Hi folks.

I just got home so I'm watching the match on tape. So happy he won so convincingly.

James LaRosa tweeted: "What a finish! Welcome back buddy. We missed you." nice

I really liked Rafa standing in on the return of serve. He'll need to return just as well for his next match vs Roddick.

Awwww. Thanks for sharing JLR's tweet Annie.

Sblily, do you know how many winners Rafa had?

Don't want to be a party pooper and I want to be happy about Rafa looking mentally strong etc, but that could be mainly he was playing Tsonga. Rafa is forever going to take revenge for that AO match. Amazing how confident he looked right from the beginning when he entered the court. I'd still put the jury out there on his overall match winning confidence.

Oh but Rafa's tennis? That was sexy tonight.

It *does* feel like something clicked with Rafa today. I hope it continues.

ugh Rafa's moonballs dull the senses, thats basically it....

greenie- I think you are correct in regards to him trying to counteract the AO match. He came into the match with a focus, a game plan and from the sounds of it an intense practice. I need to see more of that from him.

Heh. Someone obviously didn't watch the match and looks...shall we say...a bit like a fool now. :)

"Rafa is forever going to take revenge for that AO match."

lol, right about that. Just like Jo-Willy vs Djokovic. It all goes back to AO 08.

as usual Nafal took 50 seconds between points.... i mean its astonishing how imps just let him abuse the rules...is the ATP THAT desperate?

That was definitely Nadal's best match for a while. And totally unexpected after the LAST train wreck.

He served excellent (by his standards), and played REALLY well when facing break points. Although in all fairnessTsonga squandered some of them.

Nadal started shaky. Surprisingly he made 10 Unforced Errors in the first two games alone. But then he improved. He went on to have three unforced errors for the rest of the set, and ONLY five in the second. That's a good indication of how his level gradually increased as the match progressed. And how he adapted.

I thought his slice sucked LESS today (it was almost effective :SHOCK) and so were his net approaches. It was good to see how well he started hitting his backhand in the second set, especially seeing as how abysmal that shot was against Ferrer. My only complaint (minor) is that Nadal could have been more aggressive with his inside out forehand and tried to end some points sooner.

To be fair, Tsonga served poorly by his standards. That definitely helped Nadal impose his game on JWT. Still it was a good win for the Spaniard, and will hopefully help his fragile confidence..

I missed the overall match stats, but first set looked like this:

Rafa
1st serves in - 80%
1st serve points won - 64%
2nd serve points won - 50%
Net points - 6/9
Winners - 8 (1 ace)
Unforced errors - 13 (1 double fault)
Break points won - 2/2

Tsonga
1st serves in - 70%
1st serve points won - 63%
2nd serve points won - 43%
Net points - 4/8 (those damn drop volleys)
Winners - 7 (1 ace)
Unforced errors - 10
Break points won - 0/4

already, Fed is practicing on clay, LOVE it@ he wont rest until he gets it RIGHT..u go Rog!!

"Someone obviously didn't watch the match and looks...shall we say...a bit like a fool now"

Indeed. :)

*waves at imjimmy*

Good to hear your analysis. From what I could tell and from what commies were saying, it sounds like Rafa had a good plan for ROS and implemented it. That helps too.

Sherlock - Nope, I don't have stats re: W/UFE. :(

Hee Sherlock. Sometimes it is really kind of funny.

GH: Thanks for the match stats. 80% first serves is a hip stat. :)

u Nadal kids alll act like Rafa is some no. 20 in the world, beating Tsongie isnt exactly a world changing revolution .. is not Rafa a former NO 1? do u not expect this at some point/ i wish u could learn from Fed kids who expect nothig less but top form from your boy

Carrie, what it also tell you is that confidence is all Rafa's lacking from his game. He still can be scary good. So there's hope for the future.

Like I said earlier, if Rafa comes out looking for revenge in all his matches, he could give it his best.

LOL. Yes, all the comments last night from Fed fans praying for fewer shanks certainly make the point. :)

Tim, a certain strain of upsettitis has been going around in Miami and we were just worried Rafa might catch it, is all. Sure you and all Fed fans understand. Tsonga can be a tricky player when he's on. AO 08 being a case in point.

