2022 Rome R16: [1] Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka

[NoleFam]

Djokovic is back playing well after a rough start to the year. Wawrinka is at least winning matches again but he is too error prone to be a real threat right now to too many top guys if they play well. First Djokovic- FAA match coming up.

 

[ojo rojo]

Half decent effort for a portly old man with dodgy knees.. Go and get some pizza now

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Novak to me is definitely co-favorite for RG along with Rafa. He looked pretty average in MC, improved a lot in Madrid, is even better in Rome, as expected. The ancient warriors are still better than anyone else at BO5 and the stress of playing in majors.

Second favorite rather than co-favorite in my book but that could change depending on Nadal's progression throughout this tournament.

Why are people giving the attention that @StrongRule craves????

You do not ignore the StrongRule.

 

[NoleFam]

Isn't Djokovic 4-1 against Nadal in slams since 2015 also?

Well that should shut him up. Lol

 

[TheAssassin]

Consecutive ? Damn.

Yeah, never lost earlier than that.

 

[Sudacafan]

Sorry I could not make it on time to post in this match thread. I planned to turn on the TV, but I was busy with a call in my phone for several minutes, and then it was over.

 

[Hitman]

Well that should shut him up. Lol

How was the match? I can't really watch anything at the moment. Sounds like Stan just wasn't really there.

 

[Bubcay]

Sorry I could not make it on time to post in this match thread. I planned to turn on the TV, but I was busy with a call in my phone for several minutes, and then it was over.

Blink twice and you miss it..

 

[Backspin1183]

Clinical performance from Nole. He's the best player on tour after Alcaraz.

 

[Bubcay]

How was the match? I can't really watch anything at the moment. Sounds like Stan just wasn't really there.

Still too slow. Movement is not there.. A couple of extra kilos don't help.. Otherwise, had a few nice points. Glimpses of a great shot maker.. All in all, did not stand a chance.

 

[Hitman]

Still too slow. Movement is not there.. A couple of extra kilos don't help.. Otherwise, had a few nice points. Glimpses of a great shot maker.. All in all, did not stand a chance.

I understand. I guess that was bound to happen for him. What's his ranking?

 

[NoleFam]

How was the match? I can't really watch anything at the moment. Sounds like Stan just wasn't really there.

Djokovic was solid as a rock and Stan pretty inconsistent. He played better in the 2nd set but still got the same score. You can see the clear difference in movement between the two now.

 

[Bubcay]

I understand. I guess that was bound to happen for him. What's his ranking?

361... Just returning from several surgeries.

 

[GabeT]

Djokovic-Nadal last 5 Slam matches:
2015 RG, 2018 W, 2019 AO, 2020 RG, 2021 RG

Does that mean Djokovic owns Nadal in slams now?

Yea

 

[Hitman]

Djokovic was solid as a rock and Stan pretty inconsistent. He played better in the 2nd set but still got the same score. You can see the clear difference in movement between the two now.

OK, thanks for that. I hope for Stan's sake, he can make something of his return, because it will likely be his last one.

 

[Hitman]

361... Just returning from several surgeries.

Thanks. I kind thought it was quite low, I assume he will be given wild cards everywhere, especially the slams.

 

[NoleFam]

I am still annoyed at Djokovic's shot selection though. He can't afford to be giving away points to better players with those lob drop shots he was hitting today. Got broken for no reason other than terrible shot selection that he shouldn't have been trying at that time.

 

[NoleFam]

Djokovic-Nadal last 5 Slam matches:
2015 RG, 2018 W, 2019 AO, 2020 RG, 2021 RG

Does that mean Djokovic owns Nadal in slams now?

Si, no?

 

[Sudacafan]

Clinical performance from Nole. He's the best player on tour after Alcaraz.

OK

 

[I Am Finnish]

Egg is looking good and will lose Auger-Aliassime

 

[Hitman]

I am still annoyed at Djokovic's shot selection though. He can't afford to be giving away points to better players with those lob drop shots he was hitting today. Got broken for no reason other than terrible shot selection that he shouldn't have been trying at that time.

Considering he was banned from playing so much tennis this year due to politics, has he managed to catch up in form now with what little he has been allowed to play?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Very clinic FH performance from djokovic today..

