IW: Grumpy guss goes down
Photo by ROBYN BECK/ AFP/ Getty Images
After a 3 hour and 38 minute rain delay (in the desert), Rafa and Roger took to the court in cold and windy conditions to play their semifinal match at Indian Wells. Fed came out firing. Rafa fired back. Until he didn’t. I know if it was the conditions, Fed’s play or what, but Rafa just looked like he wasn’t feeling it for huge chunks of the match. He lost the first set and was down a double break in the 2nd, when he got fired up as Fed was serving for the match. Rafa broke. He held and was down match point the next game when it started to rain. There was a short delay, but then Federer aced to win: 6-3, 6-4.
Stats:
| Nadal | Federer | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics on Serve | ||
| Aces | 0 | 6 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 71% | 64% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 23/40 (58%) | 23/36 (64%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 7/16 (44%) | 13/20 (65%) |
| Break Points Saved | 2/6 (33%) | 2/4 (50%) |
| Service Games Played | 9 | 10 |
| Statistics on Return | ||
| 1st Return Points Won | 13/36 (36%) | 17/40 (43%) |
| Second Return Points Won | 7/20 (35%) | 9/16 (56%) |
| Break Points Won | 2/4 (50%) | 4/6 (67%) |
| Return Games Played | 10 | 9 |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 30/56 (54%) | 36/56 (64%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 20/56 (36%) | 26/56 (46%) |
| Total Points Won | 50/112 (45%) | 62/11 (564%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 10 | 29 |
| Unforced errors | 13 | 25 |
| Net Approaches | 3/4 (75%) | 12/13 (92%) |
As it happened blatherings:
Fed won the toss and serves to get us started. Nice forehand winner: 15-30. Fed sends a backhand wide: 15-40. Ace: 30-40. Nice serve that Rafa can’t get back over the net. And again: game point. Another good serve, this time Fed knocks off the sitter reply. 1-0.
Nice hitting from both men; point ends on a backhand winner from Rafa: 15-0. Second serve. Fed’s approach is long: 30-0. Second serve. Fierce forehand from Fed – Rafa can’t do anything about it: 30-15. Another good forhand from Fed: 30-30. Fed’s backhand down the line is wide: 40-30. Fed into the net on a great shot, Rafa’s reply is a sitter, Fed knocks off a winner: deuce. Rafa challenges a serve call and it was good – first serve. Beautiful backhands from Fed and he has a break point. Wonderfully angled backhand return from Fed, he’s into the net and breaks for a 2-0 lead.
Fed nets a backhand: 0-15. Again: 0-30. 15-30. Deep shot from Fed draws an error off Rafa’s backhand: 30-30. Both players run each other with Fed picking on Rafa’s backhand until he can fire off his own forehand winner: 40-30. And he holds for 3-0.
Fed nets a backhand: 15-0. Fed’s backhand down the line is just out – Fed challenges, but the call was good: 30-0. Drop shot fail: 40-0. Deep shot from Rafa draws an error and he holds for 1-3.
Fed’s forehand is just wide: 0-15. Fed runs Rafa all over the place until he runs out of time: 15-15. Beautiful backhand return of serve winner up the line from Rafa: 15-30. Long rally ends after Rafa slices a low backhand and Fed’s reply is out: 15-40. Vintage Rafa runs down everything, Fed nets a ball…Rafa breaks for 2-3. Back on serve.
Longish Ralley ends with Rafa sending a backhand wide: 0-15. Nice angle from Rafa and Fed nets a ball: 15-15. Nice serve down the middle: 30-15. I miss a point: 40-15. Fed pushes Rafa back and draws an error: 40-30. Beautifully angled forehand winner from Fed: deuce. Fed sends a forehand long: game point. Rafa paints the baseline, follows it into the net and knocks off a winner to hold: 3-3.
Fed into the net and Rafa’s pass is long: 15-0. Fed knocks off another winner from the net: 40-0. It’s getting windier… Second serve. Rafa’s return is out and Fed holds at love: 4-3.
“Rock the Casbah” being played during the changeover. I approve.
