AKABE Hasselt

[wh3171]

Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. Norm Charlton Jersey . Sky Live: Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports until May 8 With world No 1 Novak Djokovic joining the field as the clear favourite, Murray will have his work cut-out. The competition will also include the clay master Rafael Nadal and a host of up-and-comers.Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan answered four key questions... Can Murray beat Nadal on clay? Andy Murray (right) beat Rafa Nadal in last years Madrid final Barry said: Nadal to win. But Andy has an advantage by playing Rafa in Madrid. Rafa has won the title here before, but he would prefer to play clay court matches in Barcelona, Monte Carlo or Roma. Its because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didnt want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play. Murrays route to the final Possible future foes for British No 1 At this present stage with the way that Rafa is playing, only Djokovic is better.All the top guys are as comfortable on any of the surfaces. Andy has become very comfortable at moving on clay, when previously he was better on hard courts.He beat Rafa last year, but Rafa was poor. It will be harder this year because Djokovic is playing and Nadal is playing much better.Are Murray and Nadal poised for a successful clay campaign? Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori to claim the Barcelona Open title Barry said: The way Andy played in Monte Carlo suggests he will have a great few weeks. This part of the year is easier for him than Indian Wells and Miami because hes looking forward to the French Open. He is a master of peaking. You only have to look at his Grand Slam record - he knows how to peak for the big events.I didnt really waiver on Nadal last year but I did this February - he played two tournaments in South America which were a real concern. He had worked so hard to push on this year, but it felt like he was putting himself under too much pressure. He had a lack of belief. He needed to back up his talent in Barcelona, and he certainly did.Its relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off. Are Federers recurring injuries a concern? Roger Federer cant turn his back on recent injuries Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? Thats three already hes had this year, two injuries and an illness.As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means hes lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis. Federer withdraws Swiss great out of Madrid Open If you look at the glass half-full, its better to have an injury now than after June. Realistically in the last three or four years, his chances of winning the Australian Open or French Open are going because of the nature of the surfaces. The chances of winning Wimbledon and the US Open are a lot greater. Can Del Potro recapture past glory? Its seven years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, hes a long way off. For Del Potro, its about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.Hes not going to be able to beat the big guys yet. But is that permanent? I can only judge through what I see during matches, and he cant hit over his backhand. Hes basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.He wont beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. But hes hitting his backhand more, which is encouraging, and he clearly has rediscovered his passion to compete. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video Alex Rodriguez Mariners Jersey . - Gary Kubiak is John Elways No. Taijuan Walker Jersey . -- When Steve Blake checked in at the scorers table with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter, Stephen Curry shook his head and shouted across the court, asking Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson not to take him out. https://www.cheapmariners.com/1785k-reggie-mcclain-jersey-mariners.html .J. - Several people have collapsed in an overcrowded New Jersey train station while waiting in long lines to get to the Super Bowl.Honolulu, HI (SportsNetwork.com) - The 11th-ranked Wichita Shockers and George Washington Colonials will play for the Diamond Head Classic tournament title on Thursday evening at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Shockers are in the tournament championship game thanks to a thrilling 80-79 overtime win over host Hawaii in the semifinal round. Wichita State knocked off Loyola Marymount in Mondays opening round with much more ease (80-53) and has improved to 10-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming on the road against Utah in overtime (69-6. The Shockers enter this contest with a six-game win streak in tow. George Washington has found its way to the tournament title game with wins over Ohio (77-49) and Colorado (53-50). With the win over the Buffaloes on Tuesday in the semifinal round, the Colonials have now won five of their last six games to move to a solid 8-3 on the year. GW is playing for its first in- season tournament title since the 2005 BB&T Classic. The Colonials are fueled by a strong defensive effort this season. GW comes into this contest allowing just 57.9 ppg to opponents, while holding them under 40-percent efficiency from the floor (.394) and under 30-percent hooting from behind the arc (.275). In addition, the team holds advantages in rebounding (+5.5) and turnovers (+3.0). Offensively, three of the teams five starters are averaging double digits in the scoring column. Patricio Garino headlines the group at 14.3 ppg. Kethan Savage and Kevin Larsen round out the trio with 12.0 and 11.. Dan Altavilla Mariners Jersey. 3 ppg, respectively. Larsen leads the team in rebounding, grabbing 7.7 caroms per contest. Joe McDonald (9.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and John Kopriva (7.4 ppg) rounds out the starting five. George Washington saved its best play for last, as the team erased a five- point Colorado lead late to earn the 53-50 victory on Tuesday and advance to the championship round. McDonald led all players in the game with 14 points. Kopriva (11 pts) and Yuta Watanabe (10 pts) were also in double figures for the Colonials, who held the Buffaloes to a meager .365 shooting effort in the game. The Shockers needed a putback by Rashad Kelly with just three seconds remaining in the overtime session to sneak by the Rainbow Warriors and into the championship game. Wichita State placed four starters in double figures in the victory, led by Ron Bakers 17 points. Fred VanVleet added 13 points and doled out five assists. Kelly finished with 12 points in the win, while Darius Carter tacked on 10 points. Wichita State got away with the win despite shooting a rather ugly .397 from the floor in the game. WSU has been much more efficient at the offensive end on the year. The Shockers are shooting a decent .455 on the season overall, leading to 76.2 ppg. Baker has been the top offensive threat, netting 17.2 ppg thanks in large part to his .419 shooting from behind the arc. Baker has accounted for 31 of the teams 84 3-pointers. Carter is next in the scoring column at 12.4 ppg, followed by VanVleet and his 11.7 ppg. ' ' '