A few weeks ago I posted that Rafa would stay No 1 – he still can, with a little help from a friend.
I had picked that Rafa Nadal would win Rome and Roland Garros and therefore hold on to the ATP No. 1 ranking until at least the beginning of Wimbledon.
Unfortunately I underestimated Novak Djokovic, who continued his amazing run of form to beat Rafa in Rome.
Ticketsverizonwirelessarena.com is easy to use for Tickets at Verizon Wireless Arena - NH, Manchester for Brit Floyd, Bruno Mars & Aloe Blacc at Verizon Wireless Arena - NH Tickets also for Luke Bryan, Lee Brice & Cole Swindell.
But now it is Paris. Five sets, Grand Slam tennis.
And Rafa has a trump card this time in… Roger Federer, who could be the one to knock Nole off his perch in the semis and allow the Mallorcan to stay atop, just… just…just maybe… a little longer.
Here is the calculation, should Nadal win, and Djokovic fall in semis:
UPDATE – Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 to claim the Rome 2011 title. Congratulations to Nole! Will anyone ever beat him in 2011?
It’s been a phenomenal run by the Serb, and Andy Murray seemed to have him beaten in the semis. But he fought back to win yet again, and will face Nadal for the fourth time in five Masters Series final this year (he missed Monte Carlo).
Nadal still has a 16-10 lead over Djokovic in the head to head, but the No. 2 is catching up very quickly. I am sure we are in for a fantastic final!
Below are the best links for free TV streams over the internet that we could find in our wide scan and evaluation of available sources.
Internazionali BNL D’Italia – Final – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic, after rain delay, starting after 7pm local time (5pm GMT)
Option 1 – Rome – Masters Series Tennis – Live TV - English
UPDATE – Match over – Rafael Nadal beat Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-3 to progress to semifinals
Although Rafael Nadal did have a good win over Feliciano Lopez yesterday, we have found out why he looked so lethargic on court in his first match against the 148th ranked Lorenzi.
“I had a fever last night and this morning I didn’t feel better,” he said. “I didn’t know if I was going to go on the court for the match. I decided at the last moment.”
“I didn’t understand why I felt so slow yesterday, why I had no energy. I understand today,” Nadal said.
Next he faces Marin Cilic - so far the two have split the wins in the previous matches in 2009 (to Cilic) and 2011 (Australian Open, to Nadal).
Below are the best links for free TV streams over nternet that we could find in our wide scan and evaluation of available sources.
Internazionali BNL D’Italia – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Marin Cilic, not before 2pm local time (midday GMT)
Option 1 – Rome – Masters Series Tennis – Live TV - English
Option 2 – Rome – Masters Series Tennis – Live TV - English
Update: Matches over – Nadal beat Lopez 6-4, 6-2 while Federer crashed out to Gasquet – 4-6, 7-6, 7-6
Rafael Nadal played very badly yesterday and will hope to improve a good deal against Feliciano Lopez. He has a 7-2 lead in the head to head.
Roger Federer has beaten Richard Gasquet of France on 8 straight occasions from nine matches, with the Frenchman having to look back to their first meeting in 2005 for inspiration.
Below are the best links for free TV streams over internet that we could find in our wide scan and evaluation of available sources.
Internazionali BNL D’Italia – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Feliciano Lopez, midday (10am GMT) Roger Federer vs Richard Gasquet, not before 3:00pm (1:00pm GMT)
Rest easy Nadal fans – Rafa will stay on top until at least after Roland Garros…
There has been a lot of talk of Novak Djokovic’s chances of taking over the ATP No 1 position from Rafael Nadal either at the Rome Masters or at the French Open.
But that possibility requires one massive assumption – that he can outscore Rafa at either Rome or Roland Garros.
Let’s not forget something – Nadal has won the Rome title in 5 out of the last six years, as well as Roland Garros in 5 out of the last 6 years. He is perhaps the best clay court player of all time, and unlike the Madrid Masters which is played at altitude, these courts are perfect for his style of play.
So even if Nole makes it to the final in both, Nadal is favourite to win both titles. And in that case after Roland Garros he will retain a lead over the Serb of…365 points!
Here is the calculation:
Nadal
Djokovic
Balance 11th May
12470
10665
less Madrid points 2010*
-1000
0
plus Rome 2011
+1000
+600
less French 2010
-2000
-360
plus French 2011
+2000
+1200
After Roland Garros
12470
12105
Note – Madrid 2010 points drop 16th May, and Rome 2010 points already deducted from balance due to change in tournament calendar since last year.
