Nadal in 2008 form?

[Heracles]

In 2008:

vs Bellucci 7-5 6-3 6-1
vs Devilder 6-4 6-0 6-1
vs Nieminen 6-1 6-3 6-1
vs Verdasco 6-1 6-0 6-2
vs Almagro 6-1 6-1 6-1
vs Djokovic 6-4 6-2 7-6
vs Federer 6-1 6-3 6-0

In 2012 so far:

vs Bolleli 6-2 6-2 6-1
vs Istomin 6-2 6-2 6-0
vs Schwank 6-1 6-3 6-4
vs Monaco 6-2 6-0 6-0

Obvious comparison

I guess Nadal is an absolute lock for the final victory. His match against Almagro will show how he compare to 2008.

 

[augustobt]

Better than 2008. I've no doubts about that.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

I already said this a while ago.

 

[Tony48]

Everyone in the top 3 has bagel'd Monaco at some point. He is a walking bye.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

2012 Nadal didn't drop a set at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome. First time in his career this has happened. He'll be needing his Wimbledon title back soon too btw.

 

[Heracles]

Monaco is a much better player than both Goffin and Seppi for sure, especially on clay.

 

[Mike Sams]

Monaco is a much better player than both Goffin and Seppi for sure, especially on clay.

Only in tiny tournaments. Not in Slams. Monaco loses in the first or second rounds in Slams 90% of the time.

 

[augustobt]

Everyone in the top 3 has bagel'd Monaco at some point. He is a walking bye.

haha. The point is that no one that beaten Monaco have won the Grand Slam.

Novak in '05 Wimbledon and '07 US Open
Federer in '11 US Open
Nadal in '12 French Open?

 

[Mustard]

Better than 2008. I've no doubts about that.

It he beats Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, like he did in 2008, then we can talk.

 

[Mike Sams]

It he beats Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, like he did in 2008, then we can talk.

He probably will. :lol: Almagro is very error prone and shaky. Nadal is a defensive master on clay.

 

[augustobt]

Tough to believe that Bellucci gave the hardest match to Rafa in 2008 prior to the Semi-final against Novak.

My countryman is outrageos against top players and ridiculous against bums that he should trash out.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

It he beats Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, like he did in 2008, then we can talk.

Almagro is a lot better now, and was a lot better in 2010 than 2008 too.

 

[Heracles]

Nadal did not drop a set in 2010 but he was not that impressive.

He was much better in 2007 for exemple. In 2008, he was just perfect. Best level ever reached by any player on clay.

 

[Mustard]

Tough to believe that Bellucci gave the hardest match to Rafa in 2008 prior to the Semi-final against Novak.

Nadal led 5-2 against Bellucci in the first set before Bellucci got it back to 5-5. That, and the third set against Djokovic, when Nadal led 6-4, 6-2, 3-0 (two breaks) and was forced into a tiebreak, were the only periods of average play from Nadal at that whole tournament. Against Devilder, Nieminen, Verdasco, Almagro and Federer, Nadal was an absolute beast.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal did not drop a set in 2010 but he was not that impressive.

He was much better in 2007 for exemple. In 2008, he was just perfect. Best level ever reached by any player on clay.

I agree. At the 2010 French Open, Nadal felt more fragile but just managed to hold himself together. The match against Almagro was the toughest, and he almost blew the third set against Melzer while looking a bit of a mess. Nadal was brilliant in the final against Soderling, though.

 

[Heracles]

Nadal led 5-2 against Bellucci in the first set before Bellucci got it back to 5-5. That, and the third set against Djokovic, when Nadal led 6-4, 6-2, 3-0 (two breaks) and was forced into a tiebreak, were the only periods of average play from Nadal at that whole tournament. Against Devilder, Nieminen, Verdasco, Almagro and Federer, Nadal was an absolute beast.

I remember that at one point against Devilder, Nadan was 4-4 0-30... And then he won something like 10 games in a row. Beaten today by the 17 games of Monaco...

 

[Heracles]

I agree. At the 2010 French Open, Nadal felt more fragile but just managed to hold himself together. The match against Almagro was the toughest, and he almost blew the third set against Melzer while looking a bit of a mess.

I remember the 2010 edition only for the great demolition of Soderling in the final. That was revenge.

 

[Mike Sams]

I agree. At the 2010 French Open, Nadal felt more fragile but just managed to hold himself together. The match against Almagro was the toughest, and he almost blew the third set against Melzer while looking a bit of a mess. Nadal was brilliant in the final against Soderling, though.

Soderling was very lucky to get through Berdych in 5 sets in the semifinal. Soderling is a guy you'd want to avoid in a 4th round match. In a final, Soderling is toast.

 

[augustobt]

Soderling is a guy you'd want to avoid in a 4th round match. In a final, Soderling is toast.

Specially if you're the defending champ...

 

[Heracles]

Specially if you're the defending champ...

Except in 2011. Nadal made a quick work of him.

 

[augustobt]

Except in 2011. Nadal made a quick work of him.

But that was a Quarter-Final, not a 4R =P

 

[TopFH]

Where is Clarky to tell us he is playing sh*t and has no backhand?

 

[Towser83]

It he beats Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, like he did in 2008, then we can talk.

he probably won't but overall he might average less games lost in the whole tournament.

 

[Mustard]

But that was a Quarter-Final, not a 4R =P

Soderling's win over Federer at the 2010 French Open was a quarter final.

