If Thiem is going to do it, he needs to do it in straight sets

[Fabresque]

Only a few hours till the final. Let me offer my insight.

If Thiem is to beat Nadal, he must do it in three straight sets. He’s the only man who’s beaten Nadal on clay in the last two years, and both times were in straight sets.

He needs to take the first two sets. After that, he needs to treat the third set as the decisive set. Instead of being up two sets to none, he needs to think that he won the first, while Rafa won the second, and the third set is going to decide the match. If he wins it, he wins the match and his maiden slam. If he loses it, however, there is no doubt in my mind Rafa will take the next two sets and win his 17th grand slam title. If he loses the first or second set, or both, he has no chance.

If Thiem wins the first two, the third decides it all.

 

[Krish0608]

He shouldn't get too down on himself in case he loses the first. That's very important. Hope he takes inspiration from Simona.

 

[Mike Sams]

He shouldn't get too down on himself in case he loses the first. That's very important. Hope he takes inspiration from Simona.

Takes inspiration from Simona??!?!?!
Sure... because her opponent Sloane Stephens is a freaking tennis legend and a clay court queen on the level of Nadal, right? LOL!!!

 

[Fiero425]

I'm praying for an upset! Funny, even if Dom wins, his ranking remains at #7 the last time I looked! Not sure I can remember someone outside the top 3 winning a major, but the ranking staying static; at #7 of all things!

 

[Mike Sams]

Only a few hours till the final. Let me offer my insight.

If Thiem is to beat Nadal, he must do it in three straight sets. He’s the only man who’s beaten Nadal on clay in the last two years, and both times were in straight sets.

He needs to take the first two sets. After that, he needs to treat the third set as the decisive set. Instead of being up two sets to none, he needs to think that he won the first, while Rafa won the second, and the third set is going to decide the match. If he wins it, he wins the match and his maiden slam. If he loses it, however, there is no doubt in my mind Rafa will take the next two sets and win his 17th grand slam title. If he loses the first or second set, or both, he has no chance.

If Thiem wins the first two, the third decides it all.

I heard thunderstorms may be coming by the time the players take the court in the afternoon.

 

[Krish0608]

Takes inspiration from Simona??!?!?!
Sure... because her opponent Sloane Stephens is a freaking tennis legend and a clay court queen on the level of Nadal, right? LOL!!!

No. Because once you start playing 'Nadal', the King of Clay in an RG Final and stop playing the match, you've already lost the match. You have to play the ball, not the opponent. That should be what Thiem should look to do today. Even if he's a set down early, I believe he has the potential to make a match of it, because he's damn good on this surface. But once he starts playing Nadal's aura, it's over for him.

 

[Mike Sams]

I'm praying for an upset! Funny, even if Dom wins, his ranking remains at #7 the last time I looked! Not sure I can remember someone outside the top 3 winning a major, but the ranking staying static; at #7 of all things!

His ranking stays the same but his legacy is made! The first man in tennis history to do what nobody else has ever done. Beat Nadal in the finals of Roland Garros.

 

[Mike Sams]

No. Because once you start playing 'Nadal', the King of Clay in an RG Final and stop playing the match, you've already lost the match. You have to play the ball, not the opponent. That should be what Thiem should look to do today. Even if he's a set down early, I believe he has the potential to make a match of it, because he's damn good on this surface. But once he starts playing Nadal's aura, it's over for him.

True but it's so much easier than done. Nobody hits the ball the way Nadal does on clay. On a hot sunny day, that ball bounces almost a foot higher than on a wet court.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Nah. I think if he can get into the match (get a set or two), he'll be in a good position.

I actually think the more Thiem can drag it out, the more it favours him. I'd like Thiem's chances in a fifth set.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Nadal is going to want to blow him away in three, and that's what's gonna happen in all likelihood. Maybe Dom comes out strong and Nadal manages to overcome it, like 7-5 6-2 6-2 or something.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

I just hope it isn't:
- A total letdown with Thiem getting <10 games
- Thiem is like two points from victory and blows it

Any other result, fine by me.

 

[Zebrev]

The conditions will favour Thiem BIG TIME.

 

[helterskelter]

I'm praying for an upset! Funny, even if Dom wins, his ranking remains at #7 the last time I looked! Not sure I can remember someone outside the top 3 winning a major, but the ranking staying static; at #7 of all things!

Really? Even these days there are many examples. Wawrinka was #8 when he won Roland Garros in 2015.

