Rafatennis Part III - We're all going on a summer holiday

First topic message reminder :

That’s the game: sometimes you win; sometimes you lose

Least said, soonest mended eh?

So we break up for our summer holidays and reflect on Rafa's half-year success that in any other season would be world-beating – a slam, a masters, a 500, another Wimbledon final and 4 other masters finals. Not Wimbledon Champion, not World No 1, but still leading every other player (other than he who must not be named) by a country mile.

Now is the time for mid-season conditioning, running repairs and riding around on a jet-ski in the Mediterranean. While I have used up nearly all my annual leave and have to start putting in the hard work <doom>. I know what I'd rather be doing.

The Montreal Masters starts on 8 August so we can reconvene in a mere 5 weeks and let's hope for more of the same…and Rafa – next time you win the toss against Djokovic – please choose to serve first, noh?

Vamos!

Commies talking up DP...they really would like an upset here....how he beat Rafa in 2009 etc

Cliff's in....but don't worry folks, we now have a roof

Lovely Kate is there for her bird's eye view of Rafa.

Knew she'd be into our boy cos after all ... she only has a passing interest in tennis and she is a woman.

I am trying to <flick> between both matches.

Am just getting tea sorted cos as usual Mr Denz, with his impeccable timing has just come home but will still be here

easy love hold for Rafa to get us started. Del Potro will need to serve very well today if he's to have any chance I think...

I thought Andy was excellent today. In the past Gasquet has taken Andy to the brink but not today. Andy was merciless and he needs to keep up that kind of form if he wants to trouble your man (if both get there of course).

Both players very solid on serve so far, Nadal 3-2. Good news for Murray too in that Kubot and Lopez are having abit of a marathon out there

Nadal gets a warning for taking too much time between points. He doesn't like that at all! It's an early warning, be interesting to see if Carlos Ramos follows up on that...

Delighted!!

Feli has WON!!!! Well played. And boy does he look gorgeous with his hair loose.

Judy Murray ... you've got your dream!! As have we!!

Del Potro's actually not a bad volleyer, you wonder why with a serve like his he doesn't S&V more often. Still on serve at 5-5, Rafa has had three BPs but big serving has saved all three

Hey MFC

Been flicking around trying to watch Feli's match at the same time. Heard the commies blethering about <yawn> time between points. Did Rafa lose it?

woofs

Rafa didn't lose it, but he had a bit of a go, obviously unhappy at the decision. He's struggling a bit with Del Potro's power at the moment, but the short slice has been a profitable shot, should use it more.

thanks MFC Attention fully on this match now. Benito (his PR manager) has tweeted that all of them are pretty upset with the time warning.

Hmm I dunno Woofs, the rule's there, and Rafa does abuse it. Having said that, Del Potro has taken a bit of time himself so is probably due a warning too.

Now this doesn't look good, Nadal moving gingerly between points and has called for the trainer. 6-6 in the first, and Nadal has the trainer on. Says he "felt something on set point when [he] pushed". Del Potro not happy at this but I think it's fair enough

I daren't look.

Oh no....this looks bad....poor Rafa, this is all he needs

MTO, apparently someting "right on the bone" according to the trainer. They're taking an MTO, this looks pretty serious unfortunately

They're going to strap it up and basically just see what happens. I feel very very sorry for you woofs (and other Rafa fans obviously). I still remember how terrible I felt at RG when Andy did his ankle and I thought that was his FO done. Have a from me if it makes you feel any better

He's going down in the set at the moment. Dig deep honey. I hate the look on his face though.

Keep going Rafa ...

He looks really worried doesn't he...why does it always happen to Rafa

oh my word, Del Potro completely blows it!

oh boy!!!!

Surely it's "Oh I say", Mad

so can Nadal somehow find another two sets in him?

PS: what's wrong with "Oh my word" denz? very polished expression if I dare say...

Come on Rafa. Dig deep honey. Come on!!

You may dare Mad.....but in the best Dan Maskell tradition...after all it is Wimbers

Oh I say! What a spiffing backhand winner by Del Potro there!

Nadal out-aceing Del Potro right now

Woofs...dark side?

Mad...<sarky>

O I say! splendid tennis from both players, and Nadal saves the break point!

couldn't you just feel that coming...a little Rafa dip there.

Del Potro though is not to be denied, and in the following game finally breaks through and will serve for the second set at 5-3

it was coming denz, must say I'm impressed with Del Potro's S&V game, but a shame that Nadal is clearly struggling a bit

not too surprised at that....DP played really well, and Rafa looks really out of sorts at the moment

Del Potro duly serves it out, and I can't help but feel it's an uphill battle for Nadal from here

Its not going to get any better for Rafa in this match. It all looks very painful for him. But then he's nothing but a faker and its all a big fat act.

yep woofs, though I'm surprised that Tenez actually managed to spot this, given that Federer (his favourite player) is playing at the same time, so I thought he'd have been watching that instead

I'm afraid I can't see Rafa getting through this unless Del Potro has a monumental meltdown.

Oh no! Del Potro's down clutching his hip!

off court for treatment

Yes ... and that's really bad luck for JMDP to go down like that. Of course, the legitimacy of his treatment now will be without question. In fact, I'm waiting for the "Lucky Nadal" posts.

Don't know if it's the same hip he damaged before woofs, very bad news if it is

Del Potro back on, but seems to be struggling a bit too. Battle of the cripples...

It is all very strange ... but I don't like the look of Rafa's demenour. No 'game face'.

Rafa has no 'zip' or 'punch' in any of his shots at the moment.

looked OK in that service game I thought woofs... not 100% but is doing alright I think

Strange face again up to his box. I think his service game was more about what JMDP didn't do, not really what Rafa did do.

Mentioned at the change-over: apparently Rafa rang the tournament director at Queeens after his exit there to apologise for letting them down with his performance. What a horrible horrible person eh?

now I don't want to re-hash a tiresome old debate here, but after that ace from Del Potro Nadal immediately called for a towel. I mean, how sweaty can you get just watching a serve fly past you?

That was better, Rafa.

I can't even allow myself to get started, MFC. You see, the vast majority of the people on this forum would rather concentrate on who they do like, and talk about that ... rather than manically obsess about who they don't like.

heading towards another TB. Wish they'd get a move on, I'm hungry and want to cook dinner, but can't while this is going on, it's too good to miss