Article

  • Toronto R16: Rafael Nadal vs. Igor Andreev

    7/24/08 7:26 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - Rafa Nadal lucked out that Andreev took out known problem Tomas Berdych. But he should not overlook the Russian.

    Berdych beat Nadal at this exact tournament in this exact round back in 2006. Luckily for Nadal, Andreev pulled off the victory to face Nadal.

    Andreev is no pushover, though. He was the last man to beat Nadal on clay in 2005 before the 81 match win streak. They have played on hard courts once in their careers, in Dubai 2007 where Nadal won in a 3rd set tiebreak. This one shouldn't be nearly as close, but Andreev does have the game to take out Nadal on this surface, as do many players. The trick is to not play a clay court game, because Nadal will outgrind anyone.

    Andreev must play aggresive tennis from the first ball to have any chance at all. He has a nice forehand that can do some good damage and will need it to be clicking all match long. The second part of the equation is persistence. Being able to keep it up. Even a slight dip and Nadal will seize advantage and put the squeeze on. Igor will have to dictate play and not get disgruntled if and when he makes errors.

    Can he sustain a very aggresive mindset of a gameplan and serve well enough to pull off this upset? Not likely.

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Comments

Nadal LUCKED OUT with Berdych losing!?!?!? hahahahahah. Nadal would absolutely SLAUGHTER Berdych. That guy is one of the biggest wastes of talent - never beats anyone inside the Top 10.

Dynasty , 7/24/08 7:31 PM



Let me refresh you the last 3 times Nadal and Berdych played each other

2008 ATP Masters Series Miami U.S.A. Hard S Nadal 7-6(6) 6-2
2007 Wimbledon Great Britain Grass Q Nadal 7-6(1) 6-4 6-2
2007 ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo Monaco Clay S Nadal 6-0 7-5

I think its quite right to say that Nadal found the way to beat Berdych on every surface a long long time ago... And don't forget that this yr Nadal is just playing at a different level.

brazolatigo , 7/24/08 10:44 PM


Don't get the Berdych threat at all. Beat Nadal in "this exact round" in Toronto in 2006??? That's why Nadal "lucked out?" Come on now (this is 2008). As has been stated well by others, Nadal appears to be able to handle Berdych very well on all surfaces.

ilenee57 , 7/25/08 5:34 AM



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