Wimbledon 2014 R32: Mikhail Kukushkin vs Rafael Nadal [2]

[Steve0904]

Nadal is crushing this journeyman who got lucky in the first set.

No. He played well in the first set. Give credit where it's due.

 

[counterloop]

Man....this thread got quiet real quick!!!

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Nadal dropping first set on purpose so I won't be able to watch both Federer and Brazil-Chile. Nadal continues to troll me!

Nadal is the greatest troll in tennis history. Just look at the GPPD forum for evidence.

 

[Magnus]

Nadal is on track to winning Wimbledon without winning any first set?

 

[CrazyTennisFan]

why is Nadal playing rubish in the first set always!!!

 

[Warmaster]

Also, Nadal is a lock for the final.

 

[Backspin1183]

Nadal dropping first set on purpose so I won't be able to watch both Federer and Brazil-Chile. Nadal continues to troll me!

and Rafa fans wonder why his haters hate him so much. He's a big troll in tennis matches.

 

[Down_the_line]

Yikes, this is turning into a demolition.

I honestly feel good for Nadal though, mostly because of how he's playing. When he's playing deliberately and attacking, he deserves to advance at Wimbledon.

 

[Terenigma]

I love the face on view of Nadal as he changes shirts. His chest looks like a face with a big grin.

 

[Warmaster]

and Rafa fans wonder why his haters hate him so much. He's a big troll in tennis matches.

But seriously, when you watch him in set 2 and 3 you wonder how he lost the first set. Why is he such a slow starter these days? Still getting used to the grass?

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

well now he is too good. I admit that, but i dont understand why he doesnt start the match being aggressive. Sometimes he is too defensive

i think because he's too insecure

 

[objectivity]

there's a streak of viciousness i love in Nadal when he feels slighted. you can sense it. how dare he takes the first set and attacks me with impunity. i will show him. i will CRUSH him.

its brilliant.

 

[FanOfLu]

Nadal likes to troll his haters by dropping the first set lol.

 

[The-Champ]

But seriously, when you watch him in set 2 and 3 you wonder how he lost the first set. Why is he such a slow starter these days? Still getting used to the grass?

Lost the first set against Ferrer and djokovic at RG as well..

 

[mightyrick]

why is Nadal playing rubish in the first set always!!!

Rubbish?

 

[MichaelNadal]

But seriously, when you watch him in set 2 and 3 you wonder how he lost the first set. Why is he such a slow starter these days? Still getting used to the grass?

Nadal likes to find solutions. And frankly, watching him do it, is amazing.

 

[70後]

Those were some of the most modest double breadstick sets I've ever seen.

 

[FanOfLu]

Nadal loses the first set because these no-names always go for it and expend all their energy in the first set, but once the reality sets in they have nothing on Nadal anymore.

 

[tennis4jags]

why is Nadal playing rubish in the first set always!!!

Its a great strategy from RN team.. he is getting lot of real practice with minnows on grass. He is improving match by match with UE, first serve etc.. He is locked for Final for sure.

 

[The-Champ]

Nadal likes to troll his haters by dropping the first set lol.

he gives them hope, only to crush them in the end..

 

[Mick]

Nadal likes to troll his haters by dropping the first set lol.

he also does it so that his fans can cheer "vamos!" louder when he turns the table in the later sets

 

[The_Order]

But seriously, when you watch him in set 2 and 3 you wonder how he lost the first set. Why is he such a slow starter these days? Still getting used to the grass?

Obviously with the roof closed conditions were different to his first two rounds. I'd say he's adjusted really well.

 

[FanOfLu]

Rafa is practising his BH slice LOL.

 

[Wynter]

Rain still going anyone?

 

[Warmaster]

Obviously with the roof closed conditions were different to his first two rounds. I'd say he's adjusted really well.

Fair enough, I didn't see the first set so that's why I'm wondering.

 

[Terenigma]

Oh dear. Well i was hoping Kukushkin would be able to at least make the final set competative but alas, it seems like another bakery product. Ah well, good to get Screampova on court asap so Federer isnt delayed till monday.

 

[maxrenn]

Yeah his slice needs work

 

[Backspin1183]

But seriously, when you watch him in set 2 and 3 you wonder how he lost the first set. Why is he such a slow starter these days? Still getting used to the grass?

imo it's to do with his self doubt. He lost to much lower ranked players for two years in a row at Wimbledon. He knows he can lose to anyone here. But as he goes deeper in the tournament I think he'll start playing with more confidence.

 

[The_Order]

Fair enough, I didn't see the first set so that's why I'm wondering.

He actually wasn't playing bad in the first set either, credit to Kukushkin he was red lining it and making his shots. Nadal's only real negative in the first set was his serving in the TB that let him down.

 

[NatF]

Rafa just not making errors, moving really well and just biding his time with the slice until he can crush a forehand. Mikhail has nothing to hurt him with consistently.

 

[Warmaster]

Oh dear. Well i was hoping Kukushkin would be able to at least make the final set competative but alas, it seems like another bakery product. Ah well, good to get Screampova on court asap so Federer isnt delayed till monday.

They have 6 more hours to play with. No need to worry about that.

 

[The_Order]

Rain still going anyone?

Yes. I can actually hear it hitting the roof as well.

 

[Mustard]

Rain still going anyone?

Afraid so. And the weather forecast doesn't look good until evening time.

 

[Rickenbacker4003]

Has Nadal been broken? I think he's held serve all match. Kuku too good for one set.

 

[FanOfLu]

Nadal holds 3-0.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Kuku to come back the comeback of the century

 

[Backspin1183]

In Melbourne Rafa was asked if he'd be worried if it rained and they closed the roof for his match against Federer. And Rafa was like no, I have no problem with the roof. The court would be the same. In O2 Arena the court is a bit different. I'm sure he said something like that.

 

[Wynter]

Damn, extra rest may do Nick some good anyways, thanks guys.

 

[MichaelNadal]

:lol: Those Nadal returns.

 

[Down_the_line]

The errors are just flying off Kuku's racquet.

 

[Mustard]

Has Nadal been broken? I think he's held serve all match. Kuku too good for one set.

He's held serve all match. It was only in the last game that Kukushkin had his first break point.

 

[Broly4]

Nadal is returning great, scary form.

 

[The_Order]

Really positive signs seeing Rafa step up to the baseline and aggressively attack the second serve returns. It's like he's remembered how to play on grass again.

 

[FanOfLu]

I have realised why Nadal always loses the first set. It's his strategy to grind out the grass on the center court as much as possible without actually risking losing the match by falling behind two sets to love.

 

[Michael Essien]

Rafa is returning really aggressively today, has been all over that second serve.

 

[merwy]

Seems like Nadal is done with all the slow passive stuff He's really smacking the ball now

 

[Steve0904]

Well done Mr. Kukushkin. Great spirit there.

 

[NatF]

Really positive signs seeing Rafa step up to the baseline and aggressively attack the second serve returns. It's like he's remembered how to play on grass again.

Yep...Don't like it :lol:

 

[NatF]

It's tiring watching these guys play Nadal

 

[Steve0904]

Nadal likes to find solutions. And frankly, watching him do it, is amazing.

What are you saying? That he loses sets on purpose? I can assure you that's not the case.