Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be squaring off for the 50th time in their careers when they collide once again in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open on Saturday.
Djokovic owns a slight 26-23 lead in the head-to-head series, but Nadal is 14-7 at the Serb’s expense on clay. Although Nadal won their first nine encounters on the red stuff, Djokovic has taken seven of their last 12 such meetings–including their most recent showdown at last year’s Rome Masters via a 7-5, 7-6(4) decision. One of their most memorable contests came at this same Madrid event in 2009, when Nadal survived a semifinal affair 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(9) after a ridiculous four hours and three minutes. They also faced each other at the Caja Magica in 2011, when Djokovic scored a 7-5, 6-4 victory to lift the trophy.
Djokovic’s recent clay-court success against Nadal set him up nicely to capture his first French Open title and that is exactly what he did last spring. This time around, however, the Spaniard is a clear favorite to triumph at Roland Garros for the 10th time in his career. Nadal recently earned 10th titles in both Monte-Carlo and Barcelona and he is 13-0 on clay this year following Madrid defeats of Fabio Fognini, Nick Kyrgios, and David Goffin.
At this point, simply advancing to the semifinals has to be considered a significant success for Djokovic. The world No. 2 had been a mere 7-4 in his last four tournaments prior to Madrid and dealt with an elbow injury that sidelined him from the Miami Masters. Needing any help he could get, Djokovic watched Nicolas Almagro crumble after leading 3-0 in their third set on Wednesday and–after beating Feliciano Lopez in round three–got a quarterfinal walkover from Kei Nishikori.
This is likely where Djokovic’s good fortune comes to an end. He has not defeated anyone ranked better than No. 19 in the world since toppling Andy Murray at the season-opening event in Doha. Djokovic has already lost four times in 2017 to opponents ranked below him and none of those four presented anything close to the difficulty that is facing Nadal on a clay court in Spain.
Unless Djokovic plays his best match of the year to date–and there is no sign of him doing so–Nadal should have an obvious edge in the baseline rallies.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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who ya got?
Wow, Ricky, when did you write this blog? You are so quick off the mark.
I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I know Djokovic has been off his game but players get inspired against Rafa, so I’ll say it’s 50/50. Although Rafa has been playing sublime tennis this year, he will have to be sharp tomorrow and not lose his intensity at any time like he did today, or turn up flat like he did against Fognini.
Vamos Rafa!
It depends which spells Pepe has cast against Rafa.
What would Pepe do? My new mantra
I am sure Rafa will be nervous given their recent matches. There is no reason to be nervous though. Djokovic was playing so well last year when they met in Rome and Rafa wasn’t playing as well he is this season. That match was still very very lose.
Rafa’s level has fluctuated in this tournament so he needs to ensure he has stability ans steadiness tomorrow. I have more faith in his backhand at the moment. If he can get the same penetration on his backhand and can keep changing direction, he’ll have the advantage. Rafa’s forehand has been decent par there is room for improvement on many fronts.
Djokovic’s been really fragile this season he’ll approach this match under-confident. It is a great opportunity for Rafa.
Just keep that good serving up and victory will be yours, Rafa.
Rafa in 2. 6-4, 7-5. He has been playing far better than Novak this year. If he wins tomorrow his confidence will be at it’s highest in years!
Agreed.
Bonus stat: Rafa’s average speed on the 2nd serve was 98 MPH! This is about 8-10 miles more than the average he used to have on clay!
Rafa hasn’t taken a single set off Nole in almost three years losing seven straight matches.
Nole out of form but all the pressure on Rafa.
Confidence and calm will win the match in two sets.
Agree. Due to same reason Djokovic can feel confident and trouble rafa. But hope rafa comes through
Hey Ricky or anyone? Can someone help me on a doubles prediction for bryan brothers vs nick and jack?
Nick Sock
djokovic in 3, he wants it bad
The main reason I’m so psyched about this match is that it is such a big opportunity for both of them. Obviously a win for Rafa over the guy who’s had his number for the past three years, and is also the one guy who could realistically pose any kind of threat to him at RG, would do sooo much for his confidence right now. For Nole as well, this is a huge opportunity for him to reassert himself as a real contender for RG and the other slams this year. A win over Rafa, on clay, would give HIM the much needed confidence he’s looking for. I would actually argue that Novak needs this win even more than Rafa does. If Rafa happens to lose, I personally don’t think that it necessarily would make him any less of a favorite for Roland Garros than he already is at this moment. If Novak loses, however, I think that will only serve to put him in an even deeper hole, and make Mt. RG Rafa seem that much more difficult to climb!
All that being said, I’ve said all along that this clay season is the best chance Rafa will get to turn the tables on Novak, and I believe he is going to do it. I predict that, just like 2011-2012, Novak’s winning streak over Rafa ends at 7… I actually predict that Rafa will get it done in two reasonably tight sets.
Tommorow im waiting for a grand dinner in tennis and tommorow is the day where rafa will punch noel winning streak.To be very honest today is the Noel exit from spain but it postponed for next 24 hours.Needs to wait for that we have no choices.
6-3, 6-1 Rafa.
Bold prediction, Atul… I like it! Although after the Kyrgios match, perhaps it’s not so bold!
Not so bold after all??
I can see Rafa being extremely nervous for this one and playing with less than 18 hrs rest.
Really Bold Predication. Hope it becomes reality.
Was the correct prediction. His confidence is so sky high.
Kyrgios lacks the commitment and focus of the big 4.
Kyrgios lacks the commitment of the Top 100.
Sock and kyrigos just took out the Bryan brothers in a very tight match. Both laughing and having fun the whole time. Thanks Ricky for the help!
you got it! all i do is pick winners!
My prediction is Nole in 2. I think this is the turnaround match for joker, he’s going to be rested up and he has shown signs of getting back into form, although he has a ways to go.. . However, Rafa winning obviously wouldn’t shock me
Tennis Channel is ridiculous.
Can’t shut up about Federer and he’s not even playing.
Catering to their audience obviously.
Savvy business move. Like rigged draws.
At least half of Federer’s fans are very annoying. He deserves to be treated better by people who support him. A more mature and wiser approach needed.
