Xavier is off to a lead in this one. He currently leads Rafael 6-4 2-2

COME ON MALISSE!!!!!


Those who know me will know how much I like this guy...so much talent, just a rotten run of luck with injury and form. Come on XAVIER!

ooh. was a bit of live update thing going on in the Adelaide/ Doha/ Chennai thread.. :wacko:

Agreed re: Malisse.. he ought to be back in the top 10, for sure.. :ok:

Malisse has a couple game point at 40-15, but Nadal takes it to deuce. Malisse holds, though.

3-3 Now.

Only one break of serve so far in the match.

:blush: Didn't realise it was already being covered elsewhere.

is ok.. good to continue it here!! :)

Rafa holds serve to lead 5-4 in the second set..

Rafa now 6-5 in the second set..

Malisse serving at 5-6 in the second set 30-40

sp Nadal

And we have a tie-break...in his past two service games Malisse has saved 6 set points...Finish him off Xavier....

Malisse is the first to draw blood, Nadal is serving at 1-3

Nadal gets the mini-break back and it's 3-3 at the change of ends Malisse serving...

Malisse breaks again 5-4 Malisse to serve...

Malisse beats Nadal 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

Either Nadal's mediocre form is continuing or Malisse has played one of his better matches, mind you he's always been capable of a lot it's been consistancy that has been his problem....

Wow!! Xavier wins 6-4, 7-6!!! :o

Xavier is a talented player, and really hasn't fulfilled the potential that he showed in juniors and early on in his main tour career..

As for whether Rafa is showing signs of fragility already, it's really too early to say for anyone really..

But wasnt Nadal supposed to be training really hard since the Masters ? As you say its hard to judge his form just yet.

Sheesh what do you people want??? He got to the semi - hello?! He did better than he did a couple of years ago. And he's still in the doubles.

I saw Malisse play against FedEx in TO 1/4 final in August and he was SUPERB! Took a set off him too. It was THAT close. He's a hell of a player and I knew Rafa would be in trouble.

Am certainly not denying any of that.. and whilst this was a danger match for Rafa, certainly no-one should look too much into it at this stage.

But he is world number 2 by some distance, and so some peoples' expectations will be high.. and probably unfairly so.

I don't think anyone is reacting like his career is finished, and most are probably not terribly surprised that he lost, since he hasn't made a final since Wimbledon. I tend to agree with petalp. People still have high expectations of Rafa. It does have to be considered a bit of a slump for a guy who is No. 2 in the world.