2020 Australian Open QF :- [1] Rafa Nadal vs [5] Domi Thiem
- Thread starter HetTheGreaterer
- Start date
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
This is the best chance Thiem can beat Nadal in a slam. And it won’t be the last!
It’s a toss up for me. Thiem looking very strong.
What’s good for Rafa is that he played evening match and produced a myriad of winners. Thiem been playing day matches which is better for his game. I don’t think Thiem will mug up. He knows very well he can beat ATG as he has done it before.
Impossible to predict.
It’s a toss up for me. Thiem looking very strong.
What’s good for Rafa is that he played evening match and produced a myriad of winners. Thiem been playing day matches which is better for his game. I don’t think Thiem will mug up. He knows very well he can beat ATG as he has done it before.
Impossible to predict.
Sephiroth
Hall of Fame
Yeah any Thiem vs Big 3 match is hard to predict.
King No1e
G.O.A.T.
How crazy would it be if Nadal beat Djokovic at AO but lost to Thiem at RG?
Cabeza del Demonio
Hall of Fame
Vamos Bamos!
As a Rafa fan I'm always concerned, but I did worry about Krygios and Rafa dealt with him. So I'll go for Rafa in four tight battle hard sets. Thiem will come out swinging and blaze winners plenty on the first set. But eventually Rafa should be consistent and get enough balls back to force enough unforced errors from Thiem. I do worry if it goes to five. Please Rafa win but if he doesn't then I pray that Stan can pull through to stop Perfect Cell in the final.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
For nadal to stand a chance against djoker in the SF, he has to play like Wimbledon 2018 SF & hope djokovic isn't confident enough to go DTL
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
I'm sorry, but Nadal has no chance against Djokovic on this surface. He will NEVER beat Novak at the A.O.
If Nadal gets to the final, the scoreline will be identical to last year, or worse if that is possible.
There are 4 potential AO Finals:
Djokovic vs Thiem
Djokovic vs Stan
Djokovic vs Zverev
Djokovic vs Nadal
I PROMISE you, out of all the 4, the LEAST COMPETITIVE (by FAR) will be Nadal vs Djokovic.
One hopes that Thiem/Zverev/Wawrinka - take out Nadal for the sake of competition as it relates to the A.O Final.
Again Nadal is playing crap this year. He was far better in the Davis cup last year. I had predicted after the ATP cup that Nadal won't get to the final of the AO, and I stand by that. He's not playing well enough. It's as simple as that. He was far better even at AO 2019. Nadal should prep for clay and defend his F.O. That will decide his legacy..
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Well I said he needs to play like Wimbledon 2018 to stand a chance. Ofcourse at AO novak goes down heavy favourite against rafa. Also, I certainly didn't predict how rafa WILL play, I just said how he SHOULD play.
Plus, what are you sorry for? I'm not a rafa fan afterall.
In my opinion, scoreline can't be worse than what it was last year. Nadal will atleast snatch a set, or if djok wins in straights, the scoreline will be much closer than last year.
I think the least competitive can be Novak v/s Zverev.
And the most competitive can be Novak v/s Thiem.
It's like 5 weeks or so. But Nadal is certainly not playing at the highest possible level. I do think that the sting on his Forehand and Backhand is reduced (not that it wasn't bound to, at some point). He needs to bring in the heat atleast in terms of ballstriking.
Nadal certainly wasn't far better than this at AO2020, he was even worse. He just happened to play pretty weak players and weak ballstrikers. He was just costing by his serve. As soon as he had to go against an average ballstriking in form of suddenly awekened Berdych in the 3rd set, his struggles were visible. Both me @Hitman predicted that if Djokodal final happens, nadal would be absolutely crushed; and we were heavily criticised for that. Afterall, rafa wasn't tested all week & he wasn't prepared for the onslaught of the ballstriking and defence by Djokovic.
This year, nadal is certainly better than his AO2019 version, but has played better opposition in 4R compared to last year.
He already has a Dozen titles there.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Respectfully disagree with that. Stan vs Novak will be the most competitive. Zverev can do more vs Novak than Nadal does IMO, so it won't be the least competitive.
It's a big difference. As Nadal gets older, he starts to play worse as he gets more mileage. His EOY schedule of Davis cup, Abu dhabi, ATP cup and AO 2020 - means that he is not as fresh in the AO 2020. His game has gotten worse and worse. Plus in Davis cup, he had some extra motivation maybe, but I've rarely seen Nadal play with as much freedom.
I disagree with that. Nadal was playing great in AO 2019. Almost certainly better than this year. He just got spooked in the final vs Djokovic. It happens. Bad day at the office.
And Novak has always been Nadal's worst nightmare, the worst matchup and his kryptonite. It's all too easy for Novak vs Rafa.
