Doha: Deja Vu
Photo by AP Photo/Osama Faisal
Rafa met Monfils (#16) in the semifinals of Doha today. Both men came out of the gate firing their groundshots, and we were treated to many excellent rallies. In the 6th game, Rafa played a few loose points and Monfils took full advantage – breaking him for a 4-2 lead and kept his head in the game to take the first set, 6-3. Gaël’s level dropped a bit in his first service game of the second set and it was Rafa’s turn to pounce on an opportunity and break. In the 7th game, Monfils stepped up with an amazing forehand winner to earn a back and put the match back on serve. He followed that up with another one in the 9th game to go up 5-4. That’s all Monfils needed to win: 6-3, 6-4. That’s only his second win against Rafa – the first came in Doha in 2009.
I don’t think Rafa was playing poorly today (with some exceptions), but he did get tentative a bit too often. (Admittedly, I missed huge chunks of the end of the match due to work.) For me, it was more a case of Monfils making full use of his physical and, for a change, mental capacity. He was the “can’t lose” player on the day.
Stats:
| Nadal | Monfils | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 1 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 72% | 76% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 23/36 (64%) | 36/52 (69%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 6/14 (43%) | 8/16 (50%) |
| Break Points Saved | 0/3 (0%) | 2/3 (67%) |
| Service Games Played | 9 | 10 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 16/52 (31%) | 13/36 (36%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 8/16 (50%) | 8/14 (57%) |
| Break Points Won | 1/3 (33%) | 3/3 (100%) |
| Return Games Played | 10 | 9 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 29/50 (58%) | 44/68 (65%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 24/68 (35%) | 21/50 (42%) |
| Total Points Won | 53/118 (45%) | 65/118 (55%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 12 | 25 |
| Unforced errors | 22 | 22 |
| Net Approaches | 6/12 (50%) | 9/14 (64%) |
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Hopefully we have a repeat of the 2009 Aus Open result as well.
At least Rafa has defended his points from last year & got some good practice with his new racquet against some good players so I think he’ll see this as positive but maybe not right now!
He’s heading in the right direction & I’m looking forward to seeing him on TV instead of a computer screen in the Australian sunshine soon. We all know the sun energises his balls!!!
Goldenboy… I thought the same thing as well! I hope he tweaks the loose ends ASAP.
agree on this! =)
Goldenboy – You have just lifted my spirits! What a good omen.
Having heard Fed out with a sore shoulder so Tsonga a walkover I didn’t mind what happened today (seriously wanted Rafa to win!) But when he lost I didn’t feel too bad about it. I missed most of the first set but thought Rafa would take it after 3 0 and 4 1. I watch Eurosport and I really respect Few McMillan and his commentary but always feel he is anti Rafa for some reason. But to be honest he said that Rafa needed to secure the second break, otherwise he could easily lose his service and ….. what happened… he was right…. rats!
Couldn’t believe at the end that Rafa blew it with an error rather than monfils with a winner. Dunno a out you all, a very strange match. Perhaps Monfils has got the Djoker factor with his focus no?
Agree about the 2nd break, I really felt he needed it so that he could relax a bit and play with more confidence.
PS what is worrying that Rafa wanted to be aggressive and so Monfils and as Miri has logged above both had the same amount of errors but Monfils twice the amount of winners. That says something – Rafa is not a natural on getting winners and his count of unforced errors have skyed through the roof – but heah its the beginning of the season, being expermintal and its on hard court yes?
I’m sad for Rafa, but Gael was just better from the start ‘go’. He said yesterday he’s having a tactic, but won’t tell. It obviously works! Well, Rafa rest those shoulder, knees, head and let go AO!!
He went with the Djokovic tactic: stretch Rafa out wide on the forehand with a cross-court backhand
Yep Miri and thats what saddens me because anyone will use this tactic now!
But Rafa also allowed that to happen by hitting his forehand with too much topspin and as soon as he dropped it short Monfils stepped in and was willing to blast his backhand.
