I can’t believe Rafa Nadal just got knocked out by Verdasco in Madrid from two breaks down in the third set. Twice Nadal served for the match but Verdasco prevailed 7-5 in the third in a marathon which lasted three hours and 11 minutes.
Rafa had a perfect 13-0 record vs. Verdasco, though some of their recent clashes were tightly contested battles. Nadal beat Verdasco handily in Barcelona this year but barely got by his three-years-elder Davis Cup teammate 11-9 in the third set tiebreaker last summer in Cincinnati.
This may be a more shocking result than Sodering stunning Rafa at the French Open in 2009.
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Dan Markowitz · May 10, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Who’s feet are those anyway? Rafa’s, yours, a guy with a very bad sock collection? I’m shocked. When I saw Rafa go up a break in the third, I thought it was over. But two things weigh in here. The Vitas Gerulaitis line: “No one beats me 18 times in a row” about Borg. The fact that Rafa might have checked out of this event when he saw the blue clay. He’s a stubborn hombre, so maybe part of him had given himself an excuse for losing.
But it is true, Rafa losing to Verdasco is like Federer losing to Gasquet. Happens every Halley’s Comet sighting.
loreley · May 10, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I can’t believe I missed that. Nadal was smiling when Verdasco failed to break him. He was going to serve for the match.
The body language of Verdasco was terrible. I felt sorry for him. It seemed a too big mental challenge for him. Verdasco isn’t the player he used to be two or three years ago.
I switched the TV off. I mean I have better things to do than to watch another win of Nadal over one of his countrymen.
Bye bye blue clay 😉
Steve · May 10, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Verdasco came close in that epic 5 set semi at the Aussie. However, it’s got to feel great to get over the hump. Not sure this happens in a best of 5 set match though. I’m sure Verdasco loves the blue clay right now.
Dan Markowitz · May 10, 2012 at 6:52 pm
I’ll tell you, the Ferrer-Almagro match was a great one. Ferrer just won it with an inside-out forehand winner to win 10-8 in the breaker. Almagro is a treat to watch. A stronger, tougher, more-talented Richard Gasquet. And Ferrer is a marvel, 30 and still going strong. The passion and shot-making was excellent and fun to see the enjoyment the Spanish crowd derived from the play.
Are there any more beautiful women at an event than in Madrid? My God, it’s like they broke out modeling agencies to come out and sit in the box seats and just look comely.
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 1:07 am
Loreley who can blame you for turning it off, Nadal seemed on his way to the 14th straight win over his pal, nobody could have seen that blown lead coming, not even the announcer Robby Koenig who said his money was still on Nadal at 5-4. Just a miraculous win for Verdasco, very nice to see him get this one, he really deserved it. He might not be the player he was 2-3 years ago but you can never count a guy like him out, former top 10 players didn’t get there by any accident.
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 1:10 am
He also almost beat Nadal in Cincy last summer losing 11-9 in the third set TB, he was steaming smoke out of his ears after that heartbreaker. It’s an incredible feeling to get a monkey opponent off your back and out of your head. When I started serious in the late 90s I lost to this guy in his 50s for almost two years, we must have played almost every weekend, he just slaughtered me every week, then I finally turned the tables in the second year and it was just an incredible feeling. He left the court just moments after the loss and did not care to celebrate with me either )We only played once more a few years later when he challenged me at some club we were both at “for old times sake” and I won 6-0.
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 1:13 am
Almagro has about as much fire as anyone, he really jacks up the passion, Berdych knows all about that ) I like to watch him on clay but on hard court he’s not nearly as effective. Tiriac is a smart businessman and knows how to sell tickets.
Mitch · May 11, 2012 at 1:45 am
Pretty sad that Nadal is threatening to boycott the tournament next year if it doesn’t change back to red clay. Fed will retake #2 if he wins this tournament, which could make things very interesting going forward (what if Nadal and Djokovic are in the same half of the draw in Rome and/or Paris?).
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 1:58 am
Brow raising comments by Rafa, it’s the same blue clay for everyone. One player should not be able to call the shots on what color the clay should be. Clay is clay. If the fans and media and majority of other players like the blue clay they should just let Rafa walk then. It will not be good for his image to come off as a whiner.
