Both Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic are coming off third-set tiebreaker wins as they head into a round of 16 showdown on Thursday in Shanghai. Tomas Berdych and Gilles Simon are also part of a jam-packed schedule.
(8) Rafael Nadal vs. (9) Milos Raonic
Nadal and Raonic will be facing each other for the sixth time in their careers and for the second time this season when they battle for a spot in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Thursday. Each of their first four encounters were positively dominated by Nadal, but the tide started to turn last season in Miami. Raonic finally got a set off the Spaniard in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 loss and he got all the way over the hump almost exactly one year later. At the 2015 Indian Wells Masters, the Canadian prevailed 4-6, 7-6(10), 7-5.
Speaking of three-set thrillers, this matchup just barely came to fruition. Shortly after Raonic saved a match point to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-6(5), Nadal also survived in a third-set tiebreaker with a 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) win over Ivo Karlovic. Raonic preceded his victory by defeating Thomaz Bellucci in a pair of tiebreakers, while Nadal is coming off a strong runner-up performance in Beijing. Whereas the 14-time major champion appears to be heating up, Raonic continues to struggle in the aftermath of a mid-season foot injury. It does not help the No. 9 seed’s chances that he dealt with a hip issue against Bautista Agut on Wednesday.
Pick: Nadal in 2
[polldaddy poll=9126812]
(10) Gilles Simon vs. (5) Tomas Berdych
Berdych has not defeated anyone ranked better than No. 26 in the world since this spring’s Madrid Masters as he heads into third-round Shanghai action on Thursday. The fifth-ranked Czech has been in a relative slump by his standards, although he at least managed to capture a 250-point title in Shenzhen earlier this month. Berdych almost lost his opener this week but battled to a 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 victory over 33rd-ranked American Jack Sock.
Next up for the No. 5 seed is a 12th career meeting with Simon, who enjoys a 7-4 edge in the head-to-head series. The Frenchman is 3-1 lifetime at Berdych’s expense on outdoor hard courts. An alarmingly routine Wimbledon contest this summer went Simon’s way 6-3, 6-3, 6-2. The world No. 14 bounced back from a shocking five-set loss to Donald Young in round one of the U.S. Open to finish runner-up in Metz and reach the Tokyo quarterfinals. So far this week he has taken out Nikoloz Basilashvili and Leonardo Mayer in three sets. Everything points to another win for Simon in this one.
Pick: Simon in 2
[polldaddy poll=9126814]
I’m going with Rafa in 2 and berdych in 3.
I agree with Benny. Rafa in 2 and Berdy in 3.
Rafa in 2 and Berdych in 3.
Court speed will be the difference for Berdych.
Nadal and Berdych
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRU8E6TWEAAfubN.png:medium
Because berdych ay Ricky lmao
Rafa and Raonic due on court any minute now………………………………………
Where is everybody?
Vamos Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRWl_chXAAA0Ex9.png
🙂
Happy to report Rafa takes the lst set 6-3
Anderson dispaches Nishikori in straight sets
What a relief! For the first time this year commentators are showing more respect for Rafa 🙂 A few references to his mediocre performance this year but not the endless catalogue of who (with their ranking) has beaten him.
Rod Laver is loving it.
They showed Rod Laver in the crowd watching Rafa! He’s a fan! My childhood hero loves Rafa!
He was in Shanghai to keep an eye on Kyrgios
Ricky Dimon (at 7:15 pm),
Rod Laver was/is in Shanghai to launch the 2016 Australian Open.
AusOpen, October 13, 2013: ¤¤ Rafael Nadal and Rod Laver launch Australian Open 2016 in Shanghai¤¤
http://www.ausopen.com/news/2015/10/13/rafael-nadal-and-rod-laver-launch-australian-open-2016-in-shanghai#sthash.p9nyJm8B.dpuf
Rafa is an official “Friend of the Australian Open”. 🙂
I’ve got the telephone engineers here so my internet connection is on and off.
Rafa is doing well.
Vamos!
Tough luck. Do you have TennisTV to watch on catch up?
2nd set is not quite such one-way traffic as the first but Rafa looks in control.
I have been able to watch on tv but I have had to watch in the lounge then the conservatory then in the bedroom. He’s gone now and all is well.
Ricky,
Oh yes! Of course! Well maybe Laver can teach Krygios how to behave!
Anderson won in straights ??
Benny: that was over half an hour ago. See my comment above at 10.59am 🙂
with this draw he can reach the final and move into World Tour Finals discussion
That’s what I was thinking. He’s got good shot at final. Stan and Rafa r both beatable for Kevin imo. Tough but beatable.
Another bloody tiebreak
I think big servers are at a disadvantage in TBs because all their errors count.
Good point. Particularly if they dont have any other lethal weapon.
Raonic has developed more to his game but is still too dependent on his serve.
One swallow does not a summer make but consecutive swallows in two days promises good weather ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS: Milos looks even more like a cross between a Madam Taussads waxwork and a ventriloquest’s dummy than usual.
Raonic’s game is not near where it was at the beginning of the year.
And a Lego man to boot.
http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/w/wow/graphics-wow-845925.gif
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRW0lDgVAAAaAc_.png
🙂 🙂
The second part of the match stats:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRW2qjxUkAAMuFI.png