Expert picks are back on Tuesday for the French Open quarterfinal clash between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. A three-team panel previews the highly-anticipated action and makes its predictions.
Ricky Dimon: Nadal is coming off a five-set slugfest against Felix Auger-Aliassime. I don’t think that’s the worst thing in the world because it means the Spaniard is battle tested and he also looked good physically throughout that match while also playing at a consistently high level. I actually think it could help him in the early stages against Djokovic. In the long run, though, Djokovic’s full tank should come in handy for what will surely be a physical fight. The Serb wore down Nadal in last year’s quarterfinals and I think he can do the same again. Nighttime conditions won’t help the 13-time champion, either. Nadal is too good in Paris and playing too well right now to get blown out, but pretty much all signs are pointing toward Djokovic. Djokovic in 4: 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.
Cheryl Murray: Djokovic and Nadal will meet for the 59th time on Tuesday. It’s absurd, really–absurd that the two GOATs are contemporaries, ridiculous that they have smashed into each other almost 60 times. But perhaps the most unbelievable aspect in the most prolific rivalry of all time is each man’s consistent ability to find their way to the business end of tournaments they enter. It’s not like they bump into each other in the third round. Nope. They have never met prior to the quarterfinals in a “regular” (not Davis Cup or year-end championship) tournament…. Not once…in 59 meetings. It’s just…yeah. I get a bit misty-eyed each time they run into each other. It goes beyond special. It is completely unique to them, a narrative told in intimate detail for 16 years, offering the world a first hand look at wild joy and bitter disappointment, elation and agony, brilliance and baffled frustration. They are warriors locked in a battle of attrition that goes one way, then the other, then back again. And each time they add a chapter to their story I wonder if I’m watching them for the last time.
Djokovic probably has the edge this time–even though it’s on clay and even though it’s at Roland Garros. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t doubt Nadal’s abilities or his will. I know well enough that he understands how to win in Paris better than any human ever has. But the injuries have been so disruptive, I just don’t think he’s match tough enough to get past Djokovic. He’ll give it everything he has, though; that you can be sure of. Djokovic in 5: 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5.
Pete Ziebron (Tennis Acumen): Djokovic will be slightly fresher after making quick work of all four opponents so far, while Nadal had to go the distance in the previous round against Auger-Aliassime. In fact, the Serb has won 22 consecutive sets on clay–having corrected course after falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid semis and then rolling through the field at the Rome Masters. Nadal arrived in Paris without a clay title this year and in serious pain less than two weeks prior to the start of the French Open. Nonetheless, he has once again found a way to recover and excel on the terre battue to set up this clash. The Mallorcan will need to clean up his break-point conversion significantly from the 6-for-22 performance in the last round. Meanwhile, Djokovic is serving immaculately–hitting just two double-faults in four matches. Both sets of stats are in the past, however, and are rendered meaningless once the court is taken in this highly anticipated quarterfinal. Look for Nadal to win a few more of the bigger points in the match. Nadal in 5: 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.
WWW?
Too much uncertainty around Rafa’s level. If he brings the level he had in set 5 (maybe he ‘unlocked’ that level late in that set?), he takes it in 4 or 5. If his intensity keeps wavering (which is due to lack of match play recently), then Djokovic will take it. Djo isn’t playing the best tennis of his life but has won 22 consecutive sets so must be feeling very good to win the important points. This is what Rafa has been missing of late but well, this is RG and we might as well see another magical performance from him.
I do think Rafa will go for extra on his second serve (first time Novak faces his improved second serve)and take more chances with his backhand DTL. The most pivotal shot remains Rafa’s forehand. It is going to control the tempo of the match most often.
The odds may not be in his favor this time but I agree with my fellow Rafans here, he’s overcome very difficult situations and no reason he can’t overcome this one too.
VAMOS RAFA
I agree with vr that Rafa’sfh is the pivotal shot which will control the match especially as it is the barometer of his confidence. His fh was amazing against Zandschulp and if he hits it as he did then he will win because whatever Novax throws at him he will be able to break out of with the fhdtl.