Cheers rafadoc! Good to see you around.

Scroll is handy dandy. Although I am impressed with the wit of my fellow Rafa fans tonight. Well played people.

greenie- that could help him against Berdych. The revenge factor. I don't mean that from any personal viewpoint because the frost between them has melted and from what I have heard they get along quite well. When Berdych is on it is scary. So he may have a good game plan. That is where Randy could be dangerous- I think he will have a gameplan but- still not expecting a win. Not expecting a loss though!

I actually think that of the players remaining if Rafa were to make it to the final the two that impose biggest threat are Youzhny or Soderling. Soderling because he has an agenda and a game and Youzhny because when he is on song I think is someone who is of grand slam caliber ( that could be my fandom talking though). But there are a ton of talented players left- and any could take the title.

imjimmy- good points but I still think it was good that Rafa was looking to end points sooner than we have seen in comparison to some matches of the last year. He had a good mindset overall that imo got even better as the match went on.

Thanks imjimmy!

Wow - so many congrats to Rafa and his fans. What a match! It was soooooo exciting and he definitely looks like he is back to me but I love reading all of the smart analysis here from others as I really don't know anywhere near what you guys do - thanks so much.

Gosh Tim, I enjoy a lot of your posts but how can you call that moonballs. Rafa played unbelievable again. Come on give him credit.

Again, congrats Rafa fans and so sorry to Jo fans (I really like Jo too).

Thanks Monica. Appreciate the positive vibes.

Back from dinner. Still on cloud 9 with my tennis in Rafa's shoes. Closed out the match with three straight unreturned first serves. Wheee!

I'd say it's a must buy for all Rafa fans. The shoe has no tongue...strangely. Rather the interior is like a cushioned sock, and the foot sits very snug. And, a bit of Rafa's talent comes with the shoe ;-).

However, more testing is needed. A very pretty girl was playing on the next court, and we were trying hard to impress her.

Pspace; Glad to hear the shoes are magical. Maybe a video is in your future. *wink wink*

ha i have more confidence in rafa than is KADs, Monica... i like to laugh about moonballs cuz well, rafa likes to hit em, doesnt mean most opponents can handle em! i hate than frying pan grip snappy shot tennis, thats all...

Id rather day in day out be a fan of a moonballer than an aggressive, all court player, despite being a clear Fed spoiled fan who's enjoyed 16 Slams... its awful to see an aggressive player hit UE off the charts and lose...

Rafadoc - it was more than well deserved. I almost tripped running out of the bathroom cause I didn't want to miss a point, lol. That was one of the most exciting matches I've watch in a long time. Enjoy!

Tim, I think I hold frying pans with a continental grip. Should I be using a full western? So, if you mean my frying pan grip, that kind of tennis had been dead for a long time.

Oh dear. Is someone drunk? Not that I would be critical of that.

But do you use the iron skillet or the fancy dancy stainless Pspace? ;-)

It was fun Monica. *high fives*

afer a 10 month drought, i cant brgrudge rafa kids a win or final or whatever in miami... Fed has 3 Slams in that draught, it would be ridic of me to complain, thats for sure... i LOVE that he's already on the clay, u can BET his competitive GOAT instincts are on high alert after the disastrous results of late...

Yep, he's drunk. And defensive. Fun combo. :)

rafadoc, hehe, it's me you're talking to. I have no idea. I have a pan. I think I stole it from one of my friends. And, I don't know the difference between an iron skillet and fancy dancy stainless ;-)

Carrie, I think he played Soderling on a bad streak for him and good streak for Robin in London. That could take a while. Two really important losses. One of them absolute spanker. Also doesn't help that Soderling has improved and maintained his level of play.

Re: Berdych, he handled all Berdy threw at him pretty well at IW. So am reasonably confident. Also don't think personal hatred fires him as much as the drive to make up for a big loss. Jo and Rafa had a nice hug at the net despite the kvetching. But that AO loss? Oh hail no.

