BARCELONA ATP 500 - 20th April to 26th April

[mrzz]

Nishikori needs to do well here to stay in range for a No. 4 FO seed. He is curently tied with Berdych at No. 6. If he wins his SF, then he'll pass Raonic for No. 5. He won't pass Nadal even if he wins the tournament but at this rate it seems that it all depends on Nishikori at Madrid and Rome.

I fact, if you check the 5 week projection on the live rankings site, you'll see that this is in fact a five horse race for the #4, and your boy Berdych is on the best position right now, even if he is not expected to do so well in the next weeks.

The 5 week projection merely takes away in advance the points players have to defend. It does not project future results.

 

[herios]

Nishikori needs to do well here to stay in range for a No. 4 FO seed. He is curently tied with Berdych at No. 6. If he wins his SF, then he'll pass Raonic for No. 5. He won't pass Nadal even if he wins the tournament but at this rate it seems that it all depends on Nishikori at Madrid and Rome.

I fact, if you check the 5 week projection on the live rankings site, you'll see that this is in fact a five horse race for the #4, and your boy Berdych is on the best position right now, even if he is not expected to do so well in the next weeks.

The 5 week projection merely takes away in advance the points players have to defend. It does not project future results.

There you go. Too close to call.

 

[Fiero425]

Nishikori needs to do well here to stay in range for a No. 4 FO seed. He is curently tied with Berdych at No. 6. If he wins his SF, then he'll pass Raonic for No. 5. He won't pass Nadal even if he wins the tournament but at this rate it seems that it all depends on Nishikori at Madrid and Rome.

I fact, if you check the 5 week projection on the live rankings site, you'll see that this is in fact a five horse race for the #4, and your boy Berdych is on the best position right now, even if he is not expected to do so well in the next weeks.

The 5 week projection merely takes away in advance the points players have to defend. It does not project future results.

You're assuming Nadal will defend his points in Madrid and Rome! :nono uzzled :cover

 

[mrzz]

You're assuming Nadal will defend his points in Madrid and Rome! :nono uzzled :cover

I am not assuming nothing. If you check, you'll see that there are 5 players separated by less than a thousand points, if you discount the next 5 weeks points. So these are the guys fighting for it. Nadal is a bit behind the others (as he has more points to defend), but on the other hand he has much better historical record, so, as I said, it is a five horse race, with Ferrer with a very long shot.

 

[Fiero425]

You're assuming Nadal will defend his points in Madrid and Rome! :nono uzzled :cover

I am not assuming nothing. If you check, you'll see that there are 5 players separated by less than a thousand points, if you discount the next 5 weeks points. So these are the guys fighting for it. Nadal is a bit behind the others (as he has more points to defend), but on the other hand he has much better historical record, so, as I said, it is a five horse race, with Ferrer with a very long shot.

I know we've thrown dirt on Nadal's grave before, but this looks and feels a bit different! He's not injured so he can't say that's the reason he looks abysmal out there; even on his beloved clay! He's not only been little challenge for Nole of late, he's laboring against "also rans," qualifiers, and wildcards! Finally dropping a match to Berdych at the AO earlier this year should have given us a clue something's seriously wrong! He's in flux with his rackets as well looking for more power and spin! I think he has to be nuts; already doing too much! His game was hideous enough without tinkering with it! I'd sooner think he might recover enough to win The French, but I can't see him defending those points in Madrid and Rome! He may not even make the final; depending on the draw and if he hits Nole in the SF again! I see a fall; which can be salvaged with a 10th FO! Here's hoping that isn't happenin'! :ras:

 

[Moxie]

I know we've thrown dirt on Nadal's grave before

Yes, every year since 2009. And at some point you will be right, but if you crow about it, people will tell you off for the broken clock that you are: right, eventually, and by accident.

 

[Fiero425]

I know we've thrown dirt on Nadal's grave before

Yes, every year since 2009. And at some point you will be right, but if you crow about it, people will tell you off for the broken clock that you are: right, eventually, and by accident.

Expectations motivate people to think the worst if Rafa so much as drops a match! Most think something has to be wrong physically if he loses to anyone; esp. on clay! I'm not sure anyone can say he's out of practice or hurt, so if he's losing on his "home" courts, then something seriously must be wrong and the only place to go is "down;" IMO! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Moxie]

I know we've thrown dirt on Nadal's grave before

Yes, every year since 2009. And at some point you will be right, but if you crow about it, people will tell you off for the broken clock that you are: right, eventually, and by accident.

