Rafael Nadal is safely through to the Wimbledon third round, but he will be eager to raise his level when he takes the court against Lorenzo Sonego on Saturday. Botic van de Zandschulp and Richard Gasquet are also aiming for a place in the second week.
(27) Lorenzo Sonego vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Nadal did enough to reach the third round at Wimbledon, but he will have to raise his level substantially if he wants to win a third straight Grand Slam title. In fact, he may require dramatic improvement if he simply wants to get past Sonego on Saturday. From the standpoint of offensive firepower and general grass-court prowess, Sonego is a much more dangerous opponent than Nadal’s first two foes in Francisco Cerundolo and Ricardas Berankis—both of whom took a set off the Spaniard. Two of the 54th-ranked Italian’s ATP final appearances have come on the green stuff, including the 2019 Antalya title. He reached the fourth round at the All-England Club last summer and so far this fortnight he has taken out grass-court specialist Denis Kudla in five sets and Hugo Gaston in straights.
Surprisingly, Nadal dropped the third set against both Cerundolo and Berankis and even trailed the fourth set of his opening match by a break. It has hardly been impressive by the 22-time major champion, but those were his first two grass-court matches since 2019. You have to think improvement is coming sooner rather than later, plus it’s never easy facing Nadal for the first time—which is the case for Sonego in this contest.
Pick: Nadal in 4
Richard Gasquet vs. (21) Botic van de Zandschulp
Van de Zandschulp and Gasquet will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time at a major this season. They previously faced each at the Australian Open, where it was one set all before Gasquet retired. The Frenchman had lost 10 games in a row at the time. Gasquet has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and at 36 years old things are not getting any easier. The world No. 69 was forced to play nine sets in his first two rounds, too, so he is definitely a question mark heading into the last 32.
Whereas Gasquet had to work hard against both Joao Sousa and Mackenzie McDonald, Van de Zandschulp mostly cruised past Feliciano Lopez and Emil Ruusuvuori—dropping just one set to the Finn. The 25th-ranked Dutchman has been in great form dating back to the summer of 2021 and this is his fourth consecutive appearance in at least the third round of a Grand Slam. Now he has a golden opportunity to reach the Wimbledon second week for the first time.
Pick: Van de Zandschulp in 4
And by the by, how comes no one mentioned the thing that occurred between Rafa and Sonego? What was that about really?! I heard Martina going on about how Rafa should not have said anything until end of match. 🙄🙄🙄🙄I’m like look woman, y don’t u go commentate on the women”s matches?!! Sigh!
What are you talking about Monalisa? Martina is completely entitled to her opinion. And Rafa is not perfect either, he can make mistakes too.
If some other people on this forum had written that Martina should commentate on women’s matches, you would have been at their throat and have accused them of being some right wing loon. Horrendous hypocrisy from you, what a joke! Putting others down because they have their justified opinion on your favourite is lame.
Rafa said in his presser that he should not have confronted Sonego on the court. From what I gathered, Rafa had a problem with Sonego grunting and celebrating after hitting a winner. It was supposedly close to a hindrance.
They only showed Rafa’s match when this issue came up between Rafa and Sonego. Otherwise you would never know anyone else was playing a match.
The ESPN commentators are hypocrites for not telling it like is with Kyrgios. His behavior is outrageous. Now I am watching the replay on the tennis channel. They showed a video clip of Tsitsipas hitting the ball toward the crowd. It showed that the ball went between two people and then clipped someone else on the back of the head. So according to the tennis channel commies Tsitsipas should have been defaulted.
I should clarify that the video showed the ball going between two spectators and then it hit the backboard and bounced into the back of someone’s head.you have to watch it a little longer to see what happened.
