2020 ATP Finals RR - Rafael Nadal (2) vs Andrey Rublev (7)

[aldeayeah]

Second WTF match, to be played Sunday 8PM local time.

These two go way back, as this pic bears witness:

They only played once in 2017, when Andrey was still a teenager. Rafa ended Andrey's first deep slam run quite brutally, beating him 1, 2 and 2 in the USO QF.

Of course I expect a much closer affair nowadays, but I still think Rafa should be the favorite going into this.

My predicion: Nadal in 2 close sets.

 

[Picmun]

 

[Krish0608]

Rublev is a fanboy. He will happily bend over.

 

[weakera]

Interesting match. Just one match between them over three years ago. You'd think that favors Rafa as his is a more unique game that is difficult to prepare for.

 

[Gazelle]

Youngsters always choke their first few matches against Nadal. Not expecting Rublev to win here.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Second WTF match, to be played Sunday 8PM local time.

These two go way back, as this pic bears witness:

They only played once in 2017, when Andrey was still a teenager. Rafa ended Andrey's first deep slam run quite brutally, beating him 1, 2 and 2 in the USO QF.

Of course I expect a much closer affair nowadays, but I still think Rafa should be the favorite going into this.

My predicion: Nadal in 2 close sets.

I'll go with @Yugram prediction..
Rublev will come out blazing all guns and takes the first set and then rafa wears him down in next 2.. 3-6 7-5 6-1 Rafa.

 

[Dilexson]

Hopefully goes better than their USO match. Ugh

 

[romeo8880]

I don’t understand why the majority of people still pick current Nadal on indoor hardcourt against a player better than him on that surface. I guess they didn’t watch the beating Zverev gave him last match.

 

[stringertom]

I don’t understand why the majority of people still pick current Nadal on indoor hardcourt against a player better than him on that surface. I guess they didn’t watch the beating Zverev gave him last match.

Agree to disagree a bit...Zedraffe’s service games were routine holds; Rubylev will need to work a lot more without the big mph serve. This will be a close match but rubles will be selling high on the currency market this weekend.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Nadal can do what Rublev does better than Rublev and he has more variety. Nadal in straights.

 

[Sabratha]

I think Rublev edges him in three. Rafa wasn't entirely convincing at Paris.

 

[gn]

Nadal in 2. Nadal's variety will be too much for Rublev to handle.

 

[aman92]

Rublev doesn't have a big enough serve to trouble Nadal.. Should be easy for the bull

 

[Rovesciarete]

Ruble is stronger then most people give him credit for...

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Weak era in X.

 

[InsideOut900]

Rafa wasn't entirely convincing at Paris.

Rublev lost early at all 3 Masters and got crushed at USO and FO in the QFs as well as AO 4R.
For all the hype, he doesn't show up in truly big matches.

So I like Nadal's chances.

 

[Sabratha]

Rublev lost early at all 3 Masters and got crushed at USO and FO in the QFs as well as AO 4R.
For all the hype, he doesn't show up in truly big matches.

So I like Nadal's chances.

Eh fair enough. We'll see though. I like Rublev so I hope he pulls through.

 

[USO]

1) Nadal to win the match
2) Rublev to ask Nadal to sign him an autograph on his arm
3) Rublev to convert the autograph into a tattoo
4) Kyrgios to tweet about it

 

[yokied]

He who grunts last will probably grunt loudest. I'm feeling pretty BLEEHHH about it.

 

[Gazelle]

Nadal in free

 

[Cortana]

Rublev in 3.

WTF is like cryptonit for Nadal.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Interesting, Courier is predicting a Rublev win today.

 

[mike danny]

Rublev lost early at all 3 Masters and got crushed at USO and FO in the QFs as well as AO 4R.
For all the hype, he doesn't show up in truly big matches.

So I like Nadal's chances.

Didn't get crushed at the USO, but your overall point stands.

 

[Yugram]

VAMOS

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Rublev should imagine this as an ATP 500 event

 

[BackhandDTL]

Nadal wins the all star exhibition tournament, and then dismantles the trophy so that he can mold his bathroom toilet seat with its silver lining.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa electing to serve, epic.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rublev should imagine this as an ATP 500 event

Rublev has the game to beat Nadal on this court, but does he have the mentality? I think doubtful, we'll soon see.

 

[Tiki-Taka]

Last time they met Rublev was clearly not up to the task. Good opportunity today for him to show how much he has improved since then. Still, hopeful Rafa wins this one in straights.

 

[speedysteve]

Rubels big boy now. Made Nadal look small at the net.

 

[TheAssassin]

Bweeeh is 40-8 this season. Pretty good. Not expecting much from him here though. Maybe one win...

 

[speedysteve]

So, long grunt, or short grunt the winner?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Mo Lahyani in the chair!

 

[speedysteve]

You could hear a pin drop

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa serving 127 and 128 MPH.

 

[speedysteve]

No need for Mohammed to shout correction

 

[Yugram]

Rafa serving 127 and 128 MPH.

The speedometer at WTF is overcooking once again. Last year it constantly showed Zverev serving at 140+.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal's kit

 

[BackhandDTL]

Ned finally going to win Halle, Paris and all star exhibition to claim goathood? Stay tuned

 

[speedysteve]

Rubels can take so much time away from whoever. Let's see!

 

[TheAssassin]

Lousy couple of second serve returns from Nadal there.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa giving away points in the Thanksgiving spirit

 

[Hitman]

Rafa's shorts...

 

[Nostradamus]

from what i am seeing so far. Rublex has no chance. putting money for rafa to iwn

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa giving away points in the Thanksgiving spirit

He's probably distracted by Rublev's hideous grunting.

 

[Yugram]

No sign of anything special from Rublev. The great beater of Sonegos of the world.

 

[speedysteve]

Mohammad thinking he has to go in and call

 

[tennisjedi]

Good start for Rafa.

 

[BackhandDTL]

This is Peakdal

 

[speedysteve]

Rafa's shorts...

Preferred Stan's