Stan’s experience got him through this one, held his nerve for so long.
Tennis 2019
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Well played Stan, but Tsitisipas should have won that 5th set. Numerous break points but never took his chance.
I think Federer will beat Stan in the QFs, but it could be a good match.
I think Federer will beat Stan in the QFs, but it could be a good match.
Stan will be tired against Federer.
Over 5 hours today!
Over 5 hours today!
Really felt more like Tsitsi losing his nerve than Stan keeping his. Stan didn't have a look in once on the Tsitsi serve all set, Tsitsi missed 8 BP and most of them were very very gettable. His forehand just disappeared in all the crucial moments.
I think Fed can take Stan before he ultimately gets bounced by Rafa in the semis
I was watching the 2017 AO 5th set again and Federer missed 5 before converting his first BP, and then another 4 before his second. So the full set was 2/11. Missed even more than Tsitsipas today, but did convert twice.
Nadal missed 3 in the set, converting one. (1/4) 2 in the first game (he got the second), and 2 in the final game (saved by an ace and a forehand winner).
Yes the ironic thing is that for Federer, if he plays really well (and reaches the semis), the outcome at the French Open will be one more loss in that already-miserable H2H vs Rafa.
Even fully fit, I think Paire or Nishikori are good opponents for Nadal in a QF. I can see them getting into a long match that has to be finished tomorrow.
Fed Rafa at RG is something I'd not often be worried about but Nadal is currently in a big run of losses vs Fed so it's a bit worrying. Plus that hit to the Fed up backhand tactic all match long has stopped working.
This isn't the 2017 Fed with that ridiculous backhand. I've not been able to see much, but from highlights, he is back to slicing and then running around the backhand to get a big forehand (still an improvement over late 2018 Fed who seemed to have lost confidence in his forehand too).
They haven't faced each other on clay since 2013, and Fed's last win was 2009
Even Khachanov vs Del Potro is tomorrow. Big big matches.
This isn't the 2017 Fed with that ridiculous backhand. I've not been able to see much, but from highlights, he is back to slicing and then running around the backhand to get a big forehand (still an improvement over late 2018 Fed who seemed to have lost confidence in his forehand too).
They haven't faced each other on clay since 2013, and Fed's last win was 2009
Fed hasn't lost to Nadal on any surface in over 5 years (including two slams) so it may not be the walk in the park some may think.
I know about AO 2017 but what's the other slam Fed has beaten Nadal at in the last 5 years?
Since 2015, they've only played each other on hard courts and just the once in a slam.
Saying that I think the recent head to head will be a factor, but not a massive one. I'd expect Nadal to win but I don't think it would be a formality.
I thought it was two but the 2nd was the 2014 Aussie (which was Nadal's last win against Federer)
This. I won't be surprised if Nadal is the one who goes in with nerves knowing he's lost 4-5 in a row now to Federer.
Paire takes the second set vs Nishikori. This will probably be finished tomorrow unless one of them can win two quick sets.
Don't let the stats blind you. The last time Federer and Nadal met was 2017. Since then, Federer 2017 backhand disappeared, while Nadal improved much his serve and is now bageling or almost bageling opponets at will. Not just on clay, but remember the AO this year. So far, Federer has not played against this rejuvenated Nadal.
I don't think Federer would lay a glove on this version of Nadal, tbh. He'd break down his backhand within a few games and it'd be easy street from there on in.
The early backhand of 2017, even if it hadn’t disappeared, wouldn’t work in a surface as slow as RG’s clay anyway. Nadal would get all the time in the world to hit his forehand.
Fed’s footwork has gotten much worse in the last 2 years as well. Even in set 5 of AO 2018 when he managed to beat Cilic comfortably, it was already super pedestrian. Nadal will run him ragged.
Fed’s footwork has gotten much worse in the last 2 years as well. Even in set 5 of AO 2018 when he managed to beat Cilic comfortably, it was already super pedestrian. Nadal will run him ragged.
Why?
That’s one of his strengths and just because it didn’t work in one game doesn’t mean he should stop doing it. It worked very well vs Federer at the Aussie open.
I also think people should stop making predictions about Fed vs Nadal because you just jinx it as every slam people do the same and we don’t get to see the match.
Rafa will steamroll Fed. Wouldn't surprise me if we see a bagel like in 2008.
Pretty much this. Expect Wawrinka to beat Fed on clay
Federer isn't beating Nadal on clay. Making the semi finals will be a job well done for him here. Hopefully that sets him up well for giving Wimbledon a good go.
regardless of surface, it really doesn't matter who is Nishikori playing against in these earlier rounds. he could play Muguruza and the match would still go in fifth set. it's same story every year.
Him and Zverev both. I don't think they know they're allowed to finish matches in 3 sets.
He has probably the worst serve at top level, which doesn't help to finish off matches quickly.
Nishikori always seems to play an abundance of 5-setters at Grand Slams only to be eventually destroyed by one of the top 3 in the quarters.
Great fighting spirit but he'll be eaten alive by Nadal tomorrow.
Great fighting spirit but he'll be eaten alive by Nadal tomorrow.
Nishikori continues his trend of having the best deciding set winning percentage in the history of men's tennis.
His 5th set record is also excellent largely in part to getting dragged into 5th sets against inferior opponents at slams.
His 5th set record is also excellent largely in part to getting dragged into 5th sets against inferior opponents at slams.
Nadal - Nishikori on Chatrier and Wawrinka - Federer on Lenglen
Thought they may go the other way because on paper, the Wawrinka - Federer match is more interesting. If Paire won today, it would have made more sense him on Chatrier vs Nadal
Thought they may go the other way because on paper, the Wawrinka - Federer match is more interesting. If Paire won today, it would have made more sense him on Chatrier vs Nadal
In terms of quality it should be Stan Fed on PC for sure. Poor Stan though. Two huge matches and he still can't get on to PC.
I'm going to Queens for the first time this year, would be awesome to see Murray
Delpo khachanov is so strange. Not sure if Jmdp is unfit but never seen him getting outhit this badly from the back of the court
Don't think he's unfit but he's just not been hitting well enough against another guy who's just smashing it as well as he does. Khachanov has really brought back his form from the USO last year.
Thought yesterday's match was an all-time clasic and much as I'd love to see him win it all, can't see Stan playing that well and getting so lucky again.
By the way, I was lucky enough to see Stan at Monte Carlo in April this year. The first time I've seen him live, and if you haven't actually seen it for yourself, it's almost impossible to believe the speed of the ball when he lets rip with his backhand.
Good to see Khachanov with the win today. He's been under the radar this year since his strong end to 2018.
As expected, Stan is absolutely hopeless reading Federer's serve. Couldn't manage to get much of a read on Dimi or Tsitsipas' serves and definitely not doing it here.
Going to be a straight sets win this.
Going to be a straight sets win this.
It’s not like Federer is breaking him at will either, and the former has gotten decidedly worse at TBs.
And as I said that, he won the tb
This is why I wanted Tsitsipas to beat Stan. This guy is the worst reader of serve I've seen among the top players. He's unable to even keep second serves in play.