One of the best rivalries in the current era of tennis will add another chapter following a one-year hiatus when Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic meet again in the semifinals of the the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Saturday.
Djokovic is one of just two active players–along with Dustin Brown–who owns a winning record of any kind against Nadal. After once trailing the Spaniard 14-4, the Serb now leads the head-to-head series 26-24 after winning 22 of their last 32 encounters dating back to the summer of 2009. He is also 19-8 dating back to the start of 2011 and had won seven in a row before falling to Nadal 6-2, 6-4 on the red clay of Madrid last spring.
The sudden drought in their rivalry can be easily explained, as Djokovic missed the second half of last season due to various physical problems and has been slow to return in 2018. He showed signs of his former self by winning three matches at the Australian Open, but the see-saw comeback took a turn for the worse with a straight-set loss to Hyeon Chung (Aussie Open fourth round) and much worse setbacks against Taro Daniel (Indian Wells) and Benoit Paire (Miami).
Djokovic’s clay-court swing began with a modest 3-3 record through three tournaments, but it all may be turning around for him just in time for the French Open. The world No. 18 has won four matches at a single event for the first time this year, beating Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nikoloz Basilashvili, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, and Kei Nishikori en route to the semis.
“The quality of tennis was really high,” Djokovic said after overcoming Nishikori 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. “Kei was playing fantastic, especially in the first set…and it took me little bit of time to adjust to his pace…. I’m really happy that I mentally stayed strong. In the ending of the third set I really fought and showed some resilience. This victory means a lot to me on different levels, mostly mental.”
It will take an incredible physical effort to recover from a two-hour, 20-minute battle and go up against the King of Clay on his favorite surface one day later. Is Nadal beatable on clay? Well, yes; it just happened when Dominic Thiem took him down in the Madrid quarterfinals last week. Fabio Fognini also took a set off the top seed on Friday, but conditions suit Nadal more favorably in Rome than they do in Madrid and he really has not come close to losing this week–not even to Fognini. The 31-year-old preceded his win over the Italian by crushing Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-0 and Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-1.
As if Nadal even needed a wakeup call to prepare himself for a showdown against one his chief rivals, he got it from Fognini. The 16-time Grand Slam champion will undoubtedly be ready. Will Djokovic? Two recent wins over Nishikori are promising for the former world No. 1, but he has not defeated anyone in the top 20 since Eastbourne last summer and it has been exactly one year since his last top-10 victory (over Thiem in the 2017 Rome semis).
Pick: Nadal in 2
[polldaddy poll=10008623]
WWW?
Djokovic has nothing to lose and will relish the underdog tag. Nadal will get the upperhand, eventually, but Djokovic will look like a winner at some stage.
Nadal in 3
Nadal is beatable; his form is not what it was earlier in the clay court season. His serve especially has tailed off. Djokovic has the game in theory to beat him, obviously, but there is no reason to think it will happen until after it does.
Novak’s best chance is probably that Rafa will have too much respect for him based on the past, and won’t be as confident as he should be. I don’t think it will be enough. Nadal in 2.
Nadal in 2
Djokovic in tight 3. Rafa’s form is great. Would pick rafa in b05. In BO3 and in rome, I would give edge to Djokovic.
I want Novak to win but his form is not what it used to be.
He is getting better so we will see.
I think this match will turn around Novak’s season.
Rafa in two.
Djokovic was hitting eagle eye line shots against Nishi. Yes, Djokovic is beatable, but after losing at home in Madrid, I don’t know if I can confidently say Nadal in 2. Maybe I’ll take Djoko to win the 1st set.
Kei feeding Djoko those fast pace balls had played into Djoko’s hands; Djoko loved the pace and rhythm of the rallies and could change directions at will. Kei should vary the pace, or rushed in to take the ball early, doing something different.
I hope Rafa serves well in the first place, and goes into aggression mode from the get go and not goes into hard hitting from the baseline. He’s not the king of clay for nothing, he should know how to solve problems out there,just like how he turned things around against Foggy.