Expectations motivate people to think the worst if Rafa so much as drops a match!

Same has been true with Roger. As it will be with Djokovic.

 

[Fiero425]

Yes, every year since 2009. And at some point you will be right, but if you crow about it, people will tell you off for the broken clock that you are: right, eventually, and by accident.

Expectations motivate people to think the worst if Rafa so much as drops a match!

Same has been true with Roger. As it will be with Djokovic.

Well I'm over Roger! He's the GOAT, but he's well past it! If not for the rest of the gutless tour, he would have been pushed out already! He's still only won 1 major in the last several years, squeaking out a Masters win here and there! IMO, this is Nole's time and Roger can only be a hindrance; having that great day like at '11 FO SF against him! He won't win the tourney, but maybe cause someone a small headache! His last best chance was at Wimbledon, but I'm thinking the new guns might get him this year! Federer's been sorta hot, winning Dubai and taking Nole to 3 sets in IW, but with the clay season here, I see him receding just a bit, maybe dropping in the ranking by the summer! JMHO! :ras:

 

[Carol]

Yes, every year since 2009. And at some point you will be right, but if you crow about it, people will tell you off for the broken clock that you are: right, eventually, and by accident.

Expectations motivate people to think the worst if Rafa so much as drops a match!

Same has been true with Roger. As it will be with Djokovic.

And probably earlier than some people thinks
Reading some comments I can imagine the stomach pain that some of them would suffer of Nadal would arrive to Roma completely diferent than these last months and would play his best beating their favs like he has done before, no words :snicker and I wouldn't be surprised if he does even all those awful predictions :chillout::wow:

 

[Carol]

Anyway, Nadal is not playing in Barcelona anymore (but everybody loves to talk about him and not just his fans) so back to this tournament I will cheer for Andujar and Klizan and hope both reach the finals, why not? :clap :hug

 

[Moxie]

Expectations motivate people to think the worst if Rafa so much as drops a match!

Same has been true with Roger. As it will be with Djokovic.

Well I'm over Roger! He's the GOAT

Surely not. :angel:

 

[Fiero425]

Same has been true with Roger. As it will be with Djokovic.

Well I'm over Roger! He's the GOAT

Surely not. :angel:

Yeah, he is! Rafa owns him; true enough, but his rival has a lot going against him! Roger has the consistent play and ranking, tons of records behind his name, and has 2 long series of wins at the 2 "biggies;" Wimbledon and USO! Nadal owns the FO, has never defended a title off clay, and seems to be breaking down; taking long breaks to recover from something or another! Federer still has more majors overall and is still going strong! If not for Rafa and Nole, he might still be ruling the tour! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[tented]

Anyway, Nadal is not playing in Barcelona anymore (but everybody loves to talk about him and not just his fans) so back to this tournament I will cheer for Andujar and Klizan and hope both reach the finals, why not? :clap :hug

A beacon in the storm -- a user actually trying to discuss Barcelona. :clap

 

[Carol]

Big misses by Kleizan (is his wrist ok? yesterday he needed a trainer playing against Robredo) and Nishi meanwhile playing well, future RG winner? nope

 

[Kirijax]

Nishikori looking good! Two more games to the final! Instead of a Djojkovic vs. Federer/Murray FO final, maybe the best would be a Djokovic vs. Nishikori final . Love the way Nishikori is playing today. :clap

 

[Carol]

Vamos Andujar, play well and you will beat Ferru and also Nishi tomorrow :clap :ras:

 

[Denis]

Nishikori looking good! Two more games to the final! Instead of a Djojkovic vs. Federer/Murray FO final, maybe the best would be a Djokovic vs. Nishikori final . Love the way Nishikori is playing today. :clap

I would like to see that final too.

 

[nehmeth]

Vamos Andujar, play well and you will beat Ferru and also Nishi tomorrow

Pablo's run comes to an end today against Farquad(Ferrer). David enjoys running roughshod over a Nadal free clay tournament.

 

[herios]

Vamos Andujar, play well and you will beat Ferru and also Nishi tomorrow

Pablo's run comes to an end today against Farquad(Ferrer). David enjoys running roughshod over a Nadal free clay tournament.

Indeed. When Nadal was knocked out in Rio by F3, David was there for collecting the rewards. It could happen here again.