2017 US Open Final: Nadal vs. Anderson

[rafanoy1992]

Nadal leads the H2H match-up 4-0 including a win in their only meeting in a Slam 2015 AO Open.

This match is could be like the 2014 Aussie Open final in which Wawrinka, a first time GS finalist was facing Nadal. In addition, Wawrinka was 0-12 going into that match.

In all honestly, this could be a difficult match for Nadal just because Anderson has the type of game that could really trouble Nadal on this surface.

Brad Gilbert said it best, "If Nadal can not return serve, then he will get nervous and Anderson can pounce him big time!"

All in all, I think Nadal will win this in four contested sets. However, I would not be surprised if Anderson also wins this in 4 sets.

One important key: Anderson has to win the 1st set. If he can not win the 1st set, Nadal will pounce him swiftly.

One more thing: This match could potentially determine who will finish the year number 1 player in the world...

 

[britbox]

Congratulations to Anderson for getting to the final, but I'm not buying stock. 3-9 in 500s (0-3) and 250s (3-6) doesn't bode well. He'll likely be a bag of nerves. I don't this is going to even be close. Nadal in straight sets.

 

[I.Haychew]

Congratulations to Anderson for getting to the final, but I'm not buying stock. 3-9 in 500s (0-3) and 250s (3-6) doesn't bode well. He'll likely be a bag of nerves. I don't this is going to even be close. Nadal in straight sets.

I would have to agree. As much as I'd like to think that Anderson can at least make this a competitive three-setter...I don't think he can.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I have not seen too much of Anderson's play at this year's USO. I missed the first semi today completely. So, I am not exactly sure where his game level is at.

But, wherever it may be, he is a big choker. Remember the match against Djokovic that he choked. So, I really doubt he can deliver on a big stage and that too against a big name player. Nonetheless, I will be rooting for him vociferously.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Anderson has been to a QF or better in slams just once before. So, this is a totally unchartered territory for him.

 

[Moxie]

I have not seen too much of Anderson's play at this year's USO. I missed the first semi today completely. So, I am not exactly sure where his game level is at.

But, wherever it may be, he is a big choker. Remember the match against Djokovic that he choked. So, I really doubt he can deliver on a big stage and that too against a big name player. Nonetheless, I will be rooting for him vociferously.

KA has been working with a sports psychologist. Once he calmed down after the first set today, he play the best I've ever seen him, I thought. He'll be feeling good for the final, and could really challenge Nadal.

 

[DarthFed]

KA has been working with a sports psychologist. Once he calmed down after the first set today, he play the best I've ever seen him, I thought. He'll be feeling good for the final, and could really challenge Nadal.

Lol, he isn't challenging shit on Sunday. Glad there will be another form of entertaining sport to watch rather than that barbecue.

 

[Moxie]

Lol, he isn't challenging shit on Sunday. Glad there will be another form of entertaining sport to watch rather than that barbecue.

I'm guessing you didn't watch the first semi. Anderson has the kind of game that can trouble Rafa, if he's on and Nadal isn't. Plus, I thought that you believe Rafa is crap, so why doesn't KA have a chance?

 

[Ricardo]

I'm guessing you didn't watch the first semi. Anderson has the kind of game that can trouble Rafa, if he's on and Nadal isn't. Plus, I thought that you believe Rafa is crap, so why doesn't KA have a chance?

Reasonable to assume because KA has never gone deep like this, and he's been known to be tight when it gets close and as a first time finalist he is expected to perform below par.....which is often the case. Rafa's turn to get his slice of luck here, as he's not met a player ranked inside top 25 which is the first time in history.

It is the most watered down GS tournament ever, nobody can dispute that (except those with agenda of course). Shall we count again the list of name players who dropped out?

With that being said, if Rafa wins it's all fair and square. Yes it is the weakest GS tournament EVER by far, but the winner still takes all.

