This one's over before it's even begun.
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They've both declined, but Rafa's still #2 in the world for a reason. Meanwhile Stan still can't get seeded at big tournaments.Nadal's form was ridiculously good in the 2017 clay season. He is not as good now and Stanimal is playing good again. So, I expect a tough fought match between them.
Nadal will win either of Madrid or Rome. He looks good here and has a strong chance to win Madrid. I think Nadal in 2.
I don't know. If he loses here in Madrid, not sure he will be winning Rome then. His confidence will have taken a massive hit by then, and other players will smell blood in the water.
I heard they changed the court though. I don't know what exactly they did there...Well, there is a chance for Nadal to go to RG empty handed this year, I can't deny that, but I think he still has a good chance to win at least 1 title on clay before RG. Just based on the rule of average. However, the scenario you mentioned is also possible.
I also think if Nadal goes into RG without any titles on clay, that means he will have played less matches leading to FO, and that may not be necessarily too bad for him. Obviously, he won't be as confident, but he will still fight until the end, and with his heavy topspin and wide Philippe Chatrier, you just never know.
Well, there is a chance for Nadal to go to RG empty handed this year, I can't deny that, but I think he still has a good chance to win at least 1 title on clay before RG. Just based on the rule of average. However, the scenario you mentioned is also possible.
I also think if Nadal goes into RG without any titles on clay, that means he will have played less matches leading to FO, and that may not be necessarily too bad for him. Obviously, he won't be as confident, but he will still fight until the end, and with his heavy topspin and wide Philippe Chatrier, you just never know.
This is true, though I can think of two exceptions: RG 2014 (I don't think this "win" over Nishikori could give him a lot of confidence) and USO 2017. Both times he was coming to the tournaments in terrible form but managed to improve and win.The last time Nadal went into RG without a single clay title to his name was 2015. And that year also, he played the final of Madrid, and after playing a great semi with Berdych just collapsed against Murray. He didn't even make the semis of Rome the following week. I understand your point, Nadal is the God of Clay, but the one thing he isn't the God of is turning it on after a series of losses, the way Federer can. He is the ultimate momentum player, and if he is heading into Rome having failed to win a single title on his fav surface up to then, not sure the belief will be resonating from his performance there, going by what I have seen from him in the past.
This is true, though I can think of two exceptions: RG 2014 (I don't think this "win" over Nishikori could give him a lot of confidence) and USO 2017. Both times he was coming to the tournaments in terrible form but managed to improve and win.
FTFYUltimately, Madrid 2014 was still a title, and he backed it up with a tight three set final to Djokovic in Rome. And not focusing on USO 2017 since that is a completely different slam on a different surface that Nadal is never the overwhelming favorite to win, and guaranteed to get the cakiest draws like one devoid of top 30, so he can approach it with less pressure. RG is HIS domain, and heading into it with no momentum is not what he wants.
The last time Nadal went into RG without a single clay title to his name was 2015. And that year also, he played the final of Madrid, and after playing a great semi with Berdych just collapsed against Murray. He didn't even make the semis of Rome the following week. I understand your point, Nadal is the God of Clay, but the one thing he isn't the God of is turning it on after a series of losses, the way Federer can. He is the ultimate momentum player, and if he is heading into Rome having failed to win a single title on his fav surface up to then, not sure the belief will be resonating from his performance there, going by what I have seen from him in the past.
It wasn't 90% Stan at RG a couple of years ago.I have Nadal in two easy sets; 6-4, 6-3, Nadal is starting to play much better. Stan is playing better too. But 80% Nadal destroys 80% Stan; maybe not quite as badly as 90% Nadal destroyed 90% Stan at RG a couple of years ago. But it should be an easy win for Nadal.
But there are only 3 QF today, so that’s not bad at allSecond most uninteresting QF of the day. Stan will win 7 games tops.
Well, Djokovic-Cilic was the most uninteresting, but we were spared of it.But there are only 3 QF today, so that’s not bad at all![]()
It wasn't 90% Stan at RG a couple of years ago.
This women’s match is gonna delay Rafa/Stan.
Ughhhh...Slone is just annoying to watch at times. So many walk-about moments.
Neither has Andy.That's right. Murray completely wore him out during the dog fight semi. Stan hasn't been the same ever since (bum knee, now rusty).
Rafa would have still won in straights, but because of Stan's long SF, the final turned out to be a demolition.That's right. Murray completely wore him out during the dog fight semi. Stan hasn't been the same ever since(bum knee, now rusty).
I would be surprised if it were close.If Stan is closer to 100%, and I hope he is, this match should have then been the final. Hoping for a big time match. Expect Nadal to pull it out, but expect it to be close.
I hope you are right, but something tells me it can be tricky, like in Toronto last year.I would be surprised if it were close.
Straight sets is straight sets. Little danger.I hope you are right, but something tells me it can be tricky, like in Toronto last year.
Game, set, match Nadal.
Ultimately, Madrid 2014 was still a title, and he backed it up with a tight three set final to Djokovic in Rome. And not focusing on USO 2017 since that is a completely different slam on a different surface that Nadal is never the overwhelming favorite to win, so he can approach it with less pressure. RG is HIS domain, and heading into it with no momentum is not what he wants.