2022 Australian Open SF: [6] Rafael Nadal vs [7] Matteo Berrettini

[MugOpponent]

This does raise some questions for Nadal in the final. Feels like he really needs to finish the match off in straights. Medvedev or Tsitispas likely won’t let him off the hook the way Shapo and Berrettini did – provided the winner of the second semi isn’t too wiped, that is. But Nadal’s fitness is still very much declined and I’d trust either of the younger guys to pull out a tough physical battle more than I would Nadal at this point – though the mental side of things still plays a role. Tsitsi in particular might get tight having never won a major before…

This is such a huge match for historical reasons. I wonder if Rafa will dig as deep as possible to go all out the entire match. It always seemed crazy that he only had one AO and it seemed like the ship had sailed before this year. What an unexpected opportunity.

 

[Halba]

Berre not good enough.

 

[intrepidish]

Nice to see from Nadal. In spite of having what I think is not his highest attainable level at this age having come back after a layoff and the COVID week lost, he has turned in a gutsy performance at the AO. It's also worth noting that the conditions weren't especially favorable to Nadal for this match either.

I see he's getting dumped on as usual but Matteo has actually improved in some regards and I hope he keeps on improving. He seems like a decent guy in general and his forehand is simply monstrous.

The final will be a tough ask for Nadal regardless of opponent but either way what a way to return to competition at his age and under these circumstances.

 

[Amritia]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1486955619999432706

 

[Halba]

Berrettini, Zverev, and Rublev (three of the top-5 players of the CurrentGens) are now 0-10 vs Nadalovic at the slams.

Weakest gen ever. Nextgen. ?

 

[Crazy Finn]

Chris Fowler with the commentator jinx, mentioning Berry had won 23 straight points on serve before the fail on the first point of the 3-4 game. I’m wondering if he called the 1998 NFC Championship Game when PK Gary Anderson hadn’t missed a kick the entire season before blowing a crucial kick to extend the lead for his Minnesota Vikings. They lost a bit later in OT.

The MN guy here can say that was Madden and Summerall.

And no, I didn’t have to look it up, I can here the commentary in my head.

 

[ArcspacE]

And you support a guy who lost to dead rotten Benoit Paire.

I support clean sport

 

[TheNachoMan]

I support clean sport

Nadal gave Dimitrov his best match ever

 

[ArcspacE]

Nadal gave Dimitrov his best match ever

Then they re-connected on his yacht and went fishing together

What a love story

 

[Mustard]

The last time that Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open, Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United.

 

[Clay lover]

40-year old with superior muscle tone and stamina and most 20-year olds

Cool story, bro

Just another way to say that you have no proof.

 

[stringertom]

The MN guy here can say that was Madden and Summerall.

And no, I didn’t have to look it up, I can here the commentary in my head.

Yeah, Fowler was solely ESPN’s primary studio host for college football at that point in his career.

Did Madden/Summerall mention the streak before he missed? If so, terrible form by ex-placekicker Summerall.

 

[mehdimike]

That was some good practice in the end for Nadal. Good confidence booster! Less than 3 hours. PERFECT

How long did it take exactly?!

 

[ewiewp]

Outdoor please on Sunday.

But Rafa usually does better without a roof, no?

 

[lud]

I didn't watch match, but I can guess: No stomach problems for Rada?

 

[Krish0608]

This was NID. Good luck for the finals Rafa. He’s almost a lock to win this now. At least it feels that way. The stars are aligning.

 

[-NN-]

Agree NID. Berrettini is good at playing to par regardless of opponent but has hard-capped potential and hits a massive wall when having to face elite players. He has no answers for it.

 

[TheNachoMan]

The last time that Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open, Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United.

And there’s a heavy Ronaldo theme at the AO right now.

 

[Cupcake]

Cry some more - you support a convicted cheat

I don't think they've convicted Djokovic. Yet. They just deported him,

Do you think Djokovic watched Rafa's victory on tv?

 

[Crazy Finn]

Yeah, Fowler was solely ESPN’s primary studio host for college football at that point in his career.

Did Madden/Summerall mention the streak before he missed? If so, terrible form by ex-placekicker Summerall.

I'm pretty sure it was Madden, at least in my head. I'll go find a clip....

 

[Crazy Finn]

Ah, I was wrong, Summerall brought it first, likely prompted because the Fox graphic onscreen detailed it. But then Madden picked it up, right before the kick.

 

[clayqueen]

 

[ArcspacE]

Just another way to say that you have no proof.

Proof is out there on court!

 

[Harry_Wild]

 

[Harry_Wild]

Rafa holds a 2-0 record over Berrettini! For the 29 times, into the finals of a GS! Go Rafa!

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Disgusting result

i want a refund...

... but i should have known bearettinittini has as many top10 slam wins as the letsgoyelling zviraffe

#StrongEra #iNEXTistentGEN​

 

[duaneeo]

Weakest gen ever.

The sad thing is that this current generation (Medvedev/Tsitsipas/Zverev/Berrettini/etc) is much better than the generation before them (Nishikori/Dimitrov/Raonic/Tomic/Sock/etc).

 

[ibbi]

Rafa off the backhand side kind of played the old tactic people use to beat him went HARD into the forehand to keep him under pressure and then was tossing up moonballs down the line to his backhand giving him no pace and forcing him to go for it off the wing he has nothing. Good stuff.

 

[chicagodude]

Total finals made at HC slams -

Djokovic - 18
Federer - 14
Nadal - 11

Same number of finals as Sampras and 1 more than Agassi. definitely not bad for somebody many early on predicted would never amount to much outside of clay. If he wins he'll have same number of HC titles as Agassi too.

 

[mike danny]

I hope I never see Berrettini in the later stages of a slam ever again.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

Can someone do the TLR?

 

[zuluzazu]

I hope I never see Berrettini in the later stages of a slam ever again.

You will almost always see him at the later stages of Wimbledon. The state of grass competition is so dire that I feel that Novaks only competition will be 35.5 yrs old Nadal and by that I mean Nadal will give Djoko the biggest scare but not beat him. Given the state of the tour on grass, Wimbledon might as well give the trophy to Novak already lol

 

[ibbi]

Can someone do the TLR?

Set 1 Rafa basically hammered the Berrettini backhand so even though Matteo wasn't otherwise playing badly, Nadal got all the success he needed from that tactic. Set 2 the rest of the game sort of broke down around it as the assault continued. In the third Berrettini got better, hung in on serve, was much better behind his second (was garbage in the first two) and came through two tight service games early where Rafa missed chances. Nadal played some loose casual shots through the set which definitely ended up costing him, and finally Berrettini played a really, really good game to break for 5-4 and then served it out with ease. Set 4 was probably the most competitive in the whole match until Berrettini broke down at the worst moment, hit a couple too many unforced to drop serve and allow Nadal to serve for the match.

Not a great match, but the last two sets, certainly the last one, is probably worth watching.

 

[Antonio Puente]

It's crazy, after losing weight during the QF, I thought his movement looked even better vs. Berrettini. It's not 2008 Rafa, but it's pretty vintage. He's gliding around the court.

 

[Aabye5]

I hope I never see Berrettini in the later stages of a slam ever again.

It's not his fault Roger had two chances to win a Berrettini Slam and had to give him a walkover.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

I thought Rafa was looking incredibly fit throughout the match - just that ONE poor service game all match!

 

[prosperned]

It's crazy, after losing weight during the QF, I thought his movement looked even better vs. Berrettini. It's not 2008 Rafa, but it's pretty vintage. He's gliding around the court.

He’s moving better than he did in 2015. You can tell when his FH DTL is working he’s getting there in time