ATP 250 Buenos Aires Semi-final: Nadal vs Thiem (Who's the King of Clay)

Who wins?

  • Total voters
    13
  • Poll closed .
22 UE in first set for Rafa.
Mainad said:
For some reason, Rafa is remarkably unclutch in tight situations these days. He's constantly giving away matches from winning or winnable positions which would have been unthinkable at his height especially against lower ranked players. His confidence seems to be shot to pieces and losses like this keep feeding into the vicious cycle.
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Yup. That's the worst part. He is incapable of maintaining momentum when he has the lead, failing to convert break points etc. Those are the difference makers.
 
Gimelstob talking about how Nadal double faults because he has no belief in second serve anymore, which is why he doesn't go for big first serves...that sounds reasonable, but really makes you wonder why he can't hit at least a handful of big first serves in a match...say at 30-0...I'm really beginning to believe that for all the talk about his knees being shot, so is his shoulder....the lack of rpm on forehand, smashes aren't put away like they used to be...all add up, don't think it's all nerves
 
JRAJ1988 said:
I thought after his strong end to 2015 that he'd pick up on it but he's regressed again.

I don't like seeing legends go out on a whim.
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Agree - I am completely lost to be honest.

I really believed he was on the way back and this was based on logic - his results at the end of 2015 on his least favourite suggested so....However 2016 suggests I was quite wrong. I'd imagine his confidence is shattered right now.

Never thought I'd say it but I am thinking retirement if this keeps going - not being dramatic or over reacting to one result - I am basing this on the last 18 months.
 
At least Rio is this week, always frustrating to have to wait a while for more Tennis after a disappointing tourney. Hope Rafa gets Fognini so he can face some demons rather than sleep walk into these matches.
 
and crazy folks were swearing on Roger for winning Istanbul 250.. Mickey mouse tournaments or not, after a certain age its doesnt come any easy..
 
This is just the start of the brutal south american clay swing and rafa is rusty after letting joker beat him in the desert and the good looking spanish guy beat him down under. Rafa needed to rest up for the top level zika 500 next week where he will face massive competition from other all time goats. Then its on to indian wells where rafa will be able to stay at owners house and prepare to destroy all top players with massive rpms and sweat. Tennis commentator;)
 
marc45 said:
Gimelstob talking about how Nadal double faults because he has no belief in second serve anymore, which is why he doesn't go for big first serves...that sounds reasonable, but really makes you wonder why he can't hit at least a handful of big first serves in a match...say at 30-0...I'm really beginning to believe that for all the talk about his knees being shot, so is his shoulder....the lack of rpm on forehand, smashes aren't put away like they used to be...all add up, don't think it's all nerves
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Doesn't he have 80% first serve in? Last match he had 85% first serves in. That's how he is. He is just safe player. It worked before but not anymore.
 
irishnadalfan1983 said:
Agree - I am completely lost to be honest.

I really believed he was on the way back and this was based on logic - his results at the end of 2015 on his least favourite suggested so....However 2016 suggests I was quite wrong. I'd imagine his confidence is shattered right now.

Never thought I'd say it but I am thinking retirement if this keeps going - not being dramatic or over reacting to one result - I am basing this on the last 18 months.
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after the Olympics and carrying the flag, if this continues...he needs to announce beforehand though....before the French even...depends on if he wants a retirement tour...don't think Federer could live without one....suspect Nadal could...we may get a press release, like Sampras
 
Poor Rafa. Losing matches...
And hair
12734075_884534211665242_8405700889244977032_n.jpg
 
Uncle Ebeneezer said:
22 UE in first set for Rafa.

Yup. That's the worst part. He is incapable of maintaining momentum when he has the lead, failing to convert break points etc. Those are the difference makers.
Click to expand...

second serve return on break point 4 all in the first, to serve for the set...right into the net....just ridiculous, doesn't even make the guy play
 
Algo said:
Wouldn't bother reading all, did any of you give Thiem credit?
He is due some.
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Exactly. The butt hurt Nadal fans and Rafa detractors need to check their id.10t files. Rafa had one match point which Thiem snuffed out. The level of both players through out the match was extremely high and Rafa's game is getting stronger (best match of the week easily for Rafa.) Thiem should get all the credit including applying enough pressure throughout the match to induce the Rafa choke in the tiebreaker. (And yes butt hurt fans and detractors that was horrible, starting out with Nadal DF and then downhill til 6-1.)

In short, buck up true believers (@MichaelNadal , @JohnnyMac Fan! , @La Grande , @Levi_Ackerman). This is just the beginning of the clay season and now Bull has a new adversary to stoke the competive fires.

Thiem has dethroned the King of Clay and now reigns. Can't wait for the final!
 
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