Rafael Nadal Destroys Milos Raonic 6-4 6-0 In Semifinals Of Barcelona Open.

Wow, Rafael Nadal exposed some areas of Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic game. First, Milos started well holding serve and breaking Nadal’s serve. However, the problem in this match is Milos began to panic as Nadal read his serve. Milos is used to serving many aces in a match. Since Nadal is one of the elite players he has an excellent return of serve and Milos wasn’t able to hold serve. Milos tried different tactics such as coming to net the problem was his volleys weren’t crisp or sharp enough. By volleying the ball into the open space Nadal simply chased the ball down and passed Raonic.

Another area where Milos Raonic needs to improve is his backhand. Nadal was relentless he pounded Raonic backhand and he exposed his weaker side. Since Raonic is six foot five, he’s never going to be the fastest player on the ATP Tour. Raonic has improved his movement but he needs to improve it even more to compete with the very best. Raonic also needs to improve the backhand he kept on running around the forehand but he left himself vulnerable for Nadal to attack the open space.

Finally, I think Raonic had a positive week despite losing so easily to Nadal this is a learning experience for him. He defended his semifinal points from last year in Barcelona and he’s ranked number thirteen in the world. Raonic is getting better on clay he had a big win over Tommy Robredo in the quarterfinals a former French Open quarterfinalist.

Raonic and his coach Galo Blanco should be watching the tape of this match over and over. If Raonic wants to get into the top 10 and be a fixture among the best in men’s tennis he needs to improve his backhand and movement.

Novak Djokovic Snaps Rafael Nadal Eight Year Winning Streak Wins Monte Carlo Masters Title!!!

It is still over a month away from the French Open starting but Novak Djokovic’s stunning upset of Rafael Nadal 6-2 7-6 in the Monte Carlo final is a breakthrough. This is the first time in over eight years Nadal has not won the Monte Carlo Masters title.

Nadal is the only man on the ATP Tour to win a title eight times in a row he’s dominated Monte Carlo since 2005.

Djokovic played fearless tennis, he attacked Nadal’s backhand approached the net when necessary and he kept Nadal off balance.

Novak also took the ball early on the rise forcing Nadal to react by taking the ball early. Nadal’s strategy against Novak wasn’t smart he kept on hitting the ball to his two handed backhand but that’s Djokovic’s strength.

Against Roger Federer, Nadal’s high looping top spin forehand bounces too high for Federer to generate pace off the backhand side. However, since Djokvovic is six foot two and he has a two handed backhand, Nadal’s topspin forehand doesn’t bother him.

Nadal is still the king of clay though, he’s won the French Open seven out of the last eight years.

Novak Djokovic is off to a good start in the clay court season but the real test is at the French Open at the end of May.

Nadal’s dominance on the clay courts is incredible so although the Monte Carlo masters is not a grand slam anytime a player beats Nadal on clay that’s a cause for celebration.

However, this is Nadal’s second clay court defeat in 2013, he also lost the final of a minor event in February in Chile to a journeyman.