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

[Clay lover]

Really Nadal was better off not running around his BH--his BH was way more solid and consistent and didn't compromise his court position. Nadal missed a good number of balls running around the BH and when he hit an inside out it carried less pace than his BH and Delpo just crushed it down the line.

Two important breakpoints were won using the crosscourt BH not the FH.

 

[vernonbc]

This is why a shot clock is so imperative. The Spaniard spent a nearly a decade on that point.

Its at the us open. Nadal will get exposed there

Don't let facts get in the way of your inane argument. Fact is that del Potro averaged 26 seconds between serves in the match while Rafa was clocked at 25 seconds.

 

[Apun94]

Well my predictions are coming true:

1. Nadal is not beating Federer
2. He’s not winning Wimbledon

I predicted Nadal will have a QF or SF run too. I’m actually doing quite well

Lol whatever helps you deal with Fed's loss

 

[Apun94]

Fed had two 5-6 year younger ATG lions chasing him, Nadal has other 30 year olds and the worst crop of young players in tennis history to contend with.

It ain't fair but that's life.

Federer didnt really have ATG chasing him when he was in his prime, thus able to vulture the majority of his first 10 slams at the very least, though yes, the current generation is easily the worst field i have ever seen

 

[MichaelNadal]

Wow what a match, i voted Rafa in 5 but the epicness of this was astonishing, two warriors, two beasts, one winner!!!

#Epic

 

[zagor]

Federer didnt really have ATG chasing him when he was in his prime, thus able to vulture the majority of his first 10 slams at the very least, though yes, the current generation is easily the worst field i have ever seen

He had Nadal blocking him on clay already in 2005, on grass in 2006 and 2007, he also got blocked from more slams by Novak than Fed on the whole. Tier 1 ATGs are always gonna win a lot in their peak/prime, it's the twilight stage that is more dependant on the competition in my view. Of course Fed benefited from 3 slams himself (even if 2017 AO was hard fought) but going forward he won't be able to keep contending for long anymore if he isn't done already. The greatest competiton always comes from the younger players, that's the way it always has been for every era until this one where young players barely get past 1st week anymore.

Either way, it's two different perspectives, we'll never agree on this one.

 

[maxrenn]

Stupid bloody football had to miss last 3 sets, gutted.

 

[ForumMember]

Stupid bloody football had to miss last 3 sets, gutted.

Stupid Tennis. Had to miss regular time completely. Just watched extra time. Gutted.

 

[clayqueen]

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

I wouldn't take anyone for granted, none of these matches is easy so whoever wins on Sunday will have to work for it irrespective of who they play from now on.

 

[zep]

yep. nadal practically choked the 2-0 lead...set point and then he DFed.. LOL

almost came back to bite him.

And that mistake might cost him in the semi. If he had won that TB in the second set which he should have after having a 6-3 lead, he probably would have won the match in 3 or 4 at max. Now he is up against it after playing for nearly 5 hours.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I wouldn't take anyone for granted, none of these matches is easy so whoever wins on Sunday will have to work for it irrespective of who they play from now on.

Okay, thanks for saying nothing.

 

[zagor]

Okay, thanks for saying nothing.

Can't underestimate a guy with Isner's serve and mentality (he doesn't fear the top guys), especially in a year in which he improved the other facets of his game which resulted in a Wimbledon SF run and Miami title.

He's the underdog but it's also not a 2013 FO situation with Ferrer was waiting. If Anderson wins the semi however I consider Djokodal to be the real final.

 

[icedevil0289]

Federer didnt really have ATG chasing him when he was in his prime, thus able to vulture the majority of his first 10 slams at the very least, though yes, the current generation is easily the worst field i have ever seen

lol. funny enough some of those people that fed vultured slams against have beaten all time greats,

 

[icedevil0289]

He had Nadal blocking him on clay already in 2005, on grass in 2006 and 2007, he also got blocked from more slams by Novak than Fed on the whole. Tier 1 ATGs are always gonna win a lot in their peak/prime, it's the twilight stage that is more dependant on the competition in my view. Of course Fed benefited from 3 slams himself (even if 2017 AO was hard fought) but going forward he won't be able to keep contending for long anymore if he isn't done already. The greatest competiton always comes from the younger players, that's the way it always has been for every era until this one where young players barely get past 1st week anymore.

Either way, it's two different perspectives, we'll never agree on this one.

so tired of this idea that he vultured slams, it is such bs and honestly can't take anyone seriously who has this pathetic pov. guess what the same pathetic Roddick beat murray at Wimbledon in 2009 and gave fed heck of a match. he has also had good wins against novak. Roddick, Hewitt, safin etc were great players. certainly not all time greats but good players in their own right who also didn't shy away from taking the torch and running with it from the generation before them.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

so tired of this idea that he vultured slams, it is such bs and honestly can't take anyone seriously who has this pathetic pov. guess what the same pathetic Roddick beat murray at Wimbledon in 2009 and gave fed heck of a match. he has also had good wins against novak. Roddick, Hewitt, safin etc were great players. certainly not all time greats but good players in their own right who also didn't shy away from taking the torch and running with it from the generation before them.

If Federer vultured slams, then so did Nadal.

 

[I Am Finnish]

The match was so good


Dropshots, falling, mishits,

 

[EllieK]

How is it “hate”? It’s very likely that he won’t win Wimbledon. That’s a fact.

It’s very likely that he will. Unless Djokovic can kick it into another gear and beat him I don’t see how he can lose it now. Look what he did against DelPotro

 

[Rago]

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

Playing Isner in the final won't be straightforward. Both his Masters finals against Fedal were close battles. I don't think he'll cr!p his diaper in a best of 5 final like Anderson did last year.

 

[Apun94]

lol. funny enough some of those people that fed vultured slams against have beaten all time greats,

Look everyone can anyone on a given day. That doesnt mean everyone is a fitting opponent in the final of a grandslam

 

[icedevil0289]

Look everyone can anyone on a given day. That doesnt mean everyone is a fitting opponent in the final of a grandslam

um someone like Roddick was in multiple slam finals as was Hewitt and safin, 2 of them multi=slam champions. the idea of a multi slam champion vulturing slams is ridiculous.

 

[cc0509]

It’s very likely that he will. Unless Djokovic can kick it into another gear and beat him I don’t see how he can lose it now. Look what he did against DelPotro

I agree. A lot of people are missing the crucial factor that Nadal is the more battle-hardened player at the moment. He's more seasoned than Djokovic who hasn't won anything significant in two years and hasn't built up enough momentum. That will be the tipping factor in Nadal's favor in his match vs Djokovic IMO. These two players have always had their rivalry go back and forth depending on which player had the momentum and currently, Nadal has it.

The only slight doubt I have is Nadal's physicality after that grueling match vs Del Potro and how that will affect Nadal if the match goes the distance. But it's only a slight doubt because Nadal is a physical freak of nature.

Sure Djokovic has the game to beat Nadal off clay but I'm just not sure he's at the point where he's ready to beat Nadal who has been on a tear and is full of confidence. Also, Nadal will look at winning #18 and inching toward the slam record like it's the elixir of life, meaning he'll kill himself to get the trophy IMO.