Australian Open 2014

[Arnoldtoo]

The blister is Fed's only chance now I think. But he's broken for the first time, so who knows ...

And a good hold to follow ...

My money's still firmly on Nadal, which should worry him.

 

[Armstrong_11]

Nadal just got this thing about him... causes Roger to just hit balls a bit deeper, and wider, to hit volleys just a bit lower... and today Roger just didn't have the game to beat Rafa...

epic clash thou, so many amazing points.

 

[haxman]

I hope this doesn't rattle Wawrinka, he seems a bit pissed about this.

 

[haxman]

Nadal is done here, he can barely move.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Looks game over for Rafa

 

[ajspurs]

Only just woke up!

Why were the crowd booing, 'cos of Rafa's lack of effort due to injury? And is it his knees?

 

[haxman]

Only just woke up!

Why were the crowd booing, 'cos of Rafa's lack of effort due to injury? And is it his knees?

They, like Wawrinka thought it was a tactical injury timeout but it's clearly not. It's his back. He can't twist or turn properly.

 

[ajspurs]

They, like Wawrinka thought it was a tactical injury timeout but it's clearly not. It's his back. He can't twist or turn properly.

Ah ok I see. Players can potentially do anything when they're desperate but Rafa's not the type to have a 'tactical timout'. When I switched on it looked like he was crying into his towel!

Must be hard for Wawrinka to fully concentrate tbh.

 

[spurs-r-us]

Ah ok I see. Players can potentially do anything when they're desperate but Rafa's not the type to have a 'tactical timout'. When I switched on it looked like he was crying into his towel!

Must be hard for Wawrinka to fully concentrate tbh.

Rafa has had a few timeouts that people didn't like.

Looks like it shall be a flat end to a flat mens tournament.

 

[haxman]

They'll have given him some anti-inflammatories so they should be starting to kick in now, so we'll see what happens.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Stan needs to get his head right. Not easy.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Impressive display of stoicism from nadal

 

[hughy]

Yes Stan. 2 holds away.

 

[tototoner]

I would say Nadal was some price in running, looking the stronger player now

 

[haxman]

Far too good. On the brink now

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Well played Stan. They don't write paragraphs on the trophy; just your name!

 

[tototoner]

Well done Wawrinka, he has played some quality tennis the last 6 months

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Well done Wawrinka, he has played some quality tennis the last 6 months

He has. But world #3? I wonder. It'll be interesting to see how he does in the next couple of majors. Can he kick on, or is that the peak?

 

[nightgoat]

Must be hard for Wawrinka to fully concentrate tbh.

I'd say Wawrinka's ability to concentrate pales in significance compared with Nadal's ability to move properly.

It's a good time for Wawrinka (or one of the other players skirting around outside the top four) to challenge for grand slams. Federer is still great on his day but too inconsistent to really be challenging, Murray's coming back from injury/surgery, Nadal's injured again and Djokovic hasn't been as imperious as he was in 2011 and part of 2012 for a while now.

 

[DFF]

Rafa has had a few timeouts that people didn't like.

Looks like it shall be a flat end to a flat mens tournament.

Yep, Rafa has had some notorious injury timeouts over the years. Not to mention his time between serves, but a lot of players do that now. It's easy to have a punishing, physical style if you take as much rest time as you want.

Also loved how he mentioned his injury in the interview, then said but now is not the time to mention it.
Never quite had Fed's diplomatic skills, did he.