Tennis Elbow: Back for the first time

Welcome to Tennis Elbow, a new column that will look back on the week that was in the world of tennis. This week, Charles Blouin-Gascon recaps the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Whatever the 2013 season is for Rafael Nadal, don’t call it a comeback because it is so clearly reminiscent of how he first broke through—but more on this shortly.

The latest for the 26-year-old came this past week in Rome for the 2013 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, also known as the Rome Masters 1000. On his way to the title, Nadal won all but two of the sets that he played, and in the final dismantled Roger Federer by the score of 6-1, 6-3.

This proves that though time moves on, some things never change.

For example, Federer still really can’t beat Nadal, especially not on clay. Also, Nadal remains the greatest clay court player on the ATP World Tour—and it’s not really even close. By now the narrative is well known. After a seven-month layoff to nurse a knee injury following a second-round loss at Wimbledon, the Spaniard has now come back and proven to be fully healthy in 2013. He has mostly picked and carefully selected his events, which really means that he’s decided to focus on clay court events with only the 2013 BNP Paribas Open played on hard courts.

And the formula has worked for him—he’s reached the final of every event that he signed up for, winning six. His record is 36-2, with one of the losses a fluke against unknown Horacio Zeballos way back in February.

These days, the only man capable of giving fits to Nadal on clay is Novak Djokovic. The Serb did as much in Monaco, but couldn’t live up to his side of the bargain and lost in the quarterfinals against Tomas Berdych. (My money is on the fact that Djokovic has understood that the only event that really means anything for him now is the French Open, still the only prize left for him to add to his mantle. He’ll take losses in a Masters 1000 event if it means he can preserve energy and reach his peak for Roland Garros.)

Berdych was chopped liver for Nadal, much like David Ferrer before him, Ernests Gulbis before him and Fabio Fognini before him—and much like King Roger would be in the final.

Skepticism? Please. Nadal has won just about every match that he has played this year and, regardless of the surface, that means something.

I think he’s made sure that most of his matches have come on his favourite surface for the simple reason that he probably wants to put everything that he has in his Roland Garros defense. The way that I see it, it’s like him and his uncle Toni have told each other that if he can dominate the clay court season as he always does and win the French Open in 2013, then no matter what else follows would be a bonus.

This season, Nadal has proven to be back like the first time. His 2005 season is the one where he established himself atop, or near the top of, the ATP rankings and it remains his most prolific season still with 11 titles. Among those titles were Acapulco, Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome.

He has six far so far this year, with the four mentioned just above among the haul. The French croissant (i.e. Roland Garros) is just ahead. That would give him a seventh title for 2013—and it would make his season a successful one.

Beyond that, then he’s just playing with house money. As he knows from his partnership with Poker Stars, it’s not a bad situation to be in.

Follow Charles Blouin-Gascon on Twitter @CeeeBG

Nadal wins 7th Rome title with easy win over Federer

Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome, Italy

No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal completed a comprehensive lead up to Roland Garros on Sunday, defeating long-time rival Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3 to win the Rome Masters for a seventh time.

Breaking out to a 5-1 lead, Nadal won 100 percent of his second serve points in the first set to 25 percent for Federer. Breaking serve on five occasions, Nadal improved to 20-10 in the pair’s head-to-head and 13-2 against Federer on clay-courts. Winning the 56th title of his career and 24th overall Masters 1000 event, Nadal is now placed atop the points race for 2013. The Spaniard also moved up to No. 4 in the computer rankings with his victory. Federer, who was looking to win his first title of the season, fell to 0-3 in Rome finals.

Both superstars will next see action at the French Open in Paris.

Nadal to face Federer for 30th time in Rome final

Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome, Italy

No. 2 seed Roger Federer and No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal set up their 30th career meeting on Saturday in Rome, defeating Benoit Paire and Tomas Berdych in straight sets, respectively.

Playing Paire for the third time this year, Federer needed a tight first set before he closed out the Frenchman 7-6(5), 6-4. Overcoming eight aces by his opponent, Federer won 77 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on two occasions. Playing in his third career Rome final, Federer will meet none other six-time winner Nadal. The Spaniard put forth a comprehensive effort in defeating Berdych 6-2, 6-4 earlier in the day. Nadal will be chasing his sixth title in 2013 after winning in Indian Wells and Madrid. Federer trails Nadal 19-10 in the pair’s head-to-head and 12-2 on clay courts.

