[william_renshaw]

AO 2012 QF: Heroic Nadal defeats Berdych 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-3

Nadal was wronged by poor umpiring and line calling throughout the match.

Nadal was far from his best, and struggling with movement. Despite this, he battled superbly again, showing the heart of a champion and producing some moments of brilliance, including saving set point on his serve at 5-6 the 1st set, and later in the match, producing three exceptional forehands down the line on the run out wide.

Birdshit hit some big winners, and his forehand was clinical at times and he was prepared to come to the net, but he was only able to play like this because Nadal was playing too far back and leaving the ball short. Once Nadal upped his game and improved his length, the Berdych meltdown was as predictable as the sun rising. Few men have smaller testicles than the unpopular Czech. 99% of tennis fans will be delighted to see Rafa progress.

Despite Federer's good performance and despite the length of Nadal's match and Nadal's early struggles, Nadal has to be the fav against Fed on Thursday. Fed can play as well as he wants earlier in the tournament, but doesn't have what it takes mentally or tactically to beat Rafa over 5 sets.

 

[Yves.]

Great match by both.

 

[@Sweet Cleopatra]

Rafa beats Berdych

Awesome match

Congratz Rafa

Goodluck Berdych next time


I AM so HAPPY

 

[leng jai]

Re: Rafa beats Berdych

GOAT match thread title.

 

[HKz]

Yes it was a dramatic match, but it has to be said, Berdych had this match on his racket on several occasions. BP conversion was utterly bad.

 

[Chirag]

Re: AO 2012 QF: Heroic Nadal defeats Berdych 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-3

Great match .I really enjoyed all 4 hours of it

 

[Sophocles]

Berdych played well & didn't go away but he wasn't clutch enough on enough of the big points. He's also now managed to play Nadull into form, which means Fed's chances in the semi have lowered from 5% to 0%.

 

[MIMIC]

Berdych :hatoff:

 

[shadows]

Decent match, it'll make for a great highlight package but there was definitely some disappointing parts in there. Line calling was also attrocious.

Berdych had a ton of chances but as is the norm failed to capitalise on the majority of them.

Fed vs Rafa should be fun.

 

[azinna]

Strong stuff from Rafa, some aggressive shots I hadn't see him pull out since his younger days.

 

[HKz]

Berdych played well & didn't go away but he wasn't clutch enough on enough of the big points. He's also now managed to play Nadull into form, which means Fed's chances in the semi have lowered from 5% to 0%.

I'm not sure about that. Nadal's serve was terrible and Berdych just made way too many silly mistakes/decisions on key moments. Federer has a fantastic chance IMO.

 

[rinnegan]

Very good effort, Berdych. The hostile crowd never intimidated you.

Play better against Fed, Rafa.

 

[RafaNadal2012!!!]

Nadal Defeats Berdych And Carlos 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-3

 

[Certinfy]

Proud to be a Berdych fan, gave it his all so no regrets.

 

[LawrenceOfTennis]

retire you choking shit berdych. once a lose always a loser.
nadal - f.o. for fistpumping the shit out of RLA

 

[norwood_10]

Until the last two games where Nadal was suddenly letting rip, that match was all about Berdych. Either he won the point, or he screwed up.

So much for Nadal's injuries :haha:

Do your stuff Roger.

 

[mickymouse]

Berdych just isn't good enough at the net to challenge Nadal. Tsonga would have converted all those missed volleys at bps.

 

[LinkMage]

Rafito was running like a bunny after more than 4 hours with that cracked knee. What a super human this Rafito! :bigclap:


Federer is in deep shit. :sad:

 

[abraxas21]

both players suck

too bad someone had to win. expected though

 

[rubbERR]

Nadal marathon matches always long because he uses 1 hour for butt picking. Damn him.