We finally got to the final 4 in Barcelona.
As it was easy to predict it is an all Spanish affair as we have 3 “full” home players in the semis plus an “adopted on”. In fact, Milos Raonic used to train in Barcelona as a teenager (not many years ago!) and he has been training here again since last December to improve his ground skills especially on the clay court with abvious results.
NADAL – TIPSAREVIC 6-2 6-2
Humble Rafa was quite worried to play Janko. As per his own word it can’t be easy to play the nr.8 in the world. That’s right for the rest of the world, not for Rafa! The world nr.2 conceded only 4 games to the Serbian that managed to win only 4 (out of 21) points on his own second serve.
The very good news here is that Rafa is steadily improving his tennis to be ready for the most important month for his ranking: May. Next month Nadal will have to defend (and hopefully add some more) important points acquired in Madrid, Rome and at the French Open.
Rafa will play his next match with his friend and fellow countryman Fernando Verdaso.
VERDASCO – NISHIKORI 4-2 Ret
Just the time to warm up.. and it was already game over. Verdasco was back to his top form and he looked eager to play Kei. Unfortunately, the Japanese had to retire after half an hour with a left hip injury.
FERRER – LOPEZ 6-7 (4) 7-6 (7) 6-3
This was a truly great match. On one side, Ferrer did not seem to be at his best due to a back injury, but he was still playing like a warrior (no news). On the other side, Feliciano was playing one of his best tennis and yesterday he was really inspired with impressive ground strokes. The backhand (his weaker stroke) was really effective and spectacular.
There were no breaks in the first set won by Lopez at the tie break (4). Then Feliciano had 3 match points in the second sets, but David maanged to save all of them to win the tiebreak at 7 and then to win the final set 6-3.
The difference? Feliciano was displaying a much better tennis than David’s, but from a mental point of view Ferrer is 2/3 categories above.
Ferrer will play Raonic in the semis. The Canadian is in ominous form having dispatched in straight sets both Almagro (6-3 6-3) and Murray 6-4 7-6 (3)
