Nadal v Nishikori - Mutua Madrid Masters Final

[Kieran]

Here's a thread to discuss the final.

Who wins?

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

VERSUS

I voted first, Rafa in 3
I do want to see a set taken from the King of Clay.

What's the H2H?

 

[Kieran]

I voted the same, because I expect Kei to rise to the occasion and Rafa to suffer an inexplicable backdraft of his recent lack of confidence - but I also expect him to tough it out, and this tourney to be the start of "something..."

 

[tented]

Kei was exhausted by the end of the SF today, and his lower back/glutes were bothering him, so I don't think he'll have much left for the King of Clay.

I give Kei a ton of credit, though, for finishing today, and beating Ferrer. I was certain he was going to go away after blowing a MP in the second set, especially against a guy as tenacious as Ferrer -- a Spaniard, on clay, in Madrid.


Thanks for creating the poll, Kieran.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think if NiKo is healthy, he gives Nadal a bit of a scare but Nadal wins it . As for tomorrow, tired and hurt, he will have to redline to make the points short so it either works to perfection , which I doubt, or it fails and it is 2 quick sets for Rafa, which I think is the more likely scenario.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

VERSUS

I voted first, Rafa in 3
I do want to see a set taken from the King of Clay.

What's the H2H?

Rafa 6-0....Kei has taken one set off Rafa at Queens in 2008.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nadal in shaky straights.

 

[Kieran]

I didn't know Kei looked so weary and sore. I hope he can recover in time. Not the perfect way to enter your first MS final...

 

[tented]

I didn't know Kei looked so weary and sore. I hope he can recover in time. Not the perfect way to enter your first MS final...

Yeah, it's far from ideal. At this point, I'm mainly hoping there won't be a walkover.

Has there ever been a walkover in a MS final? I can't think of one. The closest I remember is Djokovic retiring in a Cincinnati final against Murray.

 

[Kieran]

Last year, in Rome? :huh:

 

[tented]

Last year, in Rome? :huh:

:snigger You're terrible!

 

[Fiero425]

I didn't know Kei looked so weary and sore. I hope he can recover in time. Not the perfect way to enter your first MS final...

Me neither! Ferrer unwatchable so took mom out for lunch! Not unhappy about it! All the grunting, effort, and bulldog type tennis stinks IMO; totally unwatchable! :nono

 

[Moxie]

^It's a matter of taste, I guess.

I only watched the first set, then had to go out. I'm pleased for Kei, though, the stats look very tight. Ferrer had far more break chances, but didn't convert enough. Even though Kei has never beaten Rafa, this is a New Nishikori, but that match was long, and you guys are telling me he's having back/glute issues. Seems a tough ask for him, with Nadal playing much better.

 

[Kirijax]

I sure hope Nishikori doesn't wear himself out or injure himself. Hate to see him have such a great season only to miss the French. You would hate to stuff yourself on appetizers, only to be too full to enjoy the main feast.

 

[Front242]

Nishikori's too worn out to make it a match. Look at his last big win against Federer. Couldn't even play the next match. Hopefully the little guy gets a lot stronger. He's not as puny as David "Marty McFly" Goffin but he's not far away either.

 

[Front242]

Nishikori probably won't play Rome now, in fact I guarantee it or if he does he'll lose early either through fatigue/poor physical condition or in a bid for more recovery time before RG. Needs to heal up in this good form or it's a huge wasted opportunity with Nadal far from his best, Djokovic questionable with the dodgy wrist, Ferrer not as consistent as last 2 years, Murray still not good enough on clay and Federer lacking match play, although Fed may well play Rome now.

 

[Moxie]

Nishikori's too worn out to make it a match. Look at his last big win against Federer. Couldn't even play the next match. Hopefully the little guy gets a lot stronger. He's not as puny as David "Marty McFly" Goffin but he's not far away either.

He's 5'10"…Ferrer is 5'9". Goffin is kind of a ridiculous comparison, as he's done so little. Simon is a better one, as he's 6' but very slight. He weighs about the same as those two guys. But he's done a lot, in his career.

I agree that Nishikori is going to have to find some reserves of will to win tomorrow, given that he'll be tired, and is probably compromised. I hope he isn't on the brink of injury, and doesn't blow his chances for the rest of the clay season. Still, it's his first MS 1000 final…I'm sure he'll find some motivation. He'll come out fast, I would wager.

 

[Front242]

I wasn't comparing their results obviously when I mentioned Goffin, just that he's the puniest guy on tour And Nishikori isn't much bigger than him. Simon is a good example too, yup. Good call there. He's had a lot of knee issues too because he's so slight. Would be a shame if Nishikori mucks up his chances at Roland Garros now by ending up physically wrecked by then.

 

[Moxie]

I wasn't comparing their results obviously when I mentioned Goffin, just that he's the puniest guy on tour And Nishikori isn't much bigger than him. Simon is a good example too, yup. Good call there. He's had a lot of knee issues too because he's so slight. Would be a shame if Nishikori mucks up his chances at Roland Garros now by ending up physically wrecked by then.

Goffin is 5'll, and Simon's weight. It's possible that Simon is the "puniest" guy on tour. At least Nishikori and Ferrer are more weight-appropriate to their height.

Anyway, I'm with you. I don't want to see Kei mess up the rest of his clay season tomorrow. Hopefully, he's just a bit sore and tired. That may not get him past Rafa tomorrow, but shouldn't mess up the rest of the next few tournaments, where he is set to do damage. Right now, he's looking like the #1 clay spoiler.

 

[tented]

I wasn't comparing their results obviously when I mentioned Goffin, just that he's the puniest guy on tour

:nono

See: my avatar.