Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will continue their Rome Masters campaigns during third-round action on Thursday. Nadal is facing Jack Sock, while Djokovic is going up against Roberto Bautista Agut.
(13) Jack Sock vs. (4) Rafael Nadal
Nadal and Sock will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they collide in round three of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Thursday. All three of their previous encounters have gone the way of Nadal, although Sock has at least managed to take a set on two of three occasions. The Spaniard prevailed in four sets at the 2015 French Open, via a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 decision a few months later in Beijing, and 6-2, 6-3 earlier this season at the Miami Masters.
Nothing suggests that another clay-court matchup will help Sock turn the tide. After all, Nadal is 16-0 on the surface in 2017 with consecutive titles in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid. Although it is certainly not the way the world No. 4 would want to advance, he could use some rest right now and that is exactly what he got when countryman Nicolas Almagro retired down 3-0 in the first set on Wednesday. Sock’s road to the last 16 could not have been more different. The 14th-ranked American scraped past Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 in his opener before outlasting Jiri Vesely in a third-set tiebreaker. Sock is an outstanding 22-7 this year and says that clay his favorite surface, but a red-hot opponent and a pair of three-setters (and two doubles matches) in his legs should will not help his long-shot upset bid.
Pick:Â Nadal in 2 losing 8-10 games
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Roberto Bautista Agut vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
Whereas world No. 1 Andy Murray continues to lose early at just about every tournament he enters, Djokovic is at least starting to show some signs of life as he heads into third-round action in Rome on Thursday. The second-ranked Serb got some help from Kei Nishikori in Madrid (quarterfinal walkover), but he also picked up wins over Almagro and Feliciano Lopez before playing a decent second set against Nadal in a 6-2, 6-4 loss. Djokovic advanced earlier this week by beating an in-form Aljaz Bedene 7-6(2), 6-2.
Up next for the 12-time Grand Slam champion is a seventh career meeting with Bautista Agut. Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 5-1 (including 2-0 on clay), with his lone blemish coming at the Shanghai Masters last fall. Bautista Agut gave himself another shot at the No. 2 seed thanks to victories this week over lucky loser Alexandr Dolgopolov and fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. The latter showdown lasted two hours and 38 minutes on Wednesday night and neither player looked anywhere close to fresh at the end of it. This is a good opportunity for Djokovic to continue gaining much-needed confidence.
Pick:Â Djokovic in 2
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WWW?
Sock wins
who is in the photo? Djokvic? So young?
Nadal in 2- 6-3, 6-2 and RBA in 3
RBA might be tired but I think he’ll fight like heck – this is a dangerous opponent right now for Novak. One or the other in 3 sets. Agree with Ricky that Novak needs this win – and if he makes it in 2 sets, that would be great for his confidence.
Rafa in 2. Sock is on fumes but I give him 5-7 games.
Rafa in 2, Nole in 3
Rafa in 2, RBA in 2
Rafa in two losing 5-7 games and Djoker in 3
Rafa in 2 sets losing 5-7 or 8-10 games.
Novak in 3 sets.
Djokovic will have a tough one and could lose. Nadal, Thiem, and Goffin should win. Del Potro may have tough one against Nishikori. I agree with most outcomes in this article ….http://www.138mph.com/zverev-nadal-del-potro-wawarinka-lined-up/
RBA’s consistency could be a real pain for Novak
Novak playing a lot better
I noticed it in the last round itself but rc is yet to be convinced.
I’ve been thinking the same. Still a way to go before he strikes fear in the heart of his opponent but he has tidied up his game and reduced the careless errors.
At least Novak has a pulse. He’s in better shape than Murray who seems totally lost. Novak is playing some good quality tennis but can’t sustain it.
Murray’s problem must be shingles which apparently saps a guy’s energy for years in some cases. So he is not back till he is back.
Nole however is just making adjustments to balance his career and family life. His fans think of him as a machine built to win matches for them and therefore if his family life is interfering with that, he should divorce the demanding shrewish wife!But Nole knows that ultimately it is family which is important to his happiness so obviously he is looking for a team which would support him. We know how teams can sometimes become too possessive and feel the player owes them and should defer to their wisdom. It happened to Muzz when he hired Mauresmo and he had to show them who is boss.Nole will soon recover his mojo, his focus. Hope it doesn’t happen before Wimbly!!!
Isner win the first set against Stan. I was wondering if Stan was ready to do something in Rome. Isner making a bit of a run here.
Keep your mind focused, stay energized, remain confident and be strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAHjJLrUQAE9-As.jpg
Djokovic taking 27 secs on avergae b/w points. The nerves are there. Where is the warning though? he takes a lot of time but usually it is just below 25 secs (unless playing Rafa ).
