BARCELONA DOUBLES 2021, 19-25 April: Main thread

[Sallydaisy]

Doubles draw link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Barcelona_Open_Banco_Sabadell_%E2%80%93_Doubl es)

BRITISH PLAYERS in R1 as follows:-
Daniel Evans/Neal Skupski CR102 v Henri Kontinen/Edouard Roger-Vasselin(FIN/FRA) CR46

(WC) Feliciano López/Marc López(ESP/ESP) CR381 v Ivan Dodig(CRO)/Jamie Murray CR28

Cristian GarÃ*n/Guido Pella(CHI/ARG) CR393 v (3)Rajeev Ram(USA)/Joe Salisbury CR23

[Sallydaisy]

FULL DOUBLES DRAW

[1] Cabal/Farah v Herbert/Mahut
Evans/Skupski v Kontinen/Roger-Vasselin
[4] Koolhof/Kubot v WC Alcaraz/Carreno-Busta
Chardy/Martin v Q Mannarino/Paire

WC Lopez/Lopez v Dodig/J.Murray
Garin/Pella v [3] Ram/Salisbury
Peers/Savile v Melo/Rojer
Krawietz/Tecau v [2] Granollers/Zeballos

[Jane]

Please refresh my memory - why is Bruno Suares unable to play?

[themass15]

Believe he is injured

[Sallydaisy]

Dan/Neal will have a tough challenge in Barcelona methinks ... their opponents in R1 are both excellent good doubles players (although not a regular 'team').
If they DO beat Kontinen/ERV they'll be up against the #1 seeds Cabal/Farah who won't have enjoyed being beaten this week by the Brits in Monte Carlo.

As we've seen in Monte Carlo though - anything can happen in doubles.

[Jane]

Dan and Neal on court and warming up. Best of luck, guys :thumbup: :thumbup: :GBflag:

Salisbury and Ram won 6-0, 6-3....well done guys :thumbup:

[Jan]

Joe and Rajeev won 6-0 6-3 :bravo:

[Sallydaisy]

Joe and Rajeev won 6-0 6-3 :bravo:
Well that was pretty comprehensive!!!
:lol:

Evoski 2-1* v KontERV, looks to be going with serve.

[Sallydaisy]

Quick easy hold for 4-3 by the Brits, sealed with an Ace from Neal.
:thumbup:

[Sallydaisy]

Kontinen DF brings up a set point for Evoski.

And they take it ... first set to the Brits 6-4.

[JAMES4578]

Good start, keep it going guys!

[exislander]

Erm.... why are we on the Madrid thread?

[Sallydaisy]

Erm.... why are we on the Madrid thread?
:shamed:
Because I moved the Barca posts to the wrong thread!!!
:lol:

Changing it now ...
:getcoat:

[Sallydaisy]

2-2 in the 2nd set.

Ace from Dan to seal that service game, they lead 4-3 on serve.
Heading for a tie-break mayhap?

[Jane]

5-6... heading for some kind of tie-break

[Sallydaisy]

Uh, Oh!
KontERV get the vital break and will serve for the set at *6'5.
At worst a MTB, or if Evoski can break back there'll be a tie-break for the 2nd.
:sofa:

[Jane]

mtb it is!! :sofa:

[Sallydaisy]

Match Tie-Break to decide it ... Dan to serve first.

*0-1 not the start we wanted!
1-1* but they've broken back immediately
2-1* DF from Kontinen
*2-2 good return from ERV
*2-3 rats
2-4*

[Sallydaisy]

KontERV are a mini-break ahead.
Hope for Neals sake that Evoski can turn this round so he gets some more points.

2-5*
*3-5
*4-5
4-6*
5-6* and back on serve we are
*6-6 at the change of ends.

[Jan]

:nailbiter:

[Sallydaisy]

Neal has one more serve at *6-6
*7-6 well done Neal, now break them.
7-7*
7-8* Dan must hold 2 serves now (and he was broken last time)
*8-8
*9-8 and 1 match point for the Brits!

9-9* gone ...
10-9* and thare's another match point waiting for Neal to take it on his serve.
*10-10 bit enthusiastic on the forehand from Neal
*10-11 rats rats rats KontERV have match point on their serve
11-11* it ain't over until the fat lady sings!!!
12-11* back they come!!!
*13-11
THEY WON!!!

