A blockbuster showdown between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is on the cards for Saturday in Monte-Carlo. A much more surprising semifinal pits Tomas Berdych against Gael Monfils.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (3) Rafael Nadal
Djokovic and Nadal will be squaring off for the 43rd time in their careers when they collide all too early in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters semifinals on Saturday afternoon. The head-to-head series stands at 23-19 in favor of Nadal, who is a dominant 14-4 against Djokovic on clay. They have not faced each other since the 2014 French Open final, won by the Spaniard 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic, however, is a much more respectable 4-5 in their last nine clay-court meetings and one of those five losses came in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7 thriller in the 2013 Roland Garros semis. Overall, the Serb has won four of their last five encounters.
Comfortably ranked No. 1 in the world, Djokovic has been beating up not just on Nadal in recent times. Everyone his been at his mercy, including 15 consecutive opponents and 28 of 30 during this 2015 campaign. So far in Monte-Carlo, Djokovic has rolled over Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Andreas Haider-Maurer, and Marin Cilic. Nadal cruised past Lucas Pouille before needing three-setters against both John Isner and David Ferrer. Friday’s all-Spanish quarterfinal battle lasted two hours and 44 minutes, longer than the other three quarterfinal matches combined. The word No. 5 is going to be counted out as a result of his modest current form and tough tests the past few days, but he will raise his level when required. Nadal’s eight Monte-Carlo titles and 14-4 clay-court record against Djokovic will give the underdog–yes, the underdog–confidence he has not enjoyed since last year’s French Open.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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(6) Tomas Berdych vs. (14) Gael Monfils
Monfils was not even initially entered in Monte-Carlo, but he asked for a late wild card and the decision to play has paid off in a big way. After scraping past Andrey Kuznetsov in three sets, the 18th-ranked Frenchman beat an in-form Alexandr Dolgopolov, upset Roger Federer in straights, then hammered Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-3 on Friday.
Berdych has not dropped a single set while taking out Sergiy Stakhovsky, Roberto Bautista Agut, and Milos Raonic. The sixth-seeded Czech’s road to the last four was made even more routine by Raonic’s retirement at 5-2 in the opening set of their quarterfinal clash. Berdych is leading head-to-head series with Monfils 5-1, including 2-0 already this season. But the world No. 8 benefited from an indoor hard court in Rotterdam and Monfils had to retire in Miami after falling on his hip. Monfils is looking like a different player now, especially on clay. He has been moving his opponents all over everywhere and he will do the same to Berdych, whose mediocre movement is at its worst on the slow stuff.
Pick: Monfils in 2
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🙁
But, Vamos Rafa – no matter what!
6 forehand winners to novak’s 12… you know this is far from vintage rafa 🙂
Strong performance from djokovic but there were positives for rafa to take! I know he will take them and move on to win Barcelona.
Finally he is moving in the right direction.
Some like to gloat over this result, but there is more tennis to be played. I guess it was to be expected. I thought Rafa played better in the first set and seemed to fade in the second set. Novak came on stronger. I sensed that Rafa wasn’t going to be able to hold his serve in that last game.
The stats do tell the story. Superior serving from Novak and twice as many forehand winners. There is more work to be done.
Now it’s on to Barcelona where Rafa has his work cut out for him with another tough draw.
I have to say that this was absolutely the worst commentary from Mary Carillo and Justin Gimelstob on the tennis channel. Of course, they had to go there and say that now Novak is the favorite to win RG. Not surprising from these two.
They are merely trying to create drama by going to this talking point. Sure, Novak has been playing fantastically this season, but you can never count out Rafa at his favorite tournament on his favorite surface. The talking heads can say whatever they like, but it doesn’t make it so. Gimelstob should be focusing on Isner and getting big John back into the top 10 rather than foolishly counting out the best clay court player in history. Rafa had some great points today, and in my opinion looked more confident in his abilities than he has all year. He can only go up from here, which is a scary thing to say about a player that made the semifinals. Obviously, his standards are to be at the pinnacle of the game and his fans expect no less. Mark my words, Rafa will be back to his old tricks sooner than later. This will be the summer of Rafa’s renaissance.
