Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will continue their Beijing campaigns on Friday. They are set for respective quarterfinal encounters with Grigor Dimitrov and Martin Klizan.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Grigor Dimitrov
Djokovic and Dimitrov will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the China Open on Friday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 4-1 in Djokovic’s favor, including 2-0 on hard courts. Dimitrov’s lone win came at the 2013 Madrid Masters, where he pulled off a thrilling 7-6(6), 6-7(8), 6-3 upset. They most recently faced each other in the Wimbledon semifinals a few months ago, when Djokovic survived 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(7) en route to the title.
A disappointing hard-court summer does not seem to be impacting what is arguably Djokovic’s best tournament. The top-ranked Serb is now 21-0 lifetime in Beijing and on course for a fifth title. He opened by easing past Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-1 before defeating Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 7-5. Dimitrov booked his place in the quarters with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Fernando Verdasco and a 6-4, 6-4 win at the expense of Pablo Andujar. The 10th-ranked Bulgarian is an awesome 43-13 for the season. At this event, however, Djokovic is simply too good.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
[polldaddy poll=8347157]
(Q) Martin Klizan vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Nadal and Klizan will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers and for the second time this season. Interestingly, their two previous meetings have resulted in the exact same scoreline. The Spaniard prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 at last season’s French Open and 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 this summer in the Wimbledon first round. This is Nadal’s first appearance since his fourth-round exit at the All-England Club, and it is off to a strong start. The world No. 2 returned from a wrist injury with a 6-4, 6-0 rout of Richard Gasquet before cruising past Peter Gojowyczk 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday.
Klizan has been on a roll since coming within one game of a straight-set defeat in the first round of Beijing qualifying. At that point he lost only five games in more than three sets of qualifying then survived a tough three-setter against Leonardo Mayer. The 56th-ranked Slovak was dominating his second-rounder against Ernests Gulbis on Thursday when the Latvian retired during the second set. Nadal is only gaining confidence with two matches under his belt and he will be focused on starting hot in the wake of his two prior struggles versus Klizan.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 7 games or fewer
[polldaddy poll=8347151]
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/By_tjmTCYAA36ms.png
Posted this on the wrong thread:
Dimitrov folding like the cheap suit he is.
Bravo Rafa!!! Aggressive when matters…let’s finish him now…
Vamos Rafa!
Is anyone even watching or talking about Rafa’s match? He won the first set tb!
Well done! I am not surprised that it’s been this competitive.
Now win the second set, Rafa!
you’re up early nny! (you do still live on the West Coast no?)
Dunno how klizan isn’t in the top 100. So aggressive against Rafa taking the first set of him at both the French Open last year and Wimby this year. I don’t get it.
Rafa playing well though
Aside: not impressed with ios8 so far. And WordPress doesn’t play nice with safari.
^mobile Safari that is or any mobile browser
The two English commies are driving me nuts. All through the first set they were going overboard about Klizan and saying how he had Rafa dead in the water, Rafa had his back against the wall, etc.etc. After he broke Klizan they grudgingly admitted Rafa had weathered the storm and was the better player.
Watching this, as I expected, Klizan is making Rafa play! Trying to understand why Klizan always finds his rhythm against Rafa.
Oh go away, Klizan!
During that last game they showed a Hawkeye replay immediately after the point. (Wasn’t a challenge).
Given the quickness, it shouldn’t be up to the players to have to challenge. It should be automatic.
Klizan needs to be in the top 100 or stop giving Rafa such a hard time. It’s quite frustrating!
Another BP. Cmon Rafa!
Back on serve…..
Agree with RITB. Just go away Klizan.
Back on serve.
Yeah the commies are nothing but antijimx federazzi.
C’mon Rafa! Not the time to feel sorry for yourself, Vamos!
And you know if Klizan won Berdych would just kick his ass in the semis.
Klizan is stretching Rafa in this match. Would rather Rafa’s ratio of winners to UEs was reversed and a higher figure for 2nd serve points won.
Vamos Rafa!
It doesn’t help the roof was closed half way through the first set. Nevertheless Rafa will win this even if he drops the 2nd set.
Klizan is pumped……
Rafa was in control in this second set. He had chances to get a second break. Then he gets broken and is now on the verge of losing the second set. He’s making it harder for himself. Two games from winning the match.