Last year his fh was very erratic and that to me long before the match with Novax was a clear sign things were not as they should be. I do worry that he was again erratic against FAA. It was one thing to lose the first set. What worries me is that he had started controlling with his fh and had the match under control. Then he lost serve from up 40 love and his confidence just evaporated and he was mistiming everything. What I also don’t like is that at one point he did what he had to do – which is go for the fhdtl and he missed it narrowly and then he just stopped attempting the shot and played very predictable. He always gets into trouble when he plays like that. He had these problems all last RG plus he had all those dfs! Whenever he made a df he would lose serve. I really did start to worry in that fourth set and I understand why vr has been hesitant because if erratic Rafa is back then he will almost certainly lose. And erratic Rafa isn’t really to do with match play. Last year he beat Novak and won Rome but he was so erratic and to me super nervy that I didn’t believe he could win.
This year the only time I have got worried in the way I did all throughout RG last year was in the fourth set. So I hope that’s just a blip. Last year against Novax things partly went wrong because he abandoned the fhdtl. He has to play it even if he misses a few. In the third set he played almost all of it with his bh! Obviously Novak was going to win under those circumstances.
Hoping for some magic from Rafa tonight.
Like vr, am also hoping his second serve goes well.
Actually I disagree with Ricky: “Djokovic’s full tank should come in handy for what will surely be a physical fight. The Serb wore down Nadal in last year’s quarterfinals and I think he can do the same again”. Everybody said the same about this year’s AO final and we all know what happened. Rafa’s fitness should be better now and he only had one tough match, hardly enough to make a difference. Also, Novax wore down his opponent’s leg last year; although I agree that this might happen again. But how about Novak (really) gets injured this time around? He’s no youngster either.
A 2020-like outcome is entirely possible – unless Goran really improved the Serb’s clay court game in the past two years.
I don’t have any idea how match tough Rafa is at this point, but this year only injuries seemed to stop him. Sure, Novax has 22 consecutive sets won, but he lost his only real test before that. I don’t think that anything that happened last week really prepared him for what’s going to happen today.
Of course, it’s tough to pick Rafa against the Serb due to what happened in Rome. Hopefully Novax is equally (or more) confident that Rafa is not match tough and will get tired or even injured at some point.
Djokovic in 4 or 3.
As many have said in the past, my heart says Rafa, but my head says Joker….in 4. ….and Carlos in a hard fought four.
Ditto
Amy reading on Twitter rafa cancelled warm up session ..not sure if he changed the venue itself any details ?
Says who sanju? We had a needless scare before remember?!!
Genny said he is practising for an hour at 4.30.
Supposed to be on court 2.
Please stop with this business of cancelling practices! Enough! Every day we have to read this relentless pessimism and rumors about canceling practices. Can’t we just relax and wait for the match?
God someone is rude to the core.
Nny I will post what I want to, you don’t want to read it ,don’t read and don’t reply but stop telling me what I should post. I wrote that comment to Amy to check if it’s true , you need not have poked in. You are not the moderator of this forum . Over and out.
People don’t even have basic courtesy here with long timers on this forum .
Oh and this whole business of Amazon aka Jeff Bezos controlling the RG scheduling is appalling.
Very few people like the night matches. Very few players want to play them.
It shouldn’t be about ££££.
If the match tonight is very close and Novax dies win it then the difference between the 2 may very well come down to playing at night because of Amazon. That is all wrong.
And I don’t like this business of Novax lobbying for the night match. Haven’t heard of any other player lobbying to play the match at night. If he is so good then he should be able to beat Rafa during the day/ early evening which is when outdoor clay matches have always been played and are meant to be played.
I will admit I’m a bit nervous as I always am when Rafa plays bcoz I want him to win so baldly but recently it’s bcoz of his hibbie jibbies especially in set 3!! But I have to remember if Rafa is at least 80% fit he will give everything he has to win!!! I know we will want him to win the first set but even if he doesn’t he will fight tooth and nail to win the match! He can play, we saw him in his last match. He KNOWS what he has to do to beat Novak and he’ll do it!! Only injury will stop him, NOTHING else!!!! Not at RG!!! And to be clear, the pressure is on Novak to win not on Rafa, and Novak does not always do well under pressure, don’t care what anyone says!!
While Novak fans believe in their man so much Rafa fans have endless and endless reservations, sigh!!
Rafa, just do it!! I BELIEVE!! Vamos, Champ!!
