Serena, Nadal Exits Throw Indian Wells Into Chaos

Murray vs Nole
Who’s pickin who?

March 21st, 2015 at 1:19 am

Contrary to the general perception of a tough contest in offing between Roger Vs Berdych, it proved to be a no contest and that was indeed a surprise.

All credit to Roger who was at his rampaging best by discovering his rhythm of shot making from both the flanks complemented with a good first serve percentage and once such a confluence takes place in his game, it rains bad news for his opponents. Roger was also helped by some shoddy and lousy display by Berdych who was just struggling to balance his shot making and serving poorly too. This enabled the bagle in the second set where Roger just ran away with the match leaving a bewildered Berdych wondering what has hit him ?

From the spectators point of view, the match was not of a very high quality, but were comforted by the fact that they once again saw the sheer genius of Roger on court. Now with Rafa out of the picture, it is advantage Roger in the semis.

March 21st, 2015 at 1:23 am

And the real thriller in the day was between Rafa vs Raonic. Rafa played really well and was dominating most part of the match where he was widely tipped to win considering his enormous H2H advantage where he has never lost to him. Raonic was being outclassed on the back of the court and in desperation he went for broke hitting anything and everything and thereby incresing the number of UEs in his column. The turning point for the match came during the fag end of the second set, when Rafa held those match points and it seemed to be all but over for Raonic. Some how he put his foot on the pedal and hung in there and managed to squeak with a win. Then in the decider, Raonic was infused with some fresh blood and he suddenly began to find rhythm in his shots and was also serving faster and better. Still, Rafa hiding his disappointment stood like a rock and just refused to succumb. But destiny decided that it was not Rafa’s day and serving to get to 6-5, he was unsettled by a net cord and then a blind hit at break poing sealed the match in favour of Raonic.

extract a win by the skin of his teeth taking the match to the decider. But in the 3rd set, Raonic transformed to become a better player finding his range of shots and he went for all out hitting as he knew that this was the only way to win against Rafa.

March 21st, 2015 at 1:46 am

Nadal raonic was a really good match. Nadal is coming back slowly slowly these quarters will turn into Semis & finals. Although he lost but he was playing decent.
Can anyone post statistics of raonic Nadal match

March 21st, 2015 at 1:46 am

My pick is Novak and Roger in the final, with Novak the champion! Would love for Andy to win, but I’m not sure he can pull it off. The matches should be great tomorrow…..we will see!

March 21st, 2015 at 1:56 am

there’s a good summary of the match here that takes a measured tone, but makes interesting links to nadal’s loss to ljubicic at iw in 2010

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/03/two-men-one-climb/54396/#.VQ0Ge2t5mK0

March 21st, 2015 at 1:58 am

Now the Sean Jinx is complete !!!!

March 21st, 2015 at 2:11 am

That’s our Rafa. After watching it, I convinced that we have hope for clay season. Yayyy.

And for final I guess Musa Milos, sound like double M.😄

March 21st, 2015 at 2:15 am

I assumed that Rafa read.Sean’s picks and pans before matched otherwise how could it so tuned in. Arghhhh.!!!

March 21st, 2015 at 2:21 am

thanks Jane

March 21st, 2015 at 2:43 am

Jane from the other thread many thanks,i went to bed hoping for the best after seeing Milos had won that second set,as i have work in the morning,i think the dissapointing thing is having three MPs and fluffing them all,last time that happened was against Davey in 2010 i believe,i wish it would be the other way around and i could actually see him win from MPs down,anyway i will take the positives as Ben,Daniel,TV said he played really well,Andy been my second favorite i will pull for him now,onto Miami for Rafa,good luck to all those still left anyway,and may the best man win….

March 21st, 2015 at 2:58 am

Great posts Michael. I really agree on your analysis.

Raonic was definitely committing too many UEs in the first two sets, but I really liked his tactics. He knew that only way he was going to walk out of that court as a winner was to hit big and try not to give any rhythm to Nadal. Yes, Rafa should have won it in two sets, but anyhow I feel that Milos palyed smart.

Andy has been playing very well lately. I saw his matches in Davis Cup and he had great fighting spirit. Novak is of course the favourite, but today I would give Andy a slight edge.

Interesting to see if Milos can beat two most successful players of all time in subsequnet days. I’m guessing that he can’t, if Roger plays as well as he’s been playing in IW.

Very interesting matches comming up today, and regardless of today’s results, we should have a great final on Sunday.

March 21st, 2015 at 3:01 am

Thank you Larvey !!

It was one of those days when fate conspires against you and Rafa was the unfortunate victim. To dominate so much and then go on to lose would be terribly disappointing and leave a depressing feeling. But Rafa I believe would take positive things out of this match wherein his level of play was near his best. That net cord at 5 all proved very costly in the end and literally sealed it. But,we should also give also credit to the winner Raonic who stood his ground and didn’t allow himself to be intimidated by Rafa even when he was in an up swing.

As regards Novak Vs Andy, I have to go with Novak although Andy would not be a push over. It should be a very interesting and quality match. I also believe that Raonic’s winning streak in this tournament might end at the hands of Roger unless he serves at his marauding best. Roger always has the fine tuning tactics to combat big servers.In all probability, a Novak Vs Roger final awaits us unless things take a strange turn which is a remote possibility as upsets can be discounted in sport only at your peril.

March 21st, 2015 at 3:18 am

Stopped watching after the first set. Wow! Comms to Rafa fans, congrats to Milos fans. I cannot warm to his style of play tho., sorry. And yes, I do acknowledge a lot of improvement which suggests a good work ethic. But it’s still a “but.”
As for Andy, he must win the first set to have any chance.
Go Andy!

March 21st, 2015 at 3:19 am

That was a shocker betwee Rafa and Raonic.

Whoever said the fed fans were rooting for Raonic, and we were “scared” of the semi final – I for one, was so looking forward to Fed v Rafa SF. Gutted actually.

But you know what? I think Rafa tanked. He knew he would face Roger in the SF. :)

March 21st, 2015 at 3:31 am

I still maintain Raonic is RUBBISH inspite of his win. The man is a servebot with very little between the ears IMO. Watch him get rolled over by fed today. Rafa is still trying to get into form and I think he played very well but it’s very difficult against players like Raonic who rely mainly on their serve. Wish he had a nite match where everything is slower. The balls must have been flying all over the place in the heat of the day? Rafa is making steady progress and that is ok with me. He should.be ready for the clay season which, I’m sure, is his main priority.
Vamos Rafa!

March 21st, 2015 at 4:31 am

Hopefully Andy will beat joker today.
Go Andy!

March 21st, 2015 at 4:33 am

Re Murray v Nole – I’m feeling brave and am going to back Andy – he’s been much more positive during and since Davis Cup.

And then there’s his wedding – who else would ever think about having 3 best men! Because of that alone, he’s going to whack Nole today —(totally illogical, but hopefully worth a smile).

March 21st, 2015 at 4:46 am

Madmax – The notion Rafa “tanked” is strange to me. I root for Nole but like and respect Rafa too much to think he would quit. There is no quit in Rafa.

For Raonic, this victory is a big thing as he advances his career. I think Milos stays in Top 10 for many years with no break, possibly even Top 5.
Great attitude, very coachable, hard worker. No servebot. Milos has moved past that. Wants that ability to move and position himself well for a big guy. Be like Delpo. Train, and train and practice that. Work with his pal Nole and others. Working on nutrition, conditioning, and of course striving for having better hair than Genie. Bouchard…

Djokovic is good for the game in another way. He doesn’t seem threatened by the best young players. He likes practicing with them, hanging out, encouraging. He had a few older players do that with him when he was starting out like Radek Stepanek.

March 21st, 2015 at 4:57 am

in 3set match it is nonesense to claim Andy needs to win first set.
the guy taking second has momentum…

March 21st, 2015 at 5:32 am

Just watched the tape of Murray vs FLo match. The match was of poor quality, with too many UFE. I really cannot see Murray beating Novak.

Novak has been terribly lucky so far, both with the schedule and with no real opponent yet. And Murray is going to be a nice feed for him before the finals. On top of it, he is playing good tennis and has plenty of time to prepare for his match.

March 21st, 2015 at 6:11 am

To NK from the mighty Yoda, “Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.”

March 21st, 2015 at 7:08 am

Margot – Excuse my ignorance but who is Yoda?

March 21st, 2015 at 7:31 am

Margot, excuse me, but it is OBI WAN who says this!

March 21st, 2015 at 7:44 am

TV: It’s when he’s teaching Skywalker to be a Jedhi warrior. Don’t yu just shiver to hear the word “Skywalker.”
http://www.quotesdonkey.com/424-movie-quotes/18872-your-eyes-can-deceive-you;/

@katH
There’s a radio prog in UK: “I’ve never seen Star Wars.” Seems you haven’t. The very first one, not the bloody prequel is just wonderful and contains my favourite bar scene ever.

March 21st, 2015 at 8:17 am

chris ford1 Says:
Madmax – The notion Rafa “tanked” is strange to me. I root for Nole but like and respect Rafa too much to think he would quit. There is no quit in Rafa.

