European Men's Clay Court Season

[juvenal]

Schedule:

13 - 19 April	Monte Carlo Masters
20 - 26 April	Barcelona
27 April - 3 May	Rome Masters
4 - 10 May	Estoril, Portugal/Belgrade, Serbia/Munich, Germany
11 - 17 May	Madrid Masters
18 - 24 May	Kitzbühel, Austria
25 May - 7 June	French Open, Roland Garros, Paris

So the opening tournament of the clay court season is underway in Monte Carlo, and obviously the overwhelming favourite in all events on this surface is world number one Rafael Nadal. He had a bye in the first round and dispatched Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-3 in the second. He faces Ecuadorean Nicolás Lapentti this afternoon in the third round.

Roger Federer took a wild card to this tournament after originally deciding not to participate in it, as he looks to find some form after a disappointing tour of the early-season US hard courts. He was beaten earlier today in the third round by Swiss Olympic team-mate Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5.

Other early round casualties were French due Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon, and Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro, who were all defeated in their first matches.

Andy Murray is currently in action against Italian Fabio Fognini, and was 0-5 down in the first set. Murray had a big comeback and forced a tiebreak, and he eventually took the first set 7-6 (13-11).

Number four seed Novak Djokovic is also currently in action against Spaniard Albert Montanes, and is a set up (6-1) and a break up in the second. He should advance to the quarter-finals in straight sets.

Further details on the draw available here.

[anotherlostie]

Given Murray's advance to the Monte Carol semis, could he get past Djokovic in rankings before Wimbledon? I'm not sure how well Djokovic did in these tournaments last year, but it was hardly worse than Murray.

I think that, like most people, I expect Nadal to win every tournament he enters, so it becomes important, for gaining points, who joins Federer in the other side of the draw and therefore has the much better chance of reaching the final.

[juvenal]

After another clay court tournament victory for Rafael Nadal in Barcelona, the ATP Rome Masters is currently in action.

World #4 Andy Murray was a surprise early victim in his opening match against Argentinian Juan Monaco, losing to the qualifier 6-1 3-6 5-7. Murray's service game let him down, and despite a comeback in the deciding set from 4-3 down, Monaco broke again at 5-5 and served out for the win.

World #1 Nadal defeated Italian Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-3, and #2 Roger Federer dispatched big-hitting Croatian Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-4. Nadal will face Swede Robin Söderling in the third round, while Federer will match-up against Radek Stepanek from the Czech Republic.

Other matches included the all-French affair between Richard Gasquet and ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which Gasquet edged 7-6 (7-2) 6-4, while sixth seed Fernando Verdasco defeated Mardy Fish 6-4 5-7 6-3 and eighth seed Gilles Simon saw off Fabio Fognini 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 6-3.

Draw is here.

[juvenal]

For the first time since their Australian Open final on 1st February, World #1 Rafael Nadal and #2 Roger Federer will meet in tomorrow's (Sunday) final at the Madrid Masters.

Nadal this morning overcame world #4 Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9), which lasted 4 hours and 3 minutes. Nadal saved three match points before taking his second match-point opportunity to win in the longest three-set match in Masters Series history. Given the pace of their individual styles, and the two tie-breakers, it was hardly surprising that this lasted as long as a grand slam five-setter!

Federer beat Juan Martin Del Potro in much easier fashion, winning 6-3, 6-4 in 1 hour and 22 minutes. Federer converted two of six break points, whereas Del Potro failed to convert any of his four break-point chances.

[MisterAnarchy]

Federer looked back to his best today,he really outplayed Nadal.
He took his break points when necessary and didnt let Nadal win any break points.
That has been the difference over the last few years,Federer failing to convert vital break points .
His serve and forehand looked good and he was mixing up his shots very well.
It was only best of 3 sets but still it gives hope for Federer.
If he can toughen up mentally he can beat Nadal in Paris.

[BlackMamba]

Roger looked really good out there today!! He played well and stayed positive.
But it seems like he didn't want to discuss what this match means ahead of Roland Garros next week. It makes sense since Nadal will probably be 100% by then and raring to defend his title.
But we shall see!