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Rafael Nadal Wins 7th Title at Barcelona

ATP 500 Barcelona - Final

1 Rafael Nadal d 3 David Ferrer - 76(1) 75

Another Sunday - another historic title. This time a 7th title at Barcelona.

With 8 titles in M-C, Rafa becomes the 1st man to win 7 titles at 2 events.

He extends his match streak in the month of April to 77.

He now has 34 consecutive wins in Barcelona, he didn't play in '09.

Tough day for David as he goes home a 4-time runner-up. All to Rafa.

Instead of going on and on, how about you watch the point of the match.

Hmm, no. The point of the tournament:

Rafael Nadal & David Ferrer to Play for Barcelona Title

ATP 500 Barcelona - Seminfinal Results & Final Preview

1 Rafael Nadal d 9 Fernando Verdasco - 60 64

3 David Ferrer d 11 Milos Raonic - 76(2) 76(5)

1 Rafael Nadal vs 3 David Ferrer - H2H: 13-4/RN

Rafa is going for his 7th title at Barcelona tomorrow.

He will see a familiar face in the final - it will be their 4th at BCN.

Rafa has won the previous 3: '08, '09 and '11.

David is only 1 of 7 players to have 4 or more wins over Rafa.

Elite club: Only Federer, Djokovic, Davydenko & Murray have 5 or more.

Daunting: Rafa rarely loses in the month of April. Or on clay.

David is looking to add a 4th title on the season - Rafa just his 2nd.

Prepare for some long grinding points and lots of sliding.

Clay court tennis sure is fun to watch when two masters play. Enjoy.

Photos: Reuters

David Ferrer Fights into Semifinals at Barcelona

ATP 500 Barcelona - Quarterfinal

3 David Ferrer d 7 Feliciano Lopez - 67(4) 76(7) 63

Phew: David saved 3 match points to move into the semifinals.

David improves his year to 27-4, this includes 3 titles.

Remember, he's had frustration at Barcelona over the years...

3 times he's lost to countryman Rafael Nadal in the finals: '08, '09 and '11.

Can he finally break thru?

He'll have to get past 11 Milos Raonic first - H2H: 3-0/DF...

For a right to play the winner of Nadal/Verdasco in the other Sf.

Any way you slice it a great final is in the offing on Sunday.

Photo: Reuters

Weekend Winners for April 15, 2012

ATP 250 Houston - Final

4 Juan Monaco d 2 John Isner - 62 36 63

Juan wins his 5th career title and 2nd of the 2012 season.

In the effort he has matched his ranking high of #14.

He is a clay court specialist with very few points to defend this clay swing.

If Juan plays his balls right he could quite well be a top 10 player by June.

That quest will begin this week at Monte-Carlo.

ATP 250 Casablanca - Final

3 Pablo Andujar d 7 Albert Ramos - 61 76(5)

Pablo wins his 2nd ATP title - both coming at Casablanca ('11).

The win propels him 19 spots to a ranking of #39 - one short of his high.

He will pop-over to Monte-Carlo this week where he's never played before.

He also has no matches to defend in Madrid and Rome.

If Pablo plays his balls right he could find himself seeded at Roland Garros.

WTA Copenhagen - Final

2 Angelique Kerber d 1 Caroline Wozniacki - 64 64

Ang wins her second WTA title - both coming this season.

She enjoys a rankings bump up to #14.

Ang prevented Caro from a hat-trick of titles at Copenhagen.

Caro seems to be, well... slipping.

She was #1 just a few months ago - she's currnetly ranked #6.

WTA Barcelona - Final

7 Sara Errani d 3 Dominika Cibulkova - 62 62

Sara wins her 4th WTA title and 2nd on the 2012 season.

As a result of her efforts she enjoys her highest ranking of #28.

She also took the doubles title yesterday with Roberta Vinci.

Rafael Nadal Wins His 6th ATP Title at Barcelona

Barcelona ATP 500 - Final

1 Rafael Nadal d 4 David Ferrer - 62 64

Second Sunday in-a-row these 2 have played - David has yet to take a set.

Last weekend's Monte-Carlo scoreline entertained a closer contest: 64 75.

Spare a thought for David - it's just gotta sting, no?

Rafa becomes the only Open Era man to have won 2 events 6 or more times.

King of Clay: 7 titles at M-C, 6 at Barcelona, 5 at Rome and Roland Garros.

Those numbers just keep getting sicker with every passing year.

