Beijing Open ATP 500

[Kieran]

Fun fact: Nole never lost here, he played 4 times and won all 4. In 2009 he beat Cilic, in 2010 he beat Ferrer, in 2011 he was injured and didn't play, in 2012 he beat Tsonga and last year he beat Nadal. I even remember all these matches ( I think I will take a break from tennis once Nole retires:lolz: )

Now that I mentioned it, Nole will probably lose.

Well, there was that one time:

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

I think Novak would trade all his Beijing titles to have this one...

He's playing now, and beating GGL. The only interesting point here is that Rafa is on next.

Dr Evil is gone, so if Rafa can get through that notoriously tough bastid Gasquet, he has a better second round than it looked on paper, although Dr Evil's nemesis (Bond?) must be playing okay, so chickens shan't be counted...

 

[Kieran]

Novak really likes this place - he just stomped GGL for the loss of only 3 games... :clap

 

[Kieran]

The wait is over. Crikey, it's good to see Rafa back on court, he's warming up, a blizzard of energy, frowning and whizzing two-handers, full of purpose and intensity.

Tennis just ain't the same without him... :nono

 

[Kieran]

Hilarious. Some Chinese hen in the crowd sees herself on the big screen - and immediately starts filming it on her phone... :lolz:

 

[Kieran]

Gasquet, you fiend, peppering the backhand, getting a few cheap ones...

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO3P7Z1Otl0[/video]

 

[tented]

Rafa looks very good so far. I'm not seeing any sign of hesitancy with the BH.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^Rafa isnt hestitent with his bhand at all so far in this match

 

[Kieran]

No, he looks good. What speeds are the serve?

 

[Kieran]

5-3. He looks combative and eager. Gasquet is a nice opponent to have in this mood...

 

[tented]

Gasquet, you fiend, peppering the backhand, getting a few cheap ones...

Yeah, he's trying to get to Rafa's BH, which is the smart thing to do.

 

[tented]

No, he looks good. What speeds are the serve?

Good question, but I don't see it displayed anywhere.

 

[Kieran]

Young Ralph serving for the set.

Less wedgies, less movement, stronger wrist, Rafa. It's plain as day...

 

[Kieran]

No, he looks good. What speeds are the serve?

Good question, but I don't see it displayed anywhere.

It's on the scoreboard down court level. I seen a few 178kph for second serves, but nothing yet for firsts...

 

[Kieran]

Crikey, it's Christmas. Set point and Rafa lofts a WTA forehand into the back fence...

 

[Kieran]

A pure fluke.

An ace on bp down... :clap

 

[NADAL2005RG]

Wow Nadal really knows how to play tennis.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You guys really crack me up....

 

[Kieran]

Jimmy Smits in the umpires chair...

 

[Front242]

JJ's done nothing since Wimbledon semi 2013. It'd take a miracle for him to win I reckon.

He did beat Grigor in Cincy. I saw it in person.
If that counts.

Not really imo as Dimitrov is up and down more than a 2 dolla ho, pretty inconsistent. Hopefully he'll get better next year. It's looking like JJ's a dead duck already after showing much initial potential. Refuses to improve his serve and had the most double faults on tour last year, still hasn't learnt to use body serves and still completely overuses the drop shot stupidly every match. It worked at Paris 2012 when no one knew really who he was but they're all aware of it a mile off now and it's a crap tactic.