French Open 2018 R3 :- Novak Djokovic[20] vs R.Bautista Agut[13]

[HetTheGreaterer]

Djokovic trying to comeback from the very depth of his fall. Lowest ranking since many years. And so many losses to mugs, probably his worst start to a season in a long long time (atleast till rome masters started) Looking in average form (neither best nor worst). Will he pull out a win against the spaniard??
If yes, what kind of win it will be?? Easy or tough?
Will he lose the match?? Does bautista agut have game and guts to take advantage of this subdued lackluster nole??
Discuss friends



Previous Round results

Novak Djokovic
R1 :- def. R. Dutra Silva 6-3 6-4 6-4
R2 :- def. J. Munar 7-6(1) 6-4 6-4

Roberto Bautista Agut
R1 :- def. Denis Istomin 6-2 (3)6-7 1-6 6-4 6-4
R2 :- def. S. Giraldo 6-4 7-5 6-3

 

[malbaker86]

Novak will be in a dogfight if he doesn't bring his A game. RAG gave him a spirited fight here in 2016

 

[uscwang]

RBA is a no nonsense player and should be a good test for Novak. While trying to keep his recent momentum going, Novak also needs to save himself for the 2nd week. Physically, but more importantly, emotionally.
Go, Novak.

 

[Pagoo]

Novak will be in a dogfight if he doesn't bring his A game. RAG gave him a spirited fight here in 2016

Then rain delay happened. The rain loves the top players at RG.

 

[Standaa]

Novak has a clear path to the QFs. I don’t think either of Verdasco/Dimi could challenge him if they reach him. PCB/Goffin in QF could be a big threat but I think there’s still a big chance to reach semis.

 

[Checkmate]

Novak has a clear path to the QFs. I don’t think either of Verdasco/Dimi could challenge him if they reach him. PCB/Goffin in QF could be a big threat but I think there’s still a big chance to reach semis.

Any comment on this match?

 

[Standaa]

Any comment on this match?

Novak in 3

 

[Checkmate]

Novak in 3

Last 6 sets between the two

Novak 3 - 3 Bautista Agut

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Last 6 sets between the two

Novak 3 - 3 Bautista Agut

On clay only or all the surfaces mixed??

 

[Fedeonic]

Really interesting match, Bautista can and knows how to beat Djokovic. If you ask me, Djokovic in 4-5.

 

[Fedeonic]

Last 6 sets between the two

Novak 3 - 3 Bautista Agut

Actually, last 8 sets were 5-3 for Djokovic.
Roland Garros 2016: Djokovic d Bautista 36 64 61 75
Shanghai 2016: Bautista d Djokovic 64 64
Rome 2017: Djokovic d Bautista 64 64

 

[RF-18]

Actually, last 8 sets were 5-3 for Djokovic.
Roland Garros 2016: Djokovic d Bautista 36 64 61 75
Shanghai 2016: Bautista d Djokovic 64 64
Rome 2017: Djokovic d Bautista 64 64

Nvm

 

[Standaa]

Isn't it 7-1 Djoko looking at that?

I don’t know which way you’re looking at it, but it’s 3-2 Djoko

 

[RF-18]

Regarding the match, as people have said Agut is not an easy opponent. He is strong from the baseline and will make Djoko work.

If Djokovic is ready for that and brings a good enough level, he should pull through. He doesn't need to play peak level stuff but he needs to be consistent from both wings and not give away too many points.

Obvious pick here is Nole, should not in million years lose a bo5 to Agut but considering the roller coaster we've seen from Nole this year this may very well go to a deciding set and IF Djoko has a negative energy he could lose that decider. Hopefully he brings a good level, that should be enough to dust off Agut cause I can't see what he could hurt Novak with other than being resilient from the Baseline.

 

[RF-18]

I don’t know which way you’re looking at it, but it’s 3-2 Djoko

Oh I was looking at it as Djoko as the winner. My bad. It's 2-1 though and 5-3 Djoko in sets.

 

[cc0509]

I agree with the poster above who said Djokovic should be able to make at least the QF with his draw if the seeds stick.

 

[Deleted member 757547]

Djokovic in 3, possibly 4 if he doesn't play well. I don't really see Agut win this match, but it's important to note that he has beaten Djokovic before.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Djoker in three.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Djoker in three.

Sure???
Even this sheet djoker????

 

[Plamen1234]

Djokovic in 3 or 4 sets.RBA could be able take to take one set but I dont think he will do more

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Djokovic to lose the first set, but then come through in four.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

 

[HolgerNova]

I think it all depends which djoker shows up and for how long? Thinking ND in 4 though

 

[K-H]

I rate RBA very highly. Strong from both wings and not afraid to go DTL off both wings. If Djokovic gets passive then I think RBA will push him. I think we’ll see a similar sort of match to the munar one. If Djokovic brings his A game then there’s obviously no doubt but I don’t think he is yet able to play his highest level over 3 sets.