For Raonic, this victory is a big thing as he advances his career.

Chris ford1

Firstly, you missed the smiley – it was tongue in cheek! And you haven’t been around here long enough to get the joke.

Always when Roger lost a match, invariably rafa would be waiting the next round – a few rafa fans would always accuse Roger of tanking.

Anyway the joke was lost on you Chris. Never mind.

March 21st, 2015 at 8:22 am

Margot,

Andy’s wedding plans

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/31959259

will you go? :)

Just imagine, if Rafa gets his skates on, their future kids could all be playing against each other! Roger’s Novak’s Andy’s and Rafa’s.

Just an amazing thought!

March 21st, 2015 at 8:29 am

Lol madmax I think my invitation must’ve been lost in the post!

March 21st, 2015 at 8:33 am

Margot,
You stole my heart, you’ve quoted Star Wars :)
May YOUR Force be with you, always.

March 21st, 2015 at 8:37 am

Ah Skeeze, thank you kindly sir! I remember being blown away by that first Star Wars. And Chewie is one of my favourite movie characters EVER!

March 21st, 2015 at 9:01 am

Don’t pat yourself on the back too much for your brilliant wit and clever sarcasm….your smiley was on luck not meeting a roaring Fed – not on what you are saying was your coy “tanking remark”.

And it is not the fault of others who have not followed your no doubt dry and perfectly honed humor to intuit it. To understand that say, if you throw out a PED accusation on Nadal that everyone else is supposed to “know” that Madmax always jokes about PEDs and is a Rafa fan and everyone is supposed to know that of Madmax, too..

And there was a problem with Fed’s attitude at some point with Rafa, probably 1st noticable in the 2010 matches between the two.
I wouldn’t call it quit…but in many matches when Nadal started overpowering him, Roger lost belief in himself and visibly withered and went hangdog and passive, thinking there was nothing he could do.

March 21st, 2015 at 9:13 am

Geez, chris ford1, I don’t want to start friction, but I also don’t understand what do you want here (and madmax takes plenty of heat around here as it is). Should no one ever make a joke that some people might not get? I understand that you might feel that the onus is then on her to explain in the event of any misinterpretation, but she was clearly willing to do so… Anyway, I chuckled.

On another note, I am not among the set of Fed fans who are relieved that Rafa lost. I’ll admit it’s likely Rafa would have won had they met (I think Rafa was playing well enough to execute his obviously effective Federer-neutralizing tactics, and this court would have supported them well), but I also think it would’ve been a very close 3 setter that could potentially have gone either way. Essentially, I’d love to see how the latest incarnation of Federer’s game would look against Nadal even though I’d prefer not to experience the probable ultimate outcome. I guess you could say I’m a bit disappointed that Nadal lost, but I’m not terribly upset because I think Federer will now likely make the final, which is great in itself and even more so because that match should also be wonderful.

Conversely, if this had been a faster and low-bouncing court, I’d be pretty heartbroken that Nadal lost yesterday…

March 21st, 2015 at 9:55 am

Roanic’s victory over Nadal spared the fans of either from the devastating frustration of a loss by one to the other.

March 21st, 2015 at 10:04 am

^^I was referring to the aborted Federer-Nadal semifinal encounter.

March 21st, 2015 at 10:05 am

jane,

I’d meant to mention that I’d responded to your last post (forever ago now) on the whole Federer/money debacle thread. I don’t know if you saw it, and I’m not asking for a response, but I didn’t want you to think I was blowing you off out of spite or something. I’m often concerned that trying to support a position where there are differences of opinion (such as ours regarding Nole and Fed on clay) will end up looking like petty arguing rather than debate, and so I want to make it explicitly clear that I value your (and others’) opinions around here, especially since I tend not to be the steady presence on this board that many of you are.

Yeah, so there’s that, for whatever it’s worth.

March 21st, 2015 at 10:11 am

Margot – Taa. Such ignorance is mine – one of the reasons I’m not going on Pointless – however I have a nephew whose bedroom is a shrine to Star Wars – so I should have been sharper…..

March 21st, 2015 at 10:28 am

Giles although your “RUBBISH” comments are just that, you have every right to fear Raonic.

I just learned that that “NB” he wears on his tennis gear stands for “NEW kid on the BLOCK”. Pretty bold of him :)

March 21st, 2015 at 10:34 am

@Markus 10:04…….You make a good point!