Rafa will have to weather a second storm.
VAMOS Rafa!!!
Klizan wins the 2nd set. No matter, Vamos Rafa!
3rd set it is!
Klizan is playing out of his mind.
I am consoling myself saying Rafa needs match play……………
TBH I don’t see much wrong with Rafa’s game. Klizan just playing out of his skull.
Frigging umpires giving violation on BP.
Commies saying we all know Rafa is the worse on tour for bending the rules!!!
Holy shite!
Wouldn’t anyone suspended for doping or match fixing be worse just off the top of my head?
TennisTV should provide a commentary free option
Bending the rules regarding time between points. Try listening to the commentary rather than disparaging it at each opportunity.
No no no no no. I agree that they first talked about the time violation but then their follow up comment was quite obviously bending the rules (plural).
Try worrying about yourself Alex.
Here’s the quote:
“We all know Nadal floats with the rules though, right? We all know that he’s the worst on tour for that.”
He doesn’t say the rule or that rule. He says “the rules”. Put this in light for the broad based Fed favouritism time and time again, it is obvious even in the context. As ed says, commies can’t contain their anti-nasal pro-federazzi bias.
I wouldn’t expect a Fed fan to pick up on it obviously.
It’s a stupid rule to begin with only enforced after Fed whined about it a few years ago.
I’ve even gone back to some old matches in the 90’s and seen time between points exceed 30 seconds with no penalty because it is a dumb rule.
For example, the ITF rule states:
“A maximum of twenty (20) seconds shall elapse from the moment the ball goes out of play at the end of the point until the time the ball is struck for the first serve of the next point. ”
In this clip of Becker/Edberg FO SF in 1989 (before Rafa turned professional), Becker exceeds 25 and even 30 seconds between points. I never remember this violation ever called until Federer whined about it a few years ago. It is a disgrace from tennis and detracts from the game IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zozwlsWz2cw
Even Rafa applauded that insane FH of Klizan’s. Really annoying me big-time now this Klizan fellow.
One of the best BPs of all time!!!!
VAMOS!!!
What a hold!
klizan dominates Rafa’s second serve…Rafa had his chances in the second…why, oh why did he let Klizan back into the match…Klizan isn’t playing for the next round, he only cares about beating Rafa…he feels Rafa is vulnerable after hil long break and he wants to take his scalp…that’s what matters for his poor resume…Klizan if manages to win will be demolished by Berdy…
Love Rafa’s attitude, just plugging away…….
Loving Rafa’s BH…..
Nice to see Rafa’s BHDTL clicking.
Klizan yelling in celebration many times on Rafa’s UEs is low class.
BL Rafa!
Yeah saw that, Klizan celebrating Rafa’s errors……..
Rafa breaks, loving his spirit! Don’t expect Klizan to fold though…….
Yep. Rafa hanging tough as he does.
RAFA BREAKS!!!!
VAMOOOOOOOOS!!!!!
Now don’t give it back.
I hate saying this, but gotta applaud Klizan’s mojo……….breaks back.
Hate best of 3…….
Commies saying this has been the best match of all week……..
Dolgo..Brown..Kyrgious…how many times did I see this scenario… 🙁
Truly bizarre. Eight points in a row after being broken by a guy who was a set and two breaks down against a player outside the top 100.
Sometimes you gotta just tip your hat and say too good.
It will have been a good match for Rafa on his comeback either way.
Damn TennisTv stream just died. May be a blessing in disguise.
This is now all about if Izan can hold his nerve to serve it out.
See you in Shanghai, Rafa!
Vamos!
Rafa was two games from winning this match and in control. I don’t know how this got away from him. Klizan was never going to go away. He has nothing to lose. But Rafa doesn’t need to let another guy who’s never beaten him get a win.
Klizan deserved that win, congratulations to him. What I hate is this is Klizan’s biggest win of hIs career. Hate all these guys making their careers on beating Rafa.
On to Shanghai!
I agree RITB. He was incredible.
You’re right. Players simply get up to play Rafa more than anyone else sometimes.
Hoping for a Berdych Muzza final.
I think Muzza has a good shot tomorrow.
Just nice to see Rafa back and playing very well considering his long time away.
