The absolutely loaded top half of the French Open draw remains intact heading into the business end of the tournament.
But it wasn’t easy–at least not for Rafael Nadal.
The 13-time champion needed five sets to get past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round on Sunday, surviving 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 after four hours and 21 minutes. With that Nadal joined Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals; both Djokovic and Alcaraz cruised through their matches in easy straight sets.
Nadal, Djokovic, and Alcaraz are the top three favorites for the men’s singles titles and all three are on the same side of the bracket. That, of course, means only one can reach the final–and only two can reach the semis. Nadal and Djokovic have to go head-to-head in the quarters, while Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev on Tuesday.
A five-set struggle may not be ideal preparation for Nadal, but given what Auger-Aliassime threw at him he will gladly take any kind of win and live to see another day on the terre battue of Roland Garros. Auger-Aliassime fired 50 winners–a remarkable number against Nadal on clay–and served at 69 percent while committing just five unforced errors in the entire fifth set. Unfortunately for the ninth-ranked Canadian, Nadal also raised his level in the decider and struck 15 winners compared to only four errors over the final nine games.
“(What) made the difference (is) that I played a little bit better,” the 35-year-old explained. “The sport is normally very simple, no? When you play better you have better chances; if you play worse then you have, of course, less chances.
“In that case, when I played well I won the match. When I played not that well, I had a lot of troubles. Because (in the) first set I didn’t play well, so I lost. And then after the set, after the first set and a half I started to play much better in my opinion–much more aggressive. Then I played a good end of the second set and I think a very good third set. Then I made (a) super (big) mistake at the beginning of the fourth…and then I suffered. But (the) most important thing (is) that I played I think a good fifth set.”
Good? More like great.
And the King of Clay will have to be great again if he wants to avenge last year’s French Open semifinal loss to Djokovic. Through four rounds, Djokovic has not dropped a single set and only one set has been more competitive than 6-3. On Sunday he erased Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
Djokovic is well-rested. Nadal is battle-tested. Which factor is more important? We’ll find out on Tuesday.
A night session this year is nothing compared to the conditions in the RG 2020 when it was cold, windy, with hard balls. Everyone wrote Rafa off before round 1 was even played and made Djokovic the overwhelming favourite.
Rafa beat Djokovic hands down in straight sets including a bagel to win his 13th title.
The better player on the day will win.
Why on Earth would Rafa be tired tomorrow? He played 5 sets yesterday, but he was more than fresh before that and he has 2 days to rest.
Also, he obliterated Novax 2 years ago when they played under the roof and in significantly cooler conditions.
Sure, Nadal likes to play under the sun, but that doesn’t mean that he plays badly under different circumstances. Damp clay makes things harder for him, but I don’t think that he’ll get that tomorrow.
Christian P, I totally agree with you.
I don’t even know why everyone assumes that unless it’s hot and sunny, Djokovic has the advantage on clay. Rafa hasn’t won all 91 matches towards his 13 titles in hot and sunny weather. This has been the mantra ever since Djokovic took his first set against Rafa at the 2012 RG when it started raining in the 3rd set. The match was suspended to the next day. Still damp, Rafa won the 4th set to take the title.
Corr
……This has been the mantra ever since Djokovic took his first set at RG against Rafa in 2012……..
Tsitsipas lost to Rune. So that leaves Meddy to possible get through.
As far as playing at night, I agree with Lucky. Rafa will deal with it. As she said it’s all about keeping up his high level long enough to win. I watched the fifth set again last night. That is the Rafa who can beat Novak. He went to another level and made some jaw dropping shots.
I could never consider Novax favorite over Rafa on RG clay! Even though Rafa lacks match practice this year, even when he is terribly inconsistent throughout the match, even when he has developed a pattern to get broken when serving for the set, even when his serve tends to deset him, even when Novax seems to be in his head I still find Rafa heavy favorite to beat Novax on his beloved RG clay!
Vamos Champ!
