Rafa Roundup: Where will Nadal end up in Madrid?

Photo: Gus Geijo/Drasanvi
Photo: Gus Geijo/Drasanvi

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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could renew their rivalry in the semi-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open after Friday’s draw pitched them both in the top half of the 56-player field. … The third-seeded Nadal is looking to win the Madrid title for the third year in a row, after beating Stan Wawrinka in the 2013 final and Kei Nishikori last year.

Even without Djokovic around, Nadal, the two-time defending champion, is seeded No. 3 and has been dropped into Federer’s half. Not that it really matters; wherever Rafa is this week, questions will swirl around him as he tries to re-crown himself the King of Clay. I’d say Djokovic’s absence should help; the Serb makes Nadal worry like no other player on dirt.

Can Nadal find his form on clay in time for the French Open? After a confidence-boosting week at the Monte Carlo Masters—where he played a very competitive semifinal against Djokovic—Nadal laid an egg in Barcelona and lost in straight sets to Fabio Fognini. He has a very workable early-round draw in Madrid and as he tries to fend off Nishikori and Raonic to secure the No. 4 seed for Paris, every win counts.

Nunca imaginé recibir una medalla así, en un lugar tan importante como este para nuestro país. Estoy muy agradecido, y esperemos que este tiempo que está siendo más de altibajos, con el trabajo de cada día pueda recuperar la estabilidad y otra vez la senda de las victorias”, añadió al recordar sus últimos malos resultados.

It should come as no surprise that Rafael Nadal is listed as No. 9 on the ATP MatchFacts list of men who have been most successful converting break points on clay. The King of Clay has cashed in on exactly 50 percent of his break-point chances in 339 matches (1,575 of 3,181). But there are always a few caveats when it comes to these statistics.

Andy Murray believes this weekend’s fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is similar to Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal’s rivalry. … “It would be like Federer and Nadal having never played each other and just having a one-off match to see who the better one would be,” he said.

Coupe Rogers
Coupe Rogers

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6 comments

  1. New day on clay! Have to wish for a Rodger, Rafa match at their best. Admire Rodger but always a fan of Rafa

  2. Always supporting our champion – good luck Rafa & VAAAMOOOSSS , VAAAMOOOSSS , VAAAMOOOSSS ….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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