Mutua Madrid Open, Spain

[2] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [8] Tomas Berdych (CZE), it is frustrating to watch Berdych.  The guy can play brilliant tennis one day and on another, you wonder what happened.  At this stage in his career, does the pressure really still get to him?  He was so tense he could not get his game going and even though you saw the effort, he just could not perform at a level high enough to give Murray much of a challenge.  Murray won 6-3, 6-2.

 [5] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [35] Joao Sousa (POR), nerves were definitely the cause of Sousa’s slow start plus Nadal came out very focused.  Nadal surprisingly had a letdown in the second set and was thrown completely off his game when the match was temporarily delayed for the roof to close because it was raining.  That was surprising because he has had delays before because of inclement weather; however, Nadal recovered his focus just in time to win 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.

[6] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs. [21] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) was the match of the day as far as I was concerned.  Nishikori has developed more mental toughness as he has matured and today he showed that once again against the ferocious onslaught from Kyrgios. Nishikori wore him down mentally and Kyrgios suffered one of his famous meltdowns late in the second set to completely come undone.  Nishikori won 6-7(6), 7-6(1), 6-3.

 [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [10] Milos Raonic (CAN) was a foregone conclusion.  Despite his powerful serve and forehand, Raonic still struggles with his movement.  He was no match tonight.  Despite having break points, Raonic could not get by the obstacle of Djokovic’s flexibility and speed.  Djokovic continued his dominance of Raonic with the 6-3, 6-4 victory.