March 21st, 2015 at 10:43 am

Fed fans shouldn’t take a place in the final for granted. Raonic has given Fed a lot of trouble in the past although he has beaten him only once. Their last meeting was a close affair and I think conditions here are more to Raonic’s liking in his match-up with Fed. While the slower surface will give Fed a fraction of a second more to handle the Raonic serve, it will somewhat neutralize his ability to expose Raonic’s movement and to keep him off-balance. The crazy bounce is another factor in Raonic’s favor. I wonder how effective the Fed slice would be on this surface. A low slice is an important weapon for Fed against the giants. Fed would need all his variety to neutralize Raonic’s power. This is going to be a very tough match. I’d take it any day, though. Raf is now simply the better player and the horrible match up makes a Fedal a tad too predictable. I won’t look forward to Fedal even on a quick and low-bouncing court.

March 21st, 2015 at 11:08 am

Giles, does it hurt that your idol to lost to a RUBBISH?

March 21st, 2015 at 11:14 am

…idol lost to a…(for the grammar police). I’m becomning like Okiegal about grammar anxiety. LOL!

March 21st, 2015 at 11:16 am

Sienna says: “In 3 set match it is nonsense to claim Andy needs to win first set, the guy taking second has momentum”………..and if he happened to win the first set……bingo….he’s won the match….duh….. Her posts leave me puzzled and scratching my head????

March 21st, 2015 at 11:32 am

chris ford1 Says:
Don’t pat yourself on the back too much for your brilliant wit and clever sarcasm….your smiley was on luck not meeting a roaring Fed – not on what you are saying was your coy “tanking remark”.

And it is not the fault of others who have not followed your no doubt dry and perfectly honed humor to intuit it. To understand that say, if you throw out a PED accusation on Nadal that everyone else is supposed to “know” that Madmax always jokes about PEDs and is a Rafa fan and everyone is supposed to know that of Madmax, too..

And there was a problem with Fed’s attitude at some point with Rafa, probably 1st noticable in the 2010 matches between the two.
I wouldn’t call it quit…but in many matches when Nadal started overpowering him, Roger lost belief in himself and visibly withered and went hangdog and passive, thinking there was nothing he could do.

March 21st, 2015 at 9:13 am

ChrisFord1

Do I know you at all? Seriously? Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this year? Need some glasses to see properly?

But you know what? I think Rafa tanked. He knew he would face Roger in the SF. :)

March 21st, 2015 at 3:31 am

If YOU can’t see a smiley at the end of a sentence ChrisFord, AKA..yeah, ???? then there is no hope for your humour in this house.

Stop being so prickly. Just because Rafa is out, and as I made it very clear, I was looking forward to a FEDAL final – love them playing each other, it is becoming few and far between these days, imo.

Get over yourself.

autoFilter, thanks – glad you were able to see the funny side! :)

Oops – there goes that smiley again – I guess I had better watch out, in case it offends! :) Goddamn it. I just can’t stop myself!

Oh and CF1, nah. Never mind. It would go way over your head.

March 21st, 2015 at 11:35 am

Margot, the Andy article. Said that people, in their thousands would be lining the streets – in Scotland – thought you might take a road trip?#

Once in a life time opportunity!

March 21st, 2015 at 11:36 am

@Markus^^^^ Please don’t get paranoid like me. We have a grammar police on here, I think it was Colin. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but anyway, he would keep you on your toes! I think he’s given up. I haven’t seen any corrections lately…..lost cause I would imagine. Your post made me smile. I’ve had an upside smile since my guy lost yesterday…..but I’ll get over it. Looking forward to the SF matches. I’m picking a Fedack final…..but pulling for Andy!

C’mon Andrew!!!

March 21st, 2015 at 11:39 am

Markus. Yes it does hurt cos Mr Sleeve really is rubbish. If he was a better player I would not have minded Rafa losing.
Well that’s it for Mr Sleeve, trouncing time today by mr Federer.

March 21st, 2015 at 12:01 pm

LOL! Okiegal, indeed, if the player who wins the second set also happens to win the first, voila! We have a winner. So in that sense, Sienna is corret…in an accidental way which you just made LOL worthy.

March 21st, 2015 at 12:02 pm

thanks autofilter. yes the bit about mileage makes sense, and i believe i’d already agreed with ben on that point earlier on the thread. also, just to say i’ve enjoyed all our discusssions or debate, which has involved no name-calling, dismissing, and all the rest of it. it’s pleasant to actually have that kind of reasoned back and forth. and even though i’ve not always been a fan fedal matches, i too was hoping to see them play this time. i think the last match was AO 2014 before fed had fully integrated new tactics from edberg or fully adjusted to the new frame.

March 21st, 2015 at 12:02 pm

@Markus…….LOL……Yes it was accidental!!

March 21st, 2015 at 2:34 pm