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4/21/11 4:38 PM | Ricky Dimon
Rafael Nadal continues his clay-court dominance and defeats Santiago Giraldo in straight sets on Thursday in Barcelona. Nadal will go up against Gael Monfils for a spot in the quarterfinals.
It was not a vintage Rafael Nadal clay-court performance, but the world No. 1 had more than enough to get past Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of the Barcelona Open BancSabadell on Thursday afternoon. Nadal needed one hour and 23 minutes to book a quarterfinal clash against Gael Monfils.
A shaky start by Nadal led to three consecutive breaks midway through the first set. The top-seeded Spaniard broke for a 3-2 lead, gave it right back due to multiple errant forehands, but quickly recovered and struck again for a 4-3 advantage. This time Nadal made no mistake with the upper hand and he held for 5-3 before his third break of the day finished off the set in style.
After converting his third set point when Giraldo netted a forehand, Nadal did not look back. Barcelona's five-time champion began to find the range with his forehand and he delivered a ruthless cross-court winner to break for 2-0 in the second. Giraldo finally got on the scoreboard with a hold for 1-3 before testing his opponent in the following game. The 54th-ranked Colombian, however, could not get back on serve and it was all over when Nadal survived one deuce for 4-1.
One more break allowed the No. 1 seed to serve more the match at 5-1, and he successfully did so with ease. Nadal opened the final game with one of his best backhands of the day and capitalized on his first match point when a Giraldo forehand return sailed well wide.
Nadal increased his 2011 ATP-best wins total to 26 against only four losses while improving to 3-0 lifetime against Giraldo. Having captured a seventh consecutive Monte-Carlo title last week, Nadal is now 7-0 clay this season and has won 27 straight matches in Barcelona.
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Don't you feel that Rafa is a bit slow in his movement on clay this year. He mentioned that he can't slide as well this year and he wanted to watch some of his own videos to see how he moved/slide on clay in the past. I guess that explains why he seems to mishit some of his shots, especially his backhand shots. He was slower in getting to the ball and thus mistimed his shots. He was slow by his own standard in running to his forehand corner to cover his position there and hence he was more vulnerable there this year than usual.
I hope he improves on his movement, his fitness and especially his serves in time for the remaining clay masters and of course the FO, if not players like Nole, Murray and Fed and even the Spaniards will capitalize on those weaknesses.
luckystar , 4/22/11 7:55 AM
luckystar,
did you watch the match against Monfils today? I caught the second set and Nadal looked great this time.
chlorostoma , 4/22/11 2:30 PM
I read the balls have been changed this year, they are heavier and do not allow as much top spin as before...I guess it took time for Rafa to adjust to those changes and also to get back to his clay court game...on the other hand, I do not see the reason for Rafa to raise his level at this point as his opponents are being beaten even when he plays not at his best...he is, however, slowly coming to his best and I think that is the right way to do...In MC he was under pressure, this time he is not...he is doing great just the way he is...VAMOS RAFA!!!
natashao , 4/22/11 2:36 PM
Yes chloro, I've seen the match, almost vintage Rafa. I'm so happy to see him playing like this. I hope he can continue playing like this from now onwards. He's going for his 500th match win in the semifinal tomorrow. He'll be the second youngest player to do so, just behind Borg. Rafa is in so many ways similar to Borg and he's always being compared to Borg. It's an honor of course, to be able to compare to a past great, just like Fed is always being compared to Laver and Sampras.
luckystar , 4/22/11 4:02 PM
I think one reason Rafa wanted to play in Barcelona was to work on his movement and other aspects of his game. At least I will see the replay of his match against Monfils. I am looking forward to it, because it sounds like he played his best match yet. Maybe he is finally getting his legs under him and starting to get into better form. If this helps Rafa peak at the right time, then it's all to the good.
Borg was my favorite back when I was much younger. The very first time I saw Rafa, he reminded me of Borg. They aren't similar physically, but the way they play is very much similar. It is a huge honor to be compared to the likes of Borg!
Nativenewyorker , 4/22/11 7:00 PM
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I hope Monfils has an ON day and tests Rafa.
I don't understand why he's only lashing out the big backhand on ocassion, it's like he deliberately wants to go from one side to the other to get in shape or something!
Shireling , 4/21/11 8:33 PM