AUS open semi-final 1 - match comment thread

[Guest]

First topic message reminder :

OK people there have been a plethora of Fedal articles but I decided to make this one just so we can all post on the same thread during the match itself.



emancipator - may the serve be with you

[Tenez]

Nadal's tiring a bit. It might not be over. If Federer keeps moving Nadal...he may get him.

I'm afraid that if Fed is counting on Nadal getting tired that's a very risky strategy...

YEs but Nadal can hit the wall as he is consuming much more energy.

[Henman Bill]

For some perspective, they are both playing reasonably well still... imagine them playing a lower ranked player, or me, or you...Might not be at their best by their standards but still plenty to enjoy.

[break_in_the_fifth]

Doesn't he weigh the same as Rafa?

[Tenez]

Shame from Federer as you can see Nadal is tiring...problem is Federer is too.

Murray and Djoko won't be.

[HM Murdock]

Federer has a lion's heart. Physically he is a featherweight but he is not scared going in the ring v heavyweights.

Fed responding well to the pressure of being behind in a set but struggling with the pressure of being in front!

[reckoner]

oh dear don't go walkabout now...

[Simple_Analyst]

This is the difference between a serving clown like Roddick and Nadal. Roddick will keep on serving in one dimension and getting picked off. Nadal is outsmarting Federer with his serve always.

[reckoner]

nice backhands Federer

[Guest]

Much better game from Fed

[Tenez]

If Fed can win easy points like that while making Rafa run instead of him doing the running...then maybe..

[break_in_the_fifth]

Ok S_A, Roddick is now a useless server as well. If only Nadal had given him some serving lessons.

[mthierry]

Federer has a lion's heart. Physically he is a featherweight but he is not scared going in the ring v heavyweights.

Yeah, whatever rocks your boat. Brave little Roger fighting against Rafa "Goliath Rambo Schwarzeneger" Nadal!

[break_in_the_fifth]

The net cord is just not on Fed's side.

[break_in_the_fifth]

until now I guess.

[reckoner]

Federer has a lion's heart. Physically he is a featherweight but he is not scared going in the ring v heavyweights.

Yeah, whatever rocks your boat. Brave little Roger fighting against Rafa "Goliath Rambo Schwarzeneger" Nadal!

it's always been a a bit like the nice kid vs the class bully with these two

[Simple_Analyst]

Nadal serving poorly. He should abandon the body serves.

[break_in_the_fifth]

Nice shots to hold serve. If Fed's forehand was remotely on today he could have had the break.

[reckoner]

finito....

[LuvSports!]

serving for the match

[Guest]

Nadal's defense is crazy!

[Henman Bill]

Really hard won break from Nadal there. Good effort.

[Henman Bill]

Federer 22 on Betfair! Had his chances though...in every set. Even the 6-2 set, I think he had the early break?

[break_in_the_fifth]

Fed can't get an agressive forehand in.

[Tenez]

Now people, remember last December after a 2months rest Nadal was tired after a couple of matches and got bagelled by a tired Federer. Today after a tough 4 setter v Berdych and a tough 3 sets...he is still hitting as hard and running as fast as ever.

Weird...to say the list!

[reckoner]

been impressed with Wilander's commentary

[reckoner]

Now people, remember last December after a 2months rest Nadal was tired after a couple of matches and got bagelled by a tired Federer. Today after a tough 4 setter v Berdych and a tough 3 sets...he is still hitting as hard and running as fast as ever.

Weird...to say the list!

those Mallorcan doctors are very accommodating

[Simple_Analyst]

Nadal choking here lol

[LuvSports!]

oh feds. kudos rafa never say die attitude
come on murray or novak!

[break_in_the_fifth]

Good job Rafa you deserved it today.

[Simple_Analyst]

Disappointing performance from Nadal.

[Guest]

Well done Nadal, incredible resilience

Poor Mirka, she must have a hundred Nadal dolls at home, all full of pins

[kemet]

Just saw the last game (I know what I said earlier about not watching) and proves why Roger has lost this match.

What the (insert appropriate expletive here) was he thinking in that last game.

I am thoroughly disgusted now.

For me tennis is the real loser today.

[break_in_the_fifth]

Can only beat what's in front of you and he got the job done. He may as well save his best for Novak.

[Henman Bill]

what happened after Federer saved the first MP. I lost my electricity. From deuece...

[Simple_Analyst]

Just saw the last game (I know what I said earlier about not watching) and proves why Roger has lost this match.

What the (insert appropriate expletive here) was he thinking in that last game.

I am thoroughly disgusted now.

For me tennis is the real loser today.

Infact tennis is the winner today. How sad when a 16 * time grand slam winner can't hit a simple back hand volley.

[Tom_____]

Been watching on Betfair. Great win for Rafa, H2H now 18-9.

5 all HC, 1-2 Grass and 11-2 Clay.





Federer fans not betting with their head made this more of an investment than a bet imo. pre-match odds definitely not a real representation of probability and skewed by heavy betting.

[bogbrush]

Been stuck at work all day, bloody customers wanting to gve me loads of business again - how inconvenient of them!!

Was it a good standard match?

[HM Murdock]

If Novak gets to the final, I think it is his for the taking. If Murray can convince himself that Rafa isn't a demi-god figure who demands reverential awe, he is in with a decent chance too.

[Jahu]

It wasnt one of their best matched a lot of mistakes from both but Rafa prevailed.

[Guest]

Just some poor decision making from Fed the whole match. Picked the wrong moments to come in, stayed back when he should have come in. Indecisive all the way.

Kudos to Rafa; he did what he had to do and what he always does against Roger.

Basically a typical Fedal match, following the pattern of countless others.

SA you were right, this is the most predictable match-up amongst the top players.

[kemet]

Been stuck at work all day, bloody customers wanting to gve me loads of business again - how inconvenient of them!!

Was it a good standard match?

Nadal played his usual percentage tennis (i.e. keep everything in play and wait for the predictable Federer error). Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Roger made 25 unforced errors in the third set.

If you're a Federer fan, you have been spared the frustration.

[Henman Bill]

Hi Bogbrush, the standard was a notch below average for me for FEderer, and certainly not near his best.

Nadal good but not at his top best either.

Entertaining, enjoyable match but not an absolute classic and certainly not near their AO 09 match for thrill.

[reckoner]

Annacone needs to kick some butt in the dressing room

[Guest]

The standard was no more than average; their final in 2009 was a lot better until the final set.

[Jeremy_Kyle]

Fed's missed scores of opportunities and overall played a very average match, without the necessary determination to finish off the key points

[break_in_the_fifth]

63 UEs from Fed not good enough.

[Guest]

But Nadal was clearly the deserved winner.

He always looked like he was gonna win, apart from the first 3 games. He also had a lot more break point opportunities and won a lot more points overall.

[break_in_the_fifth]

I think Nadal just did what he needed to to win though he had a few nervous moments.

[mthierry]

Just saw the last game (I know what I said earlier about not watching) and proves why Roger has lost this match.

What the (insert appropriate expletive here) was he thinking in that last game.

I am thoroughly disgusted now.

For me tennis is the real loser today.

Maybe you shouldn't speak for the sport. Every single person I watched it with found it an absorbing contest. Speak for yourself.

[Tom_____]

4th set was pretty high quality imo. Different complexion on the match also as it was an SF. From my point of view it looked as if Nadal was just able to raise his game as needed to cover off Federer. alot of the really great games between this two relied on both being able to produce top tennis over 5 sets - not sure Fed, after all these slam losses, is mentally able to do that now against rafa.

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