I hate the sight of that mishit backhand...Ouch.

And now the dude misses a low BH which is in his strikes zone since day zero. Oh, i get it. he didnt practice it lately.

Do we have a consensus brewing about the high BH devil being vanished? Or is it too soon?

Seems like the beaten to a pulp guy is hanging in. :)

NP: of course. Will be Adje-ing all over the place.

This Rafa kid, I tell you. He is so tired that he doesn't even run around like a bunny. Why even bother coming onto the match if you're not going to do that?

jewell: his body language does not match your interpreted desire.

There are balls he's given up on too early.

BTW: these are not "excuses" just observations.

Uh-oh, complacent Mirkaland time.

Nadal misses that?! How?!

Dammit, Rafa. A sitter for 0-30 and you blow it.

F:((((( Why did you have to miss that!!!

Strange miss, that one!

Rafa playing closer to the baseline, but missed the easy shot

Looks to me that Nadal is more frustrated than anything else.
Between Roger's play and his own UEs (like that last one) I can'ts aay I blame him.

..and I've already paid homage to TMF's BH, jeez, what more does one need to do in here?

This Rafa kid can't even win a point when old man gives him. 15-15. Now 15-30.

But didn't miss that return. :)

Fangorina, I really don't think it's mental, at least not for the most part. Anyway I've already given two specific examples, and if you're not already convinced, tough. :)

Fed's level has dropped off in this set. Maybe he's feeling the pressure?

Fed stumbling around on service. Nadal punishes it. Come on, Fed...

It's obvious ... despite both guys being at the top of the game for so many years, that they're nervous. It's a statement title for both of them ... as big as a Major, pretty much ... IMHO.

Fed what is wrong with your volley?! Into the net again?!

My interpreted desire? I don't think Rafa's playing as well as I've seen, but lack of effort - no.

ughh, Fed and his "volleys".

Aces, please.

:(((( Pls win this pt, Rafa!!!!

NP: I always agree with you.

This Rafa kid can't even win a point when old man gives him. 30-40 now.

Whew. Nadal shanks the first BP, but my heart is threatening to jump into my throat. I laughed at GB when it was Nadal's BP, but now I regret it. :(

VAMOS!!!!

15-40 for Rafael as Roger comes forward behind FH but nets volley
(Roger 1/1 BP)
30-40 Rafael CC FH passing shot wide as Roger comes forward behind serve and hit volley
Rafael breaks as Roger FH sails long

Rafael to serve 3-6,3-1

Uh-oh. Well, there's still time to save this set.

Yes.

Mike
Couldn't agree more. Both seem very nervous to me.

Oh oh.. there's the break for Nadal.

and now Rafa has the break.

Fed's first serve deserted him.

To me, he gave up on several balls in that 1st set.

Here we go ... Roger has allowed his level to drop in this set. You have to make things difficult for yourself, don't you, Roger?

It's not a break till you hold...several missed FHs now.

So Fed pitted Rafa and gave that game. This Rafa kid is so tired, he can't even say "vamos". oy 0-15.

Roger is a dumbass.

And now Rafa will make a "miracle" comeback..according to Neil Harman on twitter. Because apparently only a miracle can take away Rafa's ordeal from the previous match with Murray.

VAfrigginMOS!!!! But 0-15:(( Don't break my heart by failing to consolidate!!!

Fangorina, gotcha. Was a bit confused by your earlier comment.

Fed serving at 53%? Yuck, yuck, yuck. Is that all comedown from the first set? And now a forehand shank too?! ROGER COME ON.

I am always confused by my comments

This Rafa kid can't even win a point when old man gives him. 30-40 now.
-----------

Old man Fed, you really do make me laugh. Are you new to tennis?

"I am always confused by my comments"

LOL

hah, Rafa got thrown off by Fed's moonball.

Fangorina,

LOL

don't you dare give this break back Rafa

30-30.

Damn 30-30:(((( Pls don't let him get a bp here, Rafa!!!

Rafa definitely came out looking more aggressive this set, but Roger suffering from his new 2nd set let down.

Hah! Moonball FH from Roger draws the netted error from Rafa.

Tim should be happy.

Rafa looks like he has been toughing out matches all week, and still beating the top 8.

He doesn't even seem to be playing well and hes still in this match.

k, just win this pt!!!!

Roger what the hell!? You had that! You had that! ARGHHHH stop overthinking it

Down goes Roger

Ouch. :( That was a hard fall.

Heh, Fed's FH seems to be a less reliable shot today.

And he follows up with a WTF BH miss.

