Mutua Madrid Open 2017 Clay Masters

[herios]

Boric serving for a routine straight set win against Andy, Thiem favoured over Grigor, Kyrgios could upset rafa - this is turning into a potentially breakthrough MS event, with as many as 3 NextGen players in the QF...

Didn't see the match but is Murray that far off form that he's not going to be a factor at the French? The good news for the "NextGen" is that Coric or Zverev has a good chance to make their first Masters 1000 final. The bad news is they're probably going to lose to Nadal or Djokovic in the final.

Coric is not making the final.

 

[DarthFed]

I didn't see the Djoker match but definitely a positive result from him as Lopez can be pretty dangerous on this surface.

Nice result for Sasha so far, he gets either Paire or Cuevas. Paire dropped the first set but is up 4-0 in the second. I'd probably favor Cuevas over Sasha on clay at this point but then again this is Madrid which plays somewhat like a hard court. All in all a reasonable chance for Zverev to make his first MS semifinal.

 

[DarthFed]

Dimitrov up a break in the 3rd over Thiem. That'd really bust open that top half of the draw as I'd have Thiem as the solid favorite to get to the finals if he wins today.

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, I'd be really surprised if Borna made the final, but who knows. It is going to be either him, the winner of Thiem-Dimitrov (which looks like Grigor), Zverev, or Paire/Cuevas.

Thiem and Dimitrov seem pretty evenly matched. Grigor's game is prettier and with more variation and finesse, but I always have the sense while watching him that he plays brilliantly for a few games, then almost seems to check out, as if he's admiring his own handiwork while his opponent catches up. He seems flaky.

 

[shawnbm]

Boric serving for a routine straight set win against Andy, Thiem favoured over Grigor, Kyrgios could upset rafa - this is turning into a potentially breakthrough MS event, with as many as 3 NextGen players in the QF...

You forgot Sasha who has reached QF as well.

More and more, the old guard from the last decade are being taken out by youngsters. "tis the way of things--except for amazing folks like Stanimal, Rafa and Roger.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Wow ..what a match...that ending was one of the best of the year..bravo to both Dominic and Grigor..

Congrats to Thiem

No need to hang your head about this one Grigor

 

[El Dude]

Couldn't watch the last few games or tiebreak. But those two seem nicely matched and should both be top 10 players for the next half decade or more, if Grigor can be consistent. They'll have their chances.

 

[Kieran]

As both GSM & herios have pointed out, Sasha is there too. So that's 3 NextGen stars in the QF already, with Nick's result pending.

Does anybody recall a MS tourney where 3 or 4 of the Missing Link generation (Mad Milos, the Grigolo, Cough Drop, Samurai, JJ :snicker Gulbis :laydownlaughing ) made the QF?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Couldn't watch the last few games or tiebreak. But those two seem nicely matched and should both be top 10 players for the next half decade or more, if Grigor can be consistent. They'll have their chances.

El Dude.Grigor didn't loose this match, Thiem went for his shots..put so much pressure of baby Fed

 

[El Dude]

Cool, that's what I gather.

Rafa up 2-1. Nick looks like Nick: dangerous, but irritable. Rafa seems focused and should be able to handle the terrible toddler. I expect a tantrum and implosion from Nick, losing in two sets, the first one close the second one not so much: maybe 7-5, 6-2. Just a hunch.

 

[El Dude]

Nick is going nowhere if he can't get that first serve in. Also, Rafa's just going to keep hitting to his backhand, which seems pretty weak.

 

[El Dude]

Break already by Rafa, up 3-1. Nick looks like a mess.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I hope Rafa gives Kyrgios a good old style schooling.

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[El Dude]

Wow. Nick can look like a total mess one moment, a brilliant player the next. Nice defense from Rafa, but Nick's drop was just too good. Two break point chances.

Now one.

 

[El Dude]

I hope Rafa gives Kyrgios a good old style schooling.

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I tend to root against the Big Four, unless its Roger of course, but I almost agree (don't tell Front). Nick is so unlikeable, so cocky and annoying, that part of me wants to see Rafa crush him.

Nick breaks back, though.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nick is going nowhere if he can't get that first serve in. Also, Rafa's just going to keep hitting to his backhand, which seems pretty weak.

Justin Gib just said he feels that Nick's bh is brilliant

 

[El Dude]

I love Nick's drop-shots, but he's probably going to end up over-using them. Still, it is keeping Rafa moving back and forward.

 

[El Dude]

This is getting good...anyone else watching?

 

[the AntiPusher]

I am ..I just trying to get over that last match Grigor blew five mps

 

[Carol]

This is getting good...anyone else watching?

Yep, I can see the score and it's getting very good!