2022 ATP Finals RR: [1] Rafael Nadal vs Felix Auger-Aliassime [5]

[Sudacafan]

I said this a month ago. See my posts.
Even in his prime, Nadal was bad here. Obviously to play at 36 with injury made no sense.

Is he injured?

 

[mike danny]

It's possible he'll already be qualified by then, allowing him to tank if needed

This. Not like he didn't semi-tank before against Med in 2020 at the YEC.

 

[ChrisRF]

In typical FAA fashion, he'll probably lose to Fritz after this.

Honestly, as bad as Nadal plays now, it isn't even sure that FAA wouldn't lose to Fritz TODAY. Nadal will end at the bottom of the group if he continues like that.

 

[Kralingen]

It's possible he'll already be qualified by then, allowing him to tank if needed

I find it hard to believe that he’d do that

 

[jm1980]

Nice to end the year as no.1 without lifting a finger.

For what it's worth Nadal can still get YE #1 even if he loses this match

 

[jimjam]

For what it's worth Nadal can still get YE #1 even if he loses this match

Even with straight set losses? Won't he lose any tiebreakers? I don't actually know the tiebreaking rules.

 

[weakera]

I know it ain't over until it's over but it is amazing that people are talking about YE1 with any degree of uncertainty lol

 

[JaxTeller]

I've no doubts..Novak is a better volleyer than Nadal..

 

[jm1980]

Even with straight set losses? Won't he lose any tiebreakers? I don't actually know the tiebreaking rules.

Yes, it's still possible for Nadal qualify at 1-2, even if both of his losses are in straights. Scenario:

RR1: Fritz 2-0 Nadal, Ruud 2-0 FAA
RR2: FAA 2-0 Nadal, Fritz 2-0 Ruud
RR3: Nadal 2-0 Ruud, Fritz 2-0 FAA

In this case you would have Fritz at 3-0, 6-0 in sets, and everyone else at 1-2 and 2-4 in sets. Then it would come down to games won

 

[Kralingen]

For what it's worth Nadal can still get YE #1 even if he loses this match

Not if he goes down in straights here though. I think he needs to win this set.

 

[Beerus]

This year reminds me of 2016.

 

[jm1980]

Not if he goes down in straights here though. I think he needs to win this set.

See post #209

 

[Mivic]

I find it hard to believe that he’d do that

Like mike said he did it before against Med in 2020. As close to an outright tank as you'll see at this event once he lost the break in the first set of that match and he hadn't even qualified for the SF yet.

 

[jimjam]

Yes, it's still possible for Nadal qualify at 1-2, even if both of his losses are in straights. Scenario:

RR1: Fritz 2-0 Nadal, Ruud 2-0 FAA
RR2: FAA 2-0 Nadal, Fritz 2-0 Ruud
RR3: Nadal 2-0 Ruud, Fritz 2-0 FAA

In this case you would have Fritz at 3-0, 6-0 in sets, and everyone else at 1-2 and 2-4 in sets. Then it would come down to games won

Not looking great in games won either. I wonder what the bookies odds are

 

[ChrisRF]

For what it's worth Nadal can still get YE #1 even if he loses this match

Yes, but very very unlikely. Fritz would have to win everything in the group then. Because if Ruud wins this evening, Nadal couldn't overtake Ruud AND the winner of FAA/Fritz anymore. And even if all that happens, Nadal getting there with 0-4 sets from his first two matches will also be a huge handicap. Even the games aren't too close right now.

 

[mike danny]

For what it's worth Nadal can still get YE #1 even if he loses this match

How? Doubt he qualifies after losing 2 matches in straights.

 

[Kralingen]

Yes, it's still possible for Nadal qualify at 1-2, even if both of his losses are in straights. Scenario:

RR1: Fritz 2-0 Nadal, Ruud 2-0 FAA
RR2: FAA 2-0 Nadal, Fritz 2-0 Ruud
RR3: Nadal 2-0 Ruud, Fritz 2-0 FAA

In this case you would have Fritz at 3-0, 6-0 in sets, and everyone else at 1-2 and 2-4 in sets. Then it would come down to games won

So basically Fritz would have to turn into prime Sampras and not only straight set Ruud and FAA but also likely hand them bakery products as well to make up for the GW% lol.

 

[jm1980]

How? Doubt he qualifies after losing 2 matches in straights.

It would be highly unlikely, but not mathematically impossible. See post #209

 

[weakera]

Break point Rafa

 

[weakera]

Break point Rafa

 

[jimjam]

FAA is a mystery to me.