@ Natashao, I completely agree!! I can NEVER EVER view Novak as the favorite over Rafa at RG!! I don’t care what the circumstances, I just can’t put Novak over Rafa! I’m gonna wait tomorrow and give Rafa all my support, bcoz despite all the pronouncements and predictions, at the end of the day it”s what happens on the court that matters, and not one of us knows what will happen!
Vamos, Champ!!! Just do it!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Carlos Moya interview today
https://mobile.twitter.com/moyinis/status/1531288632337829888
That is a great interview with Moya. I feel better after reading it.
Why some of them being so negative about Nadal when he faces Djokovic. The same guys trash Djoko when they are not going to play each other and the moment they are going to meet and you expect they would be saying that Djokovic is going to get trounced by Nadal and contrary to the expectation the entire narrative changes and they make Djokovic favourite and Rafa with all possibilities to lose. Then the story builds up like if he wins he is time and again proving everyone wrong. This is like win-win situation if Novak wins then its like I already said Rafa lacks match practice, his foot problem, night schedule and if Nadal wins then nothing matters anyday anytime Nadal can defeat Djoko on clay and whatever previous wins Djoko has against Nadal is because of injuries.
The reality is both have chances and there is no shame if Rafa loses to Novak as he is one of all time great plus world number one and similarly if Novak loses its fine for his fans as he is losing to king of clay but some of them do lot of build up that Rafa is invincible and there is no one stands any chance but reality is Djokovic is more than capable of defeating Nadal.
Also Rafa fans mostly prefer him to avoid Djoko in any slam where as Djoko fans prefer him to play Nadal in every slam including clay.
That’s because Djoko fans are trying to build Djoko up as almost invincible! For goodness sake, Rafa had beaten Djoko so often at RG when Djoko was at the top of his game -during 2012-2014. Theres no doubt that Rafa > Djoko on clay esp at RG.
Both of them are past their prime now, so who beats who now it doesn’t make one better than the other on any particular surface.
I would say Rafa is better than Djoko at RG and USO (yes USO because once Rafa reaches the final, he has 80% chance of winning it, including beating Djoko to win it). Djoko is obviously better at AO and at Wimbledon.
So, right now who beats who at which slam won’t change anything. I’m one who do not worry about Rafa meeting Djoko on clay esp at RG. I’m just not happy about Rafa having a tough draw most of the time esp now that he’s 36 years old and lacking in match play.
I know Rafa will do his best all the time, and let’s see whether he can do it consistently this time during a match to beat Djoko. Djoko would be eager to beat Rafa and he wants to win his 21st slam, no doubt about that. We’ll see how things unfold during the match.
“…Djoko fans are trying to build Djoko up as almost invincible! …”
Taker a look at this forum. This is exactly what Rafa fans are doing also in their posts.
Don’t be a hypocrite…
Nope, Rafa fans do not build up Djoko, can’t you read what’s written here about Rafa and his unprecedented dominance on clay? No one of Rafa’s fans think that Djoko is better than Rafa on clay, and we do not think that Djoko is invincible, that’s why I always predict that Rafa will beat Djoko on clay; and even on grass, I also have the belief that best of Rafa could beat best of Djoko!
In fact, I always think that Fedal are better than Djoko, because even with a weaker BH than FH, both of them could achieve what they achieved, whilst Djoko has to go the distance of getting in different coaches to improve his game, getting nutritionist to improve his health and physical fitness, and yet Fedal drived him to the edge each time they played against him. Also Fedal could play well in windy conditions, like at FO in 2019; whilst Djoko couldn’t and was frustrated with the windy conditions and lost.
To me, Djoko with great FH and BH > Fedal with weaker BH; Fedal with great FH and great BH > Djoko with great FH and BH.
Oh just to make myself clear, a peak Fed is better than a peak Djoko on grass plus quick hard courts; whilst Djoko is better than Fed on slow HCs and on clay.
A peak Rafa is definitely better than peak Djoko on clay and on grass it’s 50:50 chances (peak Rafa on grass was from 2007 to 2011, including 2011 since Rafa made the final of Wimbledon, and Rafa was 2:1 Vs Djoko on grass back then); whilst Djoko is better than Rafa on the HCs.
