Rafael Nadal and Karen Khachanov will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup on Saturday night.
Nadal is sweeping the head-to-head series 3-0 and has already completed the Khachanov slam with victories on a hard court, clay, and grass. The Spaniard prevailed 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) last summer at Wimbledon, 6-3, 6-3 a few months later in Beijing, and 6-3, 6-2 this spring in Monte-Carlo.
Nothing suggests the tide is suddenly going to turn in Khachanov’s favor–and it would have to turn in a major way to completely reverse a trio of lopsided, straight-set results. After all, Nadal is 38-3 for the season and 20-1 in his last 20 matches despite playing a handful of those away from his favorite surface. Bouncing back from a brutal Wimbledon semifinal setback against Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 has advanced in Toronto with defeats of Benoit Paire, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic.
Khachanov’s 2018 campaign has been somewhat of a roller-coaster and the last two events have been no exception. The 22-year-old got clobbered 6-2, 6-3 in his Washington, D.C. opener by world No. 85 Denis Kudla only to right the ship in a hurry and make this run in Toronto with wins over Filip Krajinovic, Pablo Carreno Busta, John Isner, and Robin Haase. Khachanov has not surrendered a single set en route to his first career Masters 1000 semifinal appearance.
This is an unfamiliar stage for the 38th-ranked Russian, who is 2-12 against top 10 opponents (upsets of Isner and David Goffin), 0-6 against top-five foes, and 0-3 against world No. 1s. Nadal is simply too good and has too much experience in these situations.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing more than 8 games
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Rrrrrrafa! In 2 sets
GOAT in two.
Nadal in straights
Rafa needs a quick 1 hour match to be ready.
I think Rafa, but he needs to be less defensive behind the baseline. And dont lose focus! He seems to be having a bit too much fun out there, lol!!!
Vamos!!!
Rafa ML to wins!
But Kachanov has a great chance to win the 1st set:-
1) (just like Cilic did and Wowrinka almost did), as Nadal is a notorious slow starter! Nadal’s butt needs to be kicked in the 1st set for his anger/higher tennis level to kick in!lol
2) Kachanov is 10 years younger than Nadal and will definitely have more strength initially to win the 1st set. Rafa is 32 years old. Can you imagine that??? Rafa has played too many games in 2018 and is bound to lose soon. He may lose today or against Anderson in the finals! Possibility=60%+
3) Kachanov has a powerful serve and volley with which he can win the 1st set.
4) Kachanov has improved his returning skills a lot recently esp. on hard so Nadal may not beat Kachanov in 2 straight sets as everyone is dreaming here! But a tight 2 sets win is possible if Kachanov feels the pressure of playing his 1st 1000 Masters SF that too against the World No.1 who has beaten him thrice before.
5) Nadal may be TIRED from playing a tough 3 setter with Cilic (2-6, 6-4, 6-4) and a tough 2 setter (equal to a 3 setter) win over Wowrinka 7-5,7-6(4)!
6) Kachanov is in very good form currently. So he can win a set and push the over also. Kachanov just needs to be cool and play like he played Isner & Hasse and he can make this an interesting match, maybe even pull of an upset!
7) Hard Court is NOT Rafa’s favorite surface. Clay is, as you all know! If Kachanov is to win over Nadal then Hard is the surface to do it and today is the day he can do it as Nadal is TIRED from 2 very TIRING matches (last 2 rds) and is playing on his worst surface (hard) kinda!
Kachanov plays well on all surfaces (60% W/L rate). Likes Grass better (65%)!
Rafa ML to wins! +1.5 sets Nadal wins! Over, + 4.5 games and +1.5 sets Kachanov possible! Possibility = 60%+ as Nadal may be TIRED from playing 2 very tough matches vs Cilic and Wowrinka escaping a loss by the skin of his teeth and by playing too many matches this season!lol
BOL
It’s 10:20 pm Eastern time and the 2nd semi (Nadal v Khachanov has FINALLY started). Vamos Rafa!
Oh God!….I wish Rafa play more aggressive!….Aggressive!!…Not to BH,BH,BH,BH,BH,BH TILL FOREVER!!URGHH!!!!
This site is getting in my last nerve. I tried to post something and got an access denied message.
Another lousy start from Rafa. This s getting so frustrating.
Oh!…Still have trouble in posting Nny?
Khachanov is trying to do what Cilic did. Hit Rafa off the court. Rafa has to be aggressive and not let this guy get control of the baseline. Needs to serve better, too.
Yeaahhh!Like that!!….FH DTL!!…Need more of that,please!!
I tried to post about ESPN’s Jason Goodall talking to Rada’s coach Francisco Roig today. He said that they took more time off because Rafa had played so much tennis. So they got started later, Rafa came into this tournament underplayed. So that explains why he has not looked sharp. But he said they are happy with how Rafa has responded.
Oh really Nny?And yeah!….I bet,if Rafa can reach final here,Rafa will go to USO with so much confidence…Even tho he don’t have a good campaign in Cincy[considering he got a crazy tough draw there]…
Hi, Please do not say that. I am in Cincy to see rafa play. Wish him deep run in cincy too. I know draw is crazy. i was at draw party too and most of it is pre-decided.I felt it is not true computer generated draw but decided by organizers.How come both delpo and Djoko are always in his half. same was the case in toronto too. Hope he playes well
That’s it!!1 set in hand!!….Woohooo!!….1 more Rafa!!
Yess! One down, one to go!
Vamos Champ!
Thank God Rafa won the first set! Where is everyone? I just hope that Rafa can get this done in two sets. It’s late.
Rafa has another ugly draw in Cincy. But if he can win here, then he doesn’t need to feel any pressure in Cincy.
How is Rafa playing. Just caught the end of the tiebreak and pumped to see Rafa pumped 😀
And I am going to the Cincy quarters. Hope the Rafole quarter happens :):)
You should enjoy seeing Rafa in Cincy!
Serve stats for the first set –
Rafa
1st serve % – 63%
1st serve points won – 63%
2nd serve points won – 56%
Winners – 10
UE’s – 16
Khachanov’s serve numbers were almost identical.