World No. 1 Novak Djokovic looks for his second consecutive clay court final as he takes on Argentine Diego Schwartzman at the Rome Masters.
Novak Djokovic may have just one French Open title to his name, but that is due almost exclusively to Rafael Nadal’s unprecedented dominance at the tournament. Make no mistake-Novak Djokovic is an excellent clay courter. In fact, since 2006, he’s only had a handful of seasons in which he won nothing on the dirt – most notably a miserable dry spell in 2017 and 2018, in which his ranking dropped to No. 22 in the world and he appeared (briefly) to be past his prime.
Of course, his three Grand Slam titles since last June have quite effectively silenced the critics. He had a particularly impressive showing in Melbourne this year, where he completely dominated Rafael Nadal in the final. He had a series of somewhat uncharacteristic losses during the spring hardcourt swing, but he righted the ship in Madrid last week, snagging the title from a red-hot Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Diego Schwartzman, the Argentine ranked 24 in the world has had a few good results this year, particularly at home in Buenos Aires, where he reached the final. But his European clay swing has been anything but impressive. He has only won a single main draw match in each of his French Open warm-up events. Schwartzman turned it around in Rome, however. The Argentine took out Kei Nishikori in the quarters to earn his spot opposite Djokovic in the semis.
Djokovic wasn’t quite as impressive against Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarters as he was in Madrid last week, but the Serb was still hitting well off the baseline (even if he donated more than a few errant dropshots to the DelPo cause). Del Potro was somewhat hobbled by a battered and bloody toe, but Djokovic stayed the course, after facing a couple of match points in the second set.
The Serb enjoys a 2-0 head-to-head against Schwartzman, though it should be noted that their last match was a strange 5-setter at Roland Garros back in 2017. Unfortunately for the Argentine, this is a different Djokovic than the one he faced in their last encounter. This should be a fairly routine win for the world No. 1.
Cheryl pick – Djokovic in 2
Schwartzman in 3.
All week, Diego’s power shots have been impeccable and he’s looked incredibly comfortable on this Roma clay. Tough 3 setter after Djokovic played a tough match against Del Potro. I like Diego’s chances on this surface.
Delpo has himself to blame, for not managing to close the win when having MPs in the second set TB. Since he could serve down the T when his service game was under threat, why then he couldn’t do the same when he’s ahead and having a M.P.? Instead, he went the routine way of serving out wide to Djoko’s FH on the deuce court, which Djoko was already expecting it and returned it with interest, forcing an error out of Delpo’s FH. There goes the MP. Djoko’s dropshots had caused Delpo all sorts of problems while night long and so not surprisingly he did a drop shot again to save another M.P.
It’s not unlike Rafa during their third set TB at Wimbledon SF last year, all Rafa needed to do was to serve an ace DTT, instead he took the complicated route of serving outwide and rushing the net only to be passed by Djoko DTL.
All these showed that both Delpo and Rafa were not gutsy enough, and preferred to go the safer route doing something they’re used to do so often, even when they’re leading and having a chance to win the match. Djoko, when faced with adversity, tend to go gutsy and produced some incredible shots to save himself – USO2010/2011 against Fed; Wimbledon 2018 against Rafa and now against Delpo; that’s why he’s still the no.1 player.
Thats the one thing abotu Novak’s game that I love!! He just goes for it when his back is against the wall.
I just cant believe Delpo had the match on his racket and he let it slip like that. His issue was that he did not play the important pints well, incredible that he could have won in straights!!! Delpo played some great tennis UNTIL that point in the TB!! But all in all, it was a great match!! From the moment he lost it I knew he had lost the match!!!
…Djoko has the mental edge when things get close. Its easy from the sidelines to analyse why players didn’t hit this shot or that on the really big points.
It’s not only the mental edge, it’s the player’s own mental make up. Djoko didn’t have any mental edge over Fed at USO2010, yet he was able to produce gutsy shots to get himself out of troubles.
Rafa could do that in his younger days, but after several injuries, he tend to play it safe at times, esp during important moments. I guess Delpo too.
Djoko is gutsy all along, he normally doesn’t hold back but goes for his shots. I admire him for that.
