2015 Australian Open Mens 4th Round: Rafael Nadal vs. Kevin Anderson

The Winner?

  • Total voters
    73
  • Poll closed .
Team10 said:
Surprised these guys have only played once. I think it's going to be a very tight match with it going to five, meant to vote for Nadal in 5.
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The way Rafa played those first 2 sets against Sela, I don't think Anderson is going to push him to 5. I think Rafa wins in 3 or 4.
 
I expect this to be fairly close. Sela didn't challenge Nadal at all, and that could hurt him in this match. If Nadal's movement or return aren't up to par, Anderson's big game will be an issue. If Nadal shows up ready to play, he wins in 3 or 4
 
No idea. Rafa has been so all over the place since the FO last year. Who knows where his body or mind will be in the next match?
 
Nadal versus Anderson = Nadal versus Berdych.
Very similar match-up, except Anderson is even more reliant on his serve (which is not a good idea, because Nadal has never lost to serve-reliants Raonic/Isner/Karlovic, in fact Raonic has only held serve for ONE SET out of the NINE hardcourt sets they've played).
No stopping Nadal.
 
tennis_commentator said:
Nadal versus Anderson = Nadal versus Berdych.
Very similar match-up, except Anderson is even more reliant on his serve (which is not a good idea, because Nadal has never lost to serve-reliants Raonic/Isner/Karlovic, in fact Raonic has only held serve for ONE SET out of the NINE hardcourt sets they've played).
No stopping Nadal.
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You disappeared for a couple days. What happened? ;)
 
HipRotation said:
I got a feeling Nadal might actually tank this to protect his H2H record vs Berdych
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I've never seen Nadal look hungrier than this.
He was so dizzy and unstable in that R2 marathon, he probably would have lost if it had been any other year.
Nothing can stop this symbol of greatness from claiming #15, and certainly not Anderson/Berdych/Djokovic.
The older Nadal gets the hungrier he gets, and none of the remaining players in the draw can match this quality.
 
Nadal has had an absolutely Betty Crocker draw. There's no way in the world he's going to beat anyone in the top twenty with the tennis he's brought? Can he get from 2nd gear to 4th gear by tomorrow? It's possible; highly unlikely. Let's be honest, Nadal fans; we haven't seen top shelf Nadal since the last day of RG--that was a long time ago.

I see Nadal getting beat pretty convincingly in the first two sets, squeaking out the third and losing in four; or, squeaking out the first set and then pretty quickly getting reeled in by Anderson to lose in four.

There's no point in talking about Anderson or Berdych having trouble with Rafa at closing time; the cat's out of the bag--no one in the top 200 doesn't feel like they have a shot against this Nadal except perhaps the guy that got bounced yesterday.
 
^ The absolute opposite actually, because the hardest thing to do in tennis is beat Nadal when he's in this mood.
Anderson/Berdych/Djokovic won't be able to overcome this version of Nadal.
Nadal has made form irrelevant, and you'll see why when he out-guts the rest of the field.
This is classic Nadal, and how fitting that its at his most difficult slam event and the slam event that he's felt most unlucky at.
 
winstonplum said:
Nadal has had an absolutely Betty Crocker draw. There's no way in the world he's going to beat anyone in the top twenty with the tennis he's brought? Can he get from 2nd gear to 4th gear by tomorrow? It's possible; highly unlikely. Let's be honest, Nadal fans; we haven't seen top shelf Nadal since the last day of RG--that was a long time ago.

I see Nadal getting beat pretty convincingly in the first two sets, squeaking out the third and losing in four; or, squeaking out the first set and then pretty quickly getting reeled in by Anderson to lose in four.

There's no point in talking about Anderson or Berdych having trouble with Rafa at closing time; the cat's out of the bag--no one in the top 200 doesn't feel like they have a shot against this Nadal except perhaps the guy that got bounced yesterday.
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What's a Betty Crocker draw ??
I actually don't think Nadal was in top form in the RG final
Rafa losing to Anderson? Hey AO is not played on grass ;)
 
tennis_commentator said:
I've never seen Nadal look hungrier than this.
He was so dizzy and unstable in that R2 marathon, he probably would have lost if it had been any other year.
Nothing can stop this symbol of greatness from claiming #15, and certainly not Anderson/Berdych/Djokovic.
The older Nadal gets the hungrier he gets, and none of the remaining players in the draw can match this quality.
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Hunger won't be enough for Nadal to beat the Joker!
 
Djokovic_is_the_best#1 said:
Hunger won't be enough for Nadal to beat the Joker!
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Nadal has won 4 slam matches in a row over Djokovic, and the most lopsided of those was 2013 US Open (6-1 in 4th set).
And before that 4 match winning streak began, Djokovic needed 6 hours to beat Nadal at the AO, and it was when Nadal was not playing aggressively (whereas now he's playing more aggressively than ever).
So there is only one winner, and that is Nadal.

But Nadal vs. Wawrinka is a bigger challenger for Nadal.
 
