Rafael Nadal is aiming for a place in the Indian Wells quarterfinals as he goes up against Gilles Simon on Wednesday. Milos Raonic and are also in action.
(13) Gilles Simon vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Nadal and Simon will be squaring off for the eighth time in their careers when they clash in round four of the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 6-1 in Nadal’s favor, including 4-1 on hard courts. Their four meetings since 2008 have come with Nadal enjoying a distinct advantage–in terms of either surface or form. Two were contested on clay and the others came at the 2009 Australian Open (Nadal won it) and the 2010 U.S. Open (Nadal won it, as well).
The third-ranked Spaniard has been solid so far in Indian Wells with straight-set victories over Igor Sijsling and Donald Young, but he is still not at his best in the wake of an injury-plagued second half of 2014. He has losses this season to Michael Berrer (Doha), Tomas Berdych (Australian Open), and Fabio Fognini (Rio de Janeiro). Simon has heated up since physical problems slowed him during the Australian summer. Excluding a dead Davis Cup rubber, the 14th-ranked Frenchman is 11-1 in his last 12 matches with a title in Marseille and wins at this event over Malek Jaziri and Michael Berrer. Simon loves hitting his two-handed backhand, especially up high. Thus he is able to counter the heavy topspin of Nadal, who seems to be affected mentally by the type of ball being used in Indian Wells.
Pick: Simon in 3
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(6) Milos Raonic vs. (17) Tommy Robredo
One of themes of this year’s BNP Paribas Open has been players coming from just about out of nowhere to make successful treks through the draw. Among them are Americans Jack Sock (had not played a match in 2015) and John Isner (had been 3-5 this season). Add Robredo to the list after he upset Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old Spaniard, who went into this event with a 2-4 record for his 2015 campaign, opened with a 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4 victory over Andrey Golubev.
Next up for Robredo is Raonic, against whom the No. 17 seed is 0-2 lifetime. Raonic prevailed 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(2) on the clay courts of Barcelona in 2013 and 6-4, 6-3 last year at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The sixth-ranked Canadian is a decent 13-5 this season following straight-set wins in Indian Wells over Simone Bolelli and Alexandr Dolgopolov. Past history, the physical toll of the tournament so far, and the relatively high-bouncing conditions all point to a relatively routine day at the office for Raonic.
Pick: Raonic in 2
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bring on the haters!
I hate your Ricky Dimon! Grrrrrrr……………. đź‘ż
^^Ooops, should be “you” instead of “your”………..too much hate coursing through me veins.
you should like me. my picking against Nadal gives him an even better chance to win.
Lol!!!
It sure did, Ricky!!
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What a tan….nice!!!
Was Rafa that bad in the match against Young misfiring badly and making so many DF?
So much trouble with the balls? Wonder if he is complaining so much, how will he get past Raonic and Federer if he gets past Gilles
Even Federer is complaining about the balls
I don’t think we both played very well tonight,” he said. “We both struggled with the conditions, the balls. I think it’s tough to get ahold of them, the right way with the right spin. Maybe as you move along in the tournament, hopefully it’s going to get better for me and for any player. It’s one of those matches you’re happy you’re through, and I was happy it was over.”
Rafa isn’t the only player who is complaining about the balls. They said on the tennis channel last night that there are other players who are also complaining. Now even Fed is complaining according to what Sanju posted above.
As far as Ricky picking Simon, well it is what it is. I assume it’s based on Rafa’s performance against Young and his problems with the balls. But I have to believe that Rafa will find a way. He doesn’t want to get bounced out in the fourth round.
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I want Rafa to find something (not his best, I am not asking that much, I am not that unrealistic)- but to find “his own” game for a start…he is playing like someone else…someone I have trouble recognizing…
I wouldn’t be a Rafan if I expected Rafa to lose today or any other day…I have to believe that Rafa will find the way to win even when playing lousy tennis…I am aware that Rafa has little chance against Simon and not because Simon is playing outstanding tennis but because Rafa is so terrible ATM…if it’s the balls I will understand…but I am afraid it is not only that…Rafa just isn’t there yet…please come back, Rafa…
Vamos Rafa!
FIGHT!!!
If rafa does not raise his level he will fall to Simon but I think he will improve and do just enough to get the win and get back on track. there will be lots of baseline rallies and the forehand DTL will HAVE to be on because Simon deals with rafa’s CC forehand well. Rafa has so many things to improve but if he starts feeling more comfortable out there and get that distraction of playing with poor balls out of his head, he will play much better.
Nadal for the win
With everyone struggling to control the balls, I am thinking there will be a surprise winner of this tournament. May be Berdych..
Berdych must get past Rosol first!! They’re battling in three sets
If Berdych loses to Rosol, I will un-friend him……….
Jeez ladies hurry up, I wanna watch Rafa…………..
Yes, Berdy is having his own troubles with Rosol. If there was to be a dark horse winner, I would not pick Berdy.
