Basel 2014 ATP 500

[Denis]

Draw is here:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/share/event-draws.aspx?year=2014&eventid=328&draw=ms

So I was hoping Novak would play, knock some points off the Fedster, also in case Jelena gets the baby during Bercy.

Nadal playing btw? :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed has reasonable draw, neither too tough nor too easy. After a couple of fairly easy
rounds, he gets Fellow Fed in QF and then Fellow Swiss in SF before probably facing Milos in F.

Rafa should be taken out by Gulbis in QF or by Milos in SF.

Among the two contenders, Grigor and Milos, surely Milos got the favorable draw
as he only needs to face Goffin in QF whereas Grigor has to face dad.

 

[lacatch]

Nadal was just quoted as saying this is the most dangerous first round match he's every played, and that he hasn't been able to practice much: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/scared-nadal-braced-dangerous-basel-bow-183410300--ten.html?soc_src=copy

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Toni Nadal says in Basel:

"When he is playing well, at his best, Roger Federer is probably the greatest player of all time. Unfortunately for us, and for the other, he is still very much playing very well..." said Toni laughing

 

[Front242]

These antibiotics make me fart often, no? Was me I think, interviewer. Sorry for that.

 

[TsarMatt]

These antibiotics make me fart often, no? Was me I think, interviewer. Sorry for that.

Not sure how well Nadal will go here. It'll be interesting, though.

 

[bobvance]

Nadal was just quoted as saying this is the most dangerous first round match he's every played, and that he hasn't been able to practice much: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/scared-nadal-braced-dangerous-basel-bow-183410300--ten.html?soc_src=copy

After reading that I'm not sure what Rafa is thinking. He's not 100%, doesn't know how his body will react, and seems to fear some sort of injury since he mentions some of his injuries have come after taking antibiotics (not that there's a real correlation there). Why compete at the Basel Indoors with all these doubts? It makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Kieran]

^^ Moolah. It's the only reason I can think of. And he's signalling his commitment by getting his excuses in early... :nono

 

[shawnbm]

I am angered, quite frankly, that Nadal is doing this. He could have already taken the damned thing out and be rested for even Bercy by now. The WTF would have been no big deal; but he plays Shanghai and now is in Switzerland saying this and that. I just do not comprehend what in the hell these guys are thinking. Money? Pleeeaaaassssseeeee. Rafael Nadal can do without this appearance money. Unbelievable.

 

[Denis]

Allright, I'm ready for the toughest first round ever. Expecting a three-set blockbuster!

 

[Denis]

Bolelli is clearly not living up to Nadal's promises so far: 6 - 2 for the Bull.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Hi , Is ther e alink to watch today's matches .. thanks

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa and his famous appendix won the 1st set 62
Rafa isnt out of 2nd gear so far in this match
Carry on Rafa

 

[Front242]

Hi , Is ther e alink to watch today's matches .. thanks

It's over. Rafa won 6-2 6-2.

 

[Front242]

But if you want to Goffin v Thiem try this one http://www.drakulastream.eu/tennis-live-streaming-video.html

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I didn't know rafa was on today..6-2, 6-2 seemed a decent enough run out for mr antibiotics man. how did the beleaguered warrior look in his general play, if anyone saw any of it ?.

 

[shawnbm]

He looked fine to me in the games I was able to watch. He moved well and was bludgeoning the FH as he does.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa didnt get out of 2nd gear in the match,lets remember he was playing Bols

Stats for Rafa in this match

1st serve percentage 69% 1st serve points won 81% 2nd serve points won 50%

Winners 13 ufe 6 BP 4/7

 

[Denis]

I didn't know rafa was on today..6-2, 6-2 seemed a decent enough run out for mr antibiotics man. how did the beleaguered warrior look in his general play, if anyone saw any of it ?.

I saw the first set. Nothing spectacular really. It was what you would have expected without all the drama.

 

[Front242]

Didn't watch any but Bolelli had 20 ufes which was over 3 times what Rafa had so that says it all.