Remember when Nick said he was going at Rafa’s chest? He said he intended to hit him and he would not apologize. I’m thinking Stef might have learned that little trick from Nick‼️ 😜😜😜 But seriously, he’s out of control. I got amused at the commentators in the Bublik/Tiafoe match. They were really bad mouthing the underhand serving he used against Francis. But the same commentators think it’s wonderful when Nick used the underhand serve against Rafa. They will say it’s a legit serve and Rafa stands so far back iff the baseline….. blah blah blah, hypocrites!! I think it’s bush league, myself. Why the commentators that are former tennis greats fawn over Nicky the head case! I’ll never figure it out.
Yes Kyrgios said after that match that he intended to hit Rafa! He flat out owned it. I think Tsitsipas key Kyrgios get into his head and he did not react well. Even he said he’s never hit the ball into the crowd. He played right into Nick’s hands.
The ATP has created a monster because they won’t suspend Nick when he breaks the rules.
There’s little that’s new in tennis. Nick’s behaviour so reminds me of Johnny Mac’s. The difference is, of course, Mac used to win slams. Tsit is no angel, nor is his father if we’re talking cheating, and should’ve been defaulted.
I think that handling of bashing balls deliberately into the spectators or other people should be changed! The player who does it, should be disqualified immediately, even if no one gets harmed. It’s dangerous behavior which should be prevented in the first place, and it is ridiculous to disqualify only if someone gets hit! I am on Kyrgios’ side as far as this argument is concerned. However, Kyrgios’ oncourt behavior very often is deliberate bullying in order to distract his opponents. Many single and double players have complained about this by now, and the umpires should stop this kind of behavior immediately because it’s deeply unfair! I have no idea why they are so lenient! Personally I do not think that Kyrgios is bad for tennis, and I don’t exactly dislike him. He certainly has some mental health issues, as he has openly admitted. He also has loads of talent, and his style of playing tennis can be very entertaining. But if his distracting and immature oncourt antics are tolerated, he most certainly has no incentive to stop doing it – especially if he wins his matches. It will be interesting to see how the umpires will handle Kyrgios in his next matches. There should internal discussions amongst the staff.
I was pretty disappointed with Rafa’s behavior yday. But, that’s coz I hold him to high standards. At least, he was courageous enough to apologize straight away.
Anyhow, March to #23 continues.
Rafa told the umpire about it. Sonego used to roar after hitting the ball n that is hindrance to the opponent. Yes rafa should not have called Sonego to the net n talked but then he apologized n it’s topic closed now.
Really??? You are upset because Rafa talked directly to Sonego at the net about what was bothering him instead of going through the umpire? This is a tornado in a water glass, and for all we know Rafa’s complaints may even have been legit! Since Rafa hasn’t told us, it might’ve been either Sonego’s allegedly untimely grunting or his silly demand to close the roof before the official closing time. If it was the latter, it was clearly gamesmanship, because Rafa’s opponents know by now how much he dislikes the Wimby roof 😉 I don’t have the foggiest idea why the umpire gave in! The match would have most likely be over before this deadline.
The only problem with Rafa’s talk at the net was that he did it after Sonego broke him, and it could be interpreted as sour grapes or an attempt to disrupt Sonego’s concentration. But I really think it’s ridiculous to waste time on this tiny mole hill. Like all other players Rafa is human. He has most certainly done things which are regrettable. Considering his long career, it would be very strange if he hadn’t. But what happened yesterday was not really an issue for me – especially if we compare it with the chaos on Court 1!
Rafa said it himself at his presser. Also in his on court post match interview. I don’t know why this should be a big deal. He felt that he should have spoken to him in private. He also would not discuss the issue in his presser. He made it clear that it will stay in the locker room. Rafa is decent enough to acknowledge if he thinks he did not handle a situation in the best way. Good for him!
The double standard that occurs in tennis is shocking!! And many of the commies are darn culprits!! Nick has gotten away with SO much and many think it’s cool! Even the way Nick”s matches r promoted is akin to some back in the day Sylvester Stallone movie block buster, bcoz they’re expecting some kind of fireworks, yet when Nick reacts they act all surprised and shocked!!! Nick literally on national tv berated and cursed the referee and the lines person and yet he was NOT disqualified, many think it’s cute! Yet, some of these same ppl want to go on about Rafa calling Sonego out at the net!! Rafa was very right to do this bcoz the referee didn’t do his job when Rafa complained in the first place!!! Rafa was good to apologize bcoz I for sure wouldn’t! While Nick is like since I’m paying a fine there is no need to apologize!!! Sigh!
