2018 Wimbledon QF: [2] Nadal Vs. [5] Del Potro

[MatsPhilander]

Murray should have played. Not injured but did not think he could win. Now he shows up on TV.
Murray as a commentator has the personality of a doorknob. :

Mr Monotone.

 

[AlexanderTheGreat08]

Hope Djokovic understands that the slam record needs to be broken

 

[TennisFan3]

This could be a epic match, that could go the distance. Delpo is playing big tennis and looks to be fit and eager.

I'm going to say Nadal in 5, but I won't be surprised if Delpo wins in 4 or 5 as well.

My prediction was close. The match turned out to be even better than expected.

 

[Dilexson]

Yeah, best slam since AO 17 for sure. The final may suck but the matches today have made up for it. And we've got a blockbuster awaiting on friday.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

Lets see if that holds true for Friday

It's 50-50 after this brutal marathon, imo.

 

[ibbi]

First match on 1 and second match on Centre just made this tournament. What a day.

 

[MugOpponent]

True, Nadal would have been like a turkey on thanksgiving in those conditions against someone with an actual big game.

Love the analogy lol. Well done.

Nope. Just sucks that Del Potro lost.

Nadal went further at Wimbledon than the Feds, even with Roger having as cushy draw as it gets. I'm sure it hurts.

Did Rafa make hard work of that? Feel he should won it easier....Or maybe I blinded by love for Rafa?

Strange match, undoubtedly some blown opportunities by Nadal. There was some amazing play from Nadal and incredible play and fight from JMDP. I'd say Rafa did everything he could to hold off a great opponent.

 

[zagor]

Novak. Close to even match though. 55/45. I think his superior grass game and serve/ROS will carry him if it gets tight.

What do you think?

Novak in 4 if he serves better than he did against Nishikori today.

 

[clout]

What a match! Haven't seen Rafa gut one out on grass like that in a while and against an amazing oponent in Delpo. The biggest question now is how much tank is still left in his 32 year old body.

 

[Meles]

True, Nadal would have been like a turkey on thanksgiving in those conditions against someone with an actual big game.

Nadal with great depth of shot especially late in the 5th.

 

[Bellucci]

Why Delpo does this with us? Against Federer he play really well but against Nadal he always choke.

Hope Nole win.

 

[NoleFam]

Lets see if that holds true for Friday

No offense to Nadal and his fans but I hope it does.

 

[acintya]

Best match of the year. Can’t see anything topping this

wait for djokodal

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I expect the match to be the second match on centre court.

 

[Towser83]

Well hard luck Delpo, but the man played with a big heart and least he didn't give up when down a set, should have made more of his chances though

 

[clayqueen]

Had Rafa not served a DF at set point in the TB, he would have won the match in 3 sets. I think he lost concentration after they flashed the Fed/Anderson result on the scoreboard.

 

[zagor]

Yeah, best slam since AO 17 for sure. The final may suck but the matches today have made up for it. And we've got a blockbuster awaiting on friday.

Wonder if the grass is boring folk still think so after this epic match and Fed losing.

 

[clout]

I'd give novak the edge in the semifinals since novaks track record has been significantly better on grass in the recent years and there's no way this match doesn't take a toll on rafae 32 yr old body. I'm almost certain the djokodal semis will essentially be the finals though.

 

[FedEx23]

What a day. What an exhausting day. For me, a disappointing day. But an epic, memorable day of tennis.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Wonder if the grass is boring folk still think so after this epic match and Fed losing.

I've certainly changed my mind

 

[Rago]

How long was the match? Novak however is not a heavy favorite by any stretch in the semi.

 

[malbaker86]

I know that. I've witnessed it many times, not least of which today, and it's mind boggling or whatever other superlative you want to use. Nadal's absolutely amazing.

BUT, I want to give credit to Delpo because I know what the narrative around this match will consist of now that Nadal has won it. Again, he's amazing, but don't say he "outfought" Del Potro because he's a "warrior." It's the worst thing you can say in disrespect of Del Potro.

As an analogy, I don't think Federer outfought Nadal at AO 2017, but that he got slightly outplayed at crucial junctures.

BTW, congrats to Nadal for winning this. He must be happy after all his recent struggles at Wimbledon.

at what point did you feel that Rafa was gonna go on to win today?

