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Clay Death · 07-24-2008, 06:21 AM

Last year at Roland Garros, Nike came up with a little promotion gig. They came up with a slogan "Who Can Stop Federer". Some of you may recall this.

How approiate is that slogan for Nadal this year. He has tour leading 6 titles that include one of the most difficult achievements in tennis which is to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. Last time it was done was nearly 30 years ago.

He leads the tour in matches won with 56 and he leads the atp race. he also has the most prize money in his hands with well over $5 mill so far.

The Roland Garros, Queens, and Wimbledon feat is even more rare. France was conquered long ago and now he has added England to his conquests. It is increasingly obvious that Nadal has lifted his game in the last 4-5 months with small, incremental improvements in his game which have led to significantly greater effectiveness on the court.

Some of the changes have been simply mental as he is experimenting with a more of an assault-minded mental appratus. His ability to focus and maintain his intensity over the course of the whole match is even more impressive these days.

At Queens, he showed great willingness to step in closer to the baseline and try to drive through some of his shots. In short, he has shown the ability to make adjustments on grass.

Hard courts may just be the last frontier for Nadal. Can he do it? Can he conquer New York?

Who can stop Nadal? Thoughts? Comments? Smart remarks? Insults?

Mimi · 07-24-2008, 06:29 AM

the Djoker, roger or roddick will kill poor rafa in us open

leng jai · 07-24-2008, 06:36 AM

Jesus, Moses, a pinch of luck and a whole lot of wine.

anon57 · 07-24-2008, 06:38 AM

Didn't the Nike ad for RG last year have the slogan "Who can stop Nadal", I seem to remember pictures of it where Federer has written on the ad, I'll try.

JimmyV · 07-24-2008, 06:38 AM

Simon.

Clay Death · 07-24-2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimi

the Djoker, roger or roddick will kill poor rafa in us open

even after his conquests of France and England, you seem to have little confidence in your player. why?

maconick · 07-24-2008, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimi

the Djoker, roger or roddick will kill poor rafa in us open

i dont think roddick would imo, but djok would with ease

Clay Death · 07-24-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anon57

Didn't the Nike ad for RG last year have the slogan "Who can stop Nadal", I seem to remember pictures of it where Federer has written on the ad, I'll try.

for 2007, it was "Who Can Stop Federer" as far as i can tell or remember.

JimmyV · 07-24-2008, 06:47 AM

This dude.

Mimi · 07-24-2008, 06:48 AM

caused he did not have much sucess in this us open court, mimi is a negative person

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay Death

even after his conquests of France and England, you seem to have little confidence in your player. why?

Clay Death · 07-24-2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyV

This dude.

holy bikini. who is this monster? who created him?

T2KN · 07-24-2008, 06:50 AM

On HC? Berdych, Ferrer, Djokovic.

Will he win the US Open? Yeah, someday but not this year; I do hope he manages to reach the semifinals, I'll already by crazy happy with that.

I expect him to finish the year as #1 though.

anon57 · 07-24-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay Death

for 2007, it was "Who Can Stop Federer" as far as i can tell or remember.

There were also posters that had a picture of Nadal with the question "Who can stop him" on it in French
As for Nadal on hardcourts, he's been improving a lot and while he may be slightly more vulnerable on hardcourts it'll still take someone playing extremely well to take him out.

Clay Death · 07-24-2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHoColATe&Rafa

On HC? Berdych, Ferrer, Djokovic.

Will he win the US Open? Yeah, someday but not this year; I do hope he manages to reach the semifinals, I'll already by crazy happy with that.

I expect him to finish the year as #1 though.

Ferru has beaten him the last 2 times they have played on hard courts but dont expect that same result this year.

Berdych is a clown. even in a slump, the Clay Monster took care of Berdych in Miami. he destroyed him on grass last year.

this leaves Djokovic. Nadal has the edge on him everywhere now. He took him apart at Roland Garros and then again on slick grass of Queens.

this is a different Nadal. he is generally sharper off the ground and appears very focused.

he has to be taken out early here like tomorrow or day after. once in the semis, he is going to town. i dont think Djokovic can stop him anymore.

JimmyV · 07-24-2008, 06:59 AM

Berdych beating Nadal????