2-Time Champ Djokovic To Meet Nishikori In Madrid Opener; Nadal Seeks 6th Title

by Staff | May 4th, 2018, 10:16 pm
  • 65 Comments

Novak Djokovic will try to end a 2-match losing streak in his opener at the Madrid Masters against former finalist Kei Nishikori, the draw revealed today.

Djokovic, a 2-time Madrid champion in 2011 and 2016, has won just two of his last five matches including three opening round losses at Indian Wells, Miami and Barcelona. He has beaten Nishikori 9 of 11 times. But the Japanese did withdraw from Barcelona due to his wrist.

Djokovic and Nishikori are in a quarter with familiar rivals Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin. The Djokovic-Nishikori winner will face either Kyle Edmund or Daniil Medvedev before possibly Goffin. Dimitrov could have to deal with Canadian fireballer Milos Raonic in his opener.


Seeking a 6th Madrid title, Rafael Nadal leads the field. The home hero has won his last 19 matches and 46 straight sets on clay. He’ll potentially open against the returning Gael Monfils, with possibly and 2017 title rematch against Dominic Thiem in the quarters. Nadal will have to retain the title to stay No. 1.

After an injury-plagued first quarter, Nadal is in full flight.

“With this iliopsoas injury I couldn’t do anything,” Nadal reflected. “I was at the academy, at a lot of meetings. It was good for me to get up to date on some day-to-day things. I was patient and I had the right attitude to try and reach the clay season as fit as possible. Coming into the clay swing with four matches is not ideal preparation, but honestly I feel like I’m playing well. If my body responds, and I win matches, I think I’m ready.”

The second quarter contains a bevy of big men including 2-time semifinalist Juan Martin del Potro, Kevin Anderson, Karen Khachanov and Tomas Berdych who made the Madrid finals in 2012 on the blue clay. Berdych begins with Richard Gasquet.

The last section is home to German wunderkind Alexander Zverev who makes his Masters debut as a No. 2 seed. The 21-year-old who is in the Munich semifinals to face Hyeon Chung, is joined by his Miami conquerer John Isner, Jack Sock and Fabio Fognini. But Zverev could open against the Greek teen Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 19-year-old Tsitsipas has won eight of his last nine matches, and finds himself in the Estoril semifinals.

Since the tournament went to clay in 2009, Madrid has only been won by Big 4 players.


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65 Comments for 2-Time Champ Djokovic To Meet Nishikori In Madrid Opener; Nadal Seeks 6th Title

AndyMira Says:

Best of luck to all players!…Especially my man Rrrrafa!!!…And to Nole who has a really nightmare draw here…


j-kath Says:

AndyMira: Ditto to above. Also think Rafa ain’t got a stroll-in-the-park draw either….


AndyMira Says:

Yeah JK!..Agree with u on Rafa’s draw!…Like MC,his draw here is loaded with dangerous players like Monfils,Schwatzman,PCB/Thiem[both of them r in form & CC specialists]…and then very possibly DelPo…

But,i’m okay with his draw JK..coz if he win..it’ll be much more sweeter than easy draw…


Willow Says:

Absolutely true, but hes the one everybody has to beat, not the way around, he aint called the KOC for nothing lol ;-) ….


Willow Says:

I Dont care if his road to the final is easy or difficult, thats assuming he gets there, i just want him to win the title, he aint responsible for draws, he can only play whos on the other side of the net ….


AndyMira Says:

Easy Will!..Easy!..Hehe..


osazone Says:

too bad the Greek dude (the one with the name starting with Tsi….) has to play Sasha, that sucks. Would have loved to see them go deep.


tennismonger Says:

It might suck for Sasha…we’ll see.

Greek kid reminds me a bit of Guga…time will tell.


Daniel Says:

jalep, Margot,

What was the link to play the Masters draw pick again?


Margot Says:

Daniel, you are too late for the women but 21 hours for men.


Margot Says:

http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/group Sorry Daniel, this is jalep’s, the other was a general one.


osazone Says:

tennismonger Says:
It might suck for Sasha…we’ll see.

Greek kid reminds me a bit of Guga…time will tell.

