Rafael Nadal eased through the first three rounds at the French Open, but things could get more difficult now that we are into the second week.
They are certainly getting more interesting, as Nadal’s fourth-round matchup is a blockbuster. One, Felix Auger-Aliassime is one of the rising stars in the game and a potential future Grand Slam champion. Two, Auger-Aliassime is coached by Toni Nadal.
Toni probably won’t be around to see it–at least not in person–but Sunday’s showdown could be a good one. Both players have been in impressive form this fortnight. Nadal did not drop a set during the first week, ousting Jordan Thompson, Corentin Moutet, and Botic van de Zandschulp. Auger-Aliassime has also won nine sets in a row, although he actually lost his first two of the tournament to Juan Pablo Varillas. After overcoming Varillas in five, the world No. 9 defeated Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Filip Krajinovic in straights.
Auger-Aliassime’s reward is a second meeting with the 21-time major winner. They previously faced each other three years ago in Madrid, long before Toni started working with the Canadian. Nadal had no trouble giving his opponent a clay-court lesson, cruising 6-3, 6-3.
Can the 21-year-old make this one more competitive now that he has a lot more experience under his belt? It’s possible. Auger-Aliassime has become extremely consistent at slams, as his three most recent results are quarterfinals (2021 Wimbledon), semifinals (2021 U.S. Open), and quarterfinals (2021 Australian Open).
Of course, the bad news for the underdog is that Nadal is looking like his normal French Open self. The 13-time champ’s preparation was derailed by rib and foot problems, but those concerns have been put to rest–at least for now–by his first three matches. Nadal had no trouble improving to 108-3 lifetime on the terre battue of Paris.
Auger-Aliassime can throw a lot more at Nadal than Thompson, Moutet, and van de Zandschulp, so this could be the Spaniard’s first test of the fortnight. But it’s one he should pass without too much of a scare.
Pick: Nadal in 4
Well that was a horrible set of tennis by Rafa
Can he get his head together?
what a good performance from FAA so far!
may the best man win.
Damn.. hope he can pull this one in five. Winning in ao and in trouble in 4r rg seems familiar☹️
Yes! I hadn’t thought of that!
Yeah, it’s either you win this or you win that but not both it seems!
The thing is FAA isn’t really playing unbeatable tennis, and Rafa has the momentum with him after winning set three, yet he just plays and serves poorly to allow FAA into the match! It’s just so irritating watching this happening!
Exactly!!
This isn’t Novax!
The problem has been his ROs
So many chances missed!
Not sure I want to watch this.
All the momentum with FAA
It’s very important he is serving first
Another astonishing error! How can he win playin like this..
If he can hold then he has a chance
Rafa attended the champions league final last night.
hopefully he got back early enough to get a good night’s sleep.
And how the f is faa serving at such a level. He is making rafa look like federer on bps
The big difference has been the serve
FAA has got so many free pints and Rafa none
Rafa is playing better now. Just needs to believe
Djoko must be laughing watching this match goes the distance. Whoever wins this is going to be killed by Djoko in the QF.
Rafa has himself to blame for getting into a mess like this. He doesn’t play smart tennis these days, very much prefer to chase from behind and allowing his opponents to dictate.
I think it’s easier to play smart tennis when you are feeling confident on the court. He just looks under-prepared and under-confident. This level not good enough to even take a set off Djoko. The fundamental thing here is not feeling confident about his game.
I agree to an extent but he was bossing FAA then just suddenly lost confidence
This is a rerun of mental problems in the past imo
Well yes, Rafa has never had a potent serve!! Uncle Toni never thought it appropriate to help Rafa improve this it’s a wonder Rafa is still so successful!! Even Zverev is serving better than Rafa!! 😀
And these rg night sessions have neutralized rafas top spin and coupled with rafas loss of speed he only has the aura as a weapon
at this point I see Rafa winning the match.
yep, I called it.
Great net coverage by FAA
Vamos Rafa!!
Meanwhile Sloane is cruising!! She is playing very well!
Rafa does not look tired though, like his body language! I think Rafa looks the fresher of the two!!
Rafa played a lot better at the AO
I am so fed up with the negativity! No it would not be better for him to lose this match! I am with Mona! He is still fighting. For myself I just see a different Rafa since he came back from the injury. He is lacking confidence. That is why he keeps letting this kid back in the match.
Exactly NNY! I don’t want Rafa to lose here! Y for? He is serving better, playing better there’s no reason y he should lose if he remains focus and maintains his intensity. For his match with Novak he will approach it differently being very aware of what he needs to do. If Rafa is giving himself a chance and fighting then y should I not believe?!!
I said he would play differently against Novax! I am supporting him!
Well Rafa was playing freer bcoz he had nothing to lose, didn’t expect to go deep. But here it’s different!
Rafa would be destroyed by Novax playing like this
I struggle to think when he last returned serve so poorly on a clay court
I think overall Rafa looks step slower and that becomes a problem while serving. But even movement wise he does not look sharp. Last year he was sharper.
How could u tell whether or not he was slower or faster last year FedEx!! What metric r u using to determine this?
Just my reaction and looking at how he reacts in general, on both wings FH and BH side movement. Its not by a lot, but unfortunately at this level, it makes a lot of difference. The stretch shots which he usually makes, he missed today and that is because he is not coming to position. I felt Rafa was returning better in AO but today it was a combination of FAA hitting bombs but Rafa lost confidence today. Should have finished in four sets.
I think even Djoker did not look sharp but he has an easy match so he would be well rested.
I hope Rafa recovers well. He did not sweat a lot maybe because of cold weather which is good.
Rafa has never been destroyed by Novak at FO, actually it’s been the other way round!! U guys really r hard on Rafa here, he is not losing. Yeah he played some lose points here and there but so had everyone in the field! This is clay Rafa can handle a five setter!! He’s done it many times before, it’s part of the game!!
Lucky,
I just want you to know that my comments were not directed at you. There is one person who has been relentkessly negative. I get where you are coming from. I feel the same frustration. Rafa should have won it in four sets. It’s because we love him so much and want to see him win efficiently and not have to push himself.
I don’t understand his mindset either.