Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will try to set up their highly-anticipated semifinal showdown when they take the court on Wednesday at Roland Garros. They are going up against Diego Schwartzman and Matteo Berrettini, respectively.
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (10) Diego Schwartzman
Nadal and Schwartzman will be squaring off for the 12th time in their careers and for the second time in a row at the French Open when they clash in the quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at a dominant 10-1 in the Spaniard’s favor, including 5-1 on clay. Nadal avenged a surprising 6-2, 7-5 loss last fall in Rome by cruising 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(0) in the semis at Roland Garros. Those two matches are indicative of how much tougher it is to beat Nadal in Paris compared to other clay-court tournaments. This spring has been no different. Although the King of Clay triumphed in Barcelona and Rome, he also lost in Monte-Carlo and Madrid–and was one point away from losing in Barcelona. So far this fortnight he has not dropped a set in victories over Alexei Popyrin, Richard Gasquet, Cameron Norrie and Jannik Sinner. Nine of the 12 sets have been 6-3 or worse for the opponent.
Schwartzman’s quarterfinal appearance is far more surprising, even though he made a run to the semis in 2020. The 10th-ranked Argentine lost his opening match in a hard-to-believe four of five clay-court warmup events. Nonetheless, he has managed to defeat Yen-Hsun Lu, Aljaz Bedene, Philipp Kohlschreber, and Jan-Lennard Struff–all of whom were unseeded. This is obviously where Schwartzman’s favorable draw ends, and his stay in Paris will likely end in swift fashion. Nothing about his current form or past history against Nadal suggests the underdog can be competitive.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 8-10 games
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (9) Matteo Berrettini
Djokovic was one set away from bowing out of the tournament on Monday, but in reality that never came close to happening. The world No. 1 quickly erased a two-set deficit against Lorenzo Musetti, surging ahead 6-7(7), 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0 before the Italian retired. Djokovic had previously been in cruise control this fortnight, completely destroying Tennys Sandgren, Pablo Cuevas, and Ricardas Berankis.
The 34-year old Serb was somewhat all over the place earlier in the clay-court swing, as well, so the question is which Djokovic will show up on Wednesday. The answer, of course, should not be in much doubt. After all, he is an unbelievable 31-4 in his last 35 Grand Slam quarterfinal matches. That is bad news for Berrettini, whose luck (getting a fourth-round walkover from Roger Federer) appears to have run out. The ninth-ranked Italian’s only previous effort against Djokovic also doesn’t bode well; he lost 6-2, 6-1 at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals. Expect Djokovic to answer Monday’s wakeup call and dominate from start to finish.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
WWW?
Nadal in 3
Djokovic in 4
Most likely Nadal in 3 (losing 8-10 games) although I would not be surprised if he sacrifices a set to the Gods of tennis.
Djokovic… hard to tell. He will play knowing that Nadal awaits in the SF and normally not really fancying his chances for the next round. Can he convince himself that he’s up to the task or at least believe in his luck? Does he really want to take another beating from Rafa and ruin his favourable H2H? Is the elbow fine? Is the shoulder hanging on? This distraction might just cost him dearly.
What’s with his elbow and shoulder..not heard of this
AFAIK he has some chronic elbow and shoulder issues. When things go bad, he often appears to start feeling those issues, or any other less important physical issues which he would normally ignore.
I honestly have to say that Novak will not avoid Rafa. He is a top level professional athlete and they live for challenges and playing the best. These guys don’t think about crapping out. So I just don’t buy that Novak will try to lose to avoid Rafa. I may not be his fan, but I have enough respect for him to know that.
Novak is playing. Whatever physical issues he has, he obviously is managing them. Periodically we read comments like this about a top player trying to avoid his rival. I think Novak knows it’s tough to take on Rafa at RG. But I think he looks forward to the opportunity and goes out with the belief that he can win. That is the mindset of champions.
I honestly have to say that Novak will not avoid Rafa. He is a top level professional athlete and they live for challenges and playing the best. These guys don’t think about crapping out. So I just don’t buy that Novak will try to lose to avoid Rafa. I may not be his fan, but I have enough respect for him to know that.
Novak is playing. Whatever physical issues he has, he obviously is managing them. Periodically we read comments like this about a top player trying to avoid his rival. I think Novak knows it’s tough to take on Rafa at RG. But I think he looks forward to the opportunity and goes out with the belief that he can win. That is the mindset of champions.
there’s definitely room for an upset today, Berrettini over Nole, or maybe Sakkari over Swiatek.
Sakkari over swiatek happening
Hmmmm. You think the handsome Italian has a chance? If he ties Djok’s shoelaces together, maybe….. That’s an old Johnny Mac joke, I think.
Nadal in 3
Djokovic in 4
I hope Rafa’s ludicrous Diego complex isn’t going to turn up today!😠
I may physically assault the tv if it does.
I don’t see why it will. Last time they played at the 2020 French Open Rafa got an easy win.
That’s far too rational an analysis Arthur.☺
Rafa doesn’t experience attacks of nerves on a rational basis…
Amy..swiatek wins ..rafa wins. It’s an omen ..rg last year , rome this year.
Swiatek losing (:-
Too silly a point ?
Yes too silly sanju!!😀😀
Who wins the women’s is nothing to do with Rafa!
It’s just an omen 🙂
Am too tensed abt rafa losing to novak (:-
Relax Sanju bro!..Let’s Rafa gets by Schwartzy 1st k?We think about Novak the day after tomorrow…deal?Chest up!…Chin up! Sanju!😃👋💪
Every year we look for some omen! Y should there be an omen, especially when Rafa is playing? Lol!
I am taking it one match at a time. Rafa has to get by Diego. Then when it happens I can start worrying about Novak.
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3cLFpQXIAYvpAM?format=jpg
Rafa sweating, sign of nerves, should have broken! But don’t like early breaks
Rafa got the early break. But now he is about to be broken back.
Seriously! Why did he let himself get broken!😠
Come on, Amy… He’s Spanish, not Scandinavian. Makes you feel hot, not cold and emotionless 😉
!!!! Eugene!😀
Rafa and his nerves again!! Sigh!! Giving break right back !! Choops!
This is something that I find concerning at this stage of the tournament. Rafa not being abkr to consolidate the break. But at least now he has broken back!
My nerves are kicking in already!
Diego had the yips today with a DF to give Rafa break point.
luckystar, where are you?
First set rafa. Now get in your groove please!
Rafa got me so mad I just left the room and decided to do some work, lol. By the time I decided to check again I see he’d won first set!
But that aside, he can’t afford to lose bp opps like that and get broken in the process. He needs to tidy up his game. Vamos!!
Ffs! Gets broken again. Come on Rafa. Be more aggressive.
I am a nervous wreck! Rafa is broken early in the second set. This is just not good.
Nny! What is wrong with him! Suddenly making ues
It has to be mental.
amy,
I have no idea. I was very optimistic, but now to see this keep going on with the breaks of serve has me very upset.
It’s like a rollercoaster ride, up and down, Rafa breaks back.
Rafa’s level has really dropped. Making so many ues.
It’s so bizarre given he won the first set easily.
What is it about these strange drops in form this year.
What I dislike most is how these dips empower his opponent.
Whoah! This is tough to watch!