Mutua Madrid Open 2017 Clay Masters

[El Dude]

Unfortunately Nick isn't playing great. He has moments of sheer brilliance, but isn't consistent enough - and his first serve (without checking the numbers) has not been good. I see no reason to think Rafa can't coast through a relatively easy second set.

 

[the AntiPusher]

This is getting good...anyone else watching?

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

Very good by Rafa no so much by Nick..he is a bit of a mess right now

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

There was some high quality tennis between Thiem and Dimitrov. I enjoyed that match.

 

[mrzz]

Nadal giving Kyrgios a clinic... nothing different from what I expected, Kyrgios baseline game is too limited.

 

[the AntiPusher]

There was some high quality tennis between Thiem and Dimitrov. I enjoyed that match.

I thought it was right behind Nadal vs Dimitrov ,Federer vs Krygios as for one of the year's best

 

[DarthFed]

Nads is looking as evil as ever. Not looking good at RG as the animal is going to be biting his 10th trophy there, just can't wait till he's gone from the sport for good.

 

[El Dude]

Nick is a mess. He can play some of the most brilliant tennis of any player on tour, but is in desperate need of a good coach and probably shrink. He has the ability to be up there with the big guys, but not the mentality.

 

[Kieran]

Smackdown! :clap :clap

And there's me thinking that based on current form, Nick would hammer him... :laydownlaughing :lolz:

 

[El Dude]

Kieran was lurking until the end of the match so he could gloat. Nice, ah, form, buddy

 

[the AntiPusher]

Smackdown! :clap :clap

And there's me thinking that based on current form, Nick would hammer him... :laydownlaughing :lolz:

You pulled a Jedi mind trick on the a Federer minded Benedict Arnold El Dude:laydownlaughing..he bit for it :laydownlaughing

 

[El Dude]

Some interesting matches tomorrow. Kei-Novak and Rafa-Goffin both have upset potential. I'd like to see Zverev move on, but Cuevas is an old clay warrior and I give him the edge. I suspect Thiem-Coric will be the most straightforward.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well done Rafa....thats how you play on clay Nick!

 

[El Dude]

Smackdown! :clap :clap

And there's me thinking that based on current form, Nick would hammer him... :laydownlaughing :lolz:

You pulled a Jedi mind trick on the a Federer minded Benedict Arnold El Dude:laydownlaughing..he bit for it :laydownlaughing

Actually, he's referring to an interaction between him and Front. Nice try, though, trying to "get me" AP.

 

[Moxie]

I didn't watch a single point but it seems that Rafa played well. I did see Djokovic earlier and he looked imposing at the end.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Smackdown! :clap :clap

And there's me thinking that based on current form, Nick would hammer him... :laydownlaughing :lolz:

You pulled a Jedi mind trick on the a Federer minded Benedict Arnold El Dude:laydownlaughing..he bit for it :laydownlaughing

Actually, he's referring to an interaction between him and Front. Nice try, though, trying to "get me" AP.

My baad El dude

 

[mrzz]

I watched parts of it. Nadal surely played well. But as far as this tournament goes the guy that impressed me the most was Nishikori. Thiem today also showed a lot of quality.

 

[El Dude]

Well to be fair, I did say that Kyrgios is a darkhorse at Wimby, which I see no reason not to believe, and I did jokingly suggest that he'd bash Rafa off the court, but that was mainly to get Rafalites upset. To be honest, I'm kind of glad to see the pouty toddler get the smackdown. Who actually enjoys seeing Kyrgios win?

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well to be fair, I did say that Kyrgios is a darkhorse at Wimby, which I see no reason not to believe, and I did jokingly suggest that he'd bash Rafa off the court, but that was mainly to get Rafalites upset. To be honest, I'm kind of glad to see the pouty toddler get the smackdown. Who actually enjoys seeing Kyrgios win?

El Dude, are you hedging your bet now on Tricky Wicky Nicky

 

[El Dude]

Not really - I haven't bet on him, nor will I. I just think he's pretty much the definition of dangerous darkhorse: very, very talented, but completely unpredictable.

 

[britbox]

Results from the Madrid Open Men's Singles Round 3 matches on Thursday

4-Rafa Nadal (Spain) beat 16-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) 6-3 6-1
8-Dominic Thiem (Austria) beat 12-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 4-6 6-4 7-6(9)
Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) beat Benoit Paire (France) 7-5 0-6 6-1
Borna Coric (Croatia) beat 1-Andy Murray (Britain) 6-3 6-3
Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 6-4 6-4
2-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-4 7-5
9-David Goffin (Belgium) beat 5-Milos Raonic (Canada) 6-4 6-2
6-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-4 6-3