Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, ATP Masters 1000, 2019

[GameSetAndMath]

Not so sure Fed on this clay surface could not take out Thiem...if they reach it.

Thiem plays better on clay. If Thiem could defeat Fed on Hards (IW), I don't see why he could not on clay?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

They mentioned today that Nadal has been fighting a stomach flu in the last few days.

He is playing only FAA and he already has butterflies in the stomach.

 

[MartyB]

Thiem plays better on clay. If Thiem could defeat Fed on Hards (IW), I don't see why he could not on clay?

Thiem is not Nadal yet on clay so one cannot assume that it's a total given that Thiem will beat Fed here. If Thiem plays 30 feet behind the baseline like he did today to return serve not sure that would be a good strategy. Fed has nothing to lose here all others do.

 

[Moxie]

Thiem is not Nadal yet on clay so one cannot assume that it's a total given that Thiem will beat Fed here. If Thiem plays 30 feet behind the baseline like he did today to return serve not sure that would be a good strategy. Fed has nothing to lose here all others do.

I don't expect Thiem to do that v. Roger, or not for long. Today he was playing a big server who's nearly 7 feet tall, and not a fantastic mover, so he probably figured he'd be safe playing way back. I certainly wouldn't assume that Thiem will beat Roger, but he's a tough 2nd match on clay, after 3 years.

 

[Moxie]

Cilic took out Struff today, but he's not having an easy time of it. And Ferrer beat RBA. He gets Zverev next, whom he has beaten this year. Speaking of not having anything to lose...retiring players seem to be as dangerous as teenagers. Plus, he'll have the crowd. And Zverev will feel a lot of pressure to come through.

 

[MartyB]

I don't expect Thiem to do that v. Roger, or not for long. Today he was playing a big server who's nearly 7 feet tall, and not a fantastic mover, so he probably figured he'd be safe playing way back. I certainly wouldn't assume that Thiem will beat Roger, but he's a tough 2nd match on clay, after 3 years.

I'm going to assume Fed will have to get through Monfils and Thiem through Fognini...lets see what happens...

 

[MartyB]

Cilic took out Struff today, but he's not having an easy time of it. And Ferrer beat RBA. He gets Zverev next, whom he has beaten this year. Speaking of not having anything to lose...retiring players seem to be as dangerous as teenagers. Plus, he'll have the crowd. And Zverev will feel a lot of pressure to come through.

I think Ferrer has a more than decent chance to take out Zverev. As another poster stated if Ferrer can take out Zverev on a hard court why not on clay?

 

[Moxie]

I think Ferrer has a more than decent chance to take out Zverev. As another poster stated if Ferrer can take out Zverev on a hard court why not on clay?

Ferrer, as he has done in all of his career, is making the most out of his retirement lap. Zverev should be very afraid.

 

[Moxie]

More upsets, Pouille takes out Coric, Dellien beats Simon and Hurkacz gets by De Minaur, who comes back from injury.

Pella d. Medvedev seems to have gone unnoticed, but I think that qualifies as an upset. Still, Pella obviously dangerous on clay.

 

[don_fabio]

Fed wins 6-2, 6-3, but won't get pas Thiem. However has chances against a headless Fog.

I tought Penetta was working on his mental game

Agree with others that fired up Ferrer has.a chance against Zverev.

Seeing Thiem losing a tie break against Opelka is not too much of a surprise. Big servers on a good day can take a set against clay court specialist. Was Isner a few years back 2:0 or 2:1 in sets up against Nadal in RG? I remember watching that. It was a great match. Nadal won in 5 that one.

Coric failing against a Pouille is a surprise, but considering that french built up his form playing a challenger last week and Coric struggling since AO, then not so much of a surprise.

 

[herios]

I tought Penetta was working on his mental game

Agree with others that fired up Ferrer has.a chance against Zverev.

Seeing Thiem losing a tie break against Opelka is not too much of a surprise. Big servers on a good day can take a set against clay court specialist. Was Isner a few years back 2:0 or 2:1 in sets up against Nadal in RG? I remember watching that. It was a great match. Nadal won in 5 that one.

