Madrid champion Novak Djokovic will clash with young Canadian Denis Shapovalov in his opening match in Rome. Fellow Madrid finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas kicks off his campaign against even younger Italian wild card Jannick Sinner.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Denis Shapovalov
After a lackluster spring season, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic came roaring back with his first clay court title of 2019 in Madrid last week. The Serb was impressive in his defeat of Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic began the year with a dominant run to the title of the Australian Open, but faltered in Indian Wells and Miami, losing early in upset wins to Philipp Kohlschreiber and Roberto Bautista Agut respectively.
Denis Shapovalov had a good run on hard courts, particularly in Miami where he finally lost to Roger Federer in the semifinals. The Canadian NextGen star hasn’t fared as well on clay. In fact, until this week, he hadn’t won a single match on the dirt in three tries. For him to run into Djokovic so early in the tournament is a spot of bad luck.
It’s doubtful Shapovalov will be able to hang with Djokovic on clay. He was able to take a set from the world No. 1 this year in Melbourne, but Djokovic is nearly as good on clay as he is on the slow hard courts of the Australian Open. And his clay game isn’t exactly Shapovalov’s strong suit.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 2
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 2
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(8) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Jannick Sinner
It’s a rare thing for Stefanos Tsitsipas to play someone younger than he, but on Wednesday, the Madrid finalist will take on 17 year-old Jannick Sinner, who stunned Steve Johnson in the first round. The shock wasn’t necessarily that Sinner is 17, but more that he is ranked 263 in the world and generally finds himself competing on the Futures tour. A generous wildcard for the Italian into the Rome event handed young Sinner a golden opportunity.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has had an impressive couple of weeks. The Greek won his first clay court title in Estoril, then followed that up with a run to the final in Madrid, during which he beat Rafael Nadal before going down to Novak Djokovic. Certainly, there is the real possibility that Tsitsipas is fatigued, but it’s hard to imagine the Greek allowing Sinner another opportunity for an upset.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 2
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Djokovic in 2
Titsipas in 2
Yeah its actually works against Shapavalov to have won a set in their last encounter. That will be fresh in Djokovic’s memory and he will be even more motivated to win this in straight. Otherwise I had Shapavalov potentially winning a set because Djokovic had it a bit to easy in the Madrid final match against Titsipas.
Joker in 2; tpas in 2.
D2T2
Nadal and Fed (who has to play a rested Coric on the same day should he first beat Sousa) will do well just to get to the QF today. They’re both at a huge disadvantage having to play two matches in one day. Novak has a much better chance of advancing.
ALL 3 of them are expected to play two matches in one day, no? :-/
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/kyrgios-shreds-nadal-djokovic-and-more-in-incredible-interview-20190516-p51nzh.html
Always entertaining. I’m sure there’s some truth to what he says, but Kyrgios calling anyone salty is pretty hilarious.
Meh. Salty is what he does. It’s all he’s got left. He and Rottenberg are a great team. Anyway, Curious salted himself right out of Rome today, tossed out on his ear, apparently for throwing a hissy fit. And a chair, among other things. Guess he didn’t like the idea of playing two a day – heh, most days he doesn’t even want to play ONCE. Whyever would Rafa think NK “lacks a bit of respect?”
Meanwhile, the Big Three cruised through their first matches. Rafa had a bagel and a breadstick for breakfast. Federer feasted on Sousa in a leisurely hour and 23 mins. Djoko tore through Shapo like a hurricane. Two matches a day? No problem, bring ’em on, we’re rested, we’re HUNGRY.
Thiem fell to Verdasco in a tough 3, surprising but Verdasco lives to occasionally surprise.
https://youtu.be/Istcd6U_J9s
Salty😇👆🏻
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-defaulted-in-rome-after-tantrum-throwing-chair-onto-court-20190516-p51o9f.html
Crazy man, this Kyrgios! Rafa sore loser? Well, Fed too, just read what he said about his opponent when he lost.