………………………………………………..
I fear that the Greek Kid is tired after so many matches in recent weeks. I was hoping he would have lost by now. So he would have being rested for Madrid

I am placing my bets on him to herald the next Gen, fingers crossed.


Willow Says:

Congrats to David Ferrer on becoming a father ;-)


jalep Says:

Finally figured out who Tsitsipas resembles.
It’s maybe the pencil thin mustache: Errol Flynn
http://movienut14.blogspot.com/2011/05/counterfeit-casting-errol-flynn.html

But he’d need to shave the scrub off his chin.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/04/30/rafael-nadal-rates-prospects-stefanos-tsitsipas-barcelona-open-triumph-7508653/

Watching Estoril SF. I’m cheering for Joao. It’s easy on the eyes, this tennis match 😋


jalep Says:

Yes, come join us, Daniel!
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/

then go to groups and select a group you want. Jalep_Wilguess is our group. There is still time to select an ATP bracket.


jalep Says:

Willow, was it a boy or a girl?

Congrats Ferrer family!


Margot Says:

Yes, good match,jalep. Sousa is playing really well, very intense, very aggressive with that forehand and some beautiful lobs and drops.
Does Icarus never tire? Oh the joys of being 19!


Daniel Says:

Thanks Margot and Jalep. Joined the group.

Last question,submited pics for Madrid and it automatically go the the group, right?


Margot Says:

Thrilled for Sousa :) Our lovely Greek has got time on his side, Sousa hasn’t.
Go win the trophy, Joao!


chofer Says:

Tsi Tsi Fly lost to Sousa, a sou sou player. Let’s get serious and start taking it easy with this kid. He’s not quite ready. As for the youngsters, the safest bet remains Zverev. An will so for quite some time, I think.

I like Delpo’s in the other side of Rafa in Madrid. Far, far away.. :-


chofer Says:

Willow

Wow! Congrats to Ferru, then. I bet labour birth took five days and baby Ferru still resisted coming out!


Telperion Says:

@chofer in 1:36

Hahaha Wouldn’t expect any less from Ferrer’s son!


Humble Rafa Says:

Wow! Congrats to Ferru, then. I bet labour birth took five days and baby Ferru still resisted coming out!

The kid wouldn’t know this yet..his best hair was the day he was born. The Ferrer household does not invest in hair care products.


Chris Ford Says:

Humble – You WISH you had David’s hair, and not plugs. Yes, one could see his beautiful wife and new son heading home, while David is still grinding it out in the delivery room.


Willow Says:

Theres nothing wrong with Rafas hair, he has lovely hair ….


Van Persie Says:

yep, the few hairs left are indeed beautiful ;)

Just could not resist :D


Margot Says:

^ Where did he get his new hair from?……Just askin’…;)


Van Persie Says:

Lol Margot,

I just noticed the new one is a bit curlier then his previous. Hope it’s not from where I’m thinking….:D


Margot Says:

EEEEKK VP! What can you be suggesting…..:0


Van Persie Says:

I apologize, Margot,

My suggesting really deserves an EEEEKK comment :)

I am sure, it is not what I’m suggesting, or hope so…but one have to admit, would be more original than Agassi’s wig ;)


Margot Says:

Nice to share a laugh VP :) Hope you enjoy the rest of your day. May bank holiday in UK and, for once, it’s glorious weather.


Van Persie Says:

Margot,

Enjoy your day :)

Home office for me today, so that I can watch Djoko-Nishi.No emails from UK, as the colleagues from there have bank holiday ;)…less work. hehe


j-kath Says:

Not a Bank holiday in Scotland – but we’re jam-packed with tourists – couldn’t get a train up North today…

I’m still digesting VP’s “hairy” comment….not sure whether to laugh or run to the loo…


Van Persie Says:

J-K,

haha :)
then I will correct myself and say, my English colleagues from the UK have bank holiday.


skeezer Says:

skeezer does not approve of the ball persons outfits this year at Madrid.👎


Van Persie Says:

Skeezer,

Looks like Tiriac had no word to say on outfits this year :)lol

Tiriac is thinking of helping Becker to organize a new Masters tournament in Berlin, did read an article.
Not sure this is easy to do.


