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Analyzing Nick’s Masterpiece Nadal Beatdown
65 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Nick Kyrgios showed the world once again the sort of tennis genius we adore him for, despite all the tanks and unprofessional play.
Kyrgios dominated the best player in the world last night with a shock and awe 62 75 dismissal of Nadal, who tried his very best but was out of his league against the A-plus game of the erratic but spectacular Australian. Nadal came out guns blazing and grunting from the very first ball but he was quickly broken by Kurgios in the opening game.
Kyrgios had a quiet confidence and twinkle in his eye before the match as he told ESPN’s Pam Shriver, “I know what he’s gonna bring and I’m ready for it.” But before the match started, Darren Cahill did not respect Kyrgios’ chances and said bluntly that Nadal is “the heavy favorite.”
Kyrgios has shown that he especially loves playing the top titans of tennis. When Kyrgios plays Federer, Djokovic and Nadal he has a different intensity level compared to when he plays regular randon ATP players. In boxing there is an old maxim that sums it up: “Great champions have trouble getting up for mediocre fights.”
Kyrgios was flying all over the court last night, unleashing aces and winners off both wings all over the court. It was near unbelievable to see Nadal look like a guy ranked about 45 in the world. He looked helpless at times, chasing and netting shots because Nick’s shots were simply on a different warp speed.
It got so bad that Kyrgios then opted to employ some Muhammad Ali showboating, or taunting. With the two break lead, Kyrgios tried a silly tweener shot that he didn’t have to, which Nadal ate up and slashed for a forehand winner. But it was like Muhammad Ali taunting his opponent by doing his famous Ali foot shuffle. Or Sugar Ray Leonard throwing the insulting bolo punches or windmill right fake followed by a surprise mock jab.
The failed tweener didn’t deter Kyrgios at all. Next he tried a Federer saber shot on a return of serve. Again it didn’t work but Nick was sending a very clear message. “I am toying with the best player in the world.”
Nadal had to be burning up inside but he contained his frustrations. Nadal lost the first set 26 but of course mustered up his intensity for the second set. No way was he gonna let this cocky whippersnapper insult him in this manner.
Nadal raised his level and had a break point early but failed to convert. Nick raised his level too. When Kyrgios is playing fully inspired, trying to prove something, he is nearly unstoppable. He was emotionally locked in from the get-go, shouting come-ons and exhortations to himself through the entire match. There were no falters or brain cramps, Nick was locked in from the first point to the last.
There were no signs at all that Nick hates tennis. To the contrary, last night was what Nick loves most about tennis. Playing the best brings out his very best. And that kind of special genius was worth seeing for all the inexplicable tank performances.
Though Nadal fought back to save match point and break Nick for 5-6 – erupting one of his huge fist pumps to announce his raging intensity and hunger to destroy his formidable adversary – Nadal blundered in the following service game with mediocre play. Nadal was broken easily to squander the match 62 75.
Nick dominated the entire duel with an unforgettable performance that instantly vaults him as one of the lead favorites to win his first major at the US Open.
If Kyrgios can sustain this level of intensity and concentration, the US Open will be his. But then again, who knows which Nick Kyrgios will show up if he has to play first round against Ryan Harrison or Lukas Lacko on court seventeen at 11 am?
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« Previous 1 2Carol · August 21, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Front242 said:
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The only one blinded by hatred is you taking any opportunity to critic Nadal, to critic the surfaces, the lights, this and that. Federer never has been gracious in defeat even that you refuse to see it so you are the one who needs help. If Roger at his 36 years old is going to play the USO it means that maybe he had some little discomfort but far to be a back injury which it would be impossible to practice and to play soon. And yes, he needs to practice like everyone
Busted · August 21, 2017 at 4:57 pm
And…Federer skipped the entire clay court season. That's 3 clay Masters he didn't play – where he'd have probably made at least the semis or finals in 1 – especially given the weak fields. And he didn't play Cinci either. So there's 4 big tournaments that Federer took 0 points in – and Nadal still only leads him by 500 points despite play 4 more 1000 events and 1 500 event and 1 250 events. Then again – it's gonna be hard as hell for Roger to defend 2 Slams and both IW and Miami NEXT YEAR. He ain't getting any younger and his back is dodgy right now…
As far as Kyrgios in the Nadal match? Aside from Nadal playing like crap on hard courts again? It's what I've come to expect from Kyrgios – gets excited to play Fed, Nadal or Djokovic – then loses a match or two later to somebody he should beat with his eyes closed.
