Re: Miami Thread

[summerblues]

Nadal was playing his best v Istomin and a couple others....at least as good as last year.

I did not see all that much of him but from the bits I saw would not say so.  I saw maybe the first three or four games against Istomin - the match where everyone was saying how great Rafa looked - and he did not look spectacular to me.  He looked very good - but not beyond his typical standard.  When he plays well, he defends well and makes it difficult for players to rally with him - and he was doing all that.

But last year - and only last year - I saw him succeed playing aggressively, which gave him another dimension.  There was no sign of that against Istomin, it was all very much standard Nadal.

[noleisthebest]

Great hold from Nole, loved the angry spirit after the time violation warning!

MAJSTOREEEE!!!!!!!!!    

btw, why were those Fed-mask wearing  fans clapping Nole's UE

[Tenez]

One can tell it is very embarassing for Nadal...he is relieved and happy when he pulls a winner. His ego is bruised and is looking at anything to cheer him up.

[Daniel]

One dimensional Nadal has no ideas.  One plan. Getting schooled.

[Tenez]

But last year - and only last year - I saw him succeed playing aggressively, which gave him another dimension.  There was no sign of that against Istomin, it was all very much standard Nadal.

To me only because Djoko was not able to play his game Rafa gained in confidence....woudl be the same here if Djoko was playing like last year.

[summerblues]

This is starting to feel like their 2011 encounters.  Not a moment too soon, with clay court season coming up.  Nole, please keep it up.

[Daniel]

Double fault... HE IS INJURED!   

[Daniel]

You can always tell when Nadal is getting desperate because he fist pumps simply holding serve haha

[noleisthebest]

That was one gorgeous BH slice approach from Nole

[Tenez]

The huge difference between this and last year is Djoko's BH. As simple as that.....and this is what makes Nadal nervous and defensive.

[noleisthebest]

Off to refill my rose...it's only a small glass

[Daniel]

Nole has variety.  I mean what exactly is Nadal doing?  He is just sitting 10 miles behind the baseline hoping for a mistake like he always does.  He hasn't got ANY plan.

[N2D2L]

Nadal's lack of real talent is hilighted here. He plays further back so has more time to see and hits a slower ball, uses bigger margins than Nole, yet makes more UEs.

JS what is Nadal's talent? I want a clear explanation.

He's playing horrifically at the moment, he's past it unfortunately. 
It's like watching Tiger Woods hit a rubbish put now and saying 'where's the talent?'

[summerblues]

Can Nole cross the finish line?  He has struggled in that department lately.  So far today he has been looking much like the Nole of 2011, so let's hope he will wrap it up with confidence.

[N2D2L]

Double fault... HE IS INJURED!   

Who ?

[Tenez]

Nole has variety.  I mean what exactly is Nadal doing?  He is just sitting 10 miles behind the baseline hoping for a mistake like he always does.  He hasn't got ANY plan.

Correct though his plan was hoping Djoko woudl tire and start to miss. Pulling those winner after 20 shot rallies are tough.

[summerblues]

He's playing horrifically at the moment, he's past it unfortunately.

I actually think Rafa is playing pretty decent today.  Anyone bar Nole and they are done.

[Tenez]

BTW JS, where are those great BH DTL from Nadal?

[N2D2L]

BTW JS, where are those great BH DTL from Nadal?

Gone, as with the rest of his game, he's past it.

[noleisthebest]

I nearly broke my toot on an olive!!!! They were supposed to be pitted, wait a minute, they are Spanish

[summerblues]

What a cool way to finish the match - outNadulling Nadal

[N2D2L]

Nadal, like Tiger Woods, is past his best and it is time for hit retire.

[Tenez]

Good last point.

So Nadal plays better than 2011...but Djoko beats him even more convincingly than then which means Djoko plays considerably better than 2011....yet Djoko has more trouble beating Federer than Nadal....interesting all this triangular relation.

[summerblues]

So Nadal plays better than 2011.

I really do not think he does.  This is pretty much standard issue Nadal.  But Nole, playing like this, will more often than not defeat him.

[Tenez]

Djoko did what Davydenko used to do versus Nadal....though I much preferred Davy's style....good performance from Djoko nonetheless....the difference between him now and all that last 12 months is that he has no let down.

Federer and Djoko are the only 2 players winning the IW Miami double twice.....Federer did it 2 years in a row if I remember.

[N2D2L]

Good last point.

