The top half of the draw will take center stage at the Australian Open on Tuesday, when Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem begin their fortnights. Thiem could have a complicated matchup on his hands in the form of Adrian Mannarino.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Hugo Dellien
Nadal and Dellien will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Australian Open on Tuesday. It has already been a busy 2019 campaign for the world No. 1, who led Spain to the inaugural ATP Cup final but could not quite capture a second team-event title in the span of two months. Nadal compiled a 4-2 record in singles, losing to David Goffin (quarterfinals) and Novak Djokovic (final).
Dellien has never won a non-retirement match at the ATP level on anything other than clay. The 72nd-ranked Bolivian got a retirement from Soon Woo Kwon in round one of last summer’s U.S. Open before losing a bizarre four-setter against eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev. Although the jury is still out on Nadal’s early-season form, this should be an absolute beatdown regardless of what he brings to the table.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 5-7 games
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Adrian Mannarino vs. (5) Dominic Thiem
Thiem is among those who expected to break through and capture a non-Big 3 Grand Slam title in the near future–perhaps even this year. Although the Austrian’s most likely location of triumph is Roland Garros (whenever Nadal decides to vacate the throne), Thiem has finally become a force on hard courts. He is a former U.S. Open quarterfinalist (lost to Nadal in five sets two years ago), triumphed in Indian Wells last spring, and just recently finished runner-up at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Up first for Thiem on Tuesday is Mannarino, who is a hopeless 0-7 in the head-to-head series. The 43rd-ranked French is 2-16 in total sets and has lost 13 sets in a row, most recently a routine three at the 2018 Australian Open (a 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 third-round rout for the current world No. 5). Mannarino is 0-2 so far this season–with losses to Alexander Bublik in Doha and Andreas Seppi in Auckland–so there is no reason to think he can suddenly do anything different.
Pick: Thiem in 3
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WWW?
So these are not the popcorn matches for day #2? Anyway, what Ricky said.
Hope you have a great time at the Oz Open, Ricky!
Theim in 4
Nadal in 3
Stay confident and enjoy the game, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EOwGYJ6UwAA2kWZ?format=jpg
Ricky is at the AO? That will be an experience!
Thiem in three, he’s about to win his match now.
Rafa looks sluggish, as usual loses his serve while serving for the first set, lucky its against a low ranked opponent, if not…
Rafa beat Dellien in 3, bagelling the final set.
Loved his exit interview with Jim Courier – “You had a great year last year, winning RG, USO, Davis Cup, ending the year as #1. What was your favorite part of the year?” Rafa – “THE WEDDING!”
All the big three are just getting the job done right now, not setting the world on fire but there isn’t any need to. Rafa bageled that guy but he was playing pretty average by his standards. Fed won in under 90 minutes but missed some easy volleys, and Djoko hit a bunch of DF’s.
Djoko seemed pretty happy with his serving v Struff – said he prayed for days like that.
Rafa said he stepped up his game in the 3rd set – otoh I think Dellien was done by then – not used to having to play a 3rd set after getting smooshed in the first 2.
Not surprising that Fed’s a bit rusty – he played no warm ups at all. Even Fed takes a little bit of time to get up to speed.
In the day’s (night’s?) biggest upset Zverev won in straight sets!
Rafa’s full post-match press conference:
https://youtu.be/9ydkdVTyO7w
Vamos Rafa! ✌
The best thing that happened to Rafa in 2019:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1219540387381026816
🙂
Rafa’s full on-court interview:
https://youtu.be/GyvfpIEnrGk
🙂
Rafa looked kind of ragged but he was playing against an opponent who could not do anything. So he got through. Hopefully, he can work himself into good form. Serving wasn’t great.