RogersCup

RC: On To Semi's

8/13/2010Rafaholics



NationalityPlayerSet 1Set 2Set 3Set 4Set 5
ESPR Nadal366

GERKohlschreiber    634

Although Rafa clearly wasn't playing his best tennis. Found a way to capitalize on the important points & win this match..

Photo Album

Stats:

  Nadal   Kohlschreiber
Statistics on Serve
Aces 4 11
Double Faults 1 3
1st Serve % 65% 51%
1st Serve Points Won 37/47 (79%) 33/40 (83%)
2nd Serve Points Won 18/25 (72%) 20/39 (51%)
Break Points Saved 3/4 (75%) 5/7 (71%)
Service Games Played 14 14
Statistics on Return
1st Return Points Won 7/40 (18%) 10/47 (21%)
Second Return Points Won 19/39 (18%) 7/25 (28%)
Break Points Won 2/7 (29%) 1/4 (25%)
Return Games Played 14 14
Statistics on Points
Total Service Points Won 55/72 (76%) 53/79 (67%)
Total Return Points Won 26/79 (33%) 17/72 (24%)
Total Points Won 81/151 (54%) 70/151 (46%)
Other Stats
Winners 25 26
Unforced errors 22 27
Net Approaches 10/12 (83%) 8/13 (62%)