Gotcha Pspace. As long as it heats your food up and enables you to hit an inside out forehand, s'all good.

Rafa hits the forehand in a way no reasonable tennis player can, its ridiculous frying pan grips snap whippy nonsense... fugly times 10

Seriously Tim, as I've stated I just love the game of Tennis and understand points, etc. and I think most shots and I did not see any moonballing tonight. I thought it was all court tennis - defense, offense, hard/quick baseline ralleys, net play, etc. But as I said I'm still learning all the different moves so if you or someone can tell me what I saw was wrong, I'd appreciate it and I mean that seriously. I really thought it was all tremendously exciting Tennis.

Pspace, glad to hear the shoes worked so well. I'll be curious to know how the next match goes, when there's not a babe on the next court. :)

And I'm curious about the skillet answer. I've got stainless myself. All-Clad, baby! :)

Good to "see" you, Rafadoc. :)

'Night, all.

monica enjoy the tennis, dont worry about my posts for goodness sake... i just think rafa's tight shorts add much of the excitment to his KADs, not his frying pan forehand :)

Sherlock: Stainless for the WIN. Good to see you too. Sweet dreams. :)

Monica - I thought Rafa played quite well tonight- inside the baseline, looking to be aggresive, came in on the court after some nice transitions, mixed serving and even some BH slices that did not make Jesus weep puppy tears.

Monica, you're right on. It was a good match and no moonballing. Even if Rafa lost, those two always play tight, fun matches.

I understand that some people here really can't stand rafa. And that's fine with me. The people that post nasty stuff about Rafa are just whistling in the wind. You can continue to insult him and call him names if that makes you feel good. I'm not sure what it's accomplishing though. I mean the guy is pretty much universally respected and admired. I've never read or heard a negative word about him as a person or a player. Sure, he's got some odd quirks and habits but I think that makes him endearing.

Obviously he shouldn't be abusing the time rule and if he wasn't warned tonight, he should have been. I read somewhere that the extra 10 seconds he takes is usually tolerated by his opponents because they want the extra time to catch their wind after a
really strenuous rally. He still shouldn't do it and I would hope that a reporter asks him about it in the presser. I presume the purpose of the time limit is to make sure the match has continuity and flows in a timely fashion. However, in no way does it constitute cheating of any kind. It doesn't alter the outcome of the match. And anyway, our gripe should be with the Umpire. If he doesn't call it then rafa is clean. Personally, I find the shrieking and screaming that goes on with some of the women more disturbing and disruptive for the opponent.

annie this is old news, the rafa KADS will love it and the rest will be bored by it, enjoy your match and forget the rest... rafa plays slow and the umps let him abuse the rule and thats the way it alwasy will be... if he doesnt get called for it, enjoy it, the stars always get away with breaking the rules...

greenie- I would say personal dislike did not fire Rafa but I do think it has in the case of Robin. But I think even that is thawing- at the exo win he was very nice in his remarks to Robin after the match. Granted it was after a win and after an exo but he was warnmer than I expected. I don't think they will ever fully thaw like he and Tomas- who from my understanding actually got along before the Madrid incident- but I do think with Soderling that did fuel him at.....Rome?

ok Tim - guess you're just being your snarky/funny self and I thought you were being serious, sorry. By the way, I am a Fed fan first but I truly enjoyed Rafa's match tonight.

Thanks Carrie - that's what I thought also. Maybe people will disagree with me but he sure looks back to his old self to me tonight.

Just realized 3-3 to 3-6 0-3. 6 straight games. Talk about throwing momentum out of the window. Some day, Jo.

but lets be real, Rafa can get an unforced error on a return of serve, and still take 30 seconds between serves, its just his DNA...

and yes, first and foremost, i like snark and fun, i cant resist a poke at Klebby or Moonballs Wos or Rafa, too delicious...they DO hit moooballs, no? or bash the ball as if life depends on it lol

Tim- I do think that the slow play is part of Rafa's inner mechanics. I think that is in large part because Toni ingrained that in him when he was young and hyper...and now- we are rivaling Mary Pierce in terms of time between points. I do wish he would stop. I maintain though that it is not from a nefarious cause but do know why folks don't enjoy it.

Carrie, by Rome last he was on a phenomenal streak of winning matches (the Miami fiasco notwithstanding) he was absolutely fired up. But the thing is, it seems to fire up Robin as well. So Rafa's plan of going all out on attack might not always work. He'll have to weather the storm when Robin is hot and mix it up. Throw in a few surprise tactics and be patient when they don't work. Also, Soderling does have the game to beat anybody when he's playing focused and serving well. So there's that.

Also Tim- Rafa can hit moonballs at times. But I don't think he is just a no-talent moonballer at all like you frequently deride him as. By a long shot. He can play aggresive and seeing him in person some of those shots that can look like moonballs on TV have so much pop action and spin that they are far from. Call moonballs on yesterday, fine. But in today's match, when the lemon striped shorts don't fit- you must acquit.

But instead, Rafa goes back to making poor puppy faces and the "I'm so lost on hard courts" look. Dude must remember that he can defend and has 1 or 2 titles to support that claim.

Thx Sherlock and congrats to you too!

Hmmmm. So, evidently the moonball is effective, even against the GOAT?? What is that saying? Just curious. ;-/

Alright, that was a long day. Talk to you all tomorrow.

If anyone watches a replay of this match and gets the complete match stats (winners/ufes) can you please post them here? Thanks.

Goodnight Greenie. Sweet dreams. :)

So Fed is already working out on the clay? Losing is no fun especially when you are so used to winning. His embarassing performances at IW and Miami have probably given him some needed motivation.

Annie: Commentators were saying Roger's loss to Baggy at IW might have affected him more than we know. The loss to Berdych, after really trying to win, would not have helped. But, Roger is a champion so will probably use that for motivation.

Apparently, some people are looking past Roddick when they are plotting Rafa's progress in this tournament.

Based on their respective levels of play during this tournament and IW, one could reasonably expect Roddick to be the favorite in his match with Rafa.

Whereas Rafa's level has fluctuated tremendously between matches and, sometimes, within matches, Roddick has been playing steadily at high level.

Roddick's record against Rafa on hard courts is 2-2.

Roddick is displaying considerably better defense and court coverage than he has in the past.

So, even if Rafa plays at the high level he did against Berdych at IW or the last set-and-a half of today's match against Tsonga; Rafa may still not be able to prevail against Roddick.

MSF: Dude. I am still celebrating Rafa's win against Tsonga. Andy who?

I do think that Roger enjoys clay- I mean if it hadn't been for Rafa he may have had several more Masters and RG titles. So it does not surprise me that he is looking forward to the season. And Steve brought up that after his impressive double IW/Miami title gains in - 2005? Roger hasn't made the finals to either in quite a while.

Goodnight to Sherlock and greenie (good points in your last post).

I am excited for the clay season. I just really hope Safina and Elf are in full health (and with Safina's case physical and mental) for it.

Apparently, some people are looking past Roddick when they are plotting Rafa's progress in this tournament.

Based on their respective levels of play during this tournament and IW, one could reasonably expect Roddick to be the favorite in his match with Rafa.

Whereas Rafa's level has fluctuated tremendously between matches and, sometimes, within matches, Roddick has been playing steadily at high level.

Roddick's record against Rafa on hard courts is 2-2.

Roddick is displaying considerably better defense and court coverage than he has in the past.

So, even if Rafa plays at the high level he did against Berdych at IW or the last set-and-a half of today's match against Tsonga; Rafa may still not be able to prevail against Roddick.

But seriously, Andy has been amazingly consistent -final in IW and winning convincingly in his matches in Miami.

I have not even thought about that match yet. But, yah...Andy will be trouble.

msf- I am by no means looking against Andy. As I stated earlier he could win or lose. I was just enjoying his improved play in this match against Zonger.

I would like for Rafa to play Andy like he did against Roddick at the 2007 IW tournament. I do not agree with all of Justin's hyperbole tonight - while liking and being encouraged by Rafa's play- and still feel like Rafa's match against Randy at the 2007 IS was his gold star moment on hard.

Sorry about the double post.

