2024 Madrid Open ATP master's 1000 R16 - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s Jiri Lehechka (CZE)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Okay here we go.

Rafa having won 3 matches in a row for the first time since September 2022 goes up against the Czech youngster Lehechka who is known for his big hitting prowess.

Does Rafa have enough gas in the tank to overcome yet another tough challenge? Or will the Czech be the one taking an advantage?

Vote and discuss.

 

[alexio]

we already have it bro

 

[GAS]

we already have it bro

Silence!

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

we already have it bro

What do we already have, brat?

 

[alexio]

What do we already have, brat?

thread

 

[alexio]

Silence!

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

thread

Nahuy??

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@alexio did you mean @weakera 's thread in GPPD??

 

[alexio]

@alexio did you mean @weakera 's thread in GPPD??

da

 

[weakera]

@alexio did you mean @weakera 's thread in GPPD??

I asked the mods to move it but i dont care either way, I didn't mean mine as an official match thread. Yours is better.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

da

khotya eto nepravil'noye mesto

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I asked the mods to move it but i dont care either way, I didn't mean mine as an official match thread. Yours is better.

We're friends so perhaps mods shall merge our threads because neither of us will mind. Yours was the first one so they can keep it as OP and the poll can be from mine one.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I've gone with Rafa, but who knows? So much depends on how he recovers. He plays such a unique ball on clay, still, that Lehecka may struggle to deal with it at the beginning at least. Assuming Rafa can move and serve.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I've gone with Rafa, but who knows? So much depends on how he recovers. He plays such a unique ball on clay, still, that Lehecka may struggle to deal with it at the beginning at least. Assuming Rafa can move and serve.

Spin is tough for new guys, yes.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Is Nadal even going to play tonight at this point?

If not, will he have to play twice tomorrow?

That might be a decisive factor for him not to continue.

If he plays, Nadal will win in 2 or 3 sets.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Is Nadal even going to play tonight at this point?

If not, will he have to play twice tomorrow?

That might be a decisive factor for him not to continue.

If he plays, Nadal will win in 2 or 3 sets.

They should seriously reconsider scheduling stupid useless matches of WTA like that on the show court which obstruct and delay important ATP matches like Rafa's or Carlos's.

 

[JFK_32]

On today OOP is shows rafa after jabeur. On flashscore all day is 21:30. Jaberu just won 1st set. If she finish before 9pm Rafa will start earlier or 9:30 pm?

 

[Rattie]

On today OOP is shows rafa after jabeur. On flashscore all day is 21:30. Jaberu just won 1st set. If she finish before 9pm Rafa will start earlier or 9:30 pm?

Jabeur is a set and a break up. If she wins this, it won’t be much of a delay for the Nadal match.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Jabeur is a set and a break up. If she wins this, it won’t be much of a delay for the Nadal Match

Let's hope that's the case

 

[Rattie]

Let's hope that's the case

Sod’s Law. Goes to a final set

 

[sortof]

Lehechka in straights. Nadal had an really easy tailor-made draw but it ends here.

 

[Rattie]

Lehechka in straights. Nadal had a really easy tailor-made draw but it ends here.

Meh!
I wouldn’t call Demon in R2 tailor made

 

[NaDjoFed]

Starting now .

 

[NaDjoFed]

Also champions league football now Bayern Munchen vs Real Madrid. Tough choice. I ll go with Rafa

 

[BeatlesFan]

Starting now .

You're supposed to say "Rafa on court!"

 

[ojo rojo]

This could be Rafa's last ever pro match in his homeland. Let's hope not. Bamos

 

[Rosstour]

Rafa has already shown me enough that I feel he SHOULD win this match easily. He has the game and the mastery of this surface in particular. So if he's healthy enough to get here, I think he's healthy enough to get by this dude at least

 

[1hander]

Hope Rafa gets through this. Would love to see him play Meddy.

 

[nolefam_2024]

@MichaelNadal

 

[Move]

Return of serve of both is not there yet

 

[alexio]

lehecka lookin good on his serve

 

[BeatlesFan]

Hope Rafa gets through this. Would love to see him play Meddy.

I'd love to see Rafa destroy that ugly, one-dimensional Med game.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nadal will lose today.

 

[Nuclear Warhead Sinner]

That forehand winner by Lehecka was pure muscle.

 

[Move]

Not quite a stunning match atm

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa asking his team during the changeover if he should stand deeper on his ROS.

 

[alexio]

0-30, good chance for nadal to take a lead..

 

[rUDin 21]

Rafa asking his team during the changeover if he should stand deeper on his ROS.

I thought he asked them about the score of UCL semi.
Maybe better he doesn't know yet..

 

[Move]

Lehecka going Berdych style : hammer away

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa looking sharper on BH and good movement so far

 

[BeatlesFan]

I haven't seen much of Lehecka, but he's a lot better than I thought. He hits a huge ball.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

I'm liking Lehecka's style. Definitely a pupil of Berdych.

 

[alexio]

many ues from czech

 

[MichaelNadal]

Was so close to a break

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa playing well. That FH was a killer there. Lehecka doing well to stay with him so far.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Was so close to a break

I’m seeing promising signs from your guy. He certainly moves the needle too. It’s great to have him back.

 

[alexio]

serve quality czech 9.6 nadal 7.4

 

[Hitman]

Unable to watch as I am about to get on a plane, but hopefully Rafa lives to see another day.

 

[Move]

many ues from czech

That will cost him the match eventually, if Rafa does not falter

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa looks surprisingly healthy and fit