I think this is the best possible time for Rafa to meet Novak. He’s hit two titles and a winning streak and is getting better with every tournament. I think Rafa is on track to peak when RG rolls around.
Rafa may well be nervous. But I am hoping that Rafa comes out and plays the way he did against Nik. He’s still dealing with some inconsistency, but I think this match with Goffin was great preparation for Novak. RG the way Rafa responded in the second set, coming up with some amazing vintage Rafa shots, shows that he can raise his level of play when necessary. He responds when his opponent is playing well and can produce brilliant tennis.
Novak will want this win very much. He needs to get a good result to get back on track. He’s going to pull out the stops to get this run. It’s up to Rafa to change the recent dynamic and turn things around.
I think Rafa has a good chance to get the win. He will have to serve well and not give up an early break. He will need to capitalize on break point chances.
I am looking forward to seeing this match.
Tommorow everyone will see the noel exit interview from Spain and he also said that he will fix all his before Roland garros.Noel level of tennis is not up to the mark to beat top ten players so no need for preview in this match and Rafa will win in straight set
exit interview lol
Nadal in two
I am really nervous about this match. Nole played very well against Lopez. Rafa is inconsistent at times and Nole is in his head. If he was nervous against Goffin, how much more nervous would he be against Nole? He might park himself way back from the baseline and hit short balls begging to be walloped. I think I would have been happy if he did not have to face Nole before RG. I am definitely not watching the match or live scores.
All factors point to Rafa winning I wouldn’t be worried. Not only does Rafa have a huge edge in form, but maybe most importantly, he has the home crowd behind him.
Hope you are right, Benny.
On the positive side, Rafa himself seems to be confident. Apparently he has said he has done his homework.Good luck Rafa! Please win and make my day!
Rafa in 2.
Nole appeared more confident against Lopez. But he needs more matches. It’s too bad Nole had the walkover from Kei. A good win over Kei or a good match vs Kei, even if he lost so he didn’t have to play Rafa yet, would have been a relief for me!
I’ll be surprised if the match is even close.
Rafa has to be considered the favourite here, but I wouldn’t underestimate the effect of Nole’s win streak, mostly on Nadal’s mind-set/nervousness. Novak is not at the level he was a year ago, but he’s not playing badly, and against Lopez he played some great tennis. To me, it looks like he’s not going for his shots as he usually does, hitting the ball more into the center of the court rather than the corners. Which is what you’d expect if he lacks confidence.
IMO, whoever wins the first set will win the match. I think that is likely to be Rafa, who will be desperate to take a set off Novak for the first time in two years. But Djokovic won’t go down easily. Nadal in 3.
Agree with your assessment of Novak’s play vs Lopez, Joe. Also I have my doubts that he’s anywhere near sustaining a level needed to keep up with Rafa!
I really really hope Rafa will win today…It certainly can solve many questions for him…But,if it’s not…Only God knows how much damage it can do to Rafa’s confidence and self belief…
As for Novak,i don’t buy it with his slumping form today…he will go out there full of confidence knowing he owned Rafa for the last 7 meetings…Don’t want to predict..don’t even dare to predict..i just want to say..”God!please..make it happen for Rafa today,Thank You”….
Well Djoko was also having his winning streaks vs Almagro and Lopez, he didn’t appear too confident when facing them! Lopez was so slow around the court, making it a lot easier for Djoko.
On clay you got to be careful when you drop shot your opponent, when he could glide to reach the ball. Lopez tried his drop shots vs Djoko but Djoko time and again was able to reach the ball and returned it with interest that Lopez got backfired.
Djoko may not have his precision of shots right now but he’s still very quick around the court. Rafa has to use his varieties and if he’s to dropshot Djoko, he has to be very careful.
As long as Rafa can calm his nerve, focuses on the match at hand, he can and will beat Djoko. It’s a test of Rafa’s mental strength and of course his tennis skills as well. I hope he passes this test and in flying colors.
Yeah luckystar is right about the streaks. Novak hasn’t really played well against guys he has streaks against lately. He was 5-0 against Goffin and lost to him in Monte Carlo. He lost for the first time against RBA and Cilic in the last two masters of last year. And he had 14-0 head to head vs Cilic before that loss. It would make a lot of sense for him to lose this one to Nadal even if he has a seven match win streak. These two are both well aware of how much better Rafa’s results have been lately.
This one is a tough one to call because Novak knows how t beat Nadal in his sleep but he is just not playing well enough. I still give him a slight edge here …. this article has an interesting take on their rivalry and the outcome of this match … http://www.138mph.com/nadal-vs-djokovic-rivalry-unraveled/
⚠️ WARNING: CLICKING ON THE LINK ABOVE WILL INSTALL A BAD VIRUS ON YOUR PC OR MOBILE DEVICE!!! ⚠️
People are talking about the it to Nadal’s confidence …. I believe the hit will be far more severe to Novak if loses badly to Rafa. Novak has never been as mentally strong as Rafa. Rafa will come back from this as he has from others in the past. Strangely enough … Rafa’s nemesis will be Roger from now on … and even at the French Open Rafa needs to avoid meeting Roger as Roger will be playing on house money.
Rafa should win.
Nny!….Here’s a good article for u…u can read it when u wake up k?
http://www.firstpost.com/sports/madrid-open-rafael-nadal-dismisses-talk-of-novak-djokovic-slump-ahead-of-50th-meeting-3441956.html
I haven’t the foggiest idea how it will end. On paper form Rafa should win easily. But he hasn’t won so much as a set against Nole in the last three years. Therefore he will be very nervous. And we know how badly Rafa can be hampered by his nerves even against lesser opponents. And Nole hasn’t forgotten how to play, he will be on fire. On the other hand: all streaks end eventually – as Rafafans had to learn the hard way, when Fed ended Rafa’s winning streak against him at the AO 🙁 I’m also not sure if the extra day of rest will be an advantage for Nole. It might’ve messed up his rhythm. Rafa on the other hand might be well adjusted to the court by now. The match against Goffin turned out to be not too grueling.
