Author Topic: The Truth's Rant And Rave Show: Now In Progress (Read 66124 times)

Clay Death · « **Reply #2835 on:** September 01, 2015, 06:49:09 pm »

Quote from: masterclass on September 01, 2015, 09:50:10 am

I agree General.

IF Rafa gets tired in the 3rd against Djokovic, it might not be as easy to come back into it against him.

That's why Rafa has to use these next few matches wisely.

If he feels he has the match in control, it wouldn't hurt him to stay out there a bit longer.

Then in the match before the QF, he should take it as easily as he can.

So even if Rafa looks and is stronger, his fitness in terms of endurance will have to be there against the likes of Djokovic, if they both make it to the QF.

Respectfully,
masterclass

that is a great post general

I just have a feeling that Rafa knows his limitations now. it is not rocket science for him and his team.

he has been living it up and there has been very limited activity as it relates to his game and his fitness.

all those fellow pros also know. many are wondering why Rafa has been so inactive. he has missed more than 1/2 of the year of tennis and he is perfectly healthy.

this is why he would lay down his sword before he even entered Paris. he declared more than just once that he was not the favorite against anybody.

he will do what he can but even if nole was not in his quarter it would be very difficult for him to win the tournament.

he won in the past even when he was limping around. he had the youth, hunger, and fitness on his side.

I personally think he will not face nole.

but we will see.

Clay Death · « **Reply #2836 on:** September 01, 2015, 07:34:53 pm »

Andy is not going to have any issues today:

http://www.livescore.in/tennis/

Stan and Roger march on as expected.

thetruth · « **Reply #2837 on:** September 01, 2015, 11:57:34 pm »

Quote from: masterclass on September 01, 2015, 06:58:57 am

You are both too kind. But thank you.

Nishikori had some injury problems as usual last tournament and I felt he would be vulnerable.

Benoit Paire has been playing very well of late, and has a lot of talent. He has an excellent serve, very strong 2-hand backhand and a good forehand, volleys well. He moves well for a tall man, but his footwork lacks somewhat, especially when he needs to go back. But he hasn't always had the consistency or strong mentality, especially against tougher defensive players.

He should be no less than a top 20 player and even top 10 if his mentality would improve. Unfortunately that is the story of the French players as a whole. A lot of talent, but not always the best mentality and inconsistent. Wawrinka's coach, Norman, I think would do Paire a world of good. He tends to play more fearless early in a tournament, and usually gets fired up for a big match.

That's why I thought he could spell trouble for Kei Nishikori.

And though I had Rafa on my list of possible upsets, considering his play of late, I saw a big step forward from Rafa yesterday and was very encouraged.

1. He played with more intensity,
2. He looks like he put on a lot of extra muscle between his loss at Cincinnati and yesterday. Especially his right arm looked stronger, and his backhand benefited. He was hitting very solid down the line and cross court on that wing.
3. His serve improved 100%. He was up in the 120's yesterday. Haven't seen that since the 2010 US Open.
4. His return was better, but still needs to be better.
5. Though it looked like his strength improved, his overall fitness still needs more work. He admitted he got tired in the 3rd set and it cost him. But fortunately he got a second wind in the 4th and grabbed it.
6. His confidence looked much improved and his on-court demeanor and body language reflected it. This is essential for his aura so that players will fear him. He had lost that recently. Nobody was really afraid anymore. He was like a target. Yesterday, I saw Rafa of old, with just a few chinks.

I'll say this right now. IF Rafa continues on this path and doesn't take a step back, I think he is a big threat to beat Djokovic in the QF, and even to win the tournament. Maybe some will say it's a bit too early to say he's back, but he took a big step forward yesterday. Very encouraging for him and his team. and of course, his devoted fans.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Kei has had a career full of injuries. I don’t know if it’s because he’s so slight, or if it’s simply fate. Some people are blessed with health and some aren’t. it may just be the luck of the draw.

I love watching Benoit play. He’s a very stylish player, but as you said his mentality needs major improvement. For that reason I thought that even if he got Kei in a pickle he would fold, but he didn’t. I didn’t remember that, but you’re right he does seem to relish the challenge early in a tournament and can be a very dangerous player in the early rounds. He needs a good coach to help him to put it all together. He would be very dangerous if that happens.

