Barcelona Open 2018, ATP 500

[DarthFed]

federer starting to warm up to that 3rd spot seeing as he's been 3rd best in this dec, behind, djokovic, nadal.

Federer has been 28 - 36
Nadal has been 23 - 31
Djokovic has been 22-30

Basically Federer was already past his prime when the decade begun and now he's beyond ancient. I find it funny he's rained on their parades, I mean it's sad to lose 1 out of 5 if not 1 out of 10 to a geriatric and yet he's been swatting them with his cane multiple times.

 

[britbox]

Stefanos and PCB just getting going.

 

[britbox]

Stefanos takes the first set. What's not to like about this guy?

 

[mrzz]

We did, but only as a potential player to make some mark in the future. I know myself, I never start gushing about the next gen. Players, because we never know how they turn out.

Yes, I know... I was just teasing a bit. And as we speak Tsitsipas recovers enough from his drop in level to take the first set, but he is still far from were he was at begining of the set.

 

[DarthFed]

Stefanos takes the first set. What's not to like about this guy?

Would be cool if my Greek brotha becomes the next big thing in tennis!

 

[mrzz]

Tsitsipas goes too much hot and cold still. He needs to be able to keep a minimum level if he wants to survive with the big boys. At this rate, if he plays Nadal it would go on like this:

He breaks early to go up 3-0. He is broken, back, loses the set 6x4 or 6x3 and the next 6x0 or 6x1.

 

[kskate2]

Young Greek is gassed serving for the match.

 

[britbox]

Tsitsipas goes too much hot and cold still. He needs to be able to keep a minimum level if he wants to survive with the big boys. At this rate, if he plays Nadal it would go on like this:

He breaks early to go up 3-0. He is broken, back, loses the set 6x4 or 6x3 and the next 6x0 or 6x1.

Small steps brother. He's 19 years old and in an ATP 500 final. He's taken out Schwartzman, Ramos-Vinolas, Thiem and Carreno Busta without dropping a set. As far as clay court tennis goes... they are some of the bigger boys in the schoolyard.

 

[DarthFed]

One handed backhand for the blue-collared dirt devil to eat up

But he is tall so he might handle it a bit better than most. A great tourney regardless and it'd be even better if he is semi-competitive tomorrow.

 

[mrzz]

Small steps brother. He's 19 years old and in an ATP 500 final. He's taken out Schwartzman, Ramos-Vinolas, Thiem and Carreno Busta without dropping a set. As far as clay court tennis goes... they are some of the bigger boys in the schoolyard.

You're right. Considering his age, he is doing a lot. My comment was not to denigrate him, just to point out what I think his main issue is.

 

[kskate2]

McFly the wee warrior and his pretty BH trying to put something on the Kang's mind.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa strolling in wearing a tight pink top with short shorts, picking his arse after being introduced as Mr Blue Collar in a Milwaukee Casino sounds more like a cabaret act.

Or better yet, Roger wearing his tighty whitey Wimbledon wardrobes and his unforgettable white purse with gold trimmings having beer and brats with Darth, Laverne & Shirley , Lennie & Swiggy in Brewtown.

 

[Moxie]

Competitive first set, but Nadal came away with it in the end.

 

[DarthFed]

Or better yet, Roger wearing his tighty whitey Wimbledon wardrobes and his unforgettable white purse with gold trimmings having beer and brats with Darth, Laverne & Shirley , Lennie & Swiggy in Brewtown.

Man, you know he wouldn't visit this shithole. I'd only wish that on Ralphy. I'd make him fat in a hurry

 

[the AntiPusher]

One handed backhand for the blue-collared dirt devil to eat up

But he is tall so he might handle it a bit better than most. A great tourney regardless and it'd be even better if he is semi-competitive tomorrow.

Rafa vs tennis's version of the Greek Freak..it should be an interesting finals

 

[Moxie]

Rafa got his 400th win on clay today.

 

[Moxie]

I expect Tsitsipas to come out strong tomorrow, swinging for the fences. He has impetuous youth on his side, and essentially nothing to lose. I also expect that experience will win out over teenage enthusiasm. It would be a shock and a statement if Stefanos were to win tomorrow.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Caught some highlights of the Goffin match. They can be misleading, but it was as cleanly and as confidently as I've seen Nadal hit the ball in quite some time.

 

[Moxie]

Caught some highlights of the Goffin match. They can be misleading, but it was as cleanly and as confidently as I've seen Nadal hit the ball in quite some time.

Personally, I thought his best match and form was against Thiem at MC. Goffin pressed him today in the first, and Rafa was hitting the ball a bit short, at times, demonstrating nerves. But Goffin couldn't keep up what he was doing and completely lost heart, while Rafa stepped it up.

 

[monfed]

If sitsipas had a 2HBH, he would've had a chance. 1HBH has no chance vs Wafa on clay unless it's probably Kuerten.