I wonder about the influence of the coaching situation: Rafa has the definite edge here 😉
I was devastated to find out that Tignor picked Rafa for the win. The powerful Tignor curse might strike again 😉 So, is there no hope for Rafa?? Well, Rafa has won many clay court matches, even when Tignor picked him. He is so good on clay that even the Tignor curse can be overcome, lol!
I am not overly concerned about this encounter. Sure Rafa will be tense but the nerves which hampered him for so long have receded.
And to those who are concerned Djokovic will be more rested due to the W/O you are forgetting Rafa doesn’t do tiredness when it gets to the sharp end of a big tournament.
Rafa for the final.
This IS the final.
Yes the nerves have receded very well in general yet they still make occasional appearances (e.g., Fognini match) and Djoko may bring them back similarly today.
The more confident player will win today.
Quite happily I am unable to watch live and won’t even be scoreboard watching. I will watch on replay if Rafa wins.
Hawks…I didn’t know you’re that scared!!Hahaha…
What if we have a Monte carlo 2012 like outcome? Rafa was playing amazing and Djokovic was below-par in that final. He ended his 7 match losing streak with authority there and hardly showed nerves. Circumstances were different back then and I won’t delve into how and why. I just think Rafa has enough faith in his game to beat Djokovic right now. He will likely have those patches where he gets nervous but he will overcome them.
I hope he cotinues to return well. That ‘magic’ 4-2 game between Rafa and Goffin was insane but one thing that stood out to me was Rafa’s inability to get deep returns in play. His ROS was landing in the service box and life would have been easier if he were returning like he did against Kyrgios.
So, while I do think we’ll see those patches where rafa starts to drop the ball short and gives too much net clearance on his backhand, I am confident he will do well overall and close the gap to 24-26.
Quite likely Djokovic stands in the way of Rafa winning his 30th Masters 1000 to equal the Serbian himself!
Will be a huge win for either guy given Nole’s recent poor form trying to turn things around and Rafa trying to end the long losing streak.
#StatementMatch
Recent history (11 of the last 12, incl 7 in a row) suggests Djokovic, but right now his form is ordinary and Rafa’s is reasonably good. I think Novak will have to raise his level to even get into Nadal’s head, and I’m not convinced he’ll be able to do that.
Nadal 7-5, 6-4
Keep calm, stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C_tTS41WsAAjlJl.jpg
I wouldn’r read too much into this match. Both players are superb professionals and both had comebacks of their own so this is just another match to play! For Rafa it would mean one more test of his current form and in the case of loss he will know what would need additional action and improvement in his own game. Novak would sure love to beat Rafa and it would mean volume for his confidence but he is also aware that he was not able to beat Goffin this year and that his game is not yet at the level for him to be able to defend his RG title. Rafa remains to be clear favorite for RG title no matter what happens today…
I agree with many of you here, the only way for Rafa to lose today is if he allowed his nerves dictating his game! I hope not! I hope Rafa stays confident and strong to win this one!
Vamos Rafa!
Agreed. Win or lose, Rafa will keep working hard to improve various areas of his game. He’ll certainly learn something from this match, win or loss.
To me, Rafa always plays better at the FO than at the clay masters; so whatever happens here and at Rome, will serve to motivate him even further to be ready to fight for the FO crown.
Since losing the No.1 ranking Djokovic’s motivation has definitely declined and for the most part his game is now riddled with uncharacteristic sloppy mistakes. Whether he can pull himself together against Rafa this afternoon remains to be seen. IMO it’s unlikely.
I need something to calm my nerves.
Vamos Rafa!
I’m watching…
Great start to calm Rafa’s nerves. Rafa breaks.
Vamos!
Wow! Great start for Rafa! Go get him! The crowd has got your back and do we!
Rafa breaks first game
Poor Nole
OOooooooEeeeeeeee
First blood to Rafa
How did he break? Good shots or Nole errors? I am about to reach home
A little of both to get that break.
Come on Rafa!
Hold serve and make Novak feel the pressure!
Rafa needs to hold these early games..
vr,
Get home and watch this!
Yes! Rafa holds again!
And he consolidates the break
Omg Rafa
Bludgeoning the ball, Novak on his heels. Rafa doesn’t appear nervous at all. Serving well too.
Not even sure if Nole can hold serve
Nole many unforced errors to start.
Oh Mama! Rsda breaks again!
Rafa cannot let up. Novak has slow starts in matches. So he has to keep playing well ans not let up.
Merciless
It gets better and better
Novak is really off with his shots. Walkovers are not always a good thing.
Beat down ?
Rafa in the zone’
This beatdown is maybe too much for me.
rc,
You know that Novak can have slow starts. Rafa is just feeling it right now. But I don’t take anything for granted.
Rada has to keep holding serve and not give Novak any breathing room.
I can’t stand seeing Nole’s box without his old team. So sad.
Djokovic will get the biggest beat down of his life today. I mentioned 63 61 earlier. But there will be some bagels to eat here.
Not getting carried away just yet. Rafa has to keep playing at this level. Novak has had bad starts in matches.
This is proving to be like that MC 2012 final
The best sign – Rafa is not bathed in sweat
Rafa just has the answers. Novak trying to make adjustments but Rafa is on fire.
Wow…masterclass from Rafa.
This is something to see.
Sublime from Rafa!
Rafa is about to get a set off Novak!
First set Rafa!
I don’t think there will be any takeaways from this match for either player, if this match continues to play out like this.
what? there will be takeaways for both , esp Nadal! Big takeaways
Nothing new for Nole from this match especially if he continues to play the way he is right now
For Rafa, only positive thing will be a win over Nole. Game wise, will still remain untested. Goffin put up a much better show than this.
You are missing the biggest point!
anyway, this match is NOT over yet so will do the post-mortem after it is over.
Another could positive could be I dunno his serve, forehand, backhand, return are all in sync because he’s balling.
I have no idea what that means!
My last comment was in response to abhirf. That is quite absurd!
Broke after surrendering just a few points on serve in his first three service games.
Shit.
My bad LOL!
Rafa serving extremely well.
Maybe the final will be better?
I just think Rafa is stronger than Thiem or Cuevas…by a long shot too.
I am not thinking about the final at all now. I don’t expect Novak to go down quietly. Rafa has to maintain this level of play.
Hello…long time since I posted here but living the match through your comments. Per the ATP, last time Rafa won a set off Novak was RG final 2014!!! VAMOOOOOOSSSSSSS 6-2!!
Yesssssss
Set one in the bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vamos Rafa! Stay focused! Be smart!
Vamos!
Wow, Rafa finally took a set off Djoko!
Rafa plays well but Djoko plays poorly. I think Djoko couldn’t handle the wind, at least not as well as Rafa could.
Forty mins for 8 games, quite a slow match, not helped by both players taking so much time between points.
I hope Rafa keeps up the intensity and wins in straight sets.
They said that both players are well over the time limit.
at 4-0 first set they showed Rafa was taking 30 seconds while Novak was taking 32 seconds! lol
Golly ! Nole missing by a mile!!!
I’m done.
Congrats to Rafa!!
INCREDIBLE athleticism and skill from Nadal to squeeze that backhand DTL
That DTL backhand was surreal!
Another great shot! Backhand stab volley!
Good forehands from Djokovic ! 30-0
One more break, please Rafa.
Novak playing better now.
That was probably Novak’s best hold. Rafa must hold his serve now and not let Novak back in this match.
Relax. This match will be over shortly:)
The big difference is the backhand. BIG difference. He is not letting Novak pin him in the bh cornor.
Novak going for more and missing.
I agree about the backhand. Rafa is hitting it really well right now. That opens things up for him.
Rafa 0-30
I feel a Novak comeback coming
Well done from Rafa climbing out of that hole.
Break point for Novak. He’s definitely playing better now.
Maybe. 2018?
Oh boy. He is playing exhibition tennis. Forehand to Novak bh. Almost taunting him.
Worldclass hitting from Novak there! another BP.
Novak breaks. Rafa just let him back in the match. That’s why I said not to get carried away.
Novak has raised his level. Come on Rafa, don’t lose the intensity.
Rafa’s level has dropped.
Rafa with a break point. He needs to break back here and take control.
Rsda with another break point. Crucial game here.
Rafa breaks back! Now hold!
Rafa serves poorly to lose serve but thank goodness he breaks serve again, 3-1 now. Rafa please hold serve to the finish line!
As soon as Djokovic broke Rafa the hyperbole started with Peter Fleming about Djokovic.
But Rafa just shut down the hyperbole!
Sorry, it’s 3-2.
Come on Rafa! You can do this!
Tennis TV commentator must be smoking something. What a jerk.
Now I can breathe. Two more games Rafa!
what did he say Atul?
Rafa’s level drops in the second set whilst Djoko’s has gone up.
Anyone for 6-2 6-2?
Me!
let’s hope for 6-3 now
No second break. Another service game where I have to hold my breath.
Why does Rafa keep going CC to Djoko’s BH when he could hit his DHDTL shots?? He’s not playing intelligently now! Djoko was already rushing to his BH corner and Rafa still hit it there!!
He is trying out a few things in the 2nd set. He has many more levers that he has not even had to use today. Still winning comfortably.
Nole has the right plan in mind – he knows the right shots and patterns…but he’s unable to execute – or keep up with Rafa.
It’s not as bad a beat down as it could have been 😀
5 games now – i’m satisfied. Peace,love, happiness in tennis.
One more game!
Should be over shortly. Took longer than I expected
Now I can’t breathe for one more game. Rafa has to serve it out.
Now hold serve like a good boy, Rafa.
I can see that Rafa is feeling nervous when he’s nearing the finished line. I hope he can overcome his nerve and serves out this match. Vamos Rafa for the win!!
I am also hoping that Rafa can keep the nerves under control here.
I don’t believe this.
short forehand from Rafa gets punished with a signature ND backhand DTL. 0-15
15–15! Come on Rafa!
Rafa’s CC backhand and backhand DTL combo has worked very very well this well. He has worked on this pattern. Spreading the court so beautifully.
30-15.
There is tension on Rafa’s face. This is going to be a big win for him.
It was a decent effort from Novak.
Hopefully Rafa carries hi form and confident tennis all the way to the FO title. 🙂
Match point Rafa!
I wrote in my analysis yesterday that Rafa is hitting is backhand so damn well that I am not nervous about this match!
Not over yet! 40-30.
shit..
Just what I was afraid of. Break point. Can’t close it out.
That was a stupid miss at 40-30! now break point. PLEASE PUSH IT BACK TO DEUCE.
Gutsy move to try a drop shot on break point.
Come on Rafa, finish him off.
VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Both players bringing out their best in that last game!
*last point
Match point! Great serve! Do it now Rafa
See how much riskier Rafa’s second serve are now even under pressure! he’s hit two very good ones in a row !
Rafa wins!!!!!
Vamos Rafa!!!!!! yessssss , you did it!
So scary!!! Rafa is so so nervous!!!
I’m oh so nervous too!!!
So Rafa finally ends his losing streak to Djoko! I’m so happy!!
I have tears in my eyes! Well done Rafa!
Rafa’s reaction is what made me cry! Happy tears!
????
Rafa is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vamos!
Warm hug at the net! So gracious in defeat is Nova Djokovic.
Rafa Nadal, you are peerless! I can’t wait for a 5th madrid title and the 30th masters 1000!
What a massive win this one! Did you guys see how much relieved Rafa looked at the net?! Those who can’t see why and how this was a MASSIVE win for Rafa, they really don’t understand the dynamics around Rafa Nadal and his tennis.
VAMOSSS!!
Very happy! Much better than expected from team Novak the hippie.
Rafa got nervous in the second set and the reason was Djoko playing better the memories of those 7 straight losses. He off-loaded so much burden there.
Yes! You could see Rafa trying to fight off the memories of all those losses at the end!
Exorcising the demons!
I am glad that Novak put up a fight in that second set! It makes the victory even more well earned and sweeter!
Yes VR. When you see Rafa’s hair sticking out under his bandana, you know he’s damn nervous!
His look, his eyes, tell me he’s really very nervous, hence making those errors when having MPs. I’m just so glad that he managed to close the match and need not went the distance.
Djoko is Djoko, no matter how badly he played, he’s still so dangerous. I hope wins the title here and gets the no.4 ranking.
