2021 Barcelona Open R16 :- [1] Rafael Nadal v/s Kei Nishikori

[LoveTheGreatOne]

Its the first meeting between the pair since their forgettable encounter at french open in 2019. (6-1 6-1 6-3 nadal)
Nadal leads the H2H 11-2, and on clay he is 5-0 against the Japanese finesse. Though he has given nadal troubles on the surface playing similar to barcelona in 2014 Madrid open final.

Although Kei is a shadow of himself and rafa still top3 and slam contender, he also didn't look that great against Ivashka in R32.

How do you think the match goes? Discuss, do vote in the poll. Stay tuned, stay blessed.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Rafa better be playing like his usually self against Nishikori or he will loose!

 

[yokied]

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

 

[romeo8880]

Nishikori looked like he could barely move at the end of today’s match and he was also rubbing his serving arm. Nadal in 2.

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[Harry_Wild]

Debbi Harry looks hot in the above video.

 

[stringertom]

Debbi Harry looks hot in the above video.

Here’s your girl last year with Dan Rather:

Mother Time wins every time, even against former Playboy bunnies.

 

[Deleted member 770948]

Its amazing that Nishikori made 3 Barcelona Finals in a row (and won 2 of them). Wonder why he's so different in Barcelona....
Nishikori is easy to beat usually, because he's error-prone and low IQ.
But if he's on-fire he's difficult, if you give him enough time.
Nadal was hitting a bit short in 2016, so Nishikori won that thrilling bronze medal match.

 

[Milanez82]

Good training for Rafa

 

[MichaelNadal]

In other news, Ronda is pregnant and DAMN that baby is moving like crazy already

 

[Harry_Wild]

Here’s your girl last year with Dan Rather:

Mother Time wins every time, even against former Playboy bunnies.

Hugh Hefner is just like me dating only ladies under 26 but he also marry them at that age while he is 78+ years old! What a Super, Super Alpha male! Yes, it maybe for $$$$$$ but still he get them and the ladies stay with him too! Guess he has a lot more practice then many men at pleasing woman and having them still in the marriage and relationships since he usually has more then one lady in the home.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Its amazing that Nishikori made 3 Barcelona Finals in a row (and won 2 of them). Wonder why he's so different in Barcelona....
Nishikori is easy to beat usually, because he's error-prone and low IQ.
But if he's on-fire he's difficult, if you give him enough time.
Nadal was hitting a bit short in 2016, so Nishikori won that thrilling bronze medal match.

 

[yokied]

Debbi Harry looks hot in the above video.

Pretty good at the topspin to the BH too, no?

 

[Tshooter]

Nadal won't drop a single point.

 

[Jokervich]

Under normal circumstances this would be an easy 6-1 6-0 win for Nadal. But Nadal is playing **** right now so it probably goes to 3 and maybe he even loses.

 

[gn]

If Nadal loses today, I will do the honors of the 'he should retire' thread.

 

[Nostradamus]

Who's this match match bigger for ? Nadal or Kie ?? if Kei can win , he can really comeback and be top 10 again. but if rafa wins, its really no big deal. he's supposed to win

 

[Nostradamus]

RAFA saids,,, "Good Luck" To Kei before the match....................WOW... never seen such good sportsmanship............

 

[Amritia]

Hate this camera angle

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Nishikori wins 3 games today, no more

 

[MichaelNadal]

Napped an hour, just came back and turned on the King

 

[Yugram]

Vamos.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Every time you think Nishikori might win a rally he makes an UE lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal being crispy is making me want food

 

[junior74]

I have bet my house on retirement from Nishikori.

 

[junior74]

Nadal being crispy is making me want food

Smoked capy?

 

[Yugram]

WTF

 

[Jokervich]

Well Nadal is destroying him. Can't work out if he has improved a lot or Nishikori is playing like ****.

 

[Yugram]

Bagel him!

 

[MeatTornado]

Bagel him!

No, he doesn't care enough about tennis to bagel an opponent anymore.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Smoked capy?

Something cold like a sub would be great rn lol

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Nadal cruising through at the moment..
The greatest warrior of tennis world for a reason.

 

[romeo8880]

Well Nadal is destroying him. Can't work out if he has improved a lot or Nishikori is playing like ****.

Little of both but mostly nishikori being awful

 

[Yugram]

No, he doesn't care enough about tennis to bagel an opponent anymore.

Well, yes, there is a good reason to criticise Nadal’s recent attitude.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

No, he doesn't care enough about tennis to bagel an opponent anymore.

60 62 75

 

[junior74]

Nadal cruising through at the moment..
The greatest warrior of tennis world for a reason.

I thought Novak was the Earth's Mightiest Warrior.

I sense a possible conflict

At least Nishikori is not the greatest warrior

 

[Yugram]

What a relief. A week ago Nadal couldn’t bagel even freakin’ Delroflonis.

 

[junior74]

Has Nadal ever played a shorter set of tennis?

31 minutes is extremely quick by Rafa's standards.

 

[MeatTornado]

Well, yes, there is a good reason to criticise Nadal’s recent attitude.

I mean it's just pathetic. Even when he's about to bagel a top pro and he doesn't seem to care. He's just here for the paycheck to buy a bigger BOAT.

 

[Yugram]

Has Nadal ever played a shorter set of tennis?

31 minutes is extremely quick by Rafa's standards.

Recent Dimitrov match ended in 57 minutes I think.

 

[Gary Duane]

No, he doesn't care enough about tennis to bagel an opponent anymore.

Well, apparently he does.

 

[Yugram]

I mean it's just pathetic. Even when he's about to bagel a top pro and he doesn't seem to care. He's just here for the paycheck to buy a bigger BOAT.

I don’t know what he is here for, but a player who gives an f doesn’t skip a Slam and doesn’t play 5 matches in half a year.

 

[MeatTornado]

I don’t know what he is here for, but a player who gives an f doesn’t skip a Slam and doesn’t play 5 matches in half a year.

Insulting to the game is what I say. Should just retire before undoing his entire legacy.

 

[junior74]

StrongRule:
DF to start set 2. Rafa is toast.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Seeing Nishikori being dismantled by big 3 takes me back 5 years ago

 

[tennisjedi]

Serve problems again?

 

[Checkmate]

Can't believe Rafa is back to his 2008 best. I am even blushing inside.

 

[Amritia]

I don’t know what he is here for, but a player who gives an f doesn’t skip a Slam and doesn’t play 5 matches in half a year.

In mid 2020, tour was suspended due to lockdown and he couldn’t even practice. Moya and Rafa revealed that on his return after lockdown, he was having issues with his body; and it wasn’t sensible to play on hard court followed by a switch to clay within 2 weeks.
Given what transpired, his decision to skip US HC season last year was clearly sensible.

His decision to skip Miami and Acapulco this year was after he had a minor back problem. He had to have anti inflammatory injections in Aus, which is not a good long term solution.

The fact he cares is evident in his attitude during matches. After the Rublev loss, he booked double training sessions in a day, which very few players do.

Criticising his attitude is ridiculous. He has to prioritise his long term health, for both his life and tennis career.

 

[MeatTornado]

StrongRule:
DF to start set 2. Rafa is toast.

I thought that break point was going to summon him