[Kat_YYZ]

Banaldian

Had a chance to get some revenge for that epic choke in 2009 Indian Wells, where he led Nadal 5-3 in the second set and had 5 MPs, only to lose that set and then get bagelled in the third.

Most of the match was great to watch, but the way it was given away was just sad

[Corey Feldman]

predictable as ever
another player ground down into the dirt despite making Nadal look stupid for most of the match

on the plus side, my fantasy points were never in doubt

[Deathless Mortal]

Originally Posted by hipolymer

once a choker, always a choker.

I struggle to see how this answers my question though.

[SheepleBuster]

Nalbandian's career is one of the most tragic ones I have seen. He should have won this match. He should have beat Roddick in US Open. He should have done better in slams. But he has always been a choker.

[Ash86]

Originally Posted by Action Jackson

Passarell cheering like Matress Mac was poor form from a tournament director. Nadal was there for the taking today, but what ifs don't win matches. Got to convert the chances.

Nadal got away with taking 40 seconds in between points in the last game. Murphy while he warned him before, didn't do it when needed.

Stop whining about the time. That's not why Nadal won the match. And when he got the violation it was windy which it why it took extra time - I think he deserves the violation generally but that was a stupid time to give it.

As for the tournament director cheering - both him & Ellison have made no secret of their Rafa love - probably not the best but it is what it is. Loved Stiller in Rafa's box too - Zoolander this year; it was Jesus (Jim Cavezial) in his box going nuts back in 2009.

[Just like heaven]

Originally Posted by Taejin

Guys commenting the match said repeatedly he's a huge Nadal fan the other day.

He's a Nadal fan boy.

http://gototennis.com/2010/03/10/lar...nadal-the-kid/

[leng jai]

Why bother giving him the warning and then letting it go in the last game? Thats just blatant lack of testicular fortitude from Fergie.

Ajde.

[Mountaindewslave]

Originally Posted by Nole Rules

Tennis really lost here. Dave should have won this in 2.

should have could have whatever whatever. you can say that in practically any match but the fact is Nalbandian didn't have what it takes in the big moments. there are hundreds of good ballstrikers out there who can go toe to toe for a while in match against the best but there are FEW players who have the mental fortitude and guts to win when it really matters, in the big points. Nalbandian at moments has what it takes but if he was meant to win this in 2 he would have; his biggest flaw is not being clutch in big moments which played a big part, no surprise

[Filo V.]

Nalbandian choked, but so did Rafa. So to say Rafa won this because Nalbandian choked isn't true. More like he won regardless of the fact he was clearly choking at the end of really all three sets. And I hate the word choke but it can be used on both sides. Extremely tight tennis, especially at the end of the third. Brutal to watch. Nalbandian was the better player from the middle of the first set till the end of the second set, and then again at the end of the third set............a tennis match is about putting it all together, David failed and therefore lost.

[Action Jackson]

Originally Posted by Ash86

Stop whining about the time. That's not why Nadal won the match. And when he got the violation it was windy which it why it took extra time - I think he deserves the violation generally but that was a stupid time to give it.

As for the tournament director cheering - both him & Ellison have made no secret of their Rafa love - probably not the best but it is what it is. Loved Stiller in Rafa's box too - Zoolander this year; it was Jesus (Jim Cavezial) in his box going nuts back in 2009.

No you learn about the sport. There is nothing written in the rule book where Nadal is allowed to take more than 25 seconds in between points. Considering I already said why Nadal won the match, then it's not my fault you choose to use selective reading

Tournament directors cheering outwardly for specific players whether they are friends or not isn't professional. It's commonsense which is something lacking.

[Voo de Mar]

Poor Nalbandian losing two tight matches to Nadal on the same court

[JediFed]

dumb to say when obviously #75 rank is not accurate

Right now Nalbandian is number 75 and should have taken Rafa out tonight. That's a fact.

Rafael was a bit off but considering his opponent and the circumstances nothing too surprising

Rafa played terribly tonight. All the Rafa fans were panicking at 6-4 5*-5. They had expected a SS blowout.

[@Sweet Cleopatra]

[ossie]

this one hurts, this is a match nalbandian could have and should have won. i can only hope he doesn't go into a slump now. if he keeps up his form he can be a real threat at the slams this year imo.

[Ash86]

Originally Posted by Action Jackson

No you learn about the sport. There is nothing written in the rule book where Nadal is allowed to take more than 25 seconds in between points. Considering I already said why Nadal won the match, then it's not my fault you choose to use selective reading

Tournament directors cheering outwardly for specific players whether they are friends or not isn't professional. It's commonsense which is something lacking.

I agree - it's against the rules. Call him up on it - but do it early in the match rather than at a crucial point and then deduct a point early on too. He'll stop doing it. The fact is him & Djokovic etc. aren't going to change a winning style until they see some consequences. I just don't get the point of randomly saying it towards the end of a match and then not following up on it.

And I agree about the tournament director. Ellison is the owner so him cheering is ok IMO - he's just pouring money in after all - but the tournament director is different as he has more direct control over the players, entry lists etc. It's unprofessional.