 

[Mike Sams]

The conditions will favour Thiem BIG TIME.

That's what it's looking like. Clouds and rain expected by the time the players get set to play.

 

[Russeljones]

Wawrinka is the role model whose success Thiem needs to emulate. A lot of the gains from Wawrinka's transformation came from him entering big matches with a "I am ready stay out here all day" mentality. He would noticeably maintain his focus and intensity after losing 1st sets which, in turn asked interesting questions of his opponents. Were they prepared for a war?

This is what Thiem needs. He can no longer afford to be a glass cannon.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Would be epic if he won from two sets down.

 

[Sentinel]

That's what it's looking like. Clouds and rain expected by the time the players get set to play.

The conditions will favour Thiem BIG TIME.

Then Rafa will just have the match postponed till conditions don't favour Thyme. Eh ??

 

[Plamen1234]

The only one who have beaten Nadal in straight sets at RG is Djokovic in 2015 QFs.Nadal wasnt in very good form back then plus Djokovic was at its peak.Also Nadal have never lost final at RG.For Thiem to win he needs to go against the history of RG and he needs to play unreal tennis all the time and not choke at the important moments.So in short it is not happening but at least I hope the match is more interesting than the last year final.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Subtitle:

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Nah. I think if he can get into the match (get a set or two), he'll be in a good position.

I actually think the more Thiem can drag it out, the more it favours him. I'd like Thiem's chances in a fifth set.

Lol no way.

Thiem needs to win in 3 or 4, Nadal will eat him alive in a fifth set.

 

[WarriorRafa]

Conditions not looking good for Rafa, Thiem definitely has a shot here..

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[Backspin1183]

I think Nadal should just pin him on the backhand side.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Conditions not looking good for Rafa, Thiem definitely has a shot here..

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Good thing Rafa has control when the match starts and gets delayed, no?

 

[beltsman]

Only a few hours till the final. Let me offer my insight.

If Thiem is to beat Nadal, he must do it in three straight sets. He’s the only man who’s beaten Nadal on clay in the last two years, and both times were in straight sets.

He needs to take the first two sets. After that, he needs to treat the third set as the decisive set. Instead of being up two sets to none, he needs to think that he won the first, while Rafa won the second, and the third set is going to decide the match. If he wins it, he wins the match and his maiden slam. If he loses it, however, there is no doubt in my mind Rafa will take the next two sets and win his 17th grand slam title. If he loses the first or second set, or both, he has no chance.

If Thiem wins the first two, the third decides it all.

That would be terrible advice to Thiem, because he will not win in straight sets. He needs to be prepared for a war.

 

[Julian Houston]

The conditions will favour Thiem BIG TIME.

If it goes to monday thiem will lose as well..he must end it now.

 

[Sudacafan]

I heard thunderstorms may be coming by the time the players take the court in the afternoon.

Thunderstorms will only occur if Nadal is losing. It’s already fixed.

 

[TahoeTennis]

I bet rent on Thiem because it's a mathematical certainty he will win.

 

[RF-18]

No he doesnt

 

[mike danny]

He shouldn't get too down on himself in case he loses the first. That's very important. Hope he takes inspiration from Simona.

He should actually take inspiration from Federer: play the ball, not the opponent.

 

[BeatlesFan]

No he doesnt

Weren’t you saying that you were leaving the a forum until Wimbledon because Novak lost? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

 

[mike danny]

I'm praying for an upset! Funny, even if Dom wins, his ranking remains at #7 the last time I looked! Not sure I can remember someone outside the top 3 winning a major, but the ranking staying static; at #7 of all things!

Stan Wawrinka AO 2014 and RG 2015.

Marin Cilic USO 2014. Was even outside the top 10.

Roger Federer AO 2017. Outside the top 10.

Andy Murray USO 2012. No.4 in the world.

 

[RF-18]

Weren’t you saying that you were leaving the a forum until Wimbledon because Novak lost? Or am I confusing you with someone else?

I chanced my mind

 

[FedererDropShot]

I chanced my mind

The Prince of Clay changed your mind?

 

[Fiero425]

Stan Wawrinka AO 2014 and RG 2015.

Marin Cilic USO 2014. Was even outside the top 10.

Roger Federer AO 2017. Outside the top 10.

Andy Murray USO 2012. No.4 in the world.

Pls read complete sentence; of course people outside the top 4 won a major or 3! I was referencing the rankings staying static after winning it! Thanks!