[scoobs]

Very good match to open

Gasquet started the better of the two but Nadal dug in and the final set came down to one poor game where Gasquet made some bad choices and Nadal pounced. Other than that it was nip/tuck and there were some entertaining and sensational rallies, including a ridiculous backhand smash type winner off a Nadal smash, from way behind the baseline, sailing past Nadal at the net.

 

[TMJordan]

Gasquet is a soft pansy, Nadal is a pig.

They both suck.

 

[JimmyV]

Really entertaining match, you just knew from the get go though that Gasquet would blow it.

 

[RogiRafaFan86]

Tough battle, which is what these matches are supposed to be. You know, with them all being in the top 8 and all that...

So congrats to both men. And an extra congrats to Rafa for making it through on the winning end.

 

[adee-gee]

Slightly better from Rafa, although I missed the 1st set and watched the rest with a hangover so it might be the alcohol talking....he probably sucked

Ok no seriously.....My only complaint is he's relying too heavily on his opponent making errors to win matches. I know there has always been part of his game (and some on MTF will say it's the only way he can win), but he's doing it more than ever.

But I'm reasonably satisfied, it's a match he could have lost

 

[Metis]

Pretty good match with many spectacular points from both players.

I liked the graphic showing the change (between 1st and 2nd set) in Nadal's tactics in terms of returning serve in the deuce court out wide (which Gasquet was using effectively in the 1st set), by moving closer to the baseline .

 

[richie21]

Well done Rafa.
Richard
I just hope that like we saw a fat Dave becoming a fit Dave,we'll see Richard becoming a fit Richard in the future.

 

[richie21]

Well done Rafa.
Richard
I just hope that like we saw a fat Dave becoming a fit Dave,we'll see Richard becoming a fit Richard in the future.

 

[Allstar]

Poor match imo. Nadal looked out of sorts, but not exactly surprised to Gasquet blow a great chance

 

[Deivid23]

Very good match? :lol:

I must have watched a different match, but both looked very ordinary out there to me. Rafa will need to play 100 times better than this to progress further imo. Gasquet is as soft as a fucking feather, nothing new.

 

[Deivid23]

Poor match imo. Nadal looked out of sorts, but not exactly surprised to Gasquet blow a great chance

Wow, another crazy poster who thinks that match was crap

 

[scoobs]

You're welcome to your views - I thought it was a good battle, especially in the final set.

 

[Allstar]

Wow, another crazy poster who thinks that match was crap

Not crazy just realistic

 

[richie21]

Very good match? :lol:

I must have watched a different match, but both looked very ordinary out there to me. Rafa will need to play 100 times better than this to progress further imo. Gasquet is as soft as a fucking feather, nothing new.

Nadal should enjoy this win because it will probably be one of his last ones on Gasquet on hardcourt.

 

[silverwhite]

Seems like Gasquet's serve started to decline while Nadal started serving better after the first set. Oh well. At least it was competitive. :lol:

 

[Castafiore]

My only complaint is he's relying too heavily on his opponent making errors to win matches

I so agree with that.



I didn't see the entire match (overslept ) but the commentator said that one of the reasons why the match turned was that Rafa found a way to deal with Gasquet's famous backhand and he started to come to the net more with increasing success.
Entertaining match by the looks of it.

 

[Pimmchanok]

I thought it was a pretty entertaining match, well done to Rafa. Though Richard did play some excellent shots like that high back hand volley, he did lose it at some points like that smash into the net, he had all that space!

 

[tennizen]

I saw the whole match. Gasquet started the match serving great and also playing great from the baseline. Nadal was not playing really badly but was being outplayed. Second set Nadal started nervously but Gasquet gave the second break away. Third set was mostly Nadal serving well and generally taking control although Gasquet hit some spectacular winners.

 

[Allstar]

Nadal should enjoy this win because it will probably be one of his last ones on Gasquet on hardcourt.

Nadal was rubbish today by his standards and still Gas didnt get close to winning.

 

[leng jai]

Terible barrage of moonball tennis. Gasgay's forehand is a fucken joke besides the occasional wild winner he can hit.