Dustin Brown, Rafael Nadal, Cat, Mouse

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Dustin Brown, Rafael Nadal, Cat, Mouse

Dustin Brown did a lot of things exceptionally well during his 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Rafael Nadal on Thursday. On this rollicking point he demonstrates why he has been such a thorn in Rafa’s side in their two career meetings. Immediately Brown puts Nadal on defense with a go-for-broke return, then once Nadal defends that strike with a lunging backhand, Brown pulls the Spaniard off the baseline and up to net with a dropper. This particular drop shot was not perfect, but even so Nadal wasn’t able to get to it in rapid fashion so that he can put it away. Instead he’s forced to redrop, which he does well, but Brown retrieves brilliantly and throws up a delicate desperation lob that elicits a rare ‘tweener attempt from Nadal.

Brown, shuffling to his left to ensure complete coverage of the net, is there to meet Nadal’s harmless floater for the putaway smash.

It was a fun point that featured some nice touch by both players, but like so many points on Thursday, the terms were dictated by Brown. Nadal was denied rhythm or any of the predictable patterns that he thrives on in this match. Instead he was forced to read and react to a whirling dervish that was rarely missing. It would be an unenviable task for any player. For Nadal, who still lacks confidence and perhaps a bit of the quality of movement that he once possessed, it was a nightmare.

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