THE match of the day was the semifinal match between K. Nishikori and D. Ferrer from the Madrid Open today! It was a GREAT match with Nishikori winning in three incredible sets, 7-6, 5-7, (could have and maybe should have won the match in this second set), 6 – 3. Nishikori had nine match points, all of them resulting in NOT! It was only on match point number 10 in the third set that Nishikori came through for the amazing win over Ferrer on clay in Spain on David’s home turf. K. Nishikori has received criticism in the past for caving when the going got tough…today he did not! His serve was clutch when he needed it, especially in the final game in set three which lasted almost fifteen minutes. It is very difficult to defeat D. Ferrer on clay, especially on clay with home court advantage, but Nishikori got it done and will advance to the final tomorrow…lucky guy…he gets that other Spaniard…Rafael Nadal! Nadal made short work of fellow Spaniard Bautista-Agut (26 years old), 6-4, 6-3. So much for the “Nadal malaise”. It seems to have ended. Ferrer beat Nadal on clay in the last tournament in Monte Carlo but it will be K. Nishikori of Japan who gets the opportunity to upend the “King of Clay” in tomorrow’s final from Madrid.
On the women’s side. Sharapova took care of A. Radwanska, 6-1, 6-4. Disappointing performance for A. Radwanska, always knocking on the door it seems but not quite hard enough. Maria’s power just too much and with Serena out, it seems Sharapova is headed for her second title in a row (winning at Stuttgart last week). Standing in her way. S. Halep who took out Kvitova in three sets, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2. Kvitova is a tremendously talented player, but she runs so hot and cold. She had over 60+ unforced errors in this match. Halep is deceptive so tomorrow could be interesting, or it could be all Sharapova. I was pulling for Radwanska (I do not pull for Sharapova ever) so I am disappointed in today’s results.
Over at The Players from TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, M. Kaymer continued to hold the lead until the final hole and finished the day at -12, tied for the lead with the young gun from Texas, Jordan Spieth. Sergio Garcia (who had one fine round of golf today) along with John Senden find themselves tied for second at -9 and George McNeill, Gary Woodland, and Matt Jones are at -8 heading into the final round tomorrow. Other notables…Rory Mcilroy and Adam Scott both at -3. Rickie Fowler had a disastrous day, finishing at +5. I still say he should have kept the long hair!!
So tomorrow, tennis finals from Madrid (minus the one that really matters, Roger Federer) and final round of golf from The Players (minus Tiger Woods, defending champion). A bit anti-climatic for me personally! Otherwise…enjoy!