Nadal reaches semifinals in Rome; Djokovic defeated by Berdych

Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome, Italy

Quarterfinal results:

(6) Tomas Berdych defeats (1) Novak Djokovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4; (5) Rafael Nadal defeats (4) David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Benoit Paire defeats Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-0.

Djokovic, Federer reach third-round at Rome Masters; Almagro, Haas crash out

Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rome, Italy

First-round:

(9) Richard Gasquet defeats Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4; Gilles Simon defeats Filippo Volandri 6-3 2-6, 6-4; Mikhail Youzhny defeats (13) Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-3; (15) Stanislas Wawrinka defeats Carlos Berlocq 5-7, 6-3, 6-3; Fernando Verdasco defeats Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Julien Benneteau defeats (12) Nicolas Almagro 7-6(2), 6-4; Viktor Troicki defeats Lukas Rosol 3-6, 6-1, 6-4; Jeremy Chardy defeats Feliciano Lopez 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(4).

Second-round results:

(1) Novak Djokovic defeats Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-3; Kevin Anderson defeats (11) Marin Cilic 6-3, 7-6(7); (2) Roger Federer defeats Potito Starace 6-1, 6-2; (7) Juan Martin del Potro defeats Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 6-2.

Video: Roger Federer “Fly Swatter” Nike ad

The latest Nike ad features Roger Federer in the Free Trainer 5.0 trying to take care of a pesky fly. Checkout the video below to see if Federer got the job done.

Podcast: Previewing the 2013 Rome Masters

In this week’s show, Nima Naderi and Parsa Samii are back in action with a preview of the Rome Masters from Italy.

With a lot to cover this week, we begin with a review of the Madrid Masters, which was won by Rafa Nadal. Can Nadal keep up his winning ways in Rome? Does Djokovic have the confidence to get back in the winner’s circle? How will Murray and Federer fair after poor performances in Madrid? We also discuss Wawrinka’s new found form, Raonic’s split from Galo Blanco and Dimitrov’s flashy game.

As always, you can alternatively listen to the #1 tennis PodCast via iTunes and never miss another episode. It is very easy and completely free.

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Nishikori upsets defending champ Federer in Madrid; Nadal, Tsonga and Berdych reach quarterfinals

Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain

Third-round results:

(5) Rafael Nadal defeats Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-3; (14) Kei Nishikori defeats (2) Roger Federer 6-4, 1-6, 6-2; (7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeats Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; Pablo Andujar defeats Daniel Gimeno-Traver 5-5 ret.; (6) Tomas Berdych defeats Kevin Anderson 7-6(5), 7-5.

Defending champion Federer into Madrid third-round; Tipsarevic, Gasquet, Raonic ousted

Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain

First-round results:

Juan Monaco defeats (9) Janko Tipsarevic 7-6(5), 6-3; Tommy Robredo defeats Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-2; Mikhail Youzhny defeats Fabio Fognini 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(5); (13) Tommy Haas defeats Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2; (15) Stanislas Wawrinka defeats Marius Copil 6-4 6-4; Santiago Giraldo defeats Martin Klizan 6-2, 6-4; Viktor Troicki defeats Marcel Granollers 7-5, 4-6, 6-2; Benoit Paire defeats Joao Souza 6-1, 7-6(0).

Second-round results:

(2) Roger Federer defeats Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3; (3) Andy Murray defeats Florian Mayer 7-6(11), 7-6(3); Fernando Verdasco defeats (12) Milos Raonic 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(7); Daniel Gimeno-Traver defeats (8) Richard Gasquet 7-5, 3-6, 6-4; (16) Gilles Simon defeats Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 7-6(5).

QUARTERED! ATP Mutua Madrid Open Men’s Prediction

An ATP Masters 1000 event is somewhat of an oddity when it comes to professional tennis events for two reasons.

First, the “1000s” are mandatory events for the game’s top players. There is a lot at stake, both in terms of money and ranking points, so most of the top players make sure that they arrive at the tournament mentally and physically ready to perform. Those who stay home are either injured, or experienced enough to merit a special exemption by virtue of their age and playing records (ex: Roger Federer skipping Monte Carlo earlier this spring). When you show up to the locker room at a Masters 1000, everyone around you can play serious ball, and has enough game to beat anybody in the world on a given day. The same cannot be said for any other types of tournaments on the calendar, not even Grand Slam events.

