It will not only be the No. 1 vs. No. 2 seed on Sunday in Barcelona, but it will also be the two men who have dominated this tournament to the tune of 10 titles in the last 11 years. Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori will battle for a familiar winner’s trophy.
Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori will be squaring off for the 10th time in their careers and for the second time this season when they meet again in the title match of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Sunday afternoon.
Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 8-1, including 2-0 on clay. In one of those clay-court showdowns, however, Nishikori seemed to be cruising to the 2014 Madrid title but ended up retiring in the third set because of a back injury. Nadal had previously trounced Nishikori on the slow stuff via a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 scoreline at the 2013 French Open. They most recently faced each other earlier this spring in Indian Wells, where the Spaniard cruised 6-4, 6-3.
It is not often that Nadal goes up against a two-time defending champion of a clay-court tournament, but that will be the case in this one. After Nadal captured eight Barcelona titles in the span of nine seasons, Nishikori lifted the trophy in both 2014 and 2015. The world No. 6 is one victory from doing the same following straight-set defeats of Thiemo De Bakker, Jeremy Chardy, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Benoit Paire.
A resurgent Nadal will be No. 2 in the race to London on Monday and–as usually–he is looking especially impressive on clay. The top seed is coming off a much-needed title in Monte-Carlo, where Novak Djokovic lost early before Nadal took care of Andy Murray and Gael Monfils in the semis and final. Not looking back in Barcelona, Nadal punched his ticket to the championship match by beating Marcel Granollers, Albert Montanes, Fabio Fognini, and Philipp Kohlschreiber all in straight sets.
“Tomorrow I will play against one of the world’s best players and it will be complicated,” the world No. 5 assured. “I have to play a great match to win the final.”
The good news for Nadal is that it may not be as complicated as it could be on a fast hard court, such as the one on which Nishikori got the job done 6-2, 6-4 in last summer’s Montreal quarterfinals. Nishikori, who loves to take balls early, has a much easier time hitting through Nadal on a slicker surface. With his confidence regained and advantages in terms of both the surface and the crowd, Nadal should be able to hold off an in-form opponent.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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who ya got?
Sames.
Rafa in straights
I have no idea. Both are playing very well, it could go either way. Should be an entertaining match
Rafa in 2. Maybe Kei can make one set competitive but I won’t hold my breath.
Welcome to the good side of the force jalep!
Congrats!
What on earth are you talking about, el.. uhh…hawkeye?
I forget to use a different browser or switch my username. It really doesn’t matter but I’m jalep in more places than ratcliff. sorry.
No congrats necessary. Congrats to you, though!
Rafa will be less nervous than in MC final. His game is better than in IW and unless he self destructs he will win in two. I saw Kei’s first set with Dolgo and he looked so vulnerable. Dolgo made UEs on his own and made it easier for Nishi to defend numerous break points which were set points. In the second Dolgo just dissapeared as expected…
Btw, Rafa is not Paire!
I hope Rafa wins in 2!
Vamos Champ!
I think that Rafa can run it in straight sets if he comes out playing aggressive and raises his level of play. I expect him to do it. I also agree that he should not be as nervous as he was in the MC final. That was a big step for him. He has seemed more comfortable overall in Barcelona.
However, Nishi will be the toughest opponent he has faced so far. The level of competition has not been what it was in MC. He is capable of making a match out of it, maybe even taking a set if Rafa gives back a break or has any lapses.
I am banking on Rafa being ready for this match and determined to get this title. So while I put in the caveat that Nishi might get a set, I think that Rafa can win I straight sets.
Agreed! Good points!
Rafa, I am happy you are in the final here. This time last year i could barely recognise you, at least now you are showing signs of someone that I used to know!! Good luck, Rafa!!!
Vamos!!
As long as Rafa can run without feeling tired and hit good shots as what he has done in the last two weeks, Kei has zero chance.
Two sets losing 8 games max.
zero???
@ fg 12:44 AM,
Haha, Great to see someone here who is more optimistic even than I am! Love your post! 😉
Keep your mind focused and sharp like a laser beam, remain confident and be strong like steel, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgyOh_dU0AA1URY.jpg
I think Rafa in 2 tight sets
OK guys I think the samurai has a good chance to finished de bull
Nishikori 2-0
Bold!
