Barcelona 500 - 18th April to 24th April 2016

[Puppet Master]

Rafa should back himself to win this tournament. I don't think there is anyone in the draw who is in a very good form on clay courts particularly one that can get the better of Rafa at the moment.

I would not overlook Kei. The last time he played, he was in a Master final and here he is the defending champion.

Nishikori is simply useless when it really matters, which he clearly displayed in the Miami final. If they were to meet in Barcelona this year, given the form of both, Nadal would straight set him anyway.

 

[Front242]

Bautista Agut upset by a Russian qualifier, Khachanov.

He sounds like a load of cack :snicker He's cackEnough nov I know

 

[isabelle]

Hopefully if he makes the quarters, Rafa faces Fog. I love watching payback in motion...

Is Kei really ready to play? uzzled :cover :angel:

Gasquet and Ferrer aren't ready to play, both of them W/O

 

[mrzz]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Nadal lose in the first round, in the aftermath of MC.

Interested to see how Cuevas will fare. He might get Zverev in the quarters I guess, it should be a helluva of match.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDvT2pZUVmQ[/video]

 

[Fiero425]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Nadal lose in the first round, in the aftermath of MC.

Interested to see how Cuevas will fare. He might get Zverev in the quarters I guess, it should be a helluva of match.

Granollers started out well with a break, worked hard to hold Nadal off in his serving game, but made some "blithering errors" to finally give it back! Nadal looks like the Nadal of old; I wonder why? uzzled :nono :cover

 

[Carol]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Nadal lose in the first round, in the aftermath of MC.

Interested to see how Cuevas will fare. He might get Zverev in the quarters I guess, it should be a helluva of match.

Granollers started out well with a break, worked hard to hold Nadal off in his serving game, but made some "blithering errors" to finally give it back! Nadal looks like the Nadal of old; I wonder why? uzzled :nono :cover

Because he is the best clay player of the history and STILL young, as clear as crystal :ras:

 

[Puppet Master]

I am watching Rafa's match, he isn't even giving it his 100% but he has hit some nasty DTL forehands. Shades of 2014 RG right there. Just unplayable, even if you anticipate it, how would you defend against that?

 

[Riotbeard]

STILL young

This is just purely delusion Carol, sorry. He might not be done or even over the hill, but for an athlete, he is well into his middle age. He hasn't been still young for a while. Novak is still competing at a high level (and nadal, by winning monte carlo, has shown signs of a resurgence), but neither guy is still young. Nobody in the top 10 right now would I call young in tennis years.

 

[Carol]

STILL young

This is just purely delusion Carol, sorry. He might not be done or even over the hill, but for an athlete, he is well into his middle age. He hasn't been still young for a while. Novak is still competing at a high level (and nadal, by winning monte carlo, has shown signs of a resurgence), but neither guy is still young. Nobody in the top 10 right now would I call young in tennis years.

I would wait a couple of years more to call them "old"

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

the zed won on his buurrrrrrrrrfdayyyyy. and so did rafa. so a good day at the tennis.

 

[Front242]

STILL young

This is just purely delusion Carol, sorry. He might not be done or even over the hill, but for an athlete, he is well into his middle age. He hasn't been still young for a while. Novak is still competing at a high level (and nadal, by winning monte carlo, has shown signs of a resurgence), but neither guy is still young. Nobody in the top 10 right now would I call young in tennis years.

I would wait a couple of years more to call them "old"

Many great players retired before 30 or around 30 and very few have won any slams after 30. They're not old in life in general but yes, they're definitely getting up there for tennis players. Think how much more mileage a guy playing for 14 years or so has covered than say an 18 year old playing his first year on tour. It's the same as a 14 year old car with 300,000 miles on the clock. They're cheaper 'cos they're not in the same condition they were when they were new or in the first few years since you bought it. 18 year old body versus 30 year old body. The 30 year old is quite possibly stronger but most likely a good deal slower.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is just purely delusion Carol, sorry. He might not be done or even over the hill, but for an athlete, he is well into his middle age. He hasn't been still young for a while. Novak is still competing at a high level (and nadal, by winning monte carlo, has shown signs of a resurgence), but neither guy is still young. Nobody in the top 10 right now would I call young in tennis years.

I would wait a couple of years more to call them "old"

Many great players retired before 30 or around 30 and very few have won any slams after 30. They're not old in life in general but yes, they're definitely getting up there for tennis players. Think how much more mileage a guy playing for 14 years or so has covered than say an 18 year old playing his first year on tour. It's the same as a 14 year old car with 300,000 miles on the clock. They're cheaper 'cos they're not in the same condition they were when they were new or in the first few years since you bought it. 18 year old body versus 30 year old body. The 30 year old is quite possibly stronger but most likely a good deal slower.

I would take a 18 or 19 year Nadal being stronger than vs ANYONE but Safin. Safin had OLD man strength as we say here in the USA

 

[DarthFed]

^ He was mysteriously strong. One of the few people much stronger at 18 than 29.

 

[Front242]

I am watching Rafa's match, he isn't even giving it his 100% but he has hit some nasty DTL forehands. Shades of 2014 RG right there. Just unplayable, even if you anticipate it, how would you defend against that?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em !

 

[Carol]

The experience worth gold and helps to improve some issues. IF Nadal plays well he can win a couple of GS more, but I can imagine if he would win a third one........ :snicker :lolz:

 

[nehmeth]

Safin had OLD man strength as we say here in the USA

uzzled
Viagra?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Safin had OLD man strength as we say here in the USA

uzzled
Viagra?

Not Viagra, Marat is just a crazy Russian and Vodka

 

[the AntiPusher]

^ He was mysteriously strong. One of the few people much stronger at 18 than 29.

Safin was strong but you are not calling it mysteriously strong

 

[Fiero425]

^ He was mysteriously strong. One of the few people much stronger at 18 than 29.

Safin was strong but you are not calling it mysteriously strong

Safin was a huge guy; not excessive muscles, but tall with some natural weight on him! :angel: :dodgy: