Cincy 2010 QF: Rafael Nadal [1] vs Marcos Baghdatis

[aldeayeah]

The H2H says Nadal wins:

2009 Beijing R32 Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
2007 Paris S Nadal 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
2007 Madrid R32 Nadal 6-4, 6-4
2007 Dubai R32 Nadal 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
2006 Wimbledon SF Nadal 6-1, 7-5, 6-3
2006 Indian Wells QF Nadal 7-5, 6-0

6-0. With 3 of them on fast HC. And no matches on clay. Against Nadal, that says a lot.

Marcos' chances depend on being more consistent than ever. Certainly, if he's ever going to beat Nadal, this is the right venue.

I still think Nadal's going to win, though.

 

[aldeayeah]

I fail at not adding a poll

 

[rainingaces]

Some close matches between them more recently.

Baghdatis can do it, he is in great form and Nadal isnt in any form.

Bagman in 2 close sets.

 

[Anaconda]

Nadal is injured. I think he has mono. Baghdatis if he's 100% should be able to win a few games. If Nadal somehow gets rid of his mono then he has no hope of winning a game.

 

[Bud]

I fail at not adding a poll

Go back and add one (I believe you can).

 

[aldeayeah]

Go back and add one (I believe you can).

Ah, right, in "Thread tools". Neat.

 

[P_Agony]

Bag will win 6 games in 2 sets

Nadal 6-3 6-3 or 6-4 6-2

 

[drakulie]

nadal in 2

6-4, 6-4

 

[TheMusicLover]

A lot of people seem to be exaggerating how 'bad' Rafa's form is this week. It may not be top notch, but it's surely not as bad as some seem to think it is. Rafa has always had trouble with attacking, S/V-style players on HC, like was obvious in his matches against Dent and Benneteau the past two days.
It would highly surprise me if Baggy suddenly would be able to do so as well, even if he's in good form right now.
So - Rafa in two or three, possibly involving some TBs.

 

[TEnnisguy]

Bag in 3 but it could be the other way. So let's wait and see.

 

[flyinghippos101]

Marcos will triumph in three sets, beating Fed in the semi along the way to win the tournament, a precursor to his eventual US Open win and the beginning of his 10 straight slam run

 

[veroniquem]

It will depend on the state of his blisters and how he's recovered (energywise) from yesterday's long match in scorching conditions. Gamewise, he does everything better than Baghs, so I don't see how Baghs could hurt him.

 

[Bud]

A lot of people seem to be exaggerating how 'bad' Rafa's form is this week. It may not be top notch, but it's surely not as bad as some seem to think it is. Rafa has always had trouble with attacking, S/V-style players on HC, like was obvious in his matches against Dent and Benneteau the past two days.
It would highly surprise me if Baggy suddenly would be able to do so as well, even if he's in good form right now.
So - Rafa in two or three, possibly involving some TBs.

No, his form has been sub-par the entire fall HC season thus far. Yesterday was the first match he played solidly and with passion to win.

 

[Mustard]

No, his form has been sub-par the entire fall HC season thus far. Yesterday was the first match he played solidly and with passion to win.

And was still within 1 point of losing in straight sets.

 

[wintintu]

baghdatis is certainly a lot closer to his peak form than nadal is to his. i would dearly love to see baghdatis win but i'm not sure. i think rafa in 3

 

[The-Champ]

Marcos will take this one. Those matches were during the time Nadal relied mostly on his phenomenal defense. These days the guy is lazy on court and does not run just as much anymore.

Marcos in 2 tight sets.

 

[veroniquem]

Wrong. They played in Beijing 2009 when Rafa was in worse shape than he is now and Rafa won. There is 0 indication so far that Baghs has any weapons to take Rafa out. Baghs is an extraordinary fighter though, so the match will be intense, which is why I said it will depend a lot on Rafa's recovery from his long match yesterday.

 

[Justin Side]

No one beats Baghdatis 7 straight times. Fed found that out this year and now it's Rafa's turn.

Baghdatis in 3 sets.

 

[The-Champ]

Wrong. They played in Beijing 2009 when Rafa was in worse shape than he is now and Rafa won. There is 0 indication so far that Baghs has any weapons to take Rafa out. Baghs is an extraordinary fighter though, so the match will be intense, which is why I said it will depend a lot on Rafa's recovery from his long match yesterday.

sshhhh Rafa is lazy on court nowadays.

