We're getting a late start on this topic, but the men are in Madrid and The Bracket is stacked.

Just reading the names of who had to qualify to get in tells you the field is strong. In addition to having so many of the top players here, we've also got a handful of formerly top players suddenly raising their game.

Okay, it's Wednesday and we're about done with the second round so first round match-ups are in the past. But some interesting upsets today. Henman is suddenly playing the best tennis he's played in a year, taking out Ferrer. I suppose given how quick this surface is said to be, the conditions certainly favored Henman's style of play. But this guy wasn't winning any matches 6 months ago, and now he's stringing multiple wins together. Murray takes out Ljubicic in three. And tour cutie Ginepri beats Ancic. Unfortunately, Blake's winning streak is ended by Vilegen. Schrichipan, also getting some decent results of late almost score an upset. Gonzalez beats him in the third on the only break point chance he got.

I'm crossing my fingers for a couple more upsets. Could Fish also join the fellas suddenly playing better and take out a possibly faltering Nadal? The surface certainly is right for it. And I'm pulling for Safin over Baghdatis. It's sort of like Marat is playing at home again this week.

Roddick has a tough match against Berdych in the third round, but this quick indoor court should really tip in Andy's favor. Roddick has even brought Connors along for this event, despite the duo previously saying Jimmy wouldn't reappear until 2007.

I feel like I'm supposed to go out on a limb and make picks so I'll say Federer vs. Safin and Roddick vs. Murray in the semis. Federer over Murray in the finals.

Two nice wins for Ginepri. Does anyone know what the story was in his first match with Feliciano Lopez. I caught the tail end of the match, and the crowd was just merciless against Ginepri. He seemed to handle it well, but man were they just horrible. They replayed parts of the match yesterday, but not whatever caused the crowd to get on Robby that way.

Henman has had a few good weeks as of late. Nice to see him doing well again after so many people wrote him off.

OK, first thing first.....from what I hear, the courts are slower than you may think for indoors.....it's a rubberized surface, not a fast carpet. I was hoping for a Mardy upset, but once I heard about the surface and that it takes to spins and slice really well I became much less hopeful.

It doesnt seem super-fast from watching TTC, but I have a hard time judging these things especially on TV.

The Ginepri thing was ridiculous....he questioned a call, but he really just wanted some clarfication on the ruling....but once they started whistling there, Robby stuck two fingers (the ouutside ones - pinky and pointer maybe....ya know, the rock-n-roll symbol)

I'm not sure, but that gesture may mean something else in Spain.....but the crowd was mercilessly yelling every time Robby went to hit the ball....the chair umpire was a buffoon and said no more than por favor, he totally had no control whatsoever, but Robby did OK to stay focused.

OK, Rafa and Mardy about to start.

Ah...I see. Thanks for the explanation. The crowd was terrible, whistling and calling out during his serves, just really riding him (and not in a good way). The ref did not seem to have any control.

Anyone hear how long Monfils will be out, or what the extent of his injury is? He looked to be in a lot of pain.

Doubtful Fish can beat Nadal, but we'll see.

Well, Nadal made quick work of Fish winning 6-4, 6-2 so the surface may indeed be more grippy. I swear I read an article today that described the surface as "lightning quick." I can't find the reference now, of course. Nadal could use a couple good weeks here to carry momentum into the end of season championships.

Take surface out of the equation...Nadal is a much, much better player than Fish.

i'm watching the ginepri/robredo match now, and they're talking about the other day, and how umpire lars graf basically let the crowd almost lynch robby.lars is the umpire for this match, too, and he's not putting up with any B.S. from the crowd today.i love how they're saying robby made a rude gesture that he shouldn't have.

btw, this whole model/ball girl thing is HILARIOUS. I was watching the match yesterday when they were used, and there was one girl who would, instead of running out on the court to get a ball, would walk briskly, bend down and pick up the ball like it was a used tissue, then saunter off the court.

Robbie pulls another upset today! Maybe the crowd has given him the fire he needs to get his game back to where it was last year. A-Roddick, however, is going home.

maybe Ginepri's new winning way comes from the new look. for those of you who do not get the Tennis Channel, Robbie has thinned down a bit, eg, less bulky arms, and sports a nicely trimmed short beard, sort of a Montgomery Clift look. he handled the derision of the crowd very well a couple days ago, seemed to help his concentration. sadly he next faces the Roger, so we may only have another day to admire. but his game is more precise than it has been for a year, good improvement all round.