[Jane]

:cheer::cheer::yahoo: Well done Dan and Neal!! 13-11 in mtb...phew!!

[Sallydaisy]

:yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:

Dan and Neal win 6'4, 5'7, 13'11 ...

That was very close indeed - the doubles guys won't like seeing Dans' name in their draws over the next few weeks.

[exislander]

Phew! Neal had to work hard in second last point! Well done guys!

[Jan]

:cheer::cheer: and :phew:

[JAMES4578]

Got a bit close for comfort but Dan/Neal stepped up again, great stuff!:clap::clap:

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie's match held up by another long 3-setter, this time Nishikori v Garin.
Although, Nishikori has just held for 5-0 in the final set ...

Jamie in about 15/20mins? It'll be on Amazon Prime Video

[Jane]

First set to Jamie and Dodig - 6-3 :cheer::cheer:

[Jane]

Jamie and Dodig win...6-3, 6-1 :cheer::cheer::cheer:

[JAMES4578]

Despite the rankings was expecting it to be a bit closer , well done Jamie and Dodig!:clap::clap:

[Sallydaisy]

Doubles action coming up very soon in Barcelona!

Pista 2 (starting 1pm local, 12noon UK)
1st: Krawietz/Tecau d Peers/Savile 6'4, 6'3

So it's time for the Brits!

2nd: Evans/N.Skupski v Cabal/Farah
3rd: J.Murray/Dodig v Salisbury/Ram

[exislander]

Drat - first set gone 3-6

[Jane]

Dan and Neal lose the first set 3-6!! :crying:
Come on guys :thumbup: :GBflag:

[Sallydaisy]

Darn it.

[Sallydaisy]

2-2 in the 2nd set, on serve.

I'm watching Cameron and following t'others on Livescore.
:banghead:

[Sallydaisy]

Now I'm watching the doubles!!!
:thumbup:

Sadly, it might be for the last game though as Cabal/Farah are serving for the match
with a lead of 6'3, 5'4

(Norrie d Goffin 6-0, 3-5 ret'd)

[exislander]

Ah well, it was always going to be tough against the top seeds.

[Jane]

:crying: Neal and Dan lost 3-6, 4-6

[Sallydaisy]

Cabal/Farah d Evans/N.Skupski 6'3, 6'4.
:sad:

Ah well, there'll be ONE Brit out of Jamie or Joe through to the QF.

[Jane]

Jamie and Ivan up next against Joe and Rajeef. I am supporting Jamie :thumbup:

[JAMES4578]

Not to be this time as Cabal/Farah got the better of Evans/Skupski after their loss last week. Still Dan and Neal showed some good form again.

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie/Ivan and Joe/Rajeev now on court to start their warm-up.

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie's the one in black tights ...
:shades:

1-1 so far. Joe and Ivan held their serves. Rajeev's turn now.

They held, Jamie with the bat *1-2.

Deuce now ... and a good intercept at the net from Jamie for 2-2.

[Sallydaisy]

Salisbury/Ram serving for the first set *5-3.

And take it 6-3. Just the one break of serve.

[Sallydaisy]

Jamie/Ivan broke Joe/Rajeev but they broke straight back so 2-2 in the 2nd set.
Dodig to serve.

[Sallydaisy]

Salisbury/Ram d Murray/Dodig 6'3, 6'4

[JAMES4578]

Pity Jamie/Ivan could not capitalise on the early break in the 2nd, however overall Joe/Rajeev were a step ahead of them.

[patmoren]

So difficult when you have brits either side of the net. There aren't that many around!

[Jane]

Joe and Rajeev warming up. Best of luck, guys. :thumbup: :thumbup:

[Jane]

First set to Joe and Rajeef...6-1 Well done :clap::clap:

[JAMES4578]

Joe/Rajeev certainly dominated the first, could be bit different in the 2nd though so will need to keep focus.

[Jane]

You were right, James! One set all and mtb time.:sofa:

[Jane]

Joe and Rajeef lose 9-11 in the mtb :crying::crying:

[JAMES4578]

such a pity, tight in that match breaker but unfortunate.

[Sallydaisy]

Shame for Joe and Rajeev, so close.
I thought Joe looked a bit off his game today.
Onwards!

[Sallydaisy]

Cabal/Farah take the Barcelona doubles title with 6-4 6-2 win over Krawietz/Tecau.