Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy, ATP Masters 1000

[EdbergsGhost]

Who have you got out of Nishikori and Thiem?

Nishikori will beat Thiem. He's just rock solid out there these days, and I expect Dominic will have a let down after the high of beating TMF.

 

[isabelle]

Murray woke up

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Murray's turned this around quickly after getting broken in the opener. Reeled off four straight and now 4-1 up. Looking sharp.

Commentators nattering on about something with Goffin's movement. Murray has way more variety than Berdych and Goffin won't be able to find his groove the way he was able to yesterday.

 

[britbox]

Murray sows this up..onward to the semi finals.

 

[britbox]

So here it is... the main event of the evening. Rafa v Nole.

 

[Moxie]

First break to Nadal.

 

[DarthFed]

I had a bad feeling about this match. Rafa is about 3 feet underground, a loss at RG puts his career 6 feet under. Unfortunately I don't think it's going to happen...

He is suddenly much quicker, hitting with much more depth and pace, and seemingly more fit than we've seen him in 2 years. Perfect timing.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

lol at Djokovic flouncing around when he misses..which is a lot, rafa having a party.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

classic rally. 5-4.

 

[Federberg]

that has to sting for Rafa. He played so well, then Novak steps up and takes it. Just seems to own Rafa now

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Quality from both players. Djokovic finally able to capitalize on a set point, but what he had to do to get it?!

 

[EdbergsGhost]

And By the way nice win by Rafa in my Birthday's day!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

top class match..nadal was really taking it to Djokovic. looks as if he is at a good level to launch an assault for "la decima" at the French.

rafa must be unhappy at all those set points in 2nd set, was it 5 of them ?..plus he had set point in 1st too, some mental lapses at crucial moments cost him big time..

still..lots of positives (yikes I'm sounding like tim henman now)..for both players to take forward.

 

[shawnbm]

Novak has now beaten Rafa (again) for the seventh straight time and he has won their last 15 sets played. That is something. It is good to see Nadal playing better, but Novak's so clutch these days--he fears no one player or the moment. Really something to behold

 

[Moxie]

Still, good takeaways for Rafa. And I like him in the best of 5 format, even v. Novak. Annacone is picking Rafa for RG, btw. I'm going with that.

 

[Moxie]

I had a bad feeling about this match. Rafa is about 3 feet underground, a loss at RG puts his career 6 feet under. Unfortunately I don't think it's going to happen...

He is suddenly much quicker, hitting with much more depth and pace, and seemingly more fit than we've seen him in 2 years. Perfect timing.

It's almost poignant how much you hate Rafa and can't wait to see him gone. Almost. A couple of years ago, Carillo said that Nadal has an instinct for peaking for the second week of the French Open. I hope his timing and his instincts hold up again this year.

 

[britbox]

Quarter Final Wrap Up

(1) Novak Djokovic DEFEATS (5) Rafael Nadal 7/5 7/6(4)
(2) Andy Murray DEFEATS (12) David Goffin 6/1 7/5
(6) Kei Nishikori DEFEATS (13) Dominic Thiem 6/3 7/5
Lucas Pouille DEFEATS Juan Monaco (W/O)

 

[britbox]

(2) Andy Murray DEFEATS (12) David Goffin 6/1 7/5

 

[britbox]

(6) Kei Nishikori DEFEATS (13) Dominic Thiem 6/3 7/5

 

[britbox]

(1) Novak Djokovic DEFEATS (5) Rafael Nadal 7/5 7/6(4)