Nadal v Almagro In Rio; Del Potro Continues Comeback In Delray; Berdych Battles Zverev In Marseille

by Staff | February 18th, 2016, 12:23 am
  • 34 Comments

It’s a busy day of men’s tennis action Thursday with stars spread out across three continents.

2014 champion Rafael Nadal is in action in Rio against countryman Nicolas Almagro. Both guys lost over the weekend to Dominic Thiem who won today before the rains hit.

David Ferrer is also on court in a re-scheduled match.


Earlier today. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga suffered one of his worst career losses falling to World No. 338 Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

In Marseille, Stan Wawrinka saved two matchpoints against Sergiy Stakhovsky to reach the quarterfinals. Marin Cilic and David Goffin were also winners.

On Thursday, Tomas Berdych battles Alexader Zverev in the headline match. Nick Kyrgios, Richard Gasquet and Benoit Paire are also on the schedule.

In Delray Beach, No. 4 seed Grigor Dimitrov advanced in three sets over Damir Dzhumer while No. 6 seed Steve Johnson continued to struggle losing to Benjamin Becker.

Juan Martin del Potro resumes his comeback on Thursday against Australian lefty John-Patrick Smith.


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34 Comments for Nadal v Almagro In Rio; Del Potro Continues Comeback In Delray; Berdych Battles Zverev In Marseille

Sean Randall Says:

Nadal-Almagro just starting. Berdych-Zverev in a third. Delpo in 4 hours…


AndyMira Says:

Thank God,rafa won,don’t see the match but from scores rafa do well..maybe pauly,dave or okie can give an analysis..no matter..rafa pass another tough obstacle..almagro like other spaniards is a specialist in claycourt..to be able to win in 2 sets over will give rafa a huge confidence indeed..


AndyMira Says:

That was suppused to be a “HIM” after “OVER”..what was i thinking!!


AndyMira Says:

God..and now..that was supposed to be a “SUPPOSED”..not suppused!!I going crazy now!!heh!heh!$%&*$#%$#@8$#


AndyMira Says:

As i feared,rafa will meet the dog later..now i have to pray..”Dear GOD..please let the rain fall down heavily and unstoppingly like yesterday so rafa don’t have to play the dog today..thank you GOD!”


Daniel Says:

Nadal was broken twice serving at 4-3 and than for the match at 5-4, and he almost was broken again as Almagro missed a ridiculous smash at 0-15.

Dolgo could be a test, but if he passes that he is safe in the final (he won’t lose his semis match) where he will face either Ferrer pr Thiem.

In the mean time DelPo is playing now. Only difference I noticed is that he is hitting way more slices and not unleashing BH as he used to. Also he is running away from BH whenever he can to hit a FH. But the serve looks just the same when he stop playing. Hope he recovers confidence in BH soon, because top players sure will exploit it more.


AndyMira Says:

@Daniel..i wish you’re right that rafa will win in the semis..but then before BA last week..he owned Thiem 1-0 in their h2h,still didn’t help him much..Delbonis or cuevas could give him a trouble thinking they’re nothing to lose,maybe they’ll be another THIEM,who knows..but first..the dog..he has the game that could hurt rafa..but seeing he won 3 sets against cervantes..maybe he’s not comfortable on clay or consistent enough at the moment..


Humble Rafa Says:

I remember the good old days when the Middle East Petroleum Show Up for Cash Open was my 2nd highlight of the year.


Dave Says:

AndyMira,

I didn’t get a chance to watch very much of the match. So I don’t have much to say about it. I have been getting ready for my trip to Acapulco tomorrow morning. Leave for the airport at 5am. Will try to watch the match tomorrow if I am around.


chrisford1 Says:

Humble – Dubai is also a very friendly venue for the Tour. Great hospitality, lots to do. Add that along with the money as reason to go.

PS, good match against the Spanish Choker.


AndyMira Says:

@Dave..can i ask you an amusing question?What’s your purpose to go there?1)to watch rrrafa 2)to have a vacation 3)to catch a string of beautiful women’s eyes…no matter what you do..i’ll support you dave..don’t forget to post here whenever you can k?By the way hope your trip there and back will be as smooth as possible..


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Nadal played ok
Nothing special except one great forehand pass
The dog is next … Dangerous match


AndyMira Says:

Pauly..i actually a little bit surprise when rafa won in 2 sets..i predict he will won in 3..based on rafa’s form and nico also a very dangerous player..about the dog..yeah i agree with you..he is a very dangerous player..if rafa can stormed the dog,he can restored back the confidence and self belief even a tiny one..by the way..do you read francisco roig interview?Interesting stuff he said right?At least we know rafa tried something even though quite not happening yet..


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Almagro is choker
Disrespectful Also if you recall the last time he beat Nadal he was so thrilled with his win he forgot to shake hands
Almagro is a jerk


AndyMira Says:

Yeah,if you think carefully,there’s also a few spaniards got a same manner/behaviour..tommy robredo also got a little bit cold shoulder when he lost..feli also looks very cool and laid back[macho i guess]only david ferrer got a very friendly attitude whether he win or lose..i respect him very much..


