Wimbledon - SF - Andy vs Rafael Nadal

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

RE: Wimbledon - SF - Andy vs Rafael Nadal

RJA · Hall of fame

Madeline wrote:

I'm not particularly superstitious, but I do feel than Andy is not a "lucky" player - at the AO he had the misfortune to meet Fed on just about the one day this year he has played at his best! Today, he came up against a Nadal whose knees seemed to be working just fine.

He does seem to have the nasty habit of coming up against people on their good days. Roddick last year being another example.

indiana · Tennis legend

Yes, I think Andy has at times been unlucky,

BUT....

In the Aus Open QF he did meet a Nadal whose kness ultimately weren't working fine that day ( though I accept he outplayed Nadal for the first 2 sets with little sign of Nadal discomfort ) and in the SF a Cilic who after competing very well, laterally in the match was a spent force through his earlier round efforts.

And, US Open Final 2008 it is often mentioned Muzza having to complete his SF match on the Sunday ( just one set ! ) before the Monday final, while Fed rested, but I'm not sure that when Nadal had come back to 2 sets to 1 down on the Saturday that he might not have won a 5 setter on the Saturday if it had been able to go 5 sets ( not that it was ever going to ).

Andy has also not converted set points in the Aus Open final vs Fed and today vs Nadal. Sometimes you do need to seize the moment.

-- Edited by indiana on Friday 2nd of July 2010 07:31:31 PM

andyjmr · Intermediate Club Player

Immaculate tennis from Nadal. As others have said he played the big points so well, and fearlessly. During the 3rd set it almost seemed that he was waiting for the end to make his move. Also he relentlessly attacked Andy's forehand - to the point where Andy maybe lost a little bit of confidence in it.

Again as others have said I hope this doesn't knock Andy back too much. He's pretty close to his physical and technical peak now I would guess, so the mental side of things/experience takes on greater significance. I think when (not if) he wins a slam, he'll have got something out of his system and be able to relax a bit more and play the big points slightly better.

chavkev · Intermediate Club Player

As a fan you do feel like the stuffing has been knocked out of you. The guile and the killer instinct of Nadal was impressive. Presuming that sort of performance and healthy knees, Federer is going to spend his retirement watching Nadal break his records.

philwrig · Hall of fame

I wonder whether if Andy hadn't taken the foot off the gas post the Aussie open we would have had our grand slam champion. He played so much better during these two weeks, somewhat helped by a kind draw, than I thought was possible.

Still in the end analysis his inability to step up his game in the key points has again proved his undoing. Overall though I have great hope for the remainder of the season, with his favourite tournament still to come.

LadyTigress · County player

I have to agree. I also feel that Andy has had a very good draw at this year's Wimbledon. Tsonga was the first significant challenge, whilst Rafa was the first opponent who was too tough to call the outcome of... meanwhile if he had got through, with Berdych in the final, even on hot form, you'd have to give Andy a big shot at winning the title what with Fed being knocked out.

Frustrating then that he didn't get through. I also believed that the match would be a four or five setter, but at least the straight sets win victory is deceptive. One breakin sets one and three and a tight tiebreak in the second is a closer scoreline than the tag of straight sets victory would suggest. But I know Andy could've played better. The match wasn't exactly reminiscent of the USO 2008 semifinal. Now that's the kind of play I'd like to see Andy taking out against Rafa.

steven · Tennis legend

My blog re. last Friday http://bit.ly/agjPE7 - the only reason it's just on AM.com is because I didn't have much time to post it today and getting multiple pics on there is much easier (copy and paste the image tags, change the photo numbers) than the rigmarole you have to go through to add images on here.