We’re not going to let this pass unnoticed now, are we? Seemed to be a lot of chatter about you know what, when you know who was around.
https://twitter.com/Renestance/status/997571633438216197
That’s the typical anti-Fed, pro-Rafa bias of many on this site. They never complain when scheduling or anything else goes in Nadal’s favour. But where Fed is concerned, roll out the conspiracy theories…
Joe!…Of coz it’s not fair to Novak..but why u targeted Rafans & not organizers in this matter?It’s not as if Rafa ‘influenced’/asked organizers to granted him an early match with Fabio yesterday?Or am i wrong?
Well, Mira, there are quite a few regular posters on this site who regularly complain that Federer is given preferential treatment in a variety of ways. When Nadal is given preferential treatment, none of them ever seems to complain. So it seems like pure fan bias, rather than a concern for fair play.
And Rafa himself said that he was not used to play that early…From that statement,clearly Rafa too not very satisfied…And Fognini too!..
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Rafael_Nadal/55104/fabio-fognini-disagrees-with-facing-rafael-nadal-at-noon/
Rafa in two
2:0 25:26
Rafa for the win. Djoko is slowly getting on track again,but it’s just too soon for him. If he puts a good effort maybe he can challenge Rafa and capture a set or making it competitive,even if it’s a two setter. Plus,he will be physically drained and had less time to recover than Rafa,and that also will play a huge role,the Nadalovic contests are always extremely physical.
Keep your mind focused, remain confident, be strong and show off your fighting spirit, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DdjbeCLW4AImm_T.jpg
Nny!…I don’t know whether u notice about this or not in yesterdays match….But,it’s soooooo adorable!!heh heh….
https://www.givemesport.com/1316225-rafael-nadal-breaks-focus-because-of-brilliant-moment-in-the-crowd?autoplay=off
MA,
I saw it! Loved it! So cute! Rafa did, too! Even babies love Rafa!
Djokovic is improving, but I still think he’s pretty beatable at this point.
Rafa in 2
The match is on Sky #121.
I’m happy Nole made it this far and hope he can play well. Certainly Rafa will win in 2 – just hope it won’t be a blow-out.
Rafa breaks Novak!
Vamos Rafa!
Very important hold for Rafa here.
Still up a break.
History repeating itself with Rafa getting broken serving for the set.
Don’t know what happens to Rafa’s serve, it’s being bad after that Shapo match; maybe he’s just nervous?
Is anyone else watching this match?
I would like to. Just checking the score from time to time.
I am. Looks like some nervous playing from both at times. Novak can’t seem to hold serve when it’s most important, yet. Whew, he held.
Rafa’s mental blockade when facing Novak costs him when serving for the match…
Meant to say “serving for the set”..,
We’ll see if Rafa breaks now or if Novak can manage to get it to a tb.
That is the truth.
My comment was in response to nat’s comment.
High quality set. Have’nt seen Djokovic play this well for a while.
Thankfully Rafa wins the TB and the first set!
Rafa’s serve is poor compared to Djoko’s, don’t understand why Rafa couldn’t find his first serve so often whilst Djoko is like serving from a tree! Had Rafa served better he could have close this match earlier.
Hope Rafa raise his level now and please serve better!
Hope Rafa playing with more calm from now on…Novak’s level is high, as I expected…
Vamos Rafa!
Rafa was only getting in 50 % of first serves . Novak was getting in about 60 something percent. They both are winning about the same percentage of first and second serves.
All Novak has to do is see Rafa on the other side of the net. Novak had a meltdown on the sidelines after he lost the first set.
Yeah, had Rafa served better, the first set won’t be so close. I think Rafa is a bit nervous vs Djoko, not unlike when vs Foggy. He knows they’re formidable opponents.
Rafa brings out the best in all his opponents. This looks like the old Djokovic that we haven’t seen until today.
It seems so – vs DJoko, Foggy, Thiem, they all bring their best when playing against Rafa.
