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

[MichaelNadal]

Just woke up and tuning in now

 

[Hitman]

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

I think we were all expecting him to have effects of that long match. At age 38 to then come back out less than 24 hours later is a lot for anyone, especially when you are so far past your best.

Nadal gets the break 1-1

 

[marc45]

the only thing keeping Rafa in this match is this guy can't make first serves

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa breaks back! The young guy drops his level a bit and Rafa back in it.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Just going by Rafa’s body language, he looks ready to battle

 

[Hitman]

Nadal in the lead for the first time in a set.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

A bit of a momentum shift here! Rafa got to try make the most of it. 2-1

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[Hitman]

What a forehand from Djokovic.

 

[The_Order]

Just going by Rafa’s body language, he looks ready to battle

Well if this guy's level drops, he'll have his chances.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Well if this guy's level drops, he'll have his chances.

Or if Rafa’s level raises

 

[Hitman]

Big hitting from Nadal.

 

[Kralingen]

Rafa at +220 odds

 

[MichaelNadal]

Seeing the Nadal FH pull people off court will never get old

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa serving better and hitting the BH a bit better too. This is far from over.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal at times reminds of the guy that Kyle meets when he arrives from the future from the Terminator.

And other times he is like Tyler, opening up his fight club in Sweden, with these long drawn out slugfests.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal breaks with crazy defense shots.

 

[mehdimike]

It's funny Ajdukovic has got the same smash issues that Djokovic has.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Ayeeeeee

 

[Deleted member 810491]

Rafael Nadal is now on even more fire and has won 8 of the last 13 games

 

[The_Order]

Nadal has lifted, Ajduko has dipped a bit too

 

[Hitman]

The year Nadal turn pro was the year Duje was born.

LOL

23 years.

Nadal was beating guys on the tour when this guy was literally born.

5-2 Nadal

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa getting REPS in

 

[Hitman]

Nice disguise on the forehand dropshot by Duje.

 

[mehdimike]

The year Nadal turn pro was the year Duje was born.

LOL

23 years.

Nadal was beating guys on the tour when this guy was literally born.

5-2 Nadal

LoL. But TBH his strokes remind me of Novak. Even he walks like him, just pay attention a bit, it's so funny

 

[Hitman]

What a freaking rally!!!

15-0

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Incredible rally! Amazing FH from Rafa!

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[Hitman]

What a freaking rally!!!

15-0

Again!

What a crazy game.

 

[Kralingen]

The bookies really let me bet RAFAEL NADAL on a clay court vs an absolute mug at +220

When they go bankrupt they have only themselves to blame

 

[Hitman]

Incredible rally! Amazing FH from Rafa!

The old man is cranking up the voltage now.

Takes the second set and we are going the distance again.

 

[The_Order]

Pretty good game from Rafa to close out the set

 

[ibbi]

 

[Hitman]

LOL

What a point to start the third set.

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Rafa senses blood! Old predator ready to strike!

 

[Hitman]

What an error by Duje, should have hit that ball, gets broken.

 

[ibbi]

This dude looks like he's given up.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Did this man really play 4 hours yesterday, PRACTICE this am and still look this fresh? Lol

 

[Hitman]

What BH DTL from Duje.

 

[King_ Zeglan12]

You can never let Nadal's passing shots go unattended

 

[Hitman]

This dude looks like he's given up.

Nadal is going full Gran Torino here

Get off my clay, son!

 

[Hitman]

Good serving from Nadal, mixing up some serve and volley

2-0.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This has been an awesome week for rafa’s confidence and fitness! Regardless whether he wins title or not

 

[Carax]

I don't understand how this man is moving after playing for 4 hours yesterday. Even at 38, Rafa never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal has this match now, only way Duje gets back into this is if Nadal lets him back in with drops of focus.

Double break.

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[MichaelNadal]

I don't understand how this man is moving after playing for 4 hours yesterday. Even at 38, Rafa never ceases to amaze me.

Nadal making me proud that I’m 38 also lol, literally inspiring me

 

[Kralingen]

Sorry for the betting content but I'm in absolute shock that Rafa was ever +220, on a clay court, against "DUJE AJDUKOVIC".

 

[Hitman]

Duje swinging more freely, and I do think Nadal has moved better to his forehand side this match than previous matches.

15-40.