 

[lob]

I'm guessing you didn't watch the first semi. Anderson has the kind of game that can trouble Rafa, if he's on and Nadal isn't. Plus, I thought that you believe Rafa is crap, so why doesn't KA have a chance?

Relax. Taking 3 sets from a fit Rafa in a USO final? He'll be lucky to win a set. He'll be delighted to pocket the RO's $1.8M paycheck.

Sent from my 6045O using Tapatalk

 

[isabelle]

hope and pray for tall Kevin

 

[atttomole]

This will be over in 3 quick sets, unless Anderson retires with injury. Apart from a decent serve, Anderson has nothing else to bother Nadal. Anderson's movement, forwards or lateral, is very bad, and Nadal will play many low balls. This match will be very ugly.

I even think there could be a couple of bagels.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Brad Gilbert said it best, "If Nadal can not return serve, then he will get nervous and Anderson can pounce him big time!"

This is what it boils down to for me in terms of Anderson's chances. I still think that due to experience and pedigree, among other things of course, it's really hard to see Nadal losing this one, but as GSM pointed out a few days ago, at least match-up wise, due to Anderson being a huge server, this is interesting.

Obviously if Nadal plays well, he wins. I can't see Rafa eventually finding a way into Anderson's service games while playing well behind his own serve and still losing the match, as this would mean Anderson kept a really high level throughout.

I do worry however, about Rafa's nerves and slow starts, which he's notorious for nowadays. Even against Wawrinka at RG, which was a destruction, he came out nervous and didn't settle until the second part of the first set. Clay of course, gave him leeway, which he doesn't have here, against a server like Anderson.

Obviously if Rafa wins the first set and gets the momentum it's almost over. I was very happy with how he hit the ball against Del Potro and if he does the same thing, he'll move Anderson around and dominate the rallies. On the flipside, Anderson goes for his shots earlier than Del Potro off both wings because he knows he can't rally with someone like Rafa.

Thing is though, about these types of players, is that unforced errors almost aren't very important. Meaning on Rafa's service games, Anderson can just let rip and if he keeps on missing, it's really not a big deal since all he needs is one game in which two big forehands connect and all of a sudden he's got break points or something, which could mean the set.

I really worry about Rafa's returning, especially on key points. This is the type of match where he can't afford to spend the whole thing trying to adjust his return position and failing regardless.

I definitely would have preferred Carreno Busta (that would have been a foregone conclusion) but I obviously think Nadal wins anyway. If he doesn't you could argue it's the worst loss of his career.

 

[DarthFed]

I'm guessing you didn't watch the first semi. Anderson has the kind of game that can trouble Rafa, if he's on and Nadal isn't. Plus, I thought that you believe Rafa is crap, so why doesn't KA have a chance?

Anyone can trouble Rafa off clay if his game is off. But he isn't letting this gift of a tournament get away against the likes of KA, and obviously this is a nice hardcourt for Rafa now. Slowed down with heavy balls. And when have I ever said Rafa is crap?

 

[DarthFed]

This will be over in 3 quick sets, unless Anderson retires with injury. Apart from a decent serve, Anderson has nothing else to bother Nadal. Anderson's movement, forwards or lateral, is very bad, and Nadal will play many low balls. This match will be very ugly.

I even think there could be a couple of bagels.

I agree with this though I wouldn't expect a bagel here and Rafa also isn't capable of playing low balls. He will expose the KA movement and he is in the type of robot mode we saw in his prime where he never misses a ball. KA can serve great but he isn't going to blow Rafa off the court in rallies which is the only way to beat someone who never misses a ball.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I saw the semi Anderson played. He was good. But he was gassed big time. His speech after the match, climbing to his box and all, was an end of the tournament speech. The level he displayed yesterday is good enough to maybe get a TB from Rafa but he sounded so much like he checked out mentally and he is tired. Rafa in one tough, two easy sets.

 

[The Strokes]

Since the site I post on has ceased to work properly, due to Rafa's massive win last night, and all the incredibly hateful comment--or perhpas the mods and admins themselves crippling the site because they are in so much pain (how's the pain here?) I will post here.

