Olympics R1 previews and predictions: Djokovic vs. Del Potro, Nadal vs. Delbonis

August 7, 2016 Ricky Match previews 116

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will kick off their Olympic campaigns during first-round action on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. Djokovic is facing Juan Martin Del Potro, while Nadal is beginning his comeback against Federico Delbonis.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro

Djokovic and Del Potro will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers when they collide at the Olympics–again–on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. The familiar foes faced each other in the bronze-medal match at the 2012 London Games, where Del Potro triumphed 7-5, 6-4 on the grass courts of the All-England Club. Djokovic, however, is dominating the head-to-head series 11-3 and he has won six of their seven previous hard-court encounters (not including one retirement). Due mostly to Del Potro’s extensive wrist-injury problems, these two Grand Slam champions have not met since the 2013 World Tour Finals, an event that saw the Serb prevail 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 during round-robin action.

Del Potro’s 2016 comeback from his latest wrist surgery has been slow but steady. The 27-year-old Argentine is 13-8 for the season and his recent grass-court swing included a semifinal showing in Stuttgart and a third-round performance at Wimbledon. Del Potro got adjusted to the Olympic courts on Saturday, when he teamed up with Maximo Gonzalez to win their first doubles match 6-4, 7-5 over the Australian duo of Chris Guccione and John Peers. Djokovic bounced back from a shocking Wimbledon loss to Sam Querrey by lifting another Masters 1000 trophy at the Rogers Cup. Having settled for bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before missing out on a medal in London, Djokovic should be more than motivated in Rio. That is bad news for Del Potro, for whom this obviously an extremely bad draw.

Pick: Djokovic in 2

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(3) Rafael Nadal vs. Federico Delbonis

Nadal will be taking the court for the first time since round two of the French Open when he begins his bid for a second career gold medal. The Spaniard kicked off his effort for a 10th title at Roland Garros by destroying Sam Groth and Facundo Bagnis, but he suddenly withdrew because of a wrist problem. Nadal missed Wimbledon and everything else in between the French Open and the Olympics, but he appears to be good to go for Rio. After all, not only is he signed up for singles but he is also competing in the two doubles disciplines (men’s with Marc Lopez and mixed with Garbine Muguruza).
Nadal 1
Up first for Nadal on Sunday is a third career meeting with Delbonis. Their two previous encounters resulted in clay-court beatdowns in Nadal’s favor; he cruised 6-3, 6-2 at the 2013 Vina Del Mar event before rolling 6-1, 6-1 last season in Buenos Aires. Delbonis is in the midst of a stellar season that has him at No. 43 in the rankings thanks to a 23-14 ATP-level record. The left-handed Argentine enjoyed a consistently strong buildup to Roland Garros that featured a second career title in Marrakech, but starting in Paris he has lost first-round matches at three consecutive tournaments. Even with Nadal’s rust, that streak will almost certainly extend to four.

Pick: Nadal in 2

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116 Comments on Olympics R1 previews and predictions: Djokovic vs. Del Potro, Nadal vs. Delbonis

  6. Wonder if Rafa and his team are watching this center court. Dreddy fell and retired and Serena just took a spill. That wrist is very afraid right now.

    Reply

  7. I have to go with Novak in 2 sets and Rafa in 2 sets.

    I hope that the court conditions will be okay for Rafa. I don’t want to see him risking anything with that wrist.

    Reply

  15. I think Rafa has looked better than expected for his first match back. It is DelbonusDelbonis he’s playing, but the quality of his shot making is there.

    Rafa has hit the backhand well in this match. Movement looks quite good. I really like the positive body language from Rafa. He looks focused mentally. I was wondering about any lingering effects with this latest injury, especially regarding confidence.

    All in all, a very good start for Rafa!

    Reply

    • AGREED! The serve has been good too. He continues to adopt the wider stance on the ad court serve…. ah that backhand DTL was sweet!

      Reply

  16. Nice DTL backhand winner from Rafa. I notice radius standing at or inside the baseline when hitting his groundstrokes. Good to see!

    Reply

    • Rafa standing at or inside the baseline is how it should read in my previous post! I don’t know where autocorrect got “radius”!

      Reply

  18. wow, EMPHATIC start from Spain’s hero! Really good! His backhand striking didn’t make it that he was away for months! His court positioning was good, he continues to use the backhand DTL more often and he did not give too much air to his backhand and also didn’t step back to hit backhand (signs of an under-confident Rafa). He was SOLID.

