2018 French Open QF: RAFA (1) vs DieGOAT (11)

[pepka]

WTH am i watching?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Hell of a donation.

 

[Kalin]

dw guys, the god of clay is physically fine

Yes, he looked awesome in the topless Melbourne photo that @Meles poasted

 

[Legend of Borg]

hafa will storm back to win in 4 sets IMO

2nd set is FAR from over

 

[Towser83]

Sure, someone else brought up 2016 FO but again, there was a guy in the draw that was an unsolvable enigma for Nadal at the time.

He's the title favourite this time with who knows how many chances at slam titles left, a different scenario IMO.

I don't think players being injured or not is a binary condition, sometimes they push through no matter what because they believe it will pay off.

I seriously don't think Nadal considers who's in the draw though, I don't think he would have carried on playing had Djokovic been out

 

[StrongerThanAll]

CONSOLIDATE A BREAK!

 

[Steve0904]

Schwartzman is blowing this game. You need to put Nadal away when he gives you freebies to begin the game.

 

[NatF]

Nadal dropping the ball very short that point.

 

[abmk]

are you kidding me ?
4 errors in a row including a DF.

Edit : saves BP with a good BH CC forcing the error.

 

[clout]

Why is NAdal playing like Wozniacki today. He's not going for any of his shots

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

It's clay y'all, a break of serve is about as useful as a Suresh prediction.

Okay not that bad , but still.

 

[pepka]

It would be cool if Nadal could hit it past the service line. Pathetic showing so far...

 

[Sentinel]

If Nadal loses would this be a bigger upset than Soderling's win in 2009?

Two Argentinians winning today ??

 

[tennisjedi]

Will RG ever have a roof?

 

[ultradr]

Amazing Diego bullying the Bull even under heavy, wet conditions
So much power from such lil frame

Less bouncy on wet condition.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Best volleys on the tour unleashed once more.

 

[cc0509]

Nadal with great hands at the net.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Nadal’s form looks so poor. I wonder how much this could effect him the rest of the season.

This is the one scenario from 3284937 in which he could make a push for Wimbledon

 

[ADuck]

Kind of expected this. Knew people were overrating his chances this tournament. It's probably not visible to non-Rafa fans but he's slowed considerably since Barcelona and now he's lacking power on his forehand which is devastating for his game. Schwartzman is just the first person to expose these weaknesses now. Only way I see Rafa winning this is if Schwartzman drops his level.

 

[George Turner]

If Nadal loses would this be a bigger upset than Soderling's win in 2009?

Nah. Nadal hasn't been playing great all tournament. Should have lost a set to Bolelli and Marterer had his moments. Pella and Gasquet were both Garbage. Schwartzman is a step up from those guys.

This Nadal would struggle to beat an in form Thiem, in contrast there was nothing to suggest 2009 Nadal was going to lose to anyone. That was totally out the blue.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Will RG ever have a roof?

No because Federer won't ever play the tournament again so the tournament directors can't cheat for him and give him indoor conditions.

/s

 

[VaporDude95]

Bloody hell

 

[FatFedererFanTurnsSlim]

Nadal needs to lose 3 sets in 1 match to be injure, he is not injure yet.

Take a like bro! You took the words out of mah mouth!

 

[TheFifthSet]

If only Diego had a serve.

 

[toby55555]

Petchey commenatary changing with the wind.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

The escape begins!

 

[Deleted member 120290]

DOH! Broken from 40-0

 

[junior74]

Schwartzman got an offer he couldn't refuse at 40-0?

Strange game from him...

 

[FedererDropShot]

Schwartzman's level is starting to drop. All according to plan.

 

[Kalin]

A stupid self-break

 

[abmk]

Schwartz gifts Nadal that game .......

 

[zagor]

I seriously don't think Nadal considers who's in the draw though, I don't think he would have carried on playing had Djokovic been out

Personally, I think every player does, no matter what they say in the press.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Mark down the fourth game of the second set as the turning point in the match.

Schwartzmann left the door ajar. Only slightly.

You can't do that against Nadal.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

If nadal can hold now. Schwartzman gave nadal new life.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

hahah he won't know his place. Not yet.

 

[malbaker86]

Nadal will still win despite playing like a clown, taking 3 sets off Nadal on clay is still mission impossible in tennis.

Thiem will do it though.

Yea man he's looking like he's just trying to get through it and move on to the next match. We'll see though. Not looking good for him and his chances if THIS Nadal shows up. He's going to need a tired Thiem imo. I'm legit worried

 

[Deleted member 754093]

Anyone else think the grunting has gotten obnoxiously loud?

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Schwartzman got an offer he couldn't refuse at 40-0?

Strange game from him...

Si...

 

[Meles]

Nadal has not warmed up yet. I bet he doesnt feel his FH - yet.

He's so warm requested saw dust after 4 games for all the grip sweat.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Nadal's serve strangely weak and inaccurate today

 

[jaggy]

Is that a turning tide?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Big shots. Boom.

 

[Legend of Borg]

Personally, I think every player does, no matter what they say in the press.

that's why fed is pulling all the strings at wimby so he plays on the other side of the draw from the kokk

 

[Feather]

broken from 40-0, that was bad from Schwartz.. even considering Rafa on clay

 

[cc0509]

Nadal playing better now. You have to have the ability to overpower him off the court and do it as fast as possible or else he'll outlast you.

 

[ultradr]

Nope, he taped his other wrist after 1st set.

Which one is the "other" wrist?
Rafa is not serving well today.
Wait his forehand and backhand are also sub par today...

 

[Kalin]

GOAT race, over!

Rafa can still run with the goats since it is the only goat race he is a part of.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal looks so damn awful on serve.

 

[Backspin1183]

Win or lose, from today onwards Diego Shwartzman shall be known as the Rey Mysterio of tennis.

 

[Pheasant]

Nadal doesn't want rain in this case. His sore tendons and muscles in his arms will only get worse with time off. Nadal needs some painkillers so that he can start swinging freely.

Never count Nadal out. I still give him a 70% chance of winning this match.