They said now Rafa is serving at 90%. Much better.
2 games away
Thiem has done it twice. He is usually TERRIBLE against Nadal.
Murray is also one who saves his best for Rafa. Pretty much everyone does as if they know anything less will not be good enough. They put it all out there because it’s either that or they definitely lose.
When Rafa gets his first serves in, life is a bit easier for him.
Yes! Very true
Yes! Rafa wins in straight sets! So happy!
Scoreline was exactly what I expected it to be. Great win for Rafa, especially mentally!
Great match! Rafa played great second set! Novak is back! Hopefully Novak will peak for Wimby, not before!
YESSSSS!!!Wooooohoooooo!!….Rafa won!!….
Uhuk!Uhuk!Uhuk!….So sorry for Stanley who’s wishes to see Rafa lost today was not granted….Ooppssie!
But full full credit to Nole who seems very close to his former self…Good luck for the rest of the season Nole!!
To RC….Sorry,Nole lost…But,he’s on his way to his best….
Thanks, MA. I don’t like seeing Novak get so angry that it affects him negatively. If he could just take those emotions and frustrations out on the court with his racquet like he was able to do for quite awhile in stretches in his career. I don’t like it when he hangs on to the anger and gets sarcastic with himself, nor do I like it when he gives up and just goes flat.
He managed the monster within in the end today. I hope he takes positives because there were a lot of positive and he’s got a lot of tennis to play at a very high level, if he can keep going.
Congrats to you and Rafans. He’s the best. But I know you worry about him too 😉 And that’s because anything can happen. It’s not likely that Rafa loses this time of year but he did falter in Madrid.
Thanks for the congrats rc….Worried?Yeah!…Novak is the only player that i worried the most…As we can see today,he resembled very much of his former self…he didn’t play like this in such a long long time….
About his anger…I liked to see that too from Novak…Coz that shows his desire to win is there again for him..compared to last year when he acted like a robot..no emotions whatsoever when he’s on court…
Like Nats said up there..i hope he will be a challenge at Wimby…He’s good on grass too…
As I said, Rafa would win in straight sets with one set close and the other not so much. Had Rafa served better, he would be able to win more comfortably.
Djoko is playing well, he always play well against Rafa!
Yay!! Rafa wins!!
Rafa stayed tough and did it in straight sets.
They said Novak will be ranked outside the top twenty now. He lost points because he was in the final last year.
This is his best result so far. I don’t think he’s back yet, especially at slams. But it’s a start in the right direction. He did play well. But Rafa started serving better and took control in the second set.
Rafa will feel very good about this win.
Vamos Rafa!! But you’re right – the Djoker will be wild for awhile yet. Still, I hope he doesn’t land in Rafa’s half of the RG draw! I expect he hopes that too. If he keeps playing with a semblance of his former self absolutely NO ONE is gonna want to play him early. Or late, for that matter.
“It’s not about revenge.” But vengeance is sweet!
Next H2H to be repaired : Halep – Sharapova 🙂
Oh dear, Eugene. That will be another difficult match for me.
Stay strong no matter who wins. You are most precious, don’t forget. On a less important note, go go Halep!
Thank you, Eugene. But I rarely feel precious. But I’ll accept the idea right now. Nice to read you here again.
Halep is not having any luck holding serve atm. This is as enjoyable as having my wisdom teeth extracted over again.
Enjoy your day Eugene. I’m done with tennis for today. I’ll check in tomorrow and see if Svitolina can defend her title here.
If Maria is going to dominate again – WTA needs Serena back!!
You too, enjoy your day 😉
Both players in good form…Rafa in GREAT form…in 2.
