2019 ATP Madrid SF: Djokovic [1] vs Thiem [5]

[Deleted member 77403]

That's pretty much the silver lining, as the young ones are never going to break through.

Ready to see him turn into Earth's Mightiest Warrior tomorrow?

 

[mike danny]

he did play the world number one neck and neck in a solid match

He knows he can hang with novak. Some small changes in fortune and such a match could tip the other way.

It's disappointing as well of course, but there's a silver lining.

Thiem should be past the "can hang with the world no.1" part. He is 25 FFS. He is going to remain relegated to this stage forever.

The fact is, in order to prove he was the second best after Nadal on clay, Thiem needed to win this one. He failed. Since Nadal should be his only problem on clay, it stands to reason that Djokovic should be a player he should handle, but to no avail.

 

[veroniquem]

Good win for Novak. I don't expect him to beat Nadal tomorrow but at least it's another 240 ranking points in the bank.

One always expects Nadal to win on clay. Still, Djoko is the guy who has challenged him the most on the red stuff. That means we'll probably have the best possible final tomorrow.

 

[mike danny]

Ready to see him turn into Earth's Mightiest Warrior tomorrow?

Hell yeah.

 

[I Am Finnish]

If Djokovic wins here tomorrow, he is in pole position, and then all of sudden the slight fav for RG IMO. Because three losses in a row in clay events for Nadal will hurt his conifdence and he doesn't have an easy draw in Rome either.

why not co favourite ?

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I’d be shocked if Tsitsipas takes more than 6 games today.

 

[TheAssassin]

RG is in Nadal's hands unless he has a disappointment in Madrid and Rome too.

But, it's really good that both Djokovic and Thiem are starting to play decent.

 

[Sysyphus]

Really though Thiem is a nightmare matchup for Novak on clay and he's in better form. The odds before the match were 50/50, which accounted for the difference in mental strength so I don't think he can be happy with the result.

doubt he's remotely happy, but he shouldn't take only negatives away from it.

It was a good match and essentially a coin toss (thiem with many more break chances).

bit of a downer but not the end of the world as we know it.

 

[NoleFam]

Nole’s going to win Madrid and FO if he plays like today.
If he wins FO, he’s GOAT in my book.

I think he can get better but I think he will probably play better in the final. A little too up and down today but I think that was nerves because he hasn't been in this position on clay in a while. If he keeps improving, he has a shot at RG.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Terrible crowd

Uhm The crowd was 50/50

 

[Nadalgaenger]

excellent match between two of the three best clay courters in the world at the moment.

Too bad we didn't get three, but it was close.

Thiem should take some belief but also some hunger and motivation from this match.

Completely agree. This match was a dogfight, not a beat down.

 

[mike danny]

he beat Nadal in their last tournament *shrugs*

And failed to build up on that.

 

[NoleFam]

If Djokovic wins here tomorrow, he is in pole position, and then all of sudden the slight fav for RG IMO. Because three losses in a row in clay events for Nadal will hurt his conifdence and he doesn't have an easy draw in Rome either.

Yea Nadal looks vulnerable this year to me and even in this tournament. If he fails to win this one, this will definitely not be great for his confidence heading into his pet tournament.

 

[Standaa]

Ready to see him turn into Earth's Mightiest Warrior tomorrow?

I’m really excited to see what he’s gonna bring tomorrow. Might just be his RG form.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

why not co favourite ?

When I mean slight, I mean by a slight fraction. He won't be overwhelming fav, unless he absolutely crushes Nadal in Madrid and then wins Rome.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal is still the favourite here and at RG! However, I’m pleased Novak is playing better and he should at least give Nadal a good game tomorrow!

Assuming Nadal wins tonight, which I’m sure he will!

 

[mike danny]

You act like we are talking about some scrub or something. This is Djokovic, the #1 who has won all of the big clay titles and beaten Nadal on clay more than anyone. I think some of you were buying into this Novak decline on clay narrative prematurely.

This Novak is not the same Novak from 3-4 years ago.

 

[Sysyphus]

Thiem should be past the "can hang with the world no.1" part. He is 25 FFS. He is going to remain relegated to this stage forever.

The fact is, in order to prove he was the second best after Nadal on clay, Thiem needed to win this one. He failed. Since Nadal should be his only problem on clay, it stands to reason that Djokovic should be a player he should handle, but to no avail.

OK, I think we can agree to see this a bit differently.

I think you're interpreting it a bit too dramatically, but I get that it's a disappointing* result, as a lot of us were hoping to see a non-geriatric finally show he can take it to the top guys on a more consistent basis. I agree that it sucks that he fell short.

 

[Zebrev]

I knew Thiem would have a let down. I predicted the match correctly, imagine if I had 50 quid on it. Another few bob in the back pocket.

 

[NoleFam]

This Novak is not the same Novak from 3-4 years ago.

And that didn't stop him at Wimbledon, USO or AO did it?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I’m really excited to see what he’s gonna bring tomorrow. Might just be his RG form.

Let the good times roll.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Yea Nadal looks vulnerable this year to me and even in this tournament. If he fails to win this one, this will definitely not be great for his confidence heading into his pet tournament.

Yes, considering he hasn't been given the ideal draw in Rome either, with Thiem in his quarters, who will have an extra day now to rest.

 

[mike danny]

OK, I think we can agree to see this a bit differently.

I think you're interpreting a bit too dramatically, but I get that it's a dramatic result, as a lot of us were hoping to see a non-geriatric finally show he can take it to the top guys on a more consistent basis. I agree that it sucks that he fell short.

Sorry if I'm acting like an immature brat. Thank you for being patient with me.

I just feel like Thiem should be past the hanging with the world no.1 part. That is so 2-3 years ago. After all the improvements he has made, still no progress.

 

[Standaa]

Let the good times roll.

How do you see his chances at RG, based on what we know thus far?

 

[NoleFam]

Yes, considering he hasn't been given the ideal draw in Rome either, with Thiem in his quarters, who will have an extra day now to rest.

His Rome draw is brutal. I think he either needs to raise his level about 2 or 3 notches, or needs some divine intervention to defend that Rome title with that draw.

 

[I Am Finnish]

3 serbs defeated Thiem on Clay

Djere in Rio de Janeiro
Lajovic in MC
Djokovic in Madrid

 

[tennisaddict]

Cheering for Vamos Rafa to give a beat down tomorrow

 

[veroniquem]

First top 10 win for Djokovic since beating Nadal at the AO

Getting back to form at just the right time it seems. The stakes will be extremely high at RG for him this year.
And the 3 leaders in the race are still Djoko/Nadal/Fed
So much for next/new/young/lost gen, you name it, stepping up

 

[Deleted member 77403]

How do you see his chances at RG, based on what we know thus far?

Honestly, I can answer this question for you after the final with Nadal. Nadal is still the top dog. Djokovic was always one of the top three, along with Nadal and Thiem, but tomorrow will help bring a little more clarity to answering your question.

 

[Sysyphus]

Sorry if I'm acting like an immature brat. Thank you for being patient with me.

I just feel like Thiem should be past the hanging with the world no.1 part. That is so 2-3 years ago. After all the improvements he has made, still no progress.

it does suck that no one can seem to really step it up on a consistent basis.

Don't think Stefanos is going to help our mood later tonight either

 

[tennisaddict]

Getting back to form at just the right time it seems. The stakes will be extremely high at RG for him this year.
And the 3 leaders in the race are still Djoko/Nadal/Fed
So much for next/new/young/lost gen, you name it, stepping up

Opportunity galore starting 2014 .. weak era at its glorious best

 

[Deleted member 77403]

His Rome draw is brutal. I think he either needs to raise his level about 2 or 3 notches, or needs some divine intervention to defend that Rome title with that draw.

Yes, which is why if he fails to beat Djokovic here in the final, he will be heading with zero momentum most likely into Paris, with losses against his two top rivals Novak and Thiem. Nadal needs to step up here and now, it will be too late to do it in Paris IMO.

 

[True Fanerer]

All I have to say is that I'm not surprised.

