It will be an all-too-early showdown between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem when the familiar foes face each other again, this time in the Monte-Carlo quarterfinals. Doubles partners Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin are also set for an intriguing contest.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (5) Dominic Thiem
Nadal vs. Thiem was the best clay-court rivalry of 2017–if it can be said that Nadal ever has a “rival” on this surface–and more of the same appears to be in the cards for this season. Arguably the two best dirt-ballers in the world will square off for the eighth time in their careers when they meet again in the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Friday afternoon. Nadal is leading the head-to-head series 5-2 overall after compiling a 3-1 record last year (the entirety of which came during the clay-court swing). The Spaniard got the job done in Barcelona, Madrid, and Roland Garros while falling to Thiem in Rome.
Having previously triumphed in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid, Nadal was clearly fatigued in his Rome setback against the Austrian. There will be no such issues this time around for the world No. 1, who is well-rested after missing much of 2018’s first three months due to a hip injury sustained in the Australian Open semis. He is off to a roaring start on the red stuff, with Davis Cup routs of Philipp Kohlschreiber and Alexander Zverev plus Monte-Carlo victories over Aljaz Bedene and Karen Khachanov. This is and already has been a nightmarish draw for Thiem, but he has successfully navigated it so far with comebacks from a set down in each of his first two outings. The world No. 7 saved one match point in a 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 win over Andrey Rublev before beating Novak Djokovic 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday. Like Nadal, Thiem is returning from an injury. He retired in Indian Wells due to a knee problem and skipped Miami before getting back in action on his favorite surface. Clearly not quite at his best and also coming off a two-hour, 29-minute affair with Djokovic, Thiem may be in for a long day at the office against the 10-time Monte-Carlo champion.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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(4) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (6) David Goffin
It will be a showdown between doubles partners–who are playing together later on Friday–when Dimitrov and Goffin collide for the eighth time in their careers. This is also a rematch of last year’s Nitto ATP Finals championship match, which Dimitrov won 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 for the biggest title of his professional life. The fifth-ranked Bulgarian, who also beat Goffin during round-robin competition at the O2 Arena, is a dominant 6-1 in the head-to-head series at the ATP level after getting a retirement from the Belgian a couple of months ago in the Rotterdam semifinals.
A freak eye injury in that contest shelved Goffin for the rest of February, prevented him from playing in Indian Wells, and contributed to an opening 6-1, 6-0 loss to Joao Sousa in Miami. The world No. 10 is finally regaining momentum in Monte-Carlo, where he punched his ticket to the quarterfinals with straight-set victories over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roberto Bautista Agut. Dimitrov was 1-4 in his last five matches heading into this week, but he has advanced with three-set defeats of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Philipp Kohlschreiber. The fourth seed had not reached a clay-court quarterfinal since finishing runner-up at the 2016 Istanbul event, a stretch of eight tournaments with no quarterfinal trips. Goffin, on the other hand, was a Monte-Carlo semifinalist last spring and made a run to the Madrid quarters–losing only to Nadal on both occasions. The surface should help Goffin gain traction is his comeback and start turning the tide in his head-to-head history against Dimitrov.
Pick: Goffin in 3
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who ya got?
GOAT in 2!
And Goffin over Dimitrov in three.
RAFAAAAA in 2! Goffin in 3, but who knows? Could go either way with neither in best form.
Oh, snap Ramara!
#GreatMinds
#Humbll
Rafa is in form, well done.
Vamos Rafa…in 2; Dtrov in 3.
Rafa in two and Dimitrov in 3
Wrote a post on the subject. But maybe it was too long??
Tried to copy a paste it to another thread, even but no luck.
So I’ll just say, Rafa in 2
and I don’t know about the Dimitrov / Goffin match. Hope it’s good. And no one gets an freak injury like last time they played each other!!
The clay-goat in two , Goffin in three.
Nadal over Thiem
Goffin over Dimitrov
Nadal in 2
Goffin in 3
Goffin’s serve is up in the 170’s km. I’m going with Goffin.
Dimitrov struggled a bit, mostly from errors, but Kholschriber was hitting amazing winners.
This is a tough one, but going solely on last performances, I have to lean Goffin. He is hungry to win. Dimitrov is probably thinking about some girl.
Nadal in 2 and Dimitrov in 3.
Nadal in 2 and Goffin in 3 Dimi struggling, +1.5 sets Goffin and over to win
Be focused, be confident, be strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DbNvIeEXcAAoPor.jpg
A battle royal being fought by Goffin and Dimi. Looks like it’s going to be a tie-break shoot-out for the match.
Goffin fought valiantly but is still a bit fragile and Dimi was on a roll.
little Belgian
WOW! Dominant Rafa! Amazing winners from Rafa! Not allowing Thiem one single game in this set!
And Tiem is considered to be the second favorite ti win RG this year…
Vamos Rafa!
Possibly 60 60 by Rafa
I pity Thiem…He’s drowning in Rafa’s aura atm…maybe don’t have anything left after 2 3 setters against Rublev & Nole…But,RAFA IS AWESOME TODAY!!WOOOHOOO!!
Rafa may win 6-0, 6-1 or 6-2, my guess. Thiem is good enough to get a game or two; I think hes physically not up to par after two long 3 setters and just coming back from injury.
I’m reminded of Hawk’s barometer for Rafa’s anxiety level i.e if he is sweating profusely. even when it is not particularly hot, it’s not a good sign. It is 24 degrees today and Rafa’s barely broke sweat. Admittedly Thiem was clearly hobbled but nonetheless Rafa was flying today.
Love his current gear. The colour suits him a treat.
Just looked at the score and was shocked! Rafa is playing very well – I saw his match vs Khachanov – but I figured something had to be wrong with Thiem to get beat that badly.
Oh, and agree about Rafa’s shirt color. Fit for a King. 🙂
GOAT!
61 63 63 62 62 60
60 61
Rafa
Rafa over Dimi – 60 61
I am watching my recording of the match now. Rafa has played better with every match. It’s apparent that Thiem is not in great shape now, coming off injury and a tough three setter. But there is no denying that Rafa is getting more comfortable with each match.
Thiem finally broke through and win a game in the second set. They just said Rafa is serving at 67%. Thiem was at 38%.
They should stop the clay season and had all the trophies to Rafa. There’s no competition
🤣😂🤣, no they shouldn’t 😂.
He needs to work hard for every title he might win.
As for competition, his scoreline is not pretty, he is balling but someone might stop him.
I think Rafa would win the title but…😂
I have to agree with ed about the color of Rafa’s shirt. He looks amazing. Truly fit for the King of Clay!
Rafa is serving much better today.
I just heard Mary Carrillo say that Novak will be playing in Barcelona. If true, that is interesting.
Rafa’s post-match press conference:
https://youtu.be/ah6XoaLIGO8
Interview transcripts from the Monte Carlo Masters are available on a 24-hour delay basis.