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!