Rafael Nadal continue his bid for a sixth Madrid title when he goes up against Diego Schwartzman during third-round action on Thursday. Fellow Canadians Milos Raonic and Denis Shapovalov are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (13) Diego Schwartzman
Nadal and Schwartzman will be going head-to-head for the fifth time in their careers when they meet again in round three of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday. All four of their previous encounters have gone the way of Nadal, who is 10-1 in total sets. Schwartzman has, however, been competitive at times; including a 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-5 loss at the 2015 U.S. Open and a 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 setback at this year’s Australian Open.
Taking a set off the Spaniard–as Schwartzman did Down Under–is not something anyone has been able to accomplish in Nadal’s last 48 sets of clay-court tennis dating back to the 2017 French Open. The world No. 1’s current stretch of dominance includes a 10th title at Roland Garros, 11th triumphs in both Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, two Davis Cup wins, and a 6-3, 6-1 beatdown of Gael Monfils on Wednesday. Schwartzman’s clay-court campaign began with early losses in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Munich–where he compiled a combined 1-3 record. But the 16th-ranked Argentine is still in contention for a top 16 seed at the French Open and he has boosted his chances in that department with Madrid victories over Adrian Mannarino and Feliciano Lopez. Schwartzman is not in the kind of peak form necessary to give Nadal a real test–and neither is anyone else, except for perhaps a huge server who can occasionally take the racket out of Nadal’s hands.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing 5-7 games
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Denis Shapovalov vs. Milos Raonic
It will be an all-Canadian affair when Raonic and Shapovalov go head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Thursday. Grass may the preferred surface of the one-time Wimbledon finalist, but he is also quite capable on clay. Raonic, who was one set away from the French Open quarterfinals last spring, is one round away from a third trip to the Madrid quarters following wins this week over Nicolas Kicker and No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Shapovalov has already enjoyed a productive week, as well, with defeats of Tennys Sandgren (6-1, 6-4) and Benoit Paire (7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4). The 19-year-old is inexperienced on clay, but the two aforementioned performances were encouraging and with a little bit more success he will be in contention for a seed at Roland Garros (currently 43rd in the world). This, though, is an especially tough test for Shapovalov. Raonic is once again thriving in these Madrid conditions, serving right at 70 percent through two rounds with a total of 29 aces and three double-faults.
Pick: Raonic in 2
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who ya got?
Rafa and Raonic in 2. Rafa was on another level vs Monfils today and can only get better. Will be scary good by the time RG comes around
Got to agree with the picks; Raonic is playing well again and I think he’ll make fewer errors than Shapo even if both can serve very well.
Nothing more to say about Rafa, just hope that he gets better, as his draw is getting tougher and tougher as he progresses.
I think Rafa had his easy match. It will get tougher from here on out. I expect Rafa to get better with each match. He played better in the second set, but Monfils really wasn’t putting in much effort.
Raonic seems to be getting back into form and the conditions here would suit his game. I think he gets the win over Shapo.
It may have looked like Monfils wasn’t trying but courtside, he was. Rafa didn’t get the win easily; if Rafa had dropped his guard one little bit he may not have won, not so easily, anyway.
If Rafa played with his one eye closed he would have still won in straight sets
First is vulnerable in clay only in his first match of the tournament, where he loses more games than usual.
From now on juggernaut will roll. Not more than 24 games will be lost by Rafa, from now to final
Schwatzman always fun to watch, and he will battle…might get 8-10 games. Raonic in straight.
Love the Shortman, but I’ll be happy if he continues his run of poor form for one more match.
Go Diego, go!
If Diego steps it up, so will Rafa. I say under 5 games for Diego.
Raonic in 2.
Rafa in two losing 3-4 games, Raonic in three
Rafa in 2 with one bagel. I don’t see Rafa losing any clay sets this season. May be one more record
https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/tennis/news/2018-french-open-odds-picks-red-hot-tennis-expert-says-rafael-nadal-primed-for-an-upset/amp/
Who is this expert bettor and what he says scares me (:-
Hope that guy bets big Sanju! Only thing that can stop Rafa is injury or if eventually he overplays and get tired.
Rafa to take the win in routine sets,something like 6-3/6-3.
Raonic for the win,Shapo’ ROS not that good and he’s still very inconsistent and doesn’t feel comfortable at all on clay.
Raonic looks so lack lustre whilst Shapovalov looks sharp and energetic; Shapo takes the first set.
It’s really a joke clay court, when both of them playing like it’s a HC! It’s just about big serving, hard hitting from the baseline and short point tennis; both but exp Raonic can’t hold up if the rally goes a bit longer.
You’re so right Lucky,I remember the early 2000’s where we had so many clay court specialists. Now,it seems like everyone’s growing up on hard courts and plays the same way in all kind of surfaces. In grass it’s even worst than clay at the moment,many guys look like amateurs moving on the surface.
Yep, thats what I was saying some time earlier. The players now are all playing attacking tennis on clay as if its a HC, serving big and hitting as hard as possible; there’re not many traditional clay court players left. Those still around, like ARV, couldnt withstand the power thrown at him/them.