As for Rafa, I am nervous about this match. That really says it all. As has been said, it’s all about Rafa because he owns Simon. Even a Simon playing well normally would not be cause for me to worry at all. But the way Rafa played in his previous match and his problems dealing with the balls, does have me concerned.
vamosrafa,
I agree with you about the DTL forehand. That shot must be firing for this match. I tend to agree with you that Rafa will do just enough to get the win. He knows what to expect with Simon. There are no surprises here. Simon is like a human backboard and will run down everything. He’s playing well now so Rafa will need to be ready.
The tennis channel commentators are watching the clouds and wondering if there will be rain. I sure hope not!
Oh no, as if playing with a bad unpredictable ball isn’t bad enough, it’s now windy and dusty as well………………..just hope the bad conditions affect Gillou worst………..
How does Gillou not break those skinny legs when playing??
Rafa is sporting a lovely tan indeed…………..
Rafa has turned up to play, but it’s not over until the fat lady sings.
This is what gets me. Rafa comes out and plays a great first set and wins it 6-2. Now he starts the second set by playing an awful game and losing his serve. I don’t get it.
Okay, Rafa breaks back! Please don’t let this one go three sets! I want another straight set win for Rafa.
Rafa gets the break back ! He pressed Simon with his forehand and got some help by that double fault. Now DON’T play a bad game, rafa!
Rafa’s DTL forehand has been looking good, yes?
He just has to keep up the concentration and not let Simon back in this match. He needs to consolidate the break.
Some good serving stats posted on tv for Rafa! In the first set Simon’s first serve percentage was 37%, while Rafa’s was 72%!
Much better winners to UE’s ratio than yesterday’s first set!
Oh and they posted the list of the players with the best winning percentage and guess who is number 1? Rafa! Then it’s Borg, Lendl, Connors and Fed.
Bravo Rafa!
Yup! rafa’s forehand is looking good. He hit some great inside-out forehands in the last game and that was crucial in getting him a break.
Simon is flattening out his groundies and testing rafa. The spaniard is moving well too
The spaniard?
Rafa seems to have recovered his composure.
Fantastic movement by rafa in that long rally that ending in Simon hitting a forehand volley in the net. Simon has wilted and he is playing reckless tennis now. Rafa still hitting really well and serving well…. 5-2 30-0
BAD game rafa , BAD game !
Another one of those annoying lapses by Rafa :/ This is what Uncle Toni talked about as well before IW started. I hope rafa gets this finished here
This is what frazzles my nerves. Rafa is serving for the match and just plays a poor game. So he gets broken and Simon holds his serve and now Rafa has another chance to serve it out.
Please Rafa get this done now!
he gets it done! phew. So this was a much improved performance today and rafa looked please! there were a couple of lapses in set 2 but overall a very positive win. His forehand had good depth throughout and the key shots (DTL forehand and inside out forehand) were working well. Rafa’s backhand, however, was not tested enough and he is yet to show ready his backhand is. It was solid but I would like to see more.
Raonic will be a challenge but in these conditions, rafa will have his chances. he MUST avoid these frustrating lapses as Raonic’s return game has improved and we know losing your serve to him in a set is usually enough to lose the set.
Getting to the semis by beating Milos will be a strong result already.One match at a time !
Rafa cruised into the QFs!
Vamoooos!!!!
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BNP Paribas Open Twitter
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love it…lol!!!
Welcome back, monalisa!
Nice to heard from you again.
thanks Rafa for not serving us another nightmare called “the third set”…Rafa playing much better, serving nicely and making damage with his forehand…yeah, not yet perfect but way better than yesterday…
Rafa’s inability to serve for the match only comes from lack of confidence…but more wins will wipe that away…Rafa is on the right track…
Vamos Rafa!
Rafael Nadal On-court Interview / R4 Indian Wells 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvK_ywNLzBA
Rafa is honest as always. He did say that if he loses his serve with a sloppy game like he did twice in this match, that means losing the set against someone like Raonic. So he knows what he has to do.
It was nice to see Rafa playing better in this match. He seemed more comfortable, more sure about what he wanted to do. He knows Simon well. I think that Simon did not play his best at all. But all credit to Rafa for serving very well and the forehand working well today.
I watched Raonic’s previous match and saw just a bit of today as they were mostly televising Rafa’s match. He is looking good. The tennis channel interviewed his coach, Ljuby yesterday. He was talking about how he has changed Raonic’s move when serving. He is not going as much into the court and it gives his serve more power. They want the serve to be even more dominating. Ugh!
Rafa knows that he has to play even better against Raonic. But it’s good that he is in the quarterfinals!
Ricky, are you @willmw101 in disguise??
I like this Ricky!!
#jinxmeister
Congratulations Rafa, keep it coming!
Raonic next…. good test for a fast improving Rafa 🙂