Expert picks are back for the French Open semifinals, which are highlighted by another Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal showdown. It’s Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Alexander Zverev on the other side. A three-team panel makes its predictions.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Ricky: Every Djokovic-Nadal showdown is going to be massively hyped–and for good reason. This one should be–and will be–as well. But much like last year’s French Open final, there is no real reason to think it will live up to the hype. The King of Clay dominated the 2020 championship in straight sets and you should expect him to do the same, this time in the semis. Djokovic is coming off a five-setter against Lorenzo Musetti and a four-setter against Matteo Berrettini, looking not at his best either physically or mentally in either match. Moreover, Nadal just beat the Serb in last month’s Rome final and the Spaniard is much, much tougher to beat in Paris than in Rome (see what happened last year, when he lost to Diego Schwartzman in Rome and went on to win the French Open with ease). Speaking of Schwartzman, the 13-time RG champion won an absurd 30 of the last 35 points of their quarterfinal contest. A second-set hiccup aside, he is quite simply looking unstoppable. Nadal should beat Djokovic–again–and it probably won’t even be especially competitive. Nadal in 3: 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2.
Cheryl: It’s Nadalovic part 58 on Friday. There was a time when each match seemed like it was up for grabs, but the older Nadal and Djokovic get, the more siloed their wins have become. You have to go back to 2016 at the Rome Masters to find the last time Djokovic beat Nadal on clay, and allllll the way back to the 2013 U.S. Open for the last hard-court match that went Nadal’s way. Nadal has won their last five meetings on the dirt, including the beating Djokovic took in last fall’s COVID version of the French Open and the Rome final a few weeks ago. While it’s true that Nadal has been a click or two off his clay-court best in Paris, when he steps out on the court against Djokovic he knows just what to do. Nadal in 4: 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Pete (Tennis Acumen): Nadal and Djokovic yet again! Aside from a few people taking wild fliers on their predictions, everyone else correctly and properly wrote this matchup into their brackets. While Nadal had his 36 consecutive set winning streak at the French halted in the quarters by Schwartzman, Djokovic encountered more serious drama–having to overcome a two-set deficit against Musetti in the round of 16. In their previous eight meetings at Roland Garros, Nadal has won seven–including four of them in straight sets. Both men have incredibly impressive first-serve points won percentages heading into the semi: Nadal at 81%, 84%, 79%, 81%, and 73% in his five matches; Djokovic at 86%, 75%, 88%, 75%, and 77%. Something has to give and most likely it will be Nadal’s ability to find ways to survive a few rough patches that he will encounter from the Serb. Like almost always, Nadal has the solutions and executes them again this time. Nadal in 4: 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
(6) Alexander Zverev vs. (5) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Ricky: Tsitsipas came within one set of his first Grand Slam final last year in Paris, and that was with Djokovic standing in his way. Now he doesn’t have to face Djokovic–and not any other member of the Big 3, either. That means his first slam final appearance should be forthcoming. Zverev is a tough opponent, but Tsitsipas is leading the head-to-head series 5-2 and won their only previous clay-court encounter two years ago in Madrid. The German is good on clay; the Greek is great. Tsitsipas moves better on this surface and I would give him the advantage in offense, too, because his forehand is on fire and Zverev’s second serve is more suspect. Tsitsipas in 4: 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3.
Cheryl: Although obviously not as high-profile, this might actually be the more entertaining of the two semifinals. They’re both playing well, even though Zverev’s good results can be partially attributed to his favorable draw. Tsitsipas, meanwhile, has probably shown the best form of any player in Paris (including Nadal). He was particularly impressive against arch rival Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals. Zverev won the first and also the most recent meetings with Tsitsipas, but the Greek won each of the five matches in between. With the way Tsitsipas has been playing this fortnight, it’s hard to pick against him…. So I won’t. Tsitsipas in 5: 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2.
Pete: Those contenders on the bottom half of the draw had a serious opportunity this year to reach the Roland Garros final without having to play Nadal or Djokovic. The two most likely candidates did what was expected in the initial five rounds and now Tsitsipas and Zverev will meet for the first time in a major. Following a two set-deficit in his opening match, Zverev has not dropped a set and has a commanding 36-12 games won differential against opponents in his last two matches (round of 16 and quarterfinals). Aside from dropping the opening set against John Isner, Tsitsipas has won every set he has played in the tournament. Both men won a Masters 1000 on clay heading into the French Open this year, however it is Tsitsipas who will prevail to advance to his first major final. Tsitsipas in 4: 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3.