It’s true so far Nishi has had to fight hard for his wins but equally Rafa has been on the back foot on several occasions. Like all champions they both have the ability to raise their level for the final push. I think it is being over optimistic to hope Rafa will do it in straight sets against a healthy Nishi.
Rafa in 3 with at least one or even two TBs
If Rafa is fit and well and plays his A game he will win.
Depends what you consider to be Rafa’s A game. If you expect old Rafa to dhow up I think you will be dissapointed. Rafa of 2016 is much improved version of 2015, but he is far from Rafa 2008! However, I find it perfectly normal. This Rafa knows he won’t destroy his opponents as he used to when he ruled on clay but he also knows that if focused and playing with confidence his shots will gain more precision and he will win!
I strongly believe this Rafa can beat Nishi in 2 if he himself has belief!
Vamos Champ!
I mean the current Rafa’s A game which he himself admits he didn’t play against Khols yesterday.
“It was my worst match of the week, I hit many unforced errors with my backhand today. It’s fantastic that I made it to the final,” said Nadal.
Yeah, Rafa made errors from his BH side, that’s true! He also said the wind bothered him so I tried to find the reasons for his letdown. In the same time faced a single break point which is good! I am glad Rafa looks to improve his game further as he always does! It gives me comfort that he will do better in the final! I would be thrilled if he faced a single break point in the final as well! 🙂
Vamos!
+1
When they played a couple of years ago and Kei dominated the match he had just started working with Chang and his tactics took Rafa by surprise. Not only has Kei not maintained that attacking style long term but Rafa is now aware of it.
Most of the backhands were overhit…he was trying to push his opponent back so at least the intent was good.
He will surely raise his level today. Won’t be surprised if Nishi comes out all guns blazing but Rafa will be ready. He will win this one in 2 sets in my view, but could be three of course.
vr,
I agree that Rafa was over hitting his backhand against kohls.
Nishi is going to come out very aggressive. That’s the way to beat Rafa. I think my prediction was somewhat heart over head in saying that Rafa will win in 2 sets. Nishi is playing better now than he was at I/W, but so is Rafa.
If Rafa has mental lapses or gives back breaks of serve, then this could be a tough match. It’s on rafa’s racket
Funny, Rafa had 16 UEs and only 11 winners against Fog and yet was pleased with his performance and said he was not that nervous any more…yesterday he made 17 UEs and hit 18 winners and said it was his worst match so far. It must have to do with his feeling on court as well as the rhythm he could not sustain…interesting…
I thought Rafa didn’t look as much as ease with himself against Khols as he did against Fog.
While my feeling during the match with Kohls was that Rafa was so certain in beating him that he unnecesary went for angels and lines sort of to prepare for the finals…I also thought Rafa’s win over Kohl was NID whereas I was nervous about Fog as he seems to be extremely motivated when playing Rafa… 🙂
I agree with nats about never feeling that kohls could beat Rafa, while being more nervous about Fog. It’s true that Fog has weapons that kohls does not, including 3 wins against Rafa last year.
I don’t think Rafa felt nervous against kohls even though he was not at his best.
Very common for stats to be misleading. Talking about these two matches, one point is that fog is much faster than kohls and is a better counterpuncher from the backhand side. Tougher to end rallies with winners against Fog esp when you play with so much topspin. Fog also dictates play a lot more so rafa often had to grind out the points…
There is quite a divergence of opinions here which I suspect are governed by how much faith you have in the resurgent Rafa. Speaking for myself, I still feel nervous he might at any moment retreat back into his shell. I was surprised he rated his performance yesterday as ‘poor – I didn’t get the impression he was struggling at all.
I like Natashao’s take on that match ?
Strong words from Federer
https://rafaelnadalfans.com/2016/04/24/roger-federer-chooses-rafael-nadal-over-novak-djokovic/
http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/637540-roger-federer-discusses-coach-ivan-ljubicic-rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-his-future-and-more.html
Full interview