Andrew Miller · May 11, 2012 at 2:29 am
I agree with Scoop. Nadal has been complaining all of 2012. It’s strange how he can do so well and complain so much. There’s no way he’s getting sportsman of the year.
As for ‘Sco, I am happy for him. Every time I see him play I think sheesh, huge forehand, huge backhand, so-so serve for a lefty, nice touch, better movement than Roddick but not much better.
The Spanish Roddick with better groundstrokes.
I thought after he won Davis Cup with Flopez and then vs. Acasuso. I really liked the Argentine’s game, but that match seemed to be it for Jose.
Yes I had to look up Acasuso. I remembered his game (a tall Sampras clone minus the athleticism and killer attitude) but not his name!
Yeah for me, ‘Sco had nothing more to prove. He went from “biggest underachiever on tour” to “legacy intact” after that tie.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Nadal is a creature of routine and habit. Also, Djoker has complained about the blue stuff. I think the blue stuff looks cool as hell not that I’d want to see it at every tourney leading up to the FO. Rafa can skip this and just play Monte Carlo, Estoril and Rome.
It should be noted that Delpo has not lost on clay this season and has looked sharper than everyone so far this season.
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Are any of the WTA players complaining about the blue clay? I haven’t heard any. The mens players need to be a lil tougher maybe. Delpo definitely on a ROLL now. He should take out Dolgo, bad match up for Dolgo, Delpo is a lil too consistent and powerful.
Dan Markowitz · May 11, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Steve,
What are you talking about. The main reason Del Po hasn’t lost on clay this season is he’s played guys like Wawrinka, Cilic and Gasquet. You put any of the top guys against those guys and they won’t lose either. Come on, tell me something I don’t know. Del Po doesn’t stand a chance to beat the big guys in the business end of a big event.
And you think Nadal plays Estoril over Barcelona? Not likely. That’s why Del Po is dominant. He wins events like Estoril.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Well Dan,
In 2012 Delpo has victories over Tsonga, Berdych and Verdasco who Nadal couldn’t hanlde. Also, Gasquet knocked out Federer(whom the rest of us still consider a top guy) in Rome.
Of course, the whole tennis world knows Delpo is building back to where he was before his wrist injury [read mental break]. So fragile was his confidence that he had to return to an old Wilson racquet model despite sponsor protestations. Well, he’s back. He’s hardly being tested. He rarely loses a set now and if he does it usually takes a tie-break.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 4:50 pm
“Del Po doesn’t stand a chance to beat the big guys in the business end of a big event.”
That quote quote is up there with your “Will Djokovic every lose again?” quote.
Delp already has a slam against Fed. Do you watch tennis at all?
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm
The only top player that hits with his length on both sides is Djoker.
loreley · May 11, 2012 at 5:19 pm
That blue clay is a mess.
Do you know that Tiriac is past? He’s stepping down next year. I wonder why? 😉
WTA players don’t run that much. They are kinda save. Plus, girls always want to be nice.
But the worst part is, that they changed the surface in the middle of the clay season. Imagine they would change one of the big tourneys right before the US Open into something very different. Something super slow like clay.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Another giant falls to his fellow countryman. Will Djoker reject Madrid next year?
Dan Markowitz · May 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm
How did Del Po look against Fed in Indian Wells? His wrist injury was a couple years ago, you’re telling me he’s taken this long to come back.
What do you think Del Po’s chances of winning the French are? I’d say slim and none. I don’t believe in the big man. What are you talking about Gasquet knocked off Fed? Fed beat Gasquet yesterday like the Frenchman was still suspended from the tour.
Mitch · May 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm
He’s referring to the fact that Gasquet beat Fed a year ago in Rome. I think Del Po’s confident enough now to beat anyone. He’s definitely a serious threat to win the French; I’d put him as the fourth favorite, in front of Murray.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Dan,
Gasquet beat Fed at Rome –so he can has and taken out top guy –you claimed he didn’t.
