Concerned about Rafa (two tiebreaks against a qualifier)?

Question

Rafa's opening round match must have had quite a few Rafa fans sweating it out. Bjorn Phau, a qualifier from Germany ranked number 136, took Rafa to two tiebreaks. Phau definitely made it an interesting and competitive match. Was it him playing well or Rafa not playing well? I didn't get to see very much of the match. This from the official news report:

"The Wimbledon and French Open champ was two points from dropping the first set when he surged and, despite needing to bandage a nasty blister, won 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4). I didn’t play with normal intensity,” Nadal said. “Probably I’m a little bit tired.” Asked whether he was more worn down mentally, physically or emotionally from Beijing, he said: “I think it is a little bit of everything.”

So is this a source of real concern for Rafa's health, or will he get better as he gets deeper into the draw? Remember, he also struggled against the Italian Starace in the first round of the Beijing Olympics.

Answer 1

Remember that he came from Beijing, so there was some jet lag thrown in there. He's still adjusting from a rather long trip to the US. He's just trying to find his comfort zone, with it having been his 1st match of the tournament. He should be fine in Wednesday's 2nd round match.  

Answer 2

It's normal , he has just come back from China!

But you must admit that Phau played very well

The first match is nearly always the most difficult to pass!

Answer 3

i mentioned before that rafa would be a little tired physically and mentally from all his big wins this season, and all the tournaments he has played...

as well in a first round match agains't a qualfier alot of the times the top players think its going to be too easy and do not play to there maximum untill they find themselves in some trouble..... and the qualifters usually play nothing to lose go for broke tennis.. also phau was fast as ever, a tremendous athlete, and he was willing to chase down all of nadals shots and play the nadal game..... i do not think nadal was thinking he would get tested the way he did..

credit to phau for playing his game and making nadal lift his game.... i think as the tournie goes on, nadal will find his game, maybe be better adjusted... no worries yet....

go nadal go!

Answer 4

no concern...

few reasons it was close...

rafa was tired...

rafa was also not trying his hardest the whole match, as you could see he put the ball in places where phau could get to it and then rafa would come to net to finish it , i see this as rafa practicing his net game in a real match and i really enjoy seeing it , as it  doesnt require hime running around...

that psau dude was also fast as **** and he was giving it all he had(hes not bad at all),...

rafa was prob tired going from torney to torney and getting as far or winning as h does...rafa has an easy draw into the quarter finals and i have no worries or doubts about him

one interesting not is that i did notice nadal gettiing mad at himself on a few unforced errors and ive never seen him do that in my life, then again hes probably gettin the kinks out and i cant wait to watch him play the last few matches of the seaon.

VAMOS RAFA!!