Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal took the suspense out of what looked to be exciting quarterfinal matchups in Monte-Carlo. Murray crushed Milos Raonic and Nadal cruised past Stan Wawrinka to set up a semifinal showdown on Saturday.
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal will be doing battle for the 23rd time in their careers when they collide in the semifinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Saturday afternoon.
Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 16-6, including 6-1 on clay and 2-0 in Monte-Carlo. He beat Murray 6-2, 7-6(4) in the semis of this tournament in 2009 and again in the final four via a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 decision in 2011. Murray managed to win their most recent clay-court contest 6-3, 6-2 in the 2015 Madrid final, but Nadal had no trouble prevailing 6-4, 6-1 at the World Tour Finals last fall.
The Spaniard has won only two clay-court titles since the 2014 French Open–none at the Masters 1000 level. With Nadal having slumped earlier this season while Novak Djokovic positively rolled through the rest of the tour, it looked as if the world No. 5 would be hard-pressed to pick up another title even on his favorite surface. But Nadal has to be considered the favorite in Monte-Carlo at this point given his own stellar play and Djokovic’s early exit at the hands of Jiri Vesely. The eight-time champion booked his spot in the semis by defeating Aljaz Bedene, Dominic Thiem, and Stan Wawrinka in straight sets.
Murray is in the midst of a much-needed productive week after falling early in Indian Wells (to Federico Delbonis in the third round) and Miami (to Grigor Dimitrov, also in the third round). The second-ranked Scot needed three sets to get past both Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Benoit Paire, even trailing Paire by a set and a double-break in the second before storming back for a 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory.
On second life in Monte-Carlo, Murray picked up the pace to hammer Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-0 on Friday. He faced zero break points and solved the Raonic serve an impressive five times to coast in one hour and six minutes.
“Obviously I had a couple tough weeks in Indian Wells and Miami, and I haven’t played loads of tennis since Australia,” the No. 2 seed reflected. “The first couple matches here were tough matches; didn’t play particularly well. I’m just happy I managed to fight through them and now I feel a little bit more relaxed about where my game’s at.”
Murray interview:
Murray’s performance against Raonic was encouraging, but the Canadian struggled through that affair at visibly less than 100 percent. Nadal, of course, is a much different beast than Herbert, Paire, and–on this surface–even than a healthy Raonic. The last time he faced Nadal, Murray’s mind was on clay (for the Davis Cup final against Belgium). This time, Murray will actually be on clay. Neither recipe is a good one.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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Congrats folks.
Was a bit nervous about this one as I knew Murray will take it hard to Rafa and Rafa will get right.
Happy to see Rafa winning .
That’s no 2 and no 4 beaten and a clay court quality player Thiem also beaten.
Rafa please win no 9. Don’t goof up or get nervous. Both Tsonga and Gael can be dangerous.
BTW rafa and Andy are friends. Why does Andy wine so much. Looks like habituated.Was handshake normal or ice cold ? Read somewhere that Andy called Rafas mind games fascinating when he called trainer and then said next changeover.
* whine typo above
Well, it takes one mind game expert to know another. In 2011, Murray let it be known before they met in the SF in MC, that he had a sore elbow on his serving arm and was practicing in secret. Right up to walking on court he was allowed to test his arm on a practice court to decide whether he was fit to play or not.
There was no sign of any elbow pain during the match and he served like a trouper taking his first set against Rafa on clay. OK, he had pain killers before the match but pain killers can only help you so much.
Wait. I thought poor Andy was the victim of mind-games because the “evil” Roger Federer dared a dig at the British press right before AO 2010? Help me out here. Don’t Nadal fans like Murray? Or is poor Andy on the blacklist too now?
St. Roger’s Day isn’t until Monday. Don’t you work weekends?
I haven’t seen the match. Do you want like an Excel sheet updating you on my work schedule? Because you have a disturbing obsession with my life. I hope you’re not a stalker in general or I will have to run to the Cyber Cell notwithstanding complex jurisdictional issues.
That’s ironic. I feel the same way about you stalking fans of Rafa on this site.
I think the “complex jurisdictional issues” would severely pale in comparison to, for lack of a better term, more pressing matters. That, seriously, is the single dumbest comment I’ve read on this board.
Wha? Who did I stalk? Do I ask you for your work routine or your personal details every time you make a post here? It’s not my fault you have so much time to enquire into my life and my holidays and whether I work on weekends or not.
You’re completely ridiculous and you know it. I wasn’t even referring to you in any way but for some reason you felt the need to question me on my work day? That, is stalking.
Good luck proving a general comment on the Nadal fanbase, which extends beyond this website, to be an example of stalking anyone. Preposterous as usual from you.
Ok guys no one cares. Cut the crap or Ricky will moderate you guys. AGAIN. (Again for hawkeye at least)
Every single comment from you has been a criticism of a Nadal fan (including the one directed at nadline10).
You don’t come here to discuss tennis but simply to aggravate others.
So your repeated behaviour of insults constitutes stalking more than my barbs at you every time you insult someone here.