 

[romeo8880]

I don’t understand why there are so many people who want to see the big 3 lose. They’re the top 3 tennis players EVER. Enjoy their greatness. I promise you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

 

[mike danny]

And that didn't stop him at Wimbledon, USO or AO did it?

Well, this was clay. This was Thiem's time to shine after all the hype of him improving. Djokovic hadn't been in great form recently. Him being unproven on clay in 2 years. This was his chance.

Could not even take a set.

I mean how long until we stopped sugarcoating these guys just because they're losing to the Big 3 or they're losing to the world no.1?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

I’d be shocked if Tsitsipas takes more than 6 games today.

Yeah, Tsits guru looked great yesterday but hard to forget the beatings.

 

[Tennis Rules]

on what european time will be starting the final tomorrow?

 

[veroniquem]

Yeah I find it hilarious too that Fed has never won Rome or Monte-Carlo. Talk about a top player with a weak surface
By contrast, Djoko has no major weakness.

 

[mike danny]

it does suck that no one can seem to really step it up on a consistent basis.

Don't think Stefanos is going to help our mood later tonight either

That's why tonight's match is skippable. Stefanos is going to suck terribly.

 

[mike danny]

Yeah I find it hilarious too that Fed has never won Rome or Monte-Carlo. Talk about a top player with a weak surface
By contrast, Djoko has no major weakness.

Yeah, sure whatever you say

 

[tennis_pro]

3 serbs defeated Thiem on Clay

Djere in Rio de Janeiro
Lajovic in MC
Djokovic in Madrid

nice observation

he's got Djere in his quarter in Rome but luckily there's Rafa who can save him

 

[TheAssassin]

Remember DJokovic lucked out with a bye while Thiem slugged it out over three sets.

Djokovic winning the match just defending

Tim is going to win after saving MP today as well

Cheering for Vamos Rafa to give a beat down tomorrow

Opportunity galore starting 2014 .. weak era at its glorious best

It's going to be ok. Hang in there.

 

[NoleFam]

Well, this was clay. This was Thiem's time to shine after all the hype of him improving. Djokovic hadn't been in great form recently. Him being unproven on clay in 2 years. This was his chance.

Could not even take a set.

I mean how long until we stopped sugarcoating these guys just because they're losing to the Big 3 or they're losing to the world no.1?

It doesn't matter if Djokovic is unproven on clay in two years which is the point. If he can have a resurgence on the other surfaces, he can on clay as well especially considering his past success. You also seem to forget that Djokovic has beaten Thiem on clay easily at least twice. Yes Thiem has improved but Djokovic is still a force on any surface and if Federer came close to beating Thiem yesterday, why the shock today with this result? The big 3 are better than all of these players when they play well. This is just how it is.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Yeah I find it hilarious too that Fed has never won Rome or Monte-Carlo. Talk about a top player with a weak surface

Yes, it's universally considered that a man who has won the FO has clay as a "weak surface."

 

[N01E]

Uhm The crowd was 50/50

I meant the noise during the point. A decent amount of them even tried to make others be quiet. That's when you know things got out of hand.

 

[Night Slasher]

It's going to be ok. Hang in there.

Don't think so, he's way too invested.

 

[BeatlesFan]

if Federer came close to beating Thiem yesterday, why the shock today with this result?

Who is shocked? Djokovic is still at almost 32 clearly the greater and better player than Thiem will ever be. Djokovic will also beat Nadal tomorrow since he owns Rafa mentally and has for years. Thiem just isn't there yet and he's 25 years old. Should already have been winning big titles if he was a great as some of his fans think.

 

[NoleFam]

Yes, which is why if he fails to beat Djokovic here in the final, he will be heading with zero momentum most likely into Paris, with losses against his two top rivals Novak and Thiem. Nadal needs to step up here and now, it will be too late to do it in Paris IMO.

Yea he either needs to win Rome or Madrid before RG in my opinion to gain some momentum and let these guys know I am still the King and will be ready in Paris.

 

[beard]

Federer's also 37. Let's see how Novak is doing at 37 before saying anything about Federer.

Novak wont play at 37. At that time he will be retired goat

 

[RF-18]

It's going to be ok. Hang in there.