I’m sick n done with this rafa last RG statement being made over n over again by his team. Just stop inviting it on yourself
https://mobile.twitter.com/josemorgado/status/1531624359336476672
N stop crying victim of having to play the night match rafas team ..focus on the match rafa..the schedule won’t change now
I agree Sanju!! Just play the cards ure dealt!! End of!!
And y is uncle Toni talking about Rafa, isn’t his charge out of the tourney?!! He best not be creating any controversies for Rafa here!! Choopz!
I can’t stand him Mona. He is hungry for attention and keeps talking. He is not rafas coach now ,so stop
I haven’t seen Toni’s comments but I too think he should shut up. Moya is Rafa’s coach now.
I haven’t liked how Toni has behaved the last few days
What’s wrong with saying that? This is to tell everyone that he may not be playing here anymore in future, so we have to be prepared for that. Nothing wrong with that, we should not take it for granted that he will be at the FO year after year, it will come a time when he has to say good bye to the FO.
I don’t like Toni Nadal talking about Rafa and his match scheduling. He’s no longer Rafa’s coach and Rafa doesn’t need him to speak on his behalf. Toni should instead concentrate on FAA, not Rafa.
Let Rafa say that about his future at RG! I don’t care to hear it from any one else!! No one knows Rafa”s sentiments better than him!!
Meanwhile, yes, Uncle Toni needs to stop talking!
Coco beat Sloane! Wow! Wasn’t expecting that but thrilled for Gauff.
Didn’t think Trevisan would beat Leylah. Really sorry to see her go out.
I hope Kasatkina wins tomorrow. Iga vs Daria would be awesome…
Yeah, Coco was awesome, played with a sense of purpose while Sloane was like “SloAnne”!!!!
Meanwhile Leyla had foot injury or blister. Sad I wanted her to win!
Uncle Toni needs to put a lid on it. He is not Rafa’s coach. Let Rafa speak for himself. Also stop with the whining about the night match. It is what it is. Rafa has to go out there and bring his best.
I also don’t know that I agree with the lack of match play. Since when does Rafa need a lot if matches? He needs wins. Before the AO how much did Rafa play? An exhibition and Melbourne? And facing a hard court slam? After being off for six months?
To me the issue is the rib injury. I think that messed with his momentum after having the best start in his career. He couldn’t even pick up a racket for weeks. Every time there is an injury it takes a psychological toll. Rafa lost out on playing at two of his best tournaments. He had to start at Madrid. Even he said this was not the ideal place to play his first tournament back.
Then the worst was having the foot flare up at Rome. I think Rafa lost confidence with these two injuries. That is why he is having these ups and downs.
Rafa will give it his best. As he always does. At least he is playing. Things looked pretty bad in Rome with the foot. That is something to be grateful for.
👍NNY!
Toni Nadal has never been good at keeping his mouth shut or being politically correct when provoked. The media is exploiting this to create agitation. I am sure that they are pestering him with questions, it’s not like he’s chasing them to make comments on his nephew.
Now, on Toni speaking “on behalf of Rafa”, that’s absurd. It’s like saying that I’m speaking on behalf of Rafa. Everybody knows that his nephew likes to play in sunny conditions, it’s not like he had Toni complaining about scheduling on his behalf, not to mention talking about plans for the future!
Anyway, let’s give Toni a break, he’s mostly being framed here.
Regarding complains about the night match, I suspect that these are mind games coming from Moya – let’s have everyone else think that Rafa dreads a night match against Djokovic.
Did Rafa say Nole is favourite in 2015 and this year? It means he is mentally conceding already
Yes he did say that but said he will fight and anything can happen. Novak always talks himself up which is more comforting ,rafa will always be cautious ..but here way too many statements were made on night match ,his legacy deserving day match, Novak is fav that surely don’t make us comfy. If you say certain things repeatedly, you start believing it. During AO, he never uttered a flat out underdog statement
True, also this Zverev-Alcarez match is dragging. It if goes to fifth set, other QF match will be further delayed.. Very cold weather at night.. stupid organizers.. wimby story all over.
