Rafael Nadal broke Monfils’ glass jaw tonight, knocking him out shortly after Monfils won the first set in a tiebreak. Nadal won the next set 6-1 and had Monfils bent over in exhaustion and pain after extended rallies. Wait, I thought Nadal was the one coming off a two month layoff? See what I mean about Gael’s incredible physique and how it’s meaningless? Monfils tried hard, but that isn’t his normal mode. If this was your first exposure to Monfils, I can see why you would think he could really win a grand slam title. IF he gets in shape, IF he learns intensity, IF he stops sliding and diving and getting injured, IF IF IF IF IF. Sometimes we need to treat the phrase “he loves the big stage” as a euphemism for “all those IFs will never happen, but he’s good entertainment when he gets to play in prime time!”
This was the best Nadal has looked. He didn’t seem afraid to press his knees, fitness or abdominal muscle. It seems like a reach for him to win this.. and yet. Rafa should never, ever be underestimated. He was completely out of gas during the Australian Open final against Roger, and we all know what happened there – he found enough hidden gears to make Roger cry.
Through the first nine days, this has been one hell of a tournament, proving once again that US Open tennis is the greatest tennis.
Passing Shots 
Posted on September 9, 2009
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