 

[Raul_SJ]

Serve and volley on match point ?? Who's the real GOAT now ? I think this GOAT can even take out the GOAT wanna be on the next round

I love the S&V by Rafa. Aces were like 31-3 in favor for Del Potro. DP just does not have an all-around game and the mentality to beat Nadal. And he moves like a bull elephant compared to Rafa.

Slip. Fall. Followed by endless grimacing and whining. Compare and contrast to Rafa's fist pumping and positivity.

How could anyone root for Del Potro over Rafa?

 

[Deleted member 716271]

How big of a favorite would the Djokodal winner be against Isner/Raonic winner?

Part of me feels Djokodal SF is real final, but can't be a cakewalk against a 6'8+ opponent on grass.

Would still obviously favor the Djokodal winner decisively in a final though against either of the servebots lol

 

[tennis4me]

Nadal - Djokovic H2H: 25-26. Pretty darn even. That's a lot of matches between the two. Hopefully we're treated with an exciting match between the two.

 

[MugOpponent]

I feel really bad for Del Potro. If a few things had gone his way in his career he could have easily been a 4-6 slam champion.

I hope he gets one more before. I think you're about right on in your guess as to where his career would have gone sans injuries.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Only 3 people voted for Nadal in 5

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nadal went further at Wimbledon than the Feds, even with Roger having as cushy draw as it gets. I'm sure it hurts.

That isn't even an emotion I feel. If that's the perspective you have, you're probably a big pansy.

 

[VaporDude95]

how salty are your tears, Milo?

Lol I’m not crying, Michael Moore

 

[Dilexson]

Wonder if the grass is boring folk still think so after this epic match and Fed losing.

Have a feeling they won't. Only the Mury clan had no stake in it but their guy was in the com box, so shouldn't be much complains ahead.

 

[Tennis sensation]

Why Delpo does this with us? Against Federer he play really well but against Nadal he always choke.

Hope Nole win.

Del Potro did not choke today. He gave his all and just lost by a whisker.

 

[MugOpponent]

That isn't even an emotion I feel. If that's the perspective you have, you're probably a big pansy.

Have some salt.

 

[jklos]

Love the analogy lol. Well done.



Nadal went further at Wimbledon than the Feds, even with Roger having as cushy draw as it gets. I'm sure it hurts.




Strange match, undoubtedly some blown opportunities by Nadal. There was some amazing play from Nadal and incredible play and fight from JMDP. I'd say Rafa did everything he could to hold off a great opponent.

Nadal's draw was fairly cushy until today. Fed's too.

 

[Incognito]

Coming Into this match I knew DelHotro had a 50% chance. It was so close.

You guys know what happens to people who beats Juan at a big match on grass. They don’t win the title.

Isner will win Wimbledon this year. He Will ace people to submission.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Novak in 4 if he serves better than he did against Nishikori today.

One thing I'd be afraid of is that I think Rafa is now 2 matches away from being as close as he ever has been to Fed's slam count. Fed will be 37 by USO...Nadal is probably smelling blood a bit. He could sell out to win. There's no one I'd favor more in that circumstance. Hes not as invincible as he once was in the big matches; see AO 17 but it still scares me. Especially since this is Novak's 1st time back near to his solid level. Nadal's had a lot more experience in big matches the last couple years.

I still have to favor djoko because he's held his nerve quite well in some adverse situations so far and I think he's just a bit better on grass and matchup wise especially the surface suits him, especially at this stage of their careers.

Very unsure of what will happen though.

 

[Rago]

@Federer and Del Potro Tough day in the office man. Didn't watch the game unfortunately but it looks like Del Po played his heart out.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

@TheGhostOfAgassi I apologize for getting a bit heated with you earlier. I admit people saying things about Delpo is a good way to get on my bad side, and I’m sensitive on that. And even though I’d rather light myself on fire than say it, congrats to you.

TG Fed lost otherwise this might be too bitter a pill to swallow. This hurts almost as much as 2013. The difference is there’s still one guy left I’d like to see win whereas I didn’t give a damn after Delpo lost in 2013, Murray-Djokovic could have kissed for all I cared then.

Unfortunately I think Delpo is destined to forever be the moral victory guy.
@BeatlesFan
@Incognito

Totally fine with me

 

[Tennis sensation]

I hope he gets one more before. I think you're about right on in your guess as to where his career would have gone sans injuries.

He may get a HC slam before he is done.

Between Del Potro and Cilic, I will always prefer Del Potro because of how he brings his game against the big players where as Cilic goes into a shell as soon as he goes up against the big 3.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

@Federer and Del Potro Tough day in the office man. Didn't watch the game unfortunately but it looks like Del Po played his heart out.

He blew it. Knew it wasn't Federer across net so didn't want to win the biggest points.

Scenes.

 

[Topspin Slice]

He may get a HC slam before he is done.

Between Del Potro and Cilic, I will always prefer Del Potro because of how he brings his game against the big players where as Cilic goes into a shell as soon as he goes up against the big 3.

Delpo is also significantly more fun to watch than Cilic in my opinion, and seems generally more likeable

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Love the analogy lol. Well done.



Nadal went further at Wimbledon than the Feds, even with Roger having as cushy draw as it gets. I'm sure it hurts.




Strange match, undoubtedly some blown opportunities by Nadal. There was some amazing play from Nadal and incredible play and fight from JMDP. I'd say Rafa did everything he could to hold off a great opponent.

Ummmm...I just felt some of Rafas shot selections were really poor in the 5th...I’m normally quite nervous but I felt Rafa was better player in 4 out of the 5 sets and should not really have being that close....

 

[Raul_SJ]

How big of a favorite would the Djokodal winner be against Isner/Raonic winner?

Part of me feels Djokodal SF is real final, but can't be a cakewalk against a 6'8+ opponent on grass.

Would still obviously favor the Djokodal winner decisively in a final though against either of the servebots lol

You mean Isner/Anderson.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I wouldn't be too confident t_p. Even after tonight's gruelling match I still have a feeling he'll just have a bit too much for Djokovic on Friday.

comeonman you're alwayssss favoring the other guy over Djokovic

I'm worried too (See my last post). But give Novak some credit! ;_

 

[Deleted member 716271]

You mean Isner/Anderson.

LOL. That's how interchangeable these servebots are to me!

 

[Rago]

Novak in 4 if he serves better than he did against Nishikori today.

Zagor, do you think Wimbledon is now Novak's "to lose"? I'm not sure it will be that straight forward.

 

[Lebsta]

In short it's why I'm such a fan of Rafa. Whether he will go on to be the greatest is one thing, but he surely is the most epic tennis player ever, both for good and bad reasons. He can be as awe inspiring and as frustrating to watch at the same time. But for a surer ability to hold serve and this match would've been over long ago.

It's these type of matches that he used in his argument against the 25-sec shot clock enforcement. Whilst i ultimately agree with the ruling when you watch matches like these you can understand the physical and mental pressures these players go through which causes the delays between points.

I just don't know against Djokovic. Rafa will have to hold serve far better that's for sure but at least he's know had the big test that was needed prior to this match.

Phew first Federer, then this match and now currently England.!! Think I'll need to lie down for a week...

 

[D.Nalby12]

Delpo started unloading bullet forehands after being break down in decider. Why didn't start it from very first point? Why he chooses to remain so passive on forehand side against Nadal these days? That's why he has lost last 3 Slam encounters to him imo.

 

[K-H]

@VaporDude95 whats going on lad...

 

[zagor]

One thing I'd be afraid of is that I think Rafa is now 2 matches away from being as close as he ever has been to Fed's slam count. Fed will be 37 by USO...Nadal is probably smelling blood a bit. He could sell out to win. There's no one I'd favor more in that circumstance. Hes not as invincible as he once was in the big matches; see AO 17 but it still scares me. Especially since this is Novak's 1st time back near to his solid level. Nadal's had a lot more experience in big matches the last couple years.

I still have to favor djoko because he's held his nerve quite well in some adverse situations so far and I think he's just a bit better on grass and matchup wise especially the surface suits him, especially at this stage of their careers.

Very unsure of what will happen though.

Nadal will be motivated definitely (he's very close to Fed's slam count now) but I'm not sure that makes a noticeable difference with him, if it's a big slam match he'll always play with amazing intensity regardless of the overall narrative (if that makes sense). Don't think he can dig deeper than he already always does in a big slam match.

Novak's mentality will be definitely more of a question mark, he has that look again. He has been mostly ruthless on court this Wimbledon (in a good way) but it's been quite a while now since he got a big win over a top player. This will be a test to see if he can get that killer instinct back. It's a good opportunity for him to do so.

 

[robincarlin]

Today reminded me a bit of the 2012 USO in reverse. I saw Andy lose for the last time that day and was so down I didn’t even bother to watch Fed lose and for once couldn’t have cared less when he did.