What makes you so confident about Rafa?
Vamosrafa – Did Rafa gas out or Novak was just too good ?
N what do u think will he achieve in this supposed summer renaissance?
I see multiple titles, of at least 1000 level events. Maybe not the form that he once had,and perhaps I was being a bit hyperbolic in using the term renaissance, but results like those would be a marked improvement from where he stands currently.
Are you suggesting that he is cooked and has nothing left in the tank and will walk away soon? Or do you think he his going to fall out of the top 10 and do a Leyton Hewitt and hold on until he is ranked well outside the top 50?
Rafa’s serve has been horrible all day long. It’s tough to occasionally make double faults.
I think Djokovic has to be the favorite to win RG. Now it’s clear Rafa is the underdog in this matchup. Towards the end of the match, Rafa ran out of ideas on how to attack Djokovic. His shots were tentative and incredibly predictable. I did not know that was Rafa’s fault or Djokovic’s anticipation.
No matter what, there is time for Rafa to work on his game. Hopefully he will be able to gain some confidence soon.
The commentators On sky sports were also like ‘this is the year when the change will finally take place’ .LOL….only barry cowan is the sensible voice in sky’s team.
A lot of rallies and patterns of plays were similar to the ones we saw in rome’14 final and MC’13 final.
Rafa is definitely moving in the right direction. Rafa showed much better courage today and that was the best thing.
Vamos Rafa, get ready for RG!
https://twitter.com/fedele_giulio/status/589467303454052352/photo/1
So its again primarily the tiredness that’s his undoing
I was waiting to hear Rafa’s thoughts on the match. My sense was that he played very well in the first set, but missed some chances to capitalize. I did think that his level dropped in the second set and sensed that he might be tired. He had two back-to-back three set matches and Ferrer can really take it out of his opponents. That’s why I hope that Rafa will be able to play more efficiently and close out matches when he has the opportunity. Although one say it’s good for him to come back strong and win a three set match, there is also a physical toll that is exacted. I don’t think Rafa had enough left to take on Novak. He’s not where he needs to be physically.
However, when Rafa lost in 2013 he at least made it more competitive, taking the second set to a tb. He wasn’t able to do that this time. Rafa got to measure his game against Novak and that’s a good thing. Now he knows what more has to be done. He played well for moments in the match. That’s very true. But he could not sustain it.
For a short while these two were slugging it out and the crowd was loving it. There is no question that this is the best Rafa has played. He’s on the right track and has to take the positive feelings and confidence into Barcelona.
The Monaco final 2013 lasted the same time as this though score was 62 76
Point to be noted is then in 2013 Novak wasn’t as good as he is playing now.
I think this performance is identical to Monaco given where Rafa is now.
sanju,
Fair enough. I am not trying to downplay what Rafa did today. In that match two years ago, Rafa wasn’t that competitive in the first set, but was able to push the second one to a tb. At that time, I remember Rafa saying that he didn’t have his legs under him, wasn’t physically able to be at his best. But that loss didn’t bother Rafa. He was okay with it. That time he was still dealing with the knee. He missed Miami to get some extra time off and deal with the knee. He also revealed later on that in both MC and Barcelona the knee was still bothering him. I think he said it was in Madrid or Rome when it finally felt better. So Rafa also knew that the lingering knee issue was also a factor in that loss to Novak.
I think Novak is playing better now, but I do not think he is invincible. Rafa was getting the better of him in some of those rallies today. You could see it on Novak’s face. Rafa is going to keep getting better.
Please, nny, I beg you, do not voice aloud, I mean write, about Rafa dealing with considerable pain in his knee last spring. Or you will be accused of heresy, lying and selling your soul to mephistopheles.
🙂
April 21, 2015 at 1:08 pm,
….
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I am wondering whether there is something wrong with your memory or you are constantly trying to create confusion intentionally.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDHryg7WAAAuvj-.png
No reliable source.
Nothing new/
So now apparently according to some defender of Stanbandonment, Rafa has knee problems again?
Hilarious!
April 21, 2015 at 1:08 pm,
….
