Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be aiming for spots in the Rome quarterfinals when they take the court on Thursday. The two all-time greats are going up against familiar foes Stan Wawrinka and Denis Shapovalov, respectively.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (WC) Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka has turned back the clock to make a surprising appearance in round three of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. You have to turn it back even farther to find the last completed head-to-head match between these two veterans. That was the 2016 U.S. Open final, in which Wawrinka pulled off a good 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 upset for his third Grand Slam title. They also faced each other at the 2019 U.S. Open, but Djokovic retired from their fourth-round contest while trailing two sets to love. Despite those results, the top-ranked Serb has won 19 of their 25 meetings (five of six on clay, not counting retirements).
Heading into Rome, Djokovic and Wawrinka had won a combined seven matches in 2022 (all seven by Djokovic). Wawrinka is just now coming back from a year-long injury absence and so far this week he has battled past Reilly Opelka and Laslo Djere in three sets. How much more can the 37-year-old’s body take when it isn’t used to this much tennis in a short amount of time? Having to face Djokovic won’t make things any easier–even though the No. 1 seed may not be in peak form. A semifinal run in Madrid was relatively encouraging and Djokovic had no trouble erasing Aslan Karatsev 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday. This is a fun matchup on paper, but it probably won’t last long.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (13) Denis Shapovalov
Nadal vs. Shapovalov is a rematch of the same tournament and same round last year, when the Spaniard survived 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) on his way to a 10th Rome title. Shapovalov also had Nadal on the ropes earlier this season at the Australian Open only for the Canadian to collapse in the fifth set en route to a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 loss. Overall, the head-to-head series stands at 4-1 in Nadal’s favor (2-0 on clay) and he has won four in a row since falling to Shapovalov 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4) at the 2017 Montreal Masters.
Like Djokovic, Nadal’s Madrid ouster came at the hands of eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. But Rome generally suits the 35-year-old much better than Madrid; he is a 10-time champion of this event and his bid for No. 11 got off to an emphatic start with a 6-3, 6-1 beatdown of John Isner on Wednesday. Shapovalov has already passed two tough tests in the form of Lorenzo Sonego (7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3) and Nikoloz Basilashvili (6-4, 7-6(5)). Still, the world No. 16 is just 4-4 dating back to the Dubai semifinals. This is unlikely to be as competitive as their memorable 2021 showdown.
Pick: Nadal in 2
Rafa always has the worse draws!!! Hope he really dispatches Shapo in str8ts!!!
True, but that’s the test for him, to gauge his form, and also to let him know areas he has to improve in. Isner followed by Shapo and then Rudd/Djoko/ Tsitsipas or Zverev is certainly not an easy path for anyone, not even for him.
Oh, I still think that at Madrid, had he not had a lapse in concentration, he would’ve finished off Goffin in straight sets in less than two hours. He would then have more energy in his match against Alcaraz, and won’t be so tentative at the get go that handed the upper hand to Alcaraz to lose the first set.
It would still be a tough fight against Alcaraz of course, but after what happened to Alcaraz in set two, a more energetic Rafa could then capitalise in set three after winning set two.
The match in the SF vs Djoko would be 50/50 chances for Rafa but Zverev’s performance in the final, he was there for the taking.
Rafa was simply not ready, physically and mentally, at Madrid. Hopefully, he’s ready now in Rome.
Wow. Ive never read or heard such detailed analysis of how one player ‘might’ have done better – call it wishful thinking or pure inspirative thinking or whatever- and win several matches if it hadnt been for one loss of concentration against Goffin.
Ive already given you my opinion on what you said about Fed who won five US opens in a row against ‘weak ‘ opposition
Shapo will lead by a set and a break then fall out with the umpire , and lose
Djoko vs Stan, one of my favourite match-ups ever! Hope Stan can find some real form soon and we get to see his best level again.
Shapo ain’t an easy match-up for Rafa. As long as Rafa serves well, I think he’ll get this done in 2.