All the stunts Sonego pulled in his attempt at gamesmanship, I didn’t hear the commies saying anything about it. Y must Sonego be the one to ask for the roof to be closed? There should be a clear policy on roof closure that is not triggered by the whims and fancies of players!!! Y didn’t they talk about that? But they want to be quick to harp on Rafa”s actions! I wasn’t pleased about how Martina spoke of Rafa”s actions not really understanding the full background! Some of these commies who were former tennis players honestly need to stop trying to steal shade from the current players, choopz!!
And of course there is always going to be chaos on the courts when ppl don’t behave the way they ought to! The match with Kyrios and Steph started really well. Not a fan of Steph but the scar tissue his has endured in his losses against Nick is evident, and he was trying to play his BEST game to give himself a chance. But Nick got rattled after losing the first set and then all hell broke lose, calling the lines person a whistleblower etc!!! Until it got to the point where he rattled Steph who instead, like Rafa, should have said something to the referee (and then Nick if it continued) bcoz the referee could NOT manage the match!! And on top of that the crowd was not helping bcoz for them it’s added entertainment, but they r not realizing that it steals from the match when one player acts like a total nob while the other player is trying to win a match!! And hence, bcoz players r different certain players will tend to react in ways that r unwise like in this case with Steph hitting ball in crowd. And then the same person who is the epicenter of ALL the chaos will turn around and criticize Steph for his reaction!!! What am I missing here?!!! This is CRAZY!!!
I didn’t watch the match with NK but most of the tennis journalists are saying Tsitsi should have been defaulted for hitting the ball into the crowd.
I don’t like NK but Tsitsi seems to be involved in a lot of controversies and alterations. Several with Med including one about his father coaching. One with Zverev over his bathroom break, another with Murray over exactly the same. I think there have been others as well.
It’s way past time NK got properly penalised ie with game and then set penalties ( like Serena) but Tsitsi isn’t some angel. Apparently he hit the ball at NK 3 times in around 5 minutes.
There seems to be a complete abdication of authority by the ATP and the ITF over these incidents, easily the worst of which being the one with Zverev attacking the umpire. I do still find that incident utterly appalling.
Novak got defaulted when he bashed a ball which happened to hit the line judge. But there was no intention behind it while Tsitsi hit the ball really hard into the crowd and nothing happened. That’s not fair in the slightest.
If I sound like I am defending NK I am not. He should get game/ set penalties followed by default if he continues. Just saying there are issues with Tsitsi as well and he seems to annoy a lot of people.
As for the Rafa incident it was nothing and it clearly came about because Sonego was going on and on about closing the roof when there was no need. He started at 8 for heavens sake and they could easily have finished the match without closing the roof. His complaints really upset rafa’s concentration and rhythm which was clearly his intention. It was pure gamesmanship.
Amy I know ure not defending Nick, lol! None of the players are saints including Rafa! However im just concerned if the ATP does not address this policy adequately and with urgency it will moth into chaos and ruin the sport! They must enforce the rules and not be discretionary with applying it. Anyone who hits the ball anywhere on court if NOT during a serve or rally, regardless of the reason, should be penalized, END OF!!!
Monalisa, I totally agree!
Yesterday’s match was a trainwreck – which is a pity because both players occasionally played great tennis!
Amy, I totally agree with you that the ATP/ITF have shown a lack of authority which is mind boggling. Many players have far too often just received a slight slap on their hands for their transgressions! The most blatant event was Zverev hitting at structures close to the umpire a couple of months ago! And NK should be strictly and immediately reprimanded oncourt when he starts with his bullying antics because it is deeply unfair! I am also of the opinion that players who bash the ball into the direction of the spectators or the stuff, should be disqualified even if they have not hit anyone. The point is that they could have hurt people. Therefore this behavior should not be tolerated. I am sure that the players will stop doing this very quickly after a couple of disqualifications!
