an old veteran with high hopes of still being one of the best. He fought through a difficult first round with full support of the fans. Nadal is the pick of all the young Spaniards, challenging the highest level of play. Being a lefty gives him an edge, but this match has two lefties. Prediction – Nadal enjoys the game in all ways! Ivanisevic know the clock is ticking. Nadal in three sets.

[sseemiller]

Who am I to go against Nick B?

But we'll find out tomorrow.

Spinballs, I'm not biting. If you honestly don't know what an all-court player is, e-mail me and, I'll send you the definition. No need to bother others with what they, you and I already know.

May the best man on the day win. But I hope it's the boy!

And Alan, you just don't want to buy me dinner. But it doesn't matter, when and if we meet up a tourney, I'll buy you dinner. I'd love to talk to you about lots of things. It will be fun.

We just won't talk about Roddy.

Susan

[spinbalz]

Susan, I didn't ask you "THE" defintion of an allcourt player, I just asked "YOUR" definition of it, because if you see one (or a future one) in Nadal, then I agree with you when you wrote in your post that you were "arguably biased"!

And more seriously, I know that on this board many posters disagree about the notion of what an all court player is, some think that it's a player who plays with about the same success on every type of surfaces , some others think that it's a player who alternate baseline game and net game with about equal tennis skill at the net and from the baseline, some see Agassi as an allcourt player , some see Sampras as an allcourt player some other see him as a S&Volleyer, and so...

You can ask to 10 different posters their definition of what an allcourt player is, and you can possibly obtain 10 different answers...

[@wright]

Susan, if we ever meet at a tournament, I'll buy the dinner, promise. I'd be into it because I don't know anyone who I can REALLY talk tennis with. The only problem is I don't go to pro tournaments! I was going to go to Memphis this year but it didn't work out, maybe next year!

[sseemiller]

Fair enough, Spinbalz. I thought when you used the emoticon, that you were being derogatory. I didn't realize you were asking a serious question. Sorry.

I realize reasonable minds can differ on this one, and my definition is more in line with the second one -- a player who can play with skill at the baseline, yet mix it up with a good S&V game. I think Nadal will develop into that type of player, and come to the net more and more. He has great hands (as several journalists remarked at IW), and that will become more evident as he progresses. I also think he will be, and already is, an all-surface player, which I think is different from an all-court player. Of course, some surfaces suit his game better than others.

In any event, Alan, we're on for dinner, once you get to that pro tourney. Can't wait! We can fight over the check later.

And good thing you didn't take the bet. Nadal won. He took the first set 6-4. It was on serve until the final game, when Nadal broke Goran, and then Goran retired. No word on why. Nadal had other break chances, too, and Goran couldn't get anywhere on Nadal's serve, who held at love a few times. A bit unusual for young Rafa.

Now, I'm not sure I want to bet anyone that Nadal will beat Fed, but I hope we get the match on TV, and it's a good one.

Vamos, Rafael!