And to think some "new user" yesterday claimed Djokovic's FH was "really bad." What an *****' joke. It's never been at the level of Lendl, Agassi, Fed or Rafa, but he almost never misses. I'd rather have a rock-solid, reliable and effective FH than a rocket FH like James Blake, who sprayed errors off that wing like water.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Who is or would be nole next opponent?

Fedr

 

[NoleFam]

Considering he was banned from playing so much tennis this year due to politics, has he managed to catch up in form now with what little he has been allowed to play?

Yea he's playing pretty well now. His level is steadily increasing since Belgrade. Poor shot selection is happening because he hasn't played much but overall, he's playing a lot better.

 

[Hitman]

Yea he's playing pretty well now. His level is steadily increasing since Belgrade. Poor shot selection is happening because he hasn't played much but overall, he's playing a lot better.

What about his match fitness?

 

[NoleFam]

What about his match fitness?

Definitely better. Went 3.5 hours with Alcaraz last week and stamina has definitely increased. Still not top level yet but getting there.

 

[Hitman]

Definitely better. Went 3.5 hours with Alcaraz last week and stamina has definitely increased. Still not top level yet but getting there.

Yes, I heard all about that match and Alcaraz is the man of the moment, so not bad at all. I guess my question is more along the lines of throughout the tournament, if he has been able to bounce back. I guess with the Alcaraz match, we don't know, because he lost that one.

 

[StrongRule]

Another one cherry picking. "Since 2014 just because".

This is a strong one from a Djokovic fan. Your fanbase likes to start arguments by "starting from 2011".

 

[StrongRule]

Isn't Djokovic 4-1 against Nadal in slams since 2015 also?

Yes, your fanbase mentions it like 3 times a day. But then they get upset when one mentions the matchup with Wawrinka.

 

[ojo rojo]

Definitely better. Went 3.5 hours with Alcaraz last week and stamina has definitely increased. Still not top level yet but getting there.

I genuinely though Novak was going to beat Carlos in the latter stages of the third set. It was a close match for sure even with the entire crowd on the Spaniards side. I guess Novak's fairly accustomed to that already lol

 

[TennisFan3]

I’m willing to admit that I was wrong in predicting Djokovic’s demise @TennisFan3 .

Novak looks pretty damn good out there and was very good in Madrid as well.

Thank you. I told you man that don't be fooled by Novak's form in Mickey mouse tournaments - he gets to another level in the slams.
He is pacing himself completely to peak at A game in RG. He will be even better then.

Mark my words: Only an A game Nadal can stop Novak from winning RG 2022. All the Alcaraz stuff is just hype - he will barely win sets vs Novak at slam level.

 

[TennisFan3]

You have outdone yourself

I meant at current level. The forehands of Nadal and Fed have declined.
Where as Novak's forehand is better than before.

 

[Hitman]

Yes, your fanbase mentions it like 3 times a day. But then they get upset when one mentions the matchup with Wawrinka.

The Wawrinka matchup always gets mentioned though also. Its all just as bad.

 

[serbiavic]

Good, hope Nadal loses.

 

[NoleFam]

Yes, I heard all about that match and Alcaraz is the man of the moment, so not bad at all. I guess my question is more along the lines of throughout the tournament, if he has been able to bounce back. I guess with the Alcaraz match, we don't know, because he lost that one.

I actually think he had a really good chance to win that match in 2 sets but he missed some chances at that 4 all game in the 2nd set. Still he played a really good match. Could have went either way.

 

[Deleted member 762343]

This is a strong one from a Djokovic fan. Your fanbase likes to start arguments by "starting from 2011".

This isn't Game of Thrones, I don't give a sh*t about "my fanbase", I speak for myself and nobody speaks for me. And as far as I know, I never said Djokodal h2h before 2011 is irrelevant.

 

[Hitman]

I actually think he had a really good chance to win that match in 2 sets but he missed some chances at that 4 all game in the 2nd set. Still he played a really good match. Could have went either way.

Sometimes a solid loss is just what you need to light that fire. Makes you want to rectify it as quickly as possible.