=================================
I am wondering whether there is something wrong with your memory or you are constantly trying to create confusion intentionally.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDH0XvWUsAAHgUD.png
In the post:
https://tenngrand.com/2015/04/17/monte-carlo-sf-previews-and-picks-djokovic-vs-nadal-berdych-vs-monfils/comment-page-1/#comment-190211
there is no mention of the year that you are talking about.
Yet another example of your frequent cherry picked out-of-context quotes.
Hilarious!
And it makes me wonder.
April 21, 2015 at 2:29 pm,
___there is no mention of the year___
======================================
Databases are your friends, if you don’t know when Rafa skipped Miami after the IW final.
No. I have my memory and am well aware of that. I don’t need databases as friends as my friends are human. Sorry for you.
However, As I’ve pointed out, Your quotes are usually cherry picked and out of context.
Nothing new.
Also, the questioned post does not mention anything about Miami, just that it was recommended that he go home after IW (year unspecified).
You are now just defending your use of cherry-picked out of context posts.
Hilarious!
April 21, 2015 at 3:31 pm,
April 21, 2015 at 3:33 pm
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===========================
Your troubles. Nothing new.
No, it is my entertainment of poor posts from you, a pretend fan.
Nothing new.
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Relax, Rafans……
RT @linzsports: “Well, looks like there just enough tournaments on the horizon for Nadal to be in peak form for Roland Garros. Life.”
Vamos!!
Novak started rather nervous and Rafa could have been two breaks up… then the things could have gone way more complicated for Novak…but Rafa is not yet mentally there and could not sustain. It’s seems it came as a surprise to Rafa that he was able to break Novak so early. I hope Rafa reads into the fact that Novak being nervous at the start of the match is a sign of fear. Next time they meet Rafa should be able to capitalize on it.
Of course everyone will put Novak as the favorite for RG…the current state of play speaks in favor of Novak…But Rafa will continue to improve…
Vamos Rafa!
I wrote a long message but it got lost…basically, Rafa had his chances and could have led 3:0…the things could have been made more difficult for Nole…Rafa is not yet mentally there and failed to capitalize on it…next time Rafa will take his chances..
The interesting thing is that Nole’s start was nervous which indicates fear from Rafa.
Rafa will only get better…
Vamos Rafa!
natashao,
Great observations! Novak had a scratchy start to the match. But Rafa getting the early break and then giving it back, still indicates that he is not there mentally yet. Also, when it was 4-3 on serve, Novak broke Rafa and that gave him the chance to serve for the set. Rafa still needs to be stronger in those moments.
As you said, Rafa could have easily been ahead 3-0. I said in a previous comment here that Rafa didn’t capitalize on some chances in that first set. He was playing really well at times in that set. I was so happy to see him taking it to Novak in some of those long rallies.
Novak knows that Rafa is not going anywhere. He should be afraid!
Oh Gawd, I do not think I will be able to bear the incessant “Novak to de-throne Rafa at RG” drumbeat henceforth……….
Please, please Rafa…………the fate of the Rafan universe is in your hands. Spare us.
I hope Rafa will realize it’s time to go if he can’t win in Paris. At least he will always have his record over Roger. Novak seems to be overtaking him on clay even. That head to head will end in Novak’s favor.
I forgot to mention one thing. How is it that he is complaining about being tired all year? How on Earth is he going to not be tired in a best of 5? Is he still out of shape? If so that’s odd for him of all people.
You can’t read. He was tired after long match against Ferrer.
Doesn’t really matter. Nole is beating Rafa in clay but Rafa always wins the big prize.
It’s Federer who should pack it in. Rafa retiring its just wishful thinking from fedfan boys.
Not pointing any fingers filter because we know you’ve never been a fedfan.:)
Riiiight.
And to the other clueless comment, Rafa said he was tired after his long match vs ferrer. Maybe I should change my name here to Nole’s favorite saying of late.
Hilarious.
#SMD
#OhNoHeDiInt
filter,
Sorry, but you don’t get to say when Rafa should retire. He’s earned the right to make that decision for himself. You are getting a bit carried away. It’s a dangerous game, because you risk looking the fool if you write off Rafa. He’s not going anywhere.
