Aussie Open - Rafa was magnificent - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Strange Famous · 02-01-2009, 06:29 AM

It must be easier to get the ball through a brick wall than it is to hit through him.

4 Sets of the best standard tennis I've seen - and in the end Federer just couldnt take any more punishment. Federer played beautifully at times, but Rafa is the man now.... at the end he looked like he could go another set if he wanted to.

powerclown · 02-01-2009, 07:52 AM

Nice spoiler...just turned it on.

As good as Wimbledon 2008?

The Verdasco/Nadal semifinal match was unbelieveable, I thought Nadal was going to lose. Verdasco seemed the fitter, got a second/third/fourth wind.

Very surprised to hear Nadal beat Federer on the hard court.

dlish · 02-01-2009, 08:35 AM

yeah i just read it a few mins ago. as happy as i am for rafa to win his SIXTH title at the age of 22 (i think) i really do want to see federer fulfill his destiny and win his 14th grand slam.

the best tennis match ever would have been wimbeldon 08 without doubt.

KellyC · 02-01-2009, 12:18 PM

The Federer-Nadal match wasn't as good as the Nadal-Verdasco match.
Nadal was awesome, But I didn't think Federer played his top game. It's pretty depressing to see Federer at the ceremony.

Strange Famous · 02-01-2009, 12:33 PM

I think the standard from both players was exceptional until the last set - but no, it wasnt as great a game as Wimbledon 2008 (which was the greatest match ever in my opinion also)

There was a spell in the third when Rafa seemed tired, but Roger missed a number of chances to break (mostly through good play from Rafa) - and from that point Rafa seemed to get stronger, and in the end Roger faded.

I think it is pretty harsh to say that Roger played badly, this guy has made every grand slam semi or beyond in the last 5 or 6 years, and has only ever lost grand slam finals to Rafa Nadal (and mostly in the French, where Rafa has never lost a game in his life) - I think there is very few tennis players in the history of the game that could have taken two sets from Rafa Nadal today. Roger Federer remains in my opinion the greatest player in the history of the game, but I think a lot of people are now wondering if Rafa will go past him, or if Roger can reach yet another level.

powerclown · 02-01-2009, 07:23 PM

A high-quality match from 2 champions at their peaks. I also thought Federer slipped a bit in the 3rd and moreso in the 5th for some reason. Up until that point it could have gone either way. I didn't understand the crying, maybe he thought he had a better chance against Nadal on hard courts and blew his chance, maybe it was not beating Sampras' record. Nadal's composure, shotmaking ability and fighting spirit are remarkable for a 22 year old.

cameroncrazy822 · 02-02-2009, 10:20 AM

I never ever thought I'd fell sorry for Federer (he used to make my skin crawl because he not only used to beat everyone... he'd destroy them) but now I kinda do. He can't catch a break against Nadal. It's great tennis and great for the sport moreover.

02-01-2009, 06:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	Aussie Open - Rafa was magnificent It must be easier to get the ball through a brick wall than it is to hit through him. 4 Sets of the best standard tennis I've seen - and in the end Federer just couldnt take any more punishment. Federer played beautifully at times, but Rafa is the man now.... at the end he looked like he could go another set if he wanted to. __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

02-01-2009, 08:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	yeah i just read it a few mins ago. as happy as i am for rafa to win his SIXTH title at the age of 22 (i think) i really do want to see federer fulfill his destiny and win his 14th grand slam. the best tennis match ever would have been wimbeldon 08 without doubt. __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

02-01-2009, 12:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	The Federer-Nadal match wasn't as good as the Nadal-Verdasco match. Nadal was awesome, But I didn't think Federer played his top game. It's pretty depressing to see Federer at the ceremony. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

02-01-2009, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Strange Famous follower of the child's crusade?	I think the standard from both players was exceptional until the last set - but no, it wasnt as great a game as Wimbledon 2008 (which was the greatest match ever in my opinion also) There was a spell in the third when Rafa seemed tired, but Roger missed a number of chances to break (mostly through good play from Rafa) - and from that point Rafa seemed to get stronger, and in the end Roger faded. I think it is pretty harsh to say that Roger played badly, this guy has made every grand slam semi or beyond in the last 5 or 6 years, and has only ever lost grand slam finals to Rafa Nadal (and mostly in the French, where Rafa has never lost a game in his life) - I think there is very few tennis players in the history of the game that could have taken two sets from Rafa Nadal today. Roger Federer remains in my opinion the greatest player in the history of the game, but I think a lot of people are now wondering if Rafa will go past him, or if Roger can reach yet another level. __________________ "Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas

02-01-2009, 07:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Nice spoiler...just turned it on. As good as Wimbledon 2008? The Verdasco/Nadal semifinal match was unbelieveable, I thought Nadal was going to lose. Verdasco seemed the fitter, got a second/third/fourth wind. Very surprised to hear Nadal beat Federer on the hard court.

02-01-2009, 07:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	A high-quality match from 2 champions at their peaks. I also thought Federer slipped a bit in the 3rd and moreso in the 5th for some reason. Up until that point it could have gone either way. I didn't understand the crying, maybe he thought he had a better chance against Nadal on hard courts and blew his chance, maybe it was not beating Sampras' record. Nadal's composure, shotmaking ability and fighting spirit are remarkable for a 22 year old.

02-02-2009, 10:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
cameroncrazy822 Junkie Location: MD	I never ever thought I'd fell sorry for Federer (he used to make my skin crawl because he not only used to beat everyone... he'd destroy them) but now I kinda do. He can't catch a break against Nadal. It's great tennis and great for the sport moreover.