Thirteen-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal will take on the talented Italian teenager Jannik Sinner on Monday for a spot in the French Open quarterfinals. It is a rematch of last year’s quarters.
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (18) Jannik Sinner
Clay-court king Rafael Nadal will face his sternest test of the fortnight on Monday in the form of Italian youngster Jannik Sinner. The two men have met just twice before, but their matches so far have been fairly high quality and also entertaining. They first met in the COVID edition of the French Open last October and again in Rome a few weeks ago. Nadal won both matches in straight sets, but Sinner made him work for it each time.
The Italian nearly found himself out of Paris in the first round. Pierre-Hugues Herbert had a match point against him, but Sinner fought his way back to win in five. Sinner’s form has been a bit off since he made the final at the Miami Masters, but he is capable of playing fantastic clay-court tennis–as he showed in his run to the semifinals in Barcelona.
Nadal has been slightly off his best as well this week, unable so far to replicate the form he displayed in his run to the final in Rome–where he got yet another win over chief rival Novak Djokovic. Still, Nadal hasn’t dropped a set and he showed his signature grit and determination against Alexei Popyrin in the first round. The Australian served for the third set only to have Nadal come roaring back with a break and then a comfortable tiebreak to close it out in straights.
Sinner has the kind of game and has enough control and concentration to make Nadal uncomfortable. He should play well enough to at least give himself some chances to get in front of Nadal, as he did in Rome a few weeks ago. This one will be entertaining, but since it’s Nadal at Roland Garros there really can’t be another pick than the Spaniard.
Nadal is just better in the big moments of a match, particularly on clay when he can give himself the time and space to work himself into a game.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 4
Ricky pick: Nadal in 4
Rafa is already annoying me!! Y give the break back, and making tonnes of UEs!!! Sigh! C’mon Rafa, this us where you send a stern message to the locker room. Stop forming the ass!!!!!!
Mona,
I am very frustrated with Rafa. He gets the early break but gives it right back. He is letting this guy in the match.
Not good right now.
Rafa just like to make things difficult for no good reason! Giving Sinner confidence especially after watching what happened to Novak earlier!
So nervy by rafa!😡
Rafa is consumed by nerves. Playing terrible.
Sinner hasn’t had to do anything.
Exactly!! I don’t see why he gets broken twice!! Rafa’s matches have gotten so annoying to watch!
Two dfs in a game and donates the break basically.. not looking good and commies have started soderling comprisons
Let’s hope he settles down after losing the first set!! But that’s not a good way to start the match!!! Geeze!!!
Oh please! When Soderling beat Rafa his knees were shot.
Let us not go back in time.
They will never stop talking about that match! Sinner will give everything in first set, playing hard and tiring himself out when he knows full well he’ll have to go 5 to take Rafa down here!
Mona,
I am not having any of it! That is ancient history. Sometimes I have to mute the sound and tune out the commies. They are annoying.
I would like to think you are right that Sinner will go for broke in this first set but not have enough to hang with Rafa.
Didn’t look he had any problems to me. Making excuses I think. Soderling played out of his skin and would beat this Rafa 3-0
You are so full of it! Go away you troll! You know nothing! Find another way of getting attention.
Really? What was the h2h between Rafa and The Sod again?
Rafa has absolutely no control on his fh again. He is so tense.
Finally a real Rafa point. More please darling.
That was much better. Let-s hope the nerves are going away.
This rg rafa has not been clutch on bps… serving or returning
True! He has not been clutch in my opinion bcos if he was there is no way he would be down a break in the first set especially after securing a break. To be honest, Rafa is not as crisp as he was in RG 2020, and even then, he was still no 100%. However, Vamos, Rafa!!
Rafa fucked up there .. being a break up and now serving to stay in the set… sheesh
Now I take it order has been restored? Lol!! Now Vamos, Rafa!!
Close but no cigar Sinner.
Lol!! The set is not finished yet. Hate tie breaks with guys like Sinner! Arrrggghh!
Rafa!! Oh man.. what is this? Is this a strategy? Give the man hope and then quash all over it.. has happened in all three matches now
I am happy it didn’t go to a TB! Although Rafa’s TB record is very respectable!
Now I hope that now Rafa has won the 1 set, he opens his wings and let it rip!!!
Ok the real Rafa came back!😀 Thank god!
His forehand has returned.
Okay! Houdini is in the house!
Hahahahahahahha!! Let me tell you!!! Rafa has to make a clear statement here!! This is MY house, get it?!!!!! Now VAMOS!!!
I have the commies on mute but I just saw footage of Moya yelling support at Rafa.
He knows it’s about nerves.
Rafa should play for health insurance for his fans.
It’s seriously bad for your health to watch him sometimes.😀😀
Yes!! Now from 40:0 to deuce!!!! Sigh!! What’s with those DFs?!!!!
amy,
LOL! Yes! Because I am a wreck and we are now only just starting the second set!
They showed the stats for the first set. Rafa only getting in 55% of first serves but making 85%. Second serve winning 47%. Sinner’s serving stats were not great either. Also only getting 50 something % of first serves in,
Thats funny; my heart rate hasnt altered since this match started.
Lol, of course not! You don’t have any horse in this race!!
Rafa asked for the lights on court to be turned off.
Really, I notice a little while ago i was match and all of a sudden the screen got a bit darker. So that’s what it was?
Ah, I like how Rafa is playing now, fancy free!! He’s letting it rip!!! Moving Sinner all over and around, hope this ends in 3!!
I hope Rafa can keep this up.