Dzumhur to expose Nadal's false dawn

[Gazelle]

I predicted this on other threads when the draw came out. Now Dzumhur nearly lost in the first to Lorenzi, but he somehow survived that. It is clear fate is not to be denied.

Nice guys don't beat Nadal. Dzumhur is anything but. With his aggressive and outlandish mannerisms he will outbully the bull in two days. The worst outfit of the AO 18 will then leave the tournament.

 

[IowaGuy]

Dzu, with his great defensive game, can give Nadal a taste of his own medicine!

 

[Krish872007]

Great, so now Nadal will win in 3 easy sets as that is how these threads usually work.

A lot of Rafa fans and well-wishers around D lately!

 

[underground]

As the VB will agree, H2H means everything and is a clear predictor of the outcome of matches. Dzumhur leads Nadal 1-0 and has a clear road to victory. Vamos!

 

[forzamilan90]

Looks fiery, but hes not the tallest player, so Nadal high bounce(especially since it's a day match) should be annoying to him. I don't see the upset potential here.

 

[Mainad]

Dzumhur doesn't look to be on his best form to me. Predict comfortable straight setter for Rafa (as usual).

 

[stringertom]

Zhum Zhum to e-Mazda-ulate the draw with his superior rotary engine design, in five.

 

[marc45]

Nadal ain't losin' to no actor!

 

[JMR]

With his aggressive and outlandish mannerisms he will outbully the bull in two days.

So you're predicting another Isner-Mahut type of marathon? Grinding it out for two days might deplete even Nadal's vast resources.

 

[merwy]

Nadal will not be able to overcome the psychological disadvantage he has against someone he has lost 100% of their matches to

 

[jaggy]

I would love to agree.

 

[EloQuent]

VB optimism aside, what do normal people think of Nadal's fitness? He looks better than I expected but I don't see him beating an in form Kyrgios/Dimitorov/Cilic. Thoughts?

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Nadal will not be able to overcome the psychological disadvantage he has against someone he has lost 100% of their matches to

And made Rafa retire in that match, no?

I'd like to think Damir has a chance, but I really don't see it in a best of 5. Also, I'd prefer to see Fed beat Djokovic and Nadal en route to his 20th grand slam title to silence all the haters.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

VB optimism aside, what do normal people think of Nadal's fitness? He looks better than I expected but I don't see him beating an in form Kyrgios/Dimitorov/Cilic. Thoughts?

Dimitrov, yes because of the mental factor. Dimitrov needed 5 sets to get passed Mackenzie McDonald last night, and was bageled in one of those sets too. I do agree though, Kyrgios and Cilic have a shot to beat Rafa, as they have the game and the shot making ability to do it, but mentally they have to hold their nerve. Cilic is notorious for choking when nearing that finish line, and Kyrgios finds ways to get agitated and upset about seemingly trivial things, plus he admittedly tanks matches when the going gets tough.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

So you're predicting another Isner-Mahut type of marathon? Grinding it out for two days might deplete even Nadal's vast resources.

That match was played over 3 days.

 

[Boom-Boom]

Damir for the win

 

[sbengte]

VB optimism aside, what do normal people think of Nadal's fitness? He looks better than I expected but I don't see him beating an in form Kyrgios/Dimitorov/Cilic. Thoughts?

Better than you expected ? What do you mean ? You expected him to come hobbling ?

 

[gn]

Don't think Dzumhur can put an end to that semi-naked outfit. It will ultimately come down to Federer who will remind Nadal that he is not a teenager anymore.

 

[ForumMember]

Better than you expected ? What do you mean ? You expected him to come hobbling ?

He/she may not have expected so, but I am sure you definitely hoped so.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Don't think Dzumhur can put an end to that semi-naked outfit. It will ultimately come down to Federer who will remind Nadal that he is not a teenager anymore.

Nadal hasn't been a teenager in more than a decade!

 

[gn]

Nadal hasn't been a teenage in more than a decade!

Yeah! Fed will also remind him that he hit the wall.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Don't think Dzumhur can put an end to that semi-naked outfit. It will ultimately come down to Federer who will remind Nadal that he is not a teenager anymore.

Yeah, but Fed is even less of a teenager than Rafa ... Suppose Roger makes it to the final, but has a long drawn-out semi-final (e.g. against Djokovic) and then comes in with one fewer day of rest, he will find it tough against Rafa.

However, this is all academic. A lot of matches still to play for both of them, but a lot of danger in particular for Roger. I hope he stays fit and his backhand starts firing again as it did last year. Another Fed-Nadal final would be pretty special.

 

[gn]

Yeah, but Fed is even less of a teenager than Rafa ... Suppose Roger makes it to the final, but has a long drawn-out semi-final (e.g. against Djokovic) and then comes in with one fewer day of rest, he will find it tough against Rafa.

However, this is all academic. A lot of matches still to play for both of them, but a lot of danger in particular for Roger. I hope he stays fit and his backhand starts firing again as it did last year. Another Fed-Nadal final would be pretty special.

I agree. But that comment is about Ralph's costume not about chances of Fed/Rafa winning the title.