I can't actually tell what makes him so good by watching his game.

Seems solid all-around but nothing stands out.

I guess I'm not a good talent scout.

 

[MeatTornado]

FAA is a mystery to me.

I can't actually tell what makes him so good by watching his game.

Seems solid all-around but nothing stands out.

I guess I'm not a good talent scout.

He has a really weird game where his FH is his best shot despite not being a true weapon.

 

[Kralingen]

Rafa is a joke man. Game point, second serve, he stands like 15 feet behind the baseline and somehow sends the return LONG for an error.

I MEAN WHAT THE ****????

 

[MichaelNadal]

Just tuning in

 

[The Blond Blur]

RAFA be like:

 

[NoleFam]

Felix isn't even playing that well here to me. Nadal has had so many chances.

 

[Nostradamus]

Ok now i know,, RAFA going down to FAA in straight sets... and will go home. He not playing 3rd match. In comes Holger Rune with no chance of making the Semis.............Poor guy

 

[weakera]

Ok now i know,, RAFA going down to FAA in straight sets... and will go home. He not playing 3rd match. In comes Holger Rune with no chance of making the Semis.............Poor guy

We know Rafa won't do that.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

Come on, Nadal must be injured.

 

[ChrisRF]

So basically Fritz would have to turn into prime Sampras and not only straight set Ruud and FAA but also likely hand them bakery products as well to make up for the GW% lol.

Rather prime Federer then. Prime Sampras would still win 7-6 6-4 or so, just because it's enough.

 

[MichaelNadal]

It’s really weird how much Nadal let’s being indoors screw with his head

 

[mehdimike]

Just tuning in

Just log off man

 

[lrdrdy]

Felix is so precise on serve but his strokes r so flimsy, kinda like kyrgios, how can a 2hbh be that weak.

 

[Hitman]

With only 1 slam to his name (against a pretty weak draw) I was really hoping he'd at least win this tournament against the top players to make his season seem more legit. But taking #1 without having to play a single match here feels so lame.

This whole year has been off IMO.

 

[Baseline_Bungle]

Felix is so precise on serve but his strokes r so flimsy, kinda like kyrgios, how can a 2hbh be that weak.

You should see mine.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Felix’s kit is giving 07 FO Nadal

 

[NoleFam]

Felix is so precise on serve but his strokes r so flimsy, kinda like kyrgios, how can a 2hbh be that weak.

He's cooled off from the level he played earlier in the fall season. The only part of his game impressing today is the serve.

 

[Kralingen]

It’s really weird how much Nadal let’s being indoors screw with his head

That’s the exact issue today. Look, the lower bounce and quick surface is not ideal for his game as it robs him for time and nullifies his heavy topspin game. But there’s no way you can blame the bounce for him missing routine second serve returns, duffing volleys, and just totally being unable to show any confidence on BPs.

mentally he’s been so much worse than I expected

 

[MichaelNadal]

With the court color and horrendous camera angle it still feels like the O2

 

[jimjam]

Felix is so precise on serve but his strokes r so flimsy, kinda like kyrgios, how can a 2hbh be that weak.

They both have slightly inefficient-looking backhand motions. Very arm-y.

And yes, a total noob is critiquing pro technique

 

[junior74]

I love when court positioning is exploited. Great serve from Felix.

 

[weakera]

With the court color and horrendous camera angle it still feels like the O2

They should have done a new look... such a bad decision

 

[MichaelNadal]

That’s the exact issue today. Look, the lower bounce and quick surface is not ideal for his game as it robs him for time and nullifies his heavy topspin game. But there’s no way you can blame the bounce for him missing routine second serve returns, duffing volleys, and just totally being unable to show any confidence on BPs.

mentally he’s been so much worse than I expected

Exactly, it’s common knowledge that it’s not a great surface for his game but he also adds this level of “ugh I can’t believe I have to play in here instead of in the sun” that you can almost see him wearing like a suit.

 

[weakera]

Toni looks pissed.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Toni looks sad lol

 

[Legend of Borg]

Felix’s kit is giving 07 FO Nadal

Truuu

 

[junior74]

FAA is a very natural shotmaker. If only he can get that head working.

 

[Nostradamus]

We know Rafa won't do that.

Its RAFA fan in the booth,,, won't give him the result

 

[Sudacafan]

Never seen this Hawkeye sh1t.

 

[MichaelNadal]

This is messy af