He was given a warning but the poor umpire got a stream of foul mouthed abuse for his pains. Overall he was in a pretty bad mood for most of the match.
Isner beat Stan in straight sets. He’s in the quarterfinals. Another early exit for Stan.
Zverev beat Fog! Yes!!!
bravo Zverev!
Just have the score but BRAVO Novak , he made it in 2! 64 64 🙂
Another Rafa-Nole semi, I think.
Maybe but Nole has a huge hurdle if he faces Delpo or Kei.
I had Novak over Grigor then Rafa over Novak.
I am trying to remember who I picked in my bracket. I think I picked Dimi to get to the quarterfinals losing to Novak, but I am not positive.
At least I didn’t pick Murray to go deep here. I should have taken Fog to get the win agdibst him, but I had Murray going out to Zverev.
Sooner or later nadals gonna produce a surprise lose to someone unexpected. Just based on past history. Will it be jack sock? Most likely not but that’s why it’s a surprise.
based on past history? could you elaborate ?
Sam querry, trioki, pouille. People who Nadal lost to in the past year as a gigantic favorite -1000 or bigger. If Nadal can lose to these guys when it’s so least expected, sock has a shot.
The problem with those you mentioned is that some of them were when Rafa was in a slump the last two years. As we have seen with Novak and Murray, when a top player is in a funk they can lose to anyone.
This is also clay and Rafa doesn’t lose to just anybody on clay.
I give Jack sock a 7 percent chance. A small chance is still a chance. U never know what’s sup with Nadal, he could be winning then all of a sudden his wrist can act up again.
Sam if your assessment is based on ‘the years ’15 & ’16 maybe you haven’t noticed since then Rafa has been on a roll and shows no sign of faltering.
ed,
Sorry I didn’t see your comment before I made my reply to Sam. I basically echoed what you said
Rafa time!
The main reason why I would take against Nadal today. Which I’m not by the way, I think Nadal is going to destory Jack sock. I’m pointing out that he is due for a surprise lost very soon. This has nothing to do about his current form. Nadal can have health issues at any time. Also Nadal has been playing way too much tennis recently also.
Suffice to say that I do not agree with you. Rafa does not have surprise losses on clay , maybe with the exception of the 2009 RG loss to Sod. But Rafa was dealing with knee tendinitis.
Winning breeds winning and confidence. All you need to do is see how much better Rada is getting with the wins and the titles.
You aren’t in a position to determine if Rafa has played too much. This is his time, the time when he gets his points and titles. The most important time of the year for him.
Rafa and his team know what they are doing. He’s already done more than enough thus far. Winning Madrid was the icing on the cake.
Of course an unforeseen catastrophe can never be ruled out but this is the first time for as long as anyone can remember that Rafa has been playing pain free. It will take a seismic event to deflect him from his goal.
If he loses, it will only be to rest before the French. If he wants to win, he will find a way to win
Rafa up a break already.
Rafa just hit an insane cc backhand off balance!
He looks confident and sharp.
Rod Laver is watching Rafa’s match!
WHAT A POINT !! INSANE defensive skills from Rafa and then that backhand pass!
#OnlyRafaThings
Rafa playing with so much confidence and authority.
The younger players now are hitting so hard! I wonder how long they could sustain such hard hitting in their careers.
Score looks like it’s pretty hopeless for Sock lol.
Thiem and Querrey are going 3 sets I think
Sock is actually playing well. But Rafa has been great. Sock is only down a break.
Thanks Nny
Well Sock is holding serve a bit better. He might get the 5-7 games. Rafa has the fist set!
rc,
Rafa is playing extremely well. But Sock has not played badly. He was broken in his first service game and that’s all Rafa needed.
I just don’t think Sock’s power game is as effective on clay and Rafa is simply too good at the moment.
Sock could well get the 5-7 games. I predicted either 5-7 or 8-10 in a best case scenario. But Rafa seems so focused and has had all the answers.
I saw this Goffin lost today. I had him he ing deep here, assuming that Murray would again not get through. I didn’t anticipate Isner making a run or Delpo doing well either.
Sock could do with losing 5kg. And if he wants to wear a cap to wear it the right way round 🙂
I agree about Sock needing to get into better shape. He looks paunchy for a tennis player.
Rafa is playing beautifully; good defense and offense by him, choosing the right moments to move forward into the fore court to finish the point.
After gettIng the early break, Rafa is broken back. I really want Rafa to get this done on two sets and get off the court. He may have met him back in the match.