With this win, I hope Rafa can finally gain confidence so that when he meets Djoko next time (very likely at Rome), he doesn’t have this burden or this demon(of his losing streak) in his head.
I really feel that without the fear factor, and Rafa playing so well, even if Djoko is playing at his previous high level, Rafa would still be able to handle Djoko, at least on clay.
agreed! Rafa is on a roll now and this win should allow him to play freely. If he sweeps the entire clay season, I think he will climb to world no.2 ! Ok I am jumping too far ahead lol. Very excited to be honest! I just want him to win RG!!
This is even better than a beat down victory. Djokovic picked up the level at th the end and Rafa responded brilliantly.
I have to admit, I was worried about the outcome of this match. I’m so happy. They can keep putting Rafa and Djokovic in the same half for all I care. Rafa is the undisputed King of Clay.
Winners and UE’s for the match –
Rafa
Winners – 20
UE’s – 17
Novak
Winners – 8
UE’s – 24
Rafa served 63% and won 78% of first serves.
Rafa’s second serve is slowly turning into a weapon. Much better quality now.
Exactly VR; that second serve down the T to reach his 3rd MP was classic Rafa (when during his heydays, he often served an ace down the T to bail himself out of trouble). Oh how I missed that ace down the T when his back was against the wall; it had gone missing for so long!
His drop shot from Djoko’s CC FH to save BP in the last game was another gutsy play, knowing how quick Djoko was esp when gliding on clay – Djoko did make it to the ball but wasn’t able to get it over the net.
I’m truly enjoying how Rafa plays this clay season – he has added so much varieties into his game, and making improvements to all aspects of his game. His BH DTL, his serves, his volleying and net game, all have worked together so well by now. And, he’s shortening points even on clay, and that’s a good sign, as he doesn’t want to grind his way around anymore.
He’s more like Fed now, that is, adding in more varieties into his game and shortening points, to compensate for inevitable loss of speed and power as he gets older.
Djokovic played well in the second set. But with the monkey off his back, Rafa will not fear an in-form Nole. For in-form Rafa is better than in-form Nole on clay and possibly on hard court outdoor.
Should give him so much confidence. He needed this monkey off the back.
Alhamdullillah!Thank u God for make it happen today!!Thank u thank u thank u!!I have tears in my eyes too Nny!!What is it with us hah?
Alhamdulillah indeed 🙂
Yeah VR!!Wooohooo!!…Btw…may i know where are u from VR?
sure 🙂 I am from Pakistan.
Oh!Alhamdullillah!…There’s a lot of Pakistani in Malaysia VR…
MA,
It’s a wonderful moment! I am SO happy for Rafa! I am on a high right now.
Thank God!
?
Nny!!YAYYYY!!!!!!!…I have the urge to go to Florida now and hug u and hug u again and hug u again until u can’t breath and smack my head with your broom!!hehehe..
Yes NNY, thank God for Rafa’s win.
Rafa has suffered for so long, has endured for so long, and we fans suffer with him, when he keeps losing and losing convincingly (couldn’t even win a set!) to Djoko. We (Rafa, his team and us his fans) are saying enough already! Time to put a stop to it!
I’m so glad Rafa has finally done that! I hope he keeps winning from now on and beating Djoko more often than Djoko beats him.
Lucky,
It’s a real privilege to be here with great Rafa fans who have suffered along with Rafa the last few years.
These moments are special. You could see what it meant to Rafa when he won!
Rafa deserves to enjoy this victory. A long time coming, but oh so sweet!
MA,
I wish you were here to hug me! We could celebrate together!
I can’t stop smiling!
?♥️
Nny!…Ready!I will send an Angel hug on my behalf!Here it is!!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7Cg75LBmBE/TpDskiQB5KI/AAAAAAAAAjs/2TZJTvoPUCs/s1600/angelhugs.jpg
Got it Nny?…Oh,btw…don’t forget to fill the Bracket Nny!Both okay?
MA,
I got your angel hug! Love it!
Do you have a link for the bracket?
?
Congrats to Rafa!
As for Nole, don’t really know when he will start playing some real tennis again. I thought he would be motivated for this match, but really played limply except for few points.
Rafa-Goffin was a much much better match than this.
So now we know that the 2nd favorite for RG will be Federer (i.e. if he chooses to play).
Rafa can sleep peacefully that this year he has no competition for RG.
Yesssss! Vamos por #laquinta tomorrow Rafa !!
Rafa cruised into the final !!!! ✌ ✌ ✌ ✌
Wahoooo!!!!
YAY Rafa so happy, after all those losses to Novak this felt good really good 😉 ….
Don’t want to look too far ahead but it is reasonable to think Rafa will win madrid tomorrow. Then, I don’t see anyone stopping him in Rome either where the conditions suit him much better.
I can’t see Cuevas or Thiem beating Rafa in the final. Rafa is going to be on a high after beating Novak. I think that both Cuevas and Thiem are playing really well now and it should be a great semifinal.
Thiem, Goffin and Cuevas are the in-form players now in the absence of Murray, Stan and Novak.
As good as Cuevas and Thiem are now, Rafa has gone to another level. I am not saying it will be a gimme, but I just think Rafa has too much momentum right now.
I still would like to know what Rafa had to do to get the #4 ranking for RG. Would winning Madrid do it?
Nativenewyorker (AT 4:17 PM),
If Rafa wins the title in Madrid, he’ll get the #4 ranking.
augusta,
Thanks so much for answering my question! ?
A win tomorrow and Rafa is #4 going into RG!
Yes!!
Yes NNY, if Rafa wins Madrid he will reach no.4 in the rankings, even if he loses in R2 of Rome. Fed is not playing at Rome and he will drop 90 points from last year.
Unless Fed plays a 250 event on clay and wins it, Rafa will be no.4 if he wins Madrid.
Lucky,
Thanks to you, too!
That means there is even more on the line tomorrow!
I knew that Rafa lost in the quarterfinals last year to Novak. But I did not know that he could lose early in Rome and still get the #4 ranking with a win at Madrid.
Not that I think he would lose early in Rome!
Rafa is getting better with every match!
