Barcelona is serving up a treat on semifinal Saturday with hometown hero Rafael Nadal taking on countryman Pablo Carreno Busta. Meanwhile, Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas is battling Italian teenager Jannik Sinner.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (6) Pablo Carreno Busta
In the early stages of this clay-court swing, Rafael Nadal has looked surprisingly vulnerable on his most dominant surface. The King of Clay was trounced in Monte-Carlo in the quarterfinals by Andrey Rublev and he dropped a couple of sets en route to the semifinals of this week’s Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The rust seems to be due to his time off following the back injury that kept him from playing at 100 percent during the Australian Open. He was in more standard form against Cameron Norrie in the quarters on Friday, however. The Spaniard delighted the home crowd with a 6-1, 6-4 drubbing of the Brit.
Pablo Carreno Busta had a much more difficult test in his quarterfinal match on Friday. He upended Argentine Diego Schwartzman in three highly competitive sets 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Carreno Busta was ousted in Monte-Carlo in the third round in Monte-Carlo after winning the Marbella title the week before.
Nadal holds a comprehensive 7-0 record over Carreno Busta. In the seven matches the two men have played, Nadal has dropped just two sets–and their clay-court encounters have been particularly lopsided. The 13-time French Open champion may still be shaking off the rust from his nearly 35-year-old body, but he should earn himself a spot in the final.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3
Ricky pick: Nadal in 2
(11) Jannik Sinner vs. (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas currently holds the mantle of the in-form clay-courter of the year so far. He was near flawless in his run to his first Masters title in Monte-Carlo last week, and he has zipped through the Barcelona draw without dropping a set. Should he find himself up against Nadal in Sunday’s final, the Greek may go in as the favorite.
Jannik Sinner has had a fantastic spring in his own right. He hasn’t won a Masters title yet, but he came close at the Miami Open in March. Although he was easily dispatched by Novak Djokovic in Monte-Carlo, he has been in fine form this week–navigating tough opponents Roberto Bautista Agut and Rublev in straight sets.
Tsitsipas and Sinner have already run into each other twice in their young careers, both at the Rome Masters; they split the wins at one a piece, with Sinner coming out on top in the most recent edition in 2020. Given their respective talent, it’s likely to be a treat of a matchup for many years to come and Sinner will surely have his chances. However, this one should go Tsitsipas’ way.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 2
As Rafa would say, “Gonna be a tough one.” But if he loses it will not be for lack of effort.
Rafa and Tsitsi to the finals, both in 3.
WWW?
Hoping for a Nadal/Sinner final … What a sin that would be
I was thinking Sinner might be able to win because Tsitsipas could be getting tired and the matchup is not ideal for him.
I still think he’s a great chance of winning the French but I’ve got a feeling he might lose this match.
If there is ever a time that PCB will get the upset over Nadal, now is it.
Sinner in 3
PCB in 3
Just crunched my numbers. Nadal and Tsitipas should win but the upset is on the cards in both matches.
Stay focused and energized, be confident and strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ezu-4gKXoAQZjc-?format=jpg
I’m very keen on Sinner and PCB.
These predictions didnt work out too well.
Nadal v Tsitsipas should be a tantalizing final.
Rafa in 2; Tpas in 2.
Karatsev is giving Djokovic a lesson. Unreal.
Yep, it is unreal. He pops up at 27 years old out of nowhere and surprises us. He will be ranked close inside #30’s after winning Belgrade if he beats Nole.
Sympathies! I would have bet money on Djoker pulling that one out in the 3rd. I have my doubts about this Karat guy – don’t want to go into them here – but he can play.
Thank you, Marilyn!
I had a strong feeling Nole would fall to Karat-man. You don’t have to go into details of why. He can play and rather like a bulldozer, he is. I Hope Berretini can shake him down in the Belgrade final.
Hope so, but Berretini has not had great results for quite awhile now. Djoker looked to be in form this week. I know he couldn’t care less about winning a 250, but I think he did hope to win in his home country.
Don’t think I’ve ever watched a full Karat match, come to think of it. Rafa hasn’t played him yet – hope he never has to, lol!
Hello Ramara,
You are in for a nightmare or a treat, depending on your taste. Karat-man is a threat to anyone. He jumped hundreds of places since I first noticed him at the AO. He made the SF’s at AO – he is that guy who scares us by coming from nowhere in his late twenties. Yes, I would pick Aslan Karatsev over Berrettini or Taro Daniel to win the Belgrade points.
Also think Nole wanted to beat Aslan today but simply was not prepared.
Who is worse Karat Man or The Peacock?
Not looking forward to seeing The Peacock unfurl his feathers in a victory dance tomorrow..😢
It’s RG which really matters though…
Amy,
All I feel I can do is assign an Avatar to Karatsev and that would be a Honey Badger! The Honey Badger would rip the feathers off a Peacock and eat him, bones and all!
🦡🦚 vs 🐂
Rafa is the undisputed King of Clay and Roland Garros. He is the Bull. The Peacock might get away with dazzling in Barcelona but not at RG.
Vamos Rafa vs Tsitsi Bird
There was a famous Australian rugby player nicknamed the honey badger!
I haven’t actually seen Karat Man/ murderous honey badger play yet. Am very curious.
I hope he will be seeded for RG as he would be a nightmare to get in rounds 1 and 2.
I don’t believe he would beat Nole in a slam though. But he could definitely take out other top 10 players which would be interesting.
I am definitely emoji deficient as I have neither a peacock or a badger!
I just looked at the live atp ranking s.
The Honey Badger is in at 27 and Sinner is at 18.
Sinner surely has a great shot at being in the top 16 at RG where he definitely belongs.
The Honey Badger will likely rise up the rankings as well.
Honey Badger does create some anxiety, but you are right about his ranking being better than him hiding out in the ’40s
or higher. He is playing Munich this coming week – that could be a test for Zverev.
Maybe I end up liking him. He doesn’t appear so menacing when he smiles.