Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - R5: Andy vs Rafael Nadal (ESP)

timmoore46 · Admin:moderator + Club Coach

Weeks 3/4 - Australian Open - R5: Andy vs Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

BBC 2 according to this, Tim - where did you hear BBC1? Knowing the Beeb they might have changed it to BBC1 and not bothered to change the website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6102132.stm

I'm nervy about this one. We know Andy can beat Rafa if he plays at his best - but will he? No room for any brainfreezes. Rafa may not be at his best physically at the moment but his mental strength is frightening. And if Andy gives his all to beat Rafa will he have anything left for the semi?

Yes, I know, I'm back to being Mrs. Pessimist!

Good luck Andy, and play well. I'll be watching well supplied with tranquillisers, defibrillator, cushions etc.

indiana · Tennis legend

I am genuinely hopeful of victory for this match. Well I think I am smile

It's slightly difficult to know how straight you are being with your own thoughts when you really very much want someone to win

Clearly though it could go either way, and undoubtably as Madeline says if Andy plays his best he can win.

The pick 'em competition maybe tells how much this could go either way. Basically 488 tennis aficianados ( well 487 and one that picked Matthew Ebdon to win the title and both Nadal and Murray to be out by now ) and 50% picked Rafa to be the semi finalist from this quarter and 48% Andy.

I know Rafa initially had a straight winning record against Andy, but Andy has got a couple of wins in the last 4 meetings and included is his most significant victory against anyone.

The Grand Slam omens are pretty good from the 3 meetings, with the tremendous match he gave Rafa 3 years ago here ( he's a better player now, is Rafa ? ) and of course the US Open semi 2008. Wimbledon 2008 quarter was not one to remember but maybe a bit shot by the Gasquet match ( and he should be fresh this time ) and Andy to to me has better chances against Rafa on hard courts.

I think generally Andy rises to Fed / Rafa matches and mind wandering is much less likely.

Anyway overall who left in the draw has ever beaten Andy in a GS ? Answer everyone but Djokovic, but fear not smile

In the grand scheme of things I intially thought if he had to play Rafa and Fed better to be QF and final then SF immedaitely followed by final, but actually if in bottom half of draw the semi is on Thursday and the final not till Sunday so the recovery is probably more of an issue quarter to semi.

Oh one step at a time. Play your best, Andy.

indiana · Tennis legend

Radio 5 Live have just said the match is on BBC 2 or tune into Radio 5 Live Sports Extra ( if you have digital radio ).

Could do both I guess.

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 25th of January 2010 09:17:58 PM

steven · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
Anyway overall who left in the draw has ever beaten Andy in a GS ? Answer everyone but Djokovic, but fear not

What a frightening stat! You're right of course, though at least it suggests that players who beat Andy in slams either are top players or go on to become top players!

steven · Tennis legend

The BBC report that:

Rafa is practising with Sean Berman, the young Australian whom Dan Evans beat 5 & 1 in AO qualifying.

Muzza is practising with Thomas Muster, the old(er) Austrian who won Roland Garros in 1995 and is a former world no. 1.

Not much difference then!

Muster holds an odd record - he's the only world no. 1 never to have got past the first round at Wimbledon.

indiana · Tennis legend

Cilic beats Roddick in 5 sets.

Oh, I know one step at a time, but just saying....

Mikeduke · County player

Ugh Andy gets broken in his second service game

1 - 2*

goldfish · Futures qualifying

fantastic topspin lob to break back 2-2

Mikeduke · County player

Bit scrappy at the moment, some good stuff and also some rubbish.

Mikeduke · County player

Andy breaks out of the scrappy stuff and wins four in a row to go to 5-2*!

mjd · Challenger qualifying

Set point 3 to Andy and he takes it in 50 mins!

The tension is just too much!

steven · Tennis legend

I love the way Andy is mixing it up 18 winners (to Rafa's 8) and 15 net approaches so far!

goldfish · Futures qualifying

very encouraging so far. Seems to be keeping control of himself.

Count Zero · Tennis legend

Bogmesiter also under way. wont post scores, but if there is a break etc i'll put a note here.