MONTE-CARLO Rolex Masters - 2010 ATP 1000 - Discussion Thread

[veroniquem]

I agree mate. I don´t know why, but rafa was known for being consistent more than anything, while nowadays (IW and Miami recently) he seems to drop his level throughout the match. He is more aggresive and his groundstrokes are ,i´d say , better than ever (a bit better serve), but he is not that fit any more. Plus, on big points, he chokes a little which was unthinkable 2 years ago

Bull: Rafa was known for classic second set slumps. He's actually improved on that. (He doesn't go 0-3 in the 2nd anymore to then come back, which he did regularly in the past).

 

[babbette]

^^dit'o.....dit'o.

except i wouldn't phrase them as classic second set slumps. :lol:

right the sun is shining time to jet. I have to shop for new clothes to keep the boys happy.

 

[vernonbc]

Nadal is too good, but it makes clay boring.

How can it be boring when you're watching all the magic that Nadal can bring to a clay court game? He's got all the shots and is amazing defensively. I think it's terrifically exciting to watch him.

 

[ruerooo]

How can it be boring when you're watching all the magic that Nadal can bring to a clay court game? He's got all the shots and is amazing defensively. I think it's terrifically exciting to watch him.

Those tend to be the same people who, when Rafa "only" reaches semis during HC season, moan and groan that he's lost it. :roll:

It's always great to watch Rafa.

 

[Blinkism]

Nadal's lost 9 less games in Monte Carlo this year leading up to the final than he did in 2009 and has spent almost 2 hours less on court, as well.

In perspective, here's Rafa's routes to previous MC finals and compared to this years route to the final

2005: 28 games lost (1 set lost)
2006: 31 games lost (1 set lost)
2007: 18 games lost (0 sets lost)
2008: 19 games lost (0 sets lost)
2009: 22 games lost (0 sets lost)
2010: 13 games lost (0 sets lost)

So, it's tough to have any criticism about Rafa's tourney at Monte Carlo this year, at all - at least, so far.

On another note, Djokovic and Verdasco are set to have a choketastic epic at the moment. :lol:

 

[Outbeyond]

Nadal's lost 9 less games in Monte Carlo this year leading up to the final than he did in 2009 and has spent almost 2 hours less on court, as well.

In perspective, here's Rafa's routes to previous MC finals and compared to this years route to the final

2005: 28 games lost (1 set lost)
2006: 31 games lost (1 set lost)
2007: 18 games lost (0 sets lost)
2008: 19 games lost (0 sets lost)
2009: 22 games lost (0 sets lost)
2010: 13 games lost (0 sets lost)

So, it's tough to have any criticism about Rafa's tourney at Monte Carlo this year, at all - at least, so far.

On another note, Djokovic and Verdasco are set to have a choketastic epic at the moment. :lol:

Couldn't agree more. Good research!!

 

[Bud]

Nadal's lost 9 less games in Monte Carlo this year leading up to the final than he did in 2009 and has spent almost 2 hours less on court, as well.

In perspective, here's Rafa's routes to previous MC finals and compared to this years route to the final

2005: 28 games lost (1 set lost)
2006: 31 games lost (1 set lost)
2007: 18 games lost (0 sets lost)
2008: 19 games lost (0 sets lost)
2009: 22 games lost (0 sets lost)
2010: 13 games lost (0 sets lost)

So, it's tough to have any criticism about Rafa's tourney at Monte Carlo this year, at all - at least, so far.

On another note, Djokovic and Verdasco are set to have a choketastic epic at the moment. :lol:

Couldn't agree more. Good research!!

This is the best I've seen Nadal play in a while. He's cranking on that CC BH and the FH DTL.

 

[cucio]

2010: 13 games lost (0 sets lost)

Eh, ok, not to rain on your parade, but the De Bakker and Berrer matches and, in general, the notably depleted draw skews a bit that stat (no Federer, Davydenko, González, Del Potro, Söderling...) don't you think so?

 

[Blinkism]

Eh, ok, not to rain on your parade, but the De Bakker and Berrer matches and, in general, the notably depleted draw skews a bit that stat (no Federer, Davydenko, González, Del Potro, Söderling...) don't you think so?

There's no parade. The fact that Nadal has had his easiest route to the final is only indicative of how easy it's been for him and, thus, how easy the tourney has been physically.

Obviously, beating De Bakker and Berrer is no big achievement for Nadal.

Anyways, it's better that Nadal beat everyone easily than having to struggle against them, right? (for his chances to win the tourney, I mean)

 

[rovex]

I've always said that when Verdasco wears an outfit i like, he always plays well and does well, turns out my premonition came to life

 

[Federer_pilon]

Nadal is too good, but it makes clay boring.

Federer is too good, but it makes tennis boring.

 

[Bud]

Federer is too good, but it makes tennis boring.

Until he runs into Nadal

God, I'm hoping for a Nadal/Fed final at the FO (and Wimbledon), this year.

 

[Love Game]

I've always said that when Verdasco wears an outfit i like, he always plays well and does well, turns out my premonition came to life

maybe you should email him about your track record so far ... quite impressive, I must agree. Maybe he should model his potential outfits for you and let you choose?

 

[Love Game]

RESULTS -- Saturday, 17 April 2010

Singles - Semi-finals
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d [11] D Ferrer (ESP) 62 63
[6] F Verdasco (ESP) d [1] N Djokovic (SRB) 62 62

Doubles - Semi-finals
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [4] W Moodie (RSA) / D Norman (BEL) 60 64
[5] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Mirnyi (BLR) d [7] S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) 63 76(3)

ORDER OF PLAY -- SUNDAY, APRIL 18

COURT CENTRAL start 2:15 pm
[6] F Verdasco (ESP) vs [2] R Nadal (ESP)
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [5] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Mirnyi (BLR)


***

(At 2:15 p.m. in Monte-Carlo, it's 5:15 a.m. in California and 8:15 a.m. in New York)


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[Justin Side]

In perspective, here's Rafa's routes to previous MC finals and compared to this years route to the final

2005: 28 games lost (1 set lost)
2006: 31 games lost (1 set lost)
2007: 18 games lost (0 sets lost)
2008: 19 games lost (0 sets lost)
2009: 22 games lost (0 sets lost)
2010: 13 games lost (0 sets lost)

Amazing. 4 straight years without dropping a set on his way to the final. :shock:

 

[robin7]

I found something interesting here...

Robredo beat Troicki 64 63
Nalbandian beat Robredo 63 64
Djokovic beat Nalbandian 62 63
Verdasco beat Djokovic 62 62
Nadal beat Verdasco 60 61

Verdasco beat Djokovic in straights but lost to Nadal in straights.
Likewise Nalbandian beat Robredo in straights but lost to Djokovic in straights too.

 

[Love Game]

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[vernonbc]

Thanks for the pictures Love Game. Rafa looks so happy. It was great to see him enjoy his victory so much. A big weight off his shoulders and it's just going to propel him on to bigger and better things this year. Vamos Rafa!