Forehand Madness

Category: Tennis

Publish Date: 01-28-2009 06:45 AM -0500

Rafael Nadal def. Gilles Simon, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5
Rafael Nadal started fast and closed strong against Gilles Simon, the wiry and talented Frenchman. In the middle of the match, Nadal reverted to his old hard court ways: Too much spin, not enough pace. He regained his form quickly, though, and ran Simon off the court in the final few games. Simon had a lot to do with the dip in Natal's play. Rather than wilt on a big stage, as Juan Martin Del Potro did last night, Simon went for more and made fewer mistakes. He's a wonderful talent who ought to reach the latter rounds of majors many times in the future.

Nadal has been impressive in every way this week, but two things stand out. First, he's serving a lot better (better placement, more power, and better use of the slice serve in the ad court). Second, his forehand placement is, well, absurdly accurate. I've never seen a player who can manipulate a tennis ball so precisely and cleanly, swing after swing. When Nadal lines up for a down-the-line winner--the most risky groundstroke in tennis--you just know that he won't miss it. Has that shot ever been so easy for any other player? The man can hit lines at will. Two more victories and Nadal tightens his already firm grip on sport.

Fernando Verdasco def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Fernando Verdasco rather likes the role of spoiler. The hard-hitting lefty followed up his defeat of pre-tournament favorite Andy Murray by knocking out last year's surprise finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Verdasco played a bend-don't-break match, denying Tsonga on 11 of 13 break points. Verdasco will be the heavy underdog against Nadal, who has beaten his Davis Cup teammate in all six of their meetings (he has lost one set).

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