ATP 250: Montpellier, Zagreb, Vina Del Mar

Come on, Chardy

Chardy waiting to serve. Nadal still in his chair.
Finally gets up. Chardy lifts the ball signalling he is going to serve. w
What does the king of uglinesss do?
Starts "cleaning" the entire length of baseline ...

I really wish I was a man playing hi, I'd kick those bottles of his with such zest!

early break nadal

Very disappointing start from Chardy. 0:4 already.

First set over quickly 6:2. Chardy's movement looks non-existant.

Better start in the 2nd set from Chardy. Let's hope he can keep it up now.

Managed to drop off at the desk...only to wake up to some silly Spanish commercials. A quick check at the ATP site for the score....6:2 6:2.....

yes really disappointing it was no closer.

Tenez wrote:yes really disappointing it was no closer.

Did you manage to see any of the match?

nope, nothing and I am glad I did not.

Tenez wrote:nope, nothing and I am glad I did not.

It was not nice to watch and you definitely didn't miss much.
Nadal moved and played better than in the previous matches, and I don't know why, Chardy moved terribly, was overhitting his forehand a lot, looked like he was totally overwhelmed.

Watching Nadal and all his on-court antics just infuriated me and reminded me why I can't stand him.....again!

Well he knew he had to take Chardy's edge off..so a bit of unsettling was the best way to do just that.
The thing is even if Nadal's mouvement is not as good, he is always going to be a pain to play just by the sheer power/spin of his shots especially for someone who has never played him before. It's like playing a different game almost. That's Nadal's strength...but the top players are used to it...well a bit more than the rest.

Tenez wrote:Well he knew he had to take Chardy's edge off..so a bit of unsettling was the best way to do just that.
The thing is even if Nadal's mouvement is not as good, he is always going to be a pain to play just by the sheer power/spin of his shots especially for someone who has never played him before. It's like playing a different game almost. That's Nadal's strength...but the top players are used to it...well a bit more than the rest.

Yes, Chardy definitely struggled with it. Looked a completely different player, his big forehand swing didn't help him either yesterday.

Watching Gasquet Paire at last! Paire a set and a break down

Come on Ben, all is not lost yet, let's goooooooooo

And it's over...Gasquet records an easy win. From the little I saw, Paire looked despondent and that state of spirit immediately showed in his game which looked without the usual wings and flair

He needs to toughen up a bit, but then he won't be the wonderful player he is now, maybe just a little bit, not to get discouraged if the opponent plays well.

Could work on his returning, as well.

Gasquet, 2nd title this year

Nadal moonballing more than ever.

Horacio wasting 2BPs already....

Tenez wrote:Nadal moonballing more than ever.

Having fun ?

Watching Horacio v Nadal, both LFers and it's quite interesting match. One a bit more talented than the 11 slam champion.

But Nadal's game is simpler and more solid.

Well Zeballos definitely playing a lot better than Chard last night, looks better adjusted to dirt.
He played for Argentina in DC last weekend, I can't remember whether it was on clay or not.

Tenez wrote:But Nadal's game is simpler and more solid.

You know, I keep watching him and every time I wonder how on earth did he win those 11 slams. Just how high do you rekcon does the ball bounce when they land on the base line?

Zebalos standing 10m behind the base line to receive serve

noleisthebest wrote:Zebalos standing 10m behind the base line to receive serve

That must be something, I will pull curtains over a window not to see moonballs for sure

paulcz wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Zebalos standing 10m behind the base line to receive serve

That must be something, I will pull curtains over a window not to see moonballs for sure

yeah, close those windows and put the bars on, too, you never know !

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:But Nadal's game is simpler and more solid.

You know, I keep watching him and every time I wonder how on earth did he win those 11 slams. Just how high do you rekcon does the ball bounce when they land on the base line?

Very high. It's a tough ball to handle unless you are ready to stand 5 m behind and for it to drop pace and heigh.

Horacio's mouvement is terrible but his mind is much worse even.
Nadal on the other hand moving very well....certainly in comparison.

Before the match started, HZ had no belief at all he could win....a set later he has even less of it.

I am sure Federer Djoko and Murray are watching this final....and they like what they see.

HZ FH is pathetic...and again has the urge to finish the point early leading him into stupid UEs.

Tenez wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:But Nadal's game is simpler and more solid.

You know, I keep watching him and every time I wonder how on earth did he win those 11 slams. Just how high do you rekcon does the ball bounce when they land on the base line?

Very high. It's a tough ball to handle unless you are ready to stand 5 m behind and for it to drop pace and heigh.

I totally hate those!!!!!

Tenez wrote:HZ FH is pathetic...and again has the urge to finish the point early leading him into stupid UEs.

Perhaps Horacio did not get the info about Nadal knee heavy injury . That must be a sheer frustration to play against the heavily injured player, who did not play 7 months and now runs as a startled bull. Poor Horacio.

Back to watching the match....whatever's left of it! Good hold and fight from Zeballos, vamos Gaucho!

Nadal's ridiculous level of sweating taking the King of Sweat title from Roddick now!

Let's hope Zeballos doesn't choke now....I want to see another tie-break ...at least!

NO nerves form Zeballos 5 all.

Brilliant point from Zeballos for 1 all in the tie-break

Can we expect a "bump" in the changeover?

I can't believe this

Zebby,all is forgiven after that BH return, now pleeeeeeeeeeease serve it out!!!!!

BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!What heart from Zeballos!!!

HZ is so weak mentally....very much in the line of his compatriots: Coria, Nalby, .....

I was going to write but he did well to take the 2nd set.....in fact he should have won in 2.

Ouch...Nadal making a Zeballos type UEs on break back point.

Those players really respect and fear Nadal....it's really bizarre. It's like they don't want to beat him.

zeballos wins!

Yep he does in 3...not by playing fantastic....just by believing at last he could win.

When was the last time Nadal lost to a SHBH on clay...besides Federer?
I know the answer (I think)...do you?

gaudio?

Well done! That's what I believe too anyway....and like HZ a argentian and LH.....LH like Nadal.

Nadal finding it hard to smile....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwfmbXJEBtY