Rafa burned his fingers apparently. They're heavily wrapped.

terrible from both players so far. Rafa's hand obviously bugging him.

my.goodness. That was a complete choke by verdasco. That might be the worst double fault I've ever seen.

A verdasco choke is OK by me when he is playing Rafa.

1st set Rafa.

Verdasco is stupid.. No character, no game plan, nothing

Any other player today, can win Nadal.. Today Nadal is nothing on court.. as in 2011.

I think Rafa has ample material for a sequel to his autobiography, "How and why complete strangers are riled up by me hitting a tennis ball".............

^^^^^^ LOL. Indeed.

Misel - Rafa has a Grand Slam title and a Grand Slam final. What are you going on about?

Disagreable, petulant temper tantrums from Verdasco.

Am not watching the match.............what's verdasco carrying on about, ed251137..?

His inability to play the big points well. he choked in the tiebreaker and gift wrapped the set to Nadal and then served for the second set at 5-3 and did the same thing.

Lots of racket throwing and screaming.

Terrible returning from Rafa at times.

I guess verdasco has every right to be upset with himself.....................with Rafa's burns bothering him, he knows this is as good a chance as he will ever get of registering a win over Rafa......................

Vamos Rafa! Win ugly if u have to......................

Oh no...................Rafa drops a set..............

Vamos Rafa!

Pam Shriver seems to actively cheering for Verdasco. Curious.

So now Verdasco who was Rafas bunny also is taking him to the distance?

I know the AO 2009 but post that Verdasco has been horrible

What is happ to Rafa?

Cheryl - why is Rafa playing so pathetic?

Even if Rafa gets through this..how will he get through a red hot Mardy Fish? And then a Murray? and then a Fed/Djoko?

Friends - I really dont know what I should expect from Rafa. Inspires zilch confidence

Keep the faith, sanju.............keep the faith. He will be back.

Well all I can hope for at this time is that Toronto and Cincinnati for Rafa are reminescent of Roger's in 2008 when he went on to win despite losing early in these tournaments.

Down a break in 3rd
Alas!!!

Wonder how the rest of the field thinks about Rafas vulnerability now.

Nadal looks jaded and tired

That was the shot of the tournament. Vintage Nadal.

Wonder how the rest of the field thinks about Rafas vulnerability now.
sanju
, 8/18/11 8:03 PM

They are all circling like a school of bloody piranhas............that's what

Come on everyone! Look at that shot Rafa hit! Even Verdasco couldn't believe it! He's still in this match!

Rafa's game has distracted by his finger's injury. Especially when he did rallies with his BH. Ferdasco seemed doesn't have enough mentality in sealing this advantage. Get well soonest Rafa..

NNY -

NNY he IS still in this match. And if he can figure out how to win it, he might be able to work his way into the tournament. he needs some hard court matches.

Verdasco needs to learn how to hold onto a lead. He's been awful in that regard in this match.

If its so hot and draining, why is Rafa playing doubles too and tiring himself?

Are any of the other top 3 playing doubles?

For goodness sake Rafa. Put your foot down on the pedal.

Rafa trying very hard to lose the match but Verdasco not willing to take it though. Rafa will probably win this and lose his next match and retain his QF points. The hot and humid weather is not helping matters, not when you have to play for three hours. Both look lethargic to me and holding on to their serves seem a problem. This match looks a bit like that Miami final of 2011 to me. Rafa having poor serving and poor returning day, oh and poor timing too for both his forehand and backhand.

For goodness sake Rafa. Put your foot down on the pedal.

Yes lucky I agree..I dont see Rafa def going through Mardy even if he goes through Verdasco

Hes abysmal today..no sting in any shot..just going through motions..
I find even body language not that good..

Cherryl, I notice this is the reason why Ferdasco is not in top 5. So many losing opportunities when it comes for crucial points to seal. Rafa is lucky this morning meeting Ferdasco considering his current injury.

Rafans, don't worry. There were many events that Rafa seemed vulnerable at the beginning but at the end he can reach Finals and won it.

Good luck Rafa, show your wire mentality!

They're both playing the kind of tennis that makes it impossible to get into a rhythm. They're vacillating wildly from horrific to good and back again.

I just want this to end now, whichever way.....................have had enough....

Whether Verdasco wins or loses his behaviour during this match has just put me off him in a big way. Is there a history of hostility between these two?

Sorry about the double post above. I hit the refresh button which re-sent the comment

bryanindo - I think it's more than just his inability to hold onto a lead. Verdasco is too inconsistent. He doesn't do what the top 3 do -- go out and find a way to win almost every tournament.