Has been a great match up, but have you seen Stan lately? He’s out of shape and out of form, sadly. Djoker will eat him for lunch. (Really, really hope I’m wrong!)
Ricky, how many predictions did you get right yesterday? Was it 20 or 30%?
I see Ricky has changed this from sanju to guest. When I queried the person posting as me with the pro Putin garbage Ricky said it was guest then. I came back briefly to tell you all this. In January Ricky said it was someone who had been posting as Crocop.
Anyway, watch out for guest. It’s he who is posting this stuff. I have seen a lot of vicious stuff posted under this name. Of course he may have been using multiple identities.
I only came back briefly to tell you all and now I am away until the RG draw…
Some troll posts under multiple names, but you and Ricky decide I am the troll? charming…
Stan in 2, Rafa in 3
Who is posting using my name…this is the fourth time I am seeing my name being used .
Coward .just come n post using ur own name ..be a man if you are one ..
I have been visiting the site every now and then and was shocked to see some of ‘your’ comments! LOL. Now I get it! I was wondering what made you so bitter all of a sudden haha.
it’s not just Sanju…
the moron troll has been using my name too.
Sanju, I saw that post and right away I knew it could not u!! This stealing of identities need to stop!! It just ruins the thread. Ricky, is there anything that can be done?
Anyway, I’m wishing Stan was in good shape as I always like him matchup with Novak but obviously when both in form!! Wishing for a great match, and as for Rafa, Vamos champ!!!
Sanju,
I saw the comments and knew immediately it was not you. This is really sick. But I called out this troll and said that there was no way it could be you! At least we cal all do that when we see this loser pretending to be one of us.
Ricky needs to ban this troll.
I though am very relaxed if Rafa loses in Rome. If he loses before Tsitsipas, he gets no 5 seed and surely avoids Alcaraz in qf…if he is 5 seed, the 9-12 bracket for 4th round has players easier for him than 13-16( players like Diego, shapo etc ).
The only risk..he can draw Novak or tsitsipas in qf which will be long n tough match ..but probability is just 25 …
Shapo always a tough match up for Rafa….in 3….and Joker in 2.
ND, RN – each in 3
If there’s one thing people should’ve learner by now – never underestimate the Stanimal.
Stan really didn’t have what it takes today. There were a few flashes of brilliance here and there but that’s all he could about muster. Hope he is able to regain his form soon! He is a bit heavy though! 🤪
If Stan can’t shed the flab he’s done. I think he’s a year older than Rafa. Stan always saved his best for the majors though. Don’t think he’s ever won a Masters.
Djokovic is well and truly back…his game is back..
Anyone else feeling the same?
Stan has really put on weight…djoko fans jumping as he beat this tired and out of shape Stan is premature,though djoko has really gotten back to 80 pc of his level
Tomorrow will be critical for djoko as it’s must win to keep no 1 ranking
Rafa is feeling the 6 week break from tennis today. After a great first set, he started missing in the second, just enough to let Shapo gain confidence. Nadal needs a tougher challenge, but not a defeat today as he’s clearly still undercooked. I think that the Canadian can’t sustain his second set level for another set though.
Rafa’s performance in set two is really disappointing! With so many BP chances for him to move ahead, he just couldn’t take them until 4-4, yet he lost his serve again in the last game to lose the set!
At this rate, it seems his progress doesn’t look encouraging for him to be ready for the FO. I mean Shapo who’s so error prone and hasn’t done much so far this clay season, and yet Rafa just couldn’t put him away in straight sets!
His shot selections are sometimes really bizarre, just hitting right back at Shapo and expecting him to miss his shots or over hit. For goodness sake just take the initiative, come forward to attack instead of waiting for Shapo to make errors!
I hope he wins this match in the end, if not there’ll be a lot of question marks in his head!
19 UFOs for Rafa in the second, that’s more than he usually makes in an entire 3-set match on clay. Shapo going for broke in the second, but statistically this gives you little chances against Nadal even when he’s not at his best.
