Barcelona Open 2018, ATP 500

[britbox]

Wednesday Order of Play

 

[kskate2]

Djoker out to Klizan in 3. Didn't see the match so I can't comment on how he played. Domi comes through in straights.

 

[Carol]

When Novak was playing well I always had the feeling that his body went to break in two parts same like his legs because all the effort he was doing, now it’s happening the opposite, even that he is trying he looks tired and been unable to do such kind of effort, what’s wrong with him?
Anyway Klizan played pretty well and very inspired

 

[Moxie]

Rafa takes the first set v. Carballes Baena for the record: 37 consecutive sets on clay won. I think they said it was Nastase that held the record. Meantime, Carballes Baena playing some good tennis. Kei had to retire with leg injury. Hope it's not serious.

 

[10isfan]

Chung withdrew. I wonder what injury.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Novak is in shambles.

 

[DarthFed]

Djoker out to Klizan in 3. Didn't see the match so I can't comment on how he played. Domi comes through in straights.

Do we even need to comment on how he played Until he shows otherwise he is completely irrelevant

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa takes the first set v. Carballes Baena for the record: 37 consecutive sets on clay won. I think they said it was Nastase that held the record. Meantime, Carballes Baena playing some good tennis. Kei had to retire with leg injury. Hope it's not serious.

Kei is made of glass..hey Darth what was the bettin over odds and under that he would be injury before RG

 

[the AntiPusher]

Djoker out to Klizan in 3. Didn't see the match so I can't comment on how he played. Domi comes through in straights.

KS..as you know my longest argument with the GOAT Kieran was about Rafa needed to upgrade his coaching team and Rafa cc bh..Kieran always felt Rafa's dtl fh was his greatest weapon which is undeniable . My stance was Rafa's cc bh was what could neutralize Djoker and the other players who had the unique ability to boss Rafa's bh which has historically been a rally shot instead of a weapon. I am glad Carlos and team has restored Rafa's confidence in that stroke. VAMOS

 

[Carol]

What I’ve read and the result I can see that Carballés has given a hard work to Nadal, he has played very aggressive and brave whereby made Rafa to go more to the net. That player is considered the best clay spaniard player after Nadal
Anyway I think to play in Barcelona is not the best idea from Nadal, after Monte-Carlo he should get a little rest . If I remember well the year he didn’t play the Godó he won the three ATP1000. Crossing fingers for he decides skip Madrid or Roma but I doubt it

 

[kskate2]

Do we even need to comment on how he played Until he shows otherwise he is completely irrelevant

That's mean Darth. :demon: He had shown better form last week because he won a few rounds.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

With the loss of Novak, Rafa's draw becomes tougher now.

 

[MartyB]

Out of curiosity went to see the schedule of play today and couldn't help but notice that Nadal was playing on the premier court named for him? I guess I missed that moment last year at this tournament. I know Nadal has earned it but still never heard of an active player getting a court named for him. Must be a nice feeling.

 

[DarthFed]

That's mean Darth. :demon: He had shown better form last week because he won a few rounds.

Two rounds, and then got destroyed after winning the first set. I've been waiting on him to show signs of life for over a year. I'm not expecting anything going forward.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak made a big mistake. He should have signed up for a mickey-mouse clay tourney and win the title there by beating nobodies to get some confidence.

 

[herios]

Novak made a big mistake. He should have signed up for a mickey-mouse clay tourney and win the title there by beating nobodies to get some confidence.

Klizan is ranked 140 this week. Therefore, in current form, Novak is not guaranteed to win even a Mickey mouse event.

 

[DarthFed]

Klizan is ranked 140 this week. Therefore, in current form, Novak is not guaranteed to win even a Mickey mouse event.

Sad but true. Regardless I think GSM is correct. Last year Nole won the weak grass tourney right before Wimbledon and it seemed to help a bit until he got injured.

Is Nole scheduled for Estoril?

 

[herios]

What I’ve read and the result I can see that Carballés has given a hard work to Nadal, he has played very aggressive and brave whereby made Rafa to go more to the net. That player is considered the best clay spaniard player after Nadal

If Carballes-Baena is the best Spanish clay courter after Nadal, then their prospects are really grim.[/QUOTE]

 

[Moxie]

Sad but true. Regardless I think GSM is correct. Last year Nole won the weak grass tourney right before Wimbledon and it seemed to help a bit until he got injured.

Is Nole scheduled for Estoril?

I don't know, but he should play it. He needs matches. I watched the replay of his match v. Klizan. In the 2nd set he looked a lot like his old self, but in the 3rd he was blowing shots that just showed lack of confidence in his game. Klizan did what Paire did, I'd say: they saw that he was beatable, and they're seasoned enough take advantage and hold their nerve against him. For the time being, his locker room aura is gone, and everyone is going to try their hardest to get the W against him while it's on offer.

 

[Moxie]

If Carballes-Baena is the best Spanish clay courter after Nadal, then their prospects are really grim.

[/QUOTE]
Did you see the match? He was very good. Played Rafa better than anyone at MC. Including Dimitrov. And by that I don't mean that Rafa was at all shaky. I can't validate Carol's claim that he's the 2nd best Spanish clay-courter, though he does seem to be more of a pure clay-courter. That may be the calculation, as the Spanish players above him are deemed to be either more all-courters, or, like Feli Lopez, actually better on grass and HC.