We talked about the courts playing about the same speed, ie slow, regardless of the surfaces and many said that helped the big four to dominate as they could play the same game on any surface without having to adapt much.
I think now we are seeing something similar in the younger generation, as most if not all of them are playing the power game and they play the same way on any surface. I see Shapo for example hardly needs to adjust his game to play on clay, he just serves big and hits hard and it works for him!
Raonic looks so slow whilst Shapo looks like he can run the whole day. Raonic not even trying to move forward when it looks like Shapo is winning the baseline rallies.
Woot! Go Shapo 😀
Shapo impressive..Well done.
Well done to Shapo, just going for his shots. It’ll be interesting to see how Edmund handles him; Edmund can move better than Raonic and has a big FH as well.
Raonic looked old and slow vs Shapo, he’s not winning staying at the baseline; surprising that he hardly attempted to move inside the court; he’s not able to counter Shapo’s firepower from the baseline.
Fortunately I was wrong and Shapo got the win,I like his character and he represents a much needed breath of fresh air for the circuit. The way Edmund’s backhand gonna hold Shapo’s powerful ground game will be a key point,imo.
I prefer Tsitsipas TBH, as hes not all about hard hitting when he plays on clay. The boy has a good game on clay, he at least can rally and constructs points on clay.
I guess hes better on slower surfaces whilst Shapo with his fiery nature and firepower, prefers the quicker court. The clay courts at Madrid suits Shapo’s game but I doubt he would do better when he gets to Rome, where the courts are slower there.
I dont really like big serving and hard hitting tennis; its like using raw power to overcome your opponent.
“Stef” is my new favorite of the youngsters — for now. We’ll see how he goes on grass. I hope he can be good on all surfaces but I didn’t notice him much until MC on slow clay.
Delpo struggling to hold serve right now vs Lajovic. Lajovic is playing with confidence – he likes Madrid. I fear for my Delpo pick right now.
Phew, he held – now is the time to break Lajovic if at all possible – vamos Delpo.
I agree,regarding point construction Tsitsipas is clearly far ahead of Shapo. Normally I also prefer the baseline grinders to the guys that go out there hitting bombs all the time,but Shapo really has something that captivates me. Stefanos has the potential to be a big player,at the moment his game has some holes,especially in hardcourtsand the reverse happens with Shapo on clay.
You know what, I think Shapo reminds us of a young Rafa – his demeanour, his bouncing at the baseline waiting to return serves, his fist pumping, he’s a lefty, he’s so full of energy and running all over the place.
When Rafa first came onto the scene, he was also very aggressive, definitely more aggressive and more attacking than he is now. It’s just that Rafa didn’t have a great serve like that of Shapo’s but Rafa had better court craft, knowing and sensing when was the right time to move forward to attack.
Compared to Shapo, Tsitsipas looks more gentle. I’ve noticed him last year, when he was even younger looking, spotting a clean cut look (cleanly shaven, non scruffy look)and he has very nice but a little bit girlish features. He was already getting some attention then, being one of the more promising prospects.
Yeah,who knows,maybe the similarities echo in my subconscious and make me like Shapo. The way Rafa was able to cover the court was simply unreal,his explosion legs power was the best I’ve ever seen.
Oh my. Delpo – can’t believe Delpo lost the 3rd set TB.
Congrats to Lajovic, wow.
Delpo lost? Wow! I was checking in on that match and saw Lajovic win the second set. That is a surprise.
Yep, Nny. Not a good day for my ATP picks!
So I’m counting on Rafa now 😉
Vamos.
rc,
Hey! Nice to see you here again! Still doing the bracket challenges!
I haven’t done them in a while.
It’s Rafa time!
😀
Keep calm, remain focused, stay confident, be strong and show your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dc2R6WkWsAAf2nE.jpg
Anyone watching Thiem vs Coric? The match goes the distance and the points are getting ridiculously incredibly good! My goodness, the two of them, the way they retrieve and hitting the ball to barely going over the net is simply unreal!
Thiem finally up a break and is serving for the match at 5-4 third set! Wow, Thiem hits a ridiculous BZh DRK and his 40-0 and has MPs! He takes the match, well done, a hard fought match!
BH DTL!
Only caught bits of the match. Have to watch it later. Wow, Dominic Thiem must have really wanted it. Congrats to Thiem!
Appears Zverev is in control vs Mayer. But today is a day of surprises… in WTA, too, but that’s quite normal.
I only saw the end of Thiem/Coric. But i thought that Thiem would get himself going in the clay season. It looks like he might be getting there.
Both guys already playing at a very high level from the let go,very good stuff!
Rafa has come out serving better in this match. Diego looks like he wants to make a match out of this.
Rafa in a tight service game after not being g able to break Diego in the previous game.
Diego has break point. Rafa making some sloppy errors.
Rafa’s serve bailing him out.
Good hold by Rafa.
Important one.Vamos!