It all went down so quick. Looking back on the clock, it really wasn’t but it felt that way. I feel that Rafa played well and was right there in the game till it was 4-4 in the 2nd. Then he was simply outplayed. I am a bit dissapointed but on the whole I feel great about Rafa’s level going into the AO.
Agree, his level looks good again. Fitness definately are better than last year. Looking more relaxed and calm. His shots did’nt have the power today like earlier this week, or am I wrong? Or is it just because Monfils’ are so bloody hard?
12 winners to 22 UFE is a strange stat for Rafa.
I didn’t think it was a great match … there were some unbelievable rallies, though. Rafa was off the court FAST.
Hi Sia
I noticed that too he was off the court so fast – it was like Isner’s first serve! What you think is up. He is absolutely mad – as John F said yesterday after Rafa’s win with the pointy finger “Cono” – “bloody hell” (but in the wrong direction! – a loss not a win)… or something like that
Yep, rafafan I think he was saying “bloody hell … I played that one the wrong way” Lol.
I thought he seemed drawn away from his own plan for the match and ended up responding to Monfils … something Rafa has to really fight with as he is a naturally defensive player. He forgot to play hard-court tennis. it was much easier with Youzhny who plays flat and fast, Monfils’ rhythm is very different.
I think he stormed off because he was furious with himself for losing!
Hi CC :D … so fast you couldn’t even get a good look at that fabulous ass.
Yeah. From what he’s said over the years, I think he hates missed opportunities more than anything else. He had lots of opportunities to take that second set, he didn’t.
He left so fast, he picked up the suitcase instead of rolling it.
“He left so fast, he picked up the suitcase instead of rolling it.” LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So well put;)
I could be wrong because obviously I wasn’t there to talk to Rafa but I got the feeling he left the court in a hurry because he was really pissed off, not just with losing but with Monfils’ showboating in the last game or two. I know that’s Monfils’ style but it won’t win you many friends when you’re in a very tough close match and you’re rubbing salt in their wounds. Rafa didn’t look pleased at all there near the end.
That said, I think there are a lot of good things Rafa can take from this tournament. Considering he went in with minimal practice and trying new things plus new equipment, he played well overall. He ran into a guy today who made some crazy good shots and who played much better consistently than he normally does. It was very close and a shot here and there could have changed the outcome. Oh well. Rafa can use the rest. ;)
Personally, I think fans are far more sensitive on this matter than professional athletes are.
Not the worst outcome. I think Rafa got what he wanted from Doha: a few good matches. Best of all, judging from the qf presser he’s feeling good about tennis again, at least at “moments”. :-)
Besides, if Rafa improves as much as he did between Cincy and the US Open, he has a great chance in Melbourne.
Oh well… Rafa had some good matches and takes away the so much needed rythem. Lets go to Aus now Rafa!!!
Oh, that rhythm is so important, no?
And from watching him dance, I can assure you it’s not something that comes to him naturally – he has to work on it.
Miri, he was hammered… then evry mans rhythm sucks!!! :D
But i’m willing to work on Rafa’s rhythm with him anytime…. Just give me a call sweety!
I am feeling bad, really bad.
Rafa needs to take his chances more (poor break point conversion) and defend his own serve better. He didn’t defend a break point once during the match :S. And it’s been like that for a while now.
Anyway, hope he isn’t too bothered by this.
I agree cristina, his saving of BP’s used to be a huge weapon of his, than mental toughness was incredible, he needs something to click to retain that, he talked about this in the off season but hasn’t been able to perform this on the court.
I’m sure it wasn’t a bad losss. It just felt that way for me. I don’t think that Rafa played particularly well today. It just seemed that the legs just couldn’t work today at maximum effectiveness. We’ll see what he says in the presser.
Anyway, given that ten-twelve days ago he didn’t even know if he could play Doha, I think that we should really concentrate on the full half of the glass.
