Interesting match, they played in Madrid last year and Fabio was the dominant factor until he threw the match away in the 3rd set.
Given the conditions here, with Kei somewhat injured and in bad shape, I think Fabio in 2.
Grande Fabio.
Personally if Kei is good to go, I'm happy Kei doesn't need to play a lefty for the third time in a row. But Fog can stretch you the same way as we saw in Madrid. At least BH rallies will be more stock standard. Kei is probably better HC player overall but cannot afford to let his guard down.
probably? now i live and breathe for The Fog's trolltacular circus of life but I feel you're slightly underselling your man here. the pedigree of a US Open finalist vs a 9-match losing streak on HC 2014-15
He is absolutely hopeless. I have zero expectations seeing him stretched by Verdasco and Delbonis especially with his potential knee issue now. Might not even be fit to play. He played much cleaner last year in his opening rounds. Even the Monfils match he saved 5MPs on was higher quality in general. If he makes final with his current form, that would be a huge miracle. And then he'll be the easiest masters finalist toy. Congrats to the other finalist.
Although I expect Nishikori to lose you never know, Fognini always has the great potential to clown a match out of reach. You just never know. IF Nishikori miraculously makes it through, he'll have a day's rest, maybe shake out the knee a bit, take a shit load of painkillers, ice the knee, you never know, or am I being way too hopeful? Well we'll see tomorrow.
I'm incredibly selfish and would love him to do just that seeing Fed struggle with RBA and Mahut extending Nadal. It is such a chance and because of this will probably not happen. But I'd hate for him to be out of clay season on account of it.
Motivated Fognini is already a top tier opponent. But motivated Fognini with Nadal in his sights is an outright tennis phenomenon. He's going to throw the kitchen sink at Nishikori and I'm not sure if he has it left in the tank to take it on.
It will be Fognini. Their match is scheduled 1st before Nadal vs Sock. If Fognini is in SF then American can think Wow our guy Sock has a great chance to get to F . That is what happened in IW . Everyone of younger guys Sock and Kyrgios got a win against top players Nishikori and Djokovic. Let see what will happen.
I've admittedly not seen any of Nishikori's matches this tournament but I'd be surprised if he loses this. Nadal aside, Fognini doesn't often score wins over the top players and I imagine Nishikori's return will be too much for his serve.
It can turn out to be a great tournament if Fabio beats Nishikori, Nadal and Federer to get a Masters title out of nowhere before the 90s gen guys. :lol:
I've admittedly not seen any of Nishikori's matches this tournament but I'd be surprised if he loses this. Nadal aside, Fognini doesn't often score wins over the top players and I imagine Nishikori's return will be too much for his serve.
Fabio was very close to beating Nishikori at Madrid (even served for that match last season) but the surface there really suits aggressive tennis. Kei hasn't been in imperious form in this tournament but his overall intensity has been high enough to combat the ebbs and flows of his matches with Verdasco and Delbonis, both who struck the ball extremely heavy at times and really challenged Kei's defensive capacity. The question mark is Kei's fitness. One point he tried to run down a ball changing direction and seemed to hurt his knee, or at least felt some pain. Got some treatment and painkillers to soldier on. It didn't visibly affect his groundstrokes or mobility from what I saw, though his serve momentarily went AWOL (served 4 DFs in one game, including 3 in a row in the start of the third set). But obviously you don't know the condition a day after. He will either W/O or retire early on, or somehow shrug it off.
Rooting hard for Fognini here so that tards can't say RAFA didn't have to go through the hardest draw possible (Fog is playing better than Nishikori atm) to win Miami like they did in the Kohlschreiber thread
HAha now it's the wrist? This fucking guy, when we think he's hurt on one side of the body, it's actually 6 other places as well.
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