After Zverev’s meltdown Jon Wertheim wrote an article about the problem that there are hardly any adequate consequences after serious transgressions. He said that this is to be expected because the ATP is an organisation which is controlled by the players, and therefore they hestitate to punish their own too harshly!
I dislike neither Nick Kyrgios or Tsitsipas, and I appreciate their tennis. But both of them were out of line yesterday, and the umpire didn’t handle these incidents adequately. And the problem with Kyrgios is that he gets away with his bullying behavior far too often!
Nick called the lines person a snitch and a whistleblower after the lines person ratted in him to the main umpire. So who knows what Nick was saying aloud that he heard. Probably dropping the f-bomb 20 times. He was appalled that Stef called him a bully! He is a bully. He bullies the officials, his opponent and whoever else gets in his way. Yes, not a fan of either player but I could definitely see why Stef was frustrated with his antics. He lost concentration…. clearly what Nick was trying to accomplish and it worked. I really think if Stef had kept his cool it would have gone five sets. But we will never know….it is what it is! People get into that stuff and Nick gets the adoration for this behavior. Go figure???
I agree. Nik was insulting the linesperson and the chair umpire. He is a bully. That is quite accurate. He knows exactly what he is doing. He lost the first set and decided to rattle Tsitsipas. It worked. Both guys did not handle the situation well. But Nik was talking when Tsitsipas was trying to serve. He talked about it in his presser. He complained to the chair umpire. That should be called as a hindrance.
I know Tsitsipas is no angel. He has been fined for coaching from his father. There have been issues with him. The replay they showed several times on the tennis channel clearly showed that the ball almost hit two spectators, bounced off the backboard and then grazed a man in the back if the head. So Tsitsipas should have been defaulted. But what about Kyrgios? The one whose abusive behavior started it all? He should not get away with this behavior.
I despise Kyrgios. He represents everything I dislike. He is boorish, bullying, nasty, vicious and insulting. Talent does not excuse abusive bullying behavior. Tsitsipas has his issues but nobody behaves like Kyrgios. He spits at players and spectators. Who does that?
Mona and littlefoot,
The Zverev incident was monitored by the ATP as it was an ATP event. Their cowardice was appalling but that was the ATP. The ATP have no jurisdiction over the slams. I don’t know who is the disciplinary body who monitors the slams? Is it the ITF?
As for the ATP, Federer and Rafa are on the ATP council aren’t they? They both deeply disapprove of this behaviour so I don’t see how it is the players who are constraining the actions of the ATP? More likely it is to do with £££.
But perhaps I don’t understand the structures involved? I am no expert!!
I think it is terrible Zverev wasn’t banned for months and both Tsitsi and NK should have had major consequences for their actions not some pathetic retrospective fines.
Tennis lost a lot of money over covid so they are probably very reluctant to ban players who bring in money for them.
Well I’m glad u raised the point about money, bcoz whenever money is involved all bets r off and anything goes!!! I could see where this is going already!!!
And that’s y I mentioned earlier that the spectaculars themselves love the chaos!! Nick has many many many fans!! He’s like a rock star!! So I don’t c things changing any time soon!!
Monalisa, I guess you wanted to write that the spectators (not the spectaculars 😉 love the chaos unleashed by NK. And you are right – he does have a lot of mostly younger fans who love his antics. And the ATP/ITF want to attract new fans because they fear that many tennis afficionados might lose interest when the Big Three are gone. So, money does play a role. But things get out of hand when someone is deliberately trying to disrupt his opponent’s play. That is very unfair and should be stopped! And it does not help that NK has turned the double event at the AO into a frigging circus and then won the title! And the officials did nothing, because they were seduced by the media attention. This encouraged NK. Why should he stop doing his thing? But many doubles players have been very upset!
Tennis is riven with double standards. Rules applied rigidly in some cases, not at all in others.