Rafael Nadal and Nishikori may have tough openers on their hands on Wednesday in Shanghai. They are going up against Ivo Karlovic and Nick Kyrgios, respectively.
(8) Rafael Nadal vs. Ivo Karlovic
Nadal and Karlovic will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers and for the first time since 2011 when they meet again in round two of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Wednesday. All four of their previous encounters have gone Nadal’s way, but he has never finished the job in straight sets. Twice the Spaniard has prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker; on the grass courts of Queen’s Club in 2008 and three years later in Indian Wells.
Karlovic is through to the last 32 thanks to a 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Jeremy Chardy on Monday. The 36-year-old Croat is 34-21 on the season and registers at an impressive 21st in the world. Nadal is coming off a successful campaign in Beijing, where he reached the final before succumbing to Novak Djokovic. The No. 8 seed is 9-5 lifetime in Shanghai and a shocking 5-5 in his last 10 matches. Nothing suggests this will be an easy one for the Nadal, but he should once again survive the Karlovic serve in the end.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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(6) Kei Nishikori vs. Nick Kyrgios
Nishikori is looking to bounce back from–by his standards–a premature exit in Tokyo, where the defending champion was upset by Benoit Paire in the semifinals. Japan’s top player is a stellar 51-12 for his 2015 campaign, but he has underwhelmed for the most part ever since hammering Nadal in the Montreal quarterfinals. Since reaching the Shanghai semis in 2011, Nishikori is 3-3 at the event and has not advanced past the third round.
Up first for the world No. 6 is a showdown with Kyrgios, whom he has never faced. The 20-year-old Australian punched his ticket to the second round by destroying Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-3, 6-2 on Monday. Thus continued a sudden turnaround in form, as Kyrgios slumped after Wimbledon but made it to the semifinals in Kuala Lumpur and the quarters in Tokyo. This is a good opportunity for one of the world No. 32’s biggest wins, and he may be able to capitalize if he serves like he did in round one–63 percent, 13 aces, and only one double-fault.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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very very impressive ! proud of rafa today! he is well on track! vamos
nice win, Rafito
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRSUlwBUEAAuqWA.png
🙂 🙂
The second part of stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRSWqIPWUAEMP8f.png
happy for rafa–obviously, but I’m always sad when Ivo loses in a 3rd set TB. He always looks so despondent.
YAY RAFA! So well done! Great job!
Rafa looked so focused in this match! You need nerves of steel to play Karlovic! Rafa passed the test!
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/shanghai/5014/daily-schedule
Rafa plays 3rd tomorrow.
Not before 6:00 PM (local time).
Rafa is now 5:0 against Dr Ivo.
Vaaaammmmmmmmooossssssssssssss!
That was massive. I am speechless with exhaustion. Off to take one of my emergency pills before I collapse in a heap.
Vaamoos Rafa!
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/happy/cheering-clapping-smiley-emoticon.gif
Good win for Nadal over Karlovic
I am impressed with Rafa’s serving stats in this match. He really brought the goods. I think now we know that he mentally stronger, because you can’t beat Karlovic without keeping it together.
This is going to give Rafa some really good feelings moving forward.
I read online yesterday about Fed. That was a shocker!
Yeah, I think his match vs Novak did help him to believe, and hes now finally having some confidence in his own game, and hes clutch now when serving for sets or match.
Hes serving well and returning unbelievably well. He had so many passing winners! The only thing that i think he failed to do was to make changes quick enough during the match, when Karlovic had finally figured out how to handle Rafa’s passing shots in the third set. Had Rafa changed to lobbing Karlovic early in the third set instead of passing him at the net (after Karlovic handled Rafa’s passing shots pretty well) i feel Rafa should have the match wrapped up earlier instead of having to play a stressful third set TB.
I was so worried for him during the third set and during the TB, thinking he might again lost another winnable match! So happy that he finally won a tight match and being clutch enough to do so!
huh, people, I just needed time to catch my breath…my heart is still beating like crazy…
LOVE YOU RAFA!!!!
VAMOOOOOOOSSSS!
39 winners to 14 UEs. How’s that for an improvement especially as it was against the moving wind turbine!
The magic moment in the first set
http://www.tennistv.com/video/videoId/1j35xqmu4judp1t9z5o4dlulnh/title/nadal-hot-shots–atp-shanghai-2r
That match was just like the old days when Rafa repeatedly snatched the win in the dying moments of the match.
Congratulations to Rafa and to all his fans who kept faith in him.
Great to see that Ed. Thanks!
Vamos!!!!!
ed,
Thanks for that link. I did not see the first two matches. That was brilliant! Some insane ROS winners from Rafa! Unbelievable! When I finally got to watch the match and saw that Rafa won the first set 7-5, I wondered how on earth he broke Karlovic. Now I know!
Again many thanks! 🙂
26 FH winners! Rafa is back.
whoa now
declaring Rafa is back is not what you want fo do after hitting a few forehand winners against Ivo Karlovic
Give us a break Ricky. There’s been precious little to celebrate. We’re entitled to be excited today.
it was a good performance. Saying he is back because he beat Karlovic on a double fault is absurd. You dont need me to tell you that.
I admit it might be too soon for fireworks but it’s hard not to get excited with so many FH winners the way Rafa’s been this year. To me this is a clear indication that something has clicked in his head (also the fact of holding it together in the TB – Karlo is not one you want to be caught up with in a TB, no matter your name or shape you’re in).
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I agree, I am not going to break out the champagne just yet, but I do believe that this is a match Rafa would have lost a few months ago. That’s one important thing. You really need to keep it together and stay strong with all the pressure Karlovic puts on his opponent’s serve.
I also understand Ricky’s point. But how surprising was it to see Karlovic double fault at the most crucial moment of the match. With all those aces and having that advantage of the big serve, in the end what let him down was his serve!
Also, Rafa did hit some insane shots to get the break in the first set. So he deserves credit for that. It’s an accomplishment when you can break Karlovic.
We do need something to celebrate finally.
I am beyond proud of Rafa!
I can’t wait to see the replay of the match so I can see the first two sets.
Not that surprising. Karlovic and Isner have become DISASTERS in final set tiebreakers.
Raonic in 2
kidding, kidding, Rafa has got to get better after this = Rafa in … 3
Nadal in 2. He’ll carry the momentum from today against Raonic who is still not at the top of his game.
Simon in 3. As long as he is injury free I believe he will outlast Berdych.
http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-love-rafa-22.png
My all time favourite song which sums up how I feel today
https://youtu.be/1Wsqdfwthmk
no offence ed but, wtf? lol
it’s about having faith in the future ‘When the road has been too long’
Dont take any notice of me, I’m being a sentimental old fool.
To hit those FH winners when under so much pressure against a big server is truly remarkable.
I agree. Remarkable Rafa, finally!