    VAMOS CHAMP! Get good practice in the doubles now. Delbonis couldn’t push him but still 6-2 6-1 on a big stage is IMPRESSIVE>

    Reply

  20. Rafa seemed very happy in the interview they showed after his match. He did say that he still felt pain in the wrist, but it did not seem to affect his shot making. He was pleased with his game overall.

    I am hoping that the pain in the wrist is just from pushing it in real match play. Rafahad such a great start. Brett Haber and Jon Wertheim were full of praise for Rafa’s effort in this match.

    Well done, Rafa!
    ??

    Reply

    • Thanks for sharing NNY! so he has some pain…I read Toni and his doc’s interviews and they also said he has some pain but it won’t get worse…. I hope the pain vanishes. Good start !

      Reply

      • When Delpo had his wrist injury, his doctors told him he could play through the pain but we saw what happened. Doctors aren’t Gods. Anyway, if Olympics is so important to Rafa, then I suppose risking a long lay off from tennis is worth it. However while worry wart Mary is active so is Pippa Mary who sings Rafa of yore is back and all’s right with the world!

        Reply

  22. Rafa’s no dummy. 🙂
    An excerpt from Rafa’s post-match interview:
    Question: “What part of your game is still affected by [the wrist injury]?”
    Rafa (laughing): “I don’t gonna say that now here. Would be very stupid if I do it.”

    (Source: Trouble Fault)

    Reply

    • Yes, when Rafa was asked what part of his game is affected by the wrist, he said no way was he going to give that away!

      Rafa’s laugh and smile was so charming! He is a delight even as he very smartly refuses to give any prospective opponents any info on how the wrist might affect his game!

      Rafa is a cagey one! It’s just so nice to see him come back playing well and looking so happy! He deserves a break after going through yet another injury.

      I loved what the commentators said at the end of his match as Rafa waved to the crowd while leaving the court after his match – the game is better with this man in it!

      Yes! Great words in tribute to a truly great player!

      ??

      Reply

      • hahahaha what a stupid question!! Well common sense dictates that his forehand would be shaky as it was his left wrist. The backhand is still very solid and I am noticing he is gradually trying to incorporate the backhand DTL more and more…it is gradual and the real test will be against quality baseliners who’ll rush him.

        Rafa’s new sreving position on the Ad court is tactical masterpiece to be honest. I am a fan of it so far but I have one reservation too. The new positioning enabled him to defend his second serves a lot better and don’t forget this is the Ad court where break points, game points etc are played so it will helps his nerves too knowing his second serve is less vulnerable.

        My concern is that his first serve has become less offensive. He goes mostly for body serves to set up forehands but good returners will find his backhand esp because there is a lot more space to find his backhand now .His biggest serve (up the middle on teh ad court) seems to have gone.. he is standing far from the center line and the serve is always coming towards the returner so finding that up the middle corner is tougher now. I hope he can still go for that serve nice and flat when in trouble. The plus side is that his slider out-wide gets an even better angle now and possibly higher percentage.

        In Rome against Novak he had success on his second serve but once Novak stated reading body serves, his first serve on the Ad court got less effective.

        The wide serve on the deuce court has shown good progress since Indian wells and it drove Novak nuts in Rome… Keep working hard Rafa!!

        Reply

          • vr,

            Thanks for your observations. I heard on tv that Rafa won in men’s doubles today, too! I am now watching Novak/Delpo! Good one so far!

            As you said, the left wrist will affect his forehand. But that was a silly question to ask Rafa! As if he is going to tell everyone how the wrist is affecting what part of his game.

            We know that rafa has his doctor with him monitoring his wrist. There is acute pain and then there is soreness. We don’t know exactly what kind of pain Rafa is having now. His problem is not as serious as Delpo’s because that required surgery. Rafa also developed wrist problems later in his career. I don’t think his doctor would let him play through the pain if it meant having to take more time off.

            Rafa has set an ambitious schedule for himself by entering all three events, singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles. They did wait the longest to decide on entering the singles. But I assume his doctor felt he could handle it.

            I hope it’s a different type of pain, maybe brought on by some soreness because of being pushed harder in actual match play.

  24. Both Novak and Delpo playing well, I would say Delpo giving his all! He is such a nice guy! Novak hitting some amazing shots, he proves again his master class! Fans are loving it!

    Reply

  25. Everyone should be watching Novak/Delpo. They are in a first set tb. Good stuff from both guys.

    Delpo had chances to break in the first set, but couldn’t get it done.

    Novak has played some really smart tennis, but Delpo is hanging in there and showing his stuff.

    Crowd is loving it!

    Reply

  27. Delpo’s wrist required surgery AFTER he played through the pain. Did you suppose, dear native, that Delpo had no problem before he had his surgery? That he had the surgery just for the heck of it? Some confusion in native’s mind about cause and effect!!! An example of Real Rafan logic!!! Hilarious!

