The entire tennis community was eager to see Rafael Nadal back to competitions in Abu Dhabi, but unfortunately the Spaniard disappointed.
Seeded no.2 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Rafa played an in-form Murray for a place in the final. Surprisingly Murray conceded just 2 games to the world no.3 (6-2 6-0) with Rafa miles away from his best tennis.
What didn’t work
It’s a bit difficult to isolate 1 or 2 problems in Rafa’s match. Nadal was not at ease with the overall conditions (courts, balls, whatever) to be often “out of time” with the result of many shanks on his forehand and backhand. Rafa was rarely able to dictate with his formidable forehand and at times it also seemed he wasn’t physically fit (“Nadal’s way”).
Of course this was an exhibition, but Rafa wants to play always at his very best even in practice. So this wasn’t great.
We need to admit that on the other side of the net there was Andy Murray that was really at the top of is form and he seemed to have all the answers to the Spaniard.
At the end of the day we will have more indications about Rafa’s form in Doha.
Murray will play Novak Djokovic in the final. The Serbian has dismantled Wawrinka 6-2 6-1 in the other semifinal.
| NOT A GREAT DAY AT THE OFFICE |