Diego can play very well on clay and he’s able to hang on with Rafa from the baseline way better than many players ranked higher than him.
Imo Rafa is not playing the right way vs Diego; Diego likes rhythm and pace, Rafa should throw in some slices, varies the pace and keeps Diego off guard.
Diego has great movement. He likes to get into these long rallies.
So fast the little man! Reminds me a bit of Ferrer best days.
Exactly, he wins one or two more baseline points than Rafa. Rafa must give him different looks, not just rallies.
I agree,keeping him guessing would be a good approach.
Rafa gets the break! Some errors from Diego and some great shots from Rafa!
That bad smash from Diego was the key point for the break. Vamos!
Rafa being more aggressive and getting the better court positioning.
That CC backhand! Wow!
Simply too good! The way Rafa’s hitting the lines with the CC BH is astonishing!
Finally Rafa gets the break, he couldve broken serve in Diego’s first service game but Diego played well to outfox Rafa to hold serve.
First set in the bag!
Vamos Rafa!
Dropshot in the house in this last game! First set is on the bag. Vamos 💪
Yes, Rafa wins his 49th straight set on clay, vamos!
Rafa did vary his game, more topspin slower pace (moonballing?) and threw in a timely dropshot too when Diego least expected it.
Moonballing will always be a great approach to dismantle Diego on clay.If Rafa’s able to play deep,it’s very hard for Diego to stay close to the baseline given his height.
What is Rafa doing? Hitting a dump shot to Diego not unlike the one he hit to Fed at Shanghai last year!
Missed a FH before that, would have broken serve by now!
Finally a FH DTL to break serve! What a relief, when Diego is winning so many of the long rallies.
I can’t watch it right now. Hopefully Rafa can settle down in this set after the break and go for the win.
Diego broke back. Rafa just let him back in this match.
Okay Rafa breaks back.
Serve it out!
Rafa’s FH is terrible today, more UEs than winners. I think he felt pressurized by Diego’s hard hitting and passing shots from both wings. Diego is able to force errors out of Rafa.
Rafa is gifted the break back when Diego DF’d; Rafa for goodness sake please serve out the match! Rafa not hitting well today, being rushed no doubt but he’s not doing everything all that well, rushed to the net for nothing only to be passed by Diego’s great passing shots.
I think Rafa has been making too many errors. He got lucky to get the break back with the DF from Diego.
Rafa wins!
😀
Rafa go lucky to get the break back Thought he was about to lose his 2 set winning record. Diego must be furious with himself
Vamos Rafa! And grats on the new record – whether you’re impressed by it or no. 🙂 (Rafa seems to be from the “just win baby” school)
Well Rafa wins his 50th straight set on clay, though not very convincingly.
Diego not playing well for a while now but once he sees Rafa across the net, he starts to play well. Rafa always gives chances to his opponents to play well against him, not wise. There’s something wrong with the way Rafa plays, that he just allows opponents to turn aggressive against him. I rarely see Rafa starts a match being aggressive, and from start to finish staying aggressive. Rafa likes to make life difficult for himself, not only for his opponents.
Rafa had played Diego a few times already, yet he’s still making the mistake of engaging in long rallies with him. Rafa is fond of hitting right back at his opponents and gets into tussles in his matches, instead of hitting to the open court and makes his opponents work (run) to get to the shots. It’s no wonder he has to work so hard to win his matches even though the score line may look misleadingly easy.
At least Rafa managed to get the job done in straights,that’s the good news! I agree that he was way to passive sometimes in the first set,letting Diego dictate from the baseline more times than he should.
To be fair, the way Diego played today, which was very well ( compared to yesterday against Feli), I feel he would beat an on fire Shapo if he instead of Raonic was the one playing against Shapo,
Diego could fight fire with fire and he’s so quick around the court; was able to defend and attack well from both wings and in any direction – CC or DTL.
Definitely Schwartz would have a great shot going against Shapo here,he would frustrate him from the baseline and will force him to do a lot of errors. I mean,even Paire,who’s anything more than a journeyman,had a good chance to take Shapo out.
Shapo’s level,at least on clay,is nowhere near peak Diego.
Rafa is facing tougher competition here. Diego is a good player and can move around the court very well. He was getting the better of Rafa in some of the long rallies.
Rafa is still winning. That is the most important thing. He will need to raise his level of play against Thiem. I thought Rafa served really well and had some great backhands, but made too many errors off the forehand.
That was a harder match than most of us were anticipating.
Exactly. I thought Diego was playing poorly this clay season, losing 6-2, 6-1 to Tsitsipas at Barcelona. He wasn’t impressive against an aging Feli Lopez either but just was grinding to win in three sets when Feli was running out of stream. However, once he saw Rafa across the net, he played easily his best match so far this clay season, unbelievable how Rafa always had to tough it out against eager opponents.
I can’t help but compare it to Fed; Fed would probably stamp his authority earlier in the match and not allowed his opponent any look at a win; Rafa OTOH might gave them a chance for fighting back (or a second wind). It’s probably the difference between an attacking player and a counterpuncher.