He may have let him back in the match! *
Rafa is returning from too far back! Sock knows it and thus he S&V a few points to hold serve. Rafa just doesn’t want to make changes to his return positions, not going to counter S&V from Sock from so far back.
Momentum has changed in this match since Sock broke Rafa.
Momentum has changed in this match since Sock broke Rafa.
Rafa has lost the plot.
Sorry for the double post.
Great DTL forehand shot from Rafa!
Rafa with a good serve to make it 30-30.
Good hold from Rafa to stop the momentum and stay on serve.
Why is Rafa always returning right back at Sock? Hitting directly to Sock’s FH is asking for troubles.
Well Sock got his seven games and Rafa got a straight set win. They showed the third set tb with Thiem/Querrey. Thiem fought off about three match points and won.
So it’s Rafa and Thiem again in the quarterfinals.
Vamos! great way to finish. DTL forehand winner 🙂
Thiem saves MP to beat Querrey! The guy is TOUGH. I think he will be a bit drained now though. The guy is showing tremendous physical and mental strength.
I am glad that Rafa had a pretty easy time of it against Sock because he will have to battle Thiem again tomorrow.
I don’t know if Thiem is tired or not. He seems to thrive on these tough wins. Rafa has played him enough lately to know what to expect.
I just saw the duration and it was a rather quick 1 hr 55 min 3-setter. I was hoping Sam would win as Thiem can engage Rafa in gruelling rallies. I am again favoring Rafa in 2 sets but Thiem had chances in Madrid and might get a set if Rafa is off. however, these conditions suit Rafa more and I expect him to win this in 2 sets.
Delpo vs Djoko would be good as well!
VR, I doubt Rafa would engage in long rallies with Thiem. I think if Rafa plays like today, minus that second set lapse, I think Rafa should be able to win in straight sets.
Thiem looked tired in his match with Querrey. Querrey had so many chances but squandered them. It’s more of Querrey’s errors than Thiem saving the MP.
I think Rafa will play a different match against Thiem to the one he played in Madrid. Rafa said, in his PM presser, that because of the altitude in Madrid he played Thiem differently to how he played him in Barcelona and MC.
Yay Rafa!
Yay Dominic!
That was a 3 set battle with a TB that could have gone either way. I was kinda rooting for Sam.
I was hoping Querrey would win because I wanted Rafa to get another shot at him on clay. I also didn’t want Rafa to have to battle it out again with Thiem.
It wii be interesting to see how Rafa plays him without the high altitude conditions. But I don’t expect it to be easy. Thiem has to be feeling confident after gutting out another tough win. I did not expect Querrey to make a match of it.
I just know that Thiem will be more determined each time he plays Rafa.
If Rafa wins his match tomorrow, he goes up to #3.
Vaaaaaaaaaaammmmmoooooooos!
Oh mine, it’s Rafa vs Thiem again, for the third time!
✌ Vaamoos Rafa!!
Sooner or later Thiem will solve the conundrum of how to beat Rafa. Just praying it won’t happen until after RG. I know he had a win against him on clay but that was early 2016 so doesn’t really count 🙂
Nah, not so soon, when Rafa is playing this well! It takes Fed or Stan how long to figure out how to beat Rafa on clay?
If Thiem is determined, Rafa would be even more determined, to not let Thiem find the answer. I hope Rafa can beat Thiem in straight sets, to conserve energy for the remaining match(es).
Stan beat Rafa on clay during Rafa’s anus horribilis in 2015 and it was by 2 very close TBs 76(8) & 76(9) I BELIEVE.
Novak is looking more like the Novak of old ….
Not really. Agut made it too comfortable for Djoko, merely rallying with Djoko and nothing else. It’s only nearing the end of the match that Agut decided to turn offensive and hit some hard flat shots DTL for winners. I saw that when Djoko was forced to hit his running FH, he was either late for the shot, or forced to overhit and missed it. He looked a step slow.
Djoko is missing the precision in his shots, if you force him to hit a few more shots and make him run for them, he tends to mishit his shots. However, when in normal rallying and he’s able to control the point, he’s still striking the ball quite well and can hit the ball to land precisely on the baseline.
I do believe the way to beat Djoko is not to engage in rallies with him; make the points short and be in attacking mode to keep Djoko constantly under pressure. Fed could do it even in 2015 when Djoko was in beast mode; I hope Rafa can do it to Djoko now.
I agree Luckystar. That’s exactly how Bedene played him, rallying with him and giving Djoker rhythm. That’s what Djoker likes and last time Rafa played him in Madrid, Rafa took him out of his comfort zone and Djoker didn’t know where Rafa was going next.