Nice to see that Nadal may be getting back into form, with an easy (based on the score, at least) win over Haas. I'm pulling for another final meeting with Roger.

Ginepri made a decent match of it against Federer. I'm to lazy to look up Federer's tiebreak record this year, but the guy seems to be nearly perfect in them.

Sorry to see Safin go down to Nalbandian. Did anyone read the comments after David's match with Henman? I guess there were some words exchanged on a change over and again in the press afterwards. I guess over the change over, Henman agreed that the officials missed a call. Nalbandian then got mad that Tim didn't concede the point. I can't blame Tim in this case. It was a close set and it was at a pretty critical juncture.

the ass picking wedgie boy lost to berdych for the THIRD time this year. nadal has had a disastrous time since wimbledon.

such a shame.

Actually, it's the second time, with one defeat happening last summer, but I'm sure that won't get in the way of your gloating.

I was disappointed with both players' behavior at the end of that match. Berdych is immature, and Nadal was right to call him out during the handshake but unwise to shoot off his mouth in interview. At Wimbledon it seemed like Nadal really had all court abilities, but he's been playing like a less-enthused clay player ever since. The perplexing decision to stop hitting a flatter ball really costs him against Berdych, who goes to town on his weak returns of serve and high forehands. Nice to see Gonzalez whoop Berdych's ass today though.

The toughest letdown at this tournament for me is -- surprise -- Safin, who is at least starting to show patches of his old brillance. He had Nalbandian beat at the end of the third set in their quarter and then let him steal the match back. I was excited about and al lready for a Safin-Federer semi and then...(stifles yawn). Please Marat, win a slam in 2007!

Poor little Nadal...what a joke! He calls Berdych a bad person because Tomas tried to quiet a obnoxiously loud crowd who'd been jeering him after errors and double faults. Berdych kicked his ass and that's just too bad for them. But it doesn't make him a "bad guy" or someone deserving of the crowd's petty behavior. Nadal's a spoiled brat. Love his tennis though...

Go Roger...the real story. Gonzo is a tough cookie...should be a great match.

Berdych has always rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. I don't know if I'd consider him a bad guy, but the silencing gesture was a low class move. To clarify, he silenced the crowd AFTER he won.....it was a "f**k you", not an attempt to get some quiet in order to play.

The crowd was cheering for their man, and Berdych can react how he wants but then don't be surprised by the consequences. It's a shame because you can really gain a crowd's respect and affection for future matches when you beat the crowd favorite AND show respect as well...Berdych did not do the latter. He should have been more prepared for that fan treatment in his semi against Gonzo too, and he really just looked lost out there.

I'm glad Rafa said something to him at the net too, rather than just saying so the press later. I dont think Rafa did anything wrong, and he had plenty of compliments to say about Berdych's game as well.

Well the final was a dud as I thought it would be. As in Gonzo's previous matches with Fed...he does a good job for a set and realizes he just can't keep up, goes for too much, becomes frustrated, and Fed cruises after the first set. The second and third sets were just a vintage ass whooping from Federer. Gonzo has a monstrous forehand but you need more than one weapon to beat Federer. Congrats to Fed on his first Madrid Master's and 10th title of the year.

As for the whole Rafa/Berdych thing...Rafa sounds like a sore loser to me here. I love the kid but he's been a little whiny and bratty this year with some of his comments. And I swear...I'm tired of seeing him pick his ass during matches. That shyt is not cute Rafa.

BBC _ Federer Wins In Madrid

As expected Roger won his 10th title of the year, and his 1st in Madrid. For the 3rd year in a row he wins 10 championships. His records just keep growing. Any predictions on who will be his biggest challenger in 2007? Can he win all 4 majors in a single year?

Yeah someone finally commented on Nadal's picking at his ass. This is the most annoying thing I have ever seen in tennis. He is definitely an otherwishe likeable guy. Why can't someone tell him how awful that looks?! Is it a problem with his underwear, or what? Some of you guys may be able to tell better than me, although women have butts, too. I just have never seen a woman do this. Scrathing a crotch (for a man), I can understand, but you rearely see that done publicly-on the court.
You'd think there was a wedgie-twister on the court! Agh. People (including me) complain about Shreikapova, but I've never seen anyone comment on the ass picking.

