Rafael Nadal will continue his Shanghai campaign on Friday against Stan Wawrinka. Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are also hoping to snag a spot in the semifinals.
(8) Rafael Nadal vs. (4) Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka and Nadal will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Friday. Nadal is dominating the head-to-head series 12-2, but the tide has begun to turn. Wawrinka captured his first of two Grand Slam titles at the 2014 Australian Open by upsetting a hobbled Spaniard 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The Swiss won his second in a row at Nadal’s expense by getting the job done 7-6(7), 6-2 earlier this season in Rome. They have faced each other twice in Shanghai, with Nadal coming out on top 6-4, 6-4 in the 2010 second round and 7-6(10), 6-1 in the 2013 quarterfinals.
The world No. 7 has done well to back up a solid runner-up showing in Beijing, although his week almost never got off the ground. Nadal needed in a third-set tiebreaker to survive Ivo Karlovic 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) before taking out another huge server–Milos Raonic–via a 6-3, 7-6(3) decision on Thursday. Wawrinka got past Viktor Troicki 7-6(3), 6-3 and Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-4 to reach the last eight. The fourth seed and recent Tokyo champion is 14-1 in his last 15 matches dating back to the start of the U.S. Open. But so much tennis may be catching up with Wawrinka, who dealt with a shoulder injury against Cilic and will not be helped by spending two hours and 54 minutes on court. This sets up nicely for Nadal to continue his upswing in both form and confidence.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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(12) Kevin Anderson vs. (16) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Anderson appears to be playing inspired, statement-making tennis after breaking into the top 10 for the first time in his career on Monday. A run to the U.S. Open quarterfinals helped propel him to 10th in the world, although he has been consistent almost the whole season with a 42-20 record. The 6’8” South African has bounced back nicely from an opening-round loss in Tokyo to score straight-set victories in Shanghai over Tommy Haas, Fabio Fognini, and Kei Nishikori.
Up next for Anderson on Friday is a second-ever meeting with Tsonga. Their only previous encounter came last year on the clay courts of Rome, where the Frenchman prevailed 7-6(14), 7-6(5). An otherwise lackluster 2015 campaign saw Tsonga pick up momentum with a quarterfinal showing in New York followed by a title in Metz. The world No. 15 looked lifeless in his Beijing opener last week but he is back on track in Shanghai with defeats of Tommy Robredo, Victor Estrella Burgos, and Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Anderson has enjoyed a more routine week at the office and a confident, well-rested No. 12 seed should maintain his perfect record as a member of the top 10.
Pick: Anderson in 3
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who ya got?
Only 50% of the top eight seeds have got to the QFs
I’m going with Stan in 3 in a toss up and Kevin in 3 in another close call. I’m liking the form of both right now so I’ll give them the edge though Stan is probably more likely to lose than Kevin to be honest considering his recent abundance of matches in Tokyo and here and having to play long match with Cilic plus shoulder bothering him. He usually brings his best against the big four though. And Rafa is struggling so if that happens Stan should win so I’ll take him in 3. As for Kevin his new top 10 status has really caused him to play even better it seems. His win over nishikori further solidifies that he deserves this status and I think he will be a bit too solid for Jo willy though the Frenchman could win if he plays at his best.
Benny: What do you mean by Rafa struggling? Stan has not looked particularly forbidding and had a mighty struggle to get past Cilic who, I might add, has not shown the same form that won him the USO last year. Whatever has been ailing Rafa is in remission right now.
Rafa in 3
Anderson has discovered a new lease of life with his run of wins against solid competition. Expect more of the same tomorrow against the erractic Tsonga with his all to frequent brawn against brains game.
Anderson in 3
I meant with confidence Ed not physical. But he is gaining confidence with these wins here and like I said a win for Rafa wouldn’t surprise me either. I’m a little bit rooting more for Stan but I would be happy if Rafa won too. Whoever wins let’s hope it’s a good match.
Cole Slaw has won 14 of his last 15 matches…
Ricky: Head scratch. Cole Slaw ?
None of those wins was against a Top 10 player.
That’s mine. A bit of plagiarism on Ricky’s part.
Stani-slaw, cole-slaw.
Similar to using twitter hashtags. I don’t mind if people copy.
You know what they say about imitation. 🙂
I remember now, you invented that nomenclator after the AO ’14
clearly you are not on Twitter
you got it in one
One of a few. I wasn’t happy wit Stan for a long time.
All is forgiven after he straighted Fed at the French.
Never heard of it.
#1srOnTennisForum
#YoureWelcomeMyFan
#Humb1e
ed251137 (at 9:16 pm),
Speaking of Twitter,
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRan-i_WoAAPLo_.png:medium
Rafa 0-5 YTD vs Top 4.
This would be a big confidence booster for him and Stan looks tired/injured.
Go with my heart.
Rafa in 3.
Kevin in 3.
Be calm, be focused, be confident, be strong, be brave, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRYL6_oUcAAumVX.png:medium
Hey, Rick’s picking Rafa now! I am going with him and saying it will be Rafa in 3 sets. I am trying to watch the replays of some of the matches, but I don’t know what kind of form Stan’s in right now.
However, after what I saw from Rafa today even if it was not Raonic at his best, I think he’s really made progress. Stan is the #4 player now. If Rafa can beat him, then this will mean he’s beaten someone who is at least in the top ten, if not one of the top players such as Novak, Fed or Murray. Oh and I still consider Rafa to be in that group.
Oops, I forgot Anderson/Tsonga. I was wrong when I picked Nishi to beat Anderson. I saw some of that match and it seems that Nishi has fallen back a bit. But all credit to Anderson. Based on this result I am going with Ricky’s pick of Anderson over Tsonga in 3 sets.
Oh, I just realized that my pick of Stan beating Cilic was right. I got a few right. I think it’s time for Rafa to face Stan. He has to play against top ten players and even those ranked in the top five to see where he’s at now. This is a good thing!
Let’s do this Rafa!:)
Wawrinka in 2 sets (7-6, 6-4)
Tsonga in 2 sets, (7-6, 7-5)
Nadal for the win and Tsonga in 3
Nadal has looked better than Stan this week. Stan had a lot of trouble against Cilic he barely crawled over the finish line.
That’s what I wanted to know regarding Stan’s form now. I am hoping to see a replay of his match with Cilic. Right now the tennis channel is replaying Rafa’s match with Raonic. It’s good to know that someone who saw the match thinks that Stan is not in very good form.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/654607563489718277
I posted this video on Rafa’s page yesterday (at 2:37 pm).
Not sure why that matters.
I rarely look at Rafa’s page anymore.
Besides, I put it where it belongs as it’s match specific as pointed out in the guidelines on Rafa’s page.
October 16, 2015 at 1:04 pm,
My post at 5:31 am was intended for people who visit Rafa’s page.
Why else?
No, I think it was intended for yourself.
Kevin got nervous in the TB
Tuned in just in time to see the start of the 2nd set. Pity Anderson didn’t capitilise on the TB. He is definitely tight today. If he takes it to a third set then I think he stands a good chance. Hope he does.
You’re not rooting for a frenchman??????
J-WT has just shown why he doesn’t have more titles to his name. He over pressed and made three consecutive errors to lose the set. Anderson can win this if he stays calm.
Anderson chokes on big points.
Too true. Hence he has not had more success either..
J-W has upped his level. Got the first break and saved several BP to hold on to his break.
J-W will serve for the match.
Big win for J-W who goes forward to the SF.