Well let’s not take this lightly, Nadal will have to play brilliantly to achieve the above, but so will Djokovic, and Rafa has history and experience in his favour. Odds are on him.
On the other hand, the really big challenge will be Wimbledon where things are no longer in Rafa’s hands. If as above Nadal wins on clay and Djokovic loses the finals, then even a Wimbledon title may not be enough if Nole does indeed make it to the third consecutive final. So THERE is his chance – but truth is, I back Rafa to win all three, but think the Serb will fall short at either the French or Wimbledon .
After Roland Garros
12470
12105
less Wimbledon 2010
-2000
-720
plus Wimbledon 2011
+2000
+1200
After Wimbledon
12470
12585
Note – Queens left out of above for simplification, but it could also come in to play. Rafa defends 45 points and Nole 20 points.
Then for July and August… not so many points to defend and he could make up points on the hardcourt tour of North America before defending his title at the US Open.
My pick is that Rafa will be at No 1 until the end of the year!
UPDATE – Nadal beat Lorenzi 6-7, 6-4, 6-0 while Federer beat Tsonga 6-4, 6-2
Rafael Nadal may perhaps be relieved to be facing 148th ranked local Paolo Lorenzi, instead of Thomaz Bellucci, but is sure not to take him for granted. It will be the first time the two have met. UPDATE – Match over – after a surprising lost first set, Rafa fought back to win 6-7, 6-4, 6-0
Roger Federer on the other hand has played Jo-Wilfred Tsonga four times before, and holds a 3-1 lead in the head to head. Not so easy but he should go through safely.
Below are the best links for free TV streams over internet that we could find in our wide scan and evaluation of available sources.
Internazionali BNL D’Italia – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Paolo Lorenzi, after about 2pm local (midday GMT) Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, not before 7:30pm (5:30pm GMT)
Rafael and Roger Federer in the same half again, possible semi meet up.
With the Madrid final still to play, the Rome action is well under way.
Here is my pick on seed and form as to who they are likely to have to win in order to meet in the semis and progress to a possible final.
Both Nadal and Federer look to have a relatively easy run to the quarterfinals where they could meet David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych respectively. Having said that, Rafa’s first opponent Bellucci is in great form and that could be a big upset in the making…
Rafael Nadal – likely Rome opponents:
First round: bye
Second round: Tomaz Bellucci
Third round: Mikhail Youzhny
Quarter finals: David Ferrer
Semifinals: Roger Federer
Finals: Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer – likely Rome opponents:
First round: bye
Second round: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Third round: Richard Gasquet
Quarter finals: Tomas Berdych
Semifinals: Rafael Nadal
Finals: Novak Djokovic
Having seen off a stubborn attack from Ernests Gulbis, Nadal faces a difficult match against friend and countryman David Ferrer. While history and form are solidly on the Mallorcan’s side, finals have a way of introducing an element of chaos in to every expectation, and who knows what the day will bring?!
Still, having correctly predicted a 2-1 win for Rafa over the Latvian, I’ll claim to be on form too and say that Nadal will steamroll Ferrer – straight sets and giving away less than 5 games…
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet – we’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing. Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Rome Masters 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free) – Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer
After 4pm local time, 2pm GMT
Option 1 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – Excellent quality video and sound
Option 2 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – English, excellent quality video and sound
Option 3 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV - Recommended - English, excellent quality video and sound
Free Live TV over internet – links at end of this post.
Today is when we had hoped to be feasting on another Nadal vs Federer extravaganza .
Unfortunately Ernests Gulbis destroyed Roger’s plans, knocking him out unceremoniously in the second round.
Now it is time for the young and promising Latvian to face the one and only Rafael Nadal.
So far in this tournament Rafa has continued seamlessly from his stunning Montecarlo form, and has looked unbeatable.
Today will be a different kettle of fish altogether – expect Gulbis to come out fighting, and I think it is not unthinkable for the youngster to steal a set from Nadal. End the end though I pick Nadal to reach an all Spanish final against either Verdasco or Ferrer tomorrow.
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet – we’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing. Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Rome Masters 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free) – Rafael Nadal vs Ernests Gulbis
After 4pm local time, 2pm GMT (starts after completion of Verdasco vs Ferrer match)
Option 1 – Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – Copy and post this link ( http://zulu.mk/live/kanal-5 ) into your Internet Explorer browser. Just clicking on the link will not work!
Option 2 - Rome Masters Tennis Live TV – Recommended – English, excellent quality video and sound
Comments