Rafael Nadal has not yet faced a seeded opponent at this U.S. Open and the trend will continue on Wednesday when he goes up against Andrey Rublev during quarterfinal action.
Unsurprisingly, this is the first head-to-head showdown between the two competitors. After all, Rublev is just 19 years old and had won only 12 career ATP-level matches prior to this season–including zero at majors. The Russian has already doubled his victory total in 2017 alone with 15, a number that includes his first title as a lucky loser in Umag. Rublev also laid the groundwork for this breakthrough Grand Slam by qualifying at both the French Open (pushed fellow U.S. Open quarterfinalist Diego Schwartzman to 9-7 in the fifth set) and Wimbledon (beat Stefano Travaglia in five before losing to Albert Ramos-Vinolas in five). The world No. 53 has advanced in New York by taking out Aljaz Bedene, Grigor Dimitrov, Damir Dzumhur, and David Goffin.
Even with a more difficult draw, Rublev has actually dropped fewer sets (one to Dzumhur) than Nadal. The top-seeded Spaniard beat Dusan Lajovic in straights, recovered from a set down against both Taro Daniel and Leonardo Mayer, and then raised his level considerably in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 rout of Alexandr Dolgopolov on Monday afternoon. Thus Nadal is through to his first U.S. Open quarterfinal since he captured a second title back in 2013.
“He’s the real champion,” Rublev said the world No. 1. “I’m just going to enjoy it. It’s the quarterfinals and I have nothing to lose”
Nadal disagreed.
“Of course he’s young, but at the same time he’s in quarterfinals. He has a chance to be in the semifinals for the first time [in] his career. So of course he has things to lose. And of course I have things to lose and things to win. Of course I understand what he said. He’s a great guy. He [was] in Mallorca practicing with me a couple of years ago. But overall, when you are young sometimes you have this point of view. At the end of the day, of course you have things to lose.”
And lose is almost certainly what Rublev is going to do on Wednesday. Aside from Dimitrov, the youngster has benefited from a favorable draw so far at Flushing Meadows (Goffin was far less than 100 percent in the fourth round). Nadal’s path has been a friendly one, too, but his continues with a fifth consecutive opponent outside the top 50. Rublev’s road, on the other hand, now becomes exponentially more difficult.
Combine the guy on the other side of the net with the pressure of by far the biggest match of his young career and Rublev’s run may come to an end after three sets.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 12 games or fewer
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Nadal in three losing twelve games or fewer
Nadal over Rublev in 3. Semis: Querrey over PCB, Nadal over Federer. Final: Nadal over Querrey ?
Wow,Wow,Wow! Stop there! Querry is not even in the Semi’s, how can he play PCB? Anderson “the gentle African Giant”!lol, is the one gonna play PCB!
Nadal beats Rublev in 3. The young gun can take more than 10 games and push the over! Rublev knows Nadal’s game as he practiced with Nadal in Mallorca! Rublev, is young, tall and very talented and can trouble Nadal a lot! Rublev can steal from 10 games to a set!
Anyone feel the same?
FINALS ?- Federer beats Nadal in 3 or 4 sets! Any doubts, ask Stan “the man”!lol
Rublev knows Rafa’s game? The same could be said of Rafa, for knowing Rublev’s game! It works both ways, and Rafa will be well prepared for Rublev.
Yes you can ask Stanley, R. Federer will win it all cos he is THE BEST.
i havent watched much of Nadal but it sounds like he’s in the type of form that only proven granbd slam pedigree can give him a competitive match.
If Nadal wasnt in such scintillating form i’d probably be tempted to give Rublev a chance based on his results.
Straight sets victories against Dimitrov, Goffin and Bedene is nothing to sneeze at but he’s up against arguably the greatest competitor of all time and he’s only 19.
This sounds like a 4 set victory to Rafa me but wouldnt be surprised if something crazy happened based on this kid’s mental strength and obvious potential
Rafa in 4.
“scintillating” is a big stretch. Nadal has dominated only one match despite playing less than the best competition.
That’s why I picked Dolgopolov to beat him I thought Alex would be big step up and catch a slow starting Rafa off guard. Little did I know Dolgopolov would hit a bunch of stupid errors early and give up after two games LOL. Either way Rafa should still win this comfortably. Draw couldn’t be better for him.
I havent watched him, was just going off what everyone was saying during the Dolgopolov match. Thanks for the confirmation. Rublev might have a chance then.
no prob. and no, Rublev has no chance.
I haven’t seen much from Rublev that makes me think he’ll seriously trouble Nadal in this one. He hits hard, but also seems to make a fair number of errors. However, if his shots are falling he could give Rafa a test. I think he’ll run out of gas before that happens; he’s already played a lot of matches here. Still, it is true that he’s beaten some very good players in straights, so he shouldn’t be underestimated.
Incredible that Nadal will play his first 5 rounds without having to face a player in the top 50. Probably the easiest slam draw ever, until the SF.
More incredible that there’s not a single top ten player left in the other half of the draw, even at the QF stage! Such is the draw, not Rafa’s fault.
Not as incredible as PCB who has made the SF by beating 4 qualifiers and the 29th seed!
Rafa in 3
Rafa day match, Fed night match. No surprises, Fed needs the leg up………
LOLOLOLOL it’s because Fed and US Open night sessions go hand in hand. Fed is typically a primetime player at any tournaments with night matches cuz to most he is considered the term I shall not say in order to avoid chaos.
You can say it: he gets a leg up because he is considered…….precious.
I mean you would think that cuz ur a Rafan but most neutral fans wouldn’t even think of that. Matter of opinion to be honest.
It’s all good, don’t think it makes that much of a difference tbh………..players adjust.
Wait! There’s neutral fans? Fan is short for fanatic, y’know.
lol what I meant was tennis fans who aren’t fans of Fed or Rafa when I said neutral
Rafa DOES NOT LIKE night matches and Fed does, so they both get what they want. I remember a few years ago at the USO, Rafa complained bitterly about playing at night all the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafa hasn’t requested daytime since the WC qualifying matches are taking place now and he loves his football.
I agree with Nadline. I was hoping they give Rafa the day match because Rafa loves the sun, and so I get my wish (I think Rafa too gets his wish). No complaint from me about day match for Rafa; I just hope he comes out all ready for Rublev and gets his win asap and conserves his energy while doing so, no more wobbling.
Let Fed gets his night match and all the adulations given to him, I don’t care. I just want Rafa to win his matches and that’s the most important.
Yes, Rafa enjoys the sun but if he makes it past Rublev (which he will, Inshallah) he will have no choice but to deal with night conditions. If Fed beats Delpo (which he will), night match is guaranteed, the final is always at night.
Rafa may not like the night matches but he has to quickly acclimatize to them to improve his chances.
The final is at 4pm, not at night. It’s only the AO that has the final at night at 7pm.
The men’s SFs start at 4pm, one after the other; I don’t think they have one at 4pm and another at 7pm kind of thing. It depends on how soon Anderson/PCB can finish their SF (I assume their SF starts first). The second SF may start late afternoon or early evening or even at night but will definitely finish at night barring retirement of course.
Oh okay, thought the final was a night affair. That final where Rafa Djoko he was in his night match, all black kit, that’ts what made me think it was a default night match.
Anderson is not one for long rallies, he will keep it short against PCB so that semi may finish early then.
Inshallah!
Is it a lkeg up for Fed or is it the Fed – Delpo rating blockbuster naturally more fit for the night session?
Let’s put our whole brain at work, not only the fan part of it.
@Denzel
Fed vs Kholshreiber was a blockbuster for you?
Fed vs Lopez was a blockbuster for you?
Fed could be playing a dead squirrel and that would count as a blockbuster for you deserving of a night match. Not so much for some of us.
Just because your brain’s missing some essential parts doesn’t mean our’s are too……
Chill hahah. He wasn’t referring to prior rounds. He’s talking about Del Po vs Fed and that’s a WAY better matchup aka more blockbuster. Refer to US Open final 2009 please.
