ATP500 Barcelona 2017 - Quarter-Final: [Q] H. Chung vs. [3] R. Nadal

[merwy]

Chung won the first point. Confirmed for RG 2017 champion

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Im gonna make a fortune in designing glasses made for sport. Jeez have never seen a cool set of glasses before on court. Or in any sport for that matter.

 

[chjtennis]

Looks like Chung is having trouble receiving Nadal's serve early on. 1-0 Nadal.

 

[merwy]

Wow my tennistv stream is about 3 point behind

 

[Red Rick]

Rafa in straights, and this should be a no-brainer.

And to all still claiming Rafa is 'out-of-form', 'nowhere near his best', etc.:
since the start of the season, 5 finals reached (4 on his worst surface), 1 won, and quite possible, another 3 victories in sight.
If you think this is the regular resumé of an 'out-of-form' player, well, you may have just set your standards for being 'in form' a bit too high.
Unless of course you believe in 'weak era's'.

But... how many/little games will Chung get?
This is of course totally dependent on the decisive factor disclosed recently at MC: The Ump!

Cedric "Stevie Wonder" Mourier: no chance in hell, double bakery products for Chung
[random ump]: something like 6-2 6-3, five decent games for Chung
Carlos Bernardes: Chung might even get an early break, as Rafa might be caught of his guard seeing him on the chair. Will set things straight immediately thereafter, though, 6-4, 6-2.
Eva Asderaki (the one and only ump with BALLS): might rattle Rafa because of actually penalizing time-wasting routines, leading up to a solid 7 or even 8 games for Chung.

Yes. I have a very comprehensive list of players who've beaten Rafa on the big tournaments:

Fedr

 

[chjtennis]

This kid can really hit some decent ground stroke. 30-0.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

Vamos Nadde!

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Chung holds to love

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

super easy service game for Chung

 

[chjtennis]

Love hold. What effort by Chung. 1-1.

 

[chjtennis]

Haha, the ball just drops in for Nadal. 15-0.

 

[babbette]

Yes. I have a very comprehensive list of players who've beaten Rafa on the big tournaments:

Fedr

Yeah but Rafa has owned in form Roger for 10 years. From their first meeting Rafa owned him. Until Roger CAN own him for 10 years ''no comparation''

 

[chjtennis]

I can see the problem with Chung's FH return. He's swing too big. Needs more compact, short swing for return.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Breakpoint Chung!

 

[Charleneriva]

WTH??!!! Love game followed immediately by a break!

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Nadal broken.

 

[Sereger]

Break for Chung

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Rafa making too many errors. Chung breaks!

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

I knew this was going to happen. Nadal is trying to figure Chung out. hope he can solve it and push forward

 

[chjtennis]

Chung's ground strokes are seriously good. I was impressed by his effort against Wawrika at one of the slams. He was trading heavy strokes toe-to-toe. Looks like he's got the game to trouble Nadal. He can take the ball early or can wait and take full swing.

Wow, 1st break to Chung. I support the underdog here for the fun of it. Let's see if he can hold here.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

Virtual match points by Chung now.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

I knew this was going to happen. Nadal is trying to figure Chung out. hope he can solve it and push forward

Chung didn't do anything fantastic on court, just keeping the ball in play. Rafa trying to smoke lines and make errors.

 

[Sereger]

Great DTL FH

 

[merwy]

Chung a break up. Nadal should forfeit now to save face

 

[chjtennis]

How many players can look that comfortable while trading shots with Nadal? Impressive. 15-0.

 

[2HBH-DTL]

wow! what re-direction of the ball on that forehand up the line. great shot.

 

[merwy]

WOOOW nice forehands there

 

[chjtennis]

He's serving well as well. 30-15.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Bookies looking worried

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

Chung looks convincing on court here. Rafa looks a bit unsettled.

 

[chjtennis]

Good defensive return by Nadal surprises Chung. 40-30.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Chung good weapons. He can move, can rally with good pace and change direction, and hit flat bombs

 

[babbette]

oh ish. Chung is doing well

 

[merwy]

I've never seen him hitting the FH this well! He's really handling the situation nicely.

 

[veroniquem]

Chung won the first point. Confirmed for RG 2017 champion

Loool
I'm interested to see how many games Chung can pull off in this match. This must be such an intimidating experience for him!

 

[chjtennis]

This is impressive. Chung holds and leads 3-1.

 

[Crionics]

What the hell ?!?

What is it with this Chung popping out of nowhere and playings lights out tennis?

 

[Terenigma]

That BH

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

That BH Chung!!!

 

[chjtennis]

Wow, super impressive rally. Chung showed good defensive skill as well. 15-30.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Chung didn't do anything fantastic on court, just keeping the ball in play. Rafa trying to smoke lines and make errors.

True, but that is partly because he trying to move him around and also realizing that Chung is not making errors. Chung seems to be a counter puncher. This will be interesting

 

[Charleneriva]

That's more like it. Make him run. Attack the net. Don't let him dictate and break the hell back ffs.

 

[chjtennis]

Nadal already is forced to shift up a couple of gears. 30-30.

 

[SeeingDusk]

What the hell ?!?

What is it with this Chung popping out of nowhere and playings lights out tennis?

Don't you know? New guys are always inspired when playing the top players.

 

[merwy]

By the way, if you're wondering how Chung is able to run so much: Look at those tree trunks that are underneath him

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

Nadal break down, heh, time for Mourier or Moscarella to come to the rescue; maybe whoever of those two is the chief ump can order the other to run on court as if in a drunken stupor. Wipe out a mark, harass a cute girl, and disappear as fast as he arrived.

Good tennis btw. 3-2 * Chung *

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

True, but that is partly because he trying to move him around and also realizing that Chung is not making errors. Chung seems to be a counter puncher. This will be interesting

Well, after the break Chung started to play better and going for winners. Chung gets to dominate the play too often!

 

[Crionics]

Don't you know? New guys are always inspired when playing the top players.

I just don't remember Chung doing anything notable on the tour, despite being hyped up to be next gen.

 

[chjtennis]

Nadal holds. Chung is very impressive. If he can keep his learning curve up steady like this, he'll be a future top 5 player.

 

[merwy]

What the hell ?!?

What is it with this Chung popping out of nowhere and playings lights out tennis?

He was #51 at 19 years old. So I wouldn't say he popped out of nowhere. Afterwards he had a slightly bad period. He always played in this style, but it's nothing but normal for a young player to keep improving.