As for the Schwartzman vs Djoko match, it depends on how Djoko recoup physically; Schwartzman is not unlike Ferrer, full of energy and bouncing like a bunny, and he could go CC and DTL from both wings. I remember him giving Djoko plenty of problems at RG one year, going five sets.
I think if Djoko isn’t that fresh physically the match may go three sets, but most likely Djoko will win in the end.
Schwartzman in 3
Upset brewing.
Maybe in 2.
Djoker applauding Delpo after a clutch volley is another instance of his awesome sporting spirit which some of salty Rafa fans would never accept.
I’ve always found Djokovic to be the best sport of the big 3. He handles losing to lower ranked players better than either Nadal or Federer. And I’ve always thought he’s sincere (not patronizing) when he applauds another player’s shot, which he does pretty regularly. I also have no problem with his celebrations, which he usually saves for very big moments or slam championships.
But there is the flip side when he behaves like an absolute ass when things don’t go his way!!! Like breaking rackets and chairs, and complaining about the sun, moon and stars!! Sigh!
I was having a discussion about this with my daughter yesterday. Djokovic is a particularly gracious loser. Better than Nadal and MUCH better than Federer, but he’s very, VERY far from a gracious winner. In fact, sometimes he borders on obnoxious. I find Federer to be the most gracious with Nadal in the middle (though I suspect Nadal fans might disagree with me on that front. Haha.)
Rafa can’t help but show his frustration and disgust when he loses but he does give credit to his opponents sometime. Fedr used to be a bad loser but he is at the end of his salad days so he probably doesn’t care as much. I agree that Djokovic is not a gracious winner and I question him being a gracious loser considering his behaviour when he is losing, smashing everything in sight. That doesn’t sit well with a gracious loser.
I thought the level of the Djoko Delpo match was really high. Delpos back hand was the best I’ve seen it for a long time. As long as Nole recovers well he should beat Schwartzman as he was hitting really well (except for a few drop shots) from the baseline, it was Delpos level that made it so competetive
The top 20-30 ranked players can beat the top 3 when they are peaking so its something to keep a look out for. This is especially the case when peaking on their favourite surface with a physical edge.
looks like djoker wants this one therefore novak in 2.
If only it was that easy and he was superhuman as you’re suggesting. Djokovic still has to be playing very well especially if his opponent is an excellent clay courter that’s in peak form. He also can’t be too disadvantaged physically. That’s the reality of the ATP tour.
Sorry, he pretends to be the best sport when he believes, in-spite of it all, he can still win. If he sees he’s losing ‘gracious loser’ goes out the window!!! Not falling for all that gracious loser nonsense!
And another thing i find quite infuriating, Novak smashes his racket when he plays a bad point and then he runs up to his chair to change racket. Don’t understand y in hell they allow him to when all it is is an excuse to disrupt the opponent’s momentum!!! He did it against Delpo and the player before that and one time the opponent got broken. Best sport my arse!
And agree JS, think Djoko is the best sport of the top 3
A gracious loser doesn’t doesn’t behave like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoOLCD-JTlQ
https://www.express.co.uk/videos/6026780966001/Monte-Carlo-Masters-Novak-Djokovic-SMASHES-racket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJO_pws_VEE
Djokovic is among the players most likely to smash their racquet when losing.
Well, Djoker IS gracious once the match is lost. He needs to smash an occasional racquet, I think. He can’t play well if he doesn’t get angry when he isn’t winning. Not everyone has Rafa’s incredible discipline. That’s why it’s incredible.
AVN
Agree with you. But I’m a lonely Novak fan and big WTA fan. Many here see it otherwise about Nole and about WTA, LOL…
Joker in 2🎾💪
Djokovic in 2. Much as I love Schwartzman I just don’t think he’s a match for Djoko when he’s playing well.
Where is the poll?
Novak is 2 or if he’s tired, 3. Delpo played Novak well yesterday – far better than for someone who hasn’t played many matches this year. But he is a special one, that De;po. Lovely to see him in such good form.
Oh yes, it was really lovely!! He really did have Novak on the ropes there!!! I wish Delpo all the best for the rest of the season!!! It was really good to c him play so well.
