Game of the Year!

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 6, 2008 6:07 PM MDT in Commentary Comment 18 comments

I hope you had the pleasure today of watching at least part of the epic battle between the reigning five time champion and the upstart Spaniard. It was an incredible match filled with drama, heart and unbelievable talent.

You can't be a sports fan of any type and not enjoy today's match - the longest in Wimbledon history. That 4th set tie break with Roger down two sets and behind 2-5 only to see Rafa choke out a double fault prompting Roger to storm back....amazing sports drama.

And in the fifth when you think Roger will take the momentum and close it out like he did last year only to find a younger opponent who seemed to want it just a tad bit more. Nadal pushed Roger to break point again and again but the Swiss wall held until finally tied 7-7 Nadal gets the break and closes out on his serve with no time to spare before darkness would have postponed the match and given Roger time to rest and regroup.

Roger with his poise and wicked serve and forehand.

Nadal's speed, ability to hit amazing winners for anywhere on the court and stamina.

Just incredible tennis and incredible sport. I hope you were able to enjoy it as much as I did.

via www.wimbledon.org

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Comments

Wow

It sure was something great. I have never watched tennis before but my roommate happened to flip the channel to this. Amazing.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Jul 6, 2008 8:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Completely Agreed

I’ve been a big tennis fan for a long time and I can’t remember being this tense during a match. Pure brilliance.

I’m a Federer fan, so the result wasn’t ideal, but, in the end, this is best for tennis. Nadal had been chasing this for three years, and after a while it does get tiresome to watch Federer win them all.

Just a great, great day for sports.

Purchasing my Dragic jersey

by rosewood on Jul 6, 2008 8:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Epic.

5 setter with a overflow of games in the fifth? Longest wimbledon final in history? Perfect parallel to the McEnroe-Bjyon Borg match in 1980, where McEnroe upset Borg in his bid to win a 6th championship. I can’t wait to see if Nadal has what it takes to succeed on the hard courts as well. Brilliant match, seemed almost scripted to perfection.

by premthegrem on Jul 7, 2008 1:38 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nadal on hard court

I am not sure and frankly not expecting much of Nadal during the US Open series. While his game has adapted to faster speeds and his serve has improved, I worry about his knees and ability to really pound w/ a guy like Djokovic.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 7, 2008 9:09 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to basketball?

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 7, 2008 6:50 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Basketball will return soon

but here’s the analogy. Federer is like the Spurs. Solid. Effecient. Poised. Kind of boring (but not really evil) while Nadal is like what the Suns were (we don’t know what they will be yet).

In this match the Suns (Nadal) kept fighting and fighting and had numerous chances to win but the Spurs (Fed) kept finding a way to beat us back. Until finally, after nearing 5 hours! of hard play the young upstart wore down the wily vet….

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 7, 2008 9:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Besides

I wrote two posts about the Suns Summer League without a single comment….give the people what they want and yesterday the people wanted a GREAT contest between two of the best ever to lace ‘em up.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 7, 2008 9:07 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only comment free...

...because I was off the grid. I heart Summer League coverage. Who will be this year’s Belinelli?

And for my 2 cents, Pete Sampras was a lot more like the Spurs than Federer. Right down to the famous/hot wife part.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 7, 2008 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spurs tennis analogy

I think the Spurs are more like McEnroe. Whiny, crying, all that stuff. Can’t you just picture Duncan going, “You can’t be serious….”?

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 8, 2008 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except McEnroe had charisma.

The Spurs have lacked charm. Whereas the Suns have had charm in spades but haven’t been able to win a chip. Lovable losers are only so much fun, I suppose.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 8, 2008 11:32 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Federer is like the Spurs ?

Sorry….

But this is THE worst comment I have ever heard about Roger.

He is the CLASSIEST sportsman of the world.

That comment just ain’t right.

And I am not even going to consider you saying he’s boring.

God it hurts.

B-O-R-I-N-G ??

What do you expect from him, wear pink shorts and yell after each point ?

Please

by lobsang on Jul 7, 2008 10:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok - a stretch

I get that…he’s like the Spurs in good ways. He’s fundamentally sound, talented and hard to beat.

I do think personality-wise he’s a lot like Duncan. Not flashy but still kind of personable. And yes, compared to Nadal he’s “boring” but that’s not a bad thing. In tennis (I play) being level and calm is SO important and his game (just like Manu, Parker and Duncan) is filled with amazing plays.

And you are right – where the comparison fails is regarding the dirty and cheating but I never really bought into that for the Spurs but it is part of their reputation and not at all part of Fed’s.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 7, 2008 11:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

And for the record

I was cheering for Fed to come back and win right up until Nadal out-lasted him and I cheered for Rafa b/c how could you not?

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 7, 2008 11:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cool

That comment was worth five or six back-and-forth responses. I think this Internet thing might catch on.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 7, 2008 12:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Man... what a game

I just couldn’t move from my seat. I felt like I stayed the whole day at home but it was worth it! I’m a big Nadal fan so I was rooting for him all the way. I don’t remember screaming in my living room since the Suns played the Spurs.
Federer played his guts out, his serve was amazing…that’s what kept him alive.
Both guys are class acts. Basketball players should learn from this two.
I’m glad to know that you guys watch tennis also, something else in common.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Jul 7, 2008 12:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate this match.

But only because I missed it. We were at a Circuit City after driving all day. One of the TVs there had it on and it was deep in to the tie-breaker (8-7, championship point for Rafa, I think) and I cursed to myself and looked away. Those are the moments that sports junkies live for. I feel sorry for anyone who can’t appreciate a match like that.

by Mike Lisboa on Jul 7, 2008 6:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Better than Borg?

I have to admit I saw all of the Borg-McEnroe marathon match years ago. I am not a tennis buff, but that match was truly amazing. Borg was a machine, and the fiery McEnroe never gave up until the last point was scored.

I take exception to the title of this thread. You don’t play tennis games. You play tennis matches. Indulge me.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Jul 8, 2008 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

That was the joke my friend. Trying to grab some attention w/ the headline being a basketball blog and all versus being literal…maybe that missed the mark

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on Jul 8, 2008 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs