Murray Survives Ramos Threat In Barcelona, Rafa Runs Away From Chung

by Staff | April 28th, 2017, 7:11 pm
  • 57 Comments

Andy Murray nearly fell for a second time in as many weeks to Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The Spaniard Vinolas twice led by a break in the final set against the Scot today in the quarterfinals at Barcelona, but failed to serve out the match at 5-4 and eventually lost in a deciding breaker 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).

“It was very similar to the match in Monte-Carlo, except in that match I was the one who had chances there, and today he had more chances to win,” said Murray. “I feel like I was a little more aggressive at the end of the second and third sets and then played a good tiebreak.

“I’m obviously tired, but that’s why it was important for me to get matches, especially ones like today. It’s good physically to have the long ones.”


Murray fell to Ramos-Vinolas last week in Monte Carlo losing from 4-0 up in the third set.

It’s the first time Murray’s made the semifinals at the event. And tomorrow, he’ll meet Dominic Thiem who was an easy winner over Yuichi Sugita 6-1, 6-2.

“I’ve never reached the semi-finals here before, so that’s good. It’s nice to do that, but I’d like to reach the final now,” said Murray. “It’s one of the biggest clay court events on the ATP World Tour just because of the history. A lot of great players have played here and won in the past.”

In the other semifinal, clay king Rafael Nadal will take on Argentine Horacio Zeballos.

Nadal kept his hopes of a 10th Barcelona title on track after ending the run of qualifier Hyeon Chung 7-6(1), 6-2. The 20-year-old Chung played Nadal tough in the opener and jumped out to a 3-1 lead.

“He was playing at a very high level throughout the tournament and played well today. He has good potential, great backhand and very quick. He has all the right things to be a good player,” said Nadal who is 51-3 at the event. “He had chances in the first set and I’m happy that I started to play better after the first six games.”

Zeballos ousted youngster Karen Khachanov 6-4, 6-1.

In Budapest, top seed Lucas Pouille is the heavy favorite to take the title. He’ll meet Paolo Lorenzi while the other semifinal pits two qualifiers, Laslo Djere and Aljaz Bedene.

SATURDAY BARCELONA SCHEDULE
PISTA RAFA NADAL start 13:30
[1] [WC] A. Murray (GBR) vs [4] D. Thiem (AUT)
Not Before 16:00
[3] R. Nadal (ESP) vs H. Zeballos (ARG)
F. Mergea (ROU) / A. Qureshi (PAK) vs J. Rojer (NED) / H. Tecau (ROU)


You Might Like:
Nadal, Murray Move Into Barcelona QFs; Chung Ousts Zverev
Nadal Survives Mayer Threat In Barcelona, Will Face Ferrer Thursday
Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray Advance In Barcelona
No Chung Change for South Korean who Wins Next Gen ATP Finals
Rafael Nadal Will Drop Out Of The Top 4; He Could Now Meet Novak Djokovic In the French QFs!

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

57 Comments for Murray Survives Ramos Threat In Barcelona, Rafa Runs Away From Chung

Van orten Says:

How many top 10 players did Rafa beat this year ?


Willow Says:

Hmm Good question, but he cant be blamed if all his rivals lost early, or didnt play through injuries or whatever, same for every other player, so moot point ….


Colin Says:

Andy’s going to have his hands full with Thiem, whom he’s never played on clay. He’ll certainly need to cut down the unforced errors. His team are probably going to get another ear-bashing! I think he can win, and if he has to “win ugly”, so be it.


Berghain Says:

Van Orten I think its 3 players in the top 10. Monfils and Roanic at AO and Cillic in Acapulco.


Willow Says:

Just wondering what he would have left to prove on this surface anymore ? ….


Tom Says:

To Van orten Nadal
Top 10

Brisbane Lost to Raonic N.3 0 W 1 L
Australia beat N.6 Monfils N.3 Raonic Lost to N.17 Federer 2 W 1 L?
Mexico 1 W n.8 cilic 1 Loss N. 40 Querry
Wells 1 loss N.10 federer
Maiami 1 Loss federer N. 6

So 3 or 4* Top 10 losses. (Fed was N.17 in 1 but still main rival had he won nobody would say he was N.17 but he was Fed the goat etc.)
1 or 2 top 40 Loses

3 Wins Cilic Raonic Monfis (5 wins combined against Nadal)
So 3-3 or 4-3 Its good but not spectacular.


Dropshot Says:

The only answer is that Novak and Roger both have more titles on hardcourt than Rafa has on clay, so what do they have to prove on that surface?


Willow Says:

Nobody was actually saying otherwise ….


Willow Says:

Rafas still be the second best player this year, but hell yeah hes such a failure ….


Daniel Says:

Why not hit the smash Murray? And then go to the net out of knowhete not on a great aproach.

Congrats Thiem on his final. Can’t see him beating Nadal, maybe win a set.

He will have to not miss on hos atacking and playing a flawless match to have a chance.


Daniel Says:

Top 10 players are all inkured or inconsisitant this year. Raonoc injured most of the year, Kei also out, Monfils can’t be healty for 3 months. Cilic and Wawa too inconsisitant, so is Gofin amd Thiem. Although they are getting some decent wins lately.

Djoko in lala land and Murray seems still struggling.

That leaves only Nadal fit and in form, he played close to 30 matches so far this year, the most I think of any player, and Federer, which we know won’t plai a full schedule. He played 4 touneys, and will probly play 6-8 more tops (RG, Stutgart, Halle, Wimby, Cincu, USO, Shangai, Basel, WTF). Think he skips Canada and Paris and maybe evn another of the ones I listed.

Nadal is going full force now because he knows after RG his chances decrease and he will play if his body allows amd when he wants. Or dependong on hos clay resulta and possible run at #1


Colin Says:

I said I’d settle for Andy winning Ugly, but instead he lost ugly! I imagine the conditions in Paris will be similar, so he’s going to need a sudden (and unlikely) improvement in his form to do well there. Assuming Thiem meets Rafa in the Barcelona final, I wouldn’t be amazed if he (Thiem) won.


Van orten Says:

I did not mean to discredit nadal achievement this year but he is really not that great except for the results. he now plays a lot . Expect him to run out of gas usual from July on


Giles Says:

Van Orten. Lol. I’m hoping you’ll run out of gas on your unkind comments!!


Willow Says:

Your kidding right, come on, surely you can only beat whos stood in front of you ? ….


gonzalowski Says:

Yes, maybe he has not developed his highest clay tennis level… maybe he has not been pushed for it, too, psychologically above all…
Let’s see against Thiem, who beat Rafa last year in Buenos Aires (250) SF.

Zeballos had beaten Rafa too in the last precedent between them, Viña del Mar final, after Nadal’s 8 months injury. Today has asked Rafa to make a ‘selfie’ together at the end of the match, as with Nole at Doha.


gonzalowski Says:

Thiem follows Muster, who was the last Austrian at Godó’s final, when, in 1996, beat Marcelo Ríos.


Okiegal Says:

Well, Rafa won’t be a shoe-in tomorrow for sure…..Theim has a great clay court game……we will see….

But wasn’t the selfie Zaballos took of himself and Rafa after the match the coolest thing ever?? A sweet moment between opponents……I loved it!!! 💜💜💜💜💜🎾🎾🎾 and 🍦🍦🍦 and the Spanish 🐂🐂🐂…..not necessarily in that order…….

VAMOS#10Barca


Okiegal Says:

@Gonzales 1:56 You beat me with the selfish comment…..I’m so slow…..it wasn’t there when I started my comment…..but a great moment me thinks!


Okiegal Says:

@gonza……not selfish but selfie…..stupid spell check….hate it!


Willow Says:

Ill hold my hands up if im wrong, but i cant see Thiem beating two top ten players, and all time greats back to back, having said that it would be amazing if he did, so you never know i suppose ….


RZ Says:

I can’t see Thiem beating Rafa tomorrow but I’d be thrilled if he does. He’s my favorite of the next wave of guys. Team Thiem!


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Rafa is head and shoulders above the field on clay right now. Its true that he doesn’t have big scalps this year, and maybe he will be challenged as the weeks go on, but right now, I expect a whupping tomorrow. Thiem is not last years Thiem. Yet.

And the incredible slump of the worlds #1 and 2 continues.


gonzalowski Says:

Oki but you exposed the stuff miles cooler than me!! ;)


Okiegal Says:

@gonza……awww thanks!! I’ll give myself a hand!!👏👏👏


Okiegal Says:

Anyone know what time the finals will be played tomorrow???


Markus Says:

Nadal on clay is the closest thing to a shoo-in. He always has one foot (one shoe? one sneaker?) in already in for the title in any clay tournament he competes in. GOAT is debatable but not when it comes to clay.


Markus Says:

Before the Australian Open, Dimitrov and A Zverev were the hotest players. They have not been the same after Nadal beat both in 5-setters. Did Nadal give these guys PTSD?


J-Kath Says:

Okie: Rafa’s match is scheduled for 4.00pm Spanish time – don’t remember which State you live in or would have looked it up for you….for think you may know how to???


Okiegal Says:

@JK……..Thanks! That is 9:00 am for me……. I was hoping it would be at noon there so I could get the match worked in before church…..but that’s not gonna happen unless it should rain like it’s done in Oklahoma all day……..I will survive I guess…..will have to be satisfied with a replay after the fact…….which is a bummer!!!


Okiegal Says:

@Markus…..So funny you said shoo-in and shoe-in…..I googled both of those spellings before I posted that comment. It was very interesting as to what I found out. Shoo-in seemed to have been started because if horse racing….and shoe-in had to do with door to door salesmen getting a foot in the door. So I learned something I did not know. One explanation seemed to think either one is correct…..so I went with the old tennis shoe…..lol!


Markus Says:

@Okie, interesting word, shoo-in vs shoe-in. A lot of people interchange them and they may really be interchangeable. I have always preferred shoo-in when referring to a sure winner. Here’s what “Grammarist” says: http://grammarist.com/spelling/shoo-in/

About the Barcellona final, I hope you won’t get agitated while attending mass tomorrow while the match goes on. What time is your mass? 10? Hmmm….


Okiegal Says:

Markus……my morning worship service is 10:00 to 11:00….Sunday school is at 9:00……I will watch as long as I can until I have to leave….but at the moment we have had so much rain and cold weather here in Oklahoma that I’m down in my left hip….can hardly straighten up to me walk…….so I probably won’t be going at all..,.getting old ain’t for sissies!!

I guess I will stay with “shoe-in”……that’s my preference…..in honor of the tennis shoe!! Lol


skeezer Says:

This is why you watch tennis, to see stuff like this;

https://www.facebook.com/tennischannel/videos/10155344812399175/

Sorry, Clay season sucks.


madmax Says:

Skeezer,

I saw it. It’s absolutely brilliant isn’t it? The fun of it all, you can just see he is so happy. A little further on from this, he gets the crowd on his side, sort of hawaiin wave, then a cut out, it’s hilarious, just as Isner is about to serve. Had the commentators roaring.

Great way to start the day. Thanks for the clip again.


gonzalowski Says:

je,je what a point !
Skeezer last day in Barcelona Kachanov tried a similar shot against Goffin (didn’t get it but, well…)


Willow Says:

Each to their own, the commies have all been parroting about how superb Rafa has looked so far this CC season, going for his shots been aggressive, the FH DTL how well hes moving etc, those that are not interested dont have to watch their choice ….


madmax Says:

Willow,

Good to see you back. For sure, Rafa has been playing well, but he is on his home turf. Clay is in his blood. No one expects anything less.

I am just waiting for him to win Barcelona, Rome after just winning Monte Carlo – then for certain people to question this. I mean, three in a row, after injury, and being over 30? Surely? Surely, there must be some suspicion somewhere? *drum roll* Giles. I can’t wait to be honest, to hear the excuses, the reasons.