    Reply

  31. Delpo’s fans playing huge role in this match! Delpo ends up winning the first set! He is so motivated, playing with his heart! Amazing match!

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  43. Forehand unstoppable. Right when I say that he hits maybe the biggest forehand of the night. Holy crap!! That thing was 1000 miles an hour jeezus!! 4-3 del Po. VAMOS Juan!

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  45. HOW BIG WAS THAT FOREHAND??!!! shit! these are cannon balls!! USO 2009 forehand is back! And this delpo is tactically smarter in setting points up!! Djokovic is going out today I reckon. He’s fighting hard but he looks very nervous too.

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  46. Big game here. Break him Juan!! I predicted a three set win for Nole. Technically that could still happen but I really hope it doesn’t. I hope del Po scores the upset.

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  51. Time djokovic serve between points in his next service game. Betcha not one within the 20 seconds allowed.

    Only enforced on Rafa.

    Reply

  58. DEL PO!!! VAMOOOOOSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! Thought I was bold having Djoker lose in QF. But he lost first round!! Let’s go JUAN!!

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  59. Fantastic match. Epic win and so great to see Delpo back again finally!

    Sorry to see nole go out so soon.

    Huge win for Delpo and tennis.

    Reply

  60. Wow! He did it! I am getting emotional! What a performance!

    Congratulations to Delpo on a great win! Taking out the #1 seed here at the Olympics!

    His reaction was so wonderful! 🙂

    Reply

    • Yes… he had a similar break down in 2008 Beijing…. This one was probably his last chance and the games mean so much to these players…..the gold medal continues to elude both Novak and Fed.

      Reply

  62. Delpo well deserved! What a magnificent showing from the Argentine! He produced some atomic tennis to beat Novak! Great match, great effort from both! So emotional! This is history!

    Reply

  63. wow!! AMAZING!! THIS is the power of Juan Martin!! WOW

    Novak in tears….probably his last chance.. Delpo has had his number at the Olympic games! The world’s best beaten by the forgotten one

    Reply

    • vr,

      I can’t remember seeing Novak so devastated. So you don’t think he can try again in 4 years? He’s 29 now and that would make him 33 in the next Olympics. I didn’t even think about the possibility that this could be his last shot at the gold medal. No golden slam for him.

      That would explain the emotion from him. He wasn’t that emotional when he was knocked out early in Wimbledon.

      This opens things up now. Hopefully, Rafa can keep playing well.

      Reply

  64. I said in the tournament preview that it is the first round and with Delpo ‘you never know’. It proved to be the case. DIdn’t expect this level of consistency of course but I am not shocked…surprised but shocked.

    Reply

  65. Well deserved win for Delpo, great to see him back on the big stage. High level, great atmosphere, match of the year for me thus far.

    Reply

  66. That was BRUTAL!

    Tennis gods were not really in favour of Nole!

    A 1st rounder with ‘the gentle giant’ was always going to be tough.

    Really heartbroken to see Nole crying like that in the end!
    Really gutted!

    OTOH, was really great to see JMDP back with his brand of tennis!
    Tennis always feels richer with Delpo in the mix.

    Hope he can make a good run of this.

    Reply

  67. I found myself thinking – what might have been – with Delpo. If not for two wrist surgeries, what might he have done in this sport.

    He reminded us all of the power and brilliance of his tennis. That forehand! He just came out and played like he believed he could beat Novak.

    I wonder if Delpo can keep it up.

    Reply

  68. Competition! Welcome back old friend. How I’ve missed you! Shame it had to be a 1st round match. Was worthy of a final. Terrible luck for Djokovic, both the draw and Delpo really had some lucky netcords in the 1st set breaker.

    Reply

  69. Too bad didnt get to see any match. I just have to say WOW about Delpo’s win. Poor Djoko, I remember he did cry after losing the SF match vs Rafa at 2008 Beijing Olympics. At least at that time he won a bronze medal in singles.

    He still has hope for a gold this Olympics in doubles.

    Reply

  70. A terrific match. Some fans were saying Djok has shoulder issues. It did not prevent him from winning Toronto! Delpo is playing great! Can Rafa beat this Delpo?

    Reply

  71. He wanted it TOO much. I’ve made the observation many times: he and Roger share the same flaw when the glittering prizes are in sight.

    Reply

    • I don’t agree about Novak wanting it too much. He just won RG, completing the career slam and winning four slams in a row. That is quite an accomplishment. Then came the surprise early exit at Wimbledon.

