2018 AO Men's QF: Nadal - Cilic

[atttomole]

I thought she was generally really good.

I agree, she is generally good.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wow, some awful play by Nadal. You can see a break coming.

 

[Moxie]

He's let Cilic back in. Lame.

 

[brokenshoelace]

And there it is. Nadal up a set and a break and takes his foot off the gas. He's been doing that far more often in the past few years, compared to the front-runner he used to be. Really no reason for Cilic to be a set apiece, especially since he hadn't had to raise his level THAT significantly (though in fairness did well to respond after being broken). This all of a sudden looks like a very dangerous match.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Main problem is Nadal's serving dropped in the second set and crucially, he actually looks like he doesn't know what he wants to do with the first serve. It's leading to a lot of doubt and his ground strokes and point construction have suffered as a result.

 

[Moxie]

The let-up by Rafa was inexcusable. He's let his nerves in, for no reason.

 

[Moxie]

Nadal needed that infusion of energy.

 

[britbox]

And there it is. Nadal up a set and a break and takes his foot off the gas. He's been doing that far more often in the past few years, compared to the front-runner he used to be. Really no reason for Cilic to be a set apiece, especially since he hadn't had to raise his level THAT significantly (though in fairness did well to respond after being broken). This all of a sudden looks like a very dangerous match.

Yep, he used to be the master when it came to putting his foot on the throat on a choking man.

 

[Denis]

I doubt Cilic will get more than this set, BUT if he does win, it's fun to speculate.

Imagine: Edmund v Cilic, Berdy v Chung. That would be amazing!

 

[Federberg]

Wow... I generally don't bother watching this match up as Cilic on paper has the game to trouble Rafa but tends to play like a total pussy. Wasn't expecting to check in and see this...

 

[Federberg]

I doubt Cilic will get more than this set, BUT if he does win, it's fun to speculate.

Imagine: Edmund v Cilic, Berdy v Chung. That would be amazing!

Lol! I would hate to see the viewership numbers on that..

 

[Denis]

Lol! I would hate to see the viewership numbers on that..

They will have gained at least one spectator with me

 

[mrzz]

Wow! Nadal was already far back waiting serve at the firs point of the game and then he rushed backwards still a few more meters!!! Almost got out of the picture!

 

[Moxie]

Rafa's feet are slow on some of these shots.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal is way too shaky and Cilic is way too confident. Cilic actually let him off the hook on the last two points. Nadal badly needs a hold, again.

 

[Federberg]

Lol! that's a shocking volley

 

[mrzz]

40 all and three horrendous errors by Cilic

 

[brokenshoelace]

Better game there from Nadal, but he's really struggling to read Cilic's serve now.

 

[Federberg]

The danger here for Rafa is if Cilic starts to feel rock solid on serve he'll start to swing freely and force Rafa into an ugly defensive mentality

 

[Moxie]

Rafa banging the legs. His footwork is really not crisp.