Busted · August 21, 2017 at 5:02 pm
LOL. He did it against Dimitrov, too. It's like he thinks he's proving he's as talented as Federer is…except we saw how well it worked AGAINST Federer…as in…it didn't…
Busted · August 21, 2017 at 5:12 pm
And he LOST them all. He has not won a hard court event since Doha in Jan 2014. "Close" only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades – and marriage. That's like saying Federer had "good results" in his 4 French Open final LOSSES against Nadal. I guarantee you – he'd have rather have won than had "very good results."
Carol · August 21, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Federer didn't play clay to be more ready for Wimbledon? he didn't because he knew he wouldn't have won. And talking about the 'ranking' it's not Rafa's fault that Roger skipped the clay season
Front242 · August 21, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Carol said:
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Dunno why I'm even bothering to waste my time but here:
Regarding the loss to Donskoy this year. Federer led 5-1 in the third set tiebreaker, but Donskoy refused to fold. “I had my chances,” Federer said. “I should somehow close it out. Don’t know how it got away, but he did very well, and yeah, it’s a rough one, for sure.” <—– That's gracious in defeat. He led by a large margin but still said his opponent did very well, which he did.
Regarding the loss to Cilic at the 2014 USO: "
"Federer praised his opponent after the match: “He served great when he had to, played with no fear, full of confidence.
“It’s exciting to have different faces [in a slam final] from time to
time. I’m more surprised with Cilic, to be honest, because he’s older.
There are significant differences in his game from the first time I played
him when he was 17."
Regarding the loss to Kyrgios at Madrid 2015. “My problem was I couldn’t return his first serve,” Federer said. “I had a horrible performance on return of serve. As the match went on, it got so bad that I just couldn’t get into decent positions on the return. So it made it very difficult to get any sort of rhythm after that.
“I’m very disappointed by that. That’s what cost me the match, in my opinion. But credit to him for serving well and keep doing what he was doing. He’s got a wonderful serve, good potential, so I hope he keeps working hard and that he can compete for the best spots in tennis.” <— Stated the obvious, he returned like crap but gave his opponent a lot of credit. Gracious in defeat. You're blind as a bat, sorry. Blinded by hatred.
You need to cut the rubbish about discomfort out. Roger has a great record at Cinci and would likely have won if he was healthy and played. He didn't play 'cos he was injured. You don't need to be out 1 month to be injured, that's a load of bollocks.
Carol · August 21, 2017 at 6:17 pm
A back injury is bad, really bad and they have to take a lot of care and of course it takes time to heal. A discomfort is a very different story
scoopmalinowski · August 21, 2017 at 7:11 pm
scoopmalinowski writes:
Not saying RF is bad loser but why would it be a big deal if he did lose sorely once in a blue moon or eclipse? Hes human and allowed to be upset by a bad loss. All in all Fed is a classy winner and loser.
Hartt · August 21, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Hartt writes:
As someone who has suffered with back problems for many years, I imagine Roger has the same experience that many of us do. Sometimes the symptoms can drag on for so long you wonder if you will ever be OK again, and other times you are pretty well back to normal in a few days. I get annoyed when people are skeptical when Roger is able to play quite soon after having to skip a match or tourney because of his back. With treatment, sometimes you are fine quite quickly. But, as I said, there are other times when you are not so fortunate, and it is hard to know what to expect with each incident.
Fiero425 · August 21, 2017 at 7:39 pm
TPBlogGuest said:
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So is Nole who will stand there and congratulate his most painful of losses to Stan taking him out of the FO & USO finals the last couple years! I don't think any of the top players have been as gracious as Djokovic! People like Rafa barely shake your hand and storms off so quick, some arriving late would wonder who lost! :nono: :banghead: :rolleyes:
Carol · August 21, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Nadal besides ALWAYS shakes the hand to his opponent he ALWAYS has the the great detail to sing autographs to everybody who are weating when he leaves the court It doesn't matter if he has won or lost. Others should learn to do the same but…..:facepalm: :nono: 😮
Scoop Malinowski · August 21, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Carol; No doubt Rafa is incredible with fans and he may be the best of all in that regard. Once saw him finish a practice on Armstrong then sign for everyone and then cut through the crowd and sign more and take pics with everyone, instead of taking the tunnel which every other player does, and he had no security with him as he cut through the crowd. Incredible. I really did see him do it. Never saw any other player do this. It was about seven years ago.
Carol · August 21, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Thanks Scoop, it's nice when someone recognizes the good things that each player has
This vid is after to lose to Kyrgios and leaving the Stadium
GameSetAndMath · August 21, 2017 at 11:29 pm
Carol said:
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What you are saying may be true. But, most players probably wish Rafa does not shake hands with them after so much digging. :facepalm:
Carol · August 21, 2017 at 11:46 pm
Sorry, but you are an idiot