This is a must win match for raonic. These courts are very low bouncing and quicker than normal and against a player just returning from a long lay off the world no 3 has alot to prove. Defeat, even to one of the two greatest of all time (mceneroe comment on eurosport), on this surface will be a disaster for raonic.
As for nadal he has no pressure. This is his worse major and conditions are probably his least favourite due to the lack of bounce. As long as he doesnt get blown off court in straight sets then its the almost the perfect start tonthe year for nadal although indian wells will be the better indicator due to the high bounce there.
One problem for raonic is he is so predjctable and cant hit winners off his backhand. Nadal is vulnerable to players who can hit bachand winners as it keeps him off balance but raonic cant do this .
For nadal if he stands 2 miles behind the baseline then he will lose. Whe he has won majors off clay he stands close tonthe baseline but so far his return position has been a joke.
Big chance for both players as neither goffin or grigor should present a threat in the semi final. Fully expect goffin to be in semi
As for nadal he has no pressure. This is his worse major and conditions are probably his least favourite due to the lack of bounce. As long as he doesnt get blown off court in straight sets then its the almost the perfect start tonthe year for nadal although indian wells will be the better indicator due to the high bounce there.
One problem for raonic is he is so predjctable and cant hit winners off his backhand. Nadal is vulnerable to players who can hit bachand winners as it keeps him off balance but raonic cant do this .
For nadal if he stands 2 miles behind the baseline then he will lose. Whe he has won majors off clay he stands close tonthe baseline but so far his return position has been a joke.
Big chance for both players as neither goffin or grigor should present a threat in the semi final. Fully expect goffin to be in semi
