2024 ATP General News

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa's combos are legendary. It's amazing he still has complete confidence and control over them at major points in the matches

 

[kskate2]

Rafa's combos are legendary. It's amazing he still has complete confidence and control over them at major points in the matches

Your boy is rusty. 3 MP's gone begging and he's still out there getting punkd by pornstache. Onto a decider...

 

[the AntiPusher]

Your boy is rusty. 3 MP's gone begging and he's still out there getting punkd by pornstache. Onto a decider...

Yeah.. the body aches and the stache has worn my dawg down. Rafa is taking an MTO. Although I do feel he has played pretty good so far and it wasnt like he choked those matchpoints. Give Stache credit he has played very well.. Good Grief.. Tennis channel is advertising "Pickleball tv" .. Well its not going to get picked up by me.

 

[lomaha]

So Nadal can get tired? A great game from both. Congrats to Thompson.

 

[tented]

I missed all but the last game, ironically. It was an excellent MP, but unfortunately Rafa lost it. Now I hear the commentators saying Rafa had 3 MPs in the second set? And took an injury time out?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yeah.. the body aches and the stache has worn my dawg down. Rafa is taking an MTO. Although I do feel he has played pretty good so far and it wasnt like he choked those matchpoints. Give Stache credit he has played very well.. Good Grief.. Tennis channel is advertising "Pickleball tv" .. Well its not going to get picked up by me.

Good match by both players. Man.. I was yelling at the tv Rafa begin to hit the CCBH laser which he did towards the end of the match. That was a great match point, I was yelling Rafa "pull the string.. go for it" but he didnt and PornStache prevail in the end. Bravo

 

[the AntiPusher]

I missed all but the last game, ironically. It was an excellent MP, but unfortunately Rafa lost it. Now I hear the commentators saying Rafa had 3 MPs in the second set? And took an injury time out?

Rafa didnt play bad during those mps.. GT hit a few fantastic defensive shots especially a lob high to Rafa's bh that caught him in no man's land trying to make an makeable over head bh but it was just too difficult. Another MP Rafa just pulled his approach shot a bit wide but he was playing aggressively. I felt Rafa's intensity level dropped during the early part of the 3rd set which is expected since its pretty much foreign territory since he has been out over a full calendar year almost. the MTO most likely was just a bit of discomfort because again his body hasnt been stressed like this in a while. I think he will be ok. He looked like he was moving pretty well at the end. Again.. the GOAL was to compete not to make it too the Qtrs of this 250 tournament. Cheers and Vamos Nadal.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Brisbane SFs
Saturday 6th January,
Not before 3pm ( local time)
H.Rune (1) vs R.Safiullin
Not before 8.30pm ( local time)
G.Dimitrov (2) vs J.Thompson

 

[Fiero425]

I woke to hear Rafa was knocked out by "Porn 'stash!" Thompson supposedly saved 3 match pts.! I can't wait for the repeat after Rune's match!

 

[El Dude]

I'm reminded of Rafa coming back after a long injury absence and losing to a guy named Horacio Zeballos, #73 in the world at the time. Rafa then proceeded to win his next 21 matches and 43 of 44 and 61 of 63, en route to what may be his best year: 2013.

I'm not saying that Rafa is going to have another 2013, but that we need to see the forest for the trees and one loss after not playing pro matches for a year isn't a big deal at all. The "trees" are how he's moving and feeling, and I think Rafa fans--and non-hating tennis fans--should be very pleased. A healthy Rafa makes the tour more interesting and competitive. I certainly hope he does well this year and, at the least, goes deep on clay.

 

[Fiero425]

So Nadal can get tired? A great game from both. Congrats to Thompson.

Do you give Novak the same consideration as they're just a yr. apart in age? Doubtful! It's always gamesmanship w/ him! "Boo Hoo Rafa fans!"

 

[Fiero425]

I'm reminded of Rafa coming back after a long injury absence and losing to a guy named Horacio Zeballos, #73 in the world at the time. Rafa then proceeded to win his next 21 matches and 43 of 44 and 61 of 63, en route to what may be his best year: 2013.

I'm not saying that Rafa is going to have another 2013, but that we need to see the forest for the trees and one loss after not playing pro matches for a year isn't a big deal at all. The "trees" are how he's moving and feeling, and I think Rafa fans--and non-hating tennis fans--should be very pleased. A healthy Rafa makes the tour more interesting and competitive. I certainly hope he does well this year and, at the least, goes deep on clay.

I recall that Zeballos match! Rafa was playing a couple of small events in So. America & he allowed this "no-name" to escape; also saving a MP!

 

[Moxie]

I recall that Zeballos match! Rafa was playing a couple of small events in So. America & he allowed this "no-name" to escape; also saving a MP!

He just played the one: Viña del Mar in Chile and lost to Zeballos in the final. Found his form after.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa didnt play bad during those mps.. GT hit a few fantastic defensive shots especially a lob high to Rafa's bh that caught him in no man's land trying to make an makeable over head bh but it was just too difficult. Another MP Rafa just pulled his approach shot a bit wide but he was playing aggressively. I felt Rafa's intensity level dropped during the early part of the 3rd set which is expected since its pretty much foreign territory since he has been out over a full calendar year almost. the MTO most likely was just a bit of discomfort because again his body hasnt been stressed like this in a while. I think he will be ok. He looked like he was moving pretty well at the end. Again.. the GOAL was to compete not to make it too the Qtrs of this 250 tournament. Cheers and Vamos Nadal.

I like your optimistic take. I watched through Rafa not converting those MPs, then fell asleep and woke up at 4-1 Thompson in the 3rd. Missed the MTO. I only hope that it was a bit of wear, and nothing more. I don't mind the loss.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Brisbane International ATP250 Mens Final,
Sunday 7th January,
Not before 4.30pm, local time,

H. Rune (1) vs G.Dimitrov (2)

 

[Moxie]

Brisbane International ATP250 Mens Final,
Sunday 7th January,
Not before 4.30pm, local time,

H. Rune (1) vs G.Dimitrov (2)

Personally, I'd like to see Rune win it.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Personally, I'd like to see Rune win it.

Well we know what happens usually when Grigor reaches a final he folds

 

[Moxie]

Well we know what happens usually when Grigor reaches a final he folds

Grigor has the experience, but lacks the ambition, IMO. I think Rune has a lot of ambition. I'd like to see that win out tomorrow. (Or today...sorry, Margaret. LOL!)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Grigor has the experience, but lacks the ambition, IMO. I think Rune has a lot of ambition. I'd like to see that win out tomorrow. (Or today...sorry, Margaret. LOL!)

It is today they play lol! later this afternoon, personally I will be surprised if Rune dosent win, he has looked good all week

 

[don_fabio]

Looks like Grigor didn't fold today and wins the title in straight sets.