 

[veroniquem]

"lazy"? I don't think so!

 

[Dimension]

No one beats Baghdatis 7 straight times. Fed found that out this year and now it's Rafa's turn.

Baghdatis in 3 sets.

You got to take a look at how well my compatriot realized this too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F95Zf1jk0Gk

 

[Murrayfan31]

Baghdatis in 2. These are real courts that allow for the best ball strikers to win more than the best runner.

 

[veroniquem]

Baghdatis in 2. These are real courts that allow for the best ball strikers to win more than the best runner.

They've already played on real hard courts you know including Beijing and Paris indoor (and usually Baghs does most of the running)

 

[bolo]

Nadal in 2, 7-5, 6-4. Vamos.

 

[ballboy48]

Nadal was lucky to get past Benny, so Baggy will win.

 

[Prodigious]

Nadal in 3.

 

[bolo]

I also hope nadal gets an on court ass massage this round. A good time to get one, right in the middle of the tournament.

 

[veroniquem]

Lucky guy who gets to do the massage. Why don't they allow female physios in ATP matches? That's gender discrimination :evil:

 

[bolo]

Lucky guy who gets to do the massage. Why don't they allow female physios in ATP matches? That's gender discrimination :evil:

lol. 10 char.

 

[Bud]

Ugghhh... they have to clear the stadium for the night session.

20 minutes

 

[Semi-Pro]

Lucky guy who gets to do the massage. Why don't they allow female physios in ATP matches? That's gender discrimination :evil:

The same reason why they don't allow male physios in WTA matches.:wink:

 

[rainingaces]

The number player 1 is through to the semi finals now to find out who he will play.

The number 2 player in the world or a greek waiter, my money is on the greek.

 

[Bud]

The number player 1 is throught to the semi finals now to find out who he will play.

The number 2 player in the world or a greek waiter, my money is on the greek.

You better go re-check the rankings

 

[dmt]

The number player 1 is throught to the semi finals now to find out who he will play.

The number 2 player in the world or a greek waiter, my money is on the greek.

yeah federer is indeed the number one player, which would explain why he is 4000 points behind nadal

 

[TEnnisguy]

They've already played on real hard courts you know including Beijing and Paris indoor (and usually Baghs does most of the running)

Bagh has been playing pretty well this whole tournament. He might have a shot.

 

[Bud]

yeah federer is indeed the number one player, which would explain why he is 4000 points behind nadal

He needs to make the final or he'll be the #3 player at the Open

 

[TEnnisguy]

yeah federer is indeed the number one player, which would explain why he is 4000 points behind nadal

Number 1 in his eyes, of course.

 

[rainingaces]

You better go re-check the rankings

I was talking about the peoples number 1.

 

[rainingaces]

Nadal might tacticly lose to avoid playing the number 1 player.

He has done it before.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal might tacticly lose to avoid playing the number 1 player.

He has done it before.

Aww poor thing, Nadal leads Federer 14-7 in head-to-head. Hurts, does it? :lol:

 

[Prodigious]

Aww poor thing, Nadal leads Federer 14-7 in head-to-head. Hurts, does it? :lol:

LOL. Federer sux monkey balls.

 

[rainingaces]

Aww poor thing, Nadal leads Federer 14-7 in head-to-head. Hurts, does it? :lol:

Nadal must have been injured 7 times seeing as he is so perfect and the sun shines out of his *&T^*)*& :neutral:

 

[TEnnisguy]

LMAO. "Real Men Wear Pink"? Crack me up!

 

[Love Game]

LMAO. "Real Men Wear Pink"? Crack me up!

that was sooooo funny ....... when they showed that on the screen, the commentators went silent for once!

 

[Blinkism]

Alright, Rafa, come on!

Time to get into top form, again - Fed's waiting in the semi's

Hope he's pumped!

 

[TEnnisguy]

that was sooooo funny ....... when they showed that on the screen, the commentators went silent for once!

Would be funnier if one of them is wearing pink. LOL

 

[The-Champ]

live link please

 

[TEnnisguy]

http://atdhe.net/20573/watch-atp-masters-cincinnati-federer-vs-davydenko

 

[Mustard]

Here we go

 

[fed_the_savior]

i like baggies aggression on these first points, cant sit around with nadal