I am amazed at the commies, who say Djoker is back to his best when he beat Bedene, when even I could see that both of them were merely keeping the ball in play.
Yeah both have a point, thats good analysis ….
^Sorry you both have a point ^ ….
Nole was the beneficiary of a bad call today. But no hue and cry from the likes of Mary Carillo or Peter Bodo or from our own Guardian of Fair play ( Joe Smith). No one saying Nole should have given up the point?
Didn’t see the match. I’ll defer to your sense of even-handedness.
This proves that you are a hypocrite. To date you have only complained about Rafa.
This proves I’m a hypocrite? Really? You want me to criticize something I didn’t see?
If you think Novak should have conceded the point why don’t you say so? Or if not, say why not. Jeesh.
you can say you did not see Nole’s match. But I am sure you follow Fed as closely as we Rafa fans follow Nadal. I am sure you have never proactively complained about any favors shown to Fed but when we point out, you make comments like ok if Fed was shown such a favor it is wrong. You do not even register the favors shown to Fed so you seem ignorant of them all.
I rather doubt that I follow Federer as closely as you and other Rafa fans on this site follow Nadal. But I am absolutely sure I am not nearly as personally invested in him as you and others here are in Nadal. He’s like a cult figure for some of you, and you react to any criticism of him with personal attacks against the person making the criticism. What’s up with that?
You’re probably right that I’ve been ignorant of favours shown to Fed in the past, but that’s because I’ve been ignorant of such things generally. I’m a fan of Federer’s tennis, but I don’t pay attention to a lot of the other stuff that goes on. I don’t even watch his after-match interviews (usually), because I find his humblebragging a bit much to take.
The bad call in the Rafa-Goffin match was particularly egregious, and it happened on a very important point. I have no idea whether Nole’s case was similar, but if so I would say the same thing I said about Rafa’s match.
I’ll ask again: what is your view about it?
I don’t have any views. Bad calls are part of the game. Attacking Rafa was bad form. Re Fed followers, they are a cult. Not Rafa fans.
In what sense did I “attack” Rafa? Did I call him names? Say he was a bad person? Say he was a cheat? As far as I can tell, I’ve done two things to set you off.
First, I expressed my opinion that he should have conceded the point to Goffin in MC. Obviously, you and many people disagree, and I can see your point. So we disagree.
Second, I pointed out, in response to Lucky, that the organizers in Madrid had already done Rafa a favour by postponing his match against Fognini. Again, I understand your disagreement and can see where you are coming from. You, however, never seem to cede an inch, never seem to have the slightest recognition that there might be something to what I’m saying. On the other hand, you seem determined to brand me a hypocrite. Who’s doing the attacking?
No one in history has ever conceded a point on the other side. Just because we can see on tv replay, it doesn’t mean it is so clear to the player. Some friends of mine sitting on Nadal’s side couldn’t make out whether the ball was in or out. So to expect him to concede a point when he cannot see whether it is in or out simply because Joe Smith and Mary Carillo can see it, is truly the height of unreasonableness. Besides since the TV replay or Mary Carillo’s expectations or Joe Smith’s pov were not made available on court, Nadal would not even have known about the comments of crazy commentators and writers till after the match. Remember there is no hawkeye or replay shown on court. So your disagreement is like me saying 2+2=4 and you claiming 2+2=5 and saying you see my point but you disagree!!! In other words, your disagreement is not rational.
I am now nervous only about Rafa’s match with Nole.
Rafa will win.
Delpo has the ability to beat Novak, but the last few times they played he wasn’t at his best and lost, it will be interesting to see if Delpo can bring his best and get the better if Novak. While I think Novak is playing better, he has not been challenged in Rome. He also can’t sustain that high level of play.
Delpo’ big serve and powerful forehand can shorten points and take Novak out of his rhythm. Delpo can out hit Novak from the baseline. Delpo can also play the kind of aggressive tennis to take Novak out of his comfort zone. The question is whether Delpo is playing well enough now and can implement the strategies necessary to beat Novak.
From what I saw of Delpo, he was still rusty. I think Djoko will edge out Delpo again, in three sets.
It is going to be a Rafa-Nole semi. I am really nervous. Rafa has declared that he will try to be more aggressive in his matches. But I am more worried about RG.
Reassuring to see both lucky and vr are upbeat about Rafa.
I’m finally sitting down watching the Novak v RBA match on TC. Maybe I’ change my mind that Delpo is going to win their QF.
I love Rome 🙂