Some intriguing quarterfinal clashes will be on the Friday schedule in Madrid. Andy Murray is continuing his title defense against Tomas Berdych, while Nick Kyrgios hopes to keep his unseeded run going at the expense of Kei Nishikori.
(8) Tomas Berdych vs. (2) Andy Murray
Murray and Berdych will be facing each other for the 14th time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 7-6 in favor of Murray, who has taken three in a row at Berdych’s expense. The second-ranked Scot has won seven consecutive sets since dropping the opener of their 2015 Australian Open showdown. He ended up surviving that match 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 before cruising past Berdych in Miami and Shanghai.
The defending champion in Madrid, Murray is off to a strong start this week with defeats of Radek Stepanek (in three sets) and Gilles Simon (6-4, 6-2). Berdych has not surrendered a set in victories over Denis Istomin and David Ferrer. That being said, the eighth-ranked Czech is a mediocre 18-8 for his 2016 campaign and still in search of his first title. Murray struggled in Indian Wells and Miami after returning from a brief layoff when he became a father, but he has otherwise been in outstanding form. The No. 2 seed has made dramatic improvements on clay over the past few years and his defensive skills should once again force Berdych to hit too many shots–even in relatively fast conditions.
Pick: Murray in 2
[polldaddy poll=9408660]
Nick Kyrgios vs. (6) Kei Nishikori
It will be a rematch of the Miami semifinals when Nishikori and Kyrgios square off again on Friday. Nishikori was handed a breadstick in their first-ever meeting last fall in Shanghai, but it has been one-way traffic for the Japanese star ever since. He ended up winning that contest 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 before taking care of Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Miami final two months ago.
Nishikori finished runner-up in Madrid in 2014, reached the semis last season, and booked a spot in a fourth consecutive quarterfinal by taking out Fabio Fognini and Richard Gasquet earlier this week. The world No. 6 prevailed over Fognini even though the Italian served for the match, and he beat Gasquet despite previously trailing the head-to-head series 6-0. Kyrgios has advanced with wins over Guido Pella, Stan Wawrinka, and Pablo Cuevas, surrendering only one set to Cuevas in the process. The 21st-ranked Australian is serving incredibly well this week, but he still got broken twice by the Uruguayan on Thursday. Nishikori, who positively loves this tournament, should have at least as much–if not more–success breaking down Kyrgios’ offensive attack.
Pick: Nishikori in 2
[polldaddy poll=9408858]
who ya got?
Kei in three and Murray in three
Kyrios in three. Muzz in two.
Kei v Nick QF is so cool I can barely stand it! yipeeeee
I don’t care (too much — that I’m presently aware) who wins except that it would put Nick into uncharted ranking territory. On the other hand, Kei needs to defend his points. Voted …???
Andy in 2. Stamp your authority, Muzza! Do it.
Roger back to No. 2 without lifting a racquet should Andy miss the final.
Interesting note: Berdych has won all 3 of their clay court encounters, however it was 3 and more years ago.
Chris… Murray is a completely different player on the dirt now than he previously was…
Murray in 2.
Nick in 3! Go Nick!!!
hahaha tweener winner lob! ah finally something for Nick to smile about – he was looking so grumpy. Best friend, Jack Sock there.
first set tb
Kei is so solid and serving well. Getting more 1st serves in than I’ve seen in a while. Great from Nick too. Come on Nick!! My gosh this is everything I hoped it would be. Set point Nick…and he misses. 6-6. Kei serving. 2nd serve – Kyrgios crushes a 2nd serve. 7-6 Nick. Ace !! to take the set wowowow
Pure class by Nick Kyrgios! Beautiful tennis and well deserved first set!
I did expect him to come out strong! Go Nick!
Hope you are grinning like I am, Natashao! ?
I just started watching the match and am surprised to see that Krygios won the first set. When he gets on a hit streak, he’s really tough.
Hot streak! The guy is on fire. Nishi is no slouch.
this match is spectacular
Nishi hanging tough here. The tennis channel is staying with this one while Rafa is up 3-0 in his match.
TB. Rafa up 4-0 in his match.
Rafa is vamossing!
I think Kyrgios is over hitting the ball and trying to out power Nishi, but he’s making errors. Nishi playing smart tennis.
I am frustrated because I can’t see rafa’s match. He is blowing Sousa off the court, but I would like to see it!
They showed the last point with Rafa winning 6-0! Bagel!
Nishi and Kyrgios will go to a third set and rafa’s match will probably be over before that. As long as rafa is winning, it’s okay!