Second serve. Beautiful backhand winner from Fed: 0-15. Nice serve: 15-15. That serve landed halfway in between the serve line and the baseline. Fed into the net, Rafa runs down the dropper, but sends it long: 15-30. Nice serve out wide to Fed’s backhand and his reply is long: 30-30. Nice serve again: 40-30. Second serve. Fed pounces on the second serve: deuce. Fed pulls Rafa wide, follows the shot into the net and knocks off Rafa’s defensive reply: break point. Rafa sends a backhand long and Fed breaks for a 5-3 lead.
Serve out wide, fierce forehand into the opposite corner: 15-0. Second serve. Rafa hits the reply into the middle of the net: 30-0. Nice return from Rafa, but Fed sends a backhand winner back: 40-0. Second serve. That’s how you serve out a set, Rafa. Fed holds at love to take the first set 6-3. Rafa didn’t even run to that last drop shot.
41 minutes; 0 aces/doubles; 75% 1st serves in; 55% won on 1st; 43% on 2nd; 4 winners; 6 UFEs; 1/2 at net.
Aggressive forehand from Rafa and he follows it into the net and knocks off a winner: 15-0. So-so approach from Fed and Rafa passes: 30-0. Players try to angle each other off the court until Fed’s down the line shot is wide: 40-0. Rafa holds at love to start set 2. Pimmy saying there’s some rain drops…
Ace: 15-0. Second serve. Fed mishits a forehand badly: 15-15. Rafa’s turn: 30-15. Courts are getting slick. Chair tells the players to sit down for a bit. Both guys have their jackets on trying to stay warm. Fed wanted a potty-break, but chair discourages it. Oh, now they are playing again. Nice volley: 40-15. Second serve. Rafa nets a ball and Fed holds for 1-1.
Deep shots from Fed – taking advantage of playing into the wind: 0-15. Second serve. Amazing forehand down the line winner from Fed: 0-30. Second serve and Fed tees off on it: 0-40. Rafa nets a backhand and is broken at love. 1-2
Someone is very much not happy with the windy and is playing like a grumpy guss.
0-15. Second serve. Fed into the net: 15-15. Nice serve: 30-15. Ace: 40-15. Fed holds for 3-1.
Fed into the net, Rafa lobs to push him back, but then hits a forehand winner off a ball that was blowing all over the place: 0-15. Fed winner from mid-court: 15-30. Again: 15-40. Nice serve down the middle: 30-40. (Followed by a Vamos!) Second serve (he went for the same serve as last one). Fed nets a forehand, Rafa lets out a “si!” – deuce. Fed’s backhand is wide: game point. Rafa holds for 2-3.
I’m remembering Rafa saying his foot hurts more when it’s cold. Wondering if it’s bothering him. (Not trying to make excuses – wondering)
Fed storms the net and nets his forehand: 0-15. Deep second serve handcuffs Rafa: 15-15. Service winner: 30-15. Perfect serve, more perfect return: 30-30. Ace: 40-30. Ace…Rafa challenges and it was out. Fed nets a forehand: deuce. Nice serve return, but Rafa sends his next forehand out: game point. Fed into the net and he hold for 4-2.
Pimmy saying Rafa fiddling with his left foot/toe…something on his left side.
Net cord pops Rafa’s ball out: 0-15. Nice backhand down the line and he follows it in to knock off the winner: 15-15. Fed leans left, Rafa serves right: 30-15. Second serve. Rafa’s backhand down the line is wide: 30-30. Rafa double faults to break point. Rafa double faults to break point. Then, when pushed back, sends a backhand well out. Fed breaks for 5-2.
Rafa hits his second forehand winner of the match: 0-30. Rafa totally mishits a low backhand: 15-30. Nice forehand winner from Rafa: 15-40. Double break point for Rafa… and he breaks with aggressive play. Still down a break: 3-5.
Double fault: 0-15. Fed sends a backhand wide: 15-15. Rafa moves Fed well and draws an error: 30-15. Rafa nets a forehand: 30-30. Again, Rafa runs Fed and gets a forehand error: 40-30. Rafa holds for 4-5.
