Madrid 2013 Semis: Nadal vs. Andujar

[tented]

Beauty and the Beast.

Who wins?

 

[Moxie]

Beauty and the Beast.

Who wins?

Good one! I picked the Beast in 2.

 

[Denis]

Ok I think it would be more fun if we would make this poll into how many games Andujar can make. Yes, despite Rafa's form of late. I say 3.

 

[Front242]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

 

[coban]

Who?

 

[Denis]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Not bad. Seriously. I'll raise my number of games to 5. No wait 7. Yes, 7.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Nadal vs. who?
Rafa in straight sets.

 

[Moxie]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Not bad. Seriously. I'll raise my number of games to 5. No wait 7. Yes, 7.

I know that match. Before you commit, Deni, there's this: Nadal was coming into 2011 RG at his lowest confidence going into that tournament. (Because of losses to Djokovic in 4 finals, including 2 on clay.) And he had to start with Isner, who took him to five, the only one to take him to 5 at the FO, to date. Andujar was his next round match, I think. Rafa won in straights, but was not confident, or convincing.

As to Pablo Andujar who?? Well, since Spain has about 13-15 players in the top 100, he's well-down the list, but he's had some good results. I think he's won Morocco a time or two. And, while I don't know much about his FH or BH, he IS very handsome.

 

[Front242]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

 

[Moxie]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

Absolutely...on both counts! Though, seriously, it's nice to see him have such great results in Madrid. He is a WC, it should be remembered.
____________________

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

 

[Front242]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

Absolutely...on both counts! Though, seriously, it's nice to see him have such great results in Madrid. He is a WC, it should be remembered.
____________________

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Was thinking Janowicz at Paris last year but he wasn't a WC then or was he? Then for some bizarre reason I thought it may have been Gilles Mueller. 5 sets on clay Rafa. Just Isner and Coria was it? I didn't google either. So they're probably wrong then

 

[herios]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Pablo jumps 59 spots, from 113 to 54, after his win today, well deserved, as he defeated on his best week ever on tour 2 top 20 players: Cilic and Nishikori and one barely out of top 20, Isner (21)

 

[Front242]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Pablo jumps 59 spots, from 113 to 54, after his win today, well deserved, as he defeated on his best week ever on tour 2 top 20 players: Cilic and Nishikori and one barely out of top 20, Isner (21)

Nice. That's a big confidence boost for him. Thanks for the update, herios. Good to see him back playing well.

 

[Moxie]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

Absolutely...on both counts! Though, seriously, it's nice to see him have such great results in Madrid. He is a WC, it should be remembered.
____________________

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Was thinking Janowicz at Paris last year but he wasn't a WC then or was he? Then for some bizarre reason I thought it may have been Gilles Mueller. 5 sets on clay Rafa. Just Isner and Coria was it? I didn't google either. So they're probably wrong then

I have no idea about the WC question. Good options, though, Front.

As to 5 sets on clay for Rafa, this is what I know off the top of my head: Coria in Rome in 05, Federer in Rome in 06, and Isner at RG in 2011. If there's another, it would have to be DC, I think. I'll check.

 

[Front242]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

Absolutely...on both counts! Though, seriously, it's nice to see him have such great results in Madrid. He is a WC, it should be remembered.
____________________

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Was thinking Janowicz at Paris last year but he wasn't a WC then or was he? Then for some bizarre reason I thought it may have been Gilles Mueller. 5 sets on clay Rafa. Just Isner and Coria was it? I didn't google either. So they're probably wrong then

I have no idea about the WC question. Good options, though, Front.

As to 5 sets on clay for Rafa, this is what I know off the top of my head: Coria in Rome in 05, Federer in Rome in 06, and Isner at RG in 2011. If there's another, it would have to be DC, I think. I'll check.

Ah clearly it's late now. How did I forget the great Rome '06 match! A classic.

 

[Moxie]

Yeah he's like a male model or movie star. Real eye candy for the ladies and well some guys too no doubt lol

Absolutely...on both counts! Though, seriously, it's nice to see him have such great results in Madrid. He is a WC, it should be remembered.
____________________

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Was thinking Janowicz at Paris last year but he wasn't a WC then or was he? Then for some bizarre reason I thought it may have been Gilles Mueller. 5 sets on clay Rafa. Just Isner and Coria was it? I didn't google either. So they're probably wrong then

I have no idea about the WC question. Good options, though, Front.

As to 5 sets on clay for Rafa, this is what I know off the top of my head: Coria in Rome in 05, Federer in Rome in 06, and Isner at RG in 2011. If there's another, it would have to be DC, I think. I'll check.

Ah clearly it's late now. How did I forget the great Rome '06 match! A classic.

I didn't want to point that out, given you're a Fed man. For sure it's late where you are. But that IS a classic match.

 

[tented]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Pablo jumps 59 spots, from 113 to 54, after his win today, well deserved, as he defeated on his best week ever on tour 2 top 20 players: Cilic and Nishikori and one barely out of top 20, Isner (21)

I hadn't put that together, so thanks, Herios!

If he keeps it up, perhaps he'll be a seeded player by the USO.

 

[tented]

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

Michael Llodra, Paris Masters, 2012

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Three: Rome in '05 (Coria) & '06 (Federer), and RG in '11 (Isner)

 

[Moxie]

Andujar's form has been poor of late but he'll jump right back up the rankings by reaching the semis here. Their last meeting was far from a blowout so depending on how he fares I reckon he could score a lot more than 3 games. He gave Nadal a real run for his money last time they played.

21/2011 ATP French Open (FRA) Clay Rafael Nadal Pablo Andujar 7-5 6-3 7-6(4)

In fact that's the only time they've played apparently

Pablo jumps 59 spots, from 113 to 54, after his win today, well deserved, as he defeated on his best week ever on tour 2 top 20 players: Cilic and Nishikori and one barely out of top 20, Isner (21)

I hadn't put that together, so thanks, Herios!

If he keeps it up, perhaps he'll be a seeded player by the USO.

Yes, that's greatly wrangled, herios, in terms of stats. I was hesitant, earlier, to call it a "breakthrough" performance by Andujar, lest I be accused of jumping on a bandwagon, but, for Pablo, it is. Holy Toledo...you don't see someone jump 59 spots every week, by any stretch.

Andujar is 27. He's not going to change the tennis world. But he could have a nice late-career. He's done reasonably well in the last couple of years.

 

[Front242]

Two trivia questions for clever posters: When was the last time we had a WC reach the SFs of a MS1000 on the men's side (or women's, if you're really intrepid)?

Michael Llodra, Paris Masters, 2012

And, based on my above, how many times has Rafa been taken to 5 sets on clay, besides Isner?

I'm not actually sure of either answer. Would be interesting to know, though. Google-away, if you're game.

Three: Rome in '05 (Coria) & '06 (Federer), and RG in '11 (Isner)

Ah Llodra, nice! Always a fun old school player to watch. Often seems to do pretty well in Paris.