CAMELOT FANTASIES

General, I saw the match from the second set on.

About midway through the second set, it looked like Rafa started losing energy.
Maybe he used up a lot in the first set getting the lead?  I didn't see it, so I don't know.

At any rate, it looks like his fitness is still a problem.  Ok, we are early in the season, so he has a little time to get fit, especially once he hits the clay.
But his positioning on return, and his return is still a big problem.

I realize Raonic is one of the best servers in the game, but on second serve Rafa was still 5 meters behind the baseline.
It makes him look scared out there and it makes it difficult for him to return deep. 
When he did return it, he was fortunate to get the ball back to the service line.  I think one return didn't even make it to the net.
Then if Rafa can't break, it puts more pressure on his own serve.
Near the end, it simply looked like Rafa had no idea where Raonic was going to serve, and Raonic routinely closed it out after breaking once at the start of the set.

Moya and Uncle Toni have simply got to get Nadal to move in closer on return on faster hard courts.  He is giving up too much court and angles. He has quick enough reactions.
Sure Raonic is ranked #3 and a tougher, better player these days, but if I see Rafa become more fit, and returning more aggressively, instead of camping in downtown Brisbane, and he still loses, then congratulate Raonic and that's it.

Early in the second, I did see some solid forehands from Rafa.
The good news is that I still see much room for improvement from him.  But he has to start doing it...

In other matches, Djokovic was very lucky to win today over Verdasco.  Novak played very poorly from a 4-2 lead to lose the first set, and Verdasco had a 6-2 lead in the second set tiebreaker, and a total of 5 match points, and couldn't put some sitters away, losing the set and naturally the match. 

If Djokovic can't pick up his game significantly, he should be well beaten by Murray tomorrow who routined Berdych today.

Respectfully,
masterclass

bottom line is this general:

clay is the wellspring from which he flows. his game starts and end with clay.


he has to get back to his roots and find his ground game and his mental discipline.


as for fitness, we know he is not doing enough on the fitness front. wrist issue is a poor excuse for not being fit for the demands of the ATP tour.


if he wants to win, it will have to be on clay. the second he runs into a decent player on the hard courts he is done.

now it wont be much different on clay either but that is where it has to all start.


he has no business going to Rotterdam. he is going there for a nice paycheck which he doesn't need.

he also expects an early loss at the Australian Open which is the second reason he will head to Rotterdam.



Djokovic is going through some sort of phase. Andy has to capitalize on this opportunity.

he can strike quick and take both Doha and the Australian Open. that will set the tables nicely for him at Roland Garros.

Andy has lost 5 Australian Open finals. I don't see him losing another final this year.