WHO YA GOT?
Nadal in 4
Tsitsipas in 4 (maybe 5)
The favs will need to maintain their levels. Anything less can result in the upset.
Thanks for all the opinions…fun to read…and yes, Rafa in 3; Tpas in 4.
It will be a big effort for Nadal to beat the #1 ranked player 2 years in a row at RG in straight sets. Djokovic lost to Nadal in Rome also and is probably starting to think he has nothing to lose. That makes him a formidable opponent.
Whatever u say Anon!🤷♀️
Mira ,Andy nervous already for tomm?
Nny thoughts ?
Ohh hey Sanju!…heh heh…err..not that nervous!…but xcited to wait for tomorrow!
How about u Sanju?Can u contain yor nervousness?Just relax k?Insyaallah Rafa will be fine!
I’m nervous from today morning itself…I just want rafa to reach title match that’s it
Hey MA,
Just a word about WTA and other stuff.
It was sad losing our favorites early but in retrospect, I like it. The faves all have more time to allow the injuries to heal. Pavlyuchenkova has waited so long to get a chance like this. It won’t be easy besting newcomer Zidansek, though. It’s also a huge opportunity for the petite Maria Sakkari! Pavs or Sakkari would be my faves of those left, but I don’t underestimate Krejcikova either. I don’t know Krejcilova or Zidansek at all. I am watching them now!
And just an aside, woe is me, 🙈🙈 did I forget how to pick grass-court winners, both WTA and ATP ones. My brain doesn’t work short-term, but I don’t forget long-term stuff.
This clay season has been great and I wish the Rafa fans all the best, can’t say there should be no worries, there are still two more matches for Rafa and it won’t be easy. I do feel Rafa will make it. If I had more confidence in Nole, I would have picked him. But against Rafa here, I don’t pick anyone but Rafa.😊
Rc nole has said he feels good sensations and believes he can win ..his presser yest
Hey RC!…Yeah!…in a way i am not very surprised by the downfall of faves at RG…I expected it..And i can’t wait 2 c who’s going to go deep at Wimby…Petra said he’ll play Wimby…but i donno how far can she go…maybe some underdogs will make havoc again?😀
Very excited to know the draw there RC!…
Ohh…gud luck to u as a Novak fan RC!…👍👌
Sanju, I don’t know. I’d be surprised. The effort would take everything out of him. Rafa is stronger on clay, especially on clay at RG. My money is still on Rafa if I was the betting type.
Good luck to you, Sanju, and dear MA.
Hehehe…Thanks RC!😁👍
Sanju,
After I watched the replay of Rafa’s match I felt better. Diego came out blasting in the sevind set. He played great. Paul Annacone said after the second set that Rafa needs to get better court positioning. That made sense to me. I don’t think it’s all nerves. Some of it is, but not all of it. Rafa needed to change things up to get better court positioning. It’s not like he is just standing there like a statue. He did make the adjustments in the third set. Also the tennis channel commies said that Rafa made 20 out of 21 first serves. I noted that he did not get broken in the third set and did not face a break point.
I think sometimes we may be too hard on Rafa. Me, too. He has struggled at times with his serve but he has also served very well. He is 35 now and in uncharted waters. He is trying to do something here that has never been done. The commies pointed out that Rafa is going for his 14th RG while Pete Sampras has 14 slams in total!
I am always nervous about Rafa playing Novak. You have company! But I believe that the way Rafa responded yesterday is a good sign. This is not 2015! We have to leave that in the past. Rafa would have lost this match if it was 2015. But he came back and played a fourth set that was simply divine.
I still remember how Rafa walked to the sidelines after winning the third set. He was pumping his fist and talking to himself, urging himself on. I knew then that he would win the match. That is what he will need to beat Novak. His will to win is unbelievable.
I will be there watching if I can stand it! Hang in there and have faith in Rafa!
Thanks nny ..hope he wins somehow and not too long and stays fresh for the final
At 3-4 in the 3rd Rafa turned on god mode. Was awesome to see and feel. Great to know he can still do that when he has to!
Djokovic 3-2 and Tsitsipas 3-1
Rafa djoko scheduled second .(:- match will start maybe 6 pm frencg time .not good .no sun..no pop
Amy wats weather then ?
Around 25/26 Degrees. Mixture of cloud and sun.
That’s ok sanju!
Correction. Just checked again. More likely to be 28/27 with plenty of sun.
That’s hot!
Will feel hotter on court.
I’m trying to express my opinion as objective as I possibly can. It’s not easy to see Rafa winning in 3. Sure it’s possible, he’s done it before. But Novak serves better and he didn’t come up until here to lose in 3. Rafa would have to play at the same level as last year final to do it in 3. Let’s see. The more obvious result for me is Rafa in 4 or any of them in 5.
I don’t think this match will be decided in three sets. I think it will go four, maybe five sets. Novak may not have looked that great, but he is going to fight for this all the way. He seems to be obsessed with records and outdoing Fed and Rafa.
The way Rafa played in that fourth set against Diego, is what it will take. There are usually ups and downs in their matches. Rafa has to serve well. Novak is too good a returner.
Novak knows there are not a lot more chances. So he will put it all on the line. But Rafa also wants this. It will be a battle.
Nny, I agree!
I think Nole is obsessed with history as well. Also I think he really wants to make a statement after being bagelled by rafa last year. That’s why he is losing it and yelling on court.
I don’t see Rafa beating him in straights.
I hope they can get on court at a reasonable time.
Nny the thought of 5 scares me ..guess it’s going to be one horrible day tomorrow
Sanju,
I have been thinking about you. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I don’t think I could survive it. Just remember that there is a lot of support here. You are not alone.
We are all nervous. The last thing I wanted was Novak in the semis. I am not looking forward to it at all!
Come on here and talk with us to help with nerves,
😱
I don’t watch his matches at all NNY..I don’t even check live scores..I have ppl who inform me outcome once it’s over..it’s been this way now since 3 years ..I think the last match of rafa I saw live was uso 17 semi n final and I saw last set of uso 19 against Medvedev when I peeped scores n saw it was 2 sets all …I used to c him live before but after the ao 17 final loss, I just stopped (:-
2 losses of rafa that really I took hard were ao 17 final and wimby 18 sf..close 5 setters n I wanted him to win both so bad to get the second ao n third wimby
I just read TDTB.
That witty and knowledgeable poster Tennis Vagabond, who both Elizabeth and Alison like, has picked Rafa in 5. I am interested in the opinions of posters who are neutral, I know he is a Fed fan.
God knows when they will actually get on court and what time they will finish.
Not impressed by the scheduling.
Nole is clearly very fired up for this match so unless Rafa is in God mode I find it hard to see him winning in straights.
I do still think Rafole should be the final.
PS so does T.Vagabond who described them as absolute legends and head and shoulders above everyone else.
This is what I was saying Amy..match will start maybe 6 pm France time n can go on till 10 ..the sun will go down at 9 ..the longer the match..adv nole
Que sera sera sanju…whatever will be, will be…
I remember him. But it’s been years since I was on that site.
If it goes five there is no way I will be able to watch it.
I am concerned after Novak’s outburst last night near the end of his match. I have never seen him that bad. Eugene said he was like a wild animal. I hope that we do not see that kind of thing in his match with Rafa.
As far as night conditions if the match goes long, we’ll Rafa won last year with horrible weather conditions.
What has his outburst got to do with this match .I don’t think it will affect rafa…he had this crazy scream in last year’s final too when he broke back in third. Well rafa never got affected
Well let me just say that I don’t want to see a repeat of Novak’s over the top histrionics. Last year it cost him because he smashed a ball with his racket at the USO and hit a linesperson. He was defaulted out of the tournament.
This is not life or death. It’s a tennis match. Rafa will be fine no matter what happens with Novak. It means a lot to Rafa, too, but he us not going to start kicking things and raging like a madman.
Have you noticed it’s been a long time since Djokovic was anything but reasonably well-behaved during and after a match with Rafa? He seems to save his histrionics and injury time-outs for other players.
Wats the link amy
Sanju, nny I understand your love for Rafa and desire for him to win. But I want you to stay healthy and happy no matter the result. You can’t let an outside event of your power of control to make you feel too much pain.
They are great players and people, but this is tennis, no more than that. Neither of them discovered cures to critical disabilities or save the planet from human stupidity. Perspective in check. He can win or he can lose. You have to accept and live happy with it, to find a way to lift you up and maybe develop a healthy habit using that temporary pain. Start watching tennis live, it’s a nice feeling 🙂
Yeah, even he won 13 RGs and proved he was the GOAT on clay some fans cant even cope with a single loss .Thats obsessive,its unhealthy .