Rafa took a super-quick potty break – didn’t delay play.
Fed sends a backhand long: 15-15. Second serve. Double fault: 15-30. Mirka does not look amused. Second serve. Nice serve out wide, weak reply from Rafa: 30-30. Second serve. Rafa gets the forehand he wants…and nets it. Match point. Pimmy saying it’s raining hard. After a sit down and a towel off, we are back. Ace and Fed wins.
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Not what I was wanting to wake up to. Sounds like Rafa was really out of sorts – guess the long wait and the suprise Novak loss had an affect. Becoming rather worried about Roger overtaking Rafa on points and Rafa being seeded 3rd for big tournaments. Guess I shouldn’t worry til it happens. Hope things go a lot better in the doubles final!! Vamos Rafa! We still love you!
I would have expected the Novak loss to have a boosting effect rather than a negative one ;-)
we’ve seen this before though…the door opens for him and for whatever reason he can’t take advantage. Just when you think he’s regaining some of his mental strength, he seems to get the yips on his serve and starts missing a lot of what should be his best, go-to shots. Hope he hasn’t hurt himself. He did seem to get jolted around quite a bit in his match with Nalby, particularly towards the end.
I was too worried about Novak that I forgot about Fed…is he getting close in the rankings? Any idea what would happen in the next few days ranking-wise?
Presser here:
vey sad. honest, and sad.
http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/Media/Video/2012/Indian-Wells-2012-Semifinal-Interview-Nadal.aspx
Well, that says it all, doesn’t it: “I reacted too late, I had to be more aggressive earlier”.
Since when are weather conditions a problem for Rafa? I mean ok I understand his point about the topspin but surely this cannot be the first time he’s played Roger under such conditions. I suppose it is a combination of Roger playing great, Rafa not playing great and the weather conditions.
Strange that he feels better about a match that he lost than about one that he won. I guess he wasn’t happy at all with the way he played against Nalbandian.
Bounces were low on Saturday because it was cold and humid. In this way, the conditions resemble the low-bouncing indoors courts, where Federer has an undefeated 4-0 record against Rafa, despite Rafa leading the overall head-to-head record against Federer. In fact, I don’t think Rafa has ever beaten Federer on a low-bouncing hard court. Plus, Federer played above his usual level on Saturday. So I’m not too worried for Rafa. Everybody has bad days (just look at Murray, who lost his first match at Indian Wells in straight sets).
If Rafa’s loss means Rafa is in trouble, then what about Novak? He lost in Dubai and Indian Wells, even though he was the defending champion in both tournaments. Novak played terrible against Murray in Dubai, and was shocked by Isner in Indian Wells. Novak’s loss to Isner is a much bigger upset, than Federer beating Rafa.
What do you all think?
I agree. I’m not seriously worried about Rafa-ok, only a little bit-I just saw a window of opportunity there with Novak out. I know he needs to beat Novak, but it’s easier to do it having won a title than trying to win one after several months. As for Novak, it is impossible to expect him to win everything always. When someone goes undefeated for such a long time, he himself sets the bar so high that it’s almost impossible to play at that level all the time.
Novak shouldn’t be expected to win, even against Isner, where Novak was the heavy favorite?
Well, likewise, we shouldn’t expect Rafa to always beat Roger, especially in low-bouncing conditions, right? Roger has always beaten Rafa on low-bouncing hard courts. Rafa’s advantage over Roger has generally been on high-bouncing courts, such as clay.
i get the feeling that Nole isn’t going to worry too much about losing a few points when he’s so far ahead of the pack. I suspect he’s going to concentrate more on the slams, especially RG, which isn’t “good new” for Rafa. Rafa, however, can’t afford to slip to #3 IMO. Remaining on the opposite side of the draw to Djoko at least gives him more of a chance to get to finals and protect or improve on his last year’s results.
Just out of interest, what are the conditions in Miami like…they are faster no? Are the weather conditions likely to be pretty similar there? Can’t quite remember back to last year.