I know you pick Djoker for everything but now you suddenly pretend like his losses doen’t exist. Right now Fed is playing like the #1 player in the world and Delpo the #2 and Birdman #3. AND the Murray fans have left this blog post all-together too. You’re a fair-weather fan for sure.
Steve · May 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm
AND I said on the site Fed has been playing like the #1 in the world sine the last end of 2011.
Dan Markowitz · May 11, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Where’s all this love for Del Po coming from? From winning Estoril? For beating Dolgo? Do you know the guy has played 6 slams since winning the Open and he’s advanced only once to the quarters, this year at the Aussie, where he lost in straight sets to Federer. He then got creamed by Fed in IW.
So Del Po has been the No. 2 player and Berdych the No. 3 player this year? How many slams have they won this year or Masters events? 0. Right, so they’re No. 2 and No. 3.
Djoko is still No. 1 this year. He’s won the only slam and Miami. Federer, I don’t believe will beat Djoko or Nadal anywhere 3 out of 5 again. I love the way he’s playing, but that’s my prediction.
Scoop Malinowski · May 11, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Djok losing to his countryman is not a loss to panic over. Djok will likely prime himself for when it really counts – Paris, which, like you Dan I think Djok is going to take Roland Garros. But Federer surely is going to make a strong argument. We’ll see, it’s a very interesting set up this year with the big three all looking almost with even chances to win, with Nadal the fav, Djok a close second and then Fed a close third behind, with Delpo making a big case now too.
Andrew Miller · May 12, 2012 at 12:33 am
Del Po can win the French. It would take some serious luck – like Djokovic and Nadal losing against Tsonga or someone like that. Del Po needs luck – he has worked hard enough to get some. Why not? He picks up some steam and finds himself in the business end of the tournament and who knows. Any given Sunday.
Sheesh after Scoop’s biofile Radwanska has me thinking she has a shot at Paris also. Good looking ground strokes. Good looking game. Good looking girl!
Steve · May 12, 2012 at 1:07 am
I’m going with Federer but Delpo doesn’t need luck. He needs some confidence. His game is insanely good. I’ve really never seen anyone hitthat hard, flat and deep consistently off both sides. Whole rallies with no short ball to attack. No, he can’t chase drop shots too well but otherwise he moves well for a tall guy.
Andrew Miller · May 12, 2012 at 4:03 am
Federer played well today. Ferrer is a great player! Too nervous at key moments. Federer pretty much owns him.
Andrew Miller · May 12, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Why hasn’t Berdych won a slam again? At the moment he is playing cleaner tennis (by about 15 percent, 1 of 6.X shots) than Del Potro and his movement is better by the same factor.
That’s the problem with watching these uber-talented players with the best groundstrokes. They fool me into believing that a good groundstroke results in wins. It almost convinces me that Berdych is the next “Ivanisevic” who will win a slam when everything falls into place.
We know Berdych. It’s probably not happening.
Andrew Miller · May 12, 2012 at 3:30 pm
I think I can answer my own question or try to! Del Potro now shifted the momentum to go up 4-3. Berdych may have better strokes (and always have better strokes) but Del Potro has more guts and seems to be a better athlete. So you watch Berdych and think world class strokes. You watch Del Potro and say his game is a little uglier. But Del Potro can blast through his deficiencies and take it to Berydch and all of the sudden Berydch looks more human. That might be why Del Potro has a slam in his pocket.
There’s an argument here in Del Potro’s game for Ryan Harrison. He keeps hitting the spots on his serve and stay aggressive, and he will start beating a lot of players that others say he shouldn’t.
Scoop Malinowski · May 12, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Berdych is good enough to win a slam but he’s in the wrong era to get any breaks. Also he lacks a bit of creativity, guile, and unpredictability, you pretty much know what’s coming. That game is not gonna blow through Fed, Nadal and Djok in the same event. Maybe one or two of them, but not three. Seldom do you see players like that go all the way (Philippoussis, Gonzo, Blake, Gulbis).
Steve · May 13, 2012 at 3:00 am
It took two tie breaks but Birdman earned it. Congrats to the Czech. Apparently Fed could reclaim the #2 spot with a victory tomorrow. Djoker has a lot of points to defend. It will be an interesting year.