I want Feed to win Wimby but not end of world if he doesnt
Fed
Please give me a break! I have been through enough on the last few years with my health to have things in perspective! And I don’t need lectures from someone who doesn’t even know me or what I have had to deal with in my life!
I have managed to dell with Rafa’s losses through the years! Thank you very much! I want him to win just like Fed fans wanted their guy to win against Novak at Wimbledon two years ago. Just like Novak fans want their guy to win.
Oh and just to be perfectly clear, I do not think it’s good for you the game if Tsitsipas wins!
I really think it would be good for the game if Tsitsi won
Good balanced post,Eugene .
Sad that some people cant discuss tennis objectively .
NNY, why wouldnt it be good for the game ?
I was gutted when Borg retired, but it was all part of tennis evolution.
And gutted many other times but if you compare the temporary pain at losing a tennis match with problems people experience in real life… well, it cant be good.
Im a Nole fan but want Tsitsi to win the whole thing, love his game
I have spoken about how I felt when my first tennis love, Borg, walked away from the game at the age of 26. I was devastated. But I did keep watching tennis. I loved it enough to stay with it.
This is not life and death. In the U.S. we have lost over half a million people to COVID. If I could not handle Rafa losing, then I would have given up watching and being his fan long ago. If I want to feel gutted whe he loses, then that’s my choice. But I have not let it interfere with my life. I grieve and then move on.
I do not see why Tsitsipas winnin would be such a good thing. He strikes me as arrogant and egotistical. Like a lot of the young guys. I respect and admire his talent and his game. But I do not like prima donnas. Never have, never will. Just like I did not think Thiem winning the USO without Rafa, Fed and Novak, was a good thing for the game. I am not sure it was a good thing for him, considering what has happened to him since then.
Tsitsipas is getting through because Rafa, Fed and Novak were all in the other half of the draw. What’s so good about that? A lopsided draw? Bad for tennis.
I want the top three to keep playing as long as possible. I know their time will come to an end. But I enjoy watching them and feel grateful and privileged to have been able to watch their great, epic matches,
Long may they reign.
Eugene didn’t write his post with the meaning and intention you have endowed it with Al.
He is a nice guy! In any case, I remember very clearly spending ages commiserating with him after Fed’s loss to Nole at wimby when he had match points. He took that very personally and said he didn’t want to feel that way again.
Being a fan is complex and personal and it really isn’t for other people to moralise and judge. How can you possibly make these moralistic comments about people you don’t know?
I have read countless pieces in the press about how Rafa and Fed have inspired people to keep going when they faced life threatening injuries and conditions; suicidal thoughts and the death of family. They were able to find strength in their own lives from the inspirational example they found in these great players.
Sport, and people’s relationship with it isn’t rational.
You really should stop patronising and preaching to people.
I agree..I remember Eugene was very disappointed after that loss and it stuck for months .I understood the advise to me came from a personal experience.
Anyways vamos rafa. Go get to the final and if you destined ,you will for sure . If nole plays better he will and he will deserve it too
What makes you think you interpreted my post any better than I interpreted Eugenes, Amy? Its a bit rich of you to talk about moralistic comments .
I totally understand what fans go through win or lose and I didnt mean to be insensitive. I could reply further, but Ive just seen the result of tonights match and on that note, Im sorry .
I just got in and saw the last game of the set and the first 2 games.
Very mediocre tennis so far!
It’s immensely irritating that Rafole are playing each other today. Loads of commies say it should be the final! Yes it should!
I just saw that at 12 games in Tsitsi has hit 1 winner. Yet he won the first set!
Must have been a comedy of errors.
The women’s sfs were a lot better than this.
If Tsitsi does win he can thank Zverev for all the sloppy ues flowing from his racket.
Zverev gifting Tsitsi the set with yet another error.
Now that he’s been donated 2 sets Tsitsi will surely win in straights..
Amy..tsitsi is playing well ..it’s zverev who is not playing well
Tsitsi may win this in straights n that will be big adv for final as he will be daisy fresh for final
No he isn’t sanju!
He lost his serve early in the second and only got it back because of Zverev’s ues!
He may be playing ok now but that’s because Zverev has given him a massive helping hand…
See Ricky ‘s tweet I posted on the other thread!
I’m watching it live. U can’t play much better if your opponent is gifting you ..I think tsitsi is playing well n as good as he needs to ..if the opponent is better ,he will lift too .there is a reason he nearly beat rafa n novak at Barcelona n rome