heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
That was Stan not The Stanimal.
He's gonna need to get those first serves in, he struggled with that at times with the Muzzard.
2017 French Open FINAL: [3] Stan Wawrinka vs. [4] Rafael Nadal
- Thread starter Krish872007
- Start date
He's gonna need to get those first serves in, he struggled with that at times with the Muzzard.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
According to Rafa stats, he wins more on 2 serve
Pretty crazy. Doesnt matter so much for him, he wins the games anyways
Thanks to Moya.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
This is gonna be HUGE payback for AO 2014. Wawa will do well if he avoids bakery products (routinely inflicted by Nadal this event regardless of opponent)
Nadal is the massive favorite and rightly so due to his dominance of this tournament and his form this year. However, I think if Stanimal shows up in the final, he can beat this version of Nadal in 5 sets. Come on StanTheMan!
I am so glad that Stan made the final instead of Murray. Nadal would have ripped Murray apart but it would have been so boring to watch. I like Nadal vs Murray matches on grass and hardcourt but on clay....no thanks. Stan vs Nadal should be an amazing match should both players be in fine form.
I am so glad that Stan made the final instead of Murray. Nadal would have ripped Murray apart but it would have been so boring to watch. I like Nadal vs Murray matches on grass and hardcourt but on clay....no thanks. Stan vs Nadal should be an amazing match should both players be in fine form.
abmk
Bionic Poster
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
Looks like you have not learnt from AO14 and AO17.
If Stanimal is unleashed , Rafa would be helpless.
J
JRAJ1988
Guest
Stan will have to play lights out tennis in order to stand a chance, I think that is the general consensus.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
At RG? With Nadal in bakery mode? Yeah, keep dreaming.
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
He had tons of UEs in the Murray match. He will not get away with those against Nadal.
icedevil0289
G.O.A.T.
why do people keep referencing AO, rg aint hc
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
If Wawrinka wins the French, he'll become the 1st player outside of Big Four to reach No. 2 in Emirates the ATP Rankings since Lleyton Hewitt way back in July 18-24, 2005.
icedevil0289
G.O.A.T.
pretty much. in fact i think people are hyping up stan, and understandably so, i get where its coming from, but referencing AO 2014, where it was hc, and then rg 2015, where yes novak has his own accomplishments on clay, but it was novak and nadal. like if at any point stan pushed rafa at rg before, i'd be like okay maybe but nope
icedevil0289
G.O.A.T.
he'll also have the second most rgs after nadal, atleast in terms of active players, that to me is mind boggling
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
And more slams than Andy Murray. Can we then call it the big 5 instead of big 4?
icedevil0289
G.O.A.T.
And more slams than Andy Murray. Can we then call it the big 5 instead of big 4?
tbh the former is still messing with me. ehhhh, not necessarily because murray was part of big 4 even before winning his first slam. plus idt murray is done yet anyways.
TennisFollower
Rookie
To have a chance, Stan is going to have to make sure he doesn't hit regulation rally balls or slice/bunt shots into Rafa's forehand. If he does that? He may as well hit the ball in the stands as he will have 5-10% chance to win the point from there. He actually has a pretty good forehand to counter the Rafa 2HBH and drag him out wide to open up options for FHDTL or BHCC and elicit a shorter forehand from Nadal in defense to then be able take initiative. Novak has used this tactic well but Stan doesn't have Novak's 2HBH and defense/speed to back it up. Another issue Stan has problems with Rafa's serve, his bunt and chip returns get eaten up by the Rafa forehand, he will need to take risks and come over the returns but will probably make more errors. He will also need to have one of his best ever serving days. Oh and he will also need to focus/concentrate beyond his usual standard, any lapses like he had against Murray, which almost cost him the match and it could be all over for him in 3 easy straight sets.
I remember watching the Safin-Federer 2005 AO SF match and remember how amazing it was to see such a temperamental Safin keep it together for 4.5 hours to come back and win that match, essentially playing at 110% of his ability, particularly mentally. Stan will need to do that to have a chance in the final.
I remember watching the Safin-Federer 2005 AO SF match and remember how amazing it was to see such a temperamental Safin keep it together for 4.5 hours to come back and win that match, essentially playing at 110% of his ability, particularly mentally. Stan will need to do that to have a chance in the final.
Mazz Retic
Hall of Fame
Had no idea the semis would go down as they did. Probably more surprised about nadals dominance. I expect nadal to win but no idea if it will be a straight setter or if waw will give him the RG match of his life. I would not be surprised if stan won, I would be amazed though at his big time game.
All in all should be a cracker I hope.
All in all should be a cracker I hope.
marc45
G.O.A.T.
RG:
"Of the talk about Sunday’s final being an opportunity for Nadal to avenge his defeat at Wawrinka’s hands in the Australian Open 2014 final, the Spaniard was quick to say “revenge is not part of my vocab”.
