Rio Open, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, ATP 500

[Billie]

DATE: 15 Feb 2016 - 21 Feb 2016
SURFACE: CLAY
PRIZE MONEY: $1,333,085
FIELD SIZE: 32
DEFENDING CHAMPION: David Ferrer

Seeds:

1 Rafael Nadal
2 David Ferrer
3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
4 John Isner
5 Dominic Thiem
6 Jack Sock
7 Fabio Fognini
8 Thomaz Bellucci

About Rio de Janeiro:

Rio lives up to its pet name as the Marvelous City with its white beaches, towering mountains and scenic docks.

It is the second largest city in Brazil and the state capital of Rio de Janeiro. The bustling city is best known for its sandy beaches, carnivals, football matches, music and its well preserved lush tropical forests. To the south of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the east Guanabara Bay (Baía de Guanabara). The west is covered by Sepetiba Bay (Baía de Sepetiba).

Rio has a tropical climate due to the forests surrounding it. Most of the year, the climate is warm and humid with exceptions due to altitude, vegetation and closeness to the ocean. Occasionally temperatures can reach to a high of 40°C but mostly they hover around 30°C. Regions which are near the sea are somewhat cooler due to the ocean winds.

Rio Carnaval:

 

[britbox]

Strong field in Rio.

 

[Billie]

Most of the players are coming from Argentina . Looks like the seeds are all the same.

@mrzz is from this area, if I remember correctly. Are you going to the tournament mrzz?

 

[Moxie]

Just before moving onto the tennis conversation, I would add this to the travelogue: I think Rio is possibly the most beautifully situated, geographically, of any major city. (My second pick is Vancouver.) It is one of the great centers of Samba, and it's poet laureate is Vinicius de Moraes. I'll put up some music in the Music Videos forum. (WARNING: Not for those who only like Metal music.)

 

[britbox]

The Christ the Redeemer statue is incredible.

I have visited a smaller version in Portugal, but the location of this one makes sets it apart.

 

[Moxie]

Christ the Redeemer in Rio is completely iconic and it towers over the city. Though, just below, there is a vantage point with no tourists at all. Either way, the view over Rio is breathtaking.

 

[britbox]

 

[mrzz]

Most of the players are coming from Argentina . Looks like the seeds are all the same.

@mrzz is from this area, if I remember correctly. Are you going to the tournament mrzz?

Lesson one about Brazil... people from Rio and São Paulo hate each other. I AM FROM SÃO PAULO!!!!

SÃO PAULO is not in the same area as Rio. Don't ever say that again. There are 400 kilometers separating both cities.

Joking aside, yes, I might see some matches, as I am traveling to Rio on a weekly basis due to work. Ticket site says is sold out, but I will go there and try to find me a ticket. And, yes, the city is VERY beautiful, as Moxie said. And there are tons of different things to see there.

By the way, Moxie, you learned your Rio lessons well. Personally, I do not like samba and the music usually produced in Rio (and yes, I lke Metal but not only metal). But I will tell you to check out old samba (in fact, Pagode) musicians like Bezerra da Silva, Dicró and so on. They are the classic "malandros" (and stay away from the new Pagode).

Thanks for asking, Billie!

 

[Moxie]

Mrzz, in fairness to Billie: if you're from Canada, Rio is in the same "area" as Sao Paolo. Sort of like me being from NYC and getting on a train to the DC tournament. Not out of the realm of possibility. And, not to put too fine a point on it, but you are going to be in the area and try to get a ticket. Anyway, thanks for the music tips!

 

[mrzz]

Mrzz, in fairness to Billie: if you're from Canada, Rio is in the same "area" as Sao Paolo. Sort of like me being from NYC and getting on a train to the DC tournament. Not out of the realm of possibility. And, not to put too fine a point on it, but you are going to be in the area and try to get a ticket. Anyway, thanks for the music tips!

No, no, no.

And no.

When you are talking about regional rivalries (hope you know I don't really get into it, and, as usual, am trying to see the fun side of it), it does not matter if someone's from Canada, Jupiter or Andromeda: you cannot mix it up. Call it subjective distance, if you like.

And, yes, I will be in the area, but wearing a T-shirt saying "get lost, damn'd cariocas!" (carioca is the person who is from Rio de Janeiro state).

I'll get the chance to go there thursday night. Hope Nadal survives till them...

 

[isabelle]

Manacor's bull should stop losing clay matches and win Rio to please his fans

 

[Billie]

Thanks for the lesson @mrzz , now I will never forget the difference.

I hope you get a ticket and go see some live action.

 

[Billie]

Unfortunately it is raining in Rio. Isner started his match, but they had to stop at 6:5 in the first set.

Rain, rain, go away!!

 

[Front242]

Lesson one about Brazil... people from Rio and São Paulo hate each other. I AM FROM SÃO PAULO!!!!

SÃO PAULO is not in the same area as Rio. Don't ever say that again. There are 400 kilometers separating both cities.

Joking aside, yes, I might see some matches, as I am traveling to Rio on a weekly basis due to work. Ticket site says is sold out, but I will go there and try to find me a ticket. And, yes, the city is VERY beautiful, as Moxie said. And there are tons of different things to see there.

By the way, Moxie, you learned your Rio lessons well. Personally, I do not like samba and the music usually produced in Rio (and yes, I lke Metal but not only metal). But I will tell you to check out old samba (in fact, Pagode) musicians like Bezerra da Silva, Dicró and so on. They are the classic "malandros" (and stay away from the new Pagode).

Thanks for asking, Billie!

The once great Sepultura are from your home town I say once great 'cos for me that band were never the same after Max Cavalera left. The Cavalera era stuff was classic though \m/

And here's some more Brazilian stuff I'm sure you've heard before and this video showcases some of the best things about your country too

 

[Billie]

Only Isner and Pella will be able to finish their match on day 1 (hopefully, as they are still playing). Everybody else was moved to play tomorrow.

 

[Carol]

While Pella has beaten Isner 7-6 5-7 7-6, Rafa says that he is ready to play tomorrow....yeah...I have to see that.....

 

[Carol]

Isner, Sock and Bellucci take helicopter ride

 

[Mastoor]

Lesson one about Brazil... people from Rio and São Paulo hate each other. I AM FROM SÃO PAULO!!!!

SÃO PAULO is not in the same area as Rio. Don't ever say that again. There are 400 kilometers separating both cities.

Joking aside, yes, I might see some matches, as I am traveling to Rio on a weekly basis due to work. Ticket site says is sold out, but I will go there and try to find me a ticket. And, yes, the city is VERY beautiful, as Moxie said. And there are tons of different things to see there.

By the way, Moxie, you learned your Rio lessons well. Personally, I do not like samba and the music usually produced in Rio (and yes, I lke Metal but not only metal). But I will tell you to check out old samba (in fact, Pagode) musicians like Bezerra da Silva, Dicró and so on. They are the classic "malandros" (and stay away from the new Pagode).

Thanks for asking, Billie!

LOL I remembered you're Paulista and knew you'd explode when Billie asked you about Karioke tournament.

So, how's thing with the zika virus they talk about on tv. I imagine that is like they talked about sars, birth flue, pig flue, mad cow and all the other things that were supposed to finish humanity, but nothing happened except that those viruses are long forgotten.

Rafa's draw is open to the final I think. They even placed Thiem i Ferrer's half.

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]