Second, even though the 1000s are played with a draw of 64 players, 8 of those spots are actually first-round byes reserved for the top 8 seeds. The free money and ranking points are surely welcomed, but at the same time, coming into the tournament cold and playing against potentially a top-20 player in the second round is a tough proposition for anyone – Djokovic, Federer, Murray and Nadal included. Upsets will occur early and often, so be on the lookout for that.

Because of these two characteristics, getting a good draw at a Masters 1000 event could mean the difference between losing in the second round and getting to the semi-finals. Let’s see what the players are up against starting this Sunday in Madrid:

QUARTER 1

(1)    Djokovic

(15) Wawrinka

(12) Raonic

(7) Tsonga

Overview:

In Indian Wells less than two months ago, Grigor Dimitrov was serving for the first set at 5-4 against the world #1 when he hit no less than three double-faults in a row to give the momentum back to Novak Djokovic. Dimitrov then more or less fell apart, and lost the match 6-7 1-6. If all goes to plan, he’ll get a rematch against the Serb in round 2. Look for him to get a set this time, but no more.

Speaking of tricky second-round matches, Alexandr Dolgopolov will get a chance to square off against Tsonga. Anything can happen when Dolgo takes to the court, but Tsonga should be too solid for the mercurial Ukrainian.

Favored to move on: Djokovic

Floaters: David Goffin, Martin Klizan

*****

QUARTER 2

(3) Murray

(16) Simon

(9) Tipsarevic

(6) Berdych

Overview:

Examples of top players getting brutal first-round draws at a Masters 1000: both Simon and Tipsarevic will be in tough despite being seeded, as they are playing Julien Benneteau and Juan Monaco respectively. Expect one or both of them to be sent packing by the underdogs.

Berdych has a first round bye and could be in danger as well. He will face either Jerzy Janowicz or Sam Querrey in the sound round. Janowicz especially has the type of game which can give a top player trouble. He will also have the benefit of coming into the match with some court time under his belt, were he to get past the American and book a showdown with the sixth-seeded Czech.

Favored to move on: Murray

Floaters: Jerzy Janowicz, Tomaz Bellucci

*****

QUARTER 3

(5) Nadal

(11) Almagro

(13) Haas

(4) Ferrer

Overview:

This section of the draw is absolutely stacked with Spanish clay-court talent. Nadal, Ferrer and Almagro are the usual suspects, but don’t forget about wildcard recipient Tommy Robredo, who is back at the top echelon of the pro game after a few years in no-man’s land. He could make it as far as the third round for a date with the ironman David Ferrer.

Nadal gets a really kind-looking draw here. His second round match, against either Benoit Paire or a qualifier, should be a cakewalk. Then he is slated to meet Almagro and Ferrer in succession. He has never lost against Ferrer on clay, and has never lost to Almagro, period.

Favored to move on: Nadal

Floaters: Tommy Robredo, Fabio Fognini

*****

QUARTER 4

(8) Gasquet

(10) Cilic

(14) Nishikori

(2) Federer

Overview:

Federer is the defending champion, but the tournament is no longer played on the quicker blue clay, and the Swiss has not played a competitive match since losing heavily to Nadal in Indian Wells. He’ll have his work cut out for him, though the high altitude in Madrid should still give him game a bit more punch. He’ll play either Tomic or Stepanek in round two. Neither will be easy to deal with, but Tomic is definitely the more dangerous foe here.

The guy to watch out for is John Isner. As usual, everyone at a Masters 1000 CAN play great tennis, but mostly the one who’ll move on is whoever’s playing better tennis on a given day. Not so with Isner, because against him you’re never really playing tennis. As with Federer, the altitude will help the American get some more aces and unreturned serves. If he can string together some good returns, look for him to sneak into the semis.

Favored to move on: Isner

Floaters: Bernard Tomic, Feliciano Lopez

*****

Jack is a Montreal-based marketing professional and business lecturer. In addition to writing for Tennis Connected and traveling the world to cover the pro game, he also write about business for IndecentXposure.com. Check out his work for IX here.

Twitter: @KSplayersClub

Instagram: SoireeCulturelle

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