But say what u like about Novak, boy oh boy, isn’t he just a great returner!!!! It is such a treat to see!!! U’ll be lucky to get an ace past this guy!! He is indeed a complete player, shame you can’t say the same for his personality. U can’t win them all, eh?!!!
lol, Monalisa, I mean say what you will about Novak 😀 Heard you loud and clear about that tool Kyrgios too!
Varying opinions Monalisa, makes life interesting. cheers!
Elizabeth, lol, maybe i was a bit harsh on Kyrios but I was really enjoying his game that time. He seemed like he was having fun and then all of a sudden his mood just changed! It’s just not normal for a young man like that! He needs to address his emotional deficiencies and then come back and play tennis (bcos he is extremely talented). There is no place in the sport for behaviour like that. Its quite embarrassing, esp for him, and completely unnecessary! That’s all Im saying.
It’s okay – I’ll just keep my opinion on Naughty Nick to myself. Seems most agree with you here and everywhere.
He’s made some glaring “clangers.” Got the expression from Ed, btw… glaring clangers aka mistakes. Cringeworthy mistakes.
Hi Elizabeth,
Good to see a fellow Nole fan! And similar to you after Nole, my heart is with Delpo. I don’t care about most other fans not seeing my point of view as most people are die-hard Fed / Nadal fans and can’t hear anything against them or consider them a step above. What matters is by the end of his career, Nole will have the most slams of them all 🙂
AVN, it very well looks like it, but as a Rafa fan, hope not at all, lol!!
But what can I say, these top guys make each other better, and its good for the sport. We may have personal differences but at the end of the day it is really hard not to like them all. When either one is away from the sport or not playing well im not happy. Like i really feel bad that Andy is away with injury. I hope Roger gets well soon bcos I really do want to see him play at RG this year as I am going to RG for the first time in my life. Can’t wait, I am so excited!!!
hi AVN!
Great to see you here! And you’ve got it right about Nole – only I try to be silent on exactly how great I think he is. No thin skin Nole fans would survive here.
Do you by any chance speak WTA? Or like playing http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/
If so, please join the group. That’s the Jalep Wildguess group 😀 There’s some Grandstand Groups in the group list too. It’s just for fun. RG Bracket coming up!
Hey Monalisa, you too. You’d be welcome in the Draw Challenge for RG . ^^ link
http://www.tennisdrawchallenge.com/ Jalep Wildguess – the group has been thin for a while. Just us hardcore bracketeers. Beginners and experts all welcome.
Draw challenge group on is every week of the season. It’s not too late to fill your brackets for this week ATP Lyon and Geneva and hone you draw skills 😉 Beats knitting hhahahaha for me, anyway.
lol, ok, cool!
Yay! Jalep Wildguess group after you register. Looking forward to seeing you!
NNY,
Looking at you – a good chance to pick a winning bracket for Rafa at RG – gotta be good luck, the more that pick him. You are good at this stuff. It’s a nice hobby for a tennis fan 😀
I’m excited for RG and for Nole’s match. And excited for the next Rome SF, Come on Nole, Idemo!
One thing that worried me yesterday was how fixated Novak got about the court conditions: slippery lines, frustrating divots or unevenness of the court. He did seem tentative. And it’s tough to win vs Delpo being tentative. Novak was up late and if he’s got to be sharp, not distracted by anything to be Diego: respect to Diego! He needs to win in 2 sets.
Actually I wouldn’t mind if he lost – as nervous as I am about the Rafole right now.
Diego hasn’t put a foot wrong and I very much admire his tennis.
If tennis would do the right thing and separate humans into height (I don’t care about weight) categories, I’d really appreciate it.
Okay at least when humans start pumping us out consistently over 7 foot tall. 3 Categories then for ATP and we’ll deal with WTA as needed.: 5ft to 5’10”, 5’11- 6’8″, 6’9″ – 8′ . It’s way ore fair although Diegp is a rare one, shorter than myself who thrives in the mid-range. Has he beat Isner, Karlovi, Anderson, or O’Riley? Diego may have, he’s that good.
Novak? Keep your mind on the ball, each and every ball, nothing else.
