Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori will be facing each other for a second consecutive week when they collide again on Friday in Rome. A semifinal spot will also be at stake in a showdown between Alexander Zverev and David Goffin.
Kei Nishikori vs. (11) Novak Djokovic
Djokovic and Nishikori will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers and for the second time in as many weeks when they battle for a place in the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday. A recent 7-5, 6-4 victory in the Madrid first round was Djokovic’s 11th in a row over the Japanese star and extended his domination of the head-to-head series to 12-2. The 18th-ranked Serb was bounced out of Madrid immediately thereafter by Kyle Edmund in three sets, but he is back in business at the Rome Masters. This marks just the second time in 2018 that Djokovic has won three matches at a single event (previously did so at the Australian Open), and he has done it by beating Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nikoloz Basilashvili, and Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets.
Nishikori is in the midst of his own comeback from physical issues, and it is going relatively well even though he still trails Djokovic by six ranking spots. The 28-year-old finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in Monte-Carlo and he is through to the quarters this week thanks to defeats of Feliciano Lopez, Grigor Dimitrov, and Philipp Kohlschreiber. Although Nishikori is playing well, he has been hopeless against Djokovic dating back to the fall of 2014 and the 12-time major champion finally appears to be playing his best tennis since last spring.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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(9) David Goffin vs. (2) Alexander Zverev
With a week off soon to be enjoyed prior to the French Open, Zverev seems unwilling to run out of gas just yet. The third-ranked German has 17 clay-court matches this spring and has won 15 of them, including a 14-1 record in three-plus tournaments (Monte-Carlo, Munich, Madrid, and two matches in Rome). He reached the Monte-Carlo semis before succumbing to Nishikori, triumphed in Munich, captured his third career Masters 1000 title in Madrid, and has taken care of Matteo Berrettini and Edmund so far this week.
Up next for Zverev on Friday is a third career contest with Goffin, who beat Zverev back in 2014 at the Mons Challenger but lost their most recent meeting 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the 2016 Munich quarterfinals. The 10th-ranked Belgian has recovered nicely from an eye injury that derailed his February and March efforts, with a quarterfinal performance in Monte-Carlo and a semifinal showing in Barcelona. Goffin finds himself in the Rome quarters thanks victories over Leonardo Mayer and Marco Cecchinato plus a second-set retirement from Juan Martin Del Potro on Thursday. Two of Goffin’s three clay-court losses have come at the hands of Edmund and Grigor Dimitrov, and an even tougher opponent awaits in this one. Zverev’s hot streak may end at some point in Rome, but the defending champion should have enough left in the tank to hit Goffin off the court.
Pick: Zverev in 2
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Zverev in three, Djokovic in two
KNish and Goffin in 3.
Zverev looked half dead by the end of the second set vs Edmund; his serve bailed him out of troubles as always.
Goffin can take the ball early and rushes Zverev; a TOP form Goffin can get the win, Zverev is tiring out as he progresses through the draw, Goffin to take advantage of that. Goffin in three.
Djoko will as usual beat Kei, in two or three sets. Djoko is getting better, and Kei has to be tired after the three hour match vs Dimi; Kohl didn’t turn up with his best tennis and so Kei won easily but Djoko is a bridge too far for him once again I feel.
Against Djoko, one must not engage in Long rallies with him, he’s so comfortable from the baseline and enjoys the rhythm and pace in a rally; and he could hit to all directions and create all sorts of angled shots. If Kei wants to beat him, he has to move up into the court, throw in some varieties, and takes time away from Djoko, easier said than done.
Nishikori in 3
Zverev in 3
It’s tempting to pick Novak in 2, which should be the case. However, I’m still not sold on him and wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Kei take it. Djokovic needs to win a tournament or at least make a final this year before I’ll believe he’s back. There’s just such inconsistency in his game, along with lack of self-belief, that hasn’t been there for so long. Maybe a SF against Nadal is what he needs to get his mojo back.
May not be the case, Rafa will beat him from the way Rafa is playing. Djoko’s opponents so far made it comfortable for him, all rallying with him from the baseline, doomed to fail.
Kei may offer something different if Kei really wants to win this match. Kei’s problem is his lack of self belief vs the big four guys.
+1
Djoko and Goffin
Nole and Zverev in three
H2H between A. Zverev -D. Goffin is indeed 1-1, with each of them winning against the other one in front of a partisan audience consisting in majority of compatriots (Goffin in 2014 at Mons Challenger in Belgium, Zverev in 2016 at ATP Munich in Germany). Surprisingly enough they didn’t have to face each other yet in front of a more neutral audience in official competition.
At the start of this season they faced each other at the Hopman Cup in Australia but this event, though prestigious, is only an exhibition event. Goffin won 3 and 3.
In my perception both have a shot at the victory f they play at their best and the opponent below his best. But if both play at their best, A. Zverev should win the match.
Nishikori has a huge mental block against Djoko and most probably will fold and lose in two. Djoko’s level against ARV was very good,played with great intensity,changing the direction of the ball with great pace and getting some great angles,also moving very well around the court.Will be nice to see if he can build up from here,undoubtedly his best performance of the season so far.
Goffin has been just too inconsistent since last year RG injury. Zverev possibly is fatigated and this can go to distance,but I’m staying with Sasha for the win.
Classic Djokovic is back! Hitting mm precision line shots. Ohhhhhh I’m going to come!!!! Double Rainbow all the wayyyy!!!! wooooooo
P.S. I’m going Goffin in this one. Edmund had Zverev and could of taken it to a 3rd. But classic Edmund has a cicada brain. Zverev to win 1st set, but he uses 70% of his power in the 1st set. Goffin just has to wear him down like Del Po.
Goffin the first player to take a set off Sasha on clay, after Sasha’s impressive run of 23 sets win on clay starting from Munich. Wow!
Goffin truly made a mess out of the match! He was up 3-2 and serving for a 4-2 lead yet couldn’t hold serve and lost the advantage and now Sasha serving for the match!
I mean why’s Goffin rallying from the baseline? His edge is taking the ball early and rushing his opponent, so why stays at the baseline instead of going inside the court? It a winnable match and yet Goffin loses it!
Completely agree LS. sheesh Goffin.
I often feel this way about Goffin’s play, including against Nadal. When he stays aggressive and takes the ball on the rise he is very difficult to stop. But he just seems to lack the self-belief to keep doing it.
David Goffin breaks in the 3rd set 😀
Now I have to hide my eyes…I want him to win so bad. But I know Sascha will hit him off the court, dang it. Welsh Witch, if you are reading, I been cheering for your Goffin pick and at least he got a set 🤗 Loved your Djokovic pick too.
Sascha is too good. Well, I hope he makes the final now.