So Nadal plays better than 2011...but Djoko beats him even more convincingly than then which means Djoko plays considerably better than 2011....yet Djoko has more trouble beating Federer than Nadal....interesting all this triangular relation.

Bizarre post.

[Daniel]

Let's face it, if Nadal was a right handed player, he'd have been mauled by Fed.

[N2D2L]

No doubt the Trojan warriors, fire extinguisher in hand, will get very vocal now.

[Tenez]

Djoko did what Davydenko used to do versus Nadal....though I much preferred Davy's style....good performance from Djoko nonetheless....the difference between him now and all that last 12 months is that he has no let down.

Federer and Djoko are the only 2 players winning the IW Miami double twice.....Federer did it 2 years in a row if I remember.

[noleisthebest]

What a way to enf the matchand win the title!
Titanium at its shiniest best!
Off for another refill

[N2D2L]

Let's face it, if Nadal was a right handed player, he'd have been mauled by Fed.

Nadal's record against lefties as a percentage is better than Federer's against right handed players.

[noleisthebest]

Djoko did what Davydenko used to do versus Nadal....though I much preferred Davy's style....good performance from Djoko nonetheless....the difference between him now and all that last 12 months is that he has no let down.

Federer and Djoko are the only 2 players winning the IW Miami double twice.....Federer did it 2 years in a row if I remember.

Oh shut up with Davydenko and take your hat to Nole just for once!!!
If for nothing else than for Nole's superior haircut

[noleisthebest]

Whooooo-hooooooo!!!!!!!

[noleisthebest]

What a difference fresh Nole made....he should have a sf w/o every time

[summerblues]

What a difference fresh Nole made....he should have a sf w/o every time

At RG too?

[summerblues]

When Nole plays like this, not only does he beat Rafa more often than not, but he makes it look oh so easy.  Yet, even if he slips just a bit, he loses more than he wins.

[noleisthebest]

What a difference fresh Nole made....he should have a sf w/o every time

At RG too?

I'm no Socal SB!

[noleisthebest]

Double fault... HE IS INJURED!   

We'll have to decide on that ONLY of the serve was around 95 mph

[summerblues]

I'm no Socal SB!

Hehe.  I like Socal but that Fognini thing of his was way over the top.

[noleisthebest]

I know this will look really silly to me tomorrow, but I don't care...

I'M HA-PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

[noleisthebest]

I'm no Socal SB!

Hehe.  I like Socal but that Fognini thing of his was way over the top.

Fognini rules!

[N2D2L]

I'm no Socal SB!

Hehe.  I like Socal but that Fognini thing of his was way over the top.

socal was, as usual, correct though.
If not a combination of Fognini quitting and stunning from Fed, Nadal would not have won RG 2011.

[Tenez]

Well I expected a bit of drama.....and this final was a bit of a damp squib! Djoko was quite clinical and Nadal simply had no answer...no more than indoor WTF or Shanghai. Djoko had no let down and this is what happens when the opponent doesn't tire or lose concentration.

Could Nadal win no slam this year? I woudl not mind if it was to hear again those saying he is declining cause he does not win...Players lose cause others are getting better. It;s as simple as that. WHen Djoko loses it;s not because he woudl have declined....it's because the youngsters will push him out. This is way too competitive a sport to have a chance to "decline".

[noleisthebest]

What a demolition!!!!

And I didn't hide behind the sofa for one second

YEEEEEEEEAH

[noleisthebest]

I don't even know why I am so happy, but I sure needed it

[Tenez]

I'm no Socal SB!

Hehe.  I like Socal but that Fognini thing of his was way over the top.

He felt something that could have had some truth but completely blew it out of proportion. I think he realised that but coudl not retract without losing face so he kept digging his hole. But I like him too. Does he still post on v2?

[N2D2L]

This is way too competitive a sport to have a chance to "decline".

What?
This comment is so nonsensical it's beyond belief.

[Tenez]

What a demolition!!!!

And I didn't hide behind the sofa for one second

YEEEEEEEEAH

No we could see you swim in that small glass of rose.

[noleisthebest]

I don't even know why I am so happy, but I sure needed it

And I sure need a bit of smiley variation here..,I hate to repeat myself

ROTLA, can you do something about it please?

[noleisthebest]

What a demolition!!!!

And I didn't hide behind the sofa for one second

YEEEEEEEEAH

No we could see you swim in that small  glass of rose.

Oh, you party pooper, you!!!  

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