Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will continue their Indian Wells campaigns on Friday. They are set for respective quarterfinal contests against Kei Nishikori and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
(4) Rafael Nadal vs. (5) Kei Nishikori
Nadal and Nishikori will be squaring off for the ninth time in their careers when they battle for a place in the BNP Paribas Open semifinals on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-1 in favor of Nadal, but the last two meetings have not gone particularly well for the Spaniard after once standing at a perfect 6-0 against Nishikori. At the 2014 Madrid Masters, Japan’s top player led by a set and a break before retiring with a back injury in the third. Nishikori finally beat Nadal for the first time at last summer’s Montreal Masters via a 6-2, 6-4 decision.
Both players saved match point in the Indian Wells fourth round to book their spots in the quarterfinals. After battling past Gilles Muller in three sets and Fernando Verdasco in straights, Nadal outlasted Alexander Zverev 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5 on Thursday. Nishikori took care of Mikhail Kukushkin and Steve Johnson in two sets before overcoming John Isner 1-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(5) despite failing to generate a single break chance. There is no reason to take Nadal’s 7-1 lifetime record against Nishikori into account for this one, as this is not the Nadal of yesteryear and Nishikori really should have won each of their last two showdowns. The No. 5 seed will likely be allowed to play offensive tennis just about from start to finish in this one and that should give him an edge.
Pick: Nishikori in 3
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(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Djokovic has shown recent signs of vulnerability, but he appears to be back in total control heading into the Indian Wells quarters. The world No. 1 retired from a Dubai quarterfinal against Feliciano Lopez because of an eye infection, needed five sets to get past Mikhail Kukushkin in a Davis Cup tie between Serbia and Kazakhstan, and lost a set in the desert to Bjorn Fratangelo. Since then, however, Djokovic has picked up the pace. He took the last two sets against Fratangelo 6-1 and 6-2, beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-5, 7-5 in the last 32, and had no trouble in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Lopez on Wednesday.
Next up for the top seed on Friday is a 21st career clash against Tsonga. Djokovic is leading the head-to-head series 14-6, including 12-1 in the last 13 encounters. They most recently faced each other last fall in the Shanghai title match, with Djokovic coasting 6-2, 6-4. Tsonga is through to the Indian Wells quarters for just the second time in his career thanks to straight-set beatdowns of Vincent Millot, Sam Querrey, and Dominic Thiem. The ninth-ranked Frenchman has never advanced to the semis of this tournament. Tsonga has been known to go on incredible hot streaks, but this one can likely be chalked up to lackluster competition and a worn-out Thiem. Going up against Djokovic will obviously be a much different proposition–and one that is likely to end poorly for Tsonga yet again.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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My issue is when someone impugns rafa’s integrity. That French woman politician accusing Rafa of doping so blatantly and even repeating the accusation, is something worth getting upset about. That is too important to ignore. It appears that Rafa and his team feel the same way,
I have my list of commentators who I do not like. I think Mary Carillo has been one of the worst when it comes to Rafa. She repeatedly says he has cheated with coaching from uncle Toni and has taken him to task for too much time serving and making his opponents wait. Her bias is appalling. She’s much worse than Koenig. Then there are those who are Fed fans and don’t like Rafa because of how he has owned fed in the H2H. Patrick McEnroe comes to mind. Jim courier is another one who has gotten on my nerves with inaccurate statements about Rafa during matches.
However, I can just mute the sound and let it go in one ear and out the other.
When does the Miami draw come out?
I can’t watch anyone beating Kei Nishikori. Not Nole, not Rafa…no one. It’s my flaw, I’ll admit. Also can’t watch Serena pummeling the life out of Aga again. That leaves me with Tsonga v Nole and Vika v lovely Karolina Pliskova, the later being my popcorn match. Not enough tennis!
–End of rant–
PS. where’s Hawkstradamus?!
???????
Really? You want me to elaborate??
Keep your mind clear, stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight fiercely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cd2I_zSXIAApzSL.jpg
Just watched the vidio of Rafa’s post match presser. As always he was frank and open but realistic about the way the match unfolded. Note the difference in his body language. No fidgeting in his seat, no knuckle cracking, no flashes of irritation. He knows he still has a way to go but one gets the feeling he won’t be derailed should he lose to Nishi.
onward and upwards.
PS: Loved the subtle dig at Federer. Talk about an iron fist in the velvet glove 🙂
Rafa in 3, Nole in 2. Scanned a couple of the comments and decided the guy who should win, is the guy left standing in middle court at the end.
Okay! Rafa breaks back!
3-3
Come on rafa! You can do this!
PMac says vintage rafa! Great shot! Keep it up rafa!
vamosssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
what a comeback by rafa in the 1st
Yeah! Rafa is on fire!
good for the game
What a shot! DTL forehand!
Rafa wins the first set!
Way to go Rafa!
There’s the real Rafa!
Set 1 stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cd2xttnXIAAY4G_.jpg
Just great stuff from Rafa to take that set from Nishi!
Where has that DTL forehand been?
Aggressive tennis to best Nishi!
Now keep it up! No let down!
I tuned in JUST in time to see the last two points! that forehand down the line was really VINTAGE Rafa.
Are you guys noticing this? Rafa is defending so well now and he is getting the ability to turn defense into offense with one damn shot! he had been missing this. And, he is about to go down double break, you thikn the set is over but he saves those and then turns the match around! HOW MUCH HAVE I MISSED this from Rafa!
CLAP CLAP CLAP!
I did not see the set (except for the final two games so not sure how it went but I was following live scores while I was on my way back to home…
vamosrafa,
I got home in time to see Nishi get the early break and I thought – here we go again.
Then there was an overrule that seemed to throw off Nishi. Rafa stayed in it and managed to break back and even it up at 3-3.
Rafa is hitting with more oomph on his shots. He is defending that forehand side as well as I have seen in a long time. He took everything nishi threw at him and just came up with the better shots.
If you saw the whole set, then you would be giving Rafa a standing ovation! This is really something. Rafa is transitioning from defense to offense and it’s a beautiful thing!
Thanks a lot NNY!! 😀
I think this is the best set I have seen Rafa play this year.
I’m watching but can’t join in the chat – got people here for dinner.
Wonderful to see Rafa turn the first set round.
LOL LOL that ROS on 15-30! THIS is what team rafa have been trying to do and they have not had much success in matches. Things are clicking for him now..
I don’t know if he has done some serious work on his backhand slices….I have always complained about the depth he gets on them but in this tournament, he has been getting better length without sacrificing a lot on net clearance… Good stuff…will have to see him do that consistently for some matches and tournaments to believe he has got it now , though…
Oooh mama! What a ROS winner from rafa!
He’s feeling it now!
Rafa breaks!
ed,
I wish you could join us because I am getting so emotional seeing this.
You see, a double fault in this moment really tells you it is not about nerves only…have been saying that for a while. I think he is trying to go for more (UNDERSTANDABLY SO), but is not getting the desired racket acceleration…
I actually agree about the double fault. I do think Rafa is going for more.