The second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on clay is underway in Spain at the Mutua Madrid Open. The game’s elite–minus world #1 Novak Djokovic–have hit the dirt at the Caja Magica in the hopes of capturing this prestigious title and fine-tune their clay-court game in advance of the French Open.
On the WTA tour, the Mutua Madrid Open is classified as a Premier Mandatory event and as such, showcases a draw comprised of the world’s top female tennis professionals. The last three winners of this event are reigning Grand Slam title holders: Maria Sharapova (2014); Serena Williams(2012, 2013) and Petra Kvitova (2011).
The Madrid Open, played on red clay since 2009 except for 2012 when it was played on blue clay, has been contested both on indoor hard courts (1990-94, 1998-2008); and for three years (1995-97) indoor carpet. Roger Federer, though ranked #2 in the world, is seeded first due to the withdrawal of World #1 Novak Djokovic.
Federer, with three titles this season, the last on clay at the BNP Paribas Istanbul Open this past Sunday, is undoubtedly satisfied with his clay-court preparedness while Rafael Nadal, currently ranked #4 and seeded third with just one title in 2015, uncharacteristically has more questions than answers.
In 2006, on an indoor hard court, Roger Federer won his first of three titles at the Madrid Open, defeating Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets. This was the last year the tournament was played best of five sets. Two of Roger Federer’s three titles at the Madrid Open were contested on clay – red in 2009 (dft Nadal) and blue in 2012 (dft Tomas Berdych). In addition to his three titles, Federer was a finalist in 2007, losing to David Nabaldian who often confounded the Swiss legend and 2010, losing to the four time champion and six time finalist, Rafael Nadal in two tight sets.
Rafael Nadal may be the two-time defending champion, but last year’s victory was certainly no walk in the park. Kei Nishikori, currently ranked #5 in the world, was up a set and a break on the “king of clay” when he became physically impaired. The back pain would eventually force Nishikori to retire down 0-3 in the third. Kei Nishikori, the #4 seed with two titles on two surfaces this season, enters the Mutua Madrid Open with an abundance of confidence having successfully defended his title on the clay last month at the Barcelona Open.
Andy Murray, currently #3 in the world and seeded third in Madrid, might well be a force to be reckoned with having battled Phillip Kohlschreiber for three hours this past Monday in a rain-delayed final in Munich to win his first ATP clay-court title. Murray, who is 25-5 on the season, is presently working with former world #4 and nine-time Grand Slam doubles winner, Jonas Bjorkman. Andy Murray, a champion in 2008 when the event was played on hard courts, has also made the quarters on 3 occasions when contested on clay.
Serena Williams, the #1 ranked player and first seed in Madrid, remarkably remains undefeated in 2015. Serena, a two-time champion at the Madrid Open, was unable to defend her title last year due to a left thigh injury.
Simona Halep, who recently surpassed Maria Sharapova in the rankings and is now #2 in the world, was stunned in the first round by the 178th ranked Alize Cornet 7-6, 6-3. Once ranked as high as 59th in the world, Cornet is a dangerous player who has defeated world #1 Serena Williams three times out of six.
Maria Sharapova, the Mutua Madrid Open defending champion, had dropped just 8 games in her first two matches but went the distance with the 25th ranked player, Caroline Garcia of France, winning 7-5 in the third. Sharapova, 20-4 on the season with one title, has suffered three early round losses, none more devastating than her second round loss to eventual champion Angelique Kerber at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where Sharapova was the three-time defending champion.
Much ado about Madrid? Absolutely. This week in Spain, the stakes are exceedingly high with reputations, ranking points and French Open seedings on the line. Stay tuned.
Main Photo
