2021 Madrid Open QF: Rafael Nadal [2] vs Alexander Zverev [6]

[MichaelNadal]

So how did Rafa lose serve this set?

 

[MeatTornado]

Rublev & Tsitsipas recently demonstrated how important getting the double-break on Nadal is when you have an early lead.

Let's see if Zverev pays the same price this set for not converting.

 

[Hamnavoe]

Hey Alex who's the biggest stud/global worldwide tennis phenomenon of 2021

Too right as well.

 

[StrongRule]

Always huh?

Yes. He totally owns Nadal now, on all surfaces. Nadal hasn't even won a set since Rome 2018.

 

[weakera]

Semifinal is not only an epic USO rematch if Zverev wins but a match between the two best players in the world per Zverev

 

[E36BMWM3]

Nadal at the changeover if he survives this game????

 

[PrinceMoron]

Too much too young

 

[TheAssassin]

Like I asked a while ago, can I be a top 10 player? My serving is lame but my volleys are as good as Zverev's.

 

[Checkmate]

The Madrid crowd erupts as Nadal holds!

 

[Nuclear Warhead Sinner]

On a side note, I really like the color palette of the Madrid Open. That bright blue and silver really go well together with the clay.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Zverev has a rare gift of gifting, so it would be no surprise in this match.

I've put a small bet on Nadal at 2-4 and 15-40. Let's see what happens

 

[Hitman]

Interestingly who can tell me who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

 

[ForehandCross]

I honestly don't know why people get all hyped about Zverev, Yes he sometimes beats big 4 but apart from YEC 2018, it's usually when they are at their very worst.

 

[StrongRule]

Rublev & Tsitsipas recently demonstrated how important getting the double-break on Nadal is when you have an early lead.

Let's see if Zverev pays the same price this set for not converting.

Zverev's serve is too good. He is not losing this. I doubt Nadal ever beats him again, on any surface. Just a nightmare matchup for him.

 

[topher]

So a little attitude brought the clay GOAT to his knees. Lol

That and 35 years of wear and tear...

 

[mike danny]

Interestingly who can tell me who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

Mury GOAT?

 

[stringertom]

Failure to double break = failure to launch???

Somehow, I’m seeing a little concrete elbow developing in one of these next service games for Zedraffe.

 

[Hitman]

The Madrid crowd erupts as Nadal holds!

Rafa rules man. Feel the energy.

 

[StrongRule]

Interestingly who can tell me who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

Murray I guess. Now THAT was really an awful Nadal. Today he just faces a player who has the perfect game against his style.

 

[Checkmate]

[QUOTE="Hitman, post: 15271802, member: 76914] who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?
[/QUOTE]

Strongrule

 

[Sabrina]

Interestingly who can tell me who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

Murray? 2015 and 2016.

 

[Hamnavoe]

Hey Alex who's the biggest stud/global worldwide tennis phenomenon of 2021

Too right as well.

Maybe Sascha mate?

Might be a bit of an understatement big guy

 

[MichaelNadal]

That and 35 years of wear and tear...

When Nadal wins these days it's a defiance of years of battles and age and he's a mythical warrior. When he loses it's bc he's old and declined, win/win

 

[TheAssassin]

Interestingly who can tell me who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

Mury GOAT?

 

[ForehandCross]

Okay gonna root for Nadal for getting Thiemdal.

Anyone but Zverev.

 

[NatF]

Nadal in full on vamos errors mode.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Rafa was lucky he held his own serve! No 1st serves and more then usual UE for Rafa!

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

LOL some people in the crowd are cheering when Zverev misses first serves now, how bad is this ?

 

[StrongRule]

I honestly don't know why people get all hyped about Zverev, Yes he sometimes beats big 4 but apart from YEC 2018, it's usually when they are at their very worst.

Zverev has the perfect game against Nadal. It's not about Nadal being at his worst. Zverev just has an answer to all of his shots.

 

[Hitman]

[QUOTE="Hitman, post: 15271802, member: 76914] who has the most wins against Nadal on clay in Madrid?

Strongrule
[/QUOTE]

Lol. I stand corrected.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Moon balls

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Madrid conditions favour a big serve. Won't happen on RG clay

 

[Hamnavoe]

As humble as he is talented our mate Zod.

 

[mike danny]

Mury GOAT?

Mury GOAT?

 

[Checkmate]

Moon balls

 

[StrongRule]

Madrid conditions favour a big serve. Won't happen on RG clay

On RG maybe not, but during a night session of a Djokovic Open definitely yes. Zverev was going to own Nadal in the 1/4 finals last year if he didn't lose to Sinner.

 

[ForehandCross]

Woof, Young Nadal would probably end up threading a pass in those points. Rafa looks to be lacking intent.

 

[Sabrina]

Looks how short Nadal's return in that point, with his FH (and Zverev 2nd serve)

 

[TheAssassin]

Would be even better if we are wrong lol...

 

[ForehandCross]

Moonballing on return? What the heck is Rafael expecting here?

 

[MichaelNadal]

Woof, Young Nadal would probably end up threading a pass in those points. Rafa looks to be lacking intent.

 

[Checkmate]

Shoulders the BH winner. What a pleasant personality!

 

[weakera]

Looks how short Nadal's return in that point, with his FH (and Zverev 2nd serve)

And again

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Wait...Zod is a clay God slayer? In straights? Wearing that old vest?

 

[weakera]

26:5 winners in this match lol

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Masters record is safe atleast for Novak. Some good news from clay season

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa's shots landing at the service line at best lol

 

[Hitman]

Man this Madrid crowed is trash....but then again, it is Zverev I guess.

 

[fundrazer]

Moonballing on return? What the heck is Rafael expecting here?

I don't think it's intentional, but he's letting the ball get up too high on him. He's not getting a clean strike and is just swiping up at the ball.

Hasn't adjusted either, or it doesn't seem like he's tried to.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Personally I think it's good that Nadal gets out of these events asap. He has #21 to focus on.