      After finally realizing one if his biggest goals, I don’t know that it’s about wanting that Olympic good too much. Obviously, it’s missing from his resume, but he has done so much lately in his career.

      I tend to go with vr’s take, to the effect that thus was a very tough first round opponent who played the match of his life.

      Of course, we can all have our own opinion on it. Novak’s reaction after losing pretty much showed how much it meant to him.

      I didn’t initially think about this being his last chance to get an Olympic gold medal. He’s been healthy in his career, but he will be 33 years old in four years, out of his prime.

      Reply

        • That’s encouraging to hear. Novak has stayed healthy in his career. Looking at how devastated he was, I hope he gets another chance.

          Reply

          • NNY, I want to clarify that I didn’t mean to say that this is Djokovic’s last Olympics. If things go well for him, he will be a contender in 2020 as well. Four years is a long long time so you never know but his fitness level is surely there.

      • NNY:

        You say you don’t agree with me he wanted it too much but go on to acknowledge he was devastated by the loss. I doubt very much a medal of any colour in the doubles will make up for not having an Olympic gold in singles.

        Reply

        • ed,

          Every time I have a different opinion, it seems to bother you. I did admit that Novak wanted it, but you said that he wanted it too much and that’s why he lost.

          I did watch the match from start to finish and my sense is that Novak did play like he wanted it, but in the end it was Delpo’s superior play that got him the win. He just took it away from Novak. I can’t remember the last time I saw Delpo play this well. I did not expect him to get the win, although I did think he had the potential to make it interesting considering it was a first round match.

          I also said in my response that everyone is free to have their own opinion. That was meant specifically for you, so you would understand that I respect your point of view. I merely was speaking as to how I saw the match play out. I do not think that Novak choked it away. In fact, he was brilliant in fighting off several break point opportunities that Delpo had in the first set. He was fighting very hard in the match and usually when that happens, Novak will get the win. But Delpo really hung tough and wouldn’t give up and just played better and better, especially in the latter stages of the second set and then especially in the TB.

          I just wanted to make the point that I feel Delpo deserves full credit for going out there and giving his best effort and playing like a man who thought he could win and made it happen.

          I do appreciate that even if I disagree with you, you are always civil in response. That means a lot. I really would just like you to understand that it’s not a case of disagreeing for the sake of it or anything like that. I am just not sure that the match ultimately turned on Novak wanting it too much in this instance.

          Yes, I did acknowledge how devastated Novak was after he lost. That was very surprising to me. So it did reveal how much it meant to him. Novak gave it his best and normally that should be enough. But Delpo reminded those watching of what he is capable of when he brings his best. I thought he turned the clock back to 2009. It was quite something to see.

          Whether he can keep it up or not, remains to be seen. But again as always, I do respect your point of view. 🙂

          Reply

  72. Djokovic was playing amazing tennis for a first rnd match! It waa just that his opponent played like a man possessed. It was too tough a match for a first rnd and Delpo was playing without much pressure.

    So, Djokovic didn’t choke or anything at all… he did a fine job.

    Reply

    • vr,

      Thanks again for a fair analysis. I thought Novak played very well and fought hard for this win. But Delpo just seemed to go to another level kate in the second set. It’s not line it was an easy match that either guy could dominate. Two TB’s! It doesn’t get any closer that that.

      I thought one key was no breaks of serve in this match. The fact that Delpo served well enough to not get broken by a great returner like Novak, says a lot. Delpo was able to keep the pressure on Novak.

      Paul Annacone was doing the commentary, which made it a real treat to watch! The commentators have been saying for a while now that Delpo can’t hit the backhand the way he used to because of the wrist. But that forehand did so much damage and was such a formidable weapon!

      It was a quality match to watch for anyone who loves great tennis.

      Reply

      • I thought that when Delpo failed to convert several break chances in the first set, that it might come back to haunt him. So often, that’s the way it works with Novak. He fights off break chances and then somehow manages to get the break and find a way to win the set. That’s why I think Delpo’s great serving was such an important part of this win. Delpo stayed strong mentally and took care of his serve. The commentators said that Novak never even had a break point against Delpo.

        Also, in the first set Novak seemed to be targeting Delpo’s backhand quite a bit. The commentators made note of it and said that the way Delpo hits the backhand now, it can’t hurt Novak. But in targeting the backhand, that seemed to open up the forehand for Delpo.

        Delpo was taking the ball so early and hitting the forehand with so much precision and piwer, that it seemed to take time away from Novak. You rarely see an opponent able to control points and take the match out of novak’s hands. I think that was what Delpo managed to do.

