2022 Roland Garros R128: [5] Rafael Nadal vs Jordan Thompson

My prediction:

  • Nadal 3-0

    Votes: 32 78.0%

  • Nadal 3-1

    Votes: 5 12.2%

  • Nadal 3-2

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Thompson 3-2

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Thompson 3-1

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Thompson 3-0

    Votes: 4 9.8%
  • Total voters
    41
  • Poll closed .
Huge hold for Thomson! He’s obviously going to lose but in the previous sets he’s gone a break down early and then been chasing it! Be interesting to see if he can apply some scoreboard pressure in this set by serving first
 
ACE of Hearts said:
Nadal is gonna have to serve very well to have any chance to beat novak. Last year he didn’t win many points especially on his second serve against novak. He won like 40 percent of his second serve. That’s very rare for nadal.
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It's usually the other way around (about the serving). Rafa probably was in questionable form last year, maybe on one foot.
 
ACE of Hearts said:
Nadal is gonna have to serve very well to have any chance to beat novak. Last year he didn’t win many points especially on his second serve against novak. He won like 40 percent of his second serve. That’s very rare for nadal.
Click to expand...
His serve has declined and his movement is nowhere close to what it used to be. Novak took advantage of that last year.
 
TennisFan3 said:
His serve has declined and his movement is nowhere close to what it used to be. Novak took advantage of that last year.
Click to expand...
Give my boy some time. He may surprise you. It's true that he's getting older, but the media have killed him several times since 2011.
 
Carax said:
Give my boy some time. He may surprise you. It's true that he's getting older, but the media have killed him several times since 2011.
Click to expand...
Sure. Do the fans expect too much? He is 36. On the tour for 18-20 years. Won RG 13 times.
Clearly this is nowhere near prime Nadal and the opposition Novak/Alcaraz is better vs the current declined Nadal.
 
That longest rally of the match is a perfect example. Nadal's forehand lacks BITE and is too short. A few years ago, Nadal would have hit a winner 5 times in that rally.
It's R1 and he will improve. But Nadal can save himself a lot of running+protect his foot, by being more aggressive.
 
TennisFan3 said:
His serve has declined and his movement is nowhere close to what it used to be. Novak took advantage of that last year.
Click to expand...

It’s not his movement it’s his serve. It was solid back then against novak. I think that 3rd set was big. Idk if Novak wins that match had he squandered that 3rd set.
 
TennisFan3 said:
That longest rally of the match is a perfect example. Nadal's forehand lacks BITE and is too short. A few years ago, Nadal would have hit a winner 5 times in that rally.
It's R1 and he will improve. But Nadal can save himself a lot of running+protect his foot, by being more aggressive.
Click to expand...
The Champ is 36...cut him some slack.(y)
 
interesting serving stance of Thompson.
he starts out from a pretty wide platform but he put his right foot close to his left foot before toss. almost to the left of his left foot.
 
TennisFan3 said:
In case you haven't figured, I don't like Alcaraz that much. All the non stop hype has turned me off the youngster, a pity, since he's a talented player.
Click to expand...

It's really interesting to me that you (or anyone) could have that view. Don't let people turn you against him unless he himself does something to annoy you, he's clearly a talented player and he seems like a good guy so far and his matches are entertaining. Personally I don't really see what's not to like, unlike so many other players his hype seems actually justified this time and if he fails to build on it then you can start on the hate but for now, enjoy someone actually showing some promise!
 
Checkmate said:
Did you hear the commentary team?

132 kmph fh
240rpms more compared to last year
Click to expand...

Would be epic if he wins FO just with Fh and no bh
ACE of Hearts said:
Nadal is gonna have to serve very well to have any chance to beat novak. Last year he didn’t win many points especially on his second serve against novak. He won like 40 percent of his second serve. That’s very rare for nadal.
Click to expand...

Even with that poor serve Rafa could have won last year if his BH could hold in normal rallies. His BH is the problem , more than serve.
 
TennisFan3 said:
Sure. Do the fans expect too much? He is 36. On the tour for 18-20 years. Won RG 13 times.
Clearly this is nowhere near prime Nadal and the opposition Novak/Alcaraz is better vs the current declined Nadal.
Click to expand...
I can speak for myself and say that I don't expect too much. You tell me if you don't think it's realistic for a 13-time champion to win the tournament again. He's won the tournament "nowhere near his prime" before.

I'm not saying he's going to win the tournament. I'm just saying that he has a chance. Alcaraz and Djokovic have to make through their draw as well. You're talking as if they're waiting in the QF and SF already.
 
TennisFan3 said:
His serve has declined and his movement is nowhere close to what it used to be. Novak took advantage of that last year.
Click to expand...

ACE of Hearts said:
It’s not his movement it’s his serve. It was solid back then against novak. I think that 3rd set was big. Idk if Novak wins that match had he squandered that 3rd set.
Click to expand...

To me, it's all about the state of his left foot. Aging is there definitely but nothing really declined drastically.
 
ACE of Hearts said:
It’s not his movement it’s his serve. It was solid back then against novak. I think that 3rd set was big. Idk if Novak wins that match had he squandered that 3rd set.
Click to expand...
You're missing the point. The serve has declined partly because of the movement. If you see his serve spots, he was serving much safer in the match. In the box vs corners as he knew he couldn't rely on his movement to grind it out.
Also I do NOT think the 3rd set in RG 2021 was that big. Nadal's foot had issues plus his movement was getting worse as the match progressed.
Even if Novak lost set 3, he would have OUTLASTED Nadal physically and won the match in 5. The match was over as soon as Novak did a comeback in set 1 and won set 2.

The only way Nadal can beat Novak is via a blitzkrieg - as he had in RG 2020 Final. He needs to try to blow Novak away. If the match becomes long, advantage Novak who is MUCH fitter than Nadal and has much better endurance+movement.
 
Carax said:
I can speak for myself and say that I don't expect too much. You tell me if you don't think it's realistic for a 13-time champion to win the tournament again. He's won the tournament "nowhere near his prime" before.
I'm not saying he's going to win the tournament. I'm just saying that he has a chance. Alcaraz and Djokovic have to make through their draw as well. You're talking as if they're waiting in the QF and SF already.
Click to expand...
You misunderstood me. Of course he has a chance. Hell - to me he is a SOLID second favorite behind Novak. And favored over Alcaraz easily despite the over-the-moon hype on the youngster.
If Novak were to lose, or get a freak injury - I would bet my house on Nadal winning the French Open. And if Nadal somehow manages to beat Novak in the QF - he will not be stopped from winning the trophy.

My overall point is that given Nadal's decline - he is no longer the #1 favorite in RG. A few years ago things were different and Novak (or anyone else) was always 2nd to Nadal in RG.
 
ArcspacE said:
Hahahahahaha

This guy was definitely injured a week ago

LMFAO
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giphy.gif
 
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