Luckystar (AT 4:31 PM),
The French Open draw will be made on May 26th and it will be based on the ATP rankings list as of May 22th (i.e. after the Rome Masters).
Fed can’t earn any points before the FO.
Ok noted, Augusta.
augusta,
Thanks for the additional info! Good to know that someone is in top of it!
You have made my day! Well first Rafa made my day by beating Novak, but you have now added to it by letting me know that Rafa can get the #4 ranking by winning the title tomorrow.
?
NNY (AT 7:36 PM),
🙂
Hi and waves to RC up there 😉
This match reminded me so much of that Madrid 2015 final with Nole playing the role of Rafa today.
That was Murray, not Rafa.
Murray not Djokovic I meant.
I think you didn’t get me.
It was similar in the way in which Rafa & Nole played with so less clarity, that it can be argued that they even had a game plan coming into the respective matches. In that match Rafa didn’t go for his shots,today Nole never really seemed to go for his shots.
Rafa was the one who lost it,right? (Just like Nole today)
ah okay, got you.
This win should be not only the turning point of the season for Rafa, but a turning point for the next few seasons!
Insyaallah Kevin!Thank u for your nice words!!
So happy for our Rafa! This is all well deserved! It was about the time Rafa’ starts dominating them all again!
Vamos Champ! ❤️❤️
I’m glad the Rafa/Novak match was first, the wait was killing me.
I don’t see a different outcome of their match in Rome either if it happens. Rafa deserves to play Novak at least 4-5 times this season. Not that I am enjoy Djokovic’s misery but just being fair as poor Rafa played him so many times in his slump.
Agreed, VR. I was thinking like that too.
Was missing in action for most of 2nd Set (was interrupted by unexpected guests arriving). Only just got to see the end of the match
Absolutely ecstatic Nole’s decision (if it was his decision!) to fire his entire support team and rely on the pseudo guru has not paid off. Thank goodness too we were spared the pretentious ‘Showing his love’ to the crowd routine.
Lovely to see Rafa’s radiant smile and the joy in his box.
Now he has to deal with Thiem and overtake Nole’s Masters’ tally.
ed,
I didn’t think it made a lot of sense for Novak to fire his entire team. Marian Vajda has been with him for so long. These are people who helped him get to the top of this sport. Why dump them when things aren’t going well?
The problem is with Novak. I thought Paul Annacone made a great observation about one of Novak’s earlier matches – that he is now making mistakes in the crucial moments of matches. That was when he used to be at his best. So this is really some kind of mental burnout.
I just think it was too impulsive to just get rid of everyone. It’s not working either.
Speaking of Rome 😀
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/
Get in the Game! I have an Andy v Rafa final. Who do you pick?
Andy will have trouble getting out of his section in his current form.
Yes…Fognini could beat him…but i’m thinking about changing some picks! But I feel good having Rafa as winner.
I think despite all his fans’ pessimism about Andy, he is going to start doing well soon. I am really surprised at some hardcore Muzz fans stoically accepting that he is done! They have probably suffered so much that they feel more comfortable expecting nothing from him. Just like Rafa fans feeling insecure about Rafa’s health. I worry all the time and anxiously examine his words and his face.
rc…i think u need to reconsider your pick…As much as i love Andy,i don’t think he’ll make it to the final…I’m not even sure he’ll get past Fog..and after that Sascha,Milos,Goffin….all the in form players except Milos…But of coz the final say is your’s…
Mira Andy
Thank you. I’m listening to your advice and Nadline”s but I like what Mary is saying too…
Btw, purely by accident I now have two accounts in the draw challenge 😀
Okay rc…
MA…
You can easily make a second bracket using a new username and different email. One is my serious bracket and the other is a “wildcard”
Oh really rc?What’s the difference between serious and wildcard?
Simply that I’m serious about one and the wildcard one takes more chances. I’m talking for ATP only. WTA…all attempts are dicey!! The can’t be taken seriously lol
Oh..i see..
Hello up there, Ali!♡
I was praying for Rafa today! Sounds so absurd!. He is not even a family member but honestly he feels like one! I did not know how long the match would go on so I gave it a safe 3 hours before looking at the ATP site and was thrilled to see that Rafa had won. One thing had given me some hope and that was that Rafa had said he had done his homework. Obviously he had a game plan and he stuck to it. I then read all the posts of the others in this forum and I am so happy, I could dance the whole day!!!
Rafa being Rafa, will, I am sure, not feel as if the tournament is over. He will prepare well for tomorrow’s match. Vamos Rafa!!!
I watched the last match between Rafa and Nole in the Doha 2016 final today and I thought Rafa’s tactics were all wrong by playing ping pong with Novak. You can’t out ping pong Andy and Djoker. I wished he would play more aggressively today and just go for his shots, he did that and it worked.
If Rafa manages to sweep the entire clay season including Rome and RG, it will be very hard to bet against him ending season #1… Federer will need to have arguably his greatest season ever to end #1!
Rafa will have to do well in the grass and hardcourt seasons to have a chance. As indoor is not his strong point, he will have to win at least one of Wimbly and USO. Unless you amass at least 10000 points, you have very little chance of ending the year at #1. The year end # 1s had 13630, 12920, 13030, 11360, 16585, 12410 in 2011, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 respectively. The only one below 12000 was in 2014 when the 4 slams were won by four different players. Unless the rest of the season is won by umpteen players, Rafa cannot be #1 by simply sweeping the clay season. Fed already swept the first three big titles and he is pretty good on grass, outdoor hardcourt and indoor. Right now, it is advantage Fed.
You’re right, Ramada, that Fed is in a good position because he did so well in the beginning of season, and still has all his traditionally best tournaments ahead of him. I think one factor that could be important for Fed is that he do well at Roland Garros. I think it would help him if he could at least make the semis…
If Fed wins Wimbledon or USO he’ll be YE #1 in all likelihood imo. Frankly I’ll be very, very happy if Rafa wins RG and has a respectable rest of the year. Too much injury risk if you win enough to be #1 these days.
Fed couldn’t play this well and last a whole season; I think he’s more realistic than many of us here. Fed would pick and choose what to play; he won’t make the SF of RG when he didn’t even play a single warm up event. He may reach the QF at best and be beaten by one of the other top guys.