Frankly, Two-Hander, I thought that Nadal overreacted. What Berdych did was foolish and unnecessary, but wasn't as bad as say, showing the crowd the FINGER. The Madrid crowd *has* been aggravating all week, but he should have expected that kind of treatment playing against a Spanish player. That said, Nadal should have berated him in the locker room instead of calling him stupid in the in-court interview or very bad during the handshake. Berdych did not do anything to warrant that kind of censure. And it looks even worse since Nadal lost...makes him look like a sore loser. And Nadal's on-court behavior isn't exactly model etiquette. Taking extra time between points, all the in-your-face vamoses and fist pumping, even during opponents' errors....he of all people should not try to play the moral police. Don't get me wrong. I think he is a very nice,humble and gracious young man, but his in-court behavior isn't above criticism. So he should have kept quiet regarding Berdych.

Actually I criticized Nadal, not praised him. Saying what he did in interview was out of line. The only thing I said I wasn't bothered by was him saying something directly to Berdych during the handshake. You may disagree. It's funny that you bring up the finger, because in a way that's what Berdych was doing, only smart-ass "politely." But you are right, Nadal has many OCD tics and tactics that annoy a lot of people who point them out over and over. I don't think any player occupies a rarified realm of perfect behavior on or off the court.

Nadal certainly has proven he can be a sore loser, and he did so quite candidly. FF, didn't you say you think he's too nicey-nice a month or two back People here might not like it or understand it, but the Spanish crowd loves Nadal, so when Berdych did that, he took it personally. Imagine if someone pulled that in NY against Roddick, Blake or Agassi. I think his bad attitude came out of defending the crowd's more than questionable honor -- national pride is something I've never been into, no matter what the country.

A girl I know who lives in SF and Madrid was going to the semis and finals, but JC was also at this tournament, and it would be great to hear his first-hand impressions of the crowd, the event, the acrimony (Henman-Nalbandian; Nalbanidian-Safin; Berdych-Nadal) that went down, and the play.

Another forceful and efficient win by Federer today. Gonzalez just doesn't have anything to threaten him, and as the tour year is reaching its end I don't think any player does. Certainly, the likely Shanghai qualifiers don't seem threatening, even the few that have in the past. With his attitude and low level of commitment Nalbandian dosn't really deserve to beat Fed, even if he could. And Nadal just seems like a shell of himself -- something is wrong there.

Outside of Roland Garros, I hope someone can step up at least and present a challenge to the slam quest next year. The young players aren't catching up, much less stepping up -- to me, Safin is still the only other player with a talent level near Fed's. But years of rooting for mad and beautiful Marat have trained me to only expect the occasional surprise. I thought I'd gotten over him and then he had me cursing on Friday morning.

I am OK is Nadal displays aggression or throws a Connors/McEnroe type hissy fit, Two-Hander. It is this disapproving aunt role I did not like. Berdych's behavior with the crowd is none of Nadal's business. even if it is his home crowd. And Berdych wasn't even stepping out of line here.

I didn't see this discussion happening all week because I only log on to see if Today's Active Topics are working. Note to moderators: I still don't have this feature in case it's working for others.

Really enjoyed Federer winning another title, hope he's pacing himself to win Paris and Shanghai.

Bring back TATs.

About the none-of-his-business thing, we'll have to agree to disagree Fearsome -- it won't be the first time! I don't think saying something directly to Berdych's face was very auntie-like. It's not like needling him through post-match remarks, which until now isn't Nadal's style -- and shouldn't be, because he isn't especially articulate.

For me the key is that Berdych did it BEFORE the handshake, in fact, right before it. It's sore winner bad sportsmanship, definitely an insult to the crowd and by extension his opponent, and it brought out the sore loser in Nadal, who should have kept his mouth shut on the matter in post-match interviews. But that's just my opinion.

Anyway, on to Basel, where both Berdych and Nadal have dropped out. Maybe for some ATP manners tutorials, or maybe because they know they have no hope of winning.

Does anybody know what, if anything, Nadal said in the post-match interviews? The only thing I read was from Berdych in his post-match invterview that he said Nadal told him at net that he was very bad.

Unless Nadal said some really catty stuff, then I'll stick with my thorough and detailed assessment.....Berdych bad, Nadal good.

Here's what he said, Goodguy. From a TV interview that happened a few seconds after the handshake.

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/164686/2/t...madrid/berdych/

And on further reflection, I think he's right -- look what the crowd did the next day.