Fed falls down, but looks OK. Rafa consolidates. 4-1.

Fed takes a tumble. Seems to be fine but :(

Hahaa and then a Rolex advertisement about elegance, he's playing in a suit and everything. Maybe not the most fortunate conjunction.

Hope Roger's ok!

And now, Pleather

VAMOS!!!!! But 2 more holds feels like one helluva mountain

Roger to serve 6-3,1-4

For all the comments about Rafael being tired, he sure can be very accurate with his groundstrokes in this set. Who says Rafael do not want this title? I see a 3rd set coming up.

Now I've seen everything. The old man falling down like that.

Tina, I'm just trying reverse-psychology to make this Fedal final a match.

Gosh
Wish I didn't see that!

Like I said, this kid Rafa is not going to hand it to him.

This match is wacky.

Or, whacky.

Fred alert. Dude can't even keep his balance. Gets up and walks immediately.

Fed is not gonna win this at all with his shots all outside the lines now.

The comms are right. Roger is now thinking about it, instead of playing from pure instinct as he did in the first set. He's now noticeably passive in the rallies. Too bad, because he was phenomenal in the first set. Needs to go back to focusing and playing freely.

heyho
wow tuned in just in time to see a rare Federer fall.....hope he didn't strain something

what's the umpire saying to Rafa?

"NP: I always agree with you."

"Roger is a dumbass."

LOL.

Hope that fall wasn't anything serious for Fed.
Quite a few players have been slipping on this surface when changing direction.

Let's keep this a one-break game, Fed.

Fed's fall waking him up?

"The comms are right."

:O

Hope Fed's ok!

MA: please no jinxing! We are an eternity away from a 3rd.

What was Rafa talking to MO about?

Rafa is rubbing his right thigh like he's totally tired.

Fed fell down and hit his left wrist.

What is this? Well Fed is back to cruising mode. See? I told you. That was a pity game Fed gave Rafa there.

Rafa can't make a ROS...

Now Cliff and PMac are dogging Roger's chances even as he serves a love game.

Fed looked like Apollo Ono when he fell. Smartly let of the racket.

I hope he did not hurt himself...

Oh my this match isn't exactly intense...they are taking turns who plays well.

love hold.

Fred or Rafa factor? I say latter. Rafa laid some solid ones there. This is juicing up real good. We need a couple of High BH winners.

This set is now gone anyway.

The dude on the other side is the #1 player who has won 3 slams this year. Doubt if he's a headcase enough to let go of a 4-1 lead.

Left wrist? That's why you go with a one-handed backhand.

Fed forehand shanks, hello.

Another uber easy hold for Fed...

Pls, pls hold Rafa!!!

temes: you're right. I wish both of them would play well at the same time.

Fed finally gets one of those aggressive returns in.

C'mon Rafa!!!

Dudes, get some balls in. This ain't '90s Wimbledon. Let's see some tennis.

Rafa's spinny body serve works well on the carpet.

Now Rafa is taking the ball early. jeez

Wow. Some ball crushing on that last point.

5-2. Fed is in generous mode. Gave another pity game to Rafa.

*Rafa has himself to blame for lack of energy..he's the #1 player, if he can't put effort for the matchup that most of tennis and media has been waiting for for such a long time..its his fault. *

Urrrr....sometimes it just takes some players a while to get into a match and it looks like he did that today. Not to mention your fellow playing wonderful tennis....so can't agree with you. It never looked to me like he was not putting any effort into it as you claim... It was frustrating for sure- but that happens with all players- so I can't how he was letting down the tennis world and media as much as you did. Frustrating as a fan of his ye- yes- not having any effort and letting down the media and tennis fans- no.

Plus- as I mentioned Roger was playing very well in the first.

NP: Now I disagree with you. I loved Wimby tennis in the 90's!

Rafa talking to Mo again. Anyone know what's up???

Still an eternity to go. An eternity.

GB,
Understand the frazzle completely but we are going to have the last match(other than Davis Cup) of 2010 go to a deciding set. Get ready.

Supposedly Fed is serving at ... 27%? D: Surprised this isn't another 6-1.

Fed...just make the scoreline respectable okay..you are the world #2 you know. No bakery products please.

Great rally from both guys!

There seemed to be a camera flash everytime Rafa served there, right from service line. Hmmm

did Roger think Rafa would be too tired to push to a 3rd set? seems like he took the foot of the gas for that one game early in the set

27% are ya kidding?

Haha Rafa lets the drop shot go entirely. How... un-Rafaesque.