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

[El Dude]

I think Fed has a very clear sense of his capabilities at the French regardless of tomorrow. I still think he's in the top 4 entering the French. Unless Wawrinka catches fire. 2 out of 3 tomorrow he can surprise . Let's see what happens

Sure, but knowing that in theory is different than actually facing a top 3 clay player for the first time in a few years.

I'd agree with your assessment but think he's closer to #5 (Fognini, Zverev or Wawrinka?) than #3 (Thiem or Djokovic).

 

[Moxie]

QFs are set:

Djokovic v. Cilic - Cilic has had a hard time even getting to this round. Djokovic will make mincemeat of him.

Fed v. Thiem - I don't like Roger's chances. Best option: make a good showing and make Thiem doubt himself.

Tsitsipas v. Zverev - this is the one to watch. There is a lot of NextGen cred on the line. Perhaps no love lost between them? (That's from @britbox.) On form, I'd pick Stefanos.

Wawrinka v. Nadal - The H2H favors Nadal hugely, and he looked on his best form of the year v. Tiafoe today. I think Rafa will prevail, but his job is to make short work of it, and not let it be a long slog.

 

[don_fabio]

Tsitsipas v. Zverev - this is the one to watch. There is a lot of NextGen cred on the line. Perhaps no love lost between them? (That's from @britbox.) On form, I'd pick Stefanos.

What is going on between them? They played only 2 matches against each other and both on hard from last year. Time for some next gen rivalries to start picking up. Agree that Tsitsipas has an edge here given the form. I like him more anyway so will root for the greek.

 

[don_fabio]

Facing Thiem will give Roger a real sense of what it might take to go deep at Roland Garros, assuming that he's serious about that. In fact, it might even be that the match against Thiem is going to clarify in his mind whether or not he's up to the challenge of trying to win RG. Obviously Rafa remains the bigger favorite (than Thiem) for RG, but facing Thiem will give him a good sense of what it will take to win a big clay title in 2019.

This is true, though I am still leaning towards the opinion that he was rusty in last year grass swing partly due to missing clay (what worked out well for 2 seasons doesn't mean it will work out always) and given that fact he decided to stay competitive this year and play exactly these kind of matches which could lead to an advantage when he comes to grass.

It's not like he is playing some hard core clay court 30 shot rallies tennis, so there is no harm. I feel like he is nurturing the hunger for more trophies and having a real shot at Wimby this year.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

This is true, though I am still leaning towards the opinion that he was rusty in last year grass swing partly due to missing clay (what worked out well for 2 seasons doesn't mean it will work out always) and given that fact he decided to stay competitive this year and play exactly these kind of matches which could lead to an advantage when he comes to grass.

It's not like he is playing some hard core clay court 30 shot rallies tennis, so there is no harm. I feel like he is nurturing the hunger for more trophies and having a real shot at Wimby this year.

Federer said that one of the influencing factors to play clay again was getting some rally rhythm going for slower HCs which he lacked at USO especially.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic advances as Cilic has withdrawn, citing food poisoning. Or maybe the same stomach flu that Nadal had.

 

[shawnbm]

Does anybody here know where one can watch live streaming of the matches today? Thanks!

 

[shawnbm]

Djokovic advances as Cilic has withdrawn, citing food poisoning. Or maybe the same stomach flu that Nadal had.

Too bad for the Croat--hopefully not too bad as Rafa recovered fairly quickly and well.

 

[don_fabio]

Try to google lshunters top or sportstream tv. I prefer using Kodi when I don't have it on my cable TV for example grand slams.

 

[shawnbm]

I see Federer won the first set 6-3 in a half hour. Interesting

 

[Fiero425]

I see Federer won the first set 6-3 in a half hour. Interesting

More like a gift than actually winning it! Thiem had love-40 and 15-40 a couple times and gave Roger those service games! He's doing little more than showing up and the NG'rs are literally playing cardboard cutouts of players when going up against the elites of the game regardless of how they're playing! Thiem is holding his own serve comfortably! We'll see if he can come back after dropping 1st set to Roger! BTW, how do you get food poisoning? Cilic had to WD against Nole today! Are people looking to throw matches? Looking for an out when going out to eat? I played for over 30 years and never had that happen to me; esp. during a tournament! :whistle:

 

[Front242]

Eat that.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Thiem wins second set after a Marathon tie breaker.

 

[DarthFed]

Well not the worst clay start but it's annoying that he's getting an embarrassing H2H vs the middleweight.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Expected result, maybe not quite in this fashion since Roger could have pulled it off in two, but tons of positives for Roger as far as the clay season is concerned and Thiem is maturing every day. Good for him. He has a RG trophy with his name on it. When, up to him.

 

[Fiero425]

Well not the worst clay start but it's annoying that he's getting an embarrassing H2H vs the middleweight.

Another loss when up a MP or 2! It's gonna happen more & more as time goes on! Roger's lucky not to go up against Nole tomorrow! :whistle:

 

[Front242]

Another loss when up a MP or 2! It's gonna happen more & more as time goes on! Roger's lucky not to go up against Nole tomorrow! :whistle:

Why cos Djokovic is so much better than Thiem on clay? He's been shite last few tournaments

 

[atttomole]

Tsitsipas vs Zverev is a matchup I have always been curious about. I hope it will be a great match.

 

[don_fabio]

Expected result, maybe not quite in this fashion since Roger could have pulled it off in two, but tons of positives for Roger as far as the clay season is concerned and Thiem is maturing every day. Good for him. He has a RG trophy with his name on it. When, up to him.

I'm glad for Thiem that he managed to pull this one off and set up a tomorrow clash against Nole. We deserve to see how these two will play against each other.

 

[10isfan]

AZ plays poorly against younger players. Let’s see if he can keep it together mentally vs Tsitsipas. I think AZ vs Nadal would be slightly more competitive. Nadal would roll over Tsitsipas.