For real, the biggest thing we should take from this is...

[wy2sl0]

...100% or not, Nadal was going down if Stan kept the level up. The way Stan played today is a level higher than Nadal has ever played on hard courts. I am watching the first set back, and Nadal would never hit someone off the court like that. Plain and simple it was demolition, and Nadal (for the first set) was moving very well. Congrats to Stan he seriously looked like an in-form prime fed at the WTF having his way with Nadal. Refreshing to see a win over the Top 4 in a slam final.

The comeback from love 40 to close out the set was just magnificent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH9RFCnfv8M

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Yeah, that's why I think perhaps Stan could sneak in another Major win in the future, because his actual pure level of play is extremely high and it was showcased consistently over 3 consecutive rounds at the Australian Open, rather than a one off performance.

 

[KillerServe]

I hope Stan can win another major but with the level he displayed in the 3rd and 4th, not sure he really can. All he had to do with dropshot Nadal and make him run, could have bagelled him in the 3rd. But the nerves got to him. Nerves cost people slams.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

I hope Stan can win another major but with the level he displayed in the 3rd and 4th, not sure he really can. All he had to do with dropshot Nadal and make him run, could have bagelled him in the 3rd. But the nerves got to him. Nerves cost people slams.

...Was his first ever final and he'd NEVER even won a set off Nadal before. Taking that into consideration, his mental turnaround was remarkable.

 

[wy2sl0]

What Nadal does better than anyone in the history of the sport (in my opinion) is when he has a glimpse he will keep his level remarkably high and usually just choke out opponents in a best of 5. On the other hand he is very susceptible to nerves if he doesn't feel like he is in control (just like any player) therefore there are ways to beat him. Stan's level did drop a little however I think it was more thinking about Rafa being hurt than anything.

 

[burn1986]

But still . . .

Nadal would've destroyed him if healthy.

 

[mbm0912]

But still . . .

Nadal would've destroyed him if healthy.

Whatever helps you sleep tonight.

 

[crocon]

Absolutely.

Wawa was aggressive and crushing the ball from the start of the match. He went for his shots whenever he had the chance. There isn't much in Nadal's typical gameplan, or anyone elses for that matter, that can do much to stop what was happening.

People need to understand that if a top pro is in the zone like that, his opponent will also need to be playing out of his mind to make it competitive. Even if his opponent is currently the best in the world.

 

[netlets]

I hope Stan can win another major but with the level he displayed in the 3rd and 4th, not sure he really can. All he had to do with dropshot Nadal and make him run, could have bagelled him in the 3rd. But the nerves got to him. Nerves cost people slams.

Totally not understanding what it's like to play someone that is hurt and thinking he may stop at any time. It says zero about his form. Going from a healthy Nadal to a person that is hardly hitting the ball is extremely weird. Stan's level was simply higher than any other player. Djokovic was in better form than Rafa as well.

 

[Tenez101]

Nadal was getting blitzed in the first two sets. I think he would have made somewhat of a comeback, but the way things or going I don't think he would have won more than a set. Stan was just too determined last night.

 

[wy2sl0]

The percentages are small at the top of the game. The fact Nadal won a set means he was still at a very high level or at least executed low percentage shots at a high percentage.

Stan would have won either way.

 

[Chanwan]

Nadal was getting blitzed in the first two sets. I think he would have made somewhat of a comeback, but the way things or going I don't think he would have won more than a set. Stan was just too determined last night.

Am impressed seing a Rafa fan post this. Well done.

My own opinion on the matter is that Stan was beating Rafa left and right, when Rafa was still healthy. But you just never know, when Rafa suddenly strikes back and had Stan got nervous/dropped from his high level of play, you just never know.
From what we saw in the first 11 games, it looked like a 3-setter. But it still could have been a 5-setter.

All we know is that from what we saw of the two of them playing uninjured, Stan fully deserved the win as he was the better player.

 

[Chanwan]

Yeah, that's why I think perhaps Stan could sneak in another Major win in the future, because his actual pure level of play is extremely high and it was showcased consistently over 3 consecutive rounds at the Australian Open, rather than a one off performance.

It sure is. Not many can match him, when he hits his peak level.