Will be interesting hearing his post match interview. I’m sure he’s disappointed but I’m sure he’ll take the right positives out of it for Shanghai.
I was hoping he’d at least make the final to close the gap on Fed in the RTL.
#VamosRafa
Rafa didn’t play too shabbily I felt. Only his FH went away on a couple of shots but it will come back. His movement was off a little, especially going for his FH. His BH was great. This is his first tournament so one should not be too dispirited I guess. And then it was an indoor HC match in the end, Rafa’s worst surface.
Does anyone here frankly expect Rafa to do much this year after 3 months off? He is low on confidence. I am resigned to him going to No 3 in rankings
Even if Rafa had pulled this one out..he would have mostly lost to Berdych. Berdych was just smoking the ball beautifully
Good point Sanju. He said beforehand he wasn’t expecting too much from this tourney but after the Gasquet win I started to believe he would get through at least to the SF if not the final itself.
I have to disagree with you @Sanju. Berdych’s problem against Rafa is that he loses the match before he even gets on court, it’s a mental thing. Just like Gasquet. I think Rafa would have beaten Berdy. Berdy is gonna roll over Klizan……….
What I can’t stand is the poorly concealed glee from the commies when this happens.
You don’t get it when it is Fed, Djoker or even Andy being beaten by a much lower ranked player.
Why do they do it when it’s Rafa?
Because they are human and can’t hide their Federazzi bias.
Second serve let Rafa down again. Won only 32% of second serves. I wish Uncle Toni would bring a serving coach on board.
Yeah maybe it was that but I saw Klizan also clobber some very good serves from Rafa today as well.
He was just sick! How does he play like that so consistently yet be down a set and 1-5 down against a guy outside the top 800???
Anyways, onwards and upwards.
well, I admit to my way too optimistic attitude after Rafa’s match with Gasquet…I am afraid I will never learn…and these lower ranked players being able to play the match of their life when facing Rafa…Rafa is simply letting them do so…and it is always too painful to watch…Rafa is low on confidence…he doesn’t believe he can beat even those qualifiers…what then to expect from him when facing top 10 guys…I don’t think I am really looking forward to Shanghai now…
I dunno about that nats. Klizan for whatever reason matches up well against Rafa for some bizarre reason (given that he’s not even top 100).
He took the first set against Rafa in 2013 RG and 2014 Wimby both when Rafa had been playing well.
Tonight he continued the same path in cool conditions that aren’t Rafa’s favourite.
I thought Rafa played a good enough match that would have beaten most players today.
Klizan was down a break in both sets…and Rafa let it go…I see Klizan playing well but I also see Rafa not being able to capitalize on his advantage…remember Almagro? and Dolgo? Rafa simply gets broken too many times to be excused by saying that Klizan outplayed him…no, Rafa has to do something about it ASAP or next he will end up losing from Tim Smuczek…
I maintain it’s the serve, @nats. And Rafa knows this. He has always said on HC he needs to serve well or else he is toast. He needs to find a way of varying his 2nd serve and make it less predictable. Another issue of late is his BP conversion rate, this needs to improve .
It’s hard to say I guess. But in those matches, I could be wrong but I thought Rafa looked a lot less confident, hit more UEs and consistently hit short.
Anyways, overall his first tournament back under less than favourable conditions against a guy who’s played him hard before.
I’m sure he has room to improve. He’s not 100% yet but not bad!
Good points RITB. These are within his control.
Yep, I also saw confidence issues after Klizan broke back in the 3rd set. Klizan broke back to love and then won his game to love. If I didn’t know better I’d say he gave up….
We should give him time as he is allowing himself. He still looks much better than he did on clay against Zebellos in 2013 and then look what he did.
#VamosRafa
I initially didn’t have high expectations for this tournament. But seeing Rafa play well in his first two matches got me thinking that he could get to the semis or maybe even the final. I don’t like seeing him lose these kinds of matches. He had this one well in hand. Klizan has played well against him in the past. So there was so reason to think it would be otherwise.
Rafa’s second serve continues to let him down. He really needs to work on it. This has never been Rafa’s time of year and I guess it’s not ideal for him coming back from a three month injury layoff to be playing on these fast hard courts.
Again, for me it’s the way he lost it.
