Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

that first one looks like war.

simon and andy will be out there for 3 hours or more.

I actually think Andy is in to defend his title and pride. I think he'll take Simon in two. Of the last 4 or 5 on the list, though, I'd say there are some tight ones. Not sure where Ferrer is on the come-back trail, and Berdych has reached a final in Madrid, but both are struggling this year, so that could be tight. Kyrgios/Cuevas could go either way, and @mrzz mentions Cuevas could be a bit gassed. And the rest are fairly well-matched. It'll be interesting to see who comes through a most of these.

 

[britbox]

Gasquet and Kei about to begin. Interesting clash with Richard enjoying a 6-0 H2H but the bookies underdog. First meeting on clay.

 

[britbox]

Kei will have to up his game to beat Gasquet. I think Kei doesn't like Gasquet's looping shots and Richard's backhand negates Kei's.

Kei didn't play well in the 2nd and 3rd set against Fognini.
Fognini was superior, toying with Nishikori at times, but beat himself the last set in his last 2 service games.
An all too frequent story unfortunately for the very talented Italian.

Respectfully,
masterclass

Gasquet breaks back to love. 3-3 in the first.... you're right about Gasquet's backhand (and man, do I like watching that single handed backhand - a work of art). He's forced his way back into this match for the reasons you mentioned above. Some great rallies.... finely poised at the moment.

 

[Bert]

I read an interview of Nishikori saying that he struggles to find a strategy against Gasquet. Seems that Gasquet doesn't back as much as he does usually when he play Nishikori. I would love to hear them explaining their tactical choices.

 

[britbox]

Kei takes the first set, but this is a very "live" match.

 

[Bert]

Kei breaks in the 2nd set... his first win against Gasquet ?

 

[Bert]

Gasquet changing his racquet's grip at each ends change... playing with the same ball after each point won... tennis is not good for mental health

 

[britbox]

Nishikori blows it serving the match. 2 Match Points... mental implosion by Kei. Gasquet levels it up.

 

[Bert]

Kei missed 2 MP and broken back 5-5... what a miss on the 2nd match point

 

[britbox]

Kei breaks right back... Will get a second chance to serve it out.

 

[britbox]

Kei missed 2 MP and broken back 5-5... what a miss on the 2nd match point

Yep, that was horrendous... but he's broken again. Let's see if he can close it out at the second time of asking.

 

[britbox]

Kiei takes it 6/4 7/5

 

[Bert]

Strange how he struggled to close it after looking in control all match

 

[Moxie]

Strange how he struggled to close it after looking in control all match

I was surprised to hear that he'd never before beaten Richard in 6 meetings, so that could explain it.

 

[mrzz]

Can anyone that I am rooting for win a bloody match, for f#%$#%%ing sake!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

whose this sousa bloke ?..rafa is going to grind him into the void. his career record is something like 94-109 and he's about 25 or so. needles to say its his 1st qf in masters. anyone smelling bakery products ?.

oh well..he's a surprise qf if nothing els,e so lets sit back and enjoy the fun and games. he's won some futures and challenger tourneys so maybe he is a slow climber. nadal will poo on his head though.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

nick k/ cuevas was a good match. nick may be top16 for the FO, which is always better than not.
cuevas is pretty interesting, a 1hbh and comes in and volleys a lot with success, he overcame a massive knee injury and had a ferrer type start to his career when he didn't play main tour much until he was 21..missed 2 whole years with injury a few years back.

nick is getting in some decent wins this year..looked as if he was going to lose the plot today with chuntering and muttering but held it together.

 

[Moxie]

Sousa has been making a bit of name for himself in the last year or so. (Two titles on HC, one in Valencia last year. Side note, he's a bit dishy, so Billie and I like him. Sorry, @Billie...I'm sure you just appreciate his game.) He's ranked 35 at age 27, as he's been steadier in the last couple of years. I do agree with you, though that Rafa will likely "poo on his head." That made me laugh really hard. You do have a way with words, friend. :lulz2:

 

[Moxie]

Don't know who saw the Nadal/Querrey match today, but Sam came out very strong, up 3 love in the first, with big hitting and serving, but Rafa found his range and got him in straights.

 

[ClayDeath]

Don't know who saw the Nadal/Querrey match today, but Sam came out very strong, up 3 love in the first, with big hitting and serving, but Rafa found his range and got him in straights.

don't get carried away.

rafa played like crap.

he has lots of work to do and he is not doing it.