Miami? Hot, humid. Certainly more humid than IW, maybe not as hot, we’ll see. I live in South FLA. It’s been cooler & drier than usual this year but that could change by next week.
The ball won’t fly through the air as fast or bounce off the court as high as it does at IW. Still it isn’t a really fast court and Rafa usually plays well in Miami although he’s never quite won it. It’s one that’s gotten away from him a couple of times now. The heat/humidity got to Rafa during last year’s final.
Thanks Ramara :)
Agreed. I think we’re basically saying the same thing. What I meant is, it is impossible to go undefeated for so long for a second consecutive year and I found it unrealistic that some people expected him to do just that and nothing less. Yes of course he was the favourite against Isner and was “expected” to win, but he didn’t; still he remains the No1 player, and an excellent one. The same goes for Rafa. I’m just more sensitive to Rafa losing than I am to Novak, being a Rafa fan; of course I cannot expect him to win all the time but I would have liked him to, especially now that a title would be a great confidence booster.
but if it’s clay, it’s a different situation, i will always expect rafa to win even against nole. but on hardcourts…he’s forgiven ;)
Thanks Killian. He’s more positive than some of us! Just as well, though he does not look that happy. Hopefully he’ll be smiling after doubles final!
Disappointed for him, a missed opportunity cos Novak not in the final but im not to worried about this loss. Mentality in 3 sets so different to 5 set matches and had it been the latter Rafa would probably have turned it around. The last time Roger defeated Rafa in a 5 set match was Wimbledon 2007 if i am correct. Also it is Rafa’s 1st competetion after a long break and I do think the long delay and weather didn’t help as Rafa likes hot and sunny where the ball flies which suits his game.
What concerns me is,with Rafa reaching so many finals last year if he dosen’t maintain that and Roger does well he could take over the no2 spot and Rafa seeded no 3 is not a prospect i relish.
Would love to see Isner win his 1st Masters title. He may be a liitle jaded when it’s time for the doubles.
Good luck Marc and Rafa. WAMOS!!!
I know he said ‘fighted’ to the end and I’m sorry he didn’t get to the final but I can’t feel sorry for him. Roger played this one right and Rafa did not and I don’t understand why, when he knows that he should be more aggressive, that he doesn’t play more aggressively more of the time. It’s frustrating to watch… But he’ll bounce back for as long he has the passion and desire to do so. Here’s hoping he’ll learn from that match – and I wish him and Marc all the best for the doubles.
Is this (since last title at RG) the longest that Nadal has gone without winning a title?
I should qualify that: over the last 4 years, is this (since last title at RG) the longest that Nadal has gone without winning a title?
If you read my reply to your previous comment, you can see that he went eleven months from May 2009 to April 2010 without a singles title.
Missed that – thanks. So, the last 2 years have been his longest and 2nd longest title droughts… I hope this is not going to be a repeating pattern.
But the point is, that both times he went on to have fantastic seasons!
In 2009, on the other hand, he had won five titles by May, but the rest of the season was miserable. To quote the man himself: You never know what’s going on!
I think if Djoko hadn’t broken through in such a dramatic fashion, Rafa would be holding/biting quite a few more trophies by now. Dang that peski Serb!!!!
Then I am keeping my fingers crossed for titles this year, majors in particular.
I’ll join you :-)
Great – let us keep our fingers crossed. The problem is that if he doesn’t win any majors this year then I won’t be able to stop thinking that I am seeing the start of the end of the Nadal “era”.
On paper Isner def Djokovic is a much bigger upset than Roger beating Rafa under the conditions. But Nole actually played pretty well – not at his top – and still lost. And he’s the best returner in the game just now. Isner’s taken his game to a new level and Rafa would have had his work cut out for him in the final – this is a much improved Isner compared to the one he’s played before. If Isner can maintain this form he’s gonna be a force right through the USO. I really, really hope he’s nowhere near Rafa in the Miami draw!!!
Should be an interesting final. Roger’s at the top of his game now and very enthusiastic. He’ll be thirsting for Isner’s blood after the DC loss last month and he won’t be dealing with bad bounces this time.