He has plenty of matches in which he just comes out and plays dreadfully against any old opponent.

Agree with you Cherryl. Looking at the stroke weapon he has, he's just too bad to be inconsistent..

Anyway, Good job Rafa! You can win this tie-break!

Amazing that Nando can't even beat a Rafa with burnt fingers

Horrific from Rafa..Cant believe it

ridiculous tiebreak. Match point nadal.

I can't even believe this!!! 5-2 rafa with serve and now 5-5?

Wow! Rafa is again lucky with too inconsistent Verdasco!

Rafa doesnt deserve to win this. Period!!

Neither player deserves to win it. This is a train wreck.

Was about to make the same comment!!

This game is getting so much weird! I just can't believe this! Must again agree with cheryl.

No cheryl but Rafa is world No 2..has been there done it all

This is inexplicable

Nadal was up 5-1 in this match. Unbelievably bad.

At last!!!!!!!!!!! Not a pretty win, but it'll do. Rafa looks tight. He's got to snap out of his doldrums fast.

I'm going to send Rafa my medical bill, my heart was pumping so fast I could hardly breathe.


Vamos Rafa!

God that was a cold handshake.. Verdasco didnt even look at his face..Surprising. I mean is there any hostility between the two? I thought they are friends and Davis Cup teammates
That handshake is inexplicable

OMG was that the worst tie break I've EVER seen, from both of them! Good job I bought another sofa Rafa fans.....

I guess this is a match Rafa would like to see erased from his C.V.

That makes their h2h a tidy dozen to nil for Rafa against Nando.

Well ...poor Nando is simply jinxed...
Rafa didn't have even one winer in TB... just Nando's UEs...
But win is win... you can not miss so much opportunities against warrior like Rafa.

To my knowledge Rafa and verdasco have never been friends...............Davis Cup team-mates, yes........ friends, no.

I remember Wimby QTF we were having a gala creative fest here with Rafa eating Fish fillet, having Fish fry etc etc..lol

Well tomorrow Fish or Gasquet will chew this Rafa. Hes woefully out of sorts. Verdasco will murder himself for not registering his first win today, this was the best opportunity he could get.

Cant Rafa pull out of doubles? Cn sumone please explain me why is he playing so much. After 3 hr 40 mns no way should he play doubles and then get ready for tomorrows singles. I dont think any of the other 3 are playing this much.

No RAfaisthebest.. There is hostility between Fed & Djoko, Fed & Murray..but still their handshakes are better.

This one was as cold as the one Rafa & Soderling exchange

I am with you on this sanju, he needs to get those burnt fingers healed before USO.......no point in making that situation worse with more play.............

I had to follow the score online. I couldn't watch it. Unbelievable and not in a good way! I have been battling a virus and the stress was too much.

Rafa, you are not good for my health! My chest started getting too tight and that's when I had to just stop watching. That tb was awful!

The only good thing that might come out of this, is that Rafa can get some much needed match play and some confidence because he won a tough match. He is really struggling right now.

Put yourself in Verdasco's shoes, sanju.......................he knew Rafa had a problem with his fingers, this was no secret. This was his BEST chance to register his first win over Rafa. Imagine what a win would have done for his confidence...........this could have turned around his woeful-todate season! Basically, he got beat by a cripple................that's enough to make any man reach for the hemlock............

sanju, Rafa needs to play doubles to get some match play because he hasn't had much play since Wimbledon. He is out of sorts because he's got no rythm due to lack of actual matches. You can practise as much as you like but there is no substitute for match play.

sanju: If Rafa plays the way he did today Mardy will definitely have him as a side order of fries.

Rafa needs the match play so playing doubles is understandable. I wonder now will he pull out from the doubles after mrs than three hours on court already.

So his next opponent is Fish. Fish seems to be getting better with each tournament, he doesn't look tired after all his exploits. Difficult times ahead for Rafa! I do believe winning like today, ie winning when not playing well and able to edge out a win in tight tensed situations, will bode well for Rafa's confidence. I believe he knows what are the things he needs to improve on after today's match. If he can edge out a few more such wins, I think his confidence will be back in time for the USO. Vamos Rafa, one match at a time, go out there to fight for the win!

hahaha!rafa won? switched it off at 9-9 =)) darn! rafa was lucky!

as for the handshake, maybe verdasco was pretty disappointed he just cant get one win over rafa even when he (rafa) was on an abysmal performance. and also, as expected, verdasco was running amuck throughout the game, trying to smash his racket like pretty boy safin..it was not cute at all.

at the end of the day, rafa was victorious even if he seemed like in a different space and time, waiting for this season to be over and start a clean slate in 2012..