Persuade me with arguments please Benny G, not assertions. Delpo’s crocked, he will not offer any resistance. The Delpo of 2017 is not the Delpo of 2009. As I said, if nostalgia is all you are going with then they might as well wheel out Marat Safin……..
Del Po would still beat Rublev like a drum right now.
Or I’ll put it like this. 19 time grand slam champ who won Wimbledon and AO this year vs last years olympic finalist and former US Open champion and world number 30 or 15 time slam champ and French open champ vs a guy who half the crowd will have never heard of before watching him?
How about an upset Delpo vs Rublev in semi? and Delpo winning all the way.
That will be …
Nice fantasy. Not gonna happen.
I could see Delpo causing the upset but Rublev has no chance. Good chance Rafa won’t face a bp on his own serve all match.
In sports everything is possible but this will be extremely difficult, maybe one upset.
Andrey Rublev can win but i am not 100% confident because the potential of FEDAL meeting in the semis can be an extra motivation.
Andrey Rublev will definitely win more than 12 games this young &talented player can even win 2 sets or 1 set but if he is as bold as i am, fearless & ambitious then-
Andrey Rublev will win in 3 sets or 5 sets not in 4 sets.
If he starts playing well early and takes the 1st set GAME OVER.
Game, set & match Andrey Rublev wins in 3 or 5 sets.
I don’t want Rafito to meet R. Federer because i know that he(Rafa) would lose the match in 3 sets or 4 sets and that’s going to affect him BIGLY.
It’s one thing to lose 4 matches in 4 yrs or in 2 years to the same player but to lose 4 times in a season 2 finals, 2 slams boy oh boy! That will hurt the strongest man both physical & Mentally and i like R. Nadal and i don’t want him to go through that kind of pain.
I like Rafito and some might not believe it but that’s ok, my likeness & respect 4 him is not dependent on others opinion.
Please Rafito lose in 3 sets or 5 sets, i don’t want U 2 get hurt, please lose.
Sometimes a disappointment or a failure is a bless in disguise, you might not see it now but wait 4 it because joy comes in the morning.
After rain there is a rainbow,
After a storm there is calm,
After the night there is a morning,
And after an end there is a new beginning.
If you have eyes, you will find it.
If you have wisdom, you will create it.
If you have ears you will listen to it.
R. Federer is the best player this season don’t mess with him just let him be, let him win all the slams he wants cos his balling right now, if you try to stop him you will get crushed, destroyed, humiliate and words i can’t use personally.
Roger Federer will retire soon maybe in 3, 5 or maybe 10 years from now, he is incredible and never gets old, long live the king.
When he does retire everyone and anyone who wants to win a slam should go ahead cos the king of tennis is gone.
Wishing you all the best and i hope you enjoy the matches ahead, i know i will.
Finals
Roger Federer will win in 3 sets vs K. Anderson or P. Carreno.
I want both of them in the same side of the net cos that might make it interesting.
Roger might then win in 3 tight sets- 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.
Game, set, match, Roger Federer wins his 3rd Slam of the year.
Congrats! R. Federer, Congrats in Advance,
Great seeing Delpo nearing that form that won him the USO in 2009, although Federer will be fresher and more rested for their meeting, and Delpo had a marathon match with Thiem, so very much doubt he will have much left in the tank for 5 stes against Federer, Rafa against Rublev, not a player i know much about, hopefully Rafa comes through relativley unscathed ….
Fed vs Delpo is a bigger match that’s why it’s a night match. Though, I think a Delpo retirement is looming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFxHjTwt6kM
Moya’s interview
I have a different opinion, Rafa vs Rublev is a bigger match for the following reasons:
1. Rafa is #1 in the world;
2. Rublev is a next-gen star. Tennis should be promoting its next stars for the sake of the game, looking forward not backwards.
Fed/Delpo is nostalgia, Rafa/Rublev is the pinnacle and the future. Rafa/Rublev should have top billing on this alone.