I think the whole point of this match is that it will show us where Rafa really is. Last time he beat a top 20 player outside of his beloved clay was in March last year. He's been training hard for this tournament but his matches don't show a lot. Youzhny used to be a good player, long time ago, but his straight set demolition by a player ranked 171 in the world, and all his results now dating from a long time are horrendous. The Smyczek match was also not of much indication, with the dizziness and the vomit and all that. Sela is one of the least powerful players there can be and Rafa, even very below par, would destroy him easily.

He was asked in a press conference how close to 100% he felt, he absolutely evaded the answer. Then Jim Courier asked him the same question in the court-side interview. Again, a lot of evading and his usual "improve-train-hard-try-my-best" speech, at the end of which Courier said: "yes, but give me a number". Rafa's answer? I was never really good at math. (pfff)

So finally, Rafa is facing a real, even if not top opponent, so we can see where he really is.
 
With just previous match on record, it's very difficult to judge this matchup. Theoretically Anderson has all tools to trouble Nadal (Big serve + flat hitting combo), so if borrows head of normal person he's taking current Nadal in 4. In actual Nadal will surpass this test just keeping ball in play and waiting for Anderson to implode eventually in pressure winning this in 4.

I'll be very shocked if Anderson overcomes mental problems here beating Nadal.
 
tennis_commentator said:
Nadal has won 4 slam matches in a row over Djokovic, and the most lopsided of those was 2013 US Open (6-1 in 4th set).
And before that 4 match winning streak began, Djokovic needed 6 hours to beat Nadal at the AO, and it was when Nadal was not playing aggressively (whereas now he's playing more aggressively than ever).
So there is only one winner, and that is Nadal.

But Nadal vs. Wawrinka is a bigger challenger for Nadal.
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Wawrinka a bigger challenge for Nadal? Are you serious? Just coz he finally beat Nadal for once and tbf it was questionable whether rafa was fully fit. Whereas rafa has always find djoko a tough opponent, even at RG lately. 3 of those slam losses were at RG and its so tough to beat Nadal there but djoker has given him a run for his money.

Wawrinka still has a terrible H2H with Nadal. 12-1 or something. Yes true Wawrinka one that huge meeting at last AO which he played great but overall compared to djoko I know who rafa would still rather face. His H2H with djoko is 19-23 up but djoko leads on hard courts. :)

Wawrinka had never taken a set off Nadal until last years final. Nadal prefers playing 1 handed BH players like stan or fed rather than Nole or murray type.
 
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irishnadalfan1983 said:
What is their H2H guys?

I'd say Anderson will fancy his chance - I think pretty much everyone does these days.
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1-0 Rafa, Canada 2010. One 6-2, one TB.

Rafa in 4, possibly straights if he takes the inevitable TB.
tipsa...don'tlikehim! said:
Anderson will win a set for sure
it's either Anderson in 4 or Nadal in 4 or 5
Voted Anderson in 4
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Care to elaborate on why you think Anderson will do this well? I missed the action between Anderson-Gasquet and Rafa-Sela.
tennis_pro said:
This is the first time I bet on Nadal at the bookies. He better deliver:)
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On this particular match or for the tournament? He's just 1.30 for this match.
 
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D.Nalby12 said:
With just previous match on record, it's very difficult to judge this matchup. Theoretically Anderson has all tools to trouble Nadal (Big serve + flat hitting combo), so if borrows head of normal person he's taking current Nadal in 4. In actual Nadal will surpass this test just keeping ball in play and waiting for Anderson to implode eventually in pressure winning this in 4.

I'll be very shocked if Anderson overcomes mental problems here beating Nadal.
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Yep Anderson has all the tools to be Nadal's pigeon for life.
The closest comparisons to Anderson are Berdych, Raonic and Isner.

Nadal leads Berdych 18-3.
Nadal leads Raonic 5-0 (including 4-0 on hardcourt, and Raonic has only held serve for ONE set).
Nadal leads Isner 4-0.

I'd be surprised if Anderson wins a set.
Grass would be a different story (although Berdych lost in straight sets to Nadal at 2010 Wimbledon, the year that Berdych beat Federer).
 
I'd been thinking Anderson was about 6'5", but the ATP have him listed as 6'8"! I guess high balls won't be a problem.

I'm not massively familiar with his game style - is he more of a big server (Isner, Karlovic) or a power baseliner (Berdych, Delpo)?
 
Nadal would absolutely love to face Berdych in the QF.
Tomic is dangerous because of his reach and savvy.
Tomic actually led Nadal 4-0 in a match at the AO several years ago, but Nadal won that set and won the match in straight sets, but Tomic looked dangerous in this match-up and made Nadal run like crazy.
 
tennis_commentator said:
Yep Anderson has all the tools to be Nadal's pigeon for life.
The closest comparisons to Anderson are Berdych, Raonic and Isner.

Nadal leads Berdych 18-3.
Nadal leads Raonic 5-0 (including 4-0 on hardcourt, and Raonic has only held serve for ONE set).
Nadal leads Isner 4-0.