“In my mind, each match is different. Every single time I play a match, I consider the match to be important. The best player will win,” he said, expanding with his famously encyclopedic memory. “The final at the Australian Open, he played very well. If I hadn't been injured, I don't know what the outcome would have been. But again, I think the trigger in his career happened before that. He had played against Novak. He was able to win a Grand Slam tournament and that is generally a turning point in a player's career. He has demonstrated that during important matches, he is always up for the challenge.”
"Of the talk about Sunday’s final being an opportunity for Nadal to avenge his defeat at Wawrinka’s hands in the Australian Open 2014 final, the Spaniard was quick to say “revenge is not part of my vocab”.
“In my mind, each match is different. Every single time I play a match, I consider the match to be important. The best player will win,” he said, expanding with his famously encyclopedic memory. “The final at the Australian Open, he played very well. If I hadn't been injured, I don't know what the outcome would have been. But again, I think the trigger in his career happened before that. He had played against Novak. He was able to win a Grand Slam tournament and that is generally a turning point in a player's career. He has demonstrated that during important matches, he is always up for the challenge.”
WhiskeyEE
G.O.A.T.
They didn't even play last month. They played last year. lol. That poster apparently doesn't even watch tennis and just misread their h2h.
vanioMan
Legend
Looks like you haven't learned from the past 12 years. This is Nadal at RG. Nobody can cope with him when he's full Rafa mode - not even Stanimal.
DragonBlaze
Hall of Fame
Well Wawrinka probably appreciates the heavy underdog status being given to him. Can probably play a bit more freely this way. So I think we are going to have a match.
Atleast I have a good feeling that Wawrinka will not go away mentally. He may become an error machine at times but will keep trying all the way till the end.
While Rafa has been in impervious form, he hasn't been tested either so he may just have a small shock to the system if Stanimal comes with all guns firing (like he did with Murray as well, but just a few too many errors as well which meant he wasn't able to string together points back to back). No doubt he will make the adjustment, but if Stan manages to capture the first set before he does, then Rafa's own mental demons might start coming into play at the business end of sets. I think the first set is so crucial for Stan because if he wins it, then he gets THREE opportunities to take it to a fifth set (where anything can happen).
As for Rafa, if his mental game holds up he really should win. He is just that good, even now, on clay. Then after he wins, he can yell "this is my f***ing court".
Hopefully it's a great match. I even have Monday off so I can watch the match at the godforsaken hours of 2am or whatever.
Someone in 4 tightly contested sets.
Maybe 5.
Possibly 3.
Atleast I have a good feeling that Wawrinka will not go away mentally. He may become an error machine at times but will keep trying all the way till the end.
While Rafa has been in impervious form, he hasn't been tested either so he may just have a small shock to the system if Stanimal comes with all guns firing (like he did with Murray as well, but just a few too many errors as well which meant he wasn't able to string together points back to back). No doubt he will make the adjustment, but if Stan manages to capture the first set before he does, then Rafa's own mental demons might start coming into play at the business end of sets. I think the first set is so crucial for Stan because if he wins it, then he gets THREE opportunities to take it to a fifth set (where anything can happen).
As for Rafa, if his mental game holds up he really should win. He is just that good, even now, on clay. Then after he wins, he can yell "this is my f***ing court"
. Hopefully it's a great match. I even have Monday off so I can watch the match at the godforsaken hours of 2am or whatever
.Someone in 4 tightly contested sets.
Maybe 5.
Possibly 3.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Seriously, dafuq, no matter how many times I see those stats
C
Chadillac
Guest
3-6 6-4 7-5 6-2
Stan remains undefeated in gs finals.
Stan remains undefeated in gs finals.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Nadal in 3 or 4.
Nadal fans deserve this.
And this will segue into the most intriguing Wimbledon we've had in quite a long while.
Nadal fans deserve this.
And this will segue into the most intriguing Wimbledon we've had in quite a long while.
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
ruerooo
Legend
They'll never get it
ruerooo
Legend
So - 30?
TennisFollower
Rookie
Revenge for AO 2014? To be honest when you are 16-3 h2h against someone, there is nothing really to avenge LMAO, especially since Rafa has won the complete set of GS trophies anyway. I hope that with Stan having won RG it will take some pressure off him and he won't see this match as a "one and only" chance to win RG since he already has the trophy himself and he certainly is not going to be going for record number RG trophies - Rafa has that covered. Hopefully that along with the fact he is expected to lose (for most part) he will go out there, relax and go for his shots and hopefully we will have a match.
I watched highlights from the Thiem-Rafa match and I will say that Thiem is still cooking...he's not ready for a slam yet, getting closer but not there yet. Still a bit too impatient and pulled the trigger a little early at times. He still needs to work on finding that right balance, although understandingly he felt he had to go for it.
I watched highlights from the Thiem-Rafa match and I will say that Thiem is still cooking...he's not ready for a slam yet, getting closer but not there yet. Still a bit too impatient and pulled the trigger a little early at times. He still needs to work on finding that right balance, although understandingly he felt he had to go for it.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
@Rafa the King @MichaelNadal @ruerooo
It has been a long wait for you my friends, I sincerely hope Sunday is one of celebration for you all. I love Stan but this is, I hope, Rafa's moment. We have all waited patiently for this moment, hoping that if Rafa does have to go down, let it be in an actual match, not an injury. Now he has dominated the Clay season yet again, but we all know this is the big one. Good luck, have fun, savor the moment.