AO 2020 Nadal's every part of game is worse than last year. Movement, forehand, backhand and the serve. Most of all mental strength is significantly worse than last year. He is not converting any breakpoints. CHOKING while serving for the match and doing double faults. .
Doesn't matter. That is Nadal's best chance to get to Roger's record. Total slams matter and Nadal's best chances are always at RG. Even if he can win 1 or 2 more - he gets close to Fed.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Well, despite me disagreeing with practically everything you said and you disagreeing with practically everything I said, I think we had a really nice conversation and should have some more in future. How about that? How about being friends?
What fanbase do you belong to? I'm a rog fan as you can see from my username
Respect and love from my side
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Yes, he really needs a big win over Rafa
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Will you drink whiskey upon being disappointed??
WhiskeyEE
G.O.A.T.
Hmmm I will probably see the result after waking up and I'm sick so the wise answer is no. But the real answer is maybe.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
You're confusing me
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
First night match of Thiem?
Jokervich
Hall of Fame
Why, do you think he should lead by more?
D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
Djokovic needed a tiebreaker in the 2nd Set to beat the most exhausted version of Rafa ever, at the ATP Cup.Check back Sunday when reality interferes with the dream.
In fact Rafa had 5 break points in one game during that set, and was up a minibreak in the tiebreaker until Djokovic got lucky with a ball that hit the net and popped over Rafa's head.
There is a reason why Djokovic only has 16 slams and not 19 or 20
Pheasant
Legend
Absolutely. The oddsmakers have Thiem as a massive underdog, about 2.5/1.
D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
There is a reason why Thiem has never won a slam, while Rafa has won 19 slams including 2 in 2019
Jokervich
Hall of Fame
Do you think Nadal will take it in straight sets? I personally think Nadal will pull through the match, but not easily by any means.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Hopefully another epic 5 set war just like USO 2018 
That match was incredible from start to finish. Although this time both players are a bit different. Thiem more confident on hards and Nadal more aggressive at net and serving better. This could be the match of the tournament.
That match was incredible from start to finish. Although this time both players are a bit different. Thiem more confident on hards and Nadal more aggressive at net and serving better. This could be the match of the tournament.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
True. But we've only had 1 HC meeting with Nadal/Thiem. This should be a fun match.There is a reason why Thiem has never won a slam, while Rafa has won 19 slams including 2 in 2019
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic is 7-0 in AO Finals and has 7 AO titles.Djokovic needed a tiebreaker in the 2nd Set to beat the most exhausted version of Rafa ever, at the ATP Cup.
In fact Rafa had 5 break points in one game during that set, and was up a minibreak in the tiebreaker until Djokovic got lucky with a ball that hit the net and popped over Rafa's head.
There is a reason why Djokovic only has 16 slams and not 19 or 20
Nadal only has 1 AO title.
Nadal will need to duplicate that 2nd set performance 3 times in 1 match. It's going to be very hard to take 3 sets from Djokovic in the final. Only ones who can do it are Stanimal 2.0 and possibly Thiem if he catches fire like he did at WTF FInals.
Pheasant
Legend
I have Nadal squeaking this out in 5 sets. Thiem is dangerous when he's on. He's in good enough shape to exchange blows with Rafa for 5 hours. And in the process, he'll wear Nadal down for his next match. This should be a very exciting match.
tennis24x7
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't be surprised but Thiem's looking good. If it goes the distance then Nadal or else Thiem might win I'd say 50-50 at this point of time. If Thiem does win this then Rafa will win the French Open 100%
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
The guy in my avatar beats the guy in my profile name. 4 thrilling sets.
Prediction; There will be Topspin.
Prediction; There will be Topspin.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Rafa is 9-4 against Thiem and a whopping 19-3 against Stanimal!
Besides, it may be Zverev Rafa will face.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
STATS:
Nadal is 6-5 in QFs at Australian Open.
Nadal is 27-2 in QFs at all other slams.
It's crazy how different (bad) Nadal's record is at AO vs the other slams.
Nadal is 6-5 in QFs at Australian Open.
Nadal is 27-2 in QFs at all other slams.
It's crazy how different (bad) Nadal's record is at AO vs the other slams.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Edge is back
Daniel Andrade
Legend
Ok I'll try to sleep a little bit, and be back in 2 hours, ok? Don't bagel Thiem without me.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Im so ready for this match to start ugh.
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
Wawrinka lost
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
I just want someone from this side of the draw to win: Nadal of course, Thiem is my 2nd favorite player and I would love for Zverev to finally do well in a Grand Slam! I actually predicted in a thread we had on here 18 months or so ago that Zverev would make it to his first final at AO2020 but I am still hoping for a Djokovic-Nadal final this year.
Hoping Rafa plays his best in this match!
Hoping Rafa plays his best in this match!
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