2020 Roland Garros QF: Rafael 'Rafaello' Nadal v. Jannik 'the unrepentant' Sinner

[Sysyphus]

Sinner has managed the feat of reaching the Quarters in his very first appearance at the French. The last time someone managed that? A certain Rafaello, who was also 19 at the time.

Predictable beatdown, tough match, shock upset -- what will we be treated to?

bamos

 

[helterskelter]

Went with Bull in four, not because I think Bull could possibly lose a moral set, but just because of the references to Humbalito and to how tough an opponent everyone is.

 

[Standaa]

why didnt you put a Rafaello pic too

 

[Born_to_slice]

Anything can happen in this match. Sinner's good enough to be a considerable challenge but that doesn't mean he will be. 1st time playing Nadal as well, which will be different than any match he's ever played. Good for him that it's not springtime RG. Nadal in 4 tight sets.

 

[Feather]

Sinner in four, he will beat Rafa! This is going to be an epic day of Tennis

 

[Cortana]

Sinner in 5. You think I'm crazy, but we'll see.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Sinner will win a total of 9 games. It's hilarious that people are predicting a guy who has never won a single tournament in his career will defeat Nadal on Chatrier. He'll be destroyed, just like everyone else who is not named Djoker/Soderling.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Sinner in 5. You think I'm crazy, but we'll see.

What will be Sinner's strategy to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open? What possible weapons does he have to even win one set, much less a BO5 against the King of RG? Can anyone answer this question seriously with no trolling?

 

[I Am Finnish]

Sinner will win more than 10 games

 

[I Am Finnish]

Sinner in 5. You think I'm crazy, but we'll see.

Indeed

 

[Sysyphus]

It's hilarious that people are predicting a guy who has never won a single tournament in his career will defeat Nadal on Chatrier.

This is no way to talk about the winner of the über-prestigious ATP NextGen Finals

 

[BeatlesFan]

Sinner will win more than 10 games

Nobody is answering how Sinner is going to accomplish the single most difficult thing in all of sports: to beat Nadal at the French Open. Is his level suddenly going to elevate 521% overnight?

 

[TheNachoMan]

Hope Rafa can pull off the upset here. Another ombeleebel player not ranked in the top 70

Vamos Rafa!

 

[Yugram]

Similar or very close to Nadal’s first Slam meeting with Tsitsipas. 6-1 6-3 6-0.

Watch baby-Edmund’s level drop by 521% when he faces Nadal’s spins.

 

[Sysyphus]

Andrey Rublev has some thoughts on the match

 

[TopspintheTerrible]

Sinner is very impressive. Crushes the ball off both wings. Seems to have a good attitude. Great coach. With a bit more time on Tour & some muscle gain, he can def crack the top 20 soon.

But for now, not enough experience to tame The Bull. Nadal in 3.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Nobody is answering how Sinner is going to accomplish the single most difficult thing in all of sports: to beat Nadal at the French Open. Is his level suddenly going to elevate 521% overnight?

You are right, but I think some people want to dream and hope Sinner can somehow challenge Nadal. Otherwise what's the point of watching the match?

 

[romeo8880]

Nadal -2500. Shows you how much the oddsmakers feel Sinner has lol

 

[BeatlesFan]

You are right, but I think some people want to dream and hope Sinner can somehow challenge Nadal. Otherwise what's the point of watching the match?

Well, .004% of people who ever played Rafa at RG have ben able to challenge him. But we watched all those beatdowns anyway since 2004.

 

[Dominic & Andrey]

Well, .004% of people who ever played Rafa at RG have ben able to challenge him. But we watched all those beatdowns anyway since 2004.

I am still hyped to see what Sinner will do against Nadal, even if he will certainly lose

 

[Meles]

walkover due to illness Otherwise Nadal saves the field from Sinner in 4.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nadal in 3. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[DSH]

Bulls like blood, wine and ... sinner!

 

[marc45]

Nobody is answering how Sinner is going to accomplish the single most difficult thing in all of sports: to beat Nadal at the French Open. Is his level suddenly going to elevate 521% overnight?

I assume he'll do the same thing he did today..serve big and try to stay right on top of the baseline...use his height to take Nadal's topspin shots (lower this year) early and crack his bh crosscourt and slug away with his fh...and keep the same composure

 

[DSH]

I assume he'll do the same thing he did today..serve big and try to stay right on top of the baseline...use his height to take Nadal's topspin shots (lower this year) early and crack his bh crosscourt and slug away with his fh...and keep the same composure

Nadal will create angles to move the tall Italian and punish him with his big forehand. Also he can use his slice and drop shots to disrupt his opponent rhythm.

 

[tudwell]

Sinner will make Nadal repent

(for beating the Italian 1, 2 & 2)

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal in 3 close sets!