But, Rafa’s service game is a chore to him; he can just lose his serve when he’s not able to break Shapo’s serve in the previous game despite having many chances.
Shapo is gaining in confidence as the match goes on, making him harder to put away!
Rafa apparently has foot issues. Oh boy!! He has 10 days to rest this foot! Gosh, man!
I can’t watch this anymore. So Rafa let’s the second set get away from him. Again. And again and again. It is obvious that the foot is acting up. I don’t know how he can play at RG like this. First the rib and then it’s like a domino effect. Now the foot.
See, missed a FHDTL, that’s because he’s going CC all the time, how to get the DTL right?
It’s not like he doesn’t have his chances to win in straight sets, it’s just that he plays poorly not to take them, just like against Goffin when instead of winning in straight sets, he had to fight hard to barely win in three and a half hours.
It’s just shocking to see him playing like this (not that he doesn’t have chances to win but he fails to take them!).
Losing to Shapo is really hard to swallow for me, when the guy is making tons of errors! This is the first time in donkey years that Rafa loses early at Rome, not even making the QF! The last time was in 2008!
I’m not going to congrats Shapo, for he’s so error prone.
I won’t congratulate Shapo because he is a boorish brat. This is a big problem for Rafa. He can’t close out matches. I think this rib injury just set him back big time. It creates doubt and anxiety. It’s also hard to come back from yet another injury.
Shapo was not supposed to be in good form. Yet somehow he challenges Rafa and forces a third set. I knew the foot was going to act up.
This is just really bad. One injury too many with the rib. Then everything goes to hell.
Its not the first time Shapo has troubled Rafa or even beaten him. Shapo is no angel but you still sound a little bitchy, to be fair.
I do hope he is fit for RG though it would be bad if he got beat because of injury.
Now I am bitchy? That is not a word that should be used regarding a woman. Okay. I accepted your apology when you called me a hypocrite. Now I am done. I did stick up for you in the past. I am done with you. I will ignore all posts.
I have had Meath problems and was hospitalized a few weeks ago. I normally do not bring up these thungs here, but I realized that after what I have been through I really don’t need this. You if course had no way of knowing, but you don’t know what people are going through in life.
What I said about Shapo was exactly what he is. His behavior has shown the silly temper tantrums over nothing. That is different than the kinds of personal insults you are throwing at me. I have had enough stress with this recent health crisis. I don’t want or need anymore.
HEALTh problems!
Meth problems? Ok, that makes sense.
Not me that one…
Yes, you do .Obviously. Only a few weeks ago you brought up stuff about Zverev and men in general and I ended up feeling accused of ‘something’ there as well .
Thats all Im going to say on this, and while Im looking forward especially to a new RG Champion , I hope it doesnt happen over an injured Rafa . Ill try discuss tennis as usual , but partly due to work, not as much from now on
Get well soon
You and Rafa both!
Arrivederci
But we all know Rafa has issues. He’ll be back! Rafa does not have to win the masters anymore! He can relax and go to the French and play like he has nothing to lose!!! It might be the best thing for him!! I’m not too disappointed!!! Let Rafa go put ice on that foot and rest! Is not like Shapo is going to win Rome, lol!
NY, Rafa does not need to win another FO b4 her retires. I honestly believe he needs to win another Wimby!! It’s just too much for him at his age to win FO and then have expectations to win Wimby!!! That’s how I feel.
Mona,
Well I don’t know what to think. This rib injury seems to have set him back. This inability to close out matches is costing him very dearly.
I just don’t know that’s other Wimby is realistic. Don’t get me wrong. I have wanted him to get another Wimby since he was robbed when he played that semifinal with Novak with the stupid roof closed in the daytime. But I just don’t know with that foot now.
With his foot issue, Rafa should all the more be aggressive in his matches and shortens points so that he need not do so much running and thus not putting too much pressure on his troubled foot.
He was more aggressive playing on the HCs prior to his rib injury, perhaps he should play that way even on clay (he was very aggressive during the 2017 clay season), and I believe the results would be much better than what he has now, may not need to go the distance so often; and be more aggressive when closing sets or matches instead of thinking or worrying too much and ended up losing instead.