Lordy, another weekend without Rafa………….
Please come back, Mr. Sunday!
Klizan has 7 top 20 wins this season and 7 losses to players outside the top 100.
#Tennis
According to Josh Meiseles, this was Rafa’s first loss against a qualifier in 10 years. Was 77-1 entering this week. Last defeat against a qualifier was against Benneteau in Lyon 2004.
Can’t be right surely, wasn’t Kyrgios a qualifier when he beat Rafa at Wimby this year?
He was a wild card.
@NNY
I agree. It was the way he lost that match which is of concern, more than the loss itself.
@ed,
Yes. You and I have spoken about this in the past. If Rafa was outplayed and just didn’t have it on this one day, then fine. That’s the way it is. But that was not the case. In the second set, he even had chances to get a second break that would have ensured the win. But he didn’t convert his break chances. I remember mentioning that break chances converted from the match with Gojo. It was 2 out of 13! Rafa has to try to capitalize on these opportunities. He didn’t get the break and then Klizan broke him to even it up in the second set.
I know he’s just coming back and these are not his favorite courts. But Rafa had that match in his hand and let it get away. That’s hard to watch.
Rafa Nadal
3 mins ·
Gracias a todos por el apoyo en Beijing. Lamentablemente no ha podido ser. La semana que viene otra oportunidad en Shanghai.
Thanks for your support in Beijing. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it tonight. Next week I have another chance in Shanghai.
SI Tennis @SI_Tennis 34m34 minutes ago
Klizan: “I’m just very happy that I beat Rafa. He’s a legend. I’m just very happy that I beat a legend.” #CO14
The second-seeded Spaniard struggled with Klizan’s power game and his own consistency in the quarterfinal, finishing with an uncharacteristic 37 unforced errors and just 21 winners.
Nadal said an upset like this was natural “when one player plays bad, plays without rhythm, no confidence on the shots, having more mistakes than usual, being not confident how to play the points, and how to win the points.”
“I am going to work hard with the right attitude to play better than what I did today,” he said. “I will be happy if I finish the season and I am able to take a one-and-a-half-week holiday, then practice for one month in perfect conditions to try to start the next season with positive feelings.”
http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/11632498/rafael-nadal-upset-qualifier-china-open-quarters
^^pretty spot on self assessment by Rafa.
yup…exactly my thinking on Rafa’s game today…confidence for some reason at the zero level, lousy first serve, vulnerable second serve, numerous UEs, no rhythm…Rafa is his best critic…
I agree on some points though…Rafa played deeper shots in this match, more than he was able in the whole first half of the season… but after all it made no difference when he clearly wasn’t able to finish the point… …I admired his aggressive attitude on key points in the first set though…but it somehow disappeared in the rest of the match…I hate to see Rafa losing the matches when the opponent has one clearly adopted tactic against him: to hit the ball as hard as possible and wait for Rafa to make an error…it almost becomes a pattern for these lower ranked players…if they sustain the level and hit like crazy they will be victorious…
SI Tennis @SI_Tennis 58m58 minutes ago
Nadal: “Came here to 2 tournaments knowing that normal things that happen like today are going to happen.” Said Beijing, Shanghai = practice
“I came here to two tournaments knowing that normal things that happen like today are going to happen,” Nadal said. While the rest of the tour is sharp from playing every week, he believes he’s starting from scratch again. “Accept that. Is practice here. Shanghai, even if it’s a Masters 1000, today I cannot think about big things. I have to think about day by day, trying to do the best as possible to do again quick. But I need time.”
“As I said the other day, the balls and courts are difficult ones for me this part of the season, probably the most difficult ones,” he said. “Shanghai is very quick. Last year was very quick. The ball is good. But is very quick. Paris and London we play with the same ball [as] here. So for me will be tough to find the right feelings.”
