2024 Swedish Open ATP 250 Semifinals matchup - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s [Q] Duje Ajduković (CRO)

[buscemi]

In one corner, we have Rafael Nadal, with 1,089 career wins, but coming off a near 4 hour QF win at age 38. In the other corner, we have Duje Ajduković, with 5 career wins, 3 of them coming this week in Bastad. I know nothing about Ajduković. Can anyone fill us in?

 

[Nappa]

Where is the poll

 

[buscemi]

Where is the poll

Added. Thanks!

 

[dking68]

Nadal in dos, no?

 

[jl809]

I’ve never heard of Adjukovic so in my head he will rip off his mask at 0-0 in the first game and reveal himself to be Nole wearing a disguise.

He will then intentionally engage Nadal in another 4 hour match before retiring near the end to force Nadal to play the Bastad final in under 24 hours time, shouting “HOPE YOU RECOVER IN TIME FOR PARIS” as he leaves the court

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

In one corner, we have Rafael Nadal, with 1,089 career wins, but coming off a near 4 hour QF win at age 38. In the other corner, we have Duje Ajduković, with 5 career wins, 3 of them coming this week in Bastad. I know nothing about Ajduković. Can anyone fill us in?

Thanks for creating the thread, I was way too overwhelmed by the match to even log in here.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa to fight through in 3! The phoenix will rise again!

 

[Sport]

but coming off a 4 hour QF

Fixed that for you. It was exactly 4 hours and 1 minute long, not "near" 4 hours. It did reach the 4 hours mark.

 

[dking68]

Rafa to fight through in 3! The phoenix will rise again!

I think this is his last ATP title if he wins here

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Even with the 4 hour marathon match he had with Navone, Nadal will win in 2 Sets this match.

 

[Rattie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1814587294386364713

 

[Night Slasher]

ajde komso salji bika sa majorke na plazu

 

[Nappa]

I think this is his last ATP title if he wins here

First title Bastad last title Bastad?

 

[Deleted member 810491]

Nadal obviously still has the physicality to play marathons, so once his confidence returns he can win Roland Garros next year and also contend for Wimbledon (made SFs of his last 3 Wimbledons).
Olympics obviously a huge chance too, should he unlock the confidence in time.
This won't be his last title.

 

[marc45]

weather supposed to be very bad for the finals...rain on Monday too

 

[Hitman]

Imagine another 4 hour match again....SMH

 

[Hitman]

Early start for the qualifier

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Good start for the qualifier so far!

 

[Hitman]

Nagal
Ajdukovic

LOL - What's with these knock off names.

This kid has some impressive strokes though, he is matching Nadal.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nagal
Ajdukovic

LOL - What's with these knock off names.

This kid has some impressive strokes though, he is matching Nadal.

He has real depth on his strokes especially the BH side

 

[Hitman]

Wow, what a way to get a double break!

 

[marc45]

this set's over...absolutely getting blown away by this guy's power...and he hasn't even made a first serve

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Impressive BH from the young lad

 

[Hitman]

this set's over...absolutely getting blown away by this guy's power...and he hasn't even made a first serve

A bit of a slow start for the old man, he did play a 4 hour match yesterday. He will likely get better with each game and his rival here might come off the boil.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Great wheels from the old man there!

 

[Hitman]

Nadal taking advantage of the poor mistakes and gets a break back. Showed a lot of inexperience in that game, very poor shot selection.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa gets 1 break back! You can never count him out. He’s fought back in so many sets this week and also his whole career. He’s in the match now!

 

[Hitman]

Nadal is warming up, and coming to net. I don't think he wants too many long points today, and the high ball to the ajdukovic forehand isn't working.

 

[Hitman]

LOL - The audacity to pull off that drop shot by Nadal.

 

[The_Order]

Imagine another 4 hour match again....SMH

The way it's going lol... Nadal might need a ventilator

 

[Hitman]

The way it's going lol... Nadal might need a ventilator

Did you see him nearly go sit down in his opponent's chair? LMAO

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Incredible dropshot from Rafa! Big hold!

 

[Hitman]

Nadal massively annoyed with his own movement.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Big hold for Adjukovic. Big serve to seal it

 

[Hitman]

Poor from Rafa there

5-3

 

[Hitman]

Nadal better serving now

5-4

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa with a commanding hold! A big game here.

 

[Hitman]

Djokovic takes the first set.

Now, is Nadal going to try to fight back and take this in three?

 

[The_Order]

There's the first set to Ajdukovic

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Well deserved set for Adjukovic!

 

[The_Order]

Nadal might put the cue in the rack now... save himself for the doubles.

 

[Kralingen]

Rafa understandably looking a bit cooked

 

[Rafa the King]

So far, Rafa has been a bit better than yesterday. Impressed by the Croat so far. Rafa needs to at the very least maintain the level from the second half of the second set if he wants to get back in the match.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal might put the cue in the rack now... save himself for the doubles.

Nadal is going to continue to go full throttle here I think.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal still fighting well. Long way to go here!

 

[Hitman]

What a forehand from Duje!

 

[Hitman]

Nadal is broken...

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa broken again! The croat ball striking has been impressive today.

 

[The_Order]

Nadal is going to continue to go full throttle here I think.

He's all out of sorts... much like I expected after yesterday's marathon.

 

[Hitman]

Rafa broken again! The croat ball striking has been impressive today.

First time for me watching him.