ATP Barcelona Sabadell

[Kieran]

Nadal in his second match of the day. So happy he has his scheduling worries behind him...

His biggest worry isn't there.

It is, but he has it bandaged...

I wondered why he was calling Nole "mummy" at Monte Carlo.

 

[SF Nadalite]

Nadal in his second match of the day. So happy he has his scheduling worries behind him...

His biggest worry isn't there.

It is, but he has it bandaged...

I wondered why he was calling Nole "mummy" at Monte Carlo.

Force of habit after hearing Nole call him "Papi" for so many years in Monte Carlo...

 

[Moxie]

Kohlschreiber v. Almago, then Nadal v. Raonic.

Rather intriguing, for Barcelona, I would say. Kohlscreiber is solid, and and Almagro is volatile, though you'd give the edge to Nico.

And the Raonic serve is going to force Rafa to be steady on his serve, which has been erratic. If Rafa's movement was 100%, I don't think you'd give Raonic a prayer, but...

Could be intriguing matches.

 

[Billie]

Raonic made it to the semis? Well done. He is going to need a lot of big serves and luck tomorrow.

 

[herios]

This event is one of Milos's best, for some reason. Last year he reached semi by defeating Murray and Almagro, this year, he repeats and that is a good result already.
The match with Nadal is a bonus, even if he loses, because playing Nadal on clay could teach him a lot.

I have hopes that this year will be when finally Milos will take it to the next level, challenging to get into the top 10.

And by the way, thumbs down to the organizers, who decided that only on the ,main court have cameras:s

 

[isabelle]

Will we have a Nico / Rafa final ?

 

[tented]

Will we have a Nico / Rafa final ?

That's what I predict.

The Almagro/Kohlschreiber H2H suggests Almagro will win another clay encounter, and short of Raonic suddenly becoming a clay-court wizard, I don't see him pulling off the upset.

 

[Riotbeard]

Is it raining or something? Why haven't these matches started?

 

[Moxie]

Was raining, but they're going to start both any minute now. They've decided to play them simultaneously. Guessing Nadal-Raonic will be on Piste Central, which is almost ready.

 

[Riotbeard]

Nice, I would be lying if I said I was interested in the almagro/kohlschreiber match anyways.

 

[Moxie]

Two pretty one-hand BHs.

 

[herios]

For canadian fans, match is shown on Sportsnet

 

[Billie]

too bad they have to schedule both matches at the same time because most people are going to watch Rafa vs Milos. It is cloudy and the conditions might suit Milos a bit more but I still think that Nadal will win. Oh new look for the Canadian missle.

 

[Denis]

Can't get a stream for the Almagro match. Has anyone found one?

 

[Billie]

Can't get a stream for the Almagro match. Has anyone found one?

I think herios mentioned it earlier that they have cameras on main court only.

 

[Denis]

Can't get a stream for the Almagro match. Has anyone found one?

I think herios mentioned it earlier that they have cameras on main court only.

Right, thanks. Too bad, Nadal Raonic is okay too I guess.

 

[Billie]

Well not a bad start for Milos, he did get broken back immediately but at least he didn't start too afraid and timidly.

Time violation for Nadal already. They are coming down hard on players regarding this issue.

---

And Milos started overhitting again. That is one of my main complains about his game, very often he will just smack the ball as hard as he can without any control. Rafa with a break and looking good to hold.

---

Almagro leads 6:2 4:1 in the other semi.

 

[kskate2]

Milos out of breath gets a time violation

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I'm digging his adult haircut

 

[tented]

Rafa is in TOTAL control now, up 5-0.

 

[kskate2]

Nadal up 5-0 and will serve for it. Maybe it's time for Milos to attack Rafa's H20 bottles