 

[arvind13]

sinner should play like soderling

 

[albatros_forehand]

Similar or very close to Nadal’s first Slam meeting with Tsitsipas. 6-1 6-3 6-0.

Watch baby-Edmund’s level drop by 521% when he faces Nadal’s spins.

Well, spins won't be the problem (btw Sinner generates more rpm on his backend side than Nadal ..especially in these conditions. Still Nadal will win.

 

[Red Rick]

I understand getting hyped for Sinner in general, and he should be a sterner test than Nadal has faced so far, but this is Rafael Nadal at Court Philippe Chatrier. This shouldn't be a competitive match.

 

[bjsnider]

I don't think Sinner is ready to wint his kind of match, but he's got the firepower.

 

[Pheasant]

Sinner will step up and push Nadal more than anybody has so far. Nadal will lose 10 games vs Sinner. 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 Nadal.

 

[Krish872007]

Sinner has the tools and physical capability to make this competitive but will most likely come up short in mental department. Still a great outing considering his age and his progress has been solid. Youngest debutant QF appearance since Nadal himself, 15 years ago.
My guess would be 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 or something along those lines for Nadal. But there could be a tighter set in there somewhere. Or if Nadal happens to misfire, he can even nick a set.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I’m disappointed RAFA to baptize the Sinner in 3 wasn’t an option

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Sinner has managed the feat of reaching the Quarters in his very first appearance at the French. The last time someone managed that? A certain Rafaello, who was also 19 at the time.

Predictable beatdown, tough match, shock upset -- what will we be treated to?

bamos

When Nadal reached the QF in 2005 he was still 18, sorry to tell you that, mate.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I don't think Sinner will fold. Think it'll be a good fight but he'll be out of his depth this young. Will put in a good account of himself.
6-2, 7-5, 6-3 for Rafa.

 

[Yugram]

Surprised that the TTW poll isn’t 50/50. Federer fans like to be completely delusional about chances of Nadal’s opponents.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Surprised that the TTW poll isn’t 50/50. Federer fans like to be completely delusional about chances of Nadal’s opponents.

...on clay? Really?

 

[FRV3]

I hope everyone who voted for Nadal is joking. Sinner will demolish Nadal. It won't be close.

 

[McGradey]

Sinner's gonna get bulldozed, but that shouldn't take the sheen off what has been a great run for him

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal to slay.

 

[duaneeo]

When is the last time the defending champion was defeated by a 19 year old at a slam? Hoping that Sinner takes us back to the day.

 

[socallefty]

Rafa is playing well and I‘m voting that it will be a straight sets win with possibly one tight set. Over/under for games won by Sinner is 10 in my opinion.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Sinner in four! This is going to be an epic day of Tennis

I've same feeling too.

 

[Cortana]

What will be Sinner's strategy to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open? What possible weapons does he have to even win one set, much less a BO5 against the King of RG? Can anyone answer this question seriously with no trolling?

Sometimes you have to see things to start believing them. This kid lost only 1 set so far and destroyed Zverev.

He will be the next Djokovic. You heard it here first.

 

[Sambuccashake]

Sometimes you have to see things to start believing them. This kid lost only 1 set so far and destroyed Zverev.

He will be the next Djokovic. You heard it here first.

Reminds me more of a Next Gen berdych.

Baby Berd incarnate?

I fear the moment will overtake him so a comfortable win for Nadal but perhaps one tight set.

Just hope that Sinner goes all Söderling here and have at it.

 

[yokied]

I don't mind if Sinner loses in 3, as long as he goes to work on the Nadal's legs. Sinner probably can't beat the Nadal. Diego probably can't beat the Nadal. But bruising encounters with both Sinner and Diego could. And if they can't, they can both try and tenderise him for whoever beats Novak on the other side of the draw.

The Nadal can barely move. Getting this close to another RG title is nearly as big an insult to tennis as the USO final was.

 

[Krish0608]

After having watched the Zverev-Sinner match, I feel Sinner can be more dangerous than Zverev here. Zverev was playing like cr*p and never had a shot anyway. Sinner is high on confidence and can push Nadal. Having said that, Rafa in 3 tight sets or 4 if he has an off day.

 

[marc45]

sinner should play like soderling

he does remind me of him.....Soderling had a lot more experience then, but Sinner doesn't have any scar tissue from multiple losses to Nadal..kind of like Shapo the first time

 

[stringertom]

After having watched the Zverev-Sinner match, I feel Sinner can be more dangerous than Zverev here. Zverev was playing like cr*p and never had a shot anyway. Sinner is high on confidence and can push Nadal. Having said that, Rafa in 3 tight sets or 4 if he has an off day.

You, sir, have committed a cardinal sin.