Topic: ATP Vina Del Mar 250, 2/2-2/10/13

[masterclass]

It's quite logical that Rafa losing an irrelevant 250 final against an irrelevant opponent in his first appearance since Lukas "Caiman" Rosol seriously debilitated the best player of 2012 to that point, has nothing to do with him making it to the next grand slam final against the tour's top players. 

Let's wait and see if Nadal shuts out everyone in a legitimate Masters 1000 event like Monte-Carlo. If he doesn't, then he is obviously still hurting, but even then one can't rule out the reigning King of Clay from winning his 8th Roland Garros title.



Respectfully,
masterclass

[williamchung7]

Rafael Nadal vs Horacio Zeballos - ATP 250 de Viņa del Mar - Final

Good single hand backhand!

[monstertruck]

It's quite logical that Rafa losing an irrelevant 250 final against an irrelevant opponent in his first appearance since Lukas "Caiman" Rosol seriously debilitated the best player of 2012 to that point, has nothing to do with him making it to the next grand slam final against the tour's top players. 

Let's wait and see if Nadal shuts out everyone in a legitimate Masters 1000 event like Monte-Carlo. If he doesn't, then he is obviously still hurting, but even then one can't rule out the reigning King of Clay from winning his 8th Roland Garros title.



Respectfully,
masterclass

After making it to the final???
I'm not much of a player-follower, but perhaps someone more enlightened could tell us the last time Nadal lost to a player ranked outside 100 on clay.

Obviously he was not up to full speed and probably won't be for awhile.
As I said before, I'm not sure if any folks are willing to place hard cold cash against Nadal on clay under any circumstances....

[Litotes]

After making it to the final???
I'm not much of a player-follower, but perhaps someone more enlightened could tell us the last time Nadal lost to a player ranked outside 100 on clay.

Obviously he was not up to full speed and probably won't be for awhile.
As I said before, I'm not sure if any folks are willing to place hard cold cash against Nadal on clay under any circumstances....

Outside 100? Don't overdo it. Zeballos was ranked 73. As for when he last lost to someone outside top-100, that was Palermo 2004 against Olivier Mutis (113).

[monstertruck]

After making it to the final???
I'm not much of a player-follower, but perhaps someone more enlightened could tell us the last time Nadal lost to a player ranked outside 100 on clay.

Obviously he was not up to full speed and probably won't be for awhile.
As I said before, I'm not sure if any folks are willing to place hard cold cash against Nadal on clay under any circumstances....

Outside 100? Don't overdo it. Zeballos was ranked 73. As for when he last lost to someone outside top-100, that was Palermo 2004 against Olivier Mutis (113).
[/quote]Thanks for the clarification.
I still wouldn't consider #73 much of a threat against Nadal in any form except a wheelchair....

[Litotes]

After making it to the final???
I'm not much of a player-follower, but perhaps someone more enlightened could tell us the last time Nadal lost to a player ranked outside 100 on clay.

Obviously he was not up to full speed and probably won't be for awhile.
As I said before, I'm not sure if any folks are willing to place hard cold cash against Nadal on clay under any circumstances....

Outside 100? Don't overdo it. Zeballos was ranked 73. As for when he last lost to someone outside top-100, that was Palermo 2004 against Olivier Mutis (113).

Thanks for the clarification.
I still wouldn't consider #73 much of a threat against Nadal in any form except a wheelchair....

Not normally, no, but anyone will need some time to play themselves back into form after an injury. At least in the ATP. I really don't see why many want to draw solid conclusions from this match. He could still emerge the dominant factor in the European clay season. Or he might not. We'll have to wait and see.

[monstertruck]

No conclusions, just observations from this tennis fan.


Unless there is a recurrence of the injuries, I fully expect him to make great strides as the season progresses.

[williamchung7]

For me, it looks like Nadal does not change anything in his game, no neither new tactic or improvements. Is he going to play like he used to be in his rest of career?

[williamchung7]

Full match Rafael Nadal v Horacio Zeballos | FINAL VTR Open Chile 2013

[Litotes]

Interestingly, the followup for Zeballos after beating Nadal was getting bageled by Capdeville....7-6, 0-6, 0-3 retired. Must have celebrated too much.

[monstertruck]

For me, it looks like Nadal does not change anything in his game, no neither new tactic or improvements. Is he going to play like he used to be in his rest of career?

I watched 2 of his matches during this tourney and noticed ZERO strategic changes in his game.  Looks like a short but gloried career for this champion.

Oh well, more time for fishing in the future!