Indian Wells Match Thread (Nadal wins!)

[Silver]

First topic message reminder :

Rafael Nadal defeats Juan Martin Del Potro to win Indian Wells 2013! 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal's route to the title:

R1: Bye
R2: Ryan Harrison (7-6, 6-2)
R3: Leonardo Mayer (Walkover)
R4: Ernests Gulbis (4-6, 6-4, 7-5)
QF: Roger Federer (6-4, 6-2)
SF: Tomas Berdych (6-4, 7-5)
F: Juan Martin Del Potro (4-6, 6-3, 6-4)

Updated draw on the ATP site.

[lydian]

Think Rafa is over thinking generally at the moment, his game still hasn't quite got into automatic hitting territory yet. His regulation FH looks abit lacking tonight so far which is surprisingly given its his strength...BH looks better though. Can't buy a 1st serve either.

[User 774433]

Looks like my prediction of Nadal winning isn't going to be correct after all...

[Henman Bill]

The Sky commentators also said that Rafa is playing at his best ever, about 2 days ago they were saying the same thing about Djokovic. It's not true in either case, it's hyperbole.

[lydian]

If Delpo can last as long today after 2 long matches I want a stewards enquiry, løl.

[Henman Bill]

Looks like my prediction of Nadal winning isn't going to be correct after all...

Yes 3-3 in set 1, it's as good as over! May as well shake Del Potro's hand now!

[summerblues]

Looks like my prediction of Nadal winning isn't going to be correct after all...

HB:

Suppose Nole is serving for the match against Rafa and is 30-0, and a Rafa fan says "GSM Nole", or "That was a relatively easy victory for Nole". In my book, that is regulation jinxing.

The above is what I term "pre-emptive" jinxing.

[quietplease]

Delpo needs to snatch this first set in order to,win....

[summerblues]

Certainly rooting for Delpo here but TBH, I am not finding his game all that exciting either today (or yesterday, for that matter).

[lydian]

I actually think Rafa is struggling with the height of the bounce and its conversely a nice height for the 6'6 Delpo to crush.

[Henman Bill]

0-3 down against Djokovic in the last set he played...won it 6-4.....

[The Special Juan]

Question: Who hits a harder forehand: DelPo or Soderling?

[summerblues]

I actually think Rafa is struggling with the height of the bounce and its conversely a nice height for the 6'6 Delpo to crush.

I think you may be right.

[LuvSports!]

wow what a turnaround. I go away to watch the conclusion of xmen first class and delpo is now serving for the set.

[User 774433]

[LuvSports!]

Question: Who hits a harder forehand: DelPo or Soderling?

soderling is more equally weighted off both sides, but delpo's fh is bigger, he is the best at handling the big hitters of the big hitters.

[Henman Bill]

Looks like my prediction of Nadal winning isn't going to be correct after all...

HB:

Suppose Nole is serving for the match against Rafa and is 30-0, and a Rafa fan says "GSM Nole", or "That was a relatively easy victory for Nole". In my book, that is regulation jinxing.

The above is what I term "pre-emptive" jinxing.

OK, fair enough. Of course, jinxing can't work, so it's only emotional comfort, or an annoyance for the supporter of the other team.

[quietplease]

Moment of truth. hold and take the set and stranglehold on the match...

[lydian]

I've said all set, even when 3-0 up, that Rafa isn't hitting the ball well. It's costing him now. This will be straight sets, Rafa isn't liking the bounce height and he seems in over think mode to me, jittery kind of play. Delpo is playing well though, full credit to him.

[summerblues]

Question: Who hits a harder forehand: DelPo or Soderling?

I think those are very different. Soderling hits and hopes, and once in 100 (ok, maybe not quite 100) matches it works. Delpo - when at his best - can hit bombs and still look like he is playing within himself.

[summerblues]

Classic Rafa point.

[LuvSports!]

vamos delpo!

[ALPanorak]

Nadal is putting a lot of easy forehands into the net, timing seems to be off. Delpo must be growing in confidence - takes the first set 6-4, great last point and game

[CaledonianCraig]

Take nothing away from Juan. Wow if he wins this tournament having beaten Murray, Djokovic and Nadal in back-to-back matches it will be one hell of a resurrection. He takes the first set playing cracking stuff. Kudos to the big man.

[summerblues]

Well done Delpo - from 0-3 yet again. He needed the first set, I just do not think he could have come back from a set down yet again.

[Henman Bill]

Very good, high level set, especially the second half. Really good last few points especially. Well worth watching this.

[quietplease]

Must be dreaming, Delpotro, takes the set with two,volleys!!!!!!

[Henman Bill]

Sky do a good job of quickly replaying the key moments. Better than the BBC at this.

[Henman Bill]

Couple of points there I'd like to see again. The last point of the set and the one Rafa won with great defence.

[Jahu]

Come on Delpo, make a fajita of him

[LuvSports!]

rafa broken with 3 UE's!

[Jahu]

Delpo breakes him again, this is awsome.

[lydian]

Ouch...that FH is dreadful at the moment...timing is all over the place.

[Henman Bill]

Wow, easy mid court forehand, yes a little low, but dumped into the net. Rafa has dumped more shots into the net this tournament than you would expect from him.

[quietplease]

Shocking from Nadalia. But,to,be honest he has had these lapses all week in the matches I saw him play. Juan seems to be ready to capitalize on it where others could not.

[summerblues]

Wow, I step away for a couple of minutes, and miss yet another break. Time for Rafa to show his perseverence and grit.

[quietplease]

That FH is brutalizing Nadal.

[lydian]

Is Nadal even capable of hitting a deep ball at the moment...this is becoming dreadful stuff.

[LuvSports!]

wow nadal imploding, giving it away.

[Henman Bill]

It's really a combination of great play from Del Potro and poor from Rafa at the moment.

But you never know with Rafa. As soon as he turns a match back in his favour, it sometimes only goes one way. I think Del Potro should really take some risks here and go for the double break. If he doesn't get it conserve energy at least. Looks a little tired, adn will come under pressure, and Rafa is a fighter...

[Henman Bill]

Is Nadal really playing any worse than he did in other matcehs in the tournament? I think he's just up against a tougher opponent. Nowhere near his best against Fed either.

[Henman Bill]

Lydian, there has been too much moonballing hasn't there, you need to keep it lower against Del Potro, low to his backhand...

[lydian]

The good news for Delpo is that this so error strewn the ralleys are short so I don't think stamina will now be an issue.

[CaledonianCraig]

I think I am right in saying if Del Potro wins today he will climb above Tomas Berdych in the ranking to No.6 whilst if Nadal wins he will go to No.4. A lot at stake then.

[User 774433]

putaaaaaaaa

[User 774433]

[quietplease]

Lets be fair. a combination of wierd Nadall UE at bad moments and absolutely crushing ground game by Del Potro which he has used before to great success against the Spanish on blue clay.

[User 774433]

His FH is a mess.

[Henman Bill]

Now then, Del Potro looked jittery on his last service game, let's see if this one will be more solid.

I think it's Del Potro's to lose in a way, but he can definately lose it. Just has to start droppinng his level and missing a few shots. So I don't think this is over yet.

[lydian]

Yeah HB, his confidence seems shot and he's giving it air time because the timing is way off. It's weird really but then this is only his 4th HC match in a year lest we forget. He's not playing freely at all.

[Henman Bill]

Lydian, if Rafa can somehow get it to a 3rd set I do think fatigue could be an issue, even if it were more nervous emotional energy or a loss of sharpness, rather than exhaustion.

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