Mutua Madrid Open ATP1000 02-11 May 2014

[herios]

Dimi-Bird and Milos-Nishikori matches are tough in the next round.

Looking very much forward to those matches as well.
Also Gulbis - Cilic could be a good one

 

[Murat B.]

First game of Dimi-Bird and already some of the cleanest ball striking of the tournament.

 

[Murat B.]

Man, Bird is difficult to play against when you give him the upper hand in a rally. So much easy power, deep clean flat strokes. When you have the upper hand, you have options though. You can still go behind him and he sometimes commits to a side, so you can hold just a milisecond and wrong foot him.

 

[kskate2]

Dimi takes the opener 6-3. Served 5 aces already

 

[herios]

Grigor closed the first set like a man. He looks good, isn't he?

 

[herios]

I got to go to work
Go Milos (he is up a break against Kei in the first set)

 

[kskate2]

^^Serving for the set at 5-3, he is broken. Kei w/ some splendid returns gets it back on serve.

 

[Moxie]

Berdy just wrestled a break over Dimi in the 2nd.

 

[kskate2]

And then wrestled a hold for 5-2

 

[kskate2]

Meanwhile SP for Kei after Milos had the mini break several times in the TB

 

[Murat B.]

Niko wins the TB against MIlos and is up a set.

Rafa and Niemenen warming up .

 

[kskate2]

On a magnificent BH return, Kei takes the opening breaker 7-5.

Did I just hear Gimelstop say that trophy was one of the most beautiful? :nono

 

[kskate2]

Some errors from Dimi and Berd takes the middle frame 6-3. Early on the Nadal FH looks a little better

 

[Moxie]

Did I just hear Gimelstop say that trophy was one of the most beautiful? :nono

I heard that exchange. Someone (Tiriac) HAD to have paid them to say that. :laydownlaughing

 

[Moxie]

Berdych up the early break, I see. Nadal is looking sharper today with some pretty good trick shots, already. Even Jarkko hit one, but he's still down a break.

 

[kskate2]

It gets worse for Dimi. Down 4-0 in the decider. 3-3 in the 2nd set for Kei/Milos

 

[Murat B.]

THIS 6-1 set from Rafa, however, is nothing like the one he got yesterday. He looks confident and there is no hesitation in his shots.

Just in time too because Bird is coming strong. He has the insurance break in the third and he is hitting smooth. Yeah I know, H2H whatever, but Birdman likes playing here, he has had good results. I am not expecting a blow out if that match up happens.

 

[kskate2]

Berd comes through 6-2 in the decider. Kei/Milos on serve 5-5

 

[kskate2]

Another TB between Kei/Milos

 

[Murat B.]

Bird-Grigor was on ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO stadium. Does that mean players are allowed to talk to their boxes for a minute before deciding to challenge a shot or cause a stink?