Mutua Madrid Open: 5/4/2014 (Main draw in Post #1)

• #30 Reply
  Posted by Clay Death on 05 May, 2014 13:52
• I would be a happy man if Rafa wins RG and Andy snatches Wimbledon.
  
  their respective campaigns start here. they better start stringing some match wins here.
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• #31 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 05 May, 2014 14:04
• Girlado's grunt has gone through the roof now. And leads 4-1 to Hewitt.
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• #32 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 05 May, 2014 14:10
• Quote from: Clay Death on 05 May, 2014 13:52

  I would be a happy man if Rafa wins RG and Andy snatches Wimbledon.
  
  their respective campaigns start here. they better start stringing some match wins here.
  

  
  Sampras thinks it will be tricky for Andy to defend Wimbledon but I, on the other hand, think Andy knows what to expect. Or he's aware of the fact that, the expectations are different now. I still think winning it first time was far more challenging. He just needs to be in great form which is still a bit suspect.
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• #33 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 05 May, 2014 14:12
• Fognini is set to play Dolgo and I know many are finding it very interesting but Dolgo does lead Fog 4-0 and 3 of those 4 victories are on clay. He's not a good matchup for Fog by all accounts.
  
  I need a cup of lemon tea.
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• #34 Reply
  Posted by Clay Death on 05 May, 2014 14:45
• cup of lemon tea is now available at Emma's Café.
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  Andy is very crafty on grass. he will get it together by then. I am expecting him to win the queens event also.
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• #35 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 05 May, 2014 15:51
• Dimitrov is playing the last match - at least on the men's side. 2-1 on serve.
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• #36 Reply
  Posted by thetruth on 06 May, 2014 04:32
• Quote from: Emma on 05 May, 2014 11:04

  Quote from: thetruth on 04 May, 2014 18:01

  Quote from: Emma on 04 May, 2014 13:26

  I don't think Nole will be there in Rome either. I do feel he's being extremely careful and aiming strictly for RG. The clay season is very long and drains players especially if they take part in each tournament and this season ends with two almost back to back Slams - RG and Wimbledon. Even Nadal seems to be conserving as much energy as possible. I do feel it's now coming down to Slams only for these top players. Nole hasn't won anything other than AO since 2011 and this year, he didn't even get that. Federer clearly wants another Slam to make sure Nadal doesn't come anywhere near him. Nadal is very keen on matching Sampras' record and Murray obviously wants to defend Wimbledon. That leaves the remaining Slams up for grab for any of these players and they all look desperate and hungry. And they are definitely far more focused on that.
  

  
  Good stuff, Emma.
  
  Enjoyable read.
  

  
  Thank you, TT. I think the top players are feeling a bit threatened by some of the other players especially lately as well. Wawrinka, Nishikori, Dimitrov, Dolgopolov, Gulbis...to name a few and look how this year has already panned out so far. Who would have thought Wawrinka was going to win AO followed by Monte Carlo? And then Nishi comes along and takes Barcelona. So I am sure they feel it isn't going to be easy to win any Slam from this point on. Because not only you will have to battle the three other major contenders but you also have some other rising to the top who are perfectly capable of posing enormous danger. So obviously the Slams are the main target now for any of these players and conserving energy is the only thing they need since there's not much to improve when it comes to their respective game.
  

  
  I agree, 100%.
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• #37 Reply
  Posted by thetruth on 06 May, 2014 04:33
• Quote from: Emma on 05 May, 2014 11:09

  Has Paire retired against Simon? I take it he's injured himself or maybe already had one to begin with? Anyway, don't think that's good news for Federer since the last meeting with Simon didn't go too well for him at RG. If Simon stays fresh he can do some damages here. I am sure the loss hurt the last time. He'd have to be extremely eager and motivated though.
  
  Verdasco, Nishi, Tsonga, Isner etc. are all winners today.
  
  Looks like Almagro and Golubev are set to play tomorrow which means Andy will play on Wednesday. And I guess both Nadal and Federer are set to play on that day as well.
  

  
  Oh no! I am so tired of these Wednesday starts. Wednesdays are busy for me. This is the third tournament in a row that this has happened.
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• #38 Reply
  Posted by masterclass on 06 May, 2014 05:48
• From Roger Federer's facebook page:
  
  "I’ve decided to withdraw from Madrid to be with my wife Mirka during these next few exciting weeks for our family. I apologize to my fans and hope to be back in Madrid next year. I’ll be training near my home, and am excited to rejoin the Tour soon!"
  
  Wishing good health and happiness to the coming baby Federer, Mom Mirka, and Papa Federer...
  
  So the number 2 and 4 seeds are out. 
  
  Can Rafa and Stan hold up their end?  Who else might take advantage of the turn of events?
  
  Respectfully,
  masterclass
  
  
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• #39 Reply
  Posted by Clay Death on 06 May, 2014 09:10
• coast is clear for guys like Rafa and Stan now. they should be able to get into the final.
  
  
  
  dolgopolov removes fognini from the facilities.
  
  here are all the live scores.
  
  
  http://www.tennisexplorer.com/live/#inscore_ifheight_xdc_6685
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• #40 Reply
  Posted by Clay Death on 06 May, 2014 12:07
• here is the order of play for tomorrow sports fans.
  
  Andy and Rafa are in action tomorrow:
  
  http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=1536
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• #41 Reply
  Posted by thetruth on 06 May, 2014 12:18
• Quote from: Clay Death on 06 May, 2014 12:07

  here is the order of play for tomorrow sports fans.
  
  Andy and Rafa are in action tomorrow:
  
  http://www.atpworldtour.com/Scores/schedule.aspx?EventId=1536
  

  
  Finally!
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• #42 Reply
  Posted by Clay Death on 06 May, 2014 13:54
• roberto bautista agut removes verdasco from the facilities.
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• #43 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 06 May, 2014 16:20
• Well, Stan's draw was supposed to be easy but Thiem takes him out in the very first match he plays. Excellent result for Thiem. One cannot help but feel very happy for him.
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• #44 Reply
  Posted by Emma on 06 May, 2014 16:23
• Fognini threw everything out there at Dolgo ... from MTO to bathroom break to threatening the umpire but nothing stopped Dolgo from removing Fog from the facilities. I still feel if it wasn't for all those drama especially after the 2nd set, Dolgo would have won in straight.
  
  He faces Gulbis next. Tough road for him, unfortunately.
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