He’ll concentrate his efforts on grass. He’s playing three tournaments on grass including Wimbledon, so it’s a hectic schedule for him. I feel he may skip Canada, plays Cincy and USO after that (Canada is only three weeks away from end of Wimbledon this year so I feel Fed would not play there). He’ll play at Shanghai and then Basel, skips Paris to be ready for WTF; that’s my take about Fed’s schedule. Let’s see if I’m right.
I look forward to replying to this post less than four weeks from now.
I’d be very surprised to see who will knock Fed out before semis.
#RafasBiggestChallengeLeft
I am sure Thiem , Goffin, etc won’t be in Fed’s quarter. So who will stop him before the semis?
Fed had 10550 points when he’s no.1 in 2009. I doubt Fed is winning three slams this year. If Rafa has a clean sweep on clay and does well at USO series, he’s prime to be YE no.1. Of course with his serve doing so well now, he may advance deeper into the Wimbledon draw if he doesn’t have to face any big server and big hitter, or a crazy guy like Dustin Brown.
You can be sure big hitters won’t be in Fed’s quarter. They will all be in Rafa’s quarter if he looks like he is returning to his pre 2012 grass form.
I have more hopes for him for USO unless it rains and they close the roof in the semis or finals where he is likely to meet other members of big 4.
Rafa’s played great, Novak not so much. I’m sure Rafa is delighted with this win, but what Rafa wants is the Madrid title and then RG! 🙂 I do expect him to play Rome though.
I think Rafa proved today that there is no such thiing as Nole being in Rafa’s head…the only thing that can hamper Rafa is his own body and his own game. If he feels he does not play well he is less confident and he becomes an easy target missing shots that he would otherwise make in his sleep…this time around Rafa knew he was playing better than Novak and with two titles on clay Rafa was confident enough to beat his nemesis…
That break point for Nole in the deciding game Rafa of 2015-2016 would have easily lost and would have brought Nole back into the match! This Rafa however was focused and aggressive and did not hesitate to attack Nole’s FHs with his backhand. I am thrilled to see Rafa the warrior who believes in himself and who hits his shots with intelligence and precision! This Rafa is unbeatable!
When Rafa lost in Miami final I said Rafa would destroy them all on clay! And he is proving me right..
Keep up the good work for this magnificent clay season, Rafa! You are the King, one and only!
Vamos!
Yeah Nats, I’m with you there. I did say after Miami that Rafa would do well on clay and he proves us right!
Well I don’t know whether Djoko is/was in his head but certainly the consecutive losses bothered him, just like his losses to Foggy. I can sense that when playing Foggy and Djoko, Rafa is extra nervous, probably knowing how well they can play and how difficult to put them away; Goffin may be another one.
The titles he won certainly have given him belief and now he has confidence in his own game, and with good execution of it, hes now getting very dominant again on clay.
After all the ‘suffering’ we have watching him in the past two years, what a joy it is now seeing him winning and winning and beating tough opponents along the way, and conquering his own demons!
Exactly lucky! Great take!
I agree Rafa gets more nervous when playing those players who beat him consecutively but when he knows he is playing well he believes he can beat them and then he can execute well on key points..,in the past few years due to his nervousness and disbelief on way too many occasions he would end up losing the matches he had in his pocket…
So great indeed seeing all the varieties in Rafa’s game! As he said, he really did his homework ?
TC showing the 2nd set again and though Novak is not moving as well and sure of himself as Rafa, I like the improvement I see in Nole.
Really was hoping to see Nole v Kei. And I don’t remember seeing Kei in the Rome bracket, hm
Kei is in the Rome’s draw again in Nole’s quarter…
I also saw improvement in Nole’s game and thought he played decent second set! Some of the winners he hit were really something and resembled Nole of old. The Serbian press speculates Nole will hire Andre Agassi…
Oh okay lol, I just picked my Rome bracket and completely overlooked Kei.
About Novak I’m not as negative about him as many Nole fans and an Agassi hiring sounds great! Novak will get it together again, he’s too young and good no to.
Nishi and Kyrgios are both in Nole’s quarter. So chances are high of at least one walk over/retirement benefit for somebody in that quarter.
Lol, so true.
I think the old Nole is not too far away. We saw quite a bit of him in the 2nd set. Becker said Nole needs the challenge of winning against players like Fed or Rafa to motivate him and the reason for his decline could be boredom. Now that Rafa is in form, we could see Nole coming back by RG at the latest. Hope that at least in that draw they put these two guys on opposite sides.
Starting from 2006 when Djokovic was 19, I just checked the RG draws. Except when they were # 1 and 2 when it is not poosible to put them in the same half, Rafa and Nole have been in the same half in every RG draw except in 2009 which was the year the two destroyed themselves at Madrid just before RG.
2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. In 2011 and 2012, they were 1 and 2 in some order.
So if the same rigging pattern continues, we will see these guys in the same half though not in the same quarter if Rafa is #4.
sorry excludec 2014 also when they were 1 and 2.
Not a great match, but it picked up at the end. Nole was truly awful in the first set and Rafa was incredible. That was a beat down of Nole that I haven’t seen for a long time. Novak picked it up in the 2nd, and I thought he would hold after finally breaking Nadal’s serve (when was the last time Rafa lost his serve? It’s so much better than it was 2 months ago.) But Rafa shut the door every time Djokovic had a chance. You could see how nervous Nadal was, and how much the win meant to him. I’m still not sure what’s ailing Novak, but the pop on his shots isn’t there and is movement is nothing like it was. Maybe Boris was right that he simply hasn’t been training hard enough.
A great run through a very tough draw to get to the final for Rafa. Well done and very well deserved. I’m hoping to see a final against Cuevas, personally.
Rafa lost his serve in R3.
I don’t know if I should pick Kei to do much in Rome. He pulled out of the quarterfinal in Madrid and now he is in Rome. He needs to get his wrist sorted out.
I didn’t remember who I picked to meet zrsfa in the final in Madrid. So I checked and I picked Thiem! At least I didn’t pick Murray. I am not picking Murray to get to the final in Rome either. Not until he shows me something.
