Once Verdascos forehand came alive he blew him out of the water. Fully deserved, would have been kicking himself because Rafa hit so little winners.
Tennis 2016
- Thread starter saivet
- Start date
ffs Nadal
Watch Dudu knock Verdasco out in next round, would be typical of Verdasco over the years.
feck sake Rafa 
This has happened to Nadal a lot in the last few years. Verdasco played well and credit to him.
But Nadal just doesn't impose himself on players like he once did. Fognini did the exact same last year quite a few times to Nadal.
If Nadal doesn't win another clay tournament this season then he should retire.
Not really a shock, Rafa has been done for a while. Any match against a semi-difficult opponent is a 50/50. A clay title/Roland Garros is really the only hope he has now.
Nasty opponent to get in the first round when you are down to be fair, but well done on Verdasco taking full advantage of the scalp. Really do hope some of the young guys had a good offseason and step up this year, otherwise could be quite a dull year for Tennis.
Since Rafa won the French Open in 2014, this is his record in Grand Slams
2014 Wimbledon, 4R defeat to Kyrgios in 4 sets
2014 US Open, absent
2015 Australian Open, QF defeat to Berdych in straight sets
2015 French Open, QF defeat to Djokovic in straight sets
2015 Wimbledon, 2R defeat to Brown in 4 sets
2015 US Open, 3R defeat to Fognini in 5 sets
2016 Australian Open, 1R defeat to Verdasco in 5 sets
2014 Wimbledon, 4R defeat to Kyrgios in 4 sets
2014 US Open, absent
2015 Australian Open, QF defeat to Berdych in straight sets
2015 French Open, QF defeat to Djokovic in straight sets
2015 Wimbledon, 2R defeat to Brown in 4 sets
2015 US Open, 3R defeat to Fognini in 5 sets
2016 Australian Open, 1R defeat to Verdasco in 5 sets
A close friend of mine used to shit his pants about Nadal surpassing Fed's slam haul. I told him his body would break well before he can do that.
Admittedly, it was said with a tinge of jealousy back then in 08/09, but anyone who have followed the sport can see the strain he put on himself even then. Such a shame. Wonderful player and a very decent human being, ass scratching aside.
Admittedly, it was said with a tinge of jealousy back then in 08/09, but anyone who have followed the sport can see the strain he put on himself even then. Such a shame. Wonderful player and a very decent human being, ass scratching aside.
Brilliant scenes with Zhang Shuai, brilliant.
Halep is out too. Biggest surprise so far.
John Higgins was World Number 1 when he got stung by NotW
Sorry, I mean't the biggies in the game over the last 10 or so years.
Rafa should call it a day, if it was not for injuries he would have been the GOAT
He brought it on himself. His playing style waas the reason really
Nadal is way too passive these days. Verdasco played to win the game, Rafa looked like he just wanted to avoid defeat. He needs to change his game, he lacks the physical power these days and needs to develope an attacking game. But for that he probably needs a new coach and he won't sack Toni. Maybe he has a chance on clay, but for myself I don't think he will ever come close to a slam win again. He is still only 29, which shouldn't be a problem, but similiar to Rooney, he played already as a teenager on the highest level and has more years there than most other players at that stage plus his physical game and a couple of injuries and then it's not that surprising why he can't compete with the very best anymore.
It's a shame that the current scandal/allegations are going to overshadow the tournament.
Sweet candy covered christ on a bike, how can anyone enjoy today's women's tennis, especially Sharapova (looks aside)? What a nightmare this is to watch... when the ball's in play it's all screams and no excitement, when the ball isn't in play you have to wait for half a week for Sharapova to finally serve the goddamn ball.
Assuming that that's a fair assessment of the women's game (and, for me, it is), though I appreciate the sentiment, what do you mean by this?
Are you saying that the standard/entertainment value is so good that you wish the scandal didn't detract from it; or are you saying that you wish the scandal wasn't the only thing worth talking about in tennis at the moment...
Because I genuinely believe only one of those statements to be accurate
I have no idea what those scandals Spiersey mentioned are, it's just that I find the women's game to be pretty much unwatchable for years now, and somehow it keeps getting worse.
What scandals, then? Did I miss something? Is it about the match fixing?
4 games into Federer - Dolgopolov and I've already seen more variety than in the 3 hours of women slugging the ball at each other that came before this match.
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Strange match. Federer is serving like a god but he can hardly win a point once the ball is in play (unless Dolgopolov goes wide). Very, very tame groundstrokes so far, absolutely no pressure behind either wing so far.
Bouchard the best babe on the tour.
I struggle to watch the women's matches too. Seen too many supposedly top players at important stages of slams play mediocre stuff.
Radwanska - Bouchard was a game of decent quality, all in all. Not as close and thrilling as expected but there was some pretty good tennis played. I don't find women's tennis great either but it's not that bad, if you know who to watch.
Regardless of what happens at this tournament, it is going to be remembered as the beginning of a scandal in Tennis. I'd put good money on a newspaper having a big story on the day of the final (final is a Sunday I think, most likely the Sun, about match fixing with evidence etc.
Feckin knew it.
Not Verdasco's fault, it's the Nadal curse.
True. 8 Rafa victors in a row now out in next round.
Hewitt
One of my favorite players. Seems like I'm watching his last game today.
One of my favorite players. Seems like I'm watching his last game today.
I read on Reddit that of the 24 times Nadal's lost before the final at a slam 14 of those players have lost in the next round, 9 have lost in a future round and only one (Del Potro 2009 US Open) has gone on to win the tournament. Which is pretty incredible.
Mental.
Saw that stat and I think it was 'upsets'. Djok beat Nadal at Roland Garros last year in the quarters then beat Murray in the semis. He did go on to lose the final...so maybe the curse was simply delayed.
I still enjoy the women's game but the players worth watching is becoming ever narrower. There are just so many brainless baseliners in the game today who use no variety whatsoever, don't go to the net ever, basically just hit flat all the time every time. Players like Sharapova, Halep and Bouchard to name a few are dull as dishwater to watch. Aside from that, this net-shaving flat baseline play has no margin for error and is one of the main reasons there are so few consistent players these days and the results are becoming ever more erratic.
I really hope that Azarenka keeps up her form this year and really challenges Serena properly. She hoots like a demented owl but at least she can play proper tennis.
It's understandable that the quality of women's tennis is going to be a bit lower due to the fact they don't have the same speed or power as the men, but there is really no excuse for not having good technique. I really wonder what a lot of these girls are training year round.
I really hope that Azarenka keeps up her form this year and really challenges Serena properly. She hoots like a demented owl but at least she can play proper tennis.
It's understandable that the quality of women's tennis is going to be a bit lower due to the fact they don't have the same speed or power as the men, but there is really no excuse for not having good technique. I really wonder what a lot of these girls are training year round.
Tremendously entertaining match between Thiem and Goffin!
Whew, that was awesome! Only a 4 setter, but easily my match of the tournament so far. 3 hours of high quality shotmaking and intensity, some great sportsmanship by Thiem that cost him a service game with him still winning the set. Everything you could wish for in a tennis match.
I absolutely despise Sharapova.
From what I've seen, decent match between Fed and Dimitrov. 1 set all at the moment
Easy third set for Fed.
What a wonderful rally between Monfils and Robert.
101 aces for Isner in all three matches, zero break points on his serve.