Rafa is also throwing down a 34 match winning streak on clay.

With his Sf win Rafa joined the exclusive 500 club; he's now 501-105.

At only 24 he is the 2nd youngest to get to 500 behind Bjorn Borg, also 24.

Rafa: It's a very special tournament.

It always has been as I grew up watching this tournament.

It's a historical tournament with a great tradition and great champions.

It's more than a dream to win here six times.

Rafa will take a week off before heading to Madrid where he is the defender.

So far he has seen off all clay challengers...

Things may get interesting in Spain. Can Novak offer resistance on the dirt?

Stay tuned.

David Ferrer Moves into Quarterfinals at Barcelona

Barcelona ATP 500 - Third Round

4 David Ferrer d Victor Hanescu - 63 62

With Rafa winning the biggest clay title so far this year in Monte-Carlo...

The King of Clay is still, well, The King of Clay.

But one must consider David the second best player on the dirt.

Well, at least co-second best - we mustn't forget Nicolas Almagro.

BCN is David's 3rd tournament on clay (11-1) and Nico's 4th (15-2).

Impressive numbers, mostly racked up during the S. American swing in Feb.

Can they step up and threaten Rafa's reign on European dirt this year?

Robin Soderling Upset in 2nd Round at ATP Barcelona

Barcelona ATP 500 - Second Round

Ivan Dodig d 3 Robin Soderling - 62 64

So Robin started his season winning 3 of his first 4 tournaments...

Now he is riding a bummer of a slump.

For his last 3 tournies (IW, Miami and now BCN) he has a W/L of 2-3.

Robin was the runner-up in '10 - #6 Ferrer will look to close the gap on him.

Wasn't it just a minute ago Robin was rockin' the #4 ranking?

Not defending points well - that's part of the deal.

Photo: Reuters

Fernando Verdasco Wins Barcelona Title

5 WC Fernando Verdasco d 2 Robin Soderling - 63 46 63

This was only the 3rd final contested between 2 top ten players this year.

Fern captured his 5 career title & 2nd of 2010 following his win in Memphis.

It wasn't easy - 3 of his 5 matches were long 3 set affairs.

And he was 2 points from defeat in his 3rd round match vs Jurgen Melzer.

This is the biggest title of his career and 1st at the ATP 500 level.

A Spaniard has won in BCN 8 years running: Nadal (5), Robredo (1), Moya (1).

Fern will gain 490 ranking points - not enough move him up from #9 tomorrow.

Fern has now played 2 consecutive Sunday finals - losing in Monte Carlo.

He next heads to Rome (which began today) & one feels he must be tired.

Fernando certainly has earned a place on the Roland Garros favorites list.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal & Bryan Brothers Fly to Rome Together

From the sound of the Bryan Brothers tweet they should be thankful the flight is only a few hours!

1. Packing up, listening to Coldplay. Have this routine down. Adios Barcelona. Thanks for the good times. Rome here we come.

2. What do you get when you mix 60 Italian teens, Rafa, & Vueling Airlines? One crazy ass flight! Finally in Rome. Hallelujah!

Sounds like pure hell - the 60 teens part.

Soderling & Verdasco to Meet in Barcelona Final

2 Robin Soderling vs 5 WC Fernando Verdasco - H2H: 4-1

Both boys are looking for their 2nd titles on the season.

They are both 1-1 in finals in 2010.

This is Fern's 2nd straight final - he lost last week to Nadal in Monte Carlo.

Robin has 5 titles & is looking for his 2nd outdoors and on clay.

***

Semifinal Results

5 WC Fernando Verdacso d 8 David Ferrer - 67(3) 75 61

The Spanish pair sure engaged in an entertaining affair.

2 Robin Soderling d Thiemo De Bakker - 61 64

De Bakker came on toward the end - to no avail.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Soderling & Verdasco Lead Semifinalists in Barcelona

Semifinal Matches Tomorrow

5 WC Fernando Verdasco vs 8 David Ferrer - H2H: 5-3

Ferrer is looking for his 3rd straight Barcelona final - he lost last 2 to Rafa.

Verdasco is looking for his 2nd straight tour final - he lost last week to Rafa.

2 Robin Soderling (above) vs Thiemo De Bakker - H2H: 0-0

Didn't I write on Monday that De Bakker was one to watch?

Robin is playing his 4th semi of the year - he's 1-2.

