Shot!

OK ... I'm probably not going to be very popular round here, and I can only tell half of the story, but I didn't see too much to be encouraged about in Rafa's match last night with Delbonis.

It was midnight, I found a decent stream, and I thought I'd settle down to see how he was doing. I think the 6-1 first set scoreline was entirely flattering as it wasn't a set won by Rafa but gifted to him by endless errors from his opponent. He was massively defensive I thought, and that's a sure fire way of telling that he continues to lack any confidence in his play. Rafa either chose, or was forced to be on the back-foot throughout, and it was mostly because of the actual lack of quality of his opponent that he scored the points he did, due to Delbonis' errors. Anyone of substance could have taken him apart.

That was the first set ... and admittedly, I then nodded off so never saw any of the second set and never saw "the shot" hit live. That shot aside, I'm assuming that the second set followed the same pattern as the first. I'm sorry to sound so down-beat, and having watched how Rafa pulled that backhand shot off, you have to marvel at the skill. And yes, it was brilliant to see Rafa's reaction to it - Rafa of old, and more of what we want to see. However, it's still my preference to be stunned by his shot making when he's being powerful and aggressive, rather than being pulled all over the court just to stay in a point and then recovering by a stroke of genius.

I'm not meaning to be critical of Rafa at all. It's not criticism I'm levelling, I'm just trying to realistic and honest about what I saw. I can't whoop yet that his "comeback" has now ignited and he's back on the right track. I don't think he is, and I think it's still requiring much more of that work and patience Rafa spoke about earlier in the week. I want nothing more than to see him off the backboard but perhaps for now it's still a blessing that he's playing the kind of player he is and he's still managing to get the matches under his belt - however they are gifted to him.

That said, I am hoping that little by little he regains his confidence. Because confidence will bring more of "that shot" ... but on the offensive.  ;)

Good luck tonight, Rafa.