As much as I appreciate Novak, I have personally never liked him as much as I do Fedal… I would love to see Novak get back to his prime level again eventually, though, because the sport really is better with him playing a high level. There is no question that ATP is just not even remotely as interesting without all of the Big 4 + Stan intact. I want to say that this week was a step in the right direction for Novak, but I felt that sentiment even more at LAST year’s Rome event where he played even better in reaching the Final. Therefore I’m skeptical that this semifinal run means anything more than Rome is just one of Novak’s most comfortable/favored tournaments…
I’m sure that both the Rafans and Fedfans on here would agree with me when I say that I would personally love for Rafa get another slam victory over Novak at RG this season, and for Fed to get another one over Novak at Wimbledon. I feel like it would be very satisfying for each of them about the recent stretch of years where Novak had their number. I guess it would be more ideal for Fed when it comes to slams as he lost those three major Finals to Novak, 2 of them heartbreakers. And if Fed managed to get a slam victory over Novak at 36-37 years old, that would make it even more satisfying for him.
As far as Rafa is concerned, I really just want him make up for the massacre he took from Novak at RG 2015. I believe Rafa has unfinished business as far as that is concerned. We would have gotten it last year had Novak not lost meekly to Thiem in the QF.
No Kevin I dont want Novak anywhere close to Rafa…he can be in other part of draw..But I know he will be put in Rafas draw and may be made to face Rafa as early as 3rd or 4th round
I’d love a slam final between Novak and Rafa. Hope the RG draw gods see it that way too. I honestly don’t think Rafa puts much stock in h2h records. He’s always said that the lopsided h2h does NOT make him a better player than Roger. Also I’ve always preferred the Fedal matchup too.
Can’t say that I agree with you about wanting Nadal to beat Novak at RG: I’ve always liked Djokovic more than Nadal, and I think at his best he’s better than Rafa. But not now, not yet. Nadal played a mostly great match, with one big exception: his serve. Not sure what has gone wrong with it, but it’s really gone off the boil and the wind made it worse yesterday. But Nadal played a brilliant tiebreaker and fully deserved the win.
Props to Novak for playing a tough match, but I still felt that he really lacked the fire of his glory days. Maybe he was a bit tired with the short recovery time, but he never really looked to me like he thought he could win.
Rafa had 50% first serves which was very poor but he won around 61% of them..Djokovic had 71% first serves but won only 64% of it..Rafa however won 69% second serve points n thats huge and made up for it..
Joe Smith says AT 3:54 AM: “I’ve always liked Djokovic more than Nadal”
===
Fed worshipers have always disliked Rafa (since the latter started to beat the Fed worshipers’ beloved one). LOL
Fed devotees have always liked
I’ve to repeat this again:
Rafa’s best on clay >> Djoko’s best on clay
Rafa’s best on HCs <. Djoko’s best on HCs
Rafa’s best on grass (ie 2008/2010) = Djoko’s best on grass (2014/2015)
It’s not only the wind that troubled Rafa’s serve; it’s also his nerve. The same thing happened in the Foggy match.
However, Rafa still was able to break and lead Djoko 5-2 in first set; just like he was leading Foggy 4-2 in set one the other day; his poor first serve had done the damage on Rafa’s game in set one both times; it’s a testament as to how good Rafa’s game was that even without a good serve, he still could win the match(es). With a better serve, he could win both matches comfortably in straight sets.
Rafa being 5 2 up and made to win 7 6 shows he still has the scars of losses inflicted on him in his head and it will never completely go away. He may be able to contain it and manage it but it will never go away.
Delpotro and Novak are the 2 dangers for Rafa in RG and to lesser extent Thiem and Zverev..Zverev mostly will be no 2 and will go in other half..Delpo looks injured and may not play..I fully expect given how RG always tries to makes Rafas draws tough put Novak in round 3 and Thiem in QF..I hope Novak is in other half and Thiem not face Rafa before SF
Did you even watch the match ? Boh players had trouble holding against the wind. Rafa lost his serve against the wind just like Djokovic.
Rafa even had trouble holding his first serve from that end .
Rafa won 😭,I am so happy for him 😉.
If Novak was in form he would have won, Novak needs to continue to play, he is improving.
Rafa won’t win the French Open.
Novak didn’t have time to recover 😭😭😭 not fair.