You understand…


Willow Says:

There is always suspicion as far as im concerned Madmax, goes for any player, granted Rafas achievements on clay are second to none, but im not arrogant enough to expect it all to last forever, as all runs end eventually and he aint getting any younger, i just want to watch and enjoy seeing him play, although i know that wont last forever either, as regards to me posting ive been enjoying interacting with old friends, new friends, old relatives, and a couple of famous people on FB lately, so my priorities have changed lately, im just not as obsessed by tennis as i used to be ….


Willow Says:

But if im brutally honest, alot of the time, i cant stand the sight of this rotten forum Madmax ….


Giles Says:

^^^^^ Lol. Baffles me why you are here!!


Markus Says:

@Okiie, you and Nadal have something in common. You’re going (to church) at 10 whlie Rafa goes (in Barcelona) for 10. Have a great day, both of you. Hope you both make it to your respective 10s.


Okiegal Says:

@Markus….It must have been divine intervention….I’m down in my back….I can hardly straighten up…..there is some pain in my left hip area…….old age creeping up on me…… Yep Rafa going for 10, but he will have his hands full, Thiem will be no push over!


Willow Says:

Giles thats my buisness ….


J-Kath Says:

Congrats to Rafa and fans Okiegal, Willow, A.Mira and lots of others. Rafa certainly seems to have recovered his winning ways and leaping up the rankings again – and more to come.
Cheers
K


AndyMira Says:

Thank you so much JK!…Sorry about Andy..He slowly build his game now and when The Queen and Wimby come,he will reach his full potential there…After all Queen his sacred place..all he needs is confidence and everything will come naturally after that..


madmax Says:

Willow Says:
But if im brutally honest, alot of the time, i cant stand the sight of this rotten forum Madmax ….

April 30th, 2017 at 7:16 am

Stay sweet Willow. You are not included in the Childs category.

You bring a refreshing change to the ever predictable childs who just gloats. Not sure why when there is no competition. Not only that, the drugs. He never answered that question from long ago. Speaks volumes.

You come back Willow and be yourself. Congrats to Rafa fans named, (Oki and Willow), – but TBH, it doesn’t surprise me, all things considered.


J-Kath Says:

Ah – there you are A.Mira. Wasn’t sure what had happened to you – thought you’d maybe got stuck on Margot’s settee or you said something naughty and she locked you in the shed.

As for Andy……I’m a bit muddled about him…I’ll just have to wait and see – difficult as patience not one of my virtues, sigh, sigh.


Markus Says:

@Okiegal, sorry to hear about your physical ail but Nadal did get his 10. So, to both of you: Hip hip hurray!


Willow Says:

J-Kath and Madmax thankyou very much ….


AndyMira Says:

@JK 1:11pm….Hahaha!..yeah,you’re spot on JK!M’s locked me in her shed and forced me to create another magic potion and not to get out until Andy start winning again!!But NOT until Queen and Wimby!!Oh no!M’s coming!!Gotta go JK!!BYE!!!!


Okiegal Says:

@JK….Thanks for the sweet congrats…..Rafa is in his element and seems to have his confidence back. The red dirt does that for him for sure. Sorry Andrew is having his problems…..as I have said time and again Andy is his own worst enemy. Is Ivan gonna coach him again? I thought I had heard that at one time…….


Okiegal Says:

@madmax……Thanks for your congrats! Ten is an awesome number 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆!! That is one huge trophy!! Rafa was in “beast mode” on the red dirt of Barcelona……..and Monte Carlo……..hopefully Madrid, Rome and Paris too!
But I’m wondering like Kimberly is…….will he withdraw from one of those??? I won’t be shocked if he does.


Okiegal Says:

@Marcus……Thanks and I have to love the way you said it! Hip hip hooray!! My hip is better this evening….. thank goodness!! A good workout on the old tennis court will do wonders for you…… especially if you are a Rafa fan…LOL!!


J.S. Says:

WOOOHOOO RAFA!!! I am SO happy……He played so well the last 2 weeks, doing the Happy Dance (naked)!! LOL


AndyMira Says:

@J.S…Hahahaha!It’s no use to announced that you’re naked…u have to proved it to us!Lol!!

Top story: Sinner, Medvedev Roll Into Miami Rematch; Alcaraz v Dimitrov, Women's SF Today