2014 Miami Quarterfinal: Nadal vs. Raonic

[Riotbeard]

Very, very poor service game by Roanic.

Especially considering he was up 30-0

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

lol milos freezes.

 

[Riotbeard]

OK, I realize I'm a Nadal fan and this will sound very ironic but... is it me or is Raonic taking a little too long in between points? Hell, even between first and second serves.

You're not wrong, they showed the graphic earlier. Raonic avg: 26 sec., Rafa: 24.

 

[Front242]

OK, I realize I'm a Nadal fan and this will sound very ironic but... is it me or is Raonic taking a little too long in between points? Hell, even between first and second serves.

Yeah, he's extremely slow all week and was cautioned on it. Don't think he got a warning yet, but a caution that he's taking a bit long. With the missiles he fires surely it could be quicker between points.

 

[Andrew William]

Some really nice backhands from Rafa there!

 

[Front242]

Very, very poor service game by Roanic.

Especially considering he was up 30-0

Yup. Awful.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Impressed with how aggressively Raonic is striking the ball, but he needs to dare to go after Nadal's forehand a little more. He's being a bit predictable, allowing Nadal to just stand his ground on the backhand side, hit it hard, and wait for the opportunity to run around.

 

[Moxie]

Nadal is hitting with better depth, but Milos is still being brave and going toe-to-toe.

 

[nehmeth]

Very, very poor service game by Roanic.

Especially considering he was up 30-0

Yup. Awful.

Often have that mental lapse when you survive a big test (first set). Rafa will try to run his legs off this set and soften him up for the third.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Virtually no free points from Nadal on serve, although he looks solid from behind the baseline (but unspectacular). I realize it's a long way away but if he plays Djokovic in the final, bank on a Novak victory.

 

[Murat B.]

Important hold from Rafa. Milos has to get back to getting some first serves in.

 

[Murat B.]

Rafa is so far back on the return that he was not even on the screen during that point.

 

[Front242]

Very, very poor service game by Roanic.

Especially considering he was up 30-0

Yup. Awful.

Often have that mental lapse when you survive a big test (first set). Rafa will try to run his legs off this set and soften him up for the third.

Yup, when I was betting a lot in the past even when the likes of Fed, Rafa or Novak won a first set comfortably it was often a good time for a quick live in play bet that they immediately drop serve at the start of the next set. A lot of players take the foot off the gas too soon after winning a set or at 4-3 in the 2nd set when serving and up a set :cry

 

[Front242]

Rafa is so far back on the return that he was not even on the screen during that point.

Nuts alright, noticed that too.

 

[brokenshoelace]

That was a good, deep return from Nadal, but he was standing in the backstage area to hit it. If there's one thing I can change about his game, it's his returning. Actually, this just gave me an idea about a thread (what would you change in your favorite player's game?).

And, staying true to form, Raonic surrenders another break with another double fault. It's been a weird match.

 

[nehmeth]

Milos should just let this one go and save up for the third set.

 

[Front242]

For a guy with a very big serve, Roanic sure is misfiring like mad. Terrible last two service games.

 

[Murat B.]

Another DF on break point...wow...Ok, so can Milos get it together for the final set or will Rafa just run away with this one?

 

[Riotbeard]

Good job keeping your foot on his throat milos.

 

[Moxie]

Virtually no free points from Nadal on serve, although he looks solid from behind the baseline (but unspectacular). I realize it's a long way away but if he plays Djokovic in the final, bank on a Novak victory.

Thanks for the preview, Sunshine. :nono