Just like most of Feds opponents did not have enough time to recover over the years because of bad scheduling, centre court slots, roof closed etc advantages doled out to Federer.
Oppss!…Roger who won’t win FO Stanley!Coz he chose not to play there…And Rafa still has the chance to win it..or do u suddenly forget about that?Heh heh…
Rafa clearly played tentative serving at 5 3…he was shaky with the FH and made uncharacteristic errors…he said so in as many words that he made stupid mistakes at 5 3 serving..
Sanju, I don’t think Delpo, Novak or Dominic would want to be anywhere near Rafa either.
the Serb complained afterwards about poor scheduling which affected his preparation, playing a late-afternoon quarter-final on Friday before returning to court on Saturday mid-afternoon.
“I don’t want to seem like I’m complaining about losing the match because of the schedule. But having to end at night and coming back to play early in the day affects a lot,” he said.
“Nobody has ever, ever reached me in my entire career to ask me about what I think would be the best scheduling. I don’t think that is fair, we will address it in the next players’ council.”
I don’t think there was that much of a difference, which is great news for me. Winning the tie-break was for him a great wind in his back,” said Djokovic.
“Rafa was just better in the important moments, played the better shots. He deserved to win
“I haven’t had many breaks in the last period, so I’m pleased by how I’ve played in the last days. I hope Roland Garros can be the continuation.”
I was kind of puzzled by their scheduling Rafa-Fabio so early in the day – that’s a prime time match in Italy for sure, but then I figured it was Fognini they were favoring, figuring that if he did win he’d need PLENTY of rest time for the final.
Fabio didn’t lose to a champion, but to the champion, because I think Rafa is still above (Roger) Federer.
Fulvio Fognini (Foginins dad)
Rafa did not even play that well today..50% first serves which is seriously bad,barely hit FH DTL- guess just 2 or 3 (the few times he hit, he won the point esp one monster one in the TB )..his CC BH did a lot of damage today too..not sure if it was deliberate to change patterns against Novak..
HUGE test for Rafa today,with Novak playing at a high level!
In the end,I think that Djoko deserved a set for what he showed today. He really gets fired up when he faces Rafa across the net and gives it all out there,plus I think that he’s the best player anticipating Rafa’s shots,he makes Rafa take risks if he wants to get advantage in the baseline exchanges. IMO,Djoko’s still on Rafa’s mind,surely that 7 consecutive victories for Djoko have taken it’s tool psychologically. That’s why Rafa entered the match on his back foot,being defensive and letting Djoko dictate way to much from the baseline.When he took the first set he got relaxed and played way more freely in the second.
To see Novak with the will and desire again is great news. Now I’m sure he’ll be back to be a top contender for pretty much everything once again,maybe after Wimbledon he’ll reach his normal level and will be a favourite for the USO.
Regarding Rafa,it’s great to see him getting tested once again before the BIG event and it’s also an important victory in the mental side,sure it helps him exorcising the demons Novak brought to his mind.
Vamos Rafa! 💪👑🎾
Nah, Djoko may be back but I’m not sure he’ll be back to his previous high level. He still has to fight tooth and nail with Kei, who’s also on the comeback trail.
I think he can be in the top five, but it’s looking unlikely that he’ll become no.1 again when players like Sasha is getting better and better, and Fedal are playing at a high level too. I’m talking about next year and after, this year he won’t have much time to get back on track, ie at least in the top ten I feel.
I think Fedal, if they keep up their form and high level, will rule this year and next, but come 2020, things may change and the young gen may be ready to take over by then – when Fed will be 38/39 and Rafa 33/34; Djoko by then will be 32/33.
Surely Djoko’s not coming back to 2011/2015 level,but to be a top contender he doesn’t really need that superior form.
Zverev’s playing very well at the moment,but he’s yet to translate his game to BO5 matches. To come back to N.1 seems pretty tough for Djoko I agree,Zverev is in fact seeming most likely to end the season closer to that position than him. We shall wait and see.