Oh and about Rafa being tired at times earlier this year, you do realize how little Rafa played for all those months with the wrist injury and then the appendicitis? It takes time to get physically fit again when one is sidelined for months. So let’s not rewrite reality, shall we?
Rafa should have been tired after that slugfest with Ferrer. Ferrer never gives away matches. He stays in it and runs down everything and doesn’t quit.
However, you are more than welcome to indulge yourself in fantasies. 🙂
I agree Rafa and Nole h2h will always be close.
Certainly no where near as pathetic as 10-23. Hey filter, who’s Federer’s daddy.
God it’s KILLING me!!!!!
Agreed. Roger and Rafa should retire after Paris. I don’t see how being tired after the Ferrer match or the Djokovic match matters as neither went 5 sets. The point is before he never hardly got tired or certainly complained about it like now. Plus others here stated he lost today because he was tired.
He never got tired because his matches rarely went past 90 minutes like they have this year. Tennis at this level is won and lost with confidence. This week showed Rafa is gaining it in spades. Winning RG is about peaking at the right time something Nole has never managed and Roger did once only because Nadal wasn’t there. As usual Roger can’t win slams with Rafa in his way.
Rafa will be back and apparently just like Roger on 2009, it’s KILLING you. As the AO MC told Roger, settle down little sad fan settle down.
There are more guys that can beat Rafa this year. Don’t get too bitter/agitated about it. Maybe he can win Paris again. We gonna see,no?
No not antibody at RG fedfan. And therein lies the difference. Oh those pesky little details fedfans choose to ignore.
Hilarious!
If I were “Nole” (read closet fedfans), I’d be worried. Rafa found a lot of shots he’d been missing. He played worse during clay season last year and still kicked Nole’s arse in Paris. Nole wins his share of battles but Rafa always wins the war.
Hey filter, how many slams has Rafa beaten Nole in a row now including ok hard court?
Stay thirsty My fan.
That!
hawkeye,
Brilliant post! You said what I have been thinking today since the match ended. In that first set, I watched in amazement as Rafa went toe-to-toe with Novak blasting groundstrokes with such depth. He was standing eye-to-eye with him and Novak had all he could handle.
This from a Rafa who has only won one title this year, had a string of bad losses and who is still fighting to come back from another long layoff. Yet for some moments there it was a real battle.
The tennis channel commentators pointed out that Novak has had more success beating Rafa in best two out of three set matches, but in best of five slams Rafa has gotten the better of him.
@hawkeye63, you noticed that too? That Rafa is playing better on clay this year than he did last year? I thought my brain was playing tricks on me because that is my observation as well.
He has a tough draw in Barcelona but I think this is what Rafa needs right now so that he reaches Paris well and truly cooked.
Novak can win Madrid, Rome and whatever, he ain’t getting Paris!
#LaDecima
Also, Novak is playing at his best right now whereas Rafa is not, he still has a few notches to climb.
I rest my case.
#ScaryforParis
Trivia question. Who has Rafa beat more at RG, Federer or Nole?
God it’s KILLING me!!!
Trivia question: Who is the first guy to beat Rafa 20 times?
You mean, who is the current male player to first beat 20 times several of the top players?
But we are humouring you too much today by replying to you 🙂
Trivia question : Who will be the 2 guys to beat Nole 20 times?
Hint : One already has 23 times and other has 19 times and wont stop there. Both currently have winning records over Nole, whether it will stay, time will tell.
The guy whose lost to him mope than any other player.
Thanks for the setup! Hilarious!
The comments on atpworldtour.com praising Novak (which he deserves) and dissing Rafa is unbearable. Reality check needs tob set in.
Ah sanju let them enjoy it while they can. They know that their time is limited.
Nothing new. I feel sorry for Nole and his fed faithful. Nole deserves a French but it looks like Rafa gonna stop him again like he has done every time they have met.
See you in Paris Nole! Playing mind games against Rafa? Perish the thought!
https://mobile.twitter.com/arjun_noletard/status/589483804441448448