Not just wimby but last year rg semi same happened. .the first semi dragged unnecessarily
Well Rafa just has to win in three then 🤣😂😂
U mean this is what we have to look forward too those long rallies!! Well no one’s sleeping tonight 🤣😂
Novak not serving well Rafa doing too much cross court, getting too predictable!! Vamos, Rafa!!
Rafa returning well though! He’s playing well so far
Rafa has come out fantastic
Rafa breaks! Wow!
Rafa has come out on fire. Can he keep it up?
He has come out of the blocks ABSOLUTELY on fire. Extinguishing my fears of a slow start right from the first shot. Sorry champ, I doubted your ability to raise your level even with minimal match play lol.
Early doors but if Rafa keeps this level (which he very likely will), Novak’s going to need perhaps the match of his life (yes, even better than last year’s) to win.
Great hold!
Is it me or Novak is playing possum?!
Novak looks off right now. It’s a big step up to play Rafa.
Rafa has come out guns blazing.
These rallies are insane.
Double break!
Don’t let up Rafa!!
Ramara,
Are you goimg to gift wrap the trophy if Rafa beats Novak?
Rafa serving near 70%. Novak serving under 50%.
Rafa wins the first set 6-2!
Vamos Rafa! You show them! Keep it up!
Dominant set from Rafa
Let’s have an early break Rafa
I am majorly surprised at Novak”s level here!! But I’m very disappointed that Rafa can’t seem to break here!! He is being VERY passive on these bp chances, damn it Rafa!! VAMOS!!!
Come on Rafa break!
Beast Mode Rafa has come to play!
Finally!! He had to break there!
Rafa came out playing like he did in the fifth set against Felix. I hope he can keep up this level. We know Novak isn’t going anywhere. Rafa has to stay
That was huge! Rafa needed to get the break. Novak is not getting his first serves in.
Novak looks flustered facing this version of Rafa.
Rafa is serving better than Novax!
He is!And he has won 82% of second serves so far. This has to be a RECORD in their rivalry. Doing this to the best returner in the game!
Djoko needs the match of his life make this even competitive. His body language looks very much like their 2020 final.
Yes! He is! Unbelievable! I am getting so emotional! Tears in my eyes! Happy tears!
I am so proud of Rafa!😍
Lucky,
Where are you?
Hi NNY, I’m here watching the match. See, I believe in Rafa, if he brings his A game, he’s hard to beat.
Djoko is playing subpar tennis at the moment, something is not right with him. I hope Rafa wins in straight sets.
Lucky,
Bless you! You were right all along! Look at our Rafa!
Novak is off.
Double break!!
Am I dreaming? Double Break!
The forehand! Did’t we say the forehand would decide it?
.
Ffs!! Sloppy game! Now break again!
That was sloppy from Rafa
Now hold
2bps saved
Come on hold!
Fuck!
Not sure how that happened
Rafa can’t let up here!! Y he allowed himself to get broken is beyond me but good he has insurance break! Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa”s intensity has died big time!! He needs to regroup!! Novak is still not playing well though so Rafa should have won this set already!!! Letting 2 breaks slip away!! Damn it!!
What has happened to his fh?
Come on get it together Rafa
Just believe
Now break
And I still find Rafa is not aggressive enough he’s getting chances on Novak”s serve but he’s not taking them!! Goodness!!
finally his fh returns
Neither r playing particularly well at the mo”! Sigh, what happened to Rafa”s forehand gosh!! Can’t believe what I’m seeing here!!
Erratic Rafa is back!
Oh no. Giving back two breaks is not good. He had the second set and his he is giving it away? I just cannot fathom how things can turn so quickly. He had Novak on the ropes. Then he lets him off the hook.
But his game will return. He just has to hang in there
This match is going to last for four hours, judging from how erratic Rafa plays. To lose serve three times after breaking serves twice is unforgivable! He has the winning momentum with him yet he throws a lifeline to Djoko and Djoko gladly takes it.
Why is Rafa hitting his FH CC all the time to Djoko’s BH when time and again Djoko could just change direction and goes DTL to catch Rafa off guard? It’s time and again, not just once or twice, simply unbelievably poor play by Rafa!
Wow that was bad
Just like against Felix he loses serve and suddenly his confidence deserts him
Can he get his head together?
This is such an aboutface. Rafa seems to like letting his opponents back in the match.
Take this Rafa
Break
Ok he does
Now fucking hold
Rafa’s bad habit is that when he’s ahead, he tends to lose concentration and plays some erratic tennis to lose the advantage. When his back is against the wall then he plays his best tennis!
I think Rafa enjoys suffering too much, that he has to suffer in each match he plays vs a tough opponent.
Okay, Rafa let that set slip away. Happens when you are lacking preparation that you have these dips. Amazing comeback from Djoko! Only he can absorb such pressure from Rafa.
One set of energy wasted by Rafa. It’s not like he doesn’t have his chances in set two yet he squanders away the advantage and the set!
Seriously, Djoko isnt playing all that well and Rafa should be leading by two sets now! Djoko is one formidable opponent and if you let him back into the match, he will be tough to beat.
Maybe it’s a good thing he lost that set so he can relax. He is breaking Novak left right and center but y can’t he just hold and stop being passive? It’s not like Novak is playing light out…….Rafa is the better player!! Vamos, Rafa!!
What a bizarre match!
Third set Rafa!
He really should have won the whole match
His net game has helped him a lot as always
Bizarre indeed!! Rafa got broken in forth set!!!!!!! Damn it!!!
This really isn’t good tennis. It’s hard-fought tennis, but the quality isn’t particularly impressive.
Not at all especially from Rafa bcoz he had the upper hand!! Really not blockbuster material to say the least!
I don’t believe this.
I’m losing interest in this match! Rafa or Djoko could win this, but they’re playing poor quality tennis by their standard. If the winner of this match continues to play like this in the SF, and Zverev plays like he did in the QF, Zverev will eat up the winner here to reach the final.
I really think that both Rafa and Djoko are getting old, and they’re making more errors than usual, and I really doubt they can outhit a player like Zverev who has so much fire power.
This match is not a blockbuster, it’s like a slug fest, and whoever plays ‘less’ badly will win this match.
I am not watching just keeping up with the scores! I lost interest from second set! Novak is playing so poorly and yet Rafa can’t dispatch him? Ure right, they r definitely both getting old!!!
Lucky..both were nervous..rafa won’t play like this in sf…any match between rafa n Novak will not have exceptional quality as they are playing for highest slam race.
We shouldn’t be too surprised that this is going to five!!! Rafa didn’t keep his grip in the second set so this was bound to happen!!! The starting was too good to be true! Hope he can at least hold here so that he can be first to serve in fifth
Whoever loses this match please go and take a rest and recovers, and prepares for Wimbledon.
The one in the SF will have to slug it out all over again and will most likely lose to Zverev, unless Zverev has a big let down.
This is really unimpressive tennis so far, I’m disappointed with the level of tennis played by both.
Rafa’s level has picked up all of a sudden
Come on Rafa win this set so I can go to bed
I don’t feel very well!amy
Yeah even if Rafa wins this will he really have anything left? That’s 2 five setters back to back!! Good is not Alcaraz waiting!
Yesssssss! Vamoooooossss! ❤️❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪💪
Rafa won!
He won a tiebreaker!
Rafa Rafa Rafa…
Oh my gosh!! He did it, in four!!! VAMOS!!!!!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
I am crying! Rafa did it! Oh God!
After all the crap I had to read about his chances!
Rafa!
❤️😍
❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕❤️❤️
Rafa wins, and the crowd here really loves Rafa! I feel happy for him, that they love and support him finally after all these years!
I hope Rafa can raise his level in the SF, and how I wish Zverev won’t be on fire in the SF, unlike in the QF today. As a Rafa fan, of course I wish for Rafa to do well here without a doubt.
Vamos Rafa! Take care, get some well deserved rest and then plays well in the SF!
May be cold weather made them play poor with lots of errors. Organizers should move night session few hours earlier.
I agree! Absolutely! They are older now and may not be able to produce the quality of tennis. But they are still here and playing! They are still competing for slams.
But I think the cold weather conditions at night probably did not help. Let’s give them a break. They should schedule the night session earlier for sure.
He did it! I can’t stop crying!
Ramara said if Novak wins will he gift wrap the title? Well his about Novak gift wrapping the title for Rafa?
❤️❤️❤️❤️💝🥇
2 days should stand him good stead. I thought Rafa played really well. Well done but not surprised. This is RG and one can never feel surprised with the level he brings.
Only blip in the second set. Reminded me of 2013 match where Rafa had chances in each set and still went to 5.
I thought this was a statement. Lets see how match with Zverev pans out. I believe it will be a day match.
Yes! I was thinking back to the 2013 RG semifinal.I remembered that Rafa had his chance to win it in 4 sets but Novak won the fourth set. So they went to a fifth set and Rafa won it.
Never underestimate Rafa!
Well done Rafa, but as expected really at RG. Forget all the mind games about the foot and loaded top draw , Rafas last year , night match etc etc .
I didnt see the fourth set but for a match like this, should really have been a fifth .
Oh , and on the subject of preferential treatment, it goes for Rafa too, matches on Chatrier.
Sour grapes.. Where do you want the QF match played? Court1??
Not really … just being fair, after the night match bias thing…repeating what the commies said … as I said, it wouldnt have mattered.
Lol! Great reply!
😉
My comment at 6:48 pm was gift Raj.
Big Al, PC is his palace but he plays one match on SL every year to give access to more of his fans.
Rafa gets Chatrier because he’s a HUGE draw. Btw, Novak gets it too, except for ONE match per year when the top seeds play on Lenglen. EACH of the top seeds. Unless, of course, there’s a Frenchie in the quarters or later, in which case the Frenchie gets Chatrier. And yes, I’ve seen it happen. Rafa has never complained about that, just says “Lenglen is a good court.” Which it is.
Where the hell else would you put a match of that magnitude? No, Rafa wasn’t happy about playing at night, never has been. He sucked it up.
OK. Ill not say anything about accusations about preferential treatment of Roger or Novak at other Slams- I think we know day, night , roof etc doesnt make that big a difference if the player is just better on the surface.
Nole stays number 1 still?
He drops 1640 points..how can he stay no 1..I read sundered if zverev wins French, he will be no 1
Djokovic will fall to #3
The love from the crowd helped Rafa again!!
Yes! I can die happy now that I have seen a French crowd cheering for Rafa as though he was their own!
RAFAAAAA!!! Amazing!! All I could bear to watch was the tb from 6-1 up! And that was stressful! (LOL at me. My commies (Courier and Goodall) were grinning ear to ear after that match!)
It’s almost as if Rafa knew he couldn’t lose. I was hoping Djokovic would win the 4th set on his serve so that Rafa could start the 5th set on his serve to get scoreboard advantage but Rafa had other ideas. He didn’t want a 5th set and he did it in 4.
Vamos!
I said the same thing Nadline bcoz I was so sure he’d lose that set!! But like u said he had other ideas! I’m so happy this QF is over and now I can relax a bit going forth bcoz even if Rafa doesn’t win the slam at least he didn’t get beaten by Novak!!! Vamos!! Now can’t wait to hear what the Novak fans have to say now! The silence might be pretty loud!!!
@Ramara, me too! A friend from the US sent me a WhatsApp message saying “Rafa” and I thought, what, did he win? Then I checked the score and saw Rafa was 6:1 up in tb 😱😱😱!!! That when I watched till the end!! This has been an amazing day!! When will we learn to never count Rafa out!!!
Don’t say that Mona please..he can’t lose now after both Carlos and Novak out ..anyone can get upset but still no ,can’t be so close n let it slip
Okay, now what about that astrological prediction?
😮
They were thrashed by rafas willpower n spirit hehe n I am so happy
Why just astrologers ,even all bookies that put Novak n carlos as 1 n 2 in betting odds as well as all tennis analysts who predicted Novak.. all have to eat humble pie today.
I agree with Sanju. Rafa has to win this!
Yes, Rafa’s willpower thrashed the astrology predictions! Yes!
Yes and all the others who said Rafa could not win!
Humble pie for all of them!
I’m telling you what they saying .they are saying this was 40 pc Novak n rafa had to do nothing exceptional, Novak just did not turn up…n of ourselves they saying he still has mental wounds from Australia that has affected his fighting spirit.
I dont care if Rafa wins french or not. This was the match. I so badly wanted him to win..this is for legacy. This is sweet vindication. This is revenge..Rib injury, Foot concerns, no build up for Roland garros, called underdog and 3-4 sets loss prediction, he comes and beats his biggest rival and also the rival who had all the momentum, physicality and form. Might I add, night session against his wish and still protected his turf. Ghosts of 2021 exorcised tonight.
2021 was an anamoly. it was a perfect storm against Nadal.
Vamos Champ..never understimate the king on clay and at Roland Garros..
Honestly dont care what happens after this..But he wont let this one go me thinks..Get the well deserved rest Vamos Rafa..Vamos..Just Vamos
Exactly my feeling. I don’t care if he loses after this.
Any win against Novak on a slam is huge
It would have been awful for him to lose 2 years in a row
Absolutely! I thought of that last night. Thank God he did it!
Why are you guys saying like this ..please don’t why should he lose after this ..we need 22
Beautifully said! I have nothing to add.
Bravo to you. I think you spoke for a lot of us. All the crap we had to hear. So-called experts picking Novak and Alcaraz as favorites? The Novak fan trolls were already showing up here as they anticipated a Novak victory. Now they are nowhere to be found!
Just happy Rafa fans!
Well I’m happy with the result but all the stupid hype about Alcaraz and Novak I can’t even really seem to enjoy this victory!! From now on I will consistently go with my heart when it comes to Rafa!! The commies and these tennis analysts are quite rubbish!! They should ALL be fired!!! Have no regard for them!! Now I wonder how the humble pie tastes and how the egg in the face feels!
What do you mean? People are allowed to make predictions that your favourite player will lose. They’re also allowed to be wrong. I think it’s best to savour a win instead of looking back at things like that.
Look, a lot of the predictions are biased and based on wishful thinking rather than actual analysis!! Every GS Rafa is seemed to be the underdog and even lately at RG!! Everybody is capable of taking Rafa out somehow but it’s never the same narrative when it comes to Novak or Roger!! They were even giving Alcaraz the nod over Rafa at RG!! It’s nonsensical!!! So yes, someone needs to call them out on it and as a Rafa fan I’m sick of it!!!
Hi Monalisa predictions are based on AI and rafa has proved AI and Bookies can go wrong twice. once in Australia and once here again today. i was really scared to watch today’s match. it always gives me anxiety watching rafa vs novak. but lets enjoy his win and wish him good luck for next 2
@ikam215, lol, I’m done with that already and in future I know exactly what what to think of predictions, pffffffffff!!!
LOL
No one can predict a tennis match outcome! But I will say that betting against Rafa at RG is a really bad idea! 🙂
I can’t believe Rafa won that match! I know his skill and his heart, but I’m getting too well acquainted with his left foot these days and Rafa keeps saying every match at RG could be his last. I was willing to settle for a good match even if he lost it, but Rafa had other ideas. Good for him! 🙂
Mona our call mid akcaraz zvrrev match that it will be zverev rafa sf went to God’s ears 🙂
😂😂🤣🤣🤣 indeed!!! I hope the whole match will be downloaded on YouTube so I can sit up with my popcorn and watch it in its entirety!!
Just think.. all bookies ,analysts, astrologers..all were thrashed..both the predictions wrong ..
Now rafa needs to focus hard .the zverev match will not be easy …he was playing very well today
I agree, after all the crap talked . Rafas last match at RG? I never thought for one second, or Djoko to win that match once he lost the first set.
Ha ha, at least my predictions are not rubbish! I predicted that Rafa and Zverev would win their respective QFs.
I have faith in Rafa but is upset by the quality of the match, and also Rafa’s service games. The second set was the worst, he broke serves twice but was broken three times to lose the set! It’s like 2015 MC and Barcelona all over again!
A slightly bitter statement from djokovic but then he is disappointed, so excused
https://mobile.twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/status/1531780396437864448
Uhmmmmm! Rafa never complained about his foot during this tournament. He only talks about it when it is mentioned so I don’t understand where that is coming from. And besides, y would Novak come into the match expecting Rafa to play like he has foot injury?!! That’s just stupid!!
I always write here Rafa is going to have 23 to 24 slams in his career, while Nole would reach 26 to 27.
Let’s see from here, I believe Rafa would get his 22nd here.
Neither will rafa get 24 neither will Novak get 26…they are 36 years now ..
Vamos Rafa!
Count the king out at your own peril.
Also Boo RG and their super late night match schedules. It’s 5 30 AM in India and i have not slept.
No more very late night matches for Rafa please.
Vrael where in India are u..
I did not watch yet could not sleep at all n was walking all throughout the house …now the adrenaline is high..can’t sleep lol
Vreal and Sanju I feel for you! For the past week I’ve had to wake up at about 4:30am to watch the matches in St. Lucia so I’ve been feeling like a zombie most days. Alt least now as the matches start later I can have a good night sleep, especially tonight!
Anyway good night everyone, see u guys in the semis!! 😄 Vamos!!!!
Y do I feel like I just watched a final match? And To think Rafa might have two more matches to go!!!! Sigh!!!
ya.. Hope his foot holds up.
Its late and head is spinning but cant sleep owing to adrenaline. Will Rafa have two days off now?
Yes Friday is semi..hope it’s the first semi..full sunlight
But zverev also said today he loves sun as court is faster and his serve gets huge pop..
it will be second
yep
https://mobile.twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/status/1531788607056379906
I thought the narrative was Novak feeds off the lack of love and booing he gets ..BTW no one forces the crowd to love rafa or Roger.. they have earned it ..Novak should think why the crowd does not support him,he himself is to blame
Rafa said after The Match that having his doctor with him is a big help for the foot, that his doc can “do some things”. Ruiz-Cotorro must be part magician!
Hi Sanju
I am from Lucknow.
Hi monalisa , yes the timing of the matches can be a bummer,but we rafans are habituated to suffering haha.
On to semis we go where zverev will be another big challenge.
Vamos rafa.
What do I even say and make from such statements.. it just confuses me https://mobile.twitter.com/Tennis_Majors/status/1531784298461790210
Its very confusing…and sounding the worst
Enjoy these rallies. Highlights
https://mobile.twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/1531799801960214528
Here one more ..what is he trying to say https://mobile.twitter.com/gigicat7_/status/1531788695006855171
Sanju,
Don’t trouble yourself. Let it go for now. Just try to enjoy his wins. Let’s hope that he can win no. 14 and 22nd slam.
He won’t say anything now. So put it on the back burner and enjoy the moment.
RG is the place he would say goodbye. Please Rafa not this year..
Great win for Nadal. Maybe it was just me, but I felt that neither man was at his best. Or rather, I felt like I was watching two aging male lions fighting to maintain their dominant position. Even last year I felt that way a bit, but today I really did. Not a surprise, given their ages.
I thought there were two main differences between the two players. First, Nadal served better; second, he was much more courageous in taking his chances.
I actually thought both players had roughly equal chances, in terms of short balls that they could seize the initiative in the rally. The difference was that Nadal had the courage to take them, while Novak mostly didn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Djokovic play so tentatively and there were a few points that were downright bizarre. Moonballs and push balls are not normally featured in top-level men’s tennis. He looked a good step slower and lacked the usual follow-through on his groundstrokes. In a word, tentative.
No matter… the better player won and deservedly so!
there we definitely periods with tons of UEs by both
@ Joe Smith, I think a big factor too was the pressure Novak was under to win this, and in my humble opinion Novak does not operate well under this type of pressure coupled with the fact that he might have expected Rafa to not be so intense and playing this well. Novak came out very flat in the first set and Rafa said thanks. In the second set like typical Novak he restored the order but once again he could not keep up with Rafa”s intensity and doggedness. Another thing too, I always felt that Novak never has a plan B. If his usual game is not working he just looks lost unlike Rafa who tries to solve the problem. All in all. The best player won but true, neither were at their pristine best!
Well played RaFa! Only saw the first set but he was in crushing form. If this is his swan song, I hope he goes out on a real high and wins the trophy! But whatever, I hope he wins the trophy! Amazing.
I’m beginning to enjoy The Grandstand experts always picking against Rafa. It works well for him.
It’s the same everytime Nadal is injured. Before the tournament started,it really looked like the draw was too much for him .But he makes a remarkable recovery …I take nothing away from his win as he always manages to play the big points well
I can’t see Zverev beating him unless he has a lights out serving day and the foot starts playing up.
Quite an up and down match but 57 winners Vs 48 is pretty good