 

[Krish872007]

Didn't see how RBA played against Giraldo, but I know he's been having a hard time of late. His mother passed away very recently, maybe just a week ago, and I felt it affected his R1 performance a little bit. If he's dialed in he can take a set or maybe even two. Novak needs to pick up his form and consistency, but he should prevail here.

 

[cc0509]

Djokovic in four.

 

[3fees]

Joe Kovic in 3 or 4

Cheers
3Fees

 

[I Am Finnish]

I expect a close match just like in 2016

 

[West Coast Ace]

Djokovic in 3, possibly 4 if he doesn't play well. I don't really see Agut win this match, but it's important to note that he has beaten Djokovic before.

Agree. 3 if Djokovic doesn’t get cute and try the silly ‘break the better stroke’ stuff. BH to BH, bludgeon RBA into the dirt. Mess with his FH and it could be a long day.

 

[tennis_pro]

Djokovic in 5.

 

[uscwang]

I'm a bit uneasy about the optimism favoring Novak. Think RBA has at least 33% chance of winning.

 

[West Coast Ace]

I'm a bit uneasy about the optimism favoring Novak. Think RBA has at least 33% chance of winning.

RBA is actually better on hard than clay - slightly 62.6% to 59.8.

 

[Bender]

Then rain delay happened. The rain loves the top players at RG.

It's only worth mentioning if it's Nadal benefiting from the rain tho

Anyway I think Djokovic will do fine. He will do the bare minimum to get past, and give his fans a good scare or two along the way like a theme park attraction. All aboard the gluten-free train!

 

[Pablo1989]

RBA lost his mum last Monday, I don't think he'll keep the concentration throughout the whole match.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I think Bautista Agut will defeat Djokovic! It will be a close match but Agut just too good for Djokovic at this time!

 

[Charleneriva]

RBA lost his mum last Monday, I don't think he'll keep the concentration throughout the whole match.

I'm really sorry to hear that. My condolences to him and his family. Good luck to him in this match. Hope he'll stay strong...

 

[Bender]

RBA lost his mum last Monday, I don't think he'll keep the concentration throughout the whole match.

Yikes. Well I hope he fights for his mum's memory. A victory would be bittersweet.

 

[aldeayeah]

Well, he's already won a 5-setter and a 3-setter since.

Press conference after the round 1 Istomin match:

"It's been a rollercoaster, a very emotional match. I've been able to turn the match around after being down two sets to one. [...] What happened this week made it emotional. These days are being difficult. It's hard to handle it all. I believe the best for me was to come here and step ahead, not to hide and stay home. To keep on fighting the same way I always did."

 

[BrokenGears]

Yo so it’s starting soon right

 

[merwy]

Well, he's already won a 5-setter and a 3-setter since.

Press conference after the round 1 Istomin match:

"It's been a rollercoaster, a very emotional match. I've been able to turn the match around after being down two sets to one. [...] What happened this week made it emotional. These days are being difficult. It's hard to handle it all. I believe the best for me was to come here and step ahead, not to hide and stay home. To keep on fighting the same way I always did."

Aww that's really inspirational. Hope he does well in the next round.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Well, he's already won a 5-setter and a 3-setter since.

Press conference after the round 1 Istomin match:

"It's been a rollercoaster, a very emotional match. I've been able to turn the match around after being down two sets to one. [...] What happened this week made it emotional. These days are being difficult. It's hard to handle it all. I believe the best for me was to come here and step ahead, not to hide and stay home. To keep on fighting the same way I always did."

He better slay for mom.

 

[Sentinel]

RBA lost his mum last Monday, I don't think he'll keep the concentration throughout the whole match.

Oh that's really sad. He seems a very nice fellow.

Hope he can put it behind him for these two weeks.


That said Djokovic for RG #2. He's all "primed for the upset" as they say.

 

[BrokenGears]

Djokovic looking good

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Nole looks so rusty at the moment

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

I'm seeing double here. Four Novaks.

 

[zagor]

Kinda feel Novak's almost there when it comes to baseline rallying, getting back in solid form. Just a little bit missing.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

RBA has nice gets

 

[zagor]

Should have approached to the FH.

 

[zagor]

Novak a bit agitated, RBA is hitting a lot of lines.

 

[BrokenGears]

Novak a bit agitated, RBA is hitting a lot of lines.

Ye I thought two of them were out

Nice hold tho

 

[zagor]

Novak losing too many of these CC BH exchanges, slicing often too. No confidence in his BH.