Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem are one round away from a rematch in the Rio de Janeiro final, but they first have to take care of unseeded opponents on Saturday. In Delray Beach, meanwhile, Juan Martin Del Potro’s comeback continues to pick up steam.
Rio Open: (1) Rafael Nadal vs. Pablo Cuevas
Nadal and Cuevas will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers and for the second straight year at the Rio Open when they engage in a semifinal clash on Saturday. Two clay-court encounters went Nadal’s way in 2015, as the Spaniard prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in the Rio quarters before cruising to a more comfortable 6-3, 6-2 quarterfinal victory in Hamburg. Speaking of comfortable, Nadal did not even have to take the court on Friday. The world No. 5, who opened his tournament with straight-set wins over fellow Spaniards Pablo Carreno Busta and Nicolas Almagro, got a walkover from an injured Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Cuevas also punched his ticket to the last eight without dropping a set. The 45th-ranked Uruguayan ousted Facundo Bagnis, Thiago Monteiro, and Federico Delbonis in an all-unseeded trek through a section of the draw vacated early by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Jack Sock. Needless to say, the competition level is ratcheting up in a big way in the form of Nadal. Cuevas took a set off his heavily-favored opponent last season in Rio only to completely tank the third. Something in between those two extremes will likely transpire in this one.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 8 games or fewer
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Delray Beach Open: Sam Querrey vs. (WC) Juan Martin Del Potro
Del Potro’s comeback to tennis after 11 months away from the game has improved with each match in Delray Beach. The 27-year-old eased through his opener but dealt with no kind of resistance from an out-of-sorts Denis Kudla in a 6-1, 6-4 victory. John-Patrick Smith gave Del Potro a tougher test on Thursday but the 2009 U.S. Open champion still cruised 6-4, 6-4. Jeremy Chardy did not play like the 30th-ranked player in the world during quarterfinal action, but a 6-2, 6-3 beatdown in Del Potro’s favor was nonetheless impressive.
Next up for the wild card is a semifinal showdown against Querrey. Del Potro has won both of their previous meetings in straight sets (6-4, 6-4 in the 2009 Auckland title match and 6-2, 7-5 on the indoor hard courts of Valencia in 2011). Querrey has advanced this week by taking out Thiemo De Bakker, Austin Krajicek, and Tim Smycek, dropping sets to De Bakker and Smyczek along the way. The 61st-ranked American has not been particularly impressive this week and probably lacks the smarts and the style necessary to beat Del Potro at the moment. That would entail opening up the ad side of the court with heavy groundstrokes to the deuce side to go along with attacking the net with approach shots to the Argentine’s backhand. Querrey also will not be able to dictate play to the extent that those tactics can be executed.
Pick: Del Potro in 2
[polldaddy poll=9317141]
who ya got???
I’m taking Del Po in three. I think Querrey can take a set with his serve and forehand but Del Po should be too tough in the end. A straight sets win wouldn’t surprise me either. As for Rafa-Cuevas, I’m taking Rafa in straights losing eight games or fewer. I don’t see Rafa losing a set unless he plays badly but it’s possible that cuevas snatches one as he did last year. If not he could at least lose in straights winning more than eight games. Still, I’m picking Rafa to win in straights losing eight games or less. Can’t wait for these semis, particularly Del Po against Querrey.
I am picking Delpo in 2 sets over Querrey.
I will just wish Rafa good luck and say he should win this match, should being the operative word here.
I’ll go both in straight sets… berdman and cilic to come through. Did anyone see the Stan match? Did he play crappie?
tsame as Ricky.
Stay focused, remain confident, be consistent and show your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbrZyDXW0AIOVJe.jpg
cc’d to Benny!!! 🙂
To each his own aspiration.
So far the rain showers have not materialised over the tennis grounds but the forecast is risk of heavy showers for the evening – so no way of knowing when Rafa will get on court.
Thiem out… Rafa MUST win this tournament.
Cuevas will make him hit plenty of shots so I really hope the unforced errors stay in check.
how the hell did Thiem lose?
Pella was consistent and hitting some pretty good shots and Thiem handled the blustery conditions poorly. Plus he seemed a bit fatigued.
Yes! Rafa has had a walkover and now Thiem is out.
He has to get this win. It’s there for the taking.
Ugh! Three chances for Rafa to break and nothing. The last one was another of those crappy forehand a dumped into the net.
Brutal
Another chance for Rafa to get the early break.
Cuevas dumps a backhand into the net, giving Rafa the early break. Can Rafa hold to consolidate?
He has made so many annoying errors but been doing well enough to lead 3-0.
One thing he is doing really well is the slider out-wide serve on the Ad court.
But why is he hitting cc so much of the time? What about going DTL?
I agree about the wide out serve being effective. But Rafa looks tentative with his shot making at times.
There was an overhead at net that Rafa hit that barely got over the net.
I am glad that he’s up a break but not thrilled with his level of play.
there is absolutely nothing to be thrilled about, I agree. he is very tight
perhaps because he is not even able to hit the CC ones consistently
Rafa , this is DAMN ANNOYING!!!! What are you SO nervous about?!
Thanks! You are probably right about that.
Good grief! What on earth is going on here! Rafa gives back the break after a dreadful game.
What is Rafa afraid of? I don’t get it. This guy is no threat to him.
broken back
of course! was inevitable
:s Man up , rafa, man up!
Yes, man up Rafa already!
I really am at a loss for words. The TC commie ha been extremely critical of how Rafa has played. I don’t recognize his voice. Not the regular team. But he is just being honest about how the match is going.
Thank God! one good, confident point for a 40-30 lead
Rafa was up 3-0?! I feared he would play sloppy and make it more possible that he could blow this opportunity of getting the title. He should be able to win this but still c’mon Rafa get this done!!
Definition of insanity.
And an anxiety disorder (which doesn’t need a reason)
Do you?
Not even watching.
Their is little joy in watching him be halfa-Rafa win or lose.
Not near the same player he once was.
I don’t enjoy watching sloppy tennis even less so when it’s Rafa.
I agree. That’s exactly how I feel watching Rafa these days.
Just make him play lots of shots and he will make an error… it’s a guarantee…
I sense that Cuevas seems to have some confidence playing this Rafa.
Now that was more like it, Rafa! Where has that forehand DTL been?