Australian Open - Stich: Nadal is just like Agassi

Eurosport - Thu, 29 Jan 01:56:00 2009

Michael Stich has compared Rafael Nadal to Andre Agassi while Virginia Wade reckons that Serena Williams's latest escape would have made Harry Houdini proud after the quarter-finals concluded at the Australian Open.

TENNIS Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal - 0

Join Annabel Croft, Virginia Wade and Michael Stich in the studio for more live coverage from Melbourne on Thursday as they report on the two women's semi-finals and the first men's semi between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Watch the action on British Eurosport - available in the UK on Sky channel 410 and Virgin Media channel 521.

Nadal was not quite at his best in a 6-2 7-5 7-5 victory over Gilles Simon, but former Wimbledon champion Stich reckons his play on the big points is what makes him such a top player - and similar to American Agassi.

"When it really counts Nadal is there playing the extra special shot. On every single point he gives 100 per cent and that is why I love to watch him and why I think he is very similar to Andre," Stich told Eurosport.

"Agassi always played every single point as one (on its own): he didn't care about the point he played before or the one he was going to play after.

"You could see the same from Nadal in this match - he made Simon run left and right and when you are on the wrong end of those type of points, like Simon was, you just want to put your racquet in the bag and say 'you win, I'm happy I got this far, but you take it'."

In the women's draw, Williams needed to break Svetlana Kuznetsova to stay in her last-eight encounter before coming back to seal a semi-final showdown against Elena Dementieva with a 5-7 7-5 6-1 victory.

Three-times Grand Slam winner Wade said that Serena's recovery was not a surprise as we have seen similar comebacks from the younger Williams sister in the past - partly because her opponents usually choke.

"Serena has been a Houdini," said Wade. "She has been match-point down time after time after time, although I have to say it is not usually she who wins it but rather her opponent who... dare I say the 'ch...' word?

"But you have to hand it her because when she comes back into a match she begins to play really well which shows she always wants to win - but she did lose in Sydney to Dementieva on a very hot day."

Wade also had words of praise for Vera Zvonareva who will play in a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time against Dinara Safina.

"I think Zvonareva has been playing so well in the last six months," Wade added.

"She was always such a talented player but she would implode and basically everybody thought she was washed up.

"She had some injuries too, but she has come back clear headed and she is a wonderful striker of the ball."

Seán Fay / Eurosport

Comment 34 - 53 of 93

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  1. A stich in time is worth none in the bush

    From webbski, on Wed 28 Jan 10:47PM

  2. Mats,if you love Roger that much,you can be his coach or his manager,can't you?

    Don't be so cruel, cero, he is a good guy, albeit your point is precise :))

    From V, on Wed 28 Jan 10:15PM

  3. I prefer Stich over Wilander as a commentary anytime anywhere.At least,he can be objective unlike Wilander,who's blinded by his love of Roger.All Wilander says is "Roger plays great" and to bash other players.He even argued that Roger played "great" in Berdych match.And when asked his favorites for tournaments,he always says Roger,of course (even in Roland Garros)!! Mats,if you love Roger that much,you can be his coach or his manager,can't you? But see some facts,please!

    From cero, on Wed 28 Jan 9:38PM

  4. goodlucke to serena against the russian sides. you've beaten them before and this is the time to capitalise on the nerve of Dementieva who is yet to lift a GS Cup.

    From Augustine A, on Wed 28 Jan 9:09PM

  5. I am surprise stich is still comenting on eurosport. why not bring Boris Becker or McEnroe. Virginia Wade's time has passed can you please, bring more talents to report objectively. I am tired of hearing Anabel Croft and the rest ranting on the screen

    From Augustine A, on Wed 28 Jan 9:07PM

  6. Thank you for this gem - it adds so much to the high standard of Eurosport articles:

    (Agassi) "played every single point as one (on its own): he didn't care about the point he played before or the one he was going to play after."

    Stich at his best, saying every phrase as one, he didn't care about the phrase he said before or the one he was going to say after.

    From V, on Wed 28 Jan 8:33PM

  7. Nadal should be hiding in a darkened room, away from the man whos out to claim back what is rightfully his, the title of the greatest player in the world , Federa after his performance is out to win without mercy, his allegations, his intimedating thoughts have got the top players scared. This man has become a reformed player which is starting to show more aggression and Nadal in my eyes will find him hard to beat in every major this year as he is out to win and claim back his pride.

    From SQUEE, on Wed 28 Jan 8:32PM

  8. silvatree you sound like a bitter scot

    From greenfield237, on Wed 28 Jan 8:21PM

  9. Listen youngsters. Stich was a great player, and had the most stylish, flowing game. It wouldnt work today, but was a joy to watch.

    From webbski, on Wed 28 Jan 8:17PM

  10. shut up vico your boring zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzz

    From greenfield237, on Wed 28 Jan 8:15PM

  11. I get a stich reading his comments

    From Nicholas, on Wed 28 Jan 8:15PM

  12. Don't forget a stich in time saves 9

    From Nicholas, on Wed 28 Jan 8:14PM

  13. hello

    From Ram, on Wed 28 Jan 8:13PM

  14. This Mr. Stich is so stupid and his comments are real 'pain in the @#$%', so I can not believe 'eurospot' pays him for such stupid comments. If I'm 'eurosport' boss, Stich would get ‘pedaled’ a long time ago.

    From vico_m, on Wed 28 Jan 7:50PM

  15. nifkboris - shut it - Can you play tennis?

    From slivatree, on Wed 28 Jan 7:38PM

  16. Oh I forgot he got knocked out - Does that make him Scottish now.

    From slivatree, on Wed 28 Jan 7:36PM

  17. Where's Murray?

    From slivatree, on Wed 28 Jan 7:35PM

  18. I am Ok, thank you very much! I just dislike Stich and Wilander. Eurosport should fire them.

    From Boris, on Wed 28 Jan 7:30PM

  19. nifkboris: are you ok? You sounded like a maniac there.
    Oh, by the way, Stich won Wimbledon so I guess he has the right to have a point.

    From crispyduck, on Wed 28 Jan 7:22PM

  20. anyone who says that Sampras is better than Agassi is totally idiot. It is not a big deal to grab the grand slams until 27-28. Any one in a good shape and fit in any era can easily do that. But not everybody can win 5 grand slam titles after 29 especially when everybody thinks you to retire. Come'on boys cut that @#$% !!! We love you Andre !!!

    From ibrahima, on Wed 28 Jan 7:19PM
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