Opinions about the Biggest Upset of the Year yet..Nadal out of the Aus Open..

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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on January 26, 2011 at 9:31am

I didn't watch the whole match, but from the ESPN coverage it certainly looked like Nadal was not 100%.  No question.  That is not to say that he is not beatable by Ferrer.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Prapong on January 26, 2011 at 12:54pm

Ferrer was doing alot of what Davydenko did at Doha, slugging it out, early off the bounce. Ferrer has won him before at the 2007 US Open too and knows how to play Nadal. 

We can only guess what might have been, but Nadal was expected to win. A hamstring injury is serious. So 80% injury as the cause. Maybe more, but credit to Ferrer. He had the right strategy and conditioning. Why not ask why Ferrer doesn't get injured as much as Nadal?

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Permalink Reply by Mark T. on January 26, 2011 at 2:16pm

Not an upset.  Injured and playing someone that has beaten you in the past is hardly an upset.  Plus Ferrer is top 10, no slouch. 

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Permalink Reply by Tennis Coach Abs on January 26, 2011 at 5:15pm

An upset is termed as a world no. 1 and heavy favorite to take away the title outright is knocked out in the quarterfinals, in my book.. :) Of course,an unpredicted injury sustained during the course of a live match contributes heavily.. Ferrer,even though top 10 , had a head to head of 4-10 against Nadal,so if things had gone according to form, he'd have most probably been the one heading back home right now..

Tim,you're absolutely spot on . Ferrer had a game plan and executed it to perfection.It was crystal clear right from the first game itself that he was going to take it to Nadal ! It would been a great match to watch if Nadal was all OK..

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Permalink Reply by Tim Prapong on January 27, 2011 at 12:18am

I'm sure it would've gone to five sets. Ferrer was on fire, like when he had that close loss to Verdasco at the US Open last year.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Dong on January 26, 2011 at 10:37pm

Ya, I was disappointed.  It WAS evident that Rafa wasn't himself.  Whether he was injured or ill.  At the same time, I have to give credit to Ferrer, he played very well.  Definitely the biggest upset in my opinion!

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Permalink Reply by John Spoerl on January 27, 2011 at 2:12am

I like that he stayed in there and took his lumps. It was clear it wasn't going to well for nadal and he didn't run away.

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Permalink Reply by Tennis Coach Abs on January 27, 2011 at 2:33am

Totally agree , John.  This is what he said in his interview " The nine-time major winner said he did not contemplate retiring against Ferrer, saying he hated quitting against Murray in what was the only default of his grand slam career.

"I hate that moment. I didn't want to repeat that," he said. "

Tim,Yeah,I think it could've gone the distance like that US Open last year..Let's see what Djoker does against the Fed-Express.. :)

 

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Permalink Reply by Harold Bessette on January 27, 2011 at 7:18pm

I wouldn't call it an upset. Nadal knew he couldn't go the distance with his injury, but he didn't just bail out....he made Ferrer work for it. Nadal even broke Ferrer in the 3rd set.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Tim Prapong on January 28, 2011 at 12:36am

As in boxing, a wounded champion is a dangerous foe. He still can lash out and hurt you.

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