Stan Wants a Rematch

[Luxilon Borg]

A friend of mine brought me back to the locker room area where I talked with Magnus Norman. One of the nicest guys you will ever meet at the upper echelons of tennis. He was on his way out to scout Seppi/Querry.

There was chatter in the locker room about the draw and a Stan/Rafa rematch came up.

Norman told me Stan is VERY much looking forward to that prospect because he absolutely wants to prove to everybody the AO final was no one off, and that he has put the work in, and that the Nadal injury was a minor factor.

He also confirmed that Stan is a good 10 lbs lighter than last year.

I say that is a very commendable attitude. Most guys would be in NO rush to get another crack at Rafa.

 

[Moxie]

That's why I'm going to feel a little bit bad when Rafa beats him.


Thanks for the intel!

 

[Luxilon Borg]

That's why I'm going to feel a little bit bad when Rafa beats him.


Thanks for the intel!

Me too......but I'm being open minded...however Rafa has a history of being merciless against his conquerors.

 

[Kieran]

He has, and if being unable to move two inches to his right is a minor factor, then Stan has a chance. However, Rafa has that Pete-thang of taking his defeats personally...

 

[Luxilon Borg]

He has, and if being unable to move two inches to his right is a minor factor, then Stan has a chance. However, Rafa has that Pete-thang of taking his defeats personally...

..very personally...lol..Well let's see. The court is going to favor Rafa more due to the higher bounce...

 

[tented]

A friend of mine brought me back to the locker room area where I talked with Magnus Norman. One of the nicest guys you will ever meet at the upper echelons of tennis. He was on his way out to scout Seppi/Querry.

There was chatter in the locker room about the draw and a Stan/Rafa rematch came up.

Norman told me Stan is VERY much looking forward to that prospect because he absolutely wants to prove to everybody the AO final was no one off, and that he has put the work in, and that the Nadal injury was a minor factor.

He also confirmed that Stan is a good 10 lbs lighter than last year.

I say that is a very commendable attitude. Most guys would be in NO rush to get another crack at Rafa.

It is a commendable attitude, but be careful what you wish for.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think Stan has a lot of confidence now and he believes when he steps out on the court, he can beat Rafa or Nole. I somehow doubt if he has the same confidence against Roger though...Their quarter, if it happens, will be very interesting.

As far as a rematch with Rafa...well, Rafa will be ready too.

 

[Kieran]

In fairness to Stan, if that's his attitude, then it's a good one. He'll put everything into it, that's for sure. It's his career year already, so he's right to be cocky...

 

[tented]

In fairness to Stan, if that's his attitude, then it's a good one. He'll put everything into it, that's for sure. It's his career year already, so he's right to be cocky...

Oh, I completely agree. It's a great attitude. It's the right attitude. And I'm sure he believes it, too. The reality, however ...

 

[El Dude]

Doesn't Stan know that every single one of Rafa's 130 losses were due to Rafa being injured? That, if healthy, Rafa would have won every single one of them, and had 25 Slam wins by now?

What is Stan thinking? That he could actually beat a healthy Rafa? Stan, NO ONE has ever beaten a healthy Rafa. Jeez.

 

[Riotbeard]

I do think that first set at the AO had very little to do with Rafa injured. If Stan believes he has a decent chance. He also has the upper body strength to better handle Rafa's spin on his one hander than most.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Haven't been impressed by Nadal at all so far, so Stan might do it. Actually, when you think about it, Nadal has played a total of 2 really good matches this year (Monfils and Federer at the AO), and everything else ranged from average to pretty bad. His results don't actually show that which is a testament to his ability to win even without playing his best, but if he runs into an on fire Stan, it won't be enough.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

A friend of mine brought me back to the locker room area where I talked with Magnus Norman. One of the nicest guys you will ever meet at the upper echelons of tennis. He was on his way out to scout Seppi/Querry.

There was chatter in the locker room about the draw and a Stan/Rafa rematch came up.

Norman told me Stan is VERY much looking forward to that prospect because he absolutely wants to prove to everybody the AO final was no one off, and that he has put the work in, and that the Nadal injury was a minor factor.

He also confirmed that Stan is a good 10 lbs lighter than last year.

I say that is a very commendable attitude. Most guys would be in NO rush to get another crack at Rafa.

It is a commendable attitude, but be careful what you wish for.

Indeed.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Haven't been impressed by Nadal at all so far, so Stan might do it. Actually, when you think about it, Nadal has played a total of 2 really good matches this year (Monfils and Federer at the AO), and everything else ranged from average to pretty bad. His results don't actually show that which is a testament to his ability to win even without playing his best, but if he runs into an on fire Stan, it won't be enough.

Having watched approx 4 hours of Nadal practice and last nights match I agree. He is making far more errors than usual. and was asking Roig to feed balls, not something I have seen too often before.

I also personally think he feels pressure to defend the title and repeat his heroic efforts of last year.

 

[Kieran]

I see Man City lost to Wigan in the FA Cup quarters. Revenge isn't always an option, it seems...:dodgy:

 

[nehmeth]

I do think that first set at the AO had very little to do with Rafa injured.

Agreed on that one RB. Stan not only has the "never-won-a-set" monkey off his back, he's won his first slam while defeating world #1 and #2 in the process. I think he might actually look forward to a rematch.

Rafa looked as though he were sleepwalking through a good deal of his match against Stepanek. If he wants to punish Stan for whipping him in Oz, he's going to have to up his game significantly.

 

[Moxie]

I do think that first set at the AO had very little to do with Rafa injured.

Agreed on that one RB. Stan not only has the "never-won-a-set" monkey off his back, he's won his first slam while defeating world #1 and #2 in the process. I think he might actually look forward to a rematch.

Rafa looked as though he were sleepwalking through a good deal of his match against Stepanek. If he wants to punish Stan for whipping him in Oz, he's going to have to up his game significantly.

Agreed that the first set at AO was Wawrinka demonstrating his new game and confidence. And yes, Rafa will have to elevate his level to beat either Roger or Stan, if he gets that far. But he does get up for his bigger matches.

 

[I.Haychew]

Damn!!! I was hoping that he'd say that he was phortunate that Pholks was hurt, that he's scared, and that he wants no part of Raphael in the phuture.

 

[nehmeth]

I do think that first set at the AO had very little to do with Rafa injured.

Agreed on that one RB. Stan not only has the "never-won-a-set" monkey off his back, he's won his first slam while defeating world #1 and #2 in the process. I think he might actually look forward to a rematch.

Rafa looked as though he were sleepwalking through a good deal of his match against Stepanek. If he wants to punish Stan for whipping him in Oz, he's going to have to up his game significantly.

Agreed that the first set at AO was Wawrinka demonstrating his new game and confidence. And yes, Rafa will have to elevate his level to beat either Roger or Stan, if he gets that far. But he does get up for his bigger matches.

Personally (until proven otherwise), I believe if Roger and Stan meet, Roger still has the edge in that matchup.

 

[Moxie]

Personally (until proven otherwise), if Roger and Stan meet I think Roger still has the edge in that matchup.

Especially with Roger looking on-form of late. Before we get ahead of ourselves, that's a match to be anticipated. Doubles partners, and DC teammates, with so much history and Swiss bragging rights and so much otherwise on the line.