***

Quarterfinal Results

8 David Ferrer d 13 Thomaz Bellucci - 64 60

5 WC Fernando Verdasco d Ernests Gulbis - 62 76(4)

Thiemo De Bakker d 3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 36 63

Well, I figured there would be at least one upset today.

2 Robin Soderling d Eduardo Schwank - 62 63

Photo: Robin Soderling - AP

Soderling & Tsonga Lead Quarterfinalists in Barcelona

TOP HALF

8 David Ferrer (above) vs 13 Thomaz Bellucci - H2H: 1-0

They both won clay titles during the S. American swing in February.

Ferrer won their only meeting in Acapulco during his title run in Feb.

5 Fernando Verdasco vs Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 0-0

Fern has to be tired & Ern is coming on strong. Could be an upset here.

***

BOTTOM HALF

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Thiemo De Bakker - H2H: 1-0

The score tomorrow may not reflect the 57 ranking spots between them.

2 Robin Soderling vs Eduardo Schwank - H2H: 1-0

Schwank (hehe) is playing in his 3rd tour level quarterfinal of the year.

Photo: David Ferrer post-match - Getty Images

Barcelona ATP 500: Thursday's Results

THIRD ROUND

2 Robin Soderling d 16 Feliciano Lopez - 63 62
3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 15 Nicolas Almagro - 57 61 64
5 WC Fernando Verdasco (above) d 11 Jurgen Melzer - 36 76(1) 63 
Thiemo de Bakker d 7 Juan Carlos Ferrero - 76(2) 36 76(4)
8 David Ferrer d Q Sinome Bolelli  60 30 ret.
13 Thomasz Bellucci d Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - 64 64
Ernests Gulbis d Q Albert Ramos-Vinolas - 61 63
Eduardo Schwank d LL Ivan Navarro - 63 76(7)

Photo: Fernando Verdasco - Getty images

Nicolas Almagro couldn't explain his loss in Barcelona today any better!

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 15 Nicolas Almagro - 57 61 64

Oddly enough - that's exactly how I feel today!

And Yesterday. And tomorrow. And...

Photo: Reuters

Mark Knowles Wins 700th Doubles Match in Barcelona

#700 with Lleyton Hewitt d 6 Lukasz Kubot & Oliver Marach - 64 76(0)

Only 4 other players have won 700 doubles matches on the ATP tour: Todd Woodbridge (782), Daniel Nestor (745), Sherwood Stewart (723) and Jonas Bjorkman (709). Many of Mark's 700 wins came with long-time former partner Daniel Nestor - who is now teamed with Nenad Zimonjic. They could meet in the Barcelona final.

The 38 year-old from the Bahamas has won 52 doubles ATP titles including 3 Slams with Nestor: '02 Aussie, '04 Us Open and '07 Roland Garros.

Other than Nestor, with whom he won 40 titles, his other winning doubles partners have included Jim Courier (1), Max Mirnyi (1), Mike Bryan (1), Mardy Fish (1) and Mahesh Bhupathi (4).

He won his 1st title with Courier in Montreal in 1993. His best year was '02 when he and Nestor won 7 titles, including the Aussie Open and 3 Masters 1000 trophies.

He is currently ranked #8 in doubles. Although he did enjoy the #1 ranking for 55 non-consecutive weeks between '02-'05.

Overall his doubles win/loss record is 700-338.

In his presser Mark elaborated, "It’s a great milestone. It reflects a pretty good career and I've had some great partners along the way to get me to that milestone. It's exciting [and] it's been a very challenging year. Every win is special these days based on the year I've had with injuries."

Barcelona ATP 500: Wednesday's Results

SECOND ROUND

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Jan Hajek - 63 62 
Q Albert Ramos-Vinolas d 4 Fernando Gonzalez - 64 67(8) 63  
5 WC Fernando Verdasco d Richard Gasquet - 75 63 
7 Juan Carlos Ferrero d Sergiy Stakhovsky - 63 42 ret.
8 David Ferrer d WC Marvel Granollers - 75 64
11 Jurgen Melzer d Oscar Hernandez - 67(4) 75 75  
Eduardo Schwank (above) d 12 Lleyton Hewitt - 76(3) 64
13 Thomaz Bellucci d Victor Hanescu - 62 16 75 
16 Feficiano Lopez d Denis Istomin - 76(7) 75 
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez d LL T Gabashvili (RUS) 16 76(5) 64  
Q Sinome Bolelli d WC Alberto Martin - 76(2) 76(1) 
Thiemo de Bakker d Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver - 76(5) 63
Ernests Gulbis d Jeremy Chardy - 63 62