http://www.si.com/tennis/2014/10/03/rafael-nadal-loses-china-open-martin-klizan
well, Rafa being honest about his chances from now on should force me to lower my expectations…and to have none…
I guess I did not have enough of Rafa’s tennis this year and it is really frustrating for me as his fan…he is not getting any younger and in spite of his great accomplishments I think that he is not able to realize his true potential due to injuries…all these “comeback procedures” are tiring and require a lot of effort from our Rafa…losing that AO final…losing matches on clay, sent packing early at Wimby, losing from nobody.. and then again different injury issue…2014 must go away…I don’t even want to remember it…tennis is mental…and these injury time-offs and comebacks are not helping the issue…
forgive me people…I really wanted Rafa to come back strong and win some titles by the end of the year…shame on me… 🙁
natashao, you’re not alone. We should be more realistic and not expect miracles. Rafa is only human after all.
natashao,
I am happy that you feel comfortable enough to express what you are feeling. No one should ever feel that they can’t say what they think. We want the best for Rafa. It’s hard to watch him struggle with new injuries that have cost him dearly this year. As you said he’s not getting any younger. Taking time off to recover and then having to work to get back into good form, is not easy.
This has been a difficult year. Lost opportunities. But Rafa is a realist. His thoughts let us know that he is aware of the challenges he faces trying to come back from yet another injury in a time of year that has not been good for him. It was always going to be hard. But I think he has to play. He needs to get his game back. He can’t expect to come out in January ready to play the 2015 AO if he doesn’t at least finish up this year’s tournaments.
@Hawkeye
––––finishing with an uncharacteristic 37 unforced errors and just 21 winners–––––
20 of those UEs came in the first set alone against only 7 winners nevertheless he took it to a TB. That means he reduced the errors for the 2nd and 3rd sets and improved on the winners ratio quite significantly yet went on to lose both those sets. OK I know stats only show part of the picture (Ricky would say they mean very little) and Rafa was not winning the key points. OTH Klizan, to his credit, went for broke on every point. He was also winning a lot of points at the net.
Have never understood why Rafa is so reluctant to come forward because when he does his net play is pretty dammed efficient.
@hawkeye63 is right. Rafa was better in the last 3 matches he played in China than he was in Vina del Mar. I am quietly confident.
Klizan was a beast today.
Anytime I get down on Rafa’s performance, he ends up outperforming my expectations. Especially in the majors. He’s focussed on Australia which is where he should be.
I have faith.
During the US Open, BB said Rafa’s absence demotivated Djokovic that is why Djokovic lost early. Now that Rafa’s lost I hope the same malady is still bedeviling Djokovic so (a) Muzza wins and qualifies for WTF and (b) Rafa stays in touch for the YE#1.
Isn’t Djokovic Junior due any minute now?
In about four weeks according to Nole. Could affect Paris and WTF.
Nah. He might skip Paris but there’s no way he’ll miss out on the WTF. My guess is the baby will be induced immediately after Shanghai which would allow him two weeks paternity leave, or three weeks if he skips Paris.
Every cloud has a silver lining – if Rafa is not at his best yet, I’d rather he didn’t play to Nole So that’s a plus.
1st babies are usually late, on the other hand this one could be early. It’s an estimated date of delivery anyway so planning the birth to tie in with the tennis calendar may not work out and inducing the baby just so that Nole can earn points would be taking it too far, I think.
Nole should be close to home at least 2 weeks before the due date or he might not be there when needed.
how’s everyone holding up around here?
Trying to keep it together but it’s not easy. Feeling a lot better after knowing Rafa is realistic about not hitting top form straight after coming back from injury. 🙂
[polldaddy poll=8350393]
@Ricky 8:13 pm
Same old, same old….Rafa loses a match and cue the meltdowns in Rafanstan…..
Nole-Muzza semi today should be a cracker!
I wrote that if he made the QFs I’d be satisfied. I still would have preferred he lost to a higher ranked player, but Klizan was just too good. Besides, other than Bangkok 2010, when has Rafa done well in Asia? Australia. I’m ready.
I read recently that more and more women opt for a cesarean delivery in order to control the date.
That comment was intended for Nadline@7.57am
When’s the Shanghai draw out?
now
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2014/5014/mds.pdf
Come on, Rickster, shower us with your intrepid analysis…………….
Here’s mine: Rafa will be in the final.
I don’t see any meltdowns here at all. I think Rafa fans are taking this loss as well as can be expected.
certainly a loss during the Asian swing is nothing they haven’t seen before!!!
^^ This.
HOWEVER………!
My money’s on Rafa bucking the trend this year: he will win a tournament this Fall.
