Nadal vs. Baghdatis - Dubai, 1st round

[Tchocky]

It's a pity that two such good players have to meet in the 1st round but Marcos' ranking has dropped to #17 and he just got stuck with a tough 1st round opponent. Nadal is 2-0 against Baghdatis and Marcos has never taken a set from Rafael. If Nadal plays well, then I see no reason why he shouldn't advance. I like Nadal in straight sets.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

marcos marcos marcos !!!
come on, put the topspinmonkey back in cage !

 

[chaz_233]

ROFLOL. I agree.

come on, put the topspinmonkey back in cage !

 

[Baghdatis72]

I think Marcos will win and this one because:

1) Marcos is in great form whereas Nadal is not in a very good form.

2) Nadal is the absolute favourite this time.

3) Nadal has the title to defend and that might add to his stress in the match.

4) They play on hard court where Nadal has a hard time and Baghdatis prefers most.

5) Baghdatis rocks!

 

[malakas]

I think Marcos will win and this one because:

1) Marcos is in great form whereas Nadal is not in a very good form.

2) Nadal is the absolute favourite this time.

3) Nadal has the title to defend and that might add to his stress in the match.

4) They play on hard court where Nadal has a hard time and Baghdatis prefers most.

5) Baghdatis rocks!

haha I like your reasoning!:mrgreen:

it will be very tough for Marcos but I trust he will fight till the end and tries to get revenge for the Wimby loss -which in a recent interview said is one of his most bitter losses- .

So Ela Marcos!They play tomorrow 7 pm local time!I need a livestream!!!!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

haha I like your reasoning!:mrgreen:

it will be very tough for Marcos but I trust he will fight till the end and tries to get revenge for the Wimby loss -which in a recent interview said is one of his most bitter losses- .

So Ela Marcos!They play tomorrow 7 pm local time!I need a livestream!!!!

the magical eurosport lamp will satisfy your wishes...

by the way, would you have a link for this interview you're talking about ?...

 

[malakas]

the magical eurosport lamp will satisfy your wishes...

by the way, would you have a link for this interview you're talking about ?...

I had to look this up because I had forgotten where I had read it.

From Marcos interview in the L'Equipe published on January 14th.Translation courtesy of Choupi from MTF.

Even in Davis Cup, I've had some, in Bulgaria, where we've been badly treated with my brother, who's been slapped, and my coach of the Cypriot team I saw crying for the 1st time. Needless speaking of the 19 breakpoints against Nadal in the Wimbledon semifinal. And against Andre (Agassi), when I lost at the USO, just forget about it! I went out of the court, I entered the lockerrooms and I was in tears. For 2007, I will have to keep on in the same frame of mind. All often depends on the details that change the course of 2 or 3 key matches in a season. That's why I don't go to the AO with an excessive pressure. If I don't do well here, I'll do better in Flushing, that's all.

for the translation of the whole interview : http://www.mens_tennis_forums.com/showpost.php?p=4763210&postcount=57 without the _.

 

[norcal]

Nads in three.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Bags in 3, going with the upset.I see both guys really getting motivated for this one.

 

[malakas]

From the Dubai interview:

"It's fun him drawing Baghdatis; it's like when I drew Marat in the 1st round here a few years ago. It's kind of fun for the first round."

lol I am sure Nadal finds it "fun" too !:lol: :mrgreen:

 

[oscar_2424]

nadal in straight sets.

 

[Musashi]

Nadal in 3.

 

[Fedace]

Nadal in 3.

What i want to know is why did rafa get such a tough 1st round opponent? did he get somebody mad?

 

[Fedace]

Does anyone know if Eurosport is going to stream this one live ??

 

[psamp14]

What i want to know is why did rafa get such a tough 1st round opponent? did he get somebody mad?

i havent paid much attention but i believe its a 32 player draw with 8 seeds and baghdatis is like #17 in the world so he didnt get seeded...the rest is luck of the draw in placing players for 1st rd match ups ...

 

[psamp14]

btw i'll go with nadal in straight sets

 

[lorenza]

btw i'll go with nadal in straight sets

no way dude. it's all marcos

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Nadal in straight sets. Marcos isn't agressive enough when I seem him play Nadal.

 

[Fedexeon]

Does anyone know if Eurosport is going to stream this one live ??

Yes.
Same time like yesterday's Federer match.

I think Nadal will win this in 3 sets. Last year Nadal beat Baghdatis in Wimbledon last year.
Baghdatis is still not consistent enough to compete with Nadal (my opinion) =)

Both have chances to win this, but Nadal will be the favourite.

 

[ilostmymarbles]

i'd say nadal in three. If he doesn't get antoher injury. I've heard that the court are playing faster this year. How do you think that will effect nadal?

 

[Nadal_Freak]

i'd say nadal in three. If he doesn't get antoher injury. I've heard that the court are playing faster this year. How do you think that will effect nadal?

It depends if Nadal becomes aggresive along with how is serve is doing. He beat Baghdatis at Wimbledon in straight sets though.

 

[oscar_2424]

Nadal in straight sets.

 

[noeledmonds]

The match is about to start. Here is a link for a great quality live stream:

http://www.eurosport.com/tennis/mcplayervideo_vid34657.shtml

 

[The Grand Slam]

Is it just me or does Marcos look... BORED? HAHAHAAAHAHA

 

[Fedexeon]

Baghdatis is leading 2-0, Nadal serving now.

 

[norcal]

They have shot spot but do they have challenges? Nadal's been jammed on two calls already.

 

[tennissavy]

my livestream just stopped!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Baghdatis's serve is an awful shot.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Both players need to lift up their serving percentages.

 

[malakas]

Ela marko hold!!

 

[tennissavy]

does anyone else's livestream keep stopping periodically?

 

[Fedexeon]

Both players need to lift up their serving percentages.

Both at 40% level.

 

[malakas]

damn damn damn!!:MAD:

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Bags blew 3 break chances,noooooo.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

It might come back to haunt him if he gives the break back.

 

[norcal]

Nads saves 3 break points to make it 3-4.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal has lifted his serving percentage up, Bags needs to do the same.

 

[The Grand Slam]

Yes, ACE, but Baghdatis has won all 13 points when he's gotten his first serve in. Not to mention 6 aces.

 

[The Grand Slam]

5-3, Baghdatis.

 

[malakas]

nice.Now break for the set!!!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Bags has played very well so far.Going for his shots.

 

[illkhiboy]

Norcal they do have challenges. Wish I was seeing this live..

 

[malakas]

NOW BREAK GOD DAMN IT!! heheh

 

[malakas]

YES!!!!Markos wins the first 6-3!!!!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

That was very impressive.Lets see if he can keep it up!!!!!!

 

[slice bh compliment]

Wow, solid first set for the Bagh-manh. Great resolve, even after getting passed a few times. Allez Marco!

 

[noeledmonds]

Wow, Bagdahtis is playing well, but Nadal shots look underpowered and poorly placed. Baghdahtis seems to be trying to sneak into the net a bit too. Interesting tactics, clearly they are working for now.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Baghdatis can play with Nadal, its a matter of doing it.He outplayed him in that first set.

 

[norcal]

Nads: 0 winners, 17 UE!

 

[tennissavy]

Nobody is answering my question.