I am afraid you are not going to catch on me today rotla cause I agree with your choices there...but I will still give you a chance on one match.

1. [6] Tomas Berdych (CZE)
v
[15] Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Berdych

2. [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
v
[7] Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)

Djoko (that's your chance to catch up )

3. [3] Roger Federer (SUI)
v
[5] David Ferrer (ESP)

Fed

4. [10] Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)
v
[16] Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)

Delpo

I fancy a Fed Delpo final this week actually.

BTW, what a terrible scheduling again from Madrid! Federer Ferrer starting at 9.00pm if not 10 if the previous match drags on.

. Thats okay, I'll try to do better in Rome Masters.

I'm having fun doing my daily MOTDs and making it interesting for all of us.

You are doing a great job!

OK, time for some gambling today....

Bird Chokasco....I haven't seen Bird on this surface, but imagine he is doing well, esp as he IS an inform player.
However, Chocasko, despite everything is a man of inspiration and I have witnessed him go on a tear in th epast once or twice.
Just a he can loose this mathc in two easy sets, he could win it, too, mainly as Bird is no more nor less than himself.
So, I'll go with Verdasco here. On sheer heart and adrenaline.


Novak vs. Tipsarevic will be a close one. Nole is better any day, but this surface plays better for Tipsarevic. He played well on it last night, very well actually, for the first time I observed his game and noticed he is able to mix percentage play (which, with his increased ultra-fitness, has been his bread and butter last year taking him into top 10) well with a creative, aggressive all-court play. HIs groundies were best I've ever seen him him.
Still, Nole is Nole, and he will have learnt what to do on this surface playing Stan last night.
So, my pick is Nole.

Federer Ferrer, I'd love to see another Spaniard kiss the blue clay , and although it's in the realms of virtual robablity, Fed's play well enough here not to have much trouble against Ferru.
Pick: Federer

Finally Delpo Dolgo: because this is BLUE clay, my pick is Dolgo. His 1st serve needs to be firing well, though.

How's Mrs Rotla doing?

@nitb

How's Mrs Rotla doing?
--------------------------------
She is doing much better nitb. Thanks for showing concern.

Tennis time Lovely sunny day in Madrid, Delpo and Dolgo just strated.

Dolgo's groundies sizzling ALREADY

Impressive this shot making ability.

It's one of the few players you don;t know where the ball is going to go next. Really great to watch even if as rotla says, he is not a graceful player.

His game is very exciting and that compensates for any grace BIG time.

Too much power for Dolgo's crafty game. 6/3 Delpo.

And zero first serve for Dolgo....

Dolgo really needs to learn to harness his aggression, no need to go for Delpo's second serve so hard!

He does in three times in a row in the same game !!!!! Nole would've eaten those...

Hello everyone! You're all looking very settled and happy here. Just popping in briefly because life a bit up and down atm and so can't be around very much. I do hope your wife is feeling better rotla? Hope to be around a bit more in a couple of weeks.

Really sad that Dolgopolov threw that first set away

TP,
we've managed to survive the long first two weeks ironing-out a few disagreements.
How was the holiday?

these commentators are talking such rubbish now and then....

It's such a shame Dolgo's serve let him down so badly today.

Dolgo produces utter magic and the commentators are silent. Yet, they keep droning over Delpo's "lovely" height and power...

I'm going to do a Serena now: Delpo didn't win it, Dologo lost it

Well yes but his magic has to come with those UEs. It will always be part unfortunately. He will only improve those by reducing those and increase the winners. Confidence and more practice should get him there.

I don't think it was the US that cost him today, his serve let him down BIG time.
That, and terrible returning esp on Delpo's second serve.

If his first serve was even at 65%, this would've been a much different match.
But, that's Dolgo for you, so often leaves you with a
Still, wouldn't swap him for Nadal AND Delpo put together

Yes you are right. His serve certainly deserted him today.

But again, he serves so well for such a short guy. He has short margins in his serve as well as most of his shots.

Yes, it's that low forward toss. Still, I enjoyed watching him very much today.
Beats the tall baseline power any day.