 

[Sentinel]

Is "dawn" code word for those MTO's ? Or the towelling off. ?

I am a tad lawst.

 

[ForumMember]

Don't think Dzumhur can put an end to that semi-naked outfit. It will ultimately come down to Federer who will remind Nadal that he is not a teenager anymore.

Nothing new here. Middle aged men always ask younger ones not to behave like teenagers.

 

[Deleted member 512391]

I'm sure that Nadal will figure Dzumhur out eventually, just like Federer figured out Nadal last year, and improve his H2H by winning this match in 4 sets.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

I agree. But that comment is about Ralph's costume not about chances of Fed/Rafa winning the title.

There's a theory that it's to speed up his serve routine, since he can't fiddle with his sleeves.

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

Ugh, what's with this "false dawn" meme.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

And made Rafa retire in that match, no?

I'd like to think Damir has a chance, but I really don't see it in a best of 5. Also, I'd prefer to see Fed beat Djokovic and Nadal en route to his 20th grand slam title to silence all the haters.

Fed isn’t beating Djoker and nadal back to back in best of 5!

 

[Tennis_Hands]

If the AO organisers thought that there is even a remote possibility for that, he wouldn't have been on the Nadal's side of the draw.

 

[eliars]

If the AO organisers thought that there is even a remote possibility for that, he wouldn't have been on the Nadal's side of the draw.

 

[Shaolin]

Sadly, Rafa will beat Zoomer 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

VB optimism aside, what do normal people think of Nadal's fitness? He looks better than I expected but I don't see him beating an in form Kyrgios/Dimitorov/Cilic. Thoughts?

Better than you expected ? What do you mean ? You expected him to come hobbling ?

i'm a bit confused by those posts... are you guys sure you've got the right definition for the word 'optimism' ?

 

[I Am Finnish]

Hasnt dzumhur a positive h2h against Nadal?

 

[EloQuent]

Better than you expected ? What do you mean ? You expected him to come hobbling ?

I guess? I don't know, he withdrew from tournaments earlier in the month, and he looked in bad shape in November. He's definitely in better shape than that.

 

[stringertom]

Ugh, what's with this "false dawn" meme.

I think one of our false prophets around here was the source.

 

[RF-18]

Hasnt dzumhur a positive h2h against Nadal?

Yes, leads him 1-0. Beat him in Miami Masters

 

[EloQuent]

Yes, leads him 1-0. Beat him in Miami Masters

Well then that's settled, H2h is all that matters.

 

[TahoeTennis]

Nadal has been supposed to lose every match the past two years don't you know? You haters really need to go outside and get some fresh air.

 

[sbengte]

I guess? I don't know, he withdrew from tournaments earlier in the month, and he looked in bad shape in November. He's definitely in better shape than that.

You have learned nothing over the years, have you These are all usual bull strategies throughout his career.

 

[EloQuent]

You have learned nothing over the years, have you These are all usual bull strategies throughout his career.

I don't really understand this mindset tbh, do you think he wanted to lose in the WTF? It's a tournament he's never won.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Fed isn’t beating Djoker and nadal back to back in best of 5!

He beat Nishikori, Berdych, Stanimal and Rafa last year all in best of 5's and 3 of those matches went 5 sets... I don't see why it's so preposterous or ridiculous that he could beat Djokovic and Nadal in a best of 5 this year...

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Hasnt dzumhur a positive h2h against Nadal?

1-0 lifetime, but that match was back in 2016 in Miami and Rafa retired down 0-3 in the 3rd set. I think it'll be a different animal to take down The Bull in a best of 5. I wish Dzumhur the best of luck, but I don't see it happening.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Is "dawn" code word for those MTO's ? Or the towelling off. ?

I am a tad lawst.

It's dish soap.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

True! A fair point! However, beating djoker and nadal in a row is a very tall order of it happens!

Plus nadal has the extra day rest! Tbf it’s tough ask for djoker too. Nadal is the favourite the way it’s shaped up!

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

He beat Nishikori, Berdych, Stanimal and Rafa last year all in best of 5's and 3 of those matches went 5 sets... I don't see why it's so preposterous or ridiculous that he could beat Djokovic and Nadal in a best of 5 this year...

Fed and Novak’s chances are likely to be higher to beat nadal in final if they don’t have to play each other!

We will see how it plays out! Rafa not getting to the final would be a surprise for me. He’s playing well and got the best draw.

I think fed and djoker will reach semi but it’s not a sure thing.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Dzumhur has had a long 5-setter and 4-setter so far and apparently has recently had a leg injury, so one wonders about after effects from those. I don't believe I've actually ever seen him play. He sounds very motivated for his match against Rafa from an article I read. Looking for a great effort from him but am sure that in Rafa's current state and form, Rafa will prevail.

 

[marc45]

Dan Quarrell‏Verified account @Dan_Eurosport
It's 103°F and @RafaelNadal is out there beasting a very long and intense workout... #AusOpen


https://twitter.com/Dan_Eurosport/status/954210571020222464 (video)

......

he wrestled a kangaroo afterward
#Man

 

[cronus]

Dzumhur to expose Nadal's false dawn

 

[Comb Over Champion]

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