Maybe one match win Kei, maybe. I think he can take F-lo.
I think Andy can beat Fabio. Mrs. Fabs might be having a bambino any day!
Fabio could beat Andy though. Murray got a rough rough draw.
I think Andy will beat Fabio.
I think Andy can get past Fog. I went back d d forth with Kei and F-Lo. I may go back and reconsider a few picks.
Did anyone see that Kyrgios is in Novak’s section of the draw?
Not expecting much from Curious. He and Sock gave a walkover in their doubles semi. I don’t know why, but got a feeling that Curious had a problem.
There was done talk on the tennis channel during Rafa’s match with Kyrgios, that he might have a hip issue.
Maybe he’s got some niggling injury that is bothering him.
ATP site says Curious had a left hip issue.
Sock and Kyrgios as a team strikes me as a dumb and dumber, weekend at Bernie’s comedy act.
Nny….Sorry,a little bit late read your message about The Bracket…rc also already gave a link for the Bracket on the other page but that’s okay…here’s another one okay?
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/bracket/edit
Btw Nny…Congrats to u for a 2nd place in the Bracket!!YAY!!…It’s all because of Thiem!!hehe..we’re both the only one who picked Thiem go deep to the final!!hahaha…
MA,
No problem! I had to go back to see who I picked to meet Rafa in the final in Madrid. I had forgotten. I picked Thiem! Yay!
We both got it right! I saw the link from rc and made my picks for Rome. But I have gone back to make one or two changes. I am not sure what to do with Kei. I decided to change my pick with Kyrgios beating Novak after hearing about a hip issue with him. I struggled with hiw far Novak and Murray will go. Rafa could meet Thiem in the quarterfinals.
I may go back again to review my picks before time is up.
Yeah Nny….I have a hard time with multiple inconsistent players myself like ARV,Pouille,Kei….and have a very hard time to pick between Nick and RBA,Jack sock/Schwartzman,F.Mayer/Kohl…and i also picked Fog against Andy[and feel very guilty after that] but,seen his perfomance against Coric and Andy himself was very concerned with his form,i gamble in Fog..oh well..it’s not as if we will get a million dollar from it!hehe….Hey Nny….good luck to u okay?
MA,
You are having trouble with the exact same players that I am!
As you said, we are not going to win any money on this! It’s just for fun’
?♥️
Yeah Nny!!…Just for fun…Btw..you’re having trouble with WTA too?Urgh!!…I wanna pick Simona a winner but a little bit concern if she’s a little fatigue after the heavy gruelling weeks in Madrid…Urgh!..so many choices to pick!!I can’t wait for this to end!!haha…
MA,
I haven’t done the WTA yet. I think it’s impossible because no one is stepping up. Now Kerber is injured, Mugu is struggling, so is Aga. The top seeds all got knocked out and then there was Simona. I am happy for her. But I don’t know that she can do it again.
I find the women just too difficult these days. It’s almost impossible to figure out who will get through.
Hehe…that’s alright Nny!Just concentrate on ATP okay?God knows Rafa alone can make us all older another day just thinking about him!hahaha…
Oh!Nny!…You’re going to love this too….hope you’re still not see it yet….
https://www.instagram.com/p/BT9axzGhg1I/
Nny….You’re already read this?
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/news/news/Rafael_Nadal/43343/rafael-nadal-today-i-knew-that-circumstances-were-completely-different-than-the-past-two-years-/
MA,
I did not read that! Thanks! I love reading Rafa’s thoughts about his matches.
Lucky will love that Rafa said he has to use his DTL forehand more. I think she said that during the match!
I also love how Rafa admitted that he got nervous in the second set! I love his honesty!
I knew that Rafa would not like all the talk of him
I posted before I finished. I was saying that Rafa would not like the talk of him being the favorite. He’s so right about it not meaning anything now. Until RG arrives it’s all talk. Rafa has his head on straight
Yeah Nny!Lucky must be the happiest women alive today knowing Rafa listen to her!!Who would have thunk!!hahaha!!
God Nny….I’m sooo proud to be Rafa fans,knowing how humble and very down to earth a young man he is!…and oh!we were right all this time Nny,that he’s always nervous..all the time…but,the good things is he’s much much better in handling that compared to the 15/16….oh Thank God for that!!
Oh My God Nny!..You’re going to love that article!…Rafa’s words was awesome!!Very sensible!
I recall admiring the way the 16 year old Rafa fielded questions when I first saw him being interviewed after he had beaten Carlos Costa the reigning RG champion. He has continued with the same pragmatic approach ever since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oioELub3CcY
I also like the synergy that Moya was mentoring Rafa and now all these years later is his coach.
Albert Coasta, not Carlos Coasta.
Albert Costa I mean.
Thank u for the link ed!..I’m enjoy it very much!
When i saw the match replay again today..among other amazing things regarding Rafa’s game yesterday was that,i noticed how quick he was around the court…he won multiple fantastic point due to his quickness..on some point,i’m speechless to see the vintage winners from Rafa!
I read many pundits stated that Rafa a step slower than 2,3 years ago…but,saw him yesterday makes me think…”guys,what a step slower”?…It seems to me,it’s more to do with confidence and self belief than anything else…
Yep, lack of confidence and self belief leads to hesitation and so a split second late to hit his shots. I doubt Rafa has slowed down, at least not significantly, from his 2013. Of course a Rafa during his heydays was crazily fast, just watch him during 2005 to 2008. He’s easily the quickest around the court during those times; while Monfils was the best sprinter around, Rafa was the best all distance runner – short, medium, long distance, with speed and stamina.
Agree 100% Lucky.
Hawk’s barometer for Rafa’s stress/anxiety level is if he sweats profusely even when the air temperature is cold.
On the other hand I judge his confidence level by often he treats his opponents to those prolonged gimlet eye stares. The more frequent the more confident he is. it’s quite hard to spot watching on TV but when you are court-side it’s an awesome sight.
2nd para should read ‘by HOW often……..
He also hits short a lot when he’s the only player sweating crazily.
He was nervous serving out the win today. Sooo many short balls. Commies never notice.
I was particularly aware of it yesterday and it made me realise for how long it’s been missing.