Cincinnati Final: John Isner vs. Rafael Nadal

[rafanoy1992]

Who do you got in here?

There are a lot of stakes from both players.

For John Isner, he is trying to win his first Masters 1000 crown and beat a Top 10 player for the third consecutive time.

As for Nadal, he is trying to win his 26th Masters 1000 crown (first one in Cincy) and his 7th different Masters 1000 crown tying Roger Federer and only trailing Novak Djokovic (he has won 8 of the 9 Masters 1000 crown). In addition, Nadal will try to be the fourth player to accomplish the Canada-Cincinnati double. The last player to do it was Andy Roddick, which 10 years ago! Also, if Nadal wins tomorrow, he will tie the record of most Masters 1000 titles in one season (5 is the record). The most important thing is he will be the number two seed at the US Open if he wins tomorrow.

My prediction: Rafael Nadal in two or three tight sets. Isner is playing very well and he has the huge serve that could trouble Nadal.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Isner is serving well in this tournament
Rafa will really have to return well and serve well to.
Rafa in 3 tight sets
Vamos Rafa!!!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I am voting for Nadal in two sets. However, in this tournament all results are
so bizarre that I would not be surprised if Isner wins with two tie breakers.

 

[Kieran]

Isner to hit the wall, Rafa to break early, and win in straights so straight you'd need the Hubble telescope to detect a smidgen of curve...

 

[tented]

It's the first time they've played since that crazy first-round match at RG two years ago, but this will be resolved in straight sets.

 

[Didi]

Long John Silver's run to the finals is definitely one of the most impressive I've seen in recent years. Beating Gasquet, Raonic, Djokovic and Del Potro within just 4 days is a hell of a feat. Plus at the moment he's pretty much the last US boy standing. His movement, baseline game and approach in the clutch was better than ever this week. But ultimately I think it's going to boil down to what Kieran already pointed out, that he is bound to hit the emotional, mental and physical brick wall at some point. He's been playing like a maniac for weeks this summer. As much as I want him to win in order to finally see a new masters champion, there is just too much at stake for Nadal here and I don't think he is going to be denied. If he wins, he would be close to 2,500 points above Djokovic in the race for the year end #1 and would become the 2nd seed for NYC. I pick Nadal in 3. Something like 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

edit: Not exactly a lot of excitement about this final it seems...

 

[Kieran]

Not much traffic, Didi, you're right. I think most of us are expecting only one result. To give Isner his due, he's confounded that kind of thinking quite brilliantly so far this week...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Isner looks tired even at coin toss, and than pulls out these 3 setters all the time. Not today. If it goes 3 sets, Nadal wins. Or Isner in 2.

 

[ClayDeath]

I will take the clay warrior in 3.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

who's up for three 7-6 (14) sets..?? :snigger

 

[kskate2]

Nadal in 3. One will be a breaker.

 

[masterclass]

One problem that Rafael Nadal has with John Isner is that Rafa's normal topspin cyclones of death go right into John's wheelhouse. Rafa needs to be aggressive and hit flatter, lower shots and move Big John around the court, especially east-west, and set himself up for big shots to John's weaker wing, the backhand. The other problem for Rafa is the return of serve. Somehow he must get a read on Isner's serve as soon as possible in the match, and try to get some quick returns back to Isner's feet. Best of 3 doesn't give one much time. The recipe for a Nadal win is to get as many returns in as possible, and extend the rallies.

The problem that John (and almost everyone else) has with Rafa is Rafa's incredible stamina and ability to defend. He needs to negate this attribute by keeping points short as possible. Don't give Rafa what he wants, which is rallies and rhythm. Obviously, John needs to serve well and try to rattle Rafa and put pressure on Rafa's serve. Deliver big first serves at least 70% of the time and that should get him to at least a tiebreaker, where he is quite strong.

If John can pummel Rafa's backhand with his forehand, he can open up Rafa's forehand wing and hit the strong inside out forehand, which has been quite a weapon this week, to Nadal's open forehand wing.

Of course the winner depends on which player is able to execute his game plan the best.
Both players have shown some weariness as the day after day Master's format has taken its toll.

The scheduling of the men's final for just after noon is seems odd to me, considering Nadal finished rather late yesterday.

If Isner starts out well, he has a chance to blitz through in 2 sets. One has to like Rafa's chances if it goes to 3 sets, but Isner is not necessarily toast after 2 sets. The last time they played was at the 2011 Roland Garros, where Rafa won in 5 sets, the score was 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4.
However the match was the first round where Isner had to have a lot of energy in the tank, and Rafa typically leaves the gate slowly.

Unknowns:
For Isner, this is a Master's final against Nadal. How will he respond to that pressure?
How much does each player have left in the tank?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[kskate2]

Masterclass,
This is a dual event and the men played in the afternoon yesterday and the women last night. Thus the men get the early final.

 

[masterclass]

Masterclass,
This is a dual event and the men played in the afternoon yesterday and the women last night. Thus the men get the early final.

Understood, but still, why so early? Isn't 3 or 4 pm good enough?

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[kskate2]

They have 2 singles finals and then I believe they are playing the doubs final today as well.

 

[Mog]

Masterclass,
This is a dual event and the men played in the afternoon yesterday and the women last night. Thus the men get the early final.

Understood, but still, why so early? Isn't 3 or 4 pm good enough?

Respectfully,
masterclass

That is the problem with main networks(CBS,NBC).
they always have golf,football following..

 

[masterclass]

They have 2 singles finals and then I believe they are playing the doubs final today as well.

Yes, but Doubles finals are on the Grandstand court.

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[kskate2]

what a shot by Nadal!

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Who do you got in here?

There are a lot of stakes from both players.

For John Isner, he is trying to win his first Masters 1000 crown and beat a Top 10 player for the third consecutive time.

As for Nadal, he is trying to win his 26th Masters 1000 crown (first one in Cincy) and his 7th different Masters 1000 crown tying Roger Federer and only trailing Novak Djokovic (he has won 8 of the 9 Masters 1000 crown). In addition, Nadal will try to be the fourth player to accomplish the Canada-Cincinnati double. The last player to do it was Andy Roddick, which 10 years ago! Also, if Nadal wins tomorrow, he will tie the record of most Masters 1000 titles in one season (5 is the record). The most important thing is he will be the number two seed at the US Open if he wins tomorrow.

My prediction: Rafael Nadal in two or three tight sets. Isner is playing very well and he has the huge serve that could trouble Nadal.

Nadal will play matador today and blunt the weapons of the John.

I just wish Mary Carillo would just disappear. She is just so clueless.

I hate that man!

 

[kskate2]

They have 2 singles finals and then I believe they are playing the doubs final today as well.

Yes, but Doubles finals are on the Grandstand court.

Respectfully,
masterclass

In that case MC, I agree w/ Mog. It's the network's call on having the final this early. In the states, CBS is actually carrying the men's final but ESPN2 is carrying the women.