I think Nando was just miffed that he lost a match he could have won to get his first win over Rafa.

second round down
third round down
moving on to the quarter-finals. win or lose, i am still a fan.

They are not friends. I've not heard that they hate each other, but they're not really friendly either.

You always see Rafa hanging out with Feli, Ferrer, Almagro, Ferrero...........but I have never seen him hanging out with Verdasco. Having said that, I have never heard either say a bad word about the other..............

Okay Rafa, tomorrow's your chance to reel in a good catch, make yourself some dinner instead of traipsing off to some Japanese restaurant...........with all the attendant consequences................

Oh dear, I forgot.........this isn't Wimby, you're not renting a house.....................

when Rafa lost the second set I left the house...I was mentally exhausted...It is difficult to watch Rafa play these days...he just kills me with his UEs and his body language was not promising either...but I recorded the match and I will watch it now...I already know from your comments how it was, and I feel kind of lucky I had to leave and was not able to see the last set...Rafa is injured, that we all know, but playing like the way he was today is just beyond comprehension...IMO today he played the worst tennis ever...I think today's performance can only be compared with the one at the WTF in 2009...however, even though I know this match will take a tool on Rafa's body, I believe it was more than useful for Rafa's confidence to pull out the win like this and under these circumstances...this will only do him good...if he has anything left in him, he may as well be able to beat Fish tmrw...

Rafa and Marc are aout to start their doubles match.



Vamos

First, Rafa is not injured! He is just lacking in match play. This match was ugly all the way, but Rafa won and that's what counts. He is not playing the way he was at the WTF in 2009, because he didn't win a set let alone a match! We have to try to keep things in perspective here. Rafa needs to get back in form. At least he won two matches and at this point, I don't care how he does it.

nadline,

Is there a livestream of Rafa's doubles match?

Native,
Rafa IS injured...his burnt fingers count as an injury whether we like it or not...his backhand is totally not working due to that...I am not undermining Rafa...I am the last person to do so...I am just being realistic...In WTF final he did not win a set because he was playing top 8 players...today he was playing a guy who has been having a terrible season and who was playing badly...

Hey guys did you watch Rafa's QF match last year at Flushing meadows? Well after Rafa won, Verdasco was extremely cold in his handshake. He did not even look at Rafa. And don't forget last year he had forecast that Fed not Rafa was the favorite for USO. There is definitely some bad blood between the two. I think Verdasco is jealous.

Burnt fingers are an injury? Just play through the pain.

What next? Paper cuts??????????

numero-
His fingers are actually blistered, have you tried playing tennis with blistered fingers, let along burnt ones?
The smallest burn kills.
BUt he isnt making any excuses, but that doesnt mean he isnt injured.

numero, Rafa isn't a faker like Fed who produced a false medical certificate to get out of army service. Serious back problem, my foot! He went on to win 14 grand slam titles after he produced the fake certificate in 2004.

Federers strategy is probably to outlast Nadal physically from a career standpoint. I wouldnt be surprised if they met two years later at a French Open and Federer won that.

Sorry nirv, two years from now, we'll probably see either Nole or Delpo reaching the FO final to face off with Rafa there. A 33yo Fed to beat Rafa on clay at FO? Highly unlikely!

To rafa fans- what do you think of Rafa's chances against Fish in the QF? This tournament plays out a bit like last year's Cincy. Rafa played against Anderson in R2 last year, first set comfortable but second set Rafa had to beat Anderson 7-5, isn't it a bit like his R2 match against Benneteau this year? This Verdasco match is something like his Benneteau match a year ago. Rafa lost to Baggy last year at the QF, will Rafa lose to Fish this time at the QF?

Fed has no chance of ever winning French Open again. This year was his last chance.
If Rafa has got blistered fingers, I want him to lose against Fish. Then Fish would lose to Murray and Djoko will lose to Murray, I hope. Want that Serb to start losing.
Hey luckyserve, somehow despite Rafa's struggles, I feel upbeat. I am hopeful that the old Rafa would be back.

Ha ha of course you want the Serb to start losing, but Rafa can't ensure that, can he? So you start clutching at the Murray straw. Well, I don't know how to put this past you, but Nole has beaten Murray both times this year.

There is always a first time darling. Who would have thought Dokovic would keep thrashing Rafa this year? Things change pretty fast in tennis. Like Fed fans are pinning their hopes on Djoko to prevent Rafa from surpassing Fed's records, I am hoping the dour Scot will discover a hot streak and help Rafa in subduing the Serb. Uncle Toni thinks that Murray is more talented than Djoko. Rafa is temporarily not in such great form. Once both these guys stop being bemused by this new Djoko and get down to working out a strategy to thrash him, Djoko will come down to earth.

"Uncle Toni thinks that Murray is more talented than Djoko"

i guess this is don toni's new strategy for rafa to beat novak lol.

Any strategy which will make Djoko cry uncle is good in my books. He is too boring and unclassy to boot. Djoko's boring dominance is bad for tennis. And he lacks the class of a true champion. latest is hitting an interviewer on his private parts. Ugh ! what a creep.

natashao,

I thought you meant Rafa's foot. You didn't specify Rafa's burned fingers. I should know about that, because I am the one who revealed that information here. Yes, that does impair his ability to hit his backhand, but it's not what we would call the normal kind of injury that Rafa gets. It won't help his backhand, but I didn't consider him technically injured.

I see that the resident Fed fan instigator has weighed in on the subject. I can set my clock by when there will be some snide remark from a Fed fan when we discuss anything physical that might hurt our guy. As long as it's not Fed, then all is well in their world.

Rafa's burned fingers aren't why he had such a tough time against Verdasco. He needs match play to get his rhythm and timing again. Today was actually a help in that regard, because he was out on the court for a while hitting a lot of balls.

So I understand where you are coming from with the burned fingers now. However, I simply cannot agree with you that Rafa is playing as badly as he was at the 2009 WTF. Verdasco was a top ten player and a difficult opponent for Rafa in the past. I realize that he has played like one for a while, but he is capable of causing trouble for Rafa. He has that big, booming forehand and some powerful groundstrokes. Verdasco would be a tough opponent for a very rusty Rafa. I thought Rafa might have some trouble with him, but I never envisioned that it could be three tb's and be such a nailbiter with Rafa up 5-1 and then losing that lead.

Rafa won RG this year. In 2009 Rafa couldn't win a title. I still believe that you are making a generalization regarding this one match. I don't understand comparing Rafa to a low point in his career when he was struggling to come back from a series of injuries and hadn't won a single title in eleven months.

That is hardly the case jnow. Please let us not throw out Rafa's historic sixth RG title and his Wimbledon final appearance. He has beaten many top ten players this year - Fed, Delpo twice, Sod, Murray twice, Ferrer twice. You notice the one name that is not on this list is Nole.

I see that nirv02 and rfzr and here to provide their usual smarmy comments! Like locusts and the plague!

Sorry, in my last post in the fourth paragraph about Verdasco, I meant to say - I realize he (Verdasco) hasn't played like one for a while (a top ten player) but he is capable of causing some trouble for a very rusty Rafa, which he did!

Oh my god... how many comments about boring player...

Player who every time get his underpants from his ass.. yea that is class of a true champion.. am I right? rafaelite haha

Nadal is past

Nativenewyorker, please spare us of your pathetic posts, watching paint dry is a blast compared to your cougarism.

Dear Misel, I refer you to the moron jokes on another thread. Enjoy! They are all about you, Sienna and numero. I actually took the trouble of composing jokes in your honor as a small token of my gratitude for your valuable contributions to this forum.

Dream on luckystar, 3 years from now Rafa will be exiting the FO at the quarters or possibly earlier. Rafa is post peak.

Even you admit earlier Rafa is past his peak , but in his prime (whatever that means).

Native, I only meant to say that this Rafa's match, not THIS YEAR reminded me of Rafa playing badly in the WTF. I agree that he lacks match play and that he is rusty...I also think his form is somewhat questionable and it is due to his lack of practice since he had problems with his foot. You see, I like going to VAMOS BRIGADE site and they have photo galleries of Rafa which are always fun to look at...I was looking at his "off court" photos from vacation in July and there was a photo from July 14 where he was playing soccer on the beach with his friends but his foot had a heavy bandage on it...that scared me...that is why he did not start practicing at earlier times...Rafa is not the kind of person to complain about his injuries but this one was obviously a tough one...I certainly think he is fine now but he does need more match time to be in top form...

In regard to Fish...the guy is playing great no doubt about it and he believes in himself...but I see Rafa's match with Verda as a great confidence boost and I see him playing much better today...I don't think Rafa is too tired as he hadn't played last week and my opinion is that Fish on any day is not good enough to beat Rafa...

VAMOS RAFA!!!

Do not pay any attention to the haters, Rafans.......................like someone said on a separate blog, when normal service resumes and Rafa is BACK, they will all melt away like snow in summer................................