Earlier, I was watching the Tsonga match on a laptop, with the aid of borrowed RC Glasses.

Now, I'm watching a replay on high definition feed.

The Laptop/RC glasses combo provide a much, much better experience.

If I ever go with the high definition/RC Glasses combo, I may bliss out of this earthly existence.

I just say its easier to hit moonballs than try to win the points with aggressive shots, thats all, but they pay off quite often lets be honest... I think its easier to play lights out hot tennis vs. a guy like Fed than a moonballer who gets everthing back, as Berdy showed in IW... u gotta keep the ball in play and let him mess up and not give him targets and pace to work with...

Nadal vs Roddick should be interesting. In a match like this, Roddick will depend on his serve much more than Nadal will depend on his. For Nadal's service games, it's not so much how well will Roddick return as much as it's how much he can hang with him from behind the baseline.

Roddick and Nadal played three times on hard courts in the past few years, with Nadal winning two (both in Indian Wells) and Roddick winning one (Dubai). The last time they played was in Indian Wells last year, Nadal won 6-4 7-6.

I'll go against the flow. If Nadal plays as well as he did today, I think we're looking at a similar scoreline for the Semi-Final.

Tim- what is your defination of a moonball?

Also Tim- in watching the match tonight (if you did) did you not notice Rafa being more aggresive?

imjimmy: Yes, if Rafa maintains his level, he should be close. *fingers crossed*

Off to bed for me. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Seems like the evil blue lord's trying mind games and Rafa's saying he's playing Madrid :(

From his presser tonight: http://tinyurl.com/y8wh6u9

Q. Ian Tiriac said this week that he doesn't understand why you don't play Madrid. The tournament will continue to be a great tournament without you. What's your opinion?
RAFAEL NADAL: Ian Tiriac probably doesn't know if I play Madrid, or not because it's in my schedule, so...

Q. When you take a decision if you played Madrid or not?
RAFAEL NADAL: I play Madrid. I told you before. I said Madrid is in my schedule. Probably or Ian Tiriac don't know about my schedule, or you understand bad from him.

geez is it such a stretch that rafa plays a clay court event in Spain? i mean how much more favorable conditions does he need??

I do NOT want Rafa to play Madrid. No way and no how. I have no objection to him playing Barcelona- but no Madrid. If he does- only doubles. Hee hee.

The problem with this replay is Gimelslob announcing. Jeez, he's bad.

At least Gimelslob corrects his boothmate when the latter mangling history, states that Miami 2005 was when Rafa first made his mark in the USA, ignoring/forgetting that Rafa beat Federer (then No. 1) at Miami in 2004.

thanks for that GB. Rafa knows he's locked into playing Mdrid whether he likes it or not. It's a mandatory tourney and, unlike Barca, there is no way he can skip it unless he's injured.

if i had $1 for every time i read the word "moonball" these past week i'd have enough money to see my favorite moonballer play live, in Europe no less :P

MSF, we were talking purely about Rafa's confidence issues against a few players he has had tough losses to in the past. Just so happened they're all left in the draw. You can stop patronizing me now.

For what it is worth (i.e. nothing) I would like for Barcelona to be a Masters and not Madrid. I think that Spain should have a Masters on clay- the history of the achievers on the sport warrents it. And next they should have a Masters in South America and a Masters on grass- not in the UK (although Queen's would be lovely) but a freaking Masters on the surface.

carrie i wish the Rafa KADS woudl stop treatin Rafa like a fragile flower, how can you NOT expect him to play a Masters 100o in Spain?? i mean, gimme a break... the guy is turning 24 in May, he's not a big baby who needs his mama anymore....

"His embarassing performances at IW and Miami"... Annie, I don't think Federer's performances were particularly embarrassing. Whatever Federer's self-confessed timing "issues", he played some absurdly beautiful shots in all three of his matches in Miami. Shots no one else has the imagination or ability to play. Besides, tight (albeit deserved) defeats to players of the quality of Berdych and Baghdatis are not abnormal over the course of a long year. Even in the all-conquering pomp of 2005 and 2006 he managed to lose four or five matches.

mina- I have started a crying/whining collecten for me at work (self inputing only). At this rate I will be able to fly first class and watch a week of tennis while staying at a 4 star hotel in 2012. Just in time to see Safina, Elf, Elena or Rafa take the title!

