Madrid Draw

[Kieran]

Dimitrov actually looks like he's ready to make Novak's slot at the top of the draw his own. Impressive so far...

 

[Front242]

I repeat he may beat him when it matters but...

You know - and I do - that when it comes to squeaky bum time between Rafa and Wodger, your guy gets thumped. He hasn't beaten Rafa at a slam since 2007. It's gotten to the stage where I relax if I see Federer is next up in a slam. I doubt I'd even break a sweat if Wodger won the first two sets. Nadal plays crap and still knocks Roger off in four.

In common with my old buddy Doogans, you always give Roger credit first for his defeats, then the other guy. And then you have the neck to accuse Rafa fans of being excuse-makers.

Rich...

Maybe you missed when I credited Tsonga, Soderling, Safin, Haas, Nalbandian and many others who beat him playing his best or pretty damn close to it. Fact is, if you think 5 set losses or close 4 set losses are a thumping you're delusional. I'm not in any way disputing that Nadal doesn't have his number (as he clearly does) but namely your interpretation of the definition of thumped which leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Kieran]

I'm not in any way disputing that Nadal doesn't have his number (as he clearly does)

I'm gonna frame that cos I know it hurt ya bad to write it...

 

[Front242]

I'm not in any way disputing that Nadal doesn't have his number (as he clearly does)

I'm gonna frame that cos I know it hurt ya bad to write it...

Not in the slightest actually. Djokovic has Nadal's and at the end of the day you play the field and not your nemesis and all three guys have outstanding career winnings despite any h2h issues. You dragged Nadal into this whole thread when I simply remarked that Fed played poorly today. He even said he was disappointed with his play today and intends to go back practicing right away. That and the fact that everyone who watched it could see he played crap and yet you still had to drag Nadal and thumping into it. Nishikori won but he most certainly didn't thump Federer today. If he did he wouldn't have been "thumped" himself in set 2. Fact is, you hit the same amount of errors as winners and you're usually toast as was the case today. Federer did not play well and lost. Nishikori was solid and that's all he had to be when the other guy was missing by miles and shanking left, right and centre.

 

[herios]

Dimitrov actually looks like he's ready to make Novak's slot at the top of the draw his own. Impressive so far...

I so hope he takes Novak's spot in the final, that would feel right to me.

 

[Kieran]

You dragged Nadal into this whole thread

In fairness, you asked for it: your ungracious whinge was a photocopy of how you moan after Nadal beat Federer in Paris, etc...

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Dimitrov actually looks like he's ready to make Novak's slot at the top of the draw his own. Impressive so far...

I so hope he takes Novak's spot in the final, that would feel right to me.

I hope so too, in fairness. It'd be nice to see him have another shot at Nadal...

 

[Denis]

You dragged Nadal into this whole thread

In fairness, you asked for it: your ungracious whinge was a photocopy of how you moan after Nadal beat Federer in Paris, etc...

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Dimitrov actually looks like he's ready to make Novak's slot at the top of the draw his own. Impressive so far...

I so hope he takes Novak's spot in the final, that would feel right to me.

I hope so too, in fairness. It'd be nice to see him have another shot at Nadal...

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I third that.

 

[jhar26]

In fairness, I hope that Federer will win another Wimbledon so that all the naysayers will once again stand there with their pants down at their ankles....again.

 

[Front242]

You dragged Nadal into this whole thread

In fairness, you asked for it: your ungracious whinge was a photocopy of how you moan after Nadal beat Federer in Paris, etc...

That's your problem see, everyone else on this board agreed Federer played crap today yet you single me out as the only one ungraciously whinging. Priceless. What's that all about? Read other peoples' views on what they saw today. Bad play from Federer but yet I'm not allowed say he played crap or I'm ungracious. Hilarious. And I said many times no matter how well Fed had played in RG '08 he wasn't beating Nadal in that form (you must have missed all of them as I've said it many many times) but equally so everyone will admit Federer played utter crap that day. He fought a bit in set 2 and completely gave up in set 3. Nothing ungracious about saying the other guy played unbelievable and no matter how well your player had played he still would have lost. Seriously, if you think Federer played well there you might as well watch a different sport. Don't tell me nonsense like he wasn't allowed to play well, 'cos he clearly never lost a match on clay to Nadal by that scoreline ever again.

So either Nadal never played that well again, (and he clearly has. Ask poor Juan Monaco last year. He scored 2 games in RG! And he was in form then too) or else and maybe, just maybe, this might actually be the case, Federer never played that badly against him ever since. Even the most unbiased fan knows it's the latter. C'mon man, be realistic.

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You dragged Nadal into this whole thread

In fairness, you asked for it: your ungracious whinge was a photocopy of how you moan after Nadal beat Federer in Paris, etc...

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Dimitrov actually looks like he's ready to make Novak's slot at the top of the draw his own. Impressive so far...

I so hope he takes Novak's spot in the final, that would feel right to me.

I hope so too, in fairness. It'd be nice to see him have another shot at Nadal...

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I third that.

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I fourth that. Just hope he drinks 15 cans of Redbull before it starts 'cos if he starts cramping again while going toe to toe with him I'll be pissed.

 

[Denis]

Wawrinka showing some grit and takes the second set 6 - 4.

 

[Kieran]

He's not making it easy on himself, is he...

 

[Denis]

I fourth that. Just hope he drinks 15 cans of Redbull before it starts 'cos if he starts cramping again while going toe to toe with him I'll be pissed.

Aren't there banned substances in Redbull?

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He's not making it easy on himself, is he...

Dimitrov? Yeah, he'll be gassed if he even makes the final.

 

[Kieran]

Aren't there banned substances in Redbull?

Usually the vodka is banned, yes.

Yeah, Dimitrov isn't making it easy. But this is where we'll see his mettle...

 

[Denis]

Wawrinka gets the break. Looking good for him.

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Dimitrov lost his magic here. I haven't seen him dominate a point since the second set.

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Wawrinka up 5 - 1. Rather dissappointing 3rd set from Dimitrov.

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Tanking it...

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Is Dimitrov going to get fined now?

 

[Kieran]

I missed the third, but it seemed over quick.

And Murray is struggling badly now too...

 

[ftan]

Thats curtains down for Grigor, I didnt see the match, but 3rd set seems rather disappointing, did he gas out ?

And Andy is down a set and a break ...........

 

[Denis]

Yup, Murray is on his way to Rome airport too.

 

[britbox]

Not so fast with Murray. Just got back on level terms in the second set.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Andy won the second set 6-4

Andy is just about the only one left who can stop Rafa, right?

 

[Denis]

No way. Murray will get demolished by Nadal on clay. I only think Wawrinka has a very slight chance. He performs better than others against Nadal on clay. Curious about Nishikori, his game looks a little like Davydenko, and Davydenko is good against Nadal on hards at least.