Rafa has been missing his trademark intensity all season. Little by little I’ve seen it coming back, specifically in the last three or four tournaments. I noticed his right arm in Cincinnati too. It wasn’t as defined as it usually is. He definitely needs to improve his fitness though, because he shouldn’t be getting tired after two sets. It was a strange declaration considering that he has to play tough players who will now try to tire him out. But that’s Rafa, he’s honest to a fault.
As long as he finishes the season on a high note I’ll be happy. The fact that he’s rediscovered his will is all I can ask. I hope he does well and improves with every match.

thetruth · « **Reply #2838 on:** September 02, 2015, 02:59:43 am »

US Open R1: An Interview With Rafael Nadal (September 1, 2015)
On September 1, 2015

http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2015/09/01/rafael-nadal-interview-2015-us-open-first-round-borna-coric/

Q. You started this match very well for two sets.

RAFAEL NADAL: I think I played great. The first two sets I played a very high level of tennis. Seriously, then I get a little bit tired. I had some problems. I was sweating a lot. I lost little bit — you know, I don’t feel enough strong after that, no?
I had little bit of stomach problem so I felt not perfect, physically perfect then.
But then in the fourth I recovered little bit. I played again more aggressive. Finally was important victory for me. Happy the way that I played when I was, you know, physically good.

Q. How great was it to be back in New York after a tournament you won in 2013? Does it feel like a vindication? Not vindication so much, but just you getting back to business now and that in 2015 you’re relatively healthy and able to make a run at another championship?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, is not the moment to think about that, no? Was tough to miss last year because the opportunity of 2014 will not be back. So that’s an opportunity lost. But that’s part of my career, too. I had few opportunities lost during my career. But at the same time, I converted more than what I expected, no? So great to be back in New York. Is a tournament I like a lot. Atmosphere here is just amazing. The crowd, I feel the love of the crowd and the energy of them, so I enjoy a lot playing in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, especially night sessions.

Seriously, I had a great week of practice before the tournament start, no? I don’t know how it going to goes, but I practiced at a very high level of tennis during the previous weeks, no? Something that was tough to arrive to that level at practice the rest of the season.
That gives me calm. That gives me confidence. I know if I’m able to keep having that feelings, I don’t know here, I don’t know in next tournaments, but I will have the success again. I will have the feeling that I can compete against everybody with good conditions.

Q. Physically you will be able to recover?

RAFAEL NADAL: Sure. No, no. Is not the problem at all. Is small thing. But this small lose of energy is more lose of speed during a match against a player who is a fighter. He’s a great player. He is tough, no? He take a set.
Then in the fourth, you know, is tough. Is true that in the fourth he only had one 30-All, I think, something like this. For the rest, I was returning great in the fourth, returning aggressive. I had chances on the return in almost every game. Not breakpoint, but 30-All, and he didn’t.
But when you arrive to 3-All, you know, small mistake and you are in a big problem in the fifth.

Q. There are many players coming on the tour right now. Do you think Coric is among one of the best ones coming right now?

RAFAEL NADAL: Let’s see. Let’s see in the future. We have a few years to see. The best player will be the one who will be able to improve more. One of the things that I believe that our generation did well – I know is different generations, but we competed for a long time, Federer, Novak, myself, Andy, David Ferrer – you know, the real thing is we are always, during 10 years, we improved a lot of things.
So that’s the thing that will make the difference on this new generation. But they are good. We didn’t had one generation like this for a while. They are here now. That’s good for tennis.

Q. You’re the last teenager to win a Grand Slam. There are 10 in this tournament, which is the most in 25 years. Do you think there will ever be teenage champions in the future, or is it too hard at this time in tennis?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is not too hard. I did that. Hewitt did. It’s not a question of the tennis changed and that’s tough. Is a question if the new generations are good enough to do it, if the new generations are mentally prepared to do it.
Seems like, you know, now again, Coric is No. 33 in the world and he’s 18. He’s very young, too. He going to be in a very high position of ranking very, very soon. I’m sure of that.

So is not a question of how hard it is or if the tour changed, is a question of if the players are good or less good. That’s my feeling. And if they are able to be ready mentally at that young age.

Q. You said you had a moment where you didn’t feel perfect. You mentioned a stomach problem. Is that a muscle thing?

RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, was not a stomach problem. Was little bit of just dishydration [sic]. Was very humid tonight out there. I was sweating a lot. Sometimes happens this these days.

Clay Death · « **Reply #2839 on:** September 02, 2015, 08:10:02 am »

good morning everybody.

EquineAnn · « **Reply #2840 on:** September 02, 2015, 08:13:16 am »

Hello!

Clay Death · « **Reply #2841 on:** September 02, 2015, 10:02:31 am »

Hello lady Ann. How are you?

EquineAnn · « **Reply #2842 on:** September 02, 2015, 11:57:03 am »

Hello Clay! I'm fine, thank you very much for asking. How are you?

masterclass · « **Reply #2843 on:** September 02, 2015, 04:33:57 pm »

Nadal got a 3-0 lead in the 1st set on a nervous Schwartzman. But the lead vanished.
In the tiebreaker, Nadal escaped and won the 1st set against midget but pesky Schwartzman.
Diego was up 5-3 in the tiebreaker on his serve and just choked.
Had an easy forehand from a Nadal short ball, and hit it 2 meters long.
And then just got really tight and Nadal simply took advantage.

