Madrid crowd favorite Rafael Nadal will be in third-round action on Thursday against David Goffin. Youngsters Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also squaring off as they aim for a place in the quarterfinals.
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (Q) David Goffin
As he does with most opponents, Rafael Nadal owns the head-to-head against David Goffin on clay. Both of the Belgian’s win over the 21-time Grand Slam champion have come on hard courts. The four clay encounters have all gone Nadal’s way.
While neither man is particularly known for pot-stirring, their first meeting was mired in controversy. It was at the 2017 Monte-Carlo Masters. Goffin was seeded 10th and ran into Nadal in the semifinals. The Belgian was serving up a break in the first set when a close shot of Nadal’s was ruled good by chair umpire Cedric Mourier. The Hawkeye system showed that the ball was just out, but Hawkeye wasn’t used officially in Monte-Carlo at that time. They replayed the point, which Nadal won and eventually broke back. Goffin won just one more game the entire match and refused to shake hands with Mourier.
This time around Goffin is ranked 60th in the world and Nadal comes into the tournament off a six-week injury layoff due to a cracked rib he sustained at the Indian Wells Masters. The Spaniard, adored by the home crowd in Madrid, was in fine form in his second-round match on Wednesday. He dispatched an in-form Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 7-6(4). The No. 3 seed had a few moments of rust in the second set, as he dumped served twice after earning service breaks.
Nadal is capable–perhaps more than any other ATP player in history–of returning from an injury and immediately finding his form well enough to win. Goffin shouldn’t count on his opponent’s rust to get him through this one.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 2
Ricky pick: Nadal in 2
(8) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (10) Jannik Sinner
This will be first career meeting between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner. It feels like this match should have happened some time ago, because they are two of the most promising of the next generation of players. Unfortunately for tennis fans, they won’t meet while they are both in good form.
Sinner, one of Italy’s best and brightest, was riding a 19-4 record for 2022 coming into Madrid. He hasn’t won any events in 2022, but the No. 10 seed finds himself in the business end of tournaments most of the time. Conversely, Auger-Aliassime has won an event but has been on a miserable run since February.
The Canadian scored a nice win over Cristian Garin in the second round on Wednesday and Sinner did the same over Alex de Minaur, but their respective form suggests that this one is going to go to Sinner in a fairly straightforward fashion.
Cheryl pick: Sinner in 2
Ricky pick: Sinner in 2
Just watched the TB, I did not have the heart to see it live. Two perfectly executed drop shots when facing match points, that’s a man of steel indeed… and quite some cojones!
I wish I could get to watch the match all over!! But in a way good I didn’t bcoz I’d be soooo pissed with Rafa after serving for set and getting broken. But at least his game was broken but not his spirit!! 😄 Vamos Rafa!! We love you!!
Oh and I do so love Rafa”s kit!! It looks great on him too!! 🥰
At least Norrie has put up a scrap. Took the 2nd in a tb, but now he’s down a break in the 3rd.
Whatever happens, Djokovic is the winner. He gets either a subpar Rafa or an Alcaraz who isn’t ready for the real big time, at least not yet! And Djoker gets the day off. Not sure that’s exactly what he needs atm though. Should be interestin’.
I would say that Alcaraz is ready for the real big time; however if him and Rafa kill each other once again tomorrow he probably won’t have the chance to show it against Novax.
No match or long match are equally bad for undercooked players like Rafa and Djoker. I think that the winner is whoever leaves the tournament tomorrow and moves on sooner to more RG-like conditions.
I agree, winner is the loser tomorrow..
Not if the winner is Rafa!!! This logic does not necessarily apply to Rafa I don’t think 😄
Sinner in 2; Nadal in 2.
Why waste your time? Just leave the predictions blank from now on or code it so it shows the opposite of what you type.
50% prediction is fine!! Rafa did serve for the match in set two and should have served it out!!! And that’s y it’s called a prediction, it’s a likely outcome baring certain intangibles like Rafa suddenly losing focus mid-game!!
Mona,
Well said! Love it! Perfect explanation of a prediction!
😘
NY, lol, don’t understand ppl!!! Ricky and Cheryl offer their predictions based on their knowledge of the players” capabilities, their knowledge of the game and their own personal beliefs of the likely outcome of the match. It makes for good commentary and lively debate bcoz not everyone has to agree on the predictions, even I sometimes don’t, but it does not mean that Ricky and Cheryll should not provide predictions!!! That’s utter nonsense!!! Besides I don’t ever remember Ricky or Cheryl saying they’re Nostradamus!!
Mona,
Again well said! These comments on here trashing them for their predictions is just nonsense! Nobody gets it right all the time! But you really got it spot on with your explanation. Also I think they should be fun. Why take it so seriously?
I think Ricky and Cheryl do a really good job!
I was reading on VB and they were talking about Rafa’s foot acting up again. They said he was limping after the match. People saw him goimg to the soccer match yesterday and said he was limping.
Somebody saw Rafa’s presser and said that it scared her because he looked so serious. I watched my recording of the end of the third set after I got home and then watched the replay on the tennis channel. I don’t remember seeing him limp.
This never ends. If it’s not the rib then it’s the foot starting up. Now I am concerned. But when he can’t close out matches that doesn’t help.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2022/05/05/rafael-nadal-says-he-limps-on-many-days-of-my-life-has-a-chronic-foot-injury/?sh=1779acab5155