Mr Topspin
Semi-Pro
I like many others assumed the Roodick would just shave the match and was the slight favourite going into the match. Firstly, he has a big serve and was playing and serving well and had not faced a breakpoint, having played solid players like O Rochus and Ljubicic. Secondly, in theory he his a accomplished hard court player and had improved his volley and transistion game. All these dynamics are exactly what it appears is the blue print to beat Nadal ala Blake, Gonzalez and Youzny.
However, for some bizarre reason Roodick came out and paid far too much respect to Nadal. It was almost as if he was in awe of Nadal's reputation. He should not have. Nadal has been in a slump for a few months ans was recently beaten in Dubai by Youzny. Roddick should have pumped himself up especially as he won their last meeting on US soil. Like i said in theory Roddick has the game to beat Nadal as the other players i mentioned have in theory. But in practice, we all saw in a way why Roddick loses so frequently to Federer. If Federer with all his skills and multideimensions has to come to net against Nadal then its a given that Roddick has to set up shop there. Roddick instead tried to fight it out from the back especially in the first set and once he lost that he reverted to panic mode Andy and adopted his ill fated Kamikaze volley game. By then it was as it often is too late for Arod.
So in the end he gets a a drubbing on his favourite surface against a guy supposedly in a slump. I still believe Arod has the game to compete with Nadal but he must execute and he must get his belief back.
However, for some bizarre reason Roodick came out and paid far too much respect to Nadal. It was almost as if he was in awe of Nadal's reputation. He should not have. Nadal has been in a slump for a few months ans was recently beaten in Dubai by Youzny. Roddick should have pumped himself up especially as he won their last meeting on US soil. Like i said in theory Roddick has the game to beat Nadal as the other players i mentioned have in theory. But in practice, we all saw in a way why Roddick loses so frequently to Federer. If Federer with all his skills and multideimensions has to come to net against Nadal then its a given that Roddick has to set up shop there. Roddick instead tried to fight it out from the back especially in the first set and once he lost that he reverted to panic mode Andy and adopted his ill fated Kamikaze volley game. By then it was as it often is too late for Arod.
So in the end he gets a a drubbing on his favourite surface against a guy supposedly in a slump. I still believe Arod has the game to compete with Nadal but he must execute and he must get his belief back.