This is so untrue ? Rublev is like 50 in the world and he’s playing a match he will probably get wrecked in. There is no way the Rublev Nadal match should be primetime over FEDERER AND DEL PO. Del Po is the X factor here. If he was playing Nadal, then it would need to be Del Po vs Nadal primetime. Del Po is just such a bigger name than Rublev.
Rublev is #44 in the Race and Delpo is #47, your point is……..?
Rublev may get wrecked by Rafa but are you sure the same will not happen to Delpo against Fed? Delpo nearly retired in his previous match, he went 5 sets, he has the flu, you really think that is someone who will produce a thriller tonight?
Why is Delpo the x-factor? I have given you my reasons for Rublev, you have given zero for Delpo.
I’ll wait……..
Fed has the second match at night. Prestigious but hardly ideal. Will he keep his kids up to watch? Otoh, Rafa’s got the closed roof to deal with. Not perfect. But Rafa can get through his match, do his presser and recovery work, then kick back, have some dinner, maybe watch some soccer and/or the 2nd semi. Sounds good to me, but I’m not a night owl.
No reasons are needed. It’s Juan Martin Del Potro. But if you’re concerned about recent results, then I’ll bring up making the Olympic finals beating Nadal and Djokovic on the way and winning the Davis Cup for his country. Del Po > Rublev in every way. That’s my whole point
Rafa should have this. This is the kind of match he may struggle in during a BO3, but I find it doubtful he’ll have too many problems this far into a Slam, especially as he seems to be getting better.
Rafa should be careful here. I hope he starts very aggressively and gets a good measure of his opponent’s serve.
I saw his practice. He spent a good amount of time on his ROS. Today he actually spent most of the time returning from close to the baseline! I think this is how he will start the match but adjust if needed. Let’s see how it goes.
Roger vs Anderson (the final- both with S African background but this time Federer achieves 9 finals and the 6th US Open to stand alone here too as at Wimbledon)
Rublev is a hard hitter and attacking from both wings. Rafa had practiced with him at Mallorca, so Rafa more or less knows his game. I think Rafa is I’ll have too much guile and court craft for Rublev.
*Rafa will have too much guile and court craft for Rublev.
Let’s hope Rafa leaves his sudden nerves at home. 😉
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DJDLyAoW4AAl0te.jpg
I truly hope that Rafa comes out aggressive in this match. Because we know that Rublev will come out aggressive for sure!
I hope to see Rafa go up another gear or two in this match. He needs to have the forehand working. I am glad that he was practicing his ROS. I hope he has a game plan as to where he wants to stand to receive serve.
I want to see a confident Rafa who will come out like a boss and take control!
Good luck, Rafa! Vamos!
C’mon Rublev, do your Russian idols Safin and Kafelnikov proud.
the roof is closed. not good for rafa
Why, is it raining?
yes thunderstorms
roof closed..first time playing rubulev..both disadvantageous to rafa.
Not idea, but Rafa will manage.
I don’t see R. Nadal winning this match in 3 easy sets.
Rafael Nadal might lose in 3 sets or 5 sets, no one will win this match in the 4th set.
If Rafito wins, he will win in the 5th sets or 3 tight sets.
But i think Andrey Rublev will win in 3 sets or 5 sets.
#Hecandoit
#Amwithhim
Agree, glad someone can see this upset coming.
Hahahhhahahahahah Rublev will get his whining ass handed to him sorry.
rublev doesn’t have the nerves to take a set off rafa
Doesnt have the nerves? he beat Dimitrov, Goffin and Bedene in straight sets.
Dimitrov & Goffin are prone to upsets. Bedene’s rankings are inflated because he vultures Challengers.
On the regular tour Rublev constantly chokes away opportunities to close out sets or to consolidate breaks. Rafa will eat him alive.
Goffin was hurt
otherwise that would have been an outstanding win
Am all set under the roof in ashe for rafa?? vaamos!!
wow! vamos ! have fun vmk!
Have a great time vmk!!