Dear Rafa,
It’s me again. I watched your semi-final last night. And do you know what I surprised me the most? Amidst the inexplicable misses and confusion and passivity of your game after 3-3 in the first set and the continued poor play on your part in the second set — there was the game at 2-5. Wow!
Honestly, it took my breath away: the brilliance, power, explosiveness, and tactical surety of your love break of Federer’s serve showed me, almost as if for the first time (and I think I’ve seen most of your matches, at least the important ones, since 2005), why you are the “great champion” (Darren Cahill’s words during the match) that you are. You showed the kind of playing that you introduced to tennis when you started winning (Miami ’04), and that no one had really ever seen before. You could see it in Roger’s face, too — the dread that you would snap back to yourself and then it would be all over. It reminded him and scared him.
Win or lose, there is no other tennis player that can bring that level of brilliance, character, and dominance on an off-day.
Chin up! Never mind. As you say, the hard losses serve to make you value the victories even more.
From a very appreciative.
From a very appreciative “fan”, I meant to say.
I think Rafa was very sleepy until 5-4 second set!
Cahill tweeted that ESPN will broadcast the doubles final if the ATP gives permission – which it hasn’t yet. Everyone write/tweet to the ATP to aks them to let ESPN broadcast it!
I dont mean to be a pessimist but perhaps us Rafa fans have to realise that the time has come where he is not gonna win everything anymore. He is always gonna be in the mix and have his chances but there are many good players coming along and competition is getting tougher. As i said before,not reading to much into the loss to Roger as it’s a rarity and Federer is not gonna keep up this good form, neither is Novak but really do want Rafa to slip to no3.
Keep things in perspective. It’s been worse before. Remember the 11-month title drought in 2009/2010? Rafa even dropped to No. 4 ranking in Spring 2010 (worse than the No. 3 that he might drop to this year). He had a losing streak against almost all Top 10 players back then. Rafa then came back to win the next 3 Slams.
So I don’t think Rafa is worse now than he was before.
What do you all think?
yeah but back then Djokovic wasn’t so dominant has he is now so if Rafa slips to no 3 he could get drawn in Novaks half which is not good. Still not gonna panic as yet,let’s see what happens.
I’m not sure Djokovic will continue to be so dominant. People seem to think Rafa’s struggling after Australia. But look at Novak- he got crushed by Murray in Dubai, and was shocked by Isner this week.
Hi Guys. Will dissect Rafa’s play later but to be honest I think he was way out of sorts because of the weather. I know that is a really wimpy thing to say but like someone else said Rafa really doesn’t like the cold with his foot and it hurts! I think the fact with this, Djok shock, the windy and no U Toni to really give it to him with the tactic was fatal.
Anyway I want to know where the doubles are being played. Someone said ESPN is that correct? I am from England and have tried all avenues without success so far and it is about to start.
yes im from England and they are not showing the doubles i believe, which is really annoying. Just gonna check the live scores on the laptop:( Can u let me know if u find the match showing anywhere.
thanx
Yah, they won the doubles
Hi Sharon. Yeah. In the end I went to the Rafaholic website and they showed it in minute form from some site that I couldn’t get but saw it on their site. Saw Rafa biting the trophey Heahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
For the folks all in a dither about Rafa falling in the rankings, he’s not, he’s gaining ground. Djokovic is the one who is falling. At the beginning of the year, Novak was at 13630, Rafa at 9595, and Roger at 8170. As of today, Novak is down to 12670, Rafa is up to 10175, Roger is up to 9350.
Don’t forget Roger has played five tournaments, Rafa three, Novak four. Come clay season, Rafa starts playing more.
Novak’s margin over Rafa has dropped from 4035 to 2495, a gain for Rafa of 1540 points. Rafa’s margin over Roger has dropped from 1425 to 825, a gain for Roger of only 600 points in spite of all the tournaments Roger has played and won.
Personally, I think Rafa has a better chance of regaining #1 than Roger has of getting to #2.
He lost points at IW, but lost less than Nole. So yes, there are fewer points between them now than after the AO, but not because Rafa has gained points.