I just wish he'd kept it to himself, aside from what he said to Berdych's face.

Also, take a look at the pics in this article (you have to scroll down to read it) and tell me Berdych wasn't being a jerk.

Lo siento, no comprendo espanol.....pero yo puedo a decir "Berdych Mal, Rafa Bien"

Y gracias DosManos por la articula.

i too am embarassed and irritated by Nadal's 'ass picking', but having studied the matter now for months, i think he is not 'ass picking', but instead is adjusting the lower band of his underwear, about 3 inches from dead center. likely this has become part of his prep for the serve, routine and unthinking. an easy solution, try a different style underwear/jock, or try going commando. whatever he is wearing rides up and bothers him. maybe just a larger size?

i disagree about Berdych's gesture. i thought he was blowing a kiss to his friends on the opposite side. so did one of the commentators, who noted it. i have seen this subtle style of blowing a kiss before, you kiss your finger and then blow. the disproportionate reaction of the crowd has everything to do with their disappointment at their hero (and about every other spaniard) losing the match rather badly, and little to do with the guy on the other side of the net. you can fault Berdych for being a bit too laid back, but he is not the agressive type to take on a crowd. i would say that Nadal's game just fits his very well, the looping strokes and moderate pace. against Gonzo, Berdych just didn't have enough time to prepare for his shots, everything rushed and hence inaccurate.

Yes, it's clear that Nadal is adjusting his underwear, and not digging for something in his crack, but it still looks bad. I used to think it was those silly "pirate pants." Let's see some leg! Although with the droopy, long, baggy things the others are wearing, you don't to see much leg on any of the guys. Rog, especially. What has he got above the knee? I bet it's gorgeous. Why do they wear those huge pants? Actually at least Nadal's pants let you see the shape his fine butt is in. I'm sorry I am not commenting on tennis play. I just feel like we should be open to all aspects of the game here. The women's looks certainly are discussed ad nauseum in the media.
And I also agree that Berdych was out of line. His in Madrid. What does he expect? Applauding errors IS against tennis ettiquette, manner, protocol, but they didn't harm him. PLaying with whatever the crowd does to you is part of the game. And they pay to see them.

OK. I'm back in Madrid. I'm afraid I can't add much to the discussion of certain critical matches because I wasn't really following the media, but I can comment on the two nights I was in the stadium.

The first match I saw was Federer/Massu. I haven't seen a whole lot of Massu in the past and he's a crafty player, but didn't really have enough firepower to seriously trouble Federer. It was fun to see Fed's smoothness live, although he wasn't forced to really pull out his best stuff.

The second match that night was a much tighter contest between Safin and Acasuso. The first impression is whoah these guys are clobbering the ball. I'm surprised Acasuso hasn't had more success on fast surfaces. Safin really had a hard time getting much going on Acasuso's serve.

My second night was the third round match-ups. I was really looking forward to Nadal/Haas, although the match was in some ways a disappointment, as Haas was a bit flat. Predictably the stadium was strongly pro-Nadal with some stupid clapping of Haas double-faults occasionally, but Haas had a small group of very loud supporters. Even though I knew Rafa had struggled against Berdych in the past after seeing this match, I was surprised Nadal lost. He was playing a really good aggressive game, pouncing on short balls and coming in on big forehand approach shots. His forehand was really on all night--even when he was on the run, the soft heavy topspin defensive shots were landing very deep in the court. The only point at which it looked like he might lose was part way through the first set when he suddenly produced back-to-back double faults with both 2nd serves floating almost to the baseline. They were so far off, I wondered if there was something physically wrong, but he righted himself quickly. Was the Berdych match televised? Was Berdych able to really pound the Nadal backhand? The only way Haas seemed to be able to get into the points was when he got a short backhand.

The Murray/Djokovic match pitted two of the up-and-coming stars, though I have to say I'm not fond of either player, so it was hard to have much of a rooting interest. I had told someone I would meet them at midnight, so I didn't see the entire Djokovic/Murray match. I was shocked at the outcome because at the time I left, Murray had been making Djokovic look completely one-dimensional and seemed to have the second set well in hand. Did Murray's shaky conditioning govern the outcome?

Anyway, that was my experience of TMS Madrid. I was running around sightseeing and so on, so I really didn't follow the tournament other than when I was there, so in some ways I know less about it than I would have had I stayed in Canada! But it was certainly great to see Nadal, Federer and Safin live.