The Tennis Thread - Part 2

[Sakuraba]

Chris Fowler is talking now about Dad Djokovic's swipes at Nadal and Federer. Nadal isn't his friend anymore, Federer is a dick, you know, stuff we already know.

The best part of that was the Federer PR team immediately mobilizing with the heartwarming Make a Wish story and got it on every site and every newspaper.

 

[Sakuraba]

It's not right that Nadal hits like he does and then has such soft hands at net. It's ridiculous

 

[Frico]

^^ Yeah and Rafa already said to ask Novak if they were still the best of friends after reporters questioned him about the whole thing. Rafa was watching one of Nole's matches in Monte Carlo in support. They're bros.

That look back on the Rafa apology from Nole was epic though.

 

[Frico]

I love it when Novak does that ridiculous angle from the forehand to drive people off court. Such a great shot tactically.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I think that serve killed a ballboy.

 

[Frico]

LOL at Murray tweeting:

Nole just took one in the face! This could get tasty now!

 

[Frico]

Poor approach from Nole.

 

[Sakuraba]

Oh man, how many times has Nadal hit that running crosscourt pass? Ten thousand times?

 

[Sakuraba]

LOL at Murray tweeting:

Hey, that's WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ANDY MURRAY, for all his British fans here.

 

[Sakuraba]

That was that angled forehand you like, Frico

 

[Frico]

Hey, that's WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ANDY MURRAY, for all his British fans here.

Tell that to "I didn't care who was in front of me" Gulbis!

 

[Sakuraba]

These guys have some effing nerve. To approach the end of the match like this, to be tested on their serves and manage to play so aggressively and hold, Jesus H Christ.

 

[Frico]

That was that angled forehand you like, Frico

 

[Frico]

If this kind of level keeps up I *think* we're heading toward the tie-break.

 

[Sakuraba]

These guys have played a lot of matches, a lot of long ones for sure, but I haven't enjoyed watching one of their matches this much since Indian Wells 2011, when Djokovic "arrived" and came back for a third set tiebreak win.

 

[Sakuraba]

Well, that was a pretty fair first rally of the deciding tiebreak

 

[Frico]

If this kind of level keeps up I *think* we're heading toward the tie-break.

Now why can't I win the lotto?!

Double mini break for Rafa.

 

[Frico]

5-0, better hope for another miracle Nole.

 

[Sakuraba]

Nadal hit his best backhand of the night, and Brad Gilbert wisely points it out.

Nadal has turned it up here. Djokovic mi****s a second serve that came right into his forward strike zone. 4-0 Nadal...

Nadal's defense makes the court seem smaller and Djokovic has a ball to hit and tries to paint the line but he finds alley. Forehand error.

6-0 Nadal, Djokovic is getting smoked. Could the ending for this awesome match be so anticlimatic?

 

[Sakuraba]

Once again Djokovic waits until dirt is being shoveled on him to come to life, though in fairness Nadal isn't chasing those balls down when he has so many match points to play with.

 

[Pink Ranger]

This being Montreal, Raffi is now going to poledance for the crowd.

 

[Sakuraba]

Nadal, wow, I mean he played the way the Nadal fans have been crying for him to play for two and a half years now. Being aggressive is easy, being successful with it isn't. He was successful, he managed to use some of his all-court skills at key moments as well.

Outside of the bad Wimbledon result, this is quickly becoming one of the best seasons in recent memory. He missed Australia and he went 0 for 1 at SW19, but you can't argue with anything else. Finals at every event except Wimbledon.

Miles Raonic, you are in trouble, bro.

I would suspect that Nadal will be skipping Cincy now.

 

[Frico]

What a night. What a match. Another classic for their library of classics. I liked Gilberts earlier words - "It's been an absolute pleasure to watch." Off to Cincy now, Nole. They were spot on by saying Rafa was the more aggresive of the two from start to finish. But great match (again) from these two. I never want it to end.

Also liked the talk up at net. Like I said, bros.

Not too sure how Raonic will fair against Nadal. I see Nadal winning but I also thought Raonic would lose against Murray last year in Japan and he proved me wrong. No doubt he'll have to rely on his serve now more than ever. Hoping it's a good final.

Till next time gents!

 

[Frico]

Nadal, wow, I mean he played the way the Nadal fans have been crying for him to play for two and a half years now. Being aggressive is easy, being successful with it isn't. He was successful, he managed to use some of his all-court skills at key moments as well.

Outside of the bad Wimbledon result, this is quickly becoming one of the best seasons in recent memory. He missed Australia and he went 0 for 1 at SW19, but you can't argue with anything else. Finals at every event except Wimbledon.

Miles Raonic, you are in trouble, bro.

I would suspect that Nadal will be skipping Cincy now.

All great points.

And yeah Nadal pulling out of Cincy wouldn't be a surprise like pulling out of Miami after winning Indian Wells.

 

[Harley2004]

That is the best rivalry in mens tennis, maybe of all time.