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Lopez is the biggest flirt thinks he’s James Bond … He once tried to pick up Caroline Wozniaki no chance she wasn’t interested in the slightest
Almagro wouldn’t shake Tomas Berdych’s hand in Australian open years ago claiming Berdych hit him on purpose with ball
Verdasco was dating invanovic but thought he could find someone better what a fool & ferrer is the only good guy out all these clowns


Pauly Says:

If Nadal beats the dog ?
I think he will win the tournament
Will it give him Confidence ?
Not too much but we will see what he can do at Indian wells & Miami ?


Daniel Says:

That passinh shot Nadal made on the run was insane, almost an impossible shot. One of his top 10 shots ever for sure!! And it allows him to break again after Almagro broke back, shot of the match.

Thiem or Ferrer in a final could be trick. Ferrer is one of the best returners and he will pressure Nadal’s serve like none of this guys have so far. But also he isn’t a great server, Dolgo and Thiem (with that kick angled serve) can win more free points out of it.

Very curious to see DelPo tonight versus Chardy. Someone who plays similar to him with big forehand. Hope he comes through. On paper is a good deaw for DelPo to re buido his confidence. And if he beats Chardy he can actually go on and win Delray. That would be something. But, first things first. Ser by set, match by match.


AndyMira Says:

Pauly..hey you remember when rafa hit nole incidently on his face when they played at Montreal i think in 2013?when rafa offered his apology,nole just ignore him..maybe still hurt and anger?Thankfully after that they shake hands and nole seems ok with it..that’s what i respect about top player,they always graceful and gracious no matter what they feel inside..

Hey pauly..do you think thiem can repeat last week incredible perfomance?


AndyMira Says:

@Daniel..it’s not easy to come back from long lay off,especially with the type of injury that DelPo suffered..the fear is still there..and to think that this is the first time he play after resting for so long and already reach QF..it’s very impressive indeed..


Pauly Says:

Andy Mira

Imagine if Nadal had hit the ball at Djokovic in the 2012 final of the Australian open final ?
Serving at 4-2 he might’ve won the Match
Aggressive play wins matches …


Pauly Says:

Thiem won’t beat ferrer


Okiegal Says:

Caroline Woz must be an idiot! Feli….flirt with me please…….I am interested…….and way too old. But a gal can go back in time and think of her youth and dream about all kinds of crazy stuff! Then BOOM BABY you bounce right back to reality……..sigh……He is drop dead gorgeous imho!! Those eyes of his are of the Paul Newman variety……me thinks! I had to just slap my own face, getting all carried away! LOL

Gypsy Gal where are you??


RZ Says:

@Pauly – you have it backwards about the Australian Open. It was Berdych who refused to acknowledge Almagro’s apology for hitting him with the ball and then after the match refused to shake his hand.


Daniel Says:

Almagro is anut case. There was one time in former Costa do Sauipe tennis tournament here in Brazil that a guy in the satnds was way drunk and messing with Almagro. He went to tournament organizer and ask him to make him quiet ptherwise he would smash and break his face: “parto la cara” I think was his exact words. He is known for his temper, or lack of it😜


chrisford1 Says:

Daniel – That passing shot Nadal made on the run was insane, almost an impossible shot. One of his top 10 shots ever for sure!!
———————
One thing I will always credit Nadal for is he is the best I have ever seen on hitting running passing shots. As much as the famous “net touch” in the 2013 French Open, an impossible on the run backhand passing shot in the 5th on a sure Nole winner turned the tide.
Only Nadal had the combination of speed, power, and touch to power such a shot with the accuracy and velocity to get it past a perfectly positioned Nole – off Rafa’s backhand, touching the line on the opposite corner.
It stopped Djokovic dead in his tracks, still shaking his head in disbelief Rafa had made it, then doing his normal applause of a great foe’s standout play – despite all the times they had played on a champion’s level, it still surprised Djokovic – it was that good a shot.
It’s one of the many things that makes Rafa an all-time Great.


Daniel Says:

Yeah CF1, seems he feeds in this sots to pump himself up and kill the opponent belief. You can feel the adrenaline kicking in;-)


Wog Boy Says:

Rafa’s BH is very underrated, I don’t think anybody except Nole can come even close to Rafa’s BH passing shots, whether it is CC or DTL, of course when Rafa was at the top of his game, just ask Roger. He got burned so many times coming to the net against Rafa that at the end he gave up coming to the net or at least was in two minds, what drew mistakes from him.


AndyMira Says:

Hey Pauly..you ever wondering why rafa never gives a towel to fans anymore?Is it because of his ocd?I always wondering about this..i feel sympathy for the fans who always support him..it’s not hurt to throw 1 or 2 towels to them after the match..he’s got tons of it..other player did it regularly..


Okiegal Says:

My favorite Rafa shot is the inside out forehand. When it’s working you better watch out. Just read the dog gave Rafa a walkover……fact or fiction…not sure about that.


Robin Says:

Sweaty towels? Ugh!


AndyMira Says:

@Okie..if so..my prayer yesterday has been granted!Not only rain fall heavily,but to have the dog pull out altogether..that was a given..THANK YOU GOD!I LOVE YOU..


AndyMira Says:

@Robin..why not?fan loves it..more sweats the better..

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