Federer V Nadal At The Australian Open 2014

by hawkeye Thu 23 Jan 2014, 3:40 pm

I think the AO semi featuring Federer and Nadal might need a thread of it's own Very Happy

Just to set the scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqr_gA4MYls

Federer V Nadal At The Australian Open 2014 3933776953

by Guest Thu 23 Jan 2014, 5:50 pm

by bogbrush Thu 23 Jan 2014, 7:55 pm

What, as opposed to a forum of its own? He'll, we can't even fit Rafas blister onto one thread - that's how big it is!!

by Lionel Hutz Thu 23 Jan 2014, 8:50 pm

bogbrush wrote:What, as opposed to a forum of its own? He'll, we can't even fit Rafas blister onto one thread - that's how big it is!!

I actually did laugh out loud there. Kudos

by Henman Bill Fri 24 Jan 2014, 3:22 am

Bit surprised to see the bookies making this a 60/40 match (with Nadal as favourite).

To me it should be more like 90/10 or 80/20 but maybe the blister has been factored in quite a bit. I think he might recover OK myself, we'll see.

Then again, my record of betting on tennis is not that great.

by summerblues Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:44 am

Roger

by break_in_the_fifth Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:46 am

good against evil, light against dark, right against wrong, hope against despair

by Jahu Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:51 am

Come on Fed smoke him like a bad spanish bacon

by **JuliusHMarx** Fri 24 Jan 2014, 8:54 am

From the BBC site -

"'The hand of a hero,' is how one Spanish paper described the world number one's blistered racquet hand. The pictures of his blood-red palm have certainly been arresting, but the word from some of Nadal's compatriots in the press room is that the situation is not quite as bad as feared.
"Much of the colour in those pictures was a result of antiseptic spray, and Nadal trained without any protective taping ahead of Friday's match. It is thought that if he makes it to the final, there will be no issue. The worry is only that a long battle with Federer could reopen the wound. Maybe the Swiss needs to throw a few jabs in the early rounds/games and see if he can get the fight/match, called off."

Good news, especially for the paying audience.

by summerblues Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:01 am

JuliusHMarx wrote:"'The hand of a hero,'

by zaron Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:09 am

Right from the start Nadal breaking the 20sec rule between every point. He usually goes over 25s (which is the ATP rule). Why don't the umpires call him out on this? They only need to set an example in the first few games, and he would surely speed up.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:11 am

Interesting start from Federer. Extremely aggressive, coming into the net frequently. Nadal a tad off the pace early on, but nothing wrong with his serving - he's only missed two first serves so far (2-3 down, serving).

by Jahu Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:13 am

Wake up Fed, this aint no Murray, break him down man

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:14 am

Break points! Two of 'em, to Nadal.

...and saved. Federer holds, 4-3 up. A few errant backhands from Nadal in that game.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:21 am

zaron wrote:Right from the start Nadal breaking the 20sec rule between every point. He usually goes over 25s (which is the ATP rule). Why don't the umpires call him out on this? They only need to set an example in the first few games, and he would surely speed up.

As Nadal's first service game took less than 120 seconds, a basic knowledge of maths is that is needed to demonstrate your post as not entirely accurate...

by break_in_the_fifth Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:27 am

Fed not serve volleying and predictable depressing loopiness from Nadal.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:29 am

Another break point saved by Fed, that's 3/3...a trend that needs to continue.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:30 am

But break, serve-volleying Nadal is a really dangerous tactic, it opens you up to the passing shot and if Fed serves out wide Nadal can fire a DTLFH as his return shot...

by **JuliusHMarx** Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:35 am

5-5. Can you imagine how one-sided this would be if Rafa wasn't so badly injured?
Sorry folks, couldn't resist. Just a joke.

by VTR Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:37 am

break_in_the_fifth wrote:Fed not serve volleying and predictable depressing loopiness from Nadal.

Why bother watching it then? I'm sure Homes Under the Hammer is on the other channel, might keep you entertained

by zaron Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:38 am

ChequeredJersey wrote:
zaron wrote:Right from the start Nadal breaking the 20sec rule between every point. He usually goes over 25s (which is the ATP rule). Why don't the umpires call him out on this? They only need to set an example in the first few games, and he would surely speed up.

As Nadal's first service game took less than 120 seconds, a basic knowledge of maths is that is needed to demonstrate your post as not entirely accurate...

fair enough. I only started timing on his second game, since he was visibly taking longer between points than Federer.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:38 am

33 shot rally? In a Fedal match? Shocked

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:39 am

zaron wrote:
ChequeredJersey wrote:
zaron wrote:Right from the start Nadal breaking the 20sec rule between every point. He usually goes over 25s (which is the ATP rule). Why don't the umpires call him out on this? They only need to set an example in the first few games, and he would surely speed up.

As Nadal's first service game took less than 120 seconds, a basic knowledge of maths is that is needed to demonstrate your post as not entirely accurate...

fair enough. I only started timing on his second game, since he was visibly taking longer between points than Federer.