Djoko is the one who’s gracious in defeat, but when he wins, his celebrations sometimes are unbearable but he does tone down on that now.
Kyrgios is entitled to his own opinions, but people like Toni Nadal or others are entitled to theirs too!
Kyrgios was really disrespectful when he got his bum facing his opponent when his opponent was returning a shot at him. He thought that’s entertaining and some spectators laughed too, but at the same time some booed or whistled at him. He’s really disrespectful towards his opponent imo even though he thought that’s entertaining. He just doesn’t know how to behave, couldn’t differentiate between what’s entertaining and what’s being disrespectful.
No wonder Rafa was so mad at him. It’ll be insulting to Djoko if Kyrgios really beat him and does the boobs throwing thing the way Djoko does it when he wins.
Aha! Curious was slated to play Djoko next, no wonder he threw his match – literally! An inform Djoko isn’t something he’s got the balls for.
https://twitter.com/andreopines/status/1129014769237860352
Disrespectful to his opponents, his fans, the umpires, what a complete idiot, im all for giving people a chance and the benefit of the doubt, but it only goes so far, when there comes a time to say enough is enough, talent takes a player so far, and im all for players having a personality without been too PC all the time, and hes entitled to his opinions, but hes crossed the line one time too many why should people respect him when he has no respect for anybody else, what a complete tool, he doesnt realize how lucky he is to be playing the sport he loves, and some would kill to have a chance at, just retire already , what a jerk ….
I just can’t help liking him, Alison. Forgive please. The tool makes me smile. The only the he could have done better today was to start throwing drinks from that cooler to the crowd.
He already did enough to please me this week, Alison these past couple of weeks by helping push a car – helping those people in Canberra.
Whipping Medvedev and taking him down a few notches was all Kyrgios needed to make me love him this week. Medvedev has been on his high horse 😀
He was not rude to Ruud 😀 he was a gentleman at the net shaking hands with Ruud — and the umpire. Some fans made him grumpy. I can’t help liking him. He’s naughty Nick – one in 8 billion. Never would approve of him as a proper date for one of my children. And I’m glad everybody doesn’t act the way he does. But he pleases me enough on a tennis court that I turn a blind eye and forgive his irreverence.
Nice to read you here Alison. Hope all is well with you, dear.
I’m interested to know what he was so upset about leading up to the game penalty. He was talking after every point to an official or someone at te back of the court. He was continually referring it to the umpire as well and nothing was being done about it.
What he was upset about? When is NK NOT upset about something?
Gyros is out.
Coric dealing with a rubbish crowd which does not even applaud his shots
Oh yes. Good job, job well done vs Kohls. Payback for Indian Wells feels good – especially just before RG. Idemo Nole! Woot!
Rafa — did he really need to squash Basilashvili like a bug 😀 Dear gosh, Vamos!
Lol Elizabeth, you dont need to justify yourself hun, hes a great talent no question, its just with all his shenanagins, it makes it difficult for me to warm to him, just when i begin to he doesnt something like this, but thats just me personally lol ….
Elizabeth thanks honey you too, all well here, getting ready for my first camp next month yippee, soon rolled around again wheres the year going lol ?
Stefanos is still in winning form. Such composure in that atmosphere.
(and I did pick Fogna because Roma and his serious approach these days to tennis) Stefanos appears strong enough to handle all the ruckus, however. But it’s not over until it’s all the way over with Fognini in a situation like this.
Okay, Oh good you don’t hate me for being a naughty nick fan lol….
Next month – you mean summer solstice wild camp? June 21 or so?
Federer saves two match points against Coric to win maybe the most exciting match yet this year. Nearly 38 years old, playing his second match in four hours on the most energy-sapping surface which he’s barely played on in 4 years, coming back from a set down to win against a quality player. Check out the hot shot pass. Simply amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hudx9PXASj8