Rafael Nadal seemed totally unconcerned over his strapped knee as he took out German veteran Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Australian Open, but Mardy Fish seemed to be bothered by everything.
The American No. 1 slumped to a 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 defeat at the hands of the Colombian Alejandro Falla out on Court 3 on Wednesday, and then suggested his opponent had used frequent treatment for cramping as a ploy.
Having admitted that he didn't play well and made too many errors, Fish said, "The third set (which Fish served for at 5-4) was obviously pretty important, knowing he was struggling, I guess," he said. "Maybe not. Maybe that was a ploy. Didn't seem like he was having too much trouble during the point. So it was a good tactic on his part."
Players are allowed to receive treatment for cramping during changeovers twice during a match -- a point of controversy among many players -- provided it is for the same limb. Falla had the trainer on more than twice, switching...