I do agree though, if he were warned then penalised in the first game I'm sure he'd speed up

by break_in_the_fifth Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:40 am

VTR wrote:
break_in_the_fifth wrote:Fed not serve volleying and predictable depressing loopiness from Nadal.

Why bother watching it then? I'm sure Homes Under the Hammer is on the other channel, might keep you entertained

Because I follow tennis. Just calling it as I see it, didn't see anyone disagree.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:40 am

Federer is playing better but he will really want to get this done in 3. I can't see Fed beating him in 5

by Lionel Hutz Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:41 am

Pretty average match so far. Neither player is hitting freely.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:45 am

Yup, plenty of errors creeping in. Better quality in the last few games of that set, though. Nadal getting on top in the tiebreak, 4-1 up and two serving points to come.

by Lionel Hutz Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:46 am

ChequeredJersey wrote:Federer is playing better but he will really want to get this done in 3. I can't see Fed beating him in 5

Can't see where you are getting that. Nadal is clearly on top but just keeps letting fed wriggle out of trouble

by Josiah Maiestas Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:49 am

Every time Federer plays Nadal he forgets how to play the game. Guys outside the top 100 have more confidence in their game than the Swiss.

by Lionel Hutz Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:51 am

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:51 am

First set Nadal! Well played.

Good news for Rafa fans is that there are no blister issues. The only real errors have been on the backhand side, no problem on serve or forehand.

by Jahu Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:52 am

Fed scared like chicken. Wake up man, play as you did last 2 rounds

by Josiah Maiestas Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:52 am

Federer shouldve let Tsonga through. Pathetic match as usual for this "rivalry".

Nadal does very little and still takes the set. Boredom.

by Josiah Maiestas Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:54 am

Jahu wrote:Fed scared like chicken. Wake up man, play as you did last 2 rounds

What do you see?

Roger gifting him the match and Nadal does pretty much nothing. Its like he can't be bothered to rally.

by ALPanorak Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:55 am

Well deserved first set for Nadal - really ought to have executed earlier on those BPs. As some have said, the overall standard is a bit underwhelming and rather error-strewn. Still think Nadal is playing within himself (not great depth or power on groundstrokes) whilst obviously Fed's attack strategy is high risk/high reward & its not paying off.

by CAS Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:56 am

Do I torture myself through at least another 2 sets or do I accept the inevitable and save my heart some stress?

by Josiah Maiestas Fri 24 Jan 2014, 9:59 am

CAS wrote:Do I torture myself through at least another 2 sets or do I accept the inevitable and save my heart some stress?

There is more chance of seeing Michael Jackson moonwalk outside your window than Federer come back into the match Sorry

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:00 am

Nadal calling an MTO for the blister. Currently 1-0 up in the second set.

by break_in_the_fifth Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:03 am

I'm checking out of this. He could at least have tried serve volleying and lost that way.

by ALPanorak Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:03 am

I knew the blister would rear its ugly head at some point during the proceedings. Lets hope this doesn't spoil the rhythm of the match

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:05 am

Nice to see some positive thinking from fellow Federer supporters on here, by the way Rolling Eyes

it was a 7-4 tiebreak, hardly a smashing.

by Josiah Maiestas Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:09 am

Silver wrote:Nice to see some positive thinking from fellow Federer supporters on here, by the way

Better than delusional thinking Federer V Nadal At The Australian Open 2014 3559488474

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:13 am

Break point Nadal! Saved.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:
Silver wrote:Nice to see some positive thinking from fellow Federer supporters on here, by the way
Better than delusional thinking

Read my posts in this thread - do I sound delusional? I'm just not particularly negative, is all.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:17 am

Long game, this. Federer's now saved all 5 break points he's faced, but is yet to conjure one up on the Nadal serve.

by barrystar Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:18 am

Nadal wins 95% of his matches when he has the first set, the two occasions on which Federer recovered from going a set down vs. Nadal were Hamburg 2007 and Miami 2005. Something extraordinary has got to happen for Fed, and I don't see it.

Nadal is now piling on the pressure - Fed has got to escape this service game intact, but the regularity with which Nadal is taking him to BP is alarming.

by barrystar Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:20 am

Phew - now he's got to stop Nadal cantering through a quick servicegame and putting him back under pressure.

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:21 am

Indeed, barrystar. Long way back for Federer at this stage, he's still giving it a go though.

Nadal growing into the match, playing some great stuff thumbsup

by barrystar Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:26 am

That's it, surely now

by Silver Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:26 am

Nadal finally breaks through on the 8th attempt, an excellent game from him there. Phenomenal point at 15-30 in particular Smile

Probably game over for Federer, hasn't threatened the Nadal serve yet. But...

by Lionel Hutz Fri 24 Jan 2014, 10:28 am

Awful performance from Federer. Why can't he just play the game!

by Sponsored content