Interesting how people pick their favourites.Go for who you think is the best overall, so that they less chance of letting you down? I tended to go for a particular style if play even they are a slight underdog.Its more interesting and the extra risk makes it even more rewarding when they win.But having one favourite player isn’t my thing anymore.
Meanwhile Tsistipas lost to Rune in 4 sets – who ever saw that coming?!!
Cilic is having his way with Daniil at the mo” – who ever saw that coming?!!
Let’s c what else is coming!!! 🙃
I am the opposite of most Rafa fans here: I have thought Djokovic is the better player of the two, even on clay, since 2013 (the first year I thought he would beat Rafa at RG).
Needless to say, I have been consistently wrong. It’s been clear for a long time that beating Nadal at RG is the hardest challenge in sport.
That’s why I think Novak’s win last year over Rafa at RG was his greatest victory, ever, in his career. (2015 at RG doesn’t count because Nadal was so obviously a shadow of his usual self).
But I don’t see it happening two years in a row. I’ll be cheering for Novak, but I think Nadal in 5.
hope you’re right! Rafa in 4 or 5, a victory would be incredible here. This is the least prepared he has come into RG and he needs to produce some real magic.
I am hoping he doesn’t have a slow start and can dictate with his forehand. Djo exploited Rafa’s backhand in set 3 onward last year but Rafa’s been hitting his backhand well and going for more DTL as well.
Vamos, rafa! Not feeling as confident as I usually am (has to be with all the uncertainty involved and Rafa acknowledges this too) but there’s always real hope when it’s Rafa at RG. COME ON CHAMP!
Perhaps the match with FAA helps him to prepare for his next match. I’m sure Rafa would analyze where went wrong in his match with FAA, having the winning momentum with him in set four but ended up losing the set.
He doesn’t want to make the same mistake again for sure.
I’m glad that Rafa has proven Joe wrong so often!
Djoko is not better than Rafa on clay, full stop. Each time Djoko beats Rafa on clay, it’s being with tremendous effort from Djoko, 2015 being the only exception.
Rafa is not the king of clay for nothing; he’s being dominating on clay from age 19 until right into his 30s, even though he’s less dominant now when he’s nearing his retirement from professional tennis. Still, the fire is burning inside him and each time he takes to the court, he’ll try his best to win.
I am totally with Moya when says if Rafa plays like the last 3 games he did in the 5th set, he’ll be be too good for Novak. Question is whether Rafa has maintain the intensity level for 4-5 sets even with insufficient match play under his belt. We’ll find out tomorrow!
I loved reading that interview with Moya. if Rafa can play the last 3 games like he did in that fifth set, no one can beat him. Just seeing him produce that level of tennis was wonderful. It’s still there.
I love Rafa’s fighting spirit. He is the best ever on clay. I know he will fight and give it his best.
Oh that came out wrong. Of course I meant to say that if Rafa plays like the last three games in that fifth set, then he will win.
I will be there cheering him on all the way!
Vamos champion forever!
The thing that really let Fed down on the slower courts is his backhand.
I’d agree about Fed on fast courts being better than the other two.
Djokos game is a good matchup for Rafa on any court and only on clay would I give Rafa the edge.
I will admit I’m a bit nervous as I always am when Rafa plays bcoz I want him to win so baldly but recently it’s bcoz of his hibbie jibbies especially in set 3!! But I have to remember if Rafa is at least 80% fit he will give everything he has to win!!! I know we will want him to win the first set but even if he doesn’t he will fight tooth and nail to win the match! He can play, we saw him in his last match. He KNOWS what he has to do to beat Novak and he’ll do it!! Only injury will stop him, NOTHING else!!!! Not at RG!!! And to be clear, the pressure is on Novak to win not on Rafa, and Novak does not always do well under pressure, don’t care what anyone says!!
Rafa, just do it!! Vamos, Champ!!
I just hope Rafa can play pain free for the whole match. Last year he played with pain.