Coric failing against a Pouille is a surprise, but considering that french built up his form playing a challenger last week and Coric struggling since AO, then not so much of a surprise.

Both of them struggled big time since the AO, Pouille even nore than Coric.
But you are right in that Pouille winning last week in Bordeaux could have tipped the balance.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Did you see Gael's shot? If there was the Harlem Globetrotters of tennis, he would be right in it.

 

[Federberg]

Did you see Gael's shot? If there was the Harlem Globetrotters of tennis, he would be right in it.

it was a sweet shot, and for once while flashy also reasonably practical

 

[don_fabio]

Did you see Gael's shot? If there was the Harlem Globetrotters of tennis, he would be right in it.

Gael always a showman. I would like to see it, but my ship's internet running on 2G speeds, takes me ages to load this forum or livescores. Okay, tomorrow we are in EU and will get my sim card up and running.

 

[Fiero425]

People must be so enthralled with the early rounds of Madrid they can't take time out to post anything! Sasha's on now with Ferrer still riding that magic carpet in his final stand before retirement! David already up a break in the 1st set! The real question is will Lendl continue to waste his time on this kid? Zverev's an embarrassment at the moment trying a "tweener" and almost jamming his junk with his racket! Am I just being a little impatient and overly critical with this NG'r? After winning a couple Masters and the YEC defeating other top players, I thought he'd be better than this! :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[tenisplayrla08]

And so Ferrer says goodbye. I didn't spend much time rooting for him over the years. But I only ever rooted against him when he was playing Fed or Roddick.

FANTASTIC career. Amazing results. Obviously had a ceiling. But he did everything he could to bust it. Truly one of the best to never win a slam. Easily. I really didn't think he'd be able to beat Zverev. And he found an early break. But Zverev found his way back. And Ferrer was probably thinking, this is why it's time to go. His speech right now, showing he's older and wiser. Thanking someone by saying when he started he was a kid and now he knows what it means to be a father and you spent a lot of time away from your kids teaching me the game.

Really happy Madrid let him in so he could have this moment. He's got a lot of people around him that he loves. Who sound like wonderful people. And he definitely seems like he's ready to go. He seems to be the only dry eye in the house.

A truly great example for all tennis fans and players.

 

[herios]

Pella d. Medvedev seems to have gone unnoticed, but I think that qualifies as an upset. Still, Pella obviously dangerous on clay.

More surprises today.
Chardy took out Schwartzman, Djere beat Del Potro and Hurkacz beat Pouille.
Hurkacz keeps on climbing fast the rankings.

 

[Moxie]

More surprises today.
Chardy took out Schwartzman, Djere beat Del Potro and Hurkacz beat Pouille.
Hurkacz keeps on climbing fast the rankings.

Chardy is the bane of my existence, when it comes to draw challenges. You never know how it's going to go with him. Djere beating Del Potro...I figured that was on the fence, and it was tight. DP had MPs. That was a tough draw for JMDP...he could have used one breather round. As to Hurkacz, as you say: he's climbing, and Pouille is an unreliable player.

 

[don_fabio]

Fognini-Thiem a potential blockbuster match ended up on a court 3 due to plenty other seeds playing today, including some women's matches.

Sometimes tournament scheduling really doesn' make any sense. At least they could fit them on Arantcha Sanchez (second biggest court). How is Cilic-Djere or Stephens-Martic bigger than the currently both in hot form Fognini-Thiem, I just don't get this.

 

[herios]

Fognini-Thiem a potential blockbuster match ended up on a court 3 due to plenty other seeds playing today, including some women's matches.

Sometimes tournament scheduling really doesn' make any sense. At least they could fit them on Arantcha Sanchez (second biggest court). How is Cilic-Djere or Stephens-Martic bigger than the currently both in hot form Fognini-Thiem, I just don't get this.

I agree with you.
The ladies matches are QF that is why are on the 2 main courts, but Thiem - Fognini is much more attractive than Cilic vs. Djere