Miri,
I wouldn’t say Rafa played awfully but I think today he played the type of tennis he’s been trying to move away from. Of course you can’t play the level of tennis Rafa’s played these past few days everyday especially when you haven’t played that way for most of your career and you haven’t had a lot of practice. Also I sensed from the start of the match that Rafa was nervous and we know that when he’s nervous and lacking confidence he struggles to hit through his shots and today there just wasn’t the aggression in his shots that we’d seen throughout the week. Of course credit to Monfils for stepping in and playing without fear for most of the match, he hit some ridiculous shots and his strength from way behind the baseline is ridiculous as well. He also never really allowed Rafa to settle in and find his colm. The biggest positive was that I thought Rafa was really trying to hold his ground on the baseline especially in the 2nd set but it’s all a work in progress.
As Rafa has stressed the entire week, he needs more time and practice and even he didn’t expect himself to play as well as he has. I think this was an important match for him today in that it showed him where he’s at and that there’s still a lot more work to be done. Rather it happen today than in Australia, although we have to be prepared that he may not be ready then either. The great thing about this week is that we got to see the direction in which Rafa’s moving with his game and it was great, but of course again it all takes time.
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I’m still seeing the tournament as a whole as good because it seemed to me that Rafa’s made some progress towards his stated goals.
Another thought about the AO- 5 sets. In general, Rafa is more confident in with the best of 5 format.
Yes, best of 5 always allows Rafa to play with more colm. Also the day off between matches really seems to help him build significantly from match to match with the extra practice time.
Great summary of Rafa’s play so far, hopefully Rafa can build on what he has done so far, alot of positives to take away from Doha.. Also, Monfils played crazy good, he deserved the win.
Vamos Rafa & hopefully will go all of the way @ AO!!
great insights L, thanks
Credit to Monfils… he was on fire today!
But I’m sure this victory won’t mean too much to him if he loses in the first round in Melboune. AO is what really counts, and Rafa should be heading to Australia with good feelings. He got some high quality match practice and there were so many good signs that his game is improving. According to himself, he feels the heavier racquet was the right choice and he’s already adapting to it. His movement and fitness looks better and he actually seems to be enjoying his tennis. It’s all good, and better than most of us expected, I think. Bring on the Grand Slam tennis!
Agree JC but heah after the 4 1 up second set yesterday and managed to close it after losing his serve, it was a deja vu this time 4 1 up but he lost! I wouldn’t say that’s all good. No wonder he scampered off court. I think e he was gonna do something he would regret – oh well throwing all the tennis racquets in the locker room is ok! – he will get over it quickly. Again I like the omen of 2009 first bit anyway! and the rest of 2010 playing it out with the Olympics medal of course
Given the circumstances (sore shoulder, racquet adjustment, not much “off-season” practice) I do think it’s all good. Monfils was a bigger challenge than the other guys he played this week, and he’s just not quite there yet, but he’s “in the right way”. Let’s cut him a little slack!
I just hope he’s not too disappointed and lets this loss affect him, he’s such a perfectionist and had to feel like he had a good shot at winning this tourney with the way he had been playing. But today just wasn’t his day and watching Monfils yesterday I just had a feeling this was gonna be a tough one.
JC, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen such good signs from Rafa these last few matches, so if he can only stay healthy I’m pretty sure he’s going to do just fine! A few matches into AO and…who knows?! :)
It was a good match today. Not very good for Rafa (because he lost) but (in my opinion) Monfils was better than Rafa today.
Vamos Rafa!
Sad for Rafa as he was on such a roll with his prior matches. Monfils kept the “batshit crazy” part of himself at bay for a win. Onward to the AO Rafa!