Photo: Eduardo Schwank - Getty Images

Barcelona ATP 500: Tuesday's Results

SECOND ROUND

2 Robin Soderling (above) d Juan Ignacio Chela - 75 75
15 Nicolas Almagro d Simon Greul - 61 63
LL Ivan Navarro d Q Pablo Cuevas - 62 64

FIRST ROUND

Q Simone Bolelli d 9 Tommy Robredo - 67(7) 64 31 ret. (back)
Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver d 10 Juan Monaco - 62 36 62 
11 Jurgen Melzer d LL Nicolas Lapentti - 63 63
12 Lleyton Hewitt d Q Marcel Ilhan - 64 46 62
Jeremy Chardy d 14 Albert Montanes - 63 76(1) 
16 Feliciano Lopez d Olexsandr Dolgopolov Jr. - 63 30 ret. (illness)
Denis Istomin d Stephane Robert - 76(5) 16 61 
Sergiy Stakhovsky d Mischa Zverev - 46 64 62 
Ernests Gulbis d Peter Luczak - 76(4) 63
Victor Hanescu d Andreas Beck - 61 62

Photo: Robin Soderling - Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Explains Barcelona Withdrawal

I agree with Rafa, the clay court schedule is grueling & needs better plotting.

Google translation from Nadal News: "The last year was difficult, with a lot of problems. I started this year playing well, and apart from the small problem in Australia, I felt I was playing well enough to have chances to win at all of the tournaments I have entered. I needed the win in Monte Carlo. But with everything that has happened to me, to play for three consecutive weeks, taking into account that we are on clay and the matches tend to last a little longer, would be almost impossible."

"Yes, [the withdrawal] was a preventative measure. Luckily last week I played very well. I feel fine right now, but I have had many problems in this last year and can't afford to take any risks if I want to be in my best possible condition on court. That’s my main objective."

A handshake with tournament director Albert Costa punctuated matters:

NO HARD FEELINGS.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Barcelona ATP 500: Monday's Results

FIRST ROUND

13 Tomas Bellucci d Jarkko Nieminen - 64 64
15 Nicolas Almagro d Santiago Ventura - 61 62 
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez d Q Christophe Rochus - 57 61 63
WC Marcel Granollers d Lukasz Kubot (above) - 64 63
Richard Gasquet d Igor Andreev - 76(5) 64
Jan Hajek d Potito Starace - 61 64 
Oscar Hernandez d Illya Marchenko - 67(2) 62 64
Simon Greul d Q Pere Riba - 64 64
Thiemo de Bakker d Alejandro Falla - 61 60
Eduardo Schwank d Fabio Fognini - 61 63 
Juan Ignacio Chela d WC Filip Krajinovic - 61 64 
Q Pablo Cuevas d Horacio Zeballos - 76(2) 62

Photo: Lukasz Kubot, he lost but I liked his arms - Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Withdraws from Barcelona

SMART

Now that's a decision of a man looking to recapture his Roland Garros glory.

With Masters 1000 events played every other week until RG it's simply too much to ask the top players to squeeze anything else in their schedules. And by top players I mean: legitimate contenders.

And by legitimate contenders I mean: Rafa, Roger and Novak (and a couple others). Roger seems to have addressed this by skipping Monte Carlo last week. One wonders if Novak will over-play as he did last year by trying to defend his Belgrade title which is sandwiched between Masters 1000 events in Rome and Madrid.

As the 5-time defending champion in Barcelona I am sure pulling out was no easy decision but his team had to have felt it a necessary one. The Tennis Channel commentators suggested that Rafa might skip Madrid but I felt if he should skip a tournament he should pull from Barcelona and take every other week off leading to RG. Glad he took my advise.

In part Rafa's press release read, "I am really sorry not to be able to play in Barcelona, more than any other tournament, but this year after the win in Monte Carlo my body is asking me to rest. I repeat that I'm especially sorry not to play there, because I would like it to be understood that it really is that way, because it is played in my club and it is my home tournament."

Tournament director Albert Costa was gracious in his response, "We wish Rafa the best of luck. We know that this has been a difficult decision for him to take. A player also has to know when to listen to his body. But the tournament has only just begun and we have a week of the best tennis ahead of us. Rafa’s withdrawal is a pity but the tournament will go on and will continue strongly and with a great draw."