2015 BNP Paribas Open / Indian Wells (R4) - Rafael Nadal vs Gilles Simon

[The Green Mile]

I just had to make a thread for this match.
Rafa leads the H2H 6-1, their last match was the epic Rome encounter last year. Simon's only win coming at Madrid in 2008 (another epic).

Rafa's last match against Young was very bad by his high standards (or any players really), and Simon rarely has a match where he makes a lot of UEs, so it should be interesting.

 

[The Green Mile]

Hopefully Simon gets the upset. But I'm thinking Nadal in 3.

 

[SoBad]

Well Nadal doesn't have the stellar Federer hardcourt record against Simon, but hoping he pulls this one through somehow.

 

[Backspin1183]

Nadal in 2. Nadal just needs to improve his service games. Return game is very good right now.

 

[Sysyphus]

Nadal in 2. Nadal just needs to improve his service games. Return game is very good right now.

He was 1-15 W/UE there for a while versus Young. Nothing looked good for him there. Needs to step it up a notch to beat Simon.

 

[Backspin1183]

He was 1-15 W/UE there for a while versus Young. Nothing looked good for him there. Needs to step it up a notch to beat Simon.

Of course. I think he'll do enough to beat Simon in 2. That's just a feeling I get after watching him play against Donald. With Nadal, its never about the winners but the forced errors.

 

[Sysyphus]

Of course. I think he'll do enough to beat Simon in 2. That's just a feeling I get after watching him play against Donald. With Nadal, its never about the winners but the forced errors.

Yeah, he'll probably muster the strength to advance one more round. From what I've seen, three sets is likely.

 

[Backspin1183]

Yeah, he'll probably muster the strength to advance one more round. From what I've seen, three sets is likely.

You could be right. Haven't seen Simon play this tournament. He'll probably be a bigger test for Rafael than Raonic.

 

[chjtennis]

1st real challenge for Rafa. This will be more accurate an indicator than his previous matches on how good/bad he really is at this moment. Should be interesting.

 

[ultradr]

yeah, this will be a lithmus test on the state of nadal's current form.

nadal has been serving well in argentina open, and 2nd round of IW but kinda spotty at 3rd round.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nadal in 2. Nadal just needs to improve his service games. Return game is very good right now.

Young's service game wouldn't hold up on the WTA. I have no idea how that kid is competitive on the ATP tour. He serves like a granny and has no offensive skills whatsoever.

No doubt in my mind that Simon will beat Nadal.

 

[RF-18]

Simon is a great baseliner. If nadal plays like today, simon just needs to resist him and make him play the extra shots. I think he has a pretty good chance.

 

[beast of mallorca]

No doubt in my mind that Whoever will beat Nadal.

You always say that, tho'.......:twisted:

 

[OddJack]

Seppi would have taken out Nadal today

 

[WhiskeyEE]

No... I don't. I said I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal loses to anyone from this point on. Young is quite possibly the only ATP player Nadal would've deserved to beat today.

Simon is a real player. I don't like the guy, but he deserves respect. He won't let Nadal win a set with 1 winner and 15 UEs.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

No... I don't. I said I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal loses to anyone from this point on. Young is quite possibly the only ATP player Nadal deserved to beat today.

Simon is a real player. I don't like the guy, but he deserves respect. He won't let Nadal win a set with 1 winner and 15 UEs.

How gracious of you.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Seppi would have taken out Nadal today

Anybody could have taken him out today, even you, I suppose. Thanks to The Donald, he's still here....:twisted:

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Anybody could have taken him out today, even you, I suppose. Thanks to The Donald, he's still here....:twisted:

:lol:

The best thing about it is that it's probably true (except for the even you part) but the Donald was ever so dutiful. Thank you Donald!

 

[beast of mallorca]

:lol:

The best thing about it is that it's probably true (except for the even you part) but the Donald was ever so dutiful. Thank you Donald!

I'm a Donald fan now, just for that. Seriously Nathaniel, Rafa will need to up his game many notches up, if he wants to remain in this tournament. Simon will be very consistent. If Rafa plays like that, he is toast. Like a bagel and a stick toast :twisted:

 

[The Green Mile]

I'm a Donald fan now, just for that. Seriously Nathaniel, Rafa will need to up his game many notches up, if he wants to remain in this tournament. Simon will be very consistent. If Rafa plays like that, he is toast. Like a bagel and a stick toast :twisted:

Here's hoping! I've always wanted Simon to win a M1000. He only has the 2 finals in these events.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Here's hoping! I've always wanted Simon to win a M1000. He only has the 2 finals in these events.

Can't blame you for hoping Rafa to lose. I'm hoping Rafa meets The Donald in the next round, the QF, the SF then the finals as well.....:twisted:

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Can't blame you for hoping Rafa to lose. I'm hoping Rafa meets The Donald in the next round, the QF, the SF then the finals as well.....:twisted:

He's like a big Simon fan though right? So it's honourable and all that.. he wants Simon to win rather than Rafa to lose.

Rafa was indeed given a lifeline, let's see what he can do with it.