The Shanghai draw looks quite good for Rafa. Mr Klizan is in the top half but I’m sure he only saves his fire power for Rafa.
Djoker and Muzz always play defensive against each other.
^^Their matches are pretty intense though, they really hate losing to the other. That’s what makes the rivalry interesting for me.
These matches between Nole and Andy are snooze fests, just waiting for the first one to make a mistake. I got up at 5.30 am to watch this. 🙁
http://cdn.graphicsfactory.com/clip-art/image_files/image/5/699045-sleeping203.gif
Watching Djoray
Rafa and Djoker hate losing to each other as do Fed/Rafa or even Fed/Muzz and Fed/Djoker but it’s never this boring.
I am watching F1 qualifying on my laptop at the same time and I thought that was my #1 on the list for watching paint dry.
http://www.soccergames10.com/thumbs/watch-paint-dry.jpg
Murray play the Djoker ‘I’m defending the baseline’ game which he is so good at; simply farming the ball to his opponent. Th beat Djoker he needs to take him away from the baseline.
http://i.imgur.com/XkW90cy.gif
Delicious animations Nadline!
I missed the above ‘drama’ today. My alarm clock, otherwise known as Henri my elderly dog who wakes me up at 5am every day needing to go outside, failed this morning. Cracked up at the thought of you watching F1 simultaneously.
Rafa stop whining ..just go and play
Balls..courts..schedule..number of hard court tourneys..injuries ..I am myself getting tired being ur big fan hearing you whining all the time, its frustrating ..I am okay with you losing but not with you being a crybaby and whiner..just play and do your best and get us 17-18 slams 🙂
Okay Djoko and Fed in same half in Shanghai..thats good..only 1 can make the final 🙂
Rafa has got a good draw in Shanghai..
The problem for Rafa fans is he set the bar so high in 2013 it is difficult to adjust the expectations.
When has Rafa backed up a good year
Look at 2008..2010 and now 2013..all stellar years were followed by average 1 slam years with < 5-6 overall titles
the draw suddenly does not matter for Rafa that much…you never know if he will end up losing to nobody…I am inclined to think that Rafa is better off when playing some top & quality players than facing those low ranked that are supposed to be easy to deal with but rejuvenated by Rafa they suddenly become beasts…and as I said: Berdy should thank Rafa for his easy opponent today…Klizan is no danger to top 10 players and it’s gonna stay that way…but Rafa has made him a hero…that’s sick…
I feel the same, nats, but Rafa said in his interview that his movement, shots and rhythm have got some way to go. Rafa doesn’t play chance tennis his game is precise, his shots are very well thought out and measured which is devastating when all the pieces are there but if one bit is missing he is vulnerable. He lost to Zeballos in Vina del Mar then proceeded to dominate most of 2013 once he got his game going.
I’m not down hearted though I’m disappointed. This is what he had to say in his presser:
Q. When we were watching the match, we thought you had a lot of errors on your forehand, that your forehand condition is worse than your opponent’s. Do you think the forehand was a major cause to the result today or any other reasons to explain the loss today?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, forehand is an important part of my game, is obvious. If I am not playing well with my forehand, is obvious that I have a problem. It’s obvious that today I had the problem. That’s it.
It’s not all about the forehand. The forehand is an important part. But the movements, the way that I am recovering from a not very bad position, but normal positions, I think he was able to find winners too easy. When I was defending, I was not able to play the ball long. Normal things that somebody does when one plays bad and I don’t do when I’m feeling well physically, when I’m feeling quick on court, feeling that the opponent needs to hit a very good shot to create a winner. Today was not the case. When that happens, like I said before, that’s it.
Just as I thought, Berdy manhandles The Kliz……………..
Earlier today I read Klizan said in a post match interview that he felt he could beat any of the top players now. Don’t know where I read this and cant find it again.
It is beyond aggravating to hear this kind of boasting particularly bearing in mind he was playing Nadal in only the third match after a three month layoff. Pleased Berdy put him back in his place and I trust Rafa will not allow a repeat performance next time they meet.
Come on Gussie the Sleuth. I’m relying on you to trace the source of that comment!
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=103273
^^^ thanks ?
De nada,
Fantastic site for the transcripts from the most important tournaments of the tennis, for sure, no?