I'm not happy with Clay Warrior.

I thought he had turned the corner against Coric, but he has regressed again. So I was wrong to think so.
Forehands spraying all over the place, short balls, same 2015 bad stuff. Looks nervous serving, getting broken.
The only reason Nadal took the 1st set was that this 23 yr old, got nervous when in the position to win it.
Then Nadal was fist pumping like he won the tournament when the kid was clearly rattled and lost it.

Nadal is not going to beat any decent player playing like this. He's like a Jekyll and Hyde now.
You don't know which one is going to appear.

I just don't know what is going on with him. This wasn't from being tired, or lack of fitness. He's just playing poorly.

He might win this match anyway, but I could see Uncle Toni was quite unhappy.

And now the kid is up 2-0 in the second set.
He's small but quick, and is getting a lot of balls back with some pace for a guy his size, so we have to give him some credit.
He reminds me of Ferrer a bit. If he can start believing he can win this instead of being nervous, he should win this match.
He's simply playing better.

Edit: might be a tall order for Diego, he just double faulted to lose the third game and put the set on even terms again. Nadal serving 1-2.

Not a great match. I think Nadal is up to 23 errors 16 winners and Schwartzman isn't far behind with 21 errors and 17 winners after a bit over 1 set.

Schwartzman breaks himself with 2 more unforced errors. Nadal had a good volley for one of the points. 4-3 Nadal. 24 errors for both players.

Nadal playing a bit better finally and Schwartzman worse, and he breaks Schwartzman again to take the set. Schwartsman with 26 errors now, only 20 winners. Nadal 24 errors and 25 winners. So he cleaned up his act the second part of the second set.

After looking like he had control again, Nadal has started going off kilter again and has dropped his server for 2-3. Already 34 errrors and 31 winners total.

Well, Diego is again kind, and handed the break back to Nadal. He was up in the game, but then 2 more unforced errors blew it for him.
Nadal has held serve and he is up 5-4 with Schwartzman serving to stay in the match. Nadal with 39 errors, Schwartzman 38. Who can play worse?

Well, Nadal got it done. Match point, Nadal mishit about 4 balls, and then hit the net hard and it dropped on Schwarzman's side for the winner and the match. Each player had 40 errors. Nadal with 38 winners and Diego with no real weapons 28.

Congrats to Nadal for winning a fairly ugly match. Schwartzman will probably learn from this to take his chances better.

I know it seems like I'm being a bit hard on Nadal today, but 2 days ago I was singing praises. I think in both cases deserved.
Nadal has to be better than today against Fognini if Fognini plays his best (never know with him).

Respectfully,
masterclass

masterclass · « **Reply #2844 on:** September 02, 2015, 06:30:29 pm »

One further comment.

Nadal would have crushed this guy 2 years ago.

He took a big step forwards against Coric, and took a step back today, and that's been the unfortunate story of the last year.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Clay Death · « **Reply #2845 on:** September 02, 2015, 07:54:00 pm »

Quote from: EquineAnn on September 02, 2015, 11:57:03 am

Hello Clay! I'm fine, thank you very much for asking. How are you?

doing great lady Ann.

very nice of you to stop by here at lady TT's place.

Clay Death · « **Reply #2846 on:** September 02, 2015, 07:54:50 pm »

Quote from: masterclass on September 02, 2015, 06:30:29 pm

One further comment.

Nadal would have crushed this guy 2 years ago.

He took a big step forwards against Coric, and took a step back today, and that's been the unfortunate story of the last year.

Respectfully,
masterclass

exactly.

there is no consistency because there has been no work.

EquineAnn · « **Reply #2847 on:** September 03, 2015, 01:24:47 am »

I'm glad you're o.k. Clay. I do pay little visits to all your places but only say things if I feel I have something relevant to say. I stopped watching tennis shortly after John McEnroe stopped playing as I think he made it more interesting with his arguments with the referee, "you cannot be serious, that's not out, it's in".

Clay Death · « **Reply #2848 on:** September 03, 2015, 08:49:34 am »

good morning Ann.

yes johnny mac is a legend. he is bigger than ever now.

EquineAnn · « **Reply #2849 on:** September 03, 2015, 09:27:16 am »

Hello Clay! I preferred him as a player though. I just had to laugh at his outbursts at referees.

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Author Topic: The Truth's Rant And Rave Show: Now In Progress (Read 66124 times)

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