Rafael Nadal will continue his Madrid campaign against Grigor Dimitrov on Friday. Tomas Berdych and John Isner are also gunning for a spot in the semifinals.
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (10) Grigor Dimitrov
Nadal and Dimitrov will be going head-to-head for the sixth time in their careers when they do battle in the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday. All five of their previous encounters have gone the way of Nadal, who last beat the Bulgarian around this time last year via a 6-2, 6-2 semifinal rout at the Rome Masters. Their only other clay-court encounter came at the 2013 Monte-Carlo Masters, where Nadal prevailed 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
The two-time defending champion is showing at least some signs of emerging from a prolonged slump with routine wins this week over Steve Johnson and Simone Bolelli. Progress is also being made by a relatively out-of-form Dimitrov, who has taken out Donald Young, Fabio Fognini, and Stan Wawrinka. The world No. 11 is 17-8 on the season and still in search of his first final appearance. Dimitrov is a second straight opponent for Nadal who will be tested with a one-handed backhand, and past history does not bode well for success in this one. Although the Spaniard may not be in peak shape, he nonetheless presents a much more daunting task than the likes of Young, Fognini, and Wawrinka–especially at home in Spain and on clay.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
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(16) John Isner vs. (6) Tomas Berdych
Nobody outside of Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third rounds of U.S. Opens has owned Isner quite like Berdych. The Czech has won four consecutive meetings between the two players and six of the last seven to improve to 6-2 lifetime against Isner. Since losing the 2012 Winston-Salem final 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(9), Berdych has taken eight consecutive sets from the 6’10” American and not a single one of those eight has progressed to a tiebreaker. They most recently faced each other last fall on the hard courts of Beijing, where Berdych rolled 6-1, 6-4.
Both big hitters are in the midst of outstanding weeks. Berdych has had no trouble disposing of Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Isner snagged the 16th and final seed but unlike Berdych did not get a first-round bye. The world No. 18 booked his place in the last eight by defeating Adrian Mannarino, Thomaz Bellucci, and Nick Kyrgios. Isner needed three sets to get past Bellucci and Kyrgios even though he was one point away from a straight-set victory on each occasion. The extra workload will not help Isner, whose high-kicking serve has never given Berdych any significant problems.
Pick: Berdych in 2
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Isner is a 1 tricky pony, Serving aces and doing nothing else doesn’t win too many matches against top players.
Glad Isner is out. Hurray for tennis.
Last time Berdych and Nadal played in Madrid, Berdych shushed the Madrid crowd after he beat Rafa.
On another note, more than a few empty seats during the Rafa match today.
#CrosstownTraffic
Correction: Rafa beat him last year in the Madrid quarters 4 and 2.
Doubt that it will be that easy tomorrow.
My thinking is that beating Dimitrov means a lot to Rafa…at least he is in the semis…now, I am glad it’s not Isner…I just hate watching big hitters and really see no beauty in their tennis…serving only does not make tennis at all…
Berdy will be tough for Rafa who is still working towards his best form…however, for some reason I am more relaxed about the match with Berdy…it should have been Fed though.. 🙂
Three down two to go!
Vamos DR Nadal!
http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2015/416/mds.pdf
Main draw: Rome
Isner in Rafa’s quarter and Roger in Rafa’s half!
Mona,
I just wanted to say that I did not ignore your question earlier here about who I wanted Rafa to face in the semis. I had to go out for the afternoon and finally got back on here. For the record, my wish would have been Berdy. Anybody but Isner!
I also do not think this is going to be an easy match for Rafa. This is not the same Berdy who lost to him 17 straight times. Berdy always had the game, but never the mental strength and belief. But he does now. He fought through a tight second set tb and also at least one match point that I recall, to ultimately take that set. Then he went on to win in three sets. Having beaten Rafa at the AO, this time Berdy will go into the match with some real belief and confidence. It’s up to Rafa to wipe that out.
I would love to see Rafa come out and play even better. Go up another level!
Oh and thanks for the info about the Rome draw. I never like to see Isner in Rafa’s quarter! But first he has to get through Madrid.
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Berdy is 0-6 vs Rafa on clay and has only taken a single set in 15 tries from Rafa (the very first set they played back in 2005.
However, Berdy ’15 is the 2nd best player on tour ATM.
Here’s hoping Berdy won’t be the second player to be 2-0 vs Rafa this year.
Correction: 3rd best. Muzza passed him last weekend with his win in Munich.
The way Berdych played Isner having to to 3 sets, I still give Rafa a slight edge!
That’s taking into consideration Rafa’s hard way back, right 🙂 ?
On a normal year in the past we would be predicting a 2 set win easily.
Raonic playing injured vs Muzza. Has already pulled out of Rome.
@TennisTV 21 minutes ago
#Raonic holds… but a couple of times he’s pulled up and checked his bad foot. Just saying. #MMOPEN15
Roanic is toast against Andy in this situation!
I am looking forward to Murray and Nishi. That should be a good one. Nishi got it done against Ferrer in two sets. He was looking exceptionally good.
It’s true that in a normal year we would definitely be predicting an easy two set win for Rafa over Berdy. But this has been anything but a normal year!
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I agree that it was not the best of performances by rafa but let’s admit that he is improving and making real progress now. He definitely seems more calm out there and very importantly, more assured on his service games. He has been serving well too in this week.
Dimitrov was not able to play his best tennis and that allowed rafa to win this one rather comfortably. However, there are some significant positives to take from this match,
Rafa was down 1-3 in set 2 and that happened mainly because he lost intensity. But, he was able bounce back immediately get the break back. He looked determined and controlled his fears well.
Saving break point at 4-4 and then closing the match out by breaking at 5-4 were also good for his confidence and I am sure he is gaining confidence.
He is using his backhand just to spread the court at the moment and the length/aggression on backhand counterpunching needs improvement. It is , however, part of the process and he normally gets these weapons when he has built some nice momentum.
Rafa will avenge his loss to berdych and then the final will be tough. I hope murray can somehow win!