I'd be surprised if Anderson wins a set.
Grass would be a different story (although Berdych lost in straight sets to Nadal at 2010 Wimbledon, the year that Berdych beat Federer).
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Quoted.

How Berdych, Raonic's h2h against Nadal is relevant here predicting future rivalry between these Two?

His head is main problem here not game. Will meet you tomorrow.
 
D.Nalby12 said:
Quoted.

How Berdych, Raonic's h2h against Nadal is relevant here predicting future rivalry between these Two?

His head is main problem here not game. Will meet you tomorrow.
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Anderson's game is the problem, because Berdych/Raonic/Isner all have big serves and big forehands, as does Anderson.
Nadal likes these types of players, on hardcourt.
 
Cosmic_Colin said:
I'd been thinking Anderson was about 6'5", but the ATP have him listed as 6'8"! I guess high balls won't be a problem.

I'm not massively familiar with his game style - is he more of a big server (Isner, Karlovic) or a power baseliner (Berdych, Delpo)?
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Haven't watched in for a loooong time, but as I recall him he moves significantly better than Isner/Karlo, but his serve doesn't quite do justice to his height. It's obviously quite good - just not outright dominant like the rest of the towers.
Last year he went 86 % won for his hold game (much worse than Isner/Karlo/Raonic), 18 % for his return (much, much better than Isner/Karlo).
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Kevin-Anderson.aspx?t=mf&y=2014&s=0#

Iirc, he's not that much of a power baseliner either, but engages in quite a few rallies. Obviously he does try and end points though as his movement is not the same as a guy with a more normal height, but I don't recall him having a massive forehand (but it's his best shot after the serve) nor a massive backhand.

Somebody more familiar with him may correct and/or elaborate more on his style and strenghts?
 
Chanwan said:
1-0 Rafa, Canada 2010. One 6-2, one TB.

Rafa in 4, possibly straights if he takes the inevitable TB.

Care to elaborate on why you think Anderson will do this well? I missed the action between Anderson-Gasquet and Rafa-Sela.

On this particular match or for the tournament? He's just 1.30 for this match.
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I got a bad feeling about this match.
yes Anderson is a notorious choker but he won't be bothered at all by high balls on his backhand
his groundstrokes are very solid, his forehand is very powerful and his serve saved him against Gasquet in quite a few dangerous situations

Nadal didn't look great against Sela, in the third Sela got used to Nadal's game and deserved to win the set (but still lost it).

Yes of course if Nadal is playing well he will beat Anderson, but Nadal isn't playing well at the moment. Anderson I believe is playing his very best.
Gasquet was a (way) easier opponent for Nadal.

One shot Nadal should use a lot is his 1H backhand slice down the line, Anderson doesn't like bending to play a topspin backhand, and his touch is not great (volley skills are average too)
 
Doesn't Anderson just play like a slightly weaker version of Berdych?
 
tipsa...don'tlikehim! said:
I got a bad feeling about this match.
yes Anderson is a notorious choker but he won't be bothered at all by high balls on his backhand
his groundstrokes are very solid, his forehand is very powerful and his serve saved him against Gasquet in quite a few dangerous situations

Nadal didn't look great against Sela, in the third Sela got used to Nadal's game and deserved to win the set (but still lost it).

Yes of course if Nadal is playing well he will beat Anderson, but Nadal isn't playing well at the moment. Anderson I believe is playing his very best.
Gasquet was a (way) easier opponent for Nadal.

One shot Nadal should use a lot is his 1H backhand slice down the line, Anderson doesn't like bending to play a topspin backhand, and his touch is not great (volley skills are average too)
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Probably true yeah.
Anderson seems to be pretty keen on camping out in his backhand corner. I think Rafa can hurt him with his DTL forehand.
We shall see - if Rafa plays close to normal, I'm taking Rafa in 4, but 5 could happen I guess.
 
tennis_commentator said:
^ That's a bad sign for Anderson, considering that even Raonic can't hold his serve versus Nadal.
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I've said this to you before, but of those 4 Raonic meetings on HC only one is really relevant for their future meetings, the one where Rafa beat Raonic in a tight third set last year's spring.
Raonic is quite improved and would give Rafa all he could handle today imo.
 
Chanwan said:
1-0 Rafa, Canada 2010. One 6-2, one TB.

Rafa in 4, possibly straights if he takes the inevitable TB.

Care to elaborate on why you think Anderson will do this well? I missed the action between Anderson-Gasquet and Rafa-Sela.

On this particular match or for the tournament? He's just 1.30 for this match.
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On this match combined with a couple of other matches.
 
tennis_commentator said:
Anderson's game is the problem, because Berdych/Raonic/Isner all have big serves and big forehands, as does Anderson.
Nadal likes these types of players, on hardcourt.
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Nadal actually hates players capable of outplaying him like names you mentioned earlier but loves their choking heads. Anderson could be new addition to bunch most like if Nadal improves his form.
 
I have seen Anderson recently. He does not still handle pressure well. Any deciding set or end of the set, you can see him dump balls into the net or hit FH long.

Rafa will win this comfortably.
 
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