Van Persie Says:

Decided am not in the mood to watch Djoko today, even if I expected this match soo badly today.
Maybe my absence will bring him good luck :D
Nole idemooo!


Margot Says:

Skeeze: looks like news of #metoo might even have reached even Tiriac.
VP: Nole looking rusty but fine, actually Kei isn’t too great either, his first serve % is dire.
For what it’s worth Nole doesn’t look that skinny to me, he’s never going to be a lardy lad.


Margot Says:

And as I write, the first set goes to Nole. Come out from behind your desk, VP :)


gonzalowski Says:

Very even match, NOle makes the 1st set.
Just today 2 years ago, I saw live the SF of Madrid, Nole – Nishikori, Nole won, and then the tournament vs. Murray (I wanted to see Rafa but miscalculated the SFs.
I saw the first set, but I left because I do not like the atmosphere of the tournament: posh, and a lot of elitism


Daniel Says:

Not able to watch, but glad Djoko won first set.
I kind of almost wish it to go three sets, but just if I know for sure he would win., as he desperatly needs to win a third set match to regaing confidence.

But better win in two and save energy.


gonzalowski Says:

Corretja says Nole is better than in Barcelona.


Margot Says:

Well played Nole! Both looked under cooked to me, but Nole looked more determined.


Van Persie Says:

Was out for a refreshment, as I did not like the start of the match. Nishi looked better than Nole at the beginning to me.
Glad Nole prevailed :)


skeezer Says:

I liked the Novak I saw today. He liked the fight. Kept cool, fighter attitude, and despite some shots he USED to make, he did not get overly frustrated at the misses. Big win for him going forward, despite the no mas serves from Nishi.


skeezer Says:

Margot,
#metoo? Looks like bathing suits from the ’20’s. Haven’t you come a long way baby? ;)


j-kath Says:

VP: Yes, pleased Nole prevailed….Kei not an easy 1st round opponent.

The Scots grab a Bank Holiday on January 2 – they need it to recover from over-imbibing.


Rick Says:

Rooferer in trouble. All these players like Nole are improving and picking up their games. Unlike last year, Rooferer returned when everyone injured.


Daniel Says:

Next for Djoko Edmund or Medv, who he shoudl have no problem, than Goffin or Chung before Grigor QF. The Goffin / Chung match if that happen may be a good test for him.


Van Persie Says:

Hehe J-K :)

Scots and Romanians have something in common: Bank Holiday on January 2 ;)…yes we really need that day. It is depressing to work on the 2nd day of the Year. Never understood that


Van Persie Says:

Am sure Nishi played also with “respect”. Not sure Djoko will get this from Kyle or Medvedev


Okiegal Says:

Did David name his little baby after Fed’s son? Doesn’t Fed have a Leo too?? I could be wrong ……I usually am…….but whatever, adorable pic of dad and his baby boy!!


Okiegal Says:

I’m in love all over again!! Andujar is a cutie pie too! These dudes from Spain are killing me……👀 I’m all bug eyed!! Hubba Hubba!! 😎😎😎……But Lopey still my ❤️ throb……


Okiegal Says:

Rafa needs to appeal to his pal Feli for some of his hair…… he could spare some!


chofer Says:

Who is this Rick and why he’s against roofs?


Willow Says:

Okie whats wrong with Rafas own hair hun ?


Willow Says:

Good win for Novak, it looks like hes getting back to his best, time will tell though ….


chofer Says:

Kiki Mladenovic and Thiem are a hot couple.

In other news, both Thiem and Delpo expecting Rafa to win Madrid. Some next-gens insects are buggin them. I hope thay have repellent.

It’ll be a long way to Roland Garros.


gonzalowski Says:

Okiegal I’m hispanic too… 😍😍😍😍 !!!


Okiegal Says:

@gonza 6:00………Are you sure???? Lol

@Willow……. Regarding Rafa and his hair…. I still see a few balding spots at times…..but it might take awhile to get the balding areas filled in. I think his hair has thickened up a lot to what it used to be…….regardless, he always looks handsome!


Willow Says:

Gonzo i bet your good looking then, i like that look, and the native American type ;-)


gonzalowski Says:

willow, gonzo “long arrow” you can call me… 😄😄😄


Willow Says:

Gonzo lol ;-)

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