That was one of those matches that just makes me go *gaah*
Did Rafa play well in any part of it? No. But who hasn't seen that a million times before and yet he still manages to win. Bad luck and missed opportunities, huh?
After Rafa had lost the first set, he was break points up on Daveed's first service game and with an ad point, Daveed got a lucky net cord and no break Rafa. GAAH. And so from being a whisker away from being 2-0 up, he then goes and loses his own serve to be a set and a break down. GAAH. Then when Rafa thought he'd got the break back, a challenge by Daveed showed that ball had just clipped the line. GAAH. Then when Rafa faces Daveed serving for the match, what does he finally do? He breaks!! And then gets broken right back to hand the advantage straight back to Daveed!!! GAAAAAAAAAAH !!
But to be honest, the most disappointing thing about today is that I have no doubt whatsoever that Daveed won't bring the same thing to his match with the Prince of Darkness tomorrow. That's the worst of it. He's had a great victory today and 10 bob says he'll go out with a whimper.
Well ... still points in the bag, and an earlier trip to London with a couple of days off cos Rafa's only playing on Tuesday. Not too shabby, eh??
Looking forward to having you on Blighy's soil, Rafa. VAMOS!!
I suppose one positive to take is that it will make Rafa aware to be sharper against David on Tuesday; once bitten, twice shy, as they say. Really hope he does well in London and ends as YE#1. Couldn't bear for that label to go in a certain Serbian direction.
ReplyDeleteJackie. One of our Rafateer friends has been at Paris all week, and tonight she reported back that either Rafa was sick, injured or really just not trying. She said that he wasn't hitting anywhere near as hard as he has been. I just pray that all is OK with him, I really do. Our friend Rafan as also intimated that he only needs two wins for the YE No. 1. I keep telling myself that it doesn't matter and it's just not Rafa's main goal, it's just that I don't want it going to that individual considering that Rafa has won so much more than him this year and has had the better year.
DeleteWell I pray he is none of those things. I think millions of us feel the same way that Rafa deserves the YE# because of the fantastic year he has had with 10 titles, nobody deserves it more least of all that twonk. Two more wins at the WTF will secure it, I believe, so keeping everything crossed. I'll be there on Monday and Tuesday so will be vamosing with all my heart.
DeleteJust listened to presser. He makes no mention of illness or injury. I believe it was just as he said...a bad day. We all have them. I guess we sometimes just think of Rafa as being super-human.
ReplyDeleteRafa said his movement hadn't been all that good all week. I had thought it had been quite good against Janowicz, but more importantly, why would it be better next week?.
ReplyDeleteBtw, that was awful luck way too many times. Infuriating.
ReplyDeleteI think he's lost too many times to Ferrer as well. I like him, but he's nowhere near as good and shouldn't have so many wins.