QED
^This is not even true. More lies from you. If Ricky has to moderate, let him do so. I have no problem with it. I don’t live and die by this website.
Agreed that it’s up to Ricky not Benny G.
The only lies here are your own. Same goes with your stalking so knock it off and stick to tennis as opposed to Rafans.
I am not the one demanding anyone’s work profile. THAT is off topic. Anyway, I’m done. You have way too much time on your hands and I’m just plain tired. Enjoy the final.
Glad to hear it.
Besides you’re the one who offered your work schedule and busy career with two screens that didn’t allow you to post so much. And it was unsolicited so get over yourself and enjoy tennis. You’ll feel better. Trust me.
Lies again. The only thing I originally said was that I had a public holiday on the day, back in Jan, never imagining that you would use it to get personal. Everything else has been in response to your incessant rubbish which goes unmoderated on this website.
Whatever. You know you’re a liar hence the repeated back-peddling.
Not true. You responded to nadline and you said you were done and don’t live and die on this site yet you insist on checking back repeatedly for a response so who’s the dishonest one.
Pot and kettle. Nothing new.
Wrong again. I was referring to moderating. And yes, I am online right now ergo seeing posts and unfortunately your usual rubbish. Funny how the poster I responded to hasn’t reacted but you have all the time in the world to.
Hahahahahahahaha you’re hilarious fedfan.
Good for a laugh.
Nice of you to spend your precious little time here with us.
How lucky we are!
Best forehand of the match:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkzMx1y7Wvg
Wowzer
Whole point was so good
Rafas 1 BH and Murray’s FH in point were ripping too.
Congrats to Rafa on winning his 9th MC
No, he has to actually play the match. No jinxing!
I was so sure Andy would come back into the match I was a nervous wreck and couldn’t watch the final set. Went into another room and listened to the garbage commentary. Feel like a shit now for doubting Rafa but that’s what his slump for the past two years has done.
When I realised he was up in the final set came back to watch the last few games. Like NNY I welled up when he actually got the win.
Bravo Rafa. Sad for Murray but was disappointed by his ungracious handshake and the way he stomped off the court.
Cant wait for tomorrow.
murray behaved very badly at the wtf match when he complained about rafa for a whole set!!
am getting pretty sick of his whiny petulant behaviour…
Amy,
I have to agree. I don’t appreciate murray’s poor sportsmanship. It’s the one thing that turns me off about him.
ed,
I was also disappointed by andy’s cold handshake at the net. I have supported Andy in the past, something I would never do for Novak and Fed. But at times his sportsmanship is lacking.
I think we have all struggled during rafa’s slump and had our doubts, so no need to feel bad about that. We are only human. It’s hard on the fans, too.
I thought Murray would be the toughest battle. I felt that he would come out and give Rafa a match. But it only makes it sweeter to see Rafa triumph in the end.
I take nothing for granted until the last ball is struck and the trophy is in rafa’s hands tomorrow.
At times? Andy is a jerk plain and simple. Novak is a much better sport even Featherer.
nole is the most gracious player in defeat on the tour…
am really fed up with murray…
I agree…
Yeah I feel like all the top guys are really gracious in defeat but Andy is not. Like Roger Rafa Novak and Stan are always gracious in defeat no matter how bad they play. Yes Stan was a crybaby or whatever at the WTF that one time but he usually is pretty cool at the net. Andy not so much. And I noticed it in highlights of his match with Rafa too. He gave a really quick handshake and it was a good match too. He lost to king of clay on clay. Why would he be all sore over that? It was a good tourney for him. Was a tough loss though to win first set and seem in control. Great fight from Rafa though. He’ll probably beat Monfils pretty handily in the finals.
Benny G (AT 6:54 PM);
Mrs.Mirka’s & Wawrinka’s case:
http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/November-2014/Video-Mirka-Calls-Wawrinka-a-Cry-Baby.aspx
That was great to see! Wow! I am going to enjoy watching the replay of this match! This was a come from behind win for Rafa and that can only give him even more good feelings going into the final.
Beating Thiem, Stan and Murray is a great accomplishment! No easy draw here!
Yeah this has been very impressive from nadal.
Congratulations – all ye Rafa Fans!
That was …frightening.
Here is evidence that Murray went over the 25-second time limit:
RT Chris de Waard: “Murray whining about Nadal going over the time limit, it turns out he goes over it as well. ? ”
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgKl4gCXEAEo1Ac.jpg
That is the stat the tennis channel showed during the match. I just watched the replay and saw the moment when they showed it. So Murray was over the time limit, too.
I am really over Murray whining about it over and over again. He also got into it with the chair umpire.
Rafa’s post-SF interview with the ATP Staff:
(Rafa says he is happy, he was very good mentally and was able to make some changes after the firts set.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H28TKBY7pqk
Rafa wants to become better every day.
SportReview, April 16, 2016:
Rafa after his SF match: “I don’t want to talk every day about if I am back or I am not back. I am what I am today. I’m in the final of Monte-Carlo. That’s great news. That’s very important for me. Rafael Nadal of 2016 will not be the same as 2009 or 2008. Every year is different, every feeling is different. I want to be today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today… I don’t want to think about the past.”