Lucky: judging by Mardy's form against albeit a tired Nole last weekend, and his efficient dispatch of Reeshard yesterday, I rather think Mardy may well outplay Rafa today. He is full of quiet confidence whereas Rafa's morale is at a very low point - not as low as late 2009 but low nevertheless.

I think his ankle injury is still a cause for concern and his general fitness level has definitely been below par for much of this year. I want to believe the lacklustre effort yesterday is because he is trying to conserve energy for the USO - but that might be wishful thinking on my part.

NNY: I agree with you that in spite of the H2H between these two, Verdasco has nearly always given Rafa tough matches: none more so than the epic AO semi final. But what is worrying is the way Rafa seemed incapable of closing out the umpteen opportunities Verdasco provided him with.
Or maybe he was trying to prolong proceedings to get more match practice. lol.

rfzr,

Watch it with the sexism! The use of the term "cougarism" is both sexist and highly inappropriate in the context of this discussion. You also don't know anything about me, so back off with the gratuitous comments!

natashao,

I am sorry if I was too critical of you. I can see why the match with Verdasco would have reminded you of 2009 WTF. Now I understand what you were saying. It appears that Rafa's foot injury took longer than they thought to heal, which is why he barely had any practice before coming to Montreal. We always worry about our Rafa.

I like your optimism about his match with Fish! It will be tough, but I am sure Rafa will do his best. You are a kind and generous person and I am sorry if I made you feel bad or was too hard on you. :)

ed,

You are my mentor and conscience on this site! Help! Can you tell that I am ready to go at it again? Do I need to be reminded to ignore the usual suspects? Oh and thank you for reading and responding to my posts, since they have been called like watching paint dry! :)

You are absolutely correct about the concern over Rafa having so much trouble closing out the match. That was tough to watch. I also remembered that in his match with Benneteau, Rafa was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set and he was broken. He was fortunate to get the break back and then serve it out for the win, but there does seem to be a troubling pattern here.

Verdasco has nearly always given Rafa tough matches: none more so than the epic AO semi final.
ed251137 , 8/19/11 8:54 AM

Not so!!! If you check the stats you will find that of their 11 meetings before yesterday, Rafa won 9 of them in easy straight sets, the 2 that went the distance were Queens in 2006 and the AO in 2009 and 7 of the 9 straight sets wins were VERY EASY straight sets.

NNY: I take it that is a purely rhetorical question ?

You know me well enough by now to know I rarely engage with any of the 'suspects' on this site. Even hidden by my screen name I dont want to be seen associating with the idiotic people peddling stupid and futile arguments who come here to cause trouble. Life is too short!!

For me the pleasure of TT lies in sharing thoughts and theories with like-minded tennis enthusiasts who have become 'chums' over the years.

BTW: I deal with the stress by making jam during tense matches - luckily it's the blackberrying season during the USO. That is if I'm not hiding behind Deuce's red and gold sofa :-D

Nadaline @ 9:53 AM
Whoopsadaisy! That'll teach me to check my facts before opening my mouth. I guess
those two matches left an indelible impression and coloured my view of the overall situation.

Dream on nirv, old man Fed at 32/33 beating Rafa at the FO? The sun will rise from the west! A 27 yo Rafa is definitely better than an old man at 32/33, one that Rafa owns all the time. Fed during his prime can't even beat Rafa, what hope does he have when he's old at 32/33? Some people talk with their as_! What is peak and what is prime? Check your beloved Fed's career and see for yourself.

luckystar
By 27 Rafa will already will be hobbled up with injuries or lack of motivation or a combination of both. Rafa was in his prime when he bagled Fed at the 2008 French Open. He is past that and their recent meeting was more competitive. How is that hardcourt adjustment of Rafa coming up for which he had to give his clay court edge. Looks like he gave up both. Some people talk with their as_! ? That is not even technically possible unless you want to show how ..

nirv, so Rafa's prime is only one year? That's your understanding of prime, no wonder you don't understand what you've done as I've mentioned. So, did Fed beat Rafa at the FO? So you've the crystal ball and know for sure that Rafa will be hobbling at age 27? Truly wishful thinking, though I have to say I can't understand how come there are always people wishing for injuries upon others. Fed at 32 beating Rafa at the FO, keep dreaming!

it is his fans who wish him injuries by liking his style of play .. End of discussion and Yes I have a crystal ball.

Keep dreaming heh, nirv!

@luckystar
maybe nirv02 meant that rafa needs to be crippled so that roger can beat him on FO...
so, let's leave him at that.