2017 RG Final: Wawrinka vs Nadal

[Front242]

between Stan's pace and the dry, very hot air today, Nadal's topspin was pretty muc unplayable

 

[kskate2]

Well we said coming into this that Stan had to serve well and he really didn't do that today

 

[brokenshoelace]

Agreed Front, re: Rafa feeding off Stan's pace. This is the best I've seen him counter-punch in a while

 

[Front242]

it's hard to see on tv accurately but the height the ball bounces from Nadal's topspin in these conditions makes it no wonder so many players have shoulder issues. Imagine how high you have to swing your backhand to get to that bounce. It would tear your rotator cuff to shreds

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think the conditions today meant that Stan's pace wasn't quite "overpowering" but rather gave Nadal enough to generate his own by using it, especially off the backhand side

 

[Front242]

yup

 

[Front242]

so who would have fared best against Nadal in these conditions today?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wilander talking up Nadal's chances at Wimbledon and saying he's better now than he was then when he won it twice. He's lost his mind

 

[Carol]

Stan has said this correctly: when Rafa plays well it's very dificult to play against him, I tried everything,shots, movements but nothing has worked well

 

[kskate2]

probably a prime Novak

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think only an in form Djokovic, Front

 

[Front242]

yeah

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nobody else stands a chance. Typically the conditions are like this in every FO final and there's a reason in 10 tries, he's never even been pushed to 5 sets

 

[Front242]

true

 

[kskate2]

It's confidence too. By the time he gets to the SF of RG, he's worked out whatever kinks he may have had in his game

 

[Carol]

Wawrinka did beat Novak in his prime in the AO and RG

 

[brokenshoelace]

Definitely confidence and momentum mainly

 

[brokenshoelace]

And most of all, the fact that he's ridiculously good

 

[kskate2]

there's that too

 

[kskate2]

Alright gang! Thanks for joining us on the live chat. Please post any remaining comments in the match thread. Don't forget to join us for Wimbledon during the grass season.