Carrie: Rafa has said on a number of occasions that he will always play Barcelona because he considers it his home club. I'm with you. I don't want him to play Madrid either but's it's mandatory. What happens if he just skips it? Monetary fine? and he would lose quite a few points, like 700?

MSF: I had my tape of the match on and gimmelstob makes some awful sad attempts at humor. He tries to be funny about tomorrow being April Fool's Day and it fell really flat.

Tim- I don't like Ian and I think (though I may be corrected) that Barcelona has more history and import in Spain. I think Ian shoves his way in there. I know Rafa is often derided as being stupid (which I don't agree with) but I think he does have a very soft spot for the traditional tournaments on clay, and as a clay fan I like that. Just because it is in Madrid imo does not make it better for a Spaniard that MC or Rome or heck even Barcelona.

The thing is, I can see how for the tourney's sake/because it's mandatory etc Rafa wouldn't say now that he intended to skip Madrid. But, cause he's cagey as hell, I can't see that he'd like to pull out closer to the time, citing the need to rest/spare the knee etc. Quite the catch 22, no? IMO, points are irrelevant. Being as healthy as possible for RG/Wimby is what counts.

GB- I agree. And he used to pull out of Hamburg a lot. I just do not see Madrid as this tournament that all Spaniards should play I think Ian pulled strings. I think Barcelona is a more important tournament to Spaniards but Spanish posters feel free to correct me ont his.

yeah as if Rafa ISNT healthy now? man, the guy has a built in excuse for everything, its amazing... the real test of a champion is winning when theyre expected to win, and Id say most of Rafa's Slam wins came when he was prob expected to LOSE... its no accident when he rose to the top, he fell apart physcially and emotionally..

Greenhopper:

1) I don't believe that I mentioned you by name;

2) You have not been the only one discussing Rafa's potential progress in this tournament;

3) Rafa is ranked higher than Roddick and has defeated Roddick five of the last six times they've played, which might justify some observers looking past Roddick.

In expressing my opinion on the matter, I don't believe that I was patronizing you or anyone else. When I try to patronize, I prefer to introduce heavyhandedness that was lacking in the post(s) to which I believe you refer.

"I think that Spain should have a Masters on clay- the history of the achievers on the sport warrents it."

Carrie: but Spain DOES have a Masters on clay now.

carrie what??? barcelina MORE essential than Madrid? oh dear...what part of Masters Series 1000 are u missing here?

Just got home and saw results ... I am over the moon ... and I don't mean moonballing!

So happy for Rafa ... love a Roddick/Nadal semi ... two great fighters.

I'm thinking of a word to describe Ian Tiriac and it rhymes with wick. He gives me the willies.

I'm okay with whatever Rafa decides about Madrid. I don't like anything about their facilities ... it's a cold, unwelcoming place. Maybe they've improved it since last year, but if the clay is blue, I say abort, Rafa, abort! Sacrifice the points, pay the fines and go out and win Roland Garros!

I miss Hamburg.

Fair enough, MSF. You also had one of your rose coloured glasses comments in response to my "good" errors comment addressed to you. The passive aggressive bit was getting to me. I shouldn't have assumed you were addressing me this time. Sorry about that.

do it with me people, scroll!!!

Tim- I just think that Madrid was created into a clay Masters by a gangster. Yes it carries the points. I am not missing anything here- I just disagree with you.

Jai- I said I wanted Barcelona to be the Master clay tournament in Spain not Madrid.

Carrie: yeah to Ian "shoving" his interests to the forefront. I flove how -after Rafa played Madrid (when he totally shouldn't have) cause it was in Spain -- now that Rafa said (in an earlier presser) that he'll only skip Madrid if it's necessary, Ian gets all passive aggressive. Dodgy to preempt it now and imply 'why the hell would you skip it, we'll still have a great tourney without you etc' if you ask me.