Is Thiem the second best clay courter in the world right now?

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Thiem got into high gear with Dimitrov and first set with Coric (10 winners, 1 UE) and nice against Cuevas with 73% first serve rate and no BPs. (Has to be said that Cuevas return on par with typical Wawrinka at best.) If he puts it all together today Nadal will have a handful and likely respond.

You and I know the importance of the serve, the riddle of the serve. Rafa has solved it in 2017 and is just amazing. Very much looking forward to this match.

I think Moya is influencing Rafa on the serve lately, and probably increasing aggression. That said, Thiem has good matches under his belt, Rafa has to play his best against him. Also this surface can benefit Thiem flat shots

 

[Wilhelm]

Thiem and Goffin seem to be the only ones challenging Nadal at the moment.

Fognini showed his potential in the Madrid match. I feel like Fognini actually likes the way Nadal plays.

 

[TheMusicLover]

The guy managing to win the most games against the Clay Monster is #2 imho. We'll find out in a couple of hours' time.

I guess the odds go to Thiem for being #2 right now.
Very likewise scores in their matches, but at least Thiem managed to break Nadal a couple of times, Goffin didn't (okay leave out that Mourier-incident, here ).

 

[Meles]

I think Moya is influencing Rafa on the serve lately, and probably increasing aggression. That said, Thiem has good matches under his belt, Rafa has to play his best against him. Also this surface can benefit Thiem flat shots

Not so flat! Thiem slightly above Rafa's average rpm on forehand and over 10 kph faster on forehand in the early going from the commie stat flashed on the screen.

 

[Meles]

I guess the odds go to Thiem for being #2 right now.
Very likewise scores in their matches, but at least Thiem managed to break Nadal a couple of times, Goffin didn't (okay leave out that Mourier-incident, here ).

Well he's got a beautiful draw in Rome and that counts for much more. Maybe Thiem and and Kei will soften Rafa up for the final.

 

[Meles]

Roger confirmed he will play the French Open:

Plans to play. Not confirmed by any stretch.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Not so flat! Thiem slightly above Rafa's average rpm on forehand and over 10 kph faster on forehand in the early going from the commie stat flashed on the screen.

What are Thiem rpms? I know Rafa dropped from 6k+ RPM's (Peak Nadal) to about 3k (currently) if i remember correctly

 

[Meles]

What are Thiem rpms? I know Rafa dropped from 6k+ RPM's (Peak Nadal) to about 3k (currently) if i remember correctly

Its an average number they trot out a lot of the time. The "peak" number is for a particularly spinny forehand. Rafa's peak FH RPM is probably 4500 rpm plus. Thiem would be low 4000s. Rafa's is the more effective heavy shot, but they're close. The Thiem one handed backhand spinnier than Rafas by my eye, but still close.

Rafa probably hasn't dropped that much in his ability to generate RPMs. Its been a choice with Moya on hard courts to flatten the forehand out.

 

[MasturB]

Definitely Fedr second best clay courter in world.

 

[TheMusicLover]

Well he's got a beautiful draw in Rome and that counts for much more. Maybe Thiem and and Kei will soften Rafa up for the final.

LOL yes, I noticed that Goffin finally got a more friendly draw in Rome (= not having to play the Clay Monster before the final ), and the rest of his draw isn't too shabby either.

Thiem to soften up Rafa before the final? Possible.
Injuredkori? don't make me laugh... or rather, WHY THE HELL is he playing Rome at all, when carrying a supposed wrist injury?

 

[Meles]

Definitely Fedr second best clay courter in world.

Definitely not even in the top 6 or 7 until he gets his candyaxx on the court, which I doubt he'll do.

 

[Meles]

LOL yes, I noticed that Goffin finally got a more friendly draw in Rome (= not having to play the Clay Monster before the final ), and the rest of his draw isn't too shabby either.

Thiem to soften up Rafa before the final? Possible.
Injuredkori? don't make me laugh... or rather, WHY THE HELL is he playing Rome at all, when carrying a supposed wrist injury?

Well he was briefly 4 in the world and now rocketing out of the top 10. I'd assume might cost him sponsor money. Against the Schwartz, he looked as laughable as Djokovic in his first set with Nadal. Played extremely well the rest of the tournament. Ninja may be the 2nd best clay player on the world if healthy. He beat Thiem decidely in Rome last year. Ninja is like a super Goffin when he's on and can be quite tough to close out when he's contending. I don't think his wrist was that bad since he's in Rome. He screwed Djokovic and ensures the health of his wrist by that discpicable withdrawal and quick entry to Rome.

 

[JohnnyMac Fan!]

Its an average number they trot out a lot of the time. The "peak" number is for a particularly spinny forehand. Rafa's peak FH RPM is probably 4500 rpm plus. Thiem would be low 4000s. Rafa's is the more effective heavy shot, but they're close. The Thiem one handed backhand spinnier than Rafas by my eye, but still close.

Rafa probably hasn't dropped that much in his ability to generate RPMs. Its been a choice with Moya on hard courts to flatten the forehand out.

OK, 4k must be for his current form. I think Jack Sock Rpms are currently at higher RPMs than rafas now. 2004-2010 Rafas RPM's are untouchable. Not sure why he doesn't try get back to those numbers. Maybe his tactics have changed to alleviate wear and tear on the body?

 

[Meles]

OK, 4k must be for his current form. I think Jack Sock Rpms are currently at higher RPMs than rafas now. 2004-2010 Rafas RPM's are untouchable. Not sure why he doesn't try get back to those numbers. Maybe his tactics have changed to alleviate wear and tear on the body?

No, no, no. Rafa has only lost a bit if anything. Sock continues to dissappoint on red clay.

Rafa's improved serve game is very, very awesome for alleviating wear and tear a bit and getting through the draw efficiently. He's a regular Sampras these days (gross exaggeration) and his chances off clay have gone up nicely. He may still need to pull out the 2010 US Open serve for 2017 if he's not reliving 2013 on hard courts. It will be very interesting to see his momentum after clay season. Thiem may be much the same kind of story.

 

[noobforehand20]

i would say thiem, not because he made madrid final but his game is more built to play on clay, has the power to stand back in the court, the speed, patience, great kick serve out wide, physical condition,besides to date has the best results on clay besides rafa

 

[Slice'n'dice]

Probably Wawrinka on the assumption that there's always a chance he could suddenly turn it on and that level is miles ahead of Thiem. Djokovic and Murray probably ahead of him although not on form so far they are far more