AsIt Happens:
20:47 - Ready to start - and Kohlschreiber will serve first.
0-1 - A very positive start from the German - he has no dramas whatsoever en route to a comfortable hold of serve to love.
0-2 - BREAK! Nadal looks like he is still warming up, and the German races to three break points from 0-40 down. That seems to sharpen the Spaniard's focus, and he grinds out the next two points. Kohlschreiber cannot waste the opportunity, however, and booms a forehand from half-court down the line to win the break.
0-3 - Nadal challenges a Kohlschreiber ace incorrectly and the score moves to 15-15. The German plays a classy volley to go in front in the game, and then another to take a 40-30 lead. He closes the game out, and it's been a mightily impressive and resolved start from Kohlschreiber.
1-3 - Nadal finds a commanding forehand winner to start the game - typically powerful play from the Spaniard. It looks as if he is settling down, now - he holds to love and Kohlschreiber struggled to live with those Nadal groundstrokes.
1-4 - The Kohlschreiber serve is holding firm as he picks up his third ace to lead 30-0. A Nadal return error creates game points, and despite a double fault he closes out the game.
2-4 - Nadal is really having to work hard against a disciplined Kohlschreiber - the Spaniard goes down 15-30 with a missed backhand but steels himself to win the next three points and hold his serve.
2-5 - Nadal hits a forehand down the line narrowly wide in an uncharacteristic error, and the German keeps up the momentum to build a 40-0 lead. Another ace down the middle, and Nadal will have to serve to stay in the set.
3-5 - Nadal takes the first point of the game but misses a forehand by some distance to let Kohlschreiber back in. The Spaniard then finds an ace - his second - to move back ahead, and hits another service winner for game points. He holds serve, and it's over to Kohlschreiber to serve out for the set.
3-6 - SET! Kohlschreiber shows no nerve to take the first two points, but Nadal responds with a fearsome return winner. Nadal misses long though and two set points arrive for the German. His serve is superb - just what he needs to the far corner - and Nadal cannot keep the ball in play.
1-0 - Nadal's serve has actually been quite solid since he lost the first game of the match, and he begins well at the start of the second set. Kohlschreiber challenges a forehand, but it turns out that the ball caught the line by the smallest of margins. 40-15, and Nadal comes through confidently.
2-0 -  BREAK! Nadal is starting to come into his own! He charges into the net to whip a forehand crosscourt past Kohlschreiber - too good on this occasion! An opportunity for Nadal presents itself at 0-30, and an aggressive return gives him three break points. Kohlschreiber can only save the first as Nadal finds a wonderful forehand down the line to seal the break!
3-0 - A switch seems to have flipped in Nadal's mind, and he's playing imperious tennis in the second set. He moves to 30-0 with an ace, grinds down Kohlschreiber into an error for game points, and finds another ace to seal the game in all of 78 seconds
3-1 - Ace, dropshot winner, ace, ace. That's an impressive hold for Kohlschreiber, who arrests Nadal's momentum there at a crucial time
4-1 - Nadal opts for a serve and volley, and despite Kohlschreiber catching the net cord the Spaniard is alert enough to move to 30-0. He pushes a sliced backhand a little too deep to let the German back in but he cannot take advantage. Game point Nadal, and a service winner takes it.
4-2 - Kohlschreiber opens with his 8th ace, then Nadal hits a wayward backhand which baffles the crowd and Nadal alike. The German lets that lead slip, however, and Nadal drags it back to 30-30. Nadal makes a remarkable get on the next point but Kohlschreiber hits a great overhead winner of his own from the deep and goes on to hold his serve.
5-2 - As the match moves into its second hour, Nadal claims the first two points with impressive forehand winners. Kohlschreiber then fails to keep a backhand crosscourt in play, and Nadal duly holds to love.
5-3 - Another ace from Kohlschreiber, but you sense that the German has to keep his serve almost perfect to stay in contention now Nadal's form has improved. He holds as Nadal goes searching for a winner too many, and the Spaniard will now serve for the set.
6-3 - SET! Kohlschreiber too is searching for winners in an attempt to break back, but the Nadal serve is working smoothly. 40-0 arrives in no time, and Nadal thumps an overhead at the net to force the match into a decider!
0-1 - Nadal generates an almost ludicrous amount of spin on his shots, finding a winner to drag the score back to 15-15. Kohlscreiber misses a backhand down the line to give the world number one an opportunity. Two big points from the German bring up game point, and he holds it with an impressive backhand. Essential that he held that one.
1-1 - Nadal continues to power away, taking a 30-15 advantage on his serve, but another wayward backhand keeps Kohlschreiber interested. He tries an expansive crosscourt backhand which Nadal watches out of court, and then hits a return into the net to allow Nadal to level.
1-2 - Nadal takes the first point with a beautiful backhand volley - Kohlschreiber responds with an ace. A backhand error gives the world number one a sniff of a break at 15-30, but his kicking second serveice draws a mistake from an overambitious Nadal. Nadal hits a phenomenal narrow backhand which the challenge shows caught half a millimetre of line. Break point, but Kohlschreiber saves it well. Four deuces follow - three more Nadal break points saved, and the German takes his one chance bravely.
2-2 - Nadal gives away the first point but answers it with a tremendous forehand winner down the line. Kohlschreiber produces one of his own however to reach 15-30. Nadal has to dig deep to get ahead, but does - seeing the game out and levelling once again.
2-3 - Kohlschreiber races to 30-0 with a confident volley. Nadal sends a backhand return into the stands to the shock of the audience, and then sends a backhand into the net. Still on serve in the deciding set.
3-3 - 0-30 for Kohlschreiber after good pressure from the German on the Nadal serve. Nadal claws the first point back and then the second when Kohlschreiber tries a tough angle for a crosscourt backhand - but with a deceiving forehand down the line the German earns break point, but he miscues his return. Nadal conjures a breathtaking forehand passing shot to seal the game and Kohlschreiber's window of opportunity has been firmly shut for now.
4-3 - BREAK! A poorly-timed drop costs Kohlschreiber the first point, then Nadal wears him down to take the second. 0-30. It's a disastrous time to serve a double fault, and Nadal has three break points. He takes it at the first opportunity when Kohlschreiber's groundstroke misses long!
5-3 - Nadal is relentless, hitting deep and heavy serves, and opening up a 30-0 lead. He then plays the shot of the match to scoop a crosscourt backhand from the back of the court past the onrushing German. It's ten consecutive points for Nadal. That run ends, but he still holds to 15 and is just one game away from the match.
5-4 - Nadal's booming forehands take the first point, but Kohlschreiber answers with a beautiful drop shot. He repeats the trick the next point, moving Nadal around the court to reach 30-15. Kohlschreiber does it once more to reach 40-30, and he holds. Nadal will have to serve out to win.
6-4 - MATCH! The first point goes the way of the world number one, and the second as well with a resounding overhead into the corner. Kohlschreiber's backhand sails long to bring up three match points after two hours of entertaining play. And at the first attempt Nadal does it!

You Might Also Like

0 comments

We do not accomodate sponsored posts of any kind. No promotions, No ads. Thank You.

Contact Form