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The best parts of the 2009 Monaco final between Nadal & Djokovic were far better than the best parts of their 2009 Madrid SF.
The latter was just a willingness to suffer with a B level, the former an A+ level in the 1st half of each set followed by tapping out in the 2nd halves
The latter was just a willingness to suffer with a B level, the former an A+ level in the 1st half of each set followed by tapping out in the 2nd halves
The first 3 games of the decider in Monaco took 40 minutes! Then Djokovic tapped out.
Similarly the 1st half of the other sets were superb, while the loser of each set tapped out at the end. Hence, the lopsided-looking sets, even though the rallies were quite even in the...
Similarly the 1st half of the other sets were superb, while the loser of each set tapped out at the end. Hence, the lopsided-looking sets, even though the rallies were quite even in the...
... 1st halves.
The 2009 Madrid match by contrast was just painful to watch. Both were striking the ball poorly, and then decided to play tentative depth/width because of that.
They just were too stubborn to lose this time, as opposed to Monaco. Hence, the match length.
The 2009 Madrid match by contrast was just painful to watch. Both were striking the ball poorly, and then decided to play tentative depth/width because of that.
They just were too stubborn to lose this time, as opposed to Monaco. Hence, the match length.
The Nadal of 2009 Monaco would win 2009 RG dropping 0-2 sets.
The Nadal of 2009 Madrid was shot, heavy in the legs, hurting in the knees, and just mentally exhausted.
The Nadal of 2009 Madrid was shot, heavy in the legs, hurting in the knees, and just mentally exhausted.