        I am still marveling at how well Delpo played and how he has the belief that he could win this match. I think that’s half the battle against Novak.

        Reply

        • Good points NNY! Agree with them. And, it wasn’t that Djokovic had the gold medal match on his racket and somehow let it slip away! That is the situation when we have judgments like ‘He wanted it too much’.
          Djokovic played really well but how well Delpo played is hard to explain.

          You are right about the backhand. Djokovic started attacking it too but Delpo was rock solid. He hardly hit a backhand DTL in the match but kept elongating the rallies until he had a chance hit a forehand. MY GOODNESS, his forehand is godzilla! His footwork is also exceptional and because he knew novak would hit CC backhands, he used to anticipate sometimes and set up his forehand to smash clean inside-in winners. Those were rockets… the best he’s hit his forehand since USO 2009.

          I do believe that Djokovic made some tactical mistakes in the second set t.b…. he was under pressure so he chose the wrong approach shot….he approached the Delpo forehand with a backhand DTL and the approach shot were pretty average. Delpo had to hit amazing passing shots but WHY DIDN’T Novak attack the forehand when it mattered most?! Anyway, apart from that, it was a very high quality match.

          I hope Rafa can have a great tournament.

          Reply

          • vr,

            Thanks for your response. I really enjoyed watching that match. I cannot believe how well Delpo played and that forehand! I had almost forgotten how devastating that shot can be.

            I am sure that Novak wanted this very much. No question about it. But he just ran into a Delpo who seemed to turn back time.

            Delpo was always dangerous even against the top four players. He had the game to take it to everybody. It’s just so unfortunate that Delpo had to have surgery on the other wrist. He was finally back at #5 and seemed to be back for good. His career has been compromised by the wrist surgeries,

            The commentators were talking about how Delpo had to decide when and where to play. It will be interesting to see if he can make a run here now.

            Of course, I want Rafa to benefit from the absence of Novak. Hopefully, the wrist will hold up and not give him too much pain.

          • It’s funny that between Rafa and Delpo, whichever player is going to manage his wrist better is going to reach the final? lol

  74. Novak Djokovic cries on the court after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro at Rio Olympics 2016

    “No doubt it’s one of the toughest losses in my life, in my career,” Djokovic told the New York Times after the match. “It’s not easy to handle, especially now just after the match, the wounds are still fresh but you know you have to deal with it. It’s not the first or the last time I’m losing a tennis match but Olympic Games yeah it’s different.”

    For Del Potro, this was the sort of night he must have doubted he would ever experience again during those long, frustrating months stuck watching TV in his living room. “It was an amazing match for me,” he said. “I didn’t expect to beat Novak tonight because I know my situation, I know my problems with my backhand and my wrist, but I played an amazing match, my forehand worked very great, my serve was okay and the atmosphere was great too.

    “He is a friend on tour,” added Del Potro on the subject of his defeated opponent. “He is a great champion. He is a great person, he told me really kind words in the end and I appreciated it a lot.”

    https://tenngrand.com/2016/08/07/olympics-r1-previews-predictions-djokovic-vs-del-potro-nadal-vs-delbonis/#comment-133754

    Reply

  75. Once again, respect to Djokovic for being so gracious in defeat. It hurt him so badly but the way he embraced Juan Martin at the net was admirable. Delpo said it too that Novak had really nice words for him.

    While I am happy Rafa has a better chance now but all respect for his graciousness.

    Reply

    • That was Rafa and Marc! who defeated Delpo/Gonzales (I think it was?). I think all the tennis in the last 24 hours finally got to Delpo in the 3rd set. The forehand lost its sting and Rafa found his own zinging shots after netting some shots in the 2nd set.

      Never heard of Delpo’s partner before but he had a great 2nd set, very quick and aggressive at the net. (I missed the 1st set, watched the 2nd and 3rd on NBC’s live stream)

      Loved Rafa’s reaction to winning! Marc got a kiss on the back of his neck, lol.

      Reply

  79. One more thing: People don’t give Juan Martin enough credit for being a well-rounded player. It is disrespect to call him a ‘giant’ or whatever. Have you seen him volley and cover the net?? He is excellent at the net and hit some superb volleys against Novak! His backhand slice is also a great addition to his game. Wonder how he is able to defend his backhand side better in spite of having a fragile backhand? It is the slice! He has added it to his game because of that. He is able to stay in points longer and he used the slice well against Novak to set up forehands.

    I think Delpo is a well-rounded player. His forehand one of the best ever. If he can get his backhand working better and starts going for backhands DTL, he’ll be really really hard to beat.

    Having said this, he does have some weaknesses.

    Glad to have him back!

    Reply

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