 

[The Green Mile]

Can't blame you for hoping Rafa to lose. I'm hoping Rafa meets The Donald in the next round, the QF, the SF then the finals as well.....:twisted:

Hey! Simon's my second favourite player, after the great man!

 

[beast of mallorca]

He's like a big Simon fan though right? So it's honourable and all that.. he wants Simon to win rather than Rafa to lose.

Rafa was indeed given a lifeline, let's see what he can do with it.

Haha.....I know. Should have stated " for Simon to beat Rafa ". And I'm with you on this. If Rafa is to beat anybody from here on onwards, it should be because of his great game. I'm all for Simon beating Rafa if Rafa plays crap. I'm cool with that.

And fyi I like Simon too. I'm a fan of the four Muskeeters myself :twisted:

 

[insideguy]

Man I dont know Rafa sort of has this unique ability to have guys play terrible against him. No other player ever have I seen this from. Its like he hits them with a Hex or something. No matter how bad he plays he still wins like 80 percent of the time lol.

 

[bullfan]

You could be right. Haven't seen Simon play this tournament. He'll probably be a bigger test for Rafael than Raonic.

Actually, the human backboard is probably just east Nadal needs to help get in form....

 

[junior74]

Simon is a great tactic and one of the players that always performs well. From what I've seen so far, I would actually be a little suprised if Nadal wins.

 

[Strange Bird]

nadal in 2 with 1 tiebreak

 

[spinovic]

I'm expecting Nadal to play better than he has so far and win. If he can't up his level, he could get knocked off. In fact, Rafa's level to date probably won't beat Simon if he plays his normal game.

But, I always expect Nadal to bring it up a gear or two when he needs it.

None of the favorites have been playing that well. Its not just Rafa.

 

[tenisdecente]

I'm expecting Nadal to play better than he has so far and win. If he can't up his level, he could get knocked off. In fact, Rafa's level to date probably won't beat Simon if he plays his normal game.

But, I always expect Nadal to bring it up a gear or two when he needs it.

None of the favorites have been playing that well. Its not just Rafa.

True DAT, but Rafa played horrible against an horrible player. At least Ramos and specially Seppi presented decent challenges for Djokovic and Federer. What offered Young? Oh yes, an atrocious display, even for WTA

 

[lud]

6-3 7-6 for Simon.

 

[clayqueen]

Federer also complained about the balls:

"I don’t think we both played very well tonight,” he said. “We both struggled with the conditions, the balls. I think it’s tough to get a hold of them, the right way with the right spin. Maybe as you move along in the tournament, hopefully it’s going to get better for me and for any player. It’s one of those matches you’re happy you’re through, and I was happy it was over.”

 

[ultradr]

I just checked Nadal's playing activity for last 8 months.

He played 1 top 20 player (vs #7 Berdych) and lost the match.

So this definitely will be a big test and Nadal needs more matches with top 10-20 to truely recover his form.

 

[Shangri La]

How far can Simon the pusher push?

 

[Sysyphus]

I just checked Nadal's playing activity for last 8 months.

He played 1 top 20 player (vs #7 Berdych) and lost the match.

So this definitely will be a big test and Nadal needs more matches with top 10-20 to truely recover his form.

Beat Anderson at AO, and I think he was top 20.

But yeah, big test no doubt. I think Nadal takes it in three after warming into the match.

 

[heninfan99]

Anyone else see Simon get testy with an IW employee after his last match???

 

[The Green Mile]

Anyone else see Simon get testy with an IW employee after his last match???

No, what happened?

 

[marc45]

Young's service game wouldn't hold up on the WTA. I have no idea how that kid is competitive on the ATP tour. He serves like a granny and has no offensive skills whatsoever.

No doubt in my mind that Simon will beat Nadal.

how does your mind handle it if he doesn't?....what is the plan afterward?..if you can no longer trust your mind, how do you live?

 

[WhiskeyEE]

how does your mind handle it if he doesn't?....what is the plan afterward?..if you can no longer trust your mind, how do you live?

I'd chalk it up to Simon being useless and put my faith in Raonic.

 

[ultradr]

Beat Anderson at AO, and I think he was top 20.

But yeah, big test no doubt. I think Nadal takes it in three after warming into the match.

you are right. he was #15. my bad to miss that.

so total of 2 matches with top 20 in last 8 months.
And he lost to Lopez in last october at #21 at the time.

 

[The Green Mile]

Here we go. They are on court now.

 

[underground]

Slight rain? Players are warming up though. Conditions might be a bit damp.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Slight rain? Players are warming up though. Conditions might be a bit damp.

Good... keep the ball low.

 

[The Green Mile]

Slight rain? Players are warming up though. Conditions might be a bit damp.

I'm not complaining.

 

[underground]

Well according to comms rain has stopped but it's still quite windy.

 

[Rock Strongo]

It'll be very interesting to see how much Nadal has learned from that shocking match yesterday.

And Simon has already hit a winner. Stop the presses!

 

[La Grande]

Nice backhand

 

[The Green Mile]

Yeah, buddy. Coolest two hander in the game. Great shot.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Clown start by simon.

 

[La Grande]

Instant break lol