RG'14 R64: Rafael Nadal (1) vs Dominic Thiem

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

This 1st set is almost 40 minutes long and the score is 5-2...

How's that possible? 40 minutes is a set and then some for just about any other match.

 

[aldeayeah]

Well done, son. But that serving won't get you anywhere.

 

[Terenigma]

Im starting to notice that Thiem's grunts are somewhat predictable in working out how hard he's going to hit the ball. He Grunts before he hits it which to someone who plays him enough, will start to work out what type of shot he's going to hit and be prepared for it better.

 

[The_Flying_Vulture]

Great game by Thiem, showing what he can do when his execution is there.

 

[sbengte]

Set point for Nadal.

And he gets broken from there . Incredible :shock: I am worried for his focus and mental strength now that it is happening against no names as well.

 

[GTturbo16v]

for the life of me,
CHANGE YOUR GAME PLAN!
stop with the stupid loopy shots vs Nadal.

He did it. He flatted both, Fh and BH, and break.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Nadal to collapse mentally after the full on assault from Thiem; MTO to be called after losing the first set 7-5 and going down a double break in the second.

#believe
#austriapower

 

[FreeBird]

The highlight reels of this set will be 10 shots from Thiem and 1 DTL FH from Nadal.
But, you don't play for highlight reel. You play to win.

 

[aldeayeah]

Achievement unlocked: breadstick averted.

 

[sbengte]

He did it. He flatted both, Fh and BH, and break.

But I wouldn't put my money on him not reverting to the old patterns of play...

 

[FreeBird]

Tipsa dissapears....Just wait for his 'overrated' remark as soon as Thiem is broken again. :lol:

 

[aldeayeah]

That shank reminded me of the best Federer

 

[furryballs]

how lucky was that

 

[Terenigma]

Very nice dropshot from Nadal.

 

[maxrenn]

Great play by Rafa to retrieve then a slice and a drop shot

 

[aldeayeah]

Heh, fun point with all the slices and the droppers.

 

[FreeBird]

FedererShank.. :lol:

 

[Supertegwyn]

Thiem should be given a segway to compensate for his lack of speed

 

[GTturbo16v]

But I wouldn't put my money on him not reverting to the old patterns of play...

true that. now he playing again the same badminton FH..

 

[MichaelNadal]

Hard not to see Rafa in the finals.

 

[Terenigma]

oooo you could almost hear the wimper from his raquet as he hands Nadal the set with a DF. So lets all play coach for Thiem! What does he need to change to stand a chance here? Obviously his serve needs to improve, what else?

 

[bullfan]

FedererShank.. :lol:

Nadal learned that shot from the goat of shankering!

 

[aldeayeah]

Serve decently. Nadal isn't needing to do anything special to break him, as it stands.

 

[FreeBird]

His BH is better than his FH..Surprisingly, in this set, it looked opposite.

 

[FreeBird]

Hard not to see Rafa in the finals.

I'm sure seeing Nadal in the final makes you hard :wink:

MN is gay? :???:

 

[W.P. Mayhew]

oooo you could almost hear the wimper from his raquet as he hands Nadal the set with a DF. So lets all play coach for Thiem! What does he need to change to stand a chance here? Obviously his serve needs to improve, what else?

inb4 Bigger racquet.

 

[The_Flying_Vulture]

Rafa playing good tennis. I only see Ferrer as a (small) threat to him before the finals.

 

[GTturbo16v]

Hard not to see Rafa in the finals.

relax and have a patience. and faith. RG just started

 

[Steve0904]

And then you see why Nadal is so incredibly hard to beat on clay and at RG. From 15-15 he hit a ridiculous return that would be an ace or a service winner against anyone else except MAYBE Djokovic, and then he gets a running FH back into play that he was basically nowhere near, and hits a nice drop shot to win the point and it's 15-40 when it should probably be 40-15.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I'm sure seeing Nadal in the final makes you hard :wink:

:lol: nah, watching tennis is recreational for me these days, but I would be very happy.

 

[Carsomyr]

Of course - potential future of the ATP vs. all-time great; let's watch Alison Riske, instead.

 

[MichaelNadal]

And then you see why Nadal is so incredibly hard to beat on clay and at RG. From 15-15 he hit a ridiculous return that would be an ace or a service winner against anyone else except MAYBE Djokovic, and then he gets a running FH back into play that he was basically nowhere near, and hits a nice drop shot to win the point and it's 15-40 when it should probably be 40-15.

 

[chrischris]

Nice ball striking out there today.
Very taxing physically.
=Rafa wins.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Nadal is lucky to avoid a bagel in the second set

 

[Supertegwyn]

I would challenge that

 

[aldeayeah]

This was a good point. Repeat x4.

 

[Steve0904]

I don't understand what this is supposed to mean. Care to explain it to me?

 

[Supertegwyn]

Beautiful ace from ThIsner

 

[MichaelNadal]

I don't understand what this is supposed to mean. Care to explain it to me?

Nadal transforms into a beast on clay

 

[Steve0904]

Of course - potential future of the ATP vs. all-time great; let's watch Alison Riske, instead.

Yeah, what the hell was that? :lol:

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Of course - potential future of the ATP vs. all-time great; let's watch Alison Riske, instead.

Yeah it's bad enough that ESPN cuts coverage just when the day's action gets good (the 2nd half of the day session).

But no, let's watch an unseeded, no-name Alison Riske. Why? Cause, Amurica.

 

[GTturbo16v]

I would challenge that

totally legit.

 

[maxrenn]

Nadal loves these one handed backhand players on clay

 

[Steve0904]

Nadal transforms into a beast on clay

Ok. Cool.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Thiem is giving Rafa exactly the kind of rallies he wants. It's like watching Goku fight android 19 :lol: you wanna yell "No Dominic!"

 

[Wynter]

Ok. Cool.

You need to read up on your symbolism dear sir

 

[Manus Domini]

I believe!!!

 

[Supertegwyn]

Nadal with another unforced error; practically playing into Thiem's hands. Thiem lulls Nadal into a false sense of security with an easy first set before transforming into the God of Tennis, The Saviour of All That Is Holy.

 

[maxrenn]

Wow fair play to the kid great shot

 

[chrischris]

Thiem has good groundies off both wings.


Tough fighter!!