Rafa was in full throttle last night, he's now the best HC player in the world again, Anderson is toast, Fed has really faded for whatever reason (he said "back in Montreal, but siad it wasn't back here, so it's anyone's guess)

Have not seen that kind of play from Rafa on HC since 2013, what you all feared is here.

A sight to behold, Rafa in his full glory.

 

[The Strokes]

Hmm, was just reading the threads, glad to see some sense here--at least a sense of Rafa's level vs. Anderson. You are better than MTF it turns out.

Since I'm here, I have something else to say.

My last post here (well maybe not last, but the post that kind of turned me against this place) was when I argued, rationally and not in any kind of insulting way, with Aunty PUsher, he claimed Rafa's problem (I think it was the Kyr match loss) was deep ROS serve position. I said 'No" and this is something I hear from so many Rafa fans, and even commies, and some detractors and have known all along that is not the cause of his losses or even poor returning.

All the matters is the depth of returnj, Rafa is looking for his range, and adjusting his position.

So during the mayer match or some match where Rafa wasn't playing well, ESPn commies got on this hobby horse too. Then Pam Shriver interviews Toni asks him about this and says what I said.
Then Rafa finally breaks Mayer after 14 missed Bps and everything changes. He goes through him fast and he's still standing deep to return. No-one mentions ROS anymore.

Then last night against Delpo Rafa mainly standing way back to receive, clobbers Delpo.

The truth no longer seems to matter in this world, but I still feel drawn to to it, and inclined to correct misconceptions. Free of charge!

 

[DarthFed]

Since the site I post on has ceased to work properly, due to Rafa's massive win last night, and all the incredibly hateful comment--or perhpas the mods and admins themselves crippling the site because they are in so much pain (how's the pain here?) I will post here.

Rafa was in full throttle last night, he's now the best HC player in the world again, Anderson is toast, Fed has really faded for whatever reason (he said "back in Montreal, but siad it wasn't back here, so it's anyone's guess)

Have not seen that kind of play from Rafa on HC since 2013, what you all feared is here.

A sight to behold, Rafa in his full glory.

He's about to win his first title on HC in 4 years, granted it is a big one. But still. And I'm also guessing you aren't going to complain about the fact Nadal is getting the title without playing anyone great. I don't even think he's facing anyone ranked in the top 25.

He's not the best HC player in the world and aside from Summer 2013 he never has been. Roger's back is still clearly an issue but he's not going to say that before the tournament because it'd make him look like dead meat and he was just that against a pretty weak Del Potro, not that there is a strong version of DP anymore as is.

Fed won AO, IW and Miami, he's clearly the best HC player this year, and if he comes back this Fall and is healthy he will clean up.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Hmm, was just reading the threads, glad to see some sense here--at least a sense of Rafa's level vs. Anderson. You are better than MTF it turns out.

Since I'm here, I have something else to say.

My last post here (well maybe not last, but the post that kind of turned me against this place) was when I argued, rationally and not in any kind of insulting way, with Aunty PUsher, he claimed Rafa's problem (I think it was the Kyr match loss) was deep ROS serve position. I said 'No" and this is something I hear from so many Rafa fans, and even commies, and some detractors and have known all along that is not the cause of his losses or even poor returning.

All the matters is the depth of returnj, Rafa is looking for his range, and adjusting his position.

So during the mayer match or some match where Rafa wasn't playing well, ESPn commies got on this hobby horse too. Then Pam Shriver interviews Toni asks him about this and says what I said.
Then Rafa finally breaks Mayer after 14 missed Bps and everything changes. He goes through him fast and he's still standing deep to return. No-one mentions ROS anymore.

Then last night against Delpo Rafa mainly standing way back to receive, clobbers Delpo.

The truth no longer seems to matter in this world, but I still feel drawn to to it, and inclined to correct misconceptions. Free of charge!

You are the "Architect' of your own demise. You will not be missed, posting in cyberspace may be your haven.