I just hope he is fit enough to play at the FO.
Rafa said in presser he needs to talk to his doc about the foot if he can play at RG ..like really ? He may miss RG?
Is this going to be a 2009 repeat the year he won AO…
Honestly I don’t mind!!! His foot needs the rest!!! Let the others win FO and not having to beat Rafa to win it! I’m really fine with that possibility!! On to Wimby we go!!
Honestly I don’t like the way Rafa played against Shapo in this match. He’s standing so far back behind the baseline, just to handle Shapo’s big serve, and was made to run so much from corner to corner, it’s not helping his troubled foot.
Rafa imo played a defensive game against Shapo, wanting to capitalise on Shapo’s error prone game. After winning the first set, Rafa’s level dropped, couldn’t capitalise anymore on Shapo’s errors, lost his own serve twice despite fighting hard to hold serve.
In set three, after winning set two, Shapo’s confidence was back and he had already gotten used to Rafa’s predictable CC pattern of play, Shapo just continued to serve big but cut down on his own errors; Rafa’s movement was then affected when his troubled foot couldn’t hold up.
Rafa just have to finish his matches asap, the way he handled Isner and Kecmanovic were much better, it seemed that Rafa just couldn’t sustain that level of play match after match!
The sponsors have the data, they know how it works. They wanted Djokovic while he was a top commodity. With the way Carlos is going, they know everyone else is a high risk commodity right now…and there’s tough times ahead.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis-2022-novak-djokovic-sponsor-shock-announcement-205754468.html
This has nothing to do with Alcaraz and everything to do with Djokovic becoming a controversial political figure who carries a risk of negative publicity. Nobody “has the data” on the future.
While I think that was a consideration, I don’t believe that was the sole reason. They would have weighed up many factors during their decision-making process and decided the risks outweigh the potential benefits at this stage of his career and in light of increasing competition.
And now that I think about it a bit more, it looks like some more Western media propoganda. These sponsorships were due to end anyway, with no expectation of an extension. It’s being made to look like Djokovic is being punished for his COVID views and maybe also because he was sympathetic to the Russian players.
And, coming from Yahoo you could certainly deduce that it is indeed a piece of Western propoganda with an hidden agenda attached.
You’re wrong Ricky. Just like your 20% correct predictions.
And it continues with the loser troll.
We know this is not Raj. But the troll has a lack of imagination. It’s quite obvious. What a way to throw your life down the drain. Wouldn’t it be easier to get some psychological counseling?
What do you mean liar, deceiver, manipulator, opportunist…what do you mean?
Can you please clarify what you mean?
I have a question.
Is there really a Raj, Sanju, Elizabeth, amy etc or are these fictitious entities designed to make it look like a full community of posters when really there is only a few?
Can you please assist explain why everything Ricky gets aorecutun wrong you flood the forum with new posts and discussiins to hide it or divert attention away from it but when he gets one occasionally right you don’t post and leave the predictions there for add long as possible.
Can you please explain or am I just seeing things?
Can you please assist explain why when Ricky gets correction wrong you flood the forum with new posts and discussions to hide it or divert attention away from it but when he gets one occasionally right you don’t post and leave the predictions there for as long as possible.
Can you please explain or am I just seeing things?
“prediction”
When you wake up and reakise that you people are lying, deceiving, biased, hypocritical, attention seeking scum, the world will be a better place.
To the privacy breacher peeping tom in steroids. This is one of your great hypocritical, opportunists posts because everything on that list you day others shouldn’t do, you do.
Discuss ideas, not people.
Share lessons, not gossip.
Build value, not destroy it.
Learn to compete, not complain.
Create solutions, not problems.
Enjoy the rest of your day lying, deceiving, opportunistic, attention seeking hypocrites.
Just remember who was the one that was willing to engage directly to do great things and who were the ones that decided to hide behind their computer screen and play futile games.