Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, 2024 - Masters 1000

[the AntiPusher]

I'm happy for the Nadal family.. precious memories..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm happy for the Nadal family.. precious memories..

Young Raphael is a cutie, well behaved too,good to see him at these tournaments with his own racket

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Friday, April 26, 2024

 

[the AntiPusher]

Young Raphael is a cutie, well behaved too,good to see him at these tournaments with his own racket

Maybe baby Raphael is afraid of being disciplined by his Great Uncle Toni

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Navone was serving for the match against Rune, choked, Rune played a great TB winning 76(2) going 3 sets
Seeing that this is the first time they have met, Rune is now taking control of the match leading 4-1 3rd set
Rune had MP 5-1 broken 5-2, now 5-3
On his 5th MP Rune wins 57 76(2) 64, got very tough in the end

Earlier Carlos Alcaraz was in fine form, sleeve and all, 62 61 over Shevchenko

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fun Fact,
For a second time this year Sinner and Alcaraz are the top 2 seeds at an ATP Masters event.
Together, they are the youngest top 2 seeds at any 1000 level event since the 2004 Hamberg Masters where Federer and Coria where the top seeds

 

[lomaha]

Navone was serving for the match against Rune, choked, Rune played a great TB winning 76(2) going 3 sets
Seeing that this is the first time they have met, Rune is now taking control of the match leading 4-1 3rd set
Rune had MP 5-1 broken 5-2, now 5-3
On his 5th MP Rune wins 57 76(2) 64, got very tough in the end

Earlier Carlos Alcaraz was in fine form, sleeve and all, 62 61 over Shevchenko

Navone played a great match. How he chocked serving for the match in the 2nd game I'll never understand.

 

[Moxie]

Navone played a great match. How he chocked serving for the match in the 2nd game I'll never understand.

I find it understandable that he did...I think he'd never faced a top 10 player, or anyway at an event of this level. Nerves got to him, but it was a big let off for Rune, who, to his credit, didn't let the opportunity slide. Pretty thrilling match, especially at the end. Navone is one to watch this clay season, though, for sure!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Navone played a great match. How he chocked serving for the match in the 2nd game I'll never understand.

First time I saw him play, impressed, well is new to playing Masters 1000 events, nerves set in, understandbly

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Saturday, April 27, 2024

 

[don_fabio]

Did you see a situation where Rafa got pissed off with umpire decision? 2:0 for Rafa first set, 15:30 on his serve. Apparently Rafa stopped the play, but umpire claims he didn't call a challenge quick enough. I don't remember when Rafa got so angry. Was umpire correct or not?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Did you see a situation where Rafa got pissed off with umpire decision? 2:0 for Rafa first set, 15:30 on his serve. Apparently Rafa stopped the play, but umpire claims he didn't call a challenge quick enough. I don't remember when Rafa got so angry. Was umpire correct or not?

Umpire was correct, Rafa was too slow to challenge, Rafa was angry and that got him fired up enough to break back 4 all 1st set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am just SB this match, pleased to see Matteo Arnaldi has taken the 1st set 62 over Medvedev
Earlier Jannik had a good first win over fellow and sometimes doubles partner Sonego, Jannik didnt play Madrid in 2023, he won just 2 matches combined in his 2 previous trips to the tournament

 

[don_fabio]

Umpire was correct, Rafa was too slow to challenge, Rafa was angry and that got him fired up enough to break back 4 all 1st set

I also think so, 1-2 seconds too slow to call it.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I also think so, 1-2 seconds too slow to call it.

Remember Rafa will be 38 soon, reflexes are a bit slower

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa? 6-2 to 6 all in the TB
Alex saves 4 SP
The one at 6-4 was brutal
Rafa wins the 1st set 76(6) wipes brow
BTW The King of Spain is in the stands watching Rafa.

 

[don_fabio]

Rafa should swing freely in 2nd set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa should swing freely in 2nd set.

Not too freely I still not happy with his serve. I just want his to win in 2 sets, dont want a 3rd set

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Early break for Rafa in the 2nd set and he consolidates, come on Rafa lets keep your eyes on the prize and win this match in straight sets
Good stat for Rafa in Madrid,
Played 11 tie breaks and won 11 tie breaks

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

2 MPs Rafa lets take this!