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Match Study: Marcelo Rios vs. Andrei Pavel Monte Carlo 1999
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
This is a second-round match in the Monte Carlo Super Nine event. ATP #13 Rios leads the career head-to-head 3-1 over #73 Pavel.
Eurosport commentary: “The doubt about Rios is, what kind of mood is he going to be in? Will he want to play today? At his best he’s just phenomenal, as anybody who saw the final last year in Miami would attest. For me that was one of the performances of the 90’s, if not THE performance of the 90’s. Agassi was just brushed aside.”
“It hasn’t taken long for Pavel to show Monte Carlo his credentials.”
“Rios is looking decidedly second best here so far. Is it going to be one of those days?”
“Every shot in that rally was directed by Rios to the strength of Pavel – the backhand.”
“Already some delightful little touches on the volley by Rios. Cutting across it to put some sidespin on the ball that slid away from Pavel.”
Pavel connects on a backhand winner. “Aw, take that. That’s outrageous.”
“Rios looks a little shellshocked by it all. Three break points…broken to love. 4-love Pavel.”
“The French have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Rios. He’s won five points. It’s 5-love.”
“The crowd may start to boo. He’s such a mercurial character. Set point Andrei Pavel in 19 minutes. 6-love Pavel played extraordinarily well. Rios won six points in the first set. Will Pavel be able to keep it up? How will Rios react? He could say, Uh, I’m out of here. Let’s hope he will react the other way.”
Second set:
“Well that’s fantastic. The early signs are encouraging. Rios getting down to business. Two excellent points. He’s starting to have a little spring in his step. Three break points.”
“Very pretty. Rios never looks alarmed or surprised.”
“One thing is for sure, this match will be broadcast in Chile. I think if Rios sneezes, it’s something of a national bulletin.”
“3-1 for Rios, the man who 13 months ago was virtually unbeatable on any surface.”
“Again Rios being suckered into these macho exchanges – and he has the subtler skills.”
“Oh yes, Rios does well to counter the raging bull there.”
Rios hits a forehand winner on set point. “Oh, how about that to finish the set. About the best player in the world and he’s got some impish qualities. Fabulous way to end the set. Two rapid sets, just 54 minutes.”
Third set:
“Rios continuing to work hard every single point. Now he’s playing like the man who was the world’s best last year.”
“Oh, a fabulous shot. Wonderful way to get the break. He finished the set in style and that was even better.”
“His expression never changes.”
“He’s a magician when he plays like this. This is Rios now very near his very best. And isn’t he a delight?
“The short angle forehand wide to the backhand set it all up. Pavel forced to hit defensively on the slice. And Rios having opened up the court isn’t going to miss. 2-1.”
“You would expect him to go on and win. But you can’t really expect anything from Marcelo.”
“I thought it was nailed in. Two absolutely dreadful errors. 2-2.”
“His timing seems to have deserted him again. Pavel has moved ahead, 3-2.”
“He is a complex character. The players like him – the top players. Tim Henman speaks very warmly of him. I don’t think he respects many people in our job, the media. I think he regards us as like parasites, living off his skills.”
“The players like him, they believe he is somewhat of a rebel. He goes about his own way. If Rios doesn’t want to do anything, he won’t do it.”
“He suddenly stopped moving his feet. He’s suddenly gone a little flat.”
“Unbelievable rally, phenomenal reaction by Rios. But he’s been broken and Pavel leads, 4-2.”
“Here’s Rios with a chance to immediately break back…and he’s got it. Four breaks in five games.”
“And Rios is back on level terms, 4-4.”
“And again, hurling himself into that doublehander. Rios is stepping it up again. And it’s bad news for the Romanian.”
“The great escape. Can he take advantage? We’re into a tiebreaker. I still fancy Rios but I wouldn’t put a penny on him.”
“What a beautiful volley by Pavel. And Rios is gonna have to play catch-up.”
“OH! People are standing up around the court. It was that good. Incredible shot by Rios to play when he’s down a mini-break. Exploring corners of the court that nobody knew existed. 2-2.”
“Boy, this is some breaker. 3-2, Pavel.”
“Rios, he’s got the corner. Of course he would. 4-3, Rios is ahead for the first time in this tiebreak.”
“Pavel just stared down the court at Rios, that he could pull off a spectacular winner like that. Two match points for Rios. You don’t want it to end but it might here.”
“Fantastic backhand! Given the situation. Another backhand winner by Pavel.”
“Pavel’s first double fault of the match. Third match point.”
“He’s got it! The match that starts with a whimper, ends with a roar.”
“A truly wonderful match. And no coincidence, Prince Albert leads the cheerleaders at the top there. So much of it was just breath-taking.”
(This is an excerpt from my forthcoming book: Marcelo Rios:The Man We Barely Knew”)
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Dan markowitz · April 25, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Very interesting to have a chapter fully writen in the tv narrators description of match. It’s elliptical but telling. I hope you spoke to Pavel about Rios and that match.
Scoop Malinowski · April 26, 2011 at 12:14 am
Thanks Dan, yes there are some very interesting insights from TV commentators about Rios, I really liked that one by Patrick McEnroe during the Miami SF vs. Agassi in 02, there are so many more too. The Euro commentators really appreciated the Rios game and his honor on the court. Yes I did speak to Pavel.