I was only able to watch the second set (4 am here in NZ is tough to wake up to – especially after the midnight 5.5 earthquake wake up call , the third big one in 24 hours – strange as it seems, as long as they stay below “6″ we’re happy – what a crazy world! happy to live daily with shallow Richetr scale 5′s for the next decade ! sigh….. SO i “escape” watching rafa’s tennis (and dolgopolov- i like that guy)
It seemed to me that Rafa’s play in the set I watched was really “variable”:The very last game of the match had it all: sometime s excellent (e.g. the way he fought back when monfils was serving for the match at 15-40) sometimes error prone (same game after he was up a break! or failing to capitalize on that ridiculous shot monfils played against a ball that was clearly out! ) , sometimes defensive – predictable – with too many short balls or high bouncers without enough pace (which monfils absolutely cleaned up on, on occasion, sometimes in brilliant fashion) , . In the set i saw, his service games went from fantastically authoritative to dismally inconsistent, putting himself under immense pressure (wasn’t it a love game he lost on serve?) . Unpredictability? not there today as much as in the previous matches in the tournament. Monfils often correctly anticipated rafa’s lopping forehand to his (monfils’) backhand and had clearly practiced with getting pace and depth on those returns WHEN he was set up. Granted, Monfils retrieval skills today when rafa had command of the point was fantastic – how many times i thought rafa would be putting him away running him back and fort on a string …but he(monfils) was there!
My overall gut level feeling was that as with Yhouzny yesterday rafa let monfils back into the match AFTER stamping his authority on it , by playing a bit more defensively and predictably (middle court balls, softer angles at slower pace than he needed to -;). Yesterday he managed to turn it around, but against todays opponent he couldn’t, and didn’t : Monfils is soo….fast and quick- and today he wasn’t as flustered as he has been in the past with rafa’s topspin on either backhand or forehand . The guy oozes skill and talent and today he kept it all together.
Rafa’s touch/feel at net was off today – but not yesterday ; ditto finding the right depth and sharp angles – better yesterday than today (but i’d much prefer to see him going for depth and being too long than serving up short balls that these guys can cream)
having said all that i think the tournament was an encouraging start to the year; today wasn’t his best game for sure, but the other matches showed what sort of improvements there are. The backhand is now becoming a great weapon, that will force opponents to go more to his forehand . He really has been experimenting with unpredictability and moving into the court more – maybe we’d like to see more of it , but the point is he is definitely doing more of that. And service game is way better than last year. None of this is perfect of course…but as ever with rafa…he can improve and will improve.
lets just hope he doesn’t get Isner in round 1 of Ozzie open!!
Summed up really well john f,
I think a lot of the inconsistencies have a to do with the fact that he’s not yet fully confident and comfortable with the changes he’s trying to make and when you play against a player of Monfils’ calibre who’s on his game that uncertainty can cost you as it did today. But as you’ve mentioned what’s most important is that he’s making a concerted effort to implement specific changes and we’ve already seen the improvements in his game. Right now it’s about practice, practice and practice.
Hi John F – you are so astute and summarise very well with Rafa but Rafa is becoming unpredictable in the number of unforced errors he is making (you wouldn’t back racking up the amount he has in the last few days) and then in the last point of the match!
2 questions. I keep banging on about it but do you think Rafa is now taking the ball early and on the rise? He has the power but he is still predictable from his long swing, letting people have time to play. I know he needs the rythmn but he has to pracitce the ball early and on the rise to get the rythmn. I was a bit disappointed with his experimenting that he didn’t do this or hadly don’t you think?
Also Rafa was starting to do the loopy high forehand again which is fatal. He has to think everytime he does this now and with the backhand for them to swing crosshand to his forehand is a done deal. Rafa lost the tactic and thought he would get away with the Gael crazy affect. I think he was more disappointed because of that fact.
couldn’t agree more rafafan on all 3 points you make – i always enjoy reading your thoughts too.
the way i look at the winners & unforced errors count (not just the ratio) is that the total number of both gives an indication of the style of play on that day – has it been authoritative and or defensive, ? when rafa has a really low number in total , say 2 winners and 2 unforced errors in a set, you know he is playing cautiously. When he is up around 15/15 in a set (so maybe 40/40 or more for a match??) you know he is trying to stamp his authority on the othe rplayer, move him around, a lot…Yes, with 30 attempts i’d rather see 20 winners and 10 unforced errors than 15 and 15- as i’m sure rafa would – but at least you know he is trying for the angles and the depth . I think with this new racquet we’ll see more unforced errors relative to winners, but its the total that matters . Like today, he just wasn’t as sharp in his angles or crisp with his power (or monfils was reading him well enough to get to these angled balls and return them ??)
i personally don’t think rafa is taking the ball early enough especially on second serves. I like the way federer (hate to admit it!) , djokovitch, and dolgopolov move up on every second serve of an opponent, trying and usually succeeding to take the ball on the rise and return it for a winner on that shot or at least with pace and direction and depth to make the next shot by the opponent more difficult. Occasionally rafa will do this – but not always. Ok , against inner, raonic, karlovic this might be suicide!! coz these guys with their height and pace make second serves to die for….but…..even against them on second serve gotta try it , more.
