ATP 500 - Barcelona Open: The Final

I really like the Gasquet and Monfils battle of frenchmen and Feli Lopez against Nishikori is also an interesting contrast of styles. Should be a real good day, Barcelona field is a good one. I want to see how young Raonic continues to progress on what should be the hardest and least favored of surfaces.

Thanks for this, Green

A good day today on Centre, and I'd also like to see how Juan Carlos Ferrer does, along with young Milos. Has the field been blown wide open for Rafa now that Soderling is out?

It looks open for Rafa but hey who can say. I dont rate Soderling at the moment frankly (wait to be shot down in flames again). so I didn´t think Rafa would have had too much to prove where he was concerned but now we will never know.
Almagro is standing on the threshold of "inside No.10" so he will want to win this. Ferrer will be battling it out until the end IMO so my money is on him today

Wooffie wrote:Thanks for this, Green

A good day today on Centre, and I'd also like to see how Juan Carlos Ferrer does, along with young Milos. Has the field been blown wide open for Rafa now that Soderling is out?

Considering how up for it he looked against Gimeno Traver, i'd say he'd have found it easy whether Soderling was there or not. Melzer looks in decent form so I think it's either him or Ferrer to play the part of sacrificial lamb.

Ferrero's made some decent progress, but he's stuggling now against the World number 186; not exactly the form of further progress! We'll see though, he's one of the best Spaniards ever to play on the stuff, so there's always the chance he could suddenly go on a good run.

Rafa is playing some fantastic stuff today. <applause>

Great match by Rafa (apart from those drop shots ). Best I've seen him play this year. I think Monfils played well but Rafa seemed to be on a mission today.

i agree. He seems at last to have found his clay feet ... he demolished poor Gael, who, though was playing some good stuff, looked like a fish out of water. Welcome back Rafa your looking good

Rafa just showing everyone why he truely is the master. In the words of Brad Gilbert, "its just a case of TMG, too much game." Rafa looks like he is cooking on the clay, I can't wait to see him and Novak square of in a couple of clay court finals. Yes rafa should win and would definetly be the favorite, but I think Novak could push him and make it an interesting match.

Fabulous win Rafa. Keep it going.

I haven't watched Ferrero play in ages... And he just lost the 1st set.

Well he is returning from injury so it really is no great surprise.. shame though.. even so I still like Nico

Yeah, I know. QF is a pretty good result for him right now, still... He used to be my favourite player...

Yes I agree he is a great player and a really nice person to boot.
Had an article the other evening on Spanish Sport showing you his tennis school... what a place.. he is doing so much with the kids here.
Nice to see someone putting back into the game. Hope he gets back to form soom