I literally signed on to post for the first time in months to wish you guys the best of luck. I vowed after the AO final I hope your guy wins the French, and I was not lying.
It has been a long wait for you my friends, I sincerely hope Sunday is one of celebration for you all. I love Stan but this is, I hope, Rafa's moment. We have all waited patiently for this moment, hoping that if Rafa does have to go down, let it be in an actual match, not an injury. Now he has dominated the Clay season yet again, but we all know this is the big one. Good luck, have fun, savor the moment.
I literally signed on to post for the first time in months to wish you guys the best of luck. I vowed after the AO final I hope your guy wins the French, and I was not lying.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Seriously though how cool is it that 2017 might see a Federer and then a Nadal major win after long droughts? That is nothing short of poetic. Step away from the tireless comparisons, the name calling, the bickering, and appreciate this moment which nobody and I mean nobody could have predicted. I would have called you a complete psycho if you said Nadal + Fed can win majors in 2017.
Yes, it's a little frustrating that the younger generation continues to get whipped, but come on, this year of Tennis has been nuts. Completely devoid of logic. Chaos. And that is when sports are at its absolute pinnacle.
Yes, it's a little frustrating that the younger generation continues to get whipped, but come on, this year of Tennis has been nuts. Completely devoid of logic. Chaos. And that is when sports are at its absolute pinnacle.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Genny SS Retweeted
andyroddickVerified account @andyroddick 11h11 hours ago
andyroddick Retweeted Mardy Fish
I did ...... it sucked
Mardy FishVerified account @MardyFish
Thank god I didn't ever play Rafa on clay. Oh and oh and oh and oh and oh
andyroddickVerified account @andyroddick 11h11 hours agoandyroddick Retweeted Mardy Fish
I did ...... it sucked
Mardy FishVerified account @MardyFish
Thank god I didn't ever play Rafa on clay. Oh and oh and oh and oh and oh
Nadal hasn't won yet. If his opponent was Murray it's another thing. But Wawrinka should never be underestimated in a slam final.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Well I did only say might, but Nadal is a huge favorite here.
kandamrgam
Hall of Fame
I honestly don't see Wawrinka winning tomorrow. Maybe a set at best. The only thing going for him is he is generally mentally tough, plays relaxed even when down. That's dangerous.
If I have to bet, Nadal wins losing no more than 15 games.
Sent from my NEM-L22 using Tapatalk
If I have to bet, Nadal wins losing no more than 15 games.
Sent from my NEM-L22 using Tapatalk
Maybe he is, but there is a reason why Wawrinka never lost a slam final. Not to mention the fact that Nadal wasn't that great against Thiem. He just didn't need to play great to beat this overrated player. But Wawrinka is not Thiem.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Krish872007
Talk Tennis Guru
There is a reason that Nadal has never lost a French Open Final too. 9-0 is more impressive than 3-0.
Federer was 7-0 (!) in Slam Finals until Nadal snapped that streak by beating him here in 2006.
I know that, but there is a big difference between 2006 Nadal and 2017 Nadal. If Nadal was able to move like in 2006 I would have no doubt he will destroy Wawrinka.
Well, most of them were won by prime Nadal.And there's a reason Nadal is 9/9 in FO finals
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Crazy statAnd there's a reason Nadal is 9/9 in FO finals
malbaker86
Hall of Fame
Stan has folded in big matches too now (USO semi's in 2015, the FO semi's last year) so let's not just assume it's completely out of the realm of happening.
cc0509
Talk Tennis Guru
Nadal is moving very well in 2017, what are you watching? He's going to bombard Wawrinka with a lethal mix of offense and defense and it's going to burn-out Wawrinka eventually. Nadal's not going to pi$$ around. I can't see how Wawrinka is going to be able to keep zoning and painting lines long enough to take three sets off Nadal. For Wawrinka to win, he's got to be a machine all match and hope Nadal has an off day. Making Djokovic look helpless at the FO is a lot easier than doing the same to Nadal. They are entirely different match-ups for Wawrinka.
malbaker86
Hall of Fame
This just FEELS like the 2010 French Open alllll ooovvvvvvver again
cc0509
Talk Tennis Guru
Stan won't fold easily but eventually Nadal's mix of defense to offense will frustrate him and he'll fold. He's been a total beast vs Djokovic in these slam finals but Nadal in good form on Chatrier is another specimen IMO.
Come on, he is not running after a lot of balls that he would have reached even in 2013, leave alone earlier years. Even yesterday against Thiem, he didn't run after a lot of balls. Wawrinka is going to hit harder than ever, you need good movement to handle his attacks.
In 2010 I was confident Nadal will beat Soderling easily. This time I'm far from this.