 

[srinrajesh]

Remember being surprised when he thrashed Almagro with that scoreline in 08 , in 2010 he was really pushed and down a break in First two sets if i recall correctly- Almagro's QTF win was his toughest match in 2010

 

[Clarky21]

Where is Clarky to tell us he is playing sh*t and has no backhand?

I'm here,and I still think he's playing like sh*t and has no backhand. You can also add in that he has no serve as well.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

The important thing about Nadal's BH is that it is producing next to zero errors. The person whose backhand breaks down the least will win this tournament. Nadal has corrected a very key issue which was hurting him against Nole, and now that stroke, whilst not a weapon as such, has become incredibly reliable. This is allowing Nadal to utilise his most natural strengths to their fullest, as he is able to extend and neutralise rallies at will. Djo, Fed, whoever meets Nadal in the final here, will lack the patience or level of attack required to deal with Nadal here and be soundly beaten. Maybe if Borg were born into this era, he'd have been able to match Nadal.

 

[cc0509]

The important thing about Nadal's BH is that it is producing next to zero errors. The person whose backhand breaks down the least will win this tournament. Nadal has corrected a very key issue which was hurting him against Nole, and now that stroke, whilst not a weapon as such, has become incredibly reliable. This is allowing Nadal to utilise his most natural strengths to their fullest, as he is able to extend and neutralise rallies at will. Djo, Fed, whoever meets Nadal in the final here, will lack the patience or level of attack required to deal with Nadal here and be soundly beaten. Maybe if Borg were born into this era, he'd have been able to match Nadal.

I agree completely.

 

[winstonplum]

I'm here,and I still think he's playing like sh*t and has no backhand. You can also add in that he has no serve as well.

Why are you so negative about Nadal. Maybe he's not playing the best tennis of his career, but all your posts are so, so negative about him. Are you a fan? You don't seem like the normal Nadal-hater. You defend him at times in these forums; I'm just curious why you're so negative. Does he disappoint you?

 

[courtking]

Monaco played terrible.. he just pushed the ball back.. He has no weapons to hurt Nadal in any department..

 

[forzamilan90]

idk his draw has been pathetic to say the least this tournament, even comparing to some prior ones.

 

[Federererer]

Games lost by Nadal at RG through first four rounds
2005 38
2006 49
2007 33
2008 22
2009 49
2010 34
2011 53
2012 19

 

[nadal_slam_king]

idk his draw has been pathetic to say the least this tournament, even comparing to some prior ones.

But we've already had epic matches of Berdych vs Del Potro....Wawrinka vs Tsonga....Verdasco vs Seppi....Djokovic vs Seppi....Anderson vs Berdych....Granollers vs Math....Monaco vs Raonic. And we haven't even seen the QF stage yet. What do you expect from rounds 1-4? Been a lot more interesting than other recent slams.

 

[fruitytennis1]

Djo, Fed, whoever meets Nadal in the final here, will lack the patience or level of attack required to deal with Nadal here and be soundly beaten. Maybe if Borg were born into this era, he'd have been able to match Nadal.

If Djo can bring some of his 2011 magic back, by that i mean his ridiculous shot making, defending, and epic clutchness, then he has a chance.

 

[norbac]

Also Novak is in 2010 form, Fed in 2008 form and Murray in 2006 form.

 

[Clarky21]

Monaco played terrible.. he just pushed the ball back.. He has no weapons to hurt Nadal in any department..

Pico did play badly. I just watched the match and Nadal wasn't anything special. The score is definitely very deceiving.

 

[Omega_7000]

The way Djokovic is playing, he has no chance of beating Nadal in his current form. We all know what Fed does against Nadal in the FO.

I think DelPo has a good chance of taking Nadal out if he stays healthy.

 

[marc45]

Why are you so negative about Nadal. Maybe he's not playing the best tennis of his career, but all your posts are so, so negative about him. Are you a fan? You don't seem like the normal Nadal-hater. You defend him at times in these forums; I'm just curious why you're so negative. Does he disappoint you?

you're on to something here, keep it quiet

 

[marc45]

I'm here,and I still think he's playing like sh*t and has no backhand. You can also add in that he has no serve as well.

worthless sack of sh*t with no weapons other than water bottle placement...doesn't deserve to breathe the air you do

 

[marc45]

Pico did play badly. I just watched the match and Nadal wasn't anything special. The score is definitely very deceiving.[qoute].... nadal played the entire match with his eyes closed, can't you at least give him credit for that?...or that none of his horrible backhands struck a baby in the face and horribly disfigured him causing the baby's mother to cry...have a heart

 

[Defcon]

Nadal is playing nobodies, I mean seriously he faces no one till Murray.

 

[roysid]

Let's see the final 3 round matches. So far the signs are ominous like in 2008. In fact Nadal plays at super level every two years.

2008 : French and Wimblen. French in straights
2010: French, Wimbledon and USO. French in straights
2012: French in straights?

 

[KitinovR]

He is great form, much better than last year for sure.
On the other hand, Monaco yesterday came with totally wrong game plan, so it was not a surprise that trashing.
However, I think Rafa will play Djoko in the finals and he is clear favourite.

 

[Heracles]

Nadal just walked over Almagro and Ferrer.

Unreal performance again.

He is above his 2008 record for the number of games lost at the moment. Just unplayable.

 

[Clarky21]

Nadal just walked over Almagro and Ferrer.

Unreal performance again.

He is above his 2008 record for the number of games lost at the moment. Just unplayable.

Until Sunday.