?
http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2016/04/rafael-nadal-beats-andy-murray-for-100th-final-targets-no9-in-monte-carlo/
Rafa’s quotes on the MC Masters website:
¤¤ “It’s a very important week for me, being in a final here again in Monte-Carlo, winning against very tough opponents,” said Nadal. “That’s a lot of great confidence, good news for me. Let’s see if tomorrow I can playing at the same level.”
“I am trying my best every single day. I want to be today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today, and after tomorrow better than tomorrow.”
“I didn’t play badly in the first set, but not deep enough and not enough inside the court,” said Nadal. “So Andy had the chance to have control of the points too many times inside the court, hitting winners.”
“Something was not going well in that first set because he was playing too easy, in my opinion. Then I needed to change something. I think I did.”
“I think I played a great second set in terms of mentality. In the third set, I played aggressive. I played a great set, too. Very good points. Was a great match, I think.” ¤¤
http://montecarlotennismasters.com/live-now-murray-leads-nadal/?lang=en
Mike w at 12:34 pm: “Murray will finish this in 2 let’s face it, Rafa ain’t doing it today buddy”
oops!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha. Wrong
Currently crawled back under his rock.
I was in the airport when I learned Rafa won! That’s one of the happiest moments of my life! Thank you, Rafa for the fighting spirit and for the never give up attitude! That’s our true Rafa!
I will be able to watch the finals! 🙂 Go for it, Rafa!
Vamooooos Champ!
La Monf won’t be that easy… Rafa will be ready though! Can’t wait to see him biting that Trophy which was HIS from 2005-12
I agree that Monfils won’t be that easy. He’s been so much more focused. But if Rafa can come out playing the way he did against Murray, then I expect him to get the win?
RT @christophclarey: “You have zero respect for what I do” – angry chair umpire Damien Dumusois to Andy Murray. Extraordinary exchange
He is right
That said, he wasn’t very good mistimimg Murray and giving him a time warning after just 19 seconds after the point ended.
He also messed up on a line call really poorly.
When I watched the replay today, they showed the whole exchange between Andy and the chair umpire. The chair umpire clearly felt disrespected by Andy and let him know it.
I was very impressed by Rafa after watching the match. I thought that Andy came out strong in that first set. I expected him to do that. Rafa made adjustments in the second set and that’s where I thought he finally took control about midway through it. But I wax struck by how tough Rafa was as he battled back. He got the early break, but was broken back. Then he got another break, but faced 15-40 in his next service game. He fought off the break points and held his serve and the break. This was a pressure cooker of a set that required focus, concentration and mental strength from Rafa. He passed that test, while producing some vintage shots that were just magnificent. Rafa was very aggressive and his forehand did a lot of the damage. He hit a scintillating DTL forehand winner that hit the line with pinpoint accuracy.
Rafa’s body language was exceptional. He was pumping his fist and very purposeful as he moved about on the court. But there was also that look in his eyes again. It’s a look that I have not seen very much in the last year and a half. It was a look of intensity, the will to win, a warrior’s spirit.
Welcome back, Rafa! You have been sorely missed. Now he has to go out there tomorrow and get this title. I was reminded one more time how much tennis needs Rafa.
Well said NNY. The warrior Rafa is back! I feel so happy for Rafa about this win, it will certainly add to his confidence.
I said it before, that Rafa needs to win something big without facing Djoko. After that, his confidence will be there (that he can beat all the rest not named Djoko) and he and his team can then think of strategy to deal with Djoko.
Without confidence, Rafa can never beat Djoko, dont even need to talk strategy.
Lucky,
Nice to see you here! I was hoping you would give us your thoughts. Things really worked out well for Rafa with Novak going out early. This was the opening he needed.
This was the best match I have seen Rafa play in s long time. I have to believe that he will do it again tomorrow. It’s there for him. On his racket.
It would be great for Rafa and his fans to be able to celebrate a great win!
They are showing the argument with the chair umpire and Andy on the tennis channel replay. The chair umpire said to Andy that he has zero respect for what he does. He said that Andy hit the ball at the chair.
I think Andy was frustrated at that point emotionally and felt the match slipping away. Rafa was up two breaks at that point and in full control. I think Andy just wanted to take it out on someone. But the chair umpire was not amused.
Damien is Rafa’s #1 fan and cheats for him all the time. I see we can add Andy to the list of players that can’t stand “Cheatin’ Rafa”.
andy does this with numerous players. remember the ao 15 final when he had fits at nole??
given that andy swan dives all over the court himself and has been called out for this by other players he is in no position to take the moral highground.
given your reasoning andy hates cheatin nole as well….
oh and just to be crystal clear i like both rafa and nole.
i am calling andy out on this one for sure.
you can’t go around shouting at your box and swearing indiscriminately as well as having questionable aches and pains yourself and set yourself up as some kind of pristine moral figure.
Correction. I meant to say long list.