 

[TennisFan3]

Lmao I know you're most likely trolling but let's not get carried away now

I meant the current declined versions of Nadal and Fed.
Obviously Nadal and Fed have the best forehands in tennis history at their peak.
Their forehand has declined where as Novak's has improved. During his younger days you could attack Novak's fh and get errors. Not any more.

 

[NoleFam]

I genuinely though Novak was going to beat Carlos in the latter stages of the third set. It was a close match for sure even with the entire crowd on the Spaniards side. I guess Novak's fairly accustomed to that already lol

Yea he had his chances but probably played the wrong shots at the wrong times, or not forceful enough when he needed to be. Alcaraz on the hand pulled the trigger more than times than not when the opportunities were there, and is more match tough.

 

[zuluzazu]

I meant at current level. The forehands of Nadal and Fed have declined.
Where as Novak's forehand is better than before.

So basically Djokovic has a Sampras level serve and a FH better than Fedal. Remind me how many tournaments has he won since Wimbledon Lol

 

[TheNachoMan]

I can’t believe Stan lost to his pigeon

 

[Mike Sams]

All the Alcaraz stuff is just hype - he will barely win sets vs Novak at slam level.

Novak lost sets in Slams or got pushed to 5 sets against lesser talented players than Alcaraz. He had to come back from 2 sets down several times as well last year at RG back when he was a stronger player than he is right now. It's too early to predict anything. He hasn't shown if he has the endurance to go hard for 5 sets yet.

 

[Pandaman]

I am still annoyed at Djokovic's shot selection though. He can't afford to be giving away points to better players with those lob drop shots he was hitting today. Got broken for no reason other than terrible shot selection that he shouldn't have been trying at that time.

I know what you mean. He didnt play it much in Madrid, so it felt natural to see him practice it in a variety of scenarios in Rome. Vs Stan makes sense, too. I wouldn't worry about it. Novak was sloppier here last year, albeit vs better comp. Rmr how he donated a set to Sonego? Horrible.

 

[Pandaman]

Novak lost sets in Slams or got pushed to 5 sets against lesser talented players than Alcaraz. He had to come back from 2 sets down several times as well last year at RG back when he was a stronger player than he is right now. It's too early to predict anything. He hasn't shown if he has the endurance to go hard for 5 sets yet.

That's the biggest question mark: has he fixed his endurance? You can't go from gassing out in 3 set matches to being 2021 Novak in 3 weeks. He looked tired for parts of the 2nd set and up until 4-4 in the third vs Carlos. He's had such short matches before and after, so it's hard to tell where his level is.

People are reading too far into him saying he felt good physically after Carlos. Yeah, relative to the crap showings we saw before.

 

[NoleFam]

I know what you mean. He didnt play it much in Madrid, so it felt natural to see him practice it in a variety of scenarios in Rome. Vs Stan makes sense, too. I wouldn't worry about it. Novak was sloppier here last year, albeit vs better comp. Rmr how he donated a set to Sonego? Horrible.

Yea this is true. He's trying to find the feel on it so he was practicing I think today and he usually hits better drop shots.

 

[L4S10s]

That's the biggest question mark: has he fixed his endurance? You can't go from gassing out in 3 set matches to being 2021 Novak in 3 weeks. He looked tired for parts of the 2nd set and up until 4-4 in the third vs Carlos. He's had such short matches before and after, so it's hard to tell where his level is.

People are reading too far into him saying he felt good physically after Carlos. Yeah, relative to the crap showings we saw before.

If he is facing Alcaraz in RG that means it's at least QF or later, in that case I would say that he's caught up with his BO5 endurance.

However, "not being tired" and "performing well" in set 4 or 5 are two different things entirely.

 

[SikSerb]

Egg is looking good and will lose Auger-Aliassime

Mhmm lol

 

[SikSerb]

So basically Djokovic has a Sampras level serve and a FH better than Fedal. Remind me how many tournaments has he won since Wimbledon Lol

Remind me how many many tournaments he was absent from?

 

[zuluzazu]

Remind me how many many tournaments he was absent from?

Just 3?

 

[SikSerb]

Just 3?

In the space of how mant months?