Tennis: Australian Open 2022

[kihei]

One factor favouring Rafa is the temperature has dropped several degrees since the start, slowing the court down.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

And there's the break.

Gotta think this is over, but for the pressure of securing 21.

 

[kihei]

There's the break for Rafa.

 

[Maestro84]

Holy s*** he got the break. Rafa gotta serve like Isner these next few games tho Med's return is Djokovic level

 

[Maestro84]

Ding ding ding.

If only people can notice this there would be a lot less geopolitical tension between everyone...

 

[Foppberg]

It's over. Going into it I had the mindset of "I can't lose! I love both!" but watching it I find myself cheering for Medvedev even though I'd love to see Rafa get #21. I do think at this point it's Rafa/Novak/Medvedev, and then everyone else. Danill is the only one who has shown he can play with, and beat one of the big 3 in slams.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Holy s*** he got the break. Rafa gotta serve like Isner these next few games tho Med's return is Djokovic level

Daniil can barely move. Rafa just needs to play smart to close this out.

 

[Ben Grimm]

Given his long layoff his physical superiority is astounding.

Agreed. Same with his form/skill level. The elite players such as him and Barty also have superior strategy inside points. You rarely see them hit the ball straight up the middle right to their opponent the way Collins sometimes does. Except for passing shots, they usually take advantage of the angles, run you around, etc.

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Rafa broke him mentally in the third set. Daniil has also been breaking down physically ever since....

 

[Maestro84]

Daniil can barely move. Rafa just needs to play smart to close this out.

Rafa's been up a break in the 5th set twice in his career and lost at AO finals there's still a lot of work to be done

 

[Foppberg]

Novak is sitting at home watching this, fuming

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

Daniil can barely move. Rafa just needs to play smart to close this out.

As I say this, Daniil suddenly moving better.

 

[Foppberg]

"Please try and.. Restrain yourselves"

Like they're a pack of horny freshmen

 

[Maestro84]

Ugh so close with the S & V couldn't get the BH volley short enough

 

[Foppberg]

If Medvedev pulls this off... His self confidence will be unbreakable.

 

[Maestro84]

Med is turning it up again

 

[CanadianFlyer88]

All of a sudden first set Daniil is back.

Can't get an ad court return back, though.

 

[Evilo]

Regardless of the winner, kudos to Medvedev here (and to Nadal obviously, but we're used to it).

 

[Maestro84]

Why does Rafa keep overcooking his forehand there's no need to hit with such ridiculous spin at this point in the match

Smh he tried to overcook it again

 

[Foppberg]

Can players not challenge anymore? Or did they move over to strictly eagle eye?

 

[kihei]

So dominant on return early in the match, Medvedev falters on consecutive break points, 4-2.

 

[kihei]

A match for a GOAT if Rafa can hold on.

 

[Maestro84]

Can't believe Raf got outta that game...one more break for insurance

 

[kihei]

A few timely winners helped Daniil stay in the game, but I think it's over.

Maybe but I wouldn't bet the house on that.

 

[Maestro84]

A few timely winners helped Daniil stay in the game, but I think it's over.

Rafa was up 4-2 against Novak in the fifth and lost so Rafa has lost from this position before at this event