Im always worried about the Rafole rivalry, as a Rafa fan it always seems to go the way of Novak these days which is hurtful, just want a rest from their matches now, but thats just me, can perfectly understand why the Novak fan base love their matches though lol ….
I’m not looking forward to it tomorrow, Alison. I probably won’t watch, given how nervous I was yesterday and today.
Diego getting break points, arrrgh
He breaks back but can’t hold? This won’t do. He’s got to play the best shot every single ball vs Diego. No more drop shots!! They have to be perfection or Diego is all over them. My head.
Okay, I’m going to lunch. I’ll only watch tomorrow if it’s Rafa vs Diego, that’s it. I’m fried.
Schwarzman playing with all out aggression now, taking it to Djoko, good to see.
The good news, I didn’t think Novak would win Rome this year. I did pick Rafa.
I can’t even keep the sound on because the Tennis Channel commentators are so bias against Novak. American commentators are terrible when it comes to respect for Novak. Also I think the crowd was bugging me because they were cheering for Diego.
That’s the breaks. Nole would do well to retire now and let Diego, the favorite underdog get the win of his life. No, that is not right or fair – just play your best and take it on the chin tomorrow, if you must. But Nole is not going to beat Rafa at this rate – gosh he played a terrible tie break his serve is off and he needs to be more sharp. Rafa has only dropped how many games? Rafa playing extremely well. And Rafa has got loads of energy and doesn’t have any problem with the surface or conditions here. Ah…exactly why I picked Rafa over Novak in the first place. He’s KOC! And he rocks
But it’s just…
I’d really love Diego to get the chance of his life to play Rafa in the Rome final.
Okay. In the end the Italian crowd was cheering for Nole ole ole 😀 I forgive them for wanting more tennis. 😀 They are good tennis fans.
Im not overly confident about Rafa beating Novak i never am anymore, theres something about playing Novak that gets inside Rafas head urgh ….
I think, though my eyes were closed from the end of the 2nd set TB on, that it was actually a good match from a tennis perspective. And so was Delpo vs Nole.
Congrats Nole!
Well done, Diego. Well done Delpo. Good luck to both at FO. I love those Argies.
nd Rafa is still the odds on favorite, Rafa Fans! Not by much. I just hope Rafa gets it in 2. But Novak will try to win and won’t care about a slippery court when he sees who is across the net. WE are lucky to get another Rafole. I keep reminding myself, Alison!
Elizabeth I do follow WTA and will join the bracket. Looking forward to tomorrow. Rafa def the favorite on slow clay but Nole is Nole. He has the mental edge against Rafa and can win tomorrow. May the best man win!
Ah, the joy, AVN 😀 I have to go see.
Am living on European time, which means waking up close to 3 am. Normally I don’t post this time of (night).
Djokovic was there to be beaten. Schwartman just wasnt professional enough. He needs to hold himself to a higher standard. Congrats on a great tournament however.
Diego did a damn good job. He had me crying for mercy and my tuna salad lunch sandwich tasted like cardboard.
Will somebody explain to me why we need to be constantly reminded by sycophantic commentators that Djokovic is No. 1 in the world? I don’t recall either TMF or Rafa being referred to like this. in the past. And it’s time they learnt the noun for people from Argentine is Argentinian NOT Argentines!
#end of gripe
Ed,
You must have slightly different commentators than I do. I mean, calling Nole #1 is something my commies do from time to time, but it’s just to sound less bias, in case there are some Nole fans paying big money to watch tennis. They were decidedly for the Argies the past two days. And today they won’t stop with the Rafa love. But I can’t blame them there.
Although Djokovic knows how to win matches even when he is not at his best (the hallmark of all the top players)
his performance has been decidedly patchy for some time.now. My money is on Rafa for the final
The commentators also indulge in the annoying habit of talking to each other throughout the matches – posing spurious questions to each other,.
#another gripe
Can’t take the chit chat. I must mute or I start cursing at the TV.
Jason Goodall and Robbie Koenig are the best combination, they just seem to click and forget they are even commentating. I’ve watched some epic finals between Nadal and Djokovic with those two commentating.