Re moving into the court more during play to take the ball earlier I think “L” made a good observation about this tournament that he definitely was doing that more effectively and trying to do it more often. His natural instincts, maybe honed on clay surface, where HE has – and creates – a bit more time, seem to be play sep enough to get that ball in one more time. But in the last year or so players like mardy fish who stood no chance against rafa have learned skills – move forward, take the balls from rafa early, take the risks to return deep and to the corners, because that is the only way to neutralize rafa: djok has don ethat so well and with such precision – albeit against everybody!!
There are few players as fast and quick as monfils generally and especially today – but today also monfils did something he hadn’t been able to do in the past – when rafa had him on the ropes/ string mpvoing back and forth he managed to stay in the play…and i think one reason was that rafa DIDN’t come into the net more to create that expectation in monfils’ mind “I can’t just get the ball back i need to do something with it or this guy will kill it ” (or the french version). Compare rafts game against Yhouzny (who by the way doesn’t move like monfils does!!) where he did move forward lots, and well
loopy forehand fatality – i agree here – it has become a very predictable strategy for rafa when he is under a bit of pressure, so gives opponents time to setup for it….my only thought here is that while it must be bloody instinctive for rafa to do this he needs to increase the number of times/situations where he resists this and f**ing well drives it flat and down the line or drop shot or ??soemthing different to create that momentary hesitation about setting up for the loopy forehand. ANd of course, trying to do all that adaptation under immense pressure in a game where the ebb and flow goes so quickly.
wouldn’t it be a great job to be part of a coaching team for rafa to review the footage, over and over, picking out this kind of stuff for rafa, but as important learning about what his opponents do/dont do?
but take heart rafafan, that last game with monfils on serve i think rafa played brilliantly after starting miserably and having just been broken twice with monfils having won something like 15 out of the last 20 points down 15-40, he didn’t give up! monfils plays a bit defensively, rafa capitalizes to 30-40; monfils tries to reign him in rafa brings it to deuce; rafa goes ahread on advantage!! Well f,,,,ing done. Ok losing last shot was a flub, but hey….that was a great fightback, even if not successful.
sounds zennish but success doesn’t come without failure….rafa IS adapting his game….lets hope his coaches can help him keep up the positive spirit and help him retain confidence
Good point about the W/UFE ratio, looking at the stats as a whole, that to me seemed like the determining factor in the match today. Rafa missed some shots on crucial points when he was trying to be aggressive whereas today when Monfils was aggressive he didn’t miss and any other day many of those spectacular winners he hit could easily have gone out, that’s how good they were.
Reading a few of the quotes form Rafa’s presser it seems he feels similarly. He say he felt as though he was playing aggressively but in the context of this match it may not have been the right tactic because it led to some errors at crucial moments. However he feels he has to continue playing aggressively so it becomes the norm because this is the best way to compete against the top players.
So we have to accept that there’s gonna be a lot more errors from Rafa’s racket but this is definitely the right direction for him. To make a significant change in your game when you’ve had the kind of success that Rafa’s had and be able to see the bigger picture takes a lot of guts and right now Rafa seems determined to do it.
Interesting comments from you there L. couldn’t agree more.
Rafa won’t get Isner in Round 1 of Australian Open. Isner is ranked #18, so the earliest Rafa might potentially face Isner is Round of 16, right?
In the grand scheme of things Doha was a good tournament – getting to the semis and showing some of the form he has is far better than what I would have expected given the statements in Abu Dhabi. BUT it was a missed opportunity to get his first title since RG & a first HC title since Tokyo 2010. Pretty clear Rafa feels the pressure when he hasn’t won for a while & a win here, even if a small tournament, would have really relieved that pressure. Aus Open, IW & Miami are not easy propositions & he knows he could have beaten Monfils & Tsonga for this title.
Not a disaster by any means but when you have your chances like he did (certainly in the second, being up 3-0 and having another break point…) you have to capitalise. My main concern with Rafa is his increasing tendency to lose the close games – his break points saved % must have plummeted last year and he really doesn’t come back from 0-30 or 0-40 down like he was able to before. Partly that’s confidence related sure but I’m not convinced that will easily come back…. Really hope he has a good Aus Open otherwise the point pressure from March onwards will be immense…
As for this being like 2009, as much as I’d like to hope (Roddick taking out Novak in the quarters; Roger & Rafa in the final!) I think it’s clear that Roger, Rafa, Novak & Murray are 4 very different players 3 years on. That was Rafa’s peak & he’d come off an amazing 2008 – this isn’t quite the same though there’s always hope. :)
I feel similarly about the 0-30, 0-40 games, most times when it happens these days I sadly no longer feel confident that Rafa will hold:( And yes I agree that I don’t think you can ever fully get that ability back and it’s even harder the older you get especially with all the amount of matches Rafa’s played and the pressure that’s gone with them. I suppose it’s all about managing it as best you can and not getting too down on yourself.
Rafa tanked, no doubt I have on this.
Rafa is too passionate a competitor to even think of tanking. Shame on you.
I would not use the word “tank”.
But level of motivation could vary based on what is at stake.
The thought that Nole and Murray are already in Australia and that Federer was heading over too would certainly be clouding over his head.
We all know the ultimate prize in the near future is the trophy in Melbourne.
Shame on me? For what? That was a smart move from Rafa. Half the level of Rafa in the Youzhny’s match could have doubled bagel Monfils.
He is done. No chance at ao. Within 1 year down to 4 or 5 in the world.
Really??
Well that’s blunt! I wouldn’t say he has no chance at the Aus Open! He’s behind Novak & Murray sure but he has a chance – you never know. As for ranking at the end of the year it’s too early to say – I think he should still do well enough on clay, grass and the slams to stay top 4 but it would not be a surprise if he falls out of the top 2 – Murray just has to step up at some point and I think this might be the year; plus Novak doesn’t look to be going anywhere…
Then again he needs 2-3 good months – before you know it he’s won the French & Wimbledon (2 tournaments he’s still the favourite for…) and he’s back at no. 1 again. This is week 1 and we’ve got all the way till November to go. Things are still positive!
Why are you responding to the troll? :)
What kind of a fan are you? we don’t need such negativity on here.!
Please guys, leave the trolls alone. They just want attention.
The trolls should stay under the mountain unless they are going to be nice. I am pleased for Gael he has a lot of talent and could be at the top if he keeps it on an even keel. You can see Rafa is still vulnerable to top opponents on hard court when they play aggressively with flat shots and take his serve and other shots early. Rafa I think knows what he should do to counter this but clearly has a difficult time executing the changes needed. I assume that is why he was eager to leave the arena. He must have imagined a different kind of match before he started. And be hacked off the match strayed from the ideal script.
I saw Fabrice Santoro in Gael’s box and a thought occurred to me that perhaps he gave Gael a few tips on how to play a differant way! anybody agree?
oh no,after the great play in the previous matches,in the Monfils match it looked like the Rafa of 2011, passive play,nothing on his shots, missing 1st serves and nervous at key points. I dont know if he was feeling tired but he has had a positive week imo. Now he can get some good practice in ready for the AO tho im not expecting to much there but hope he has a great tourney.
I am desperate to see Rafa play live and missed the chance at the AO last year as I had tickets to the Semi finals, which of course sadly he didn’t get to. I have now got tickets to the AO Quarter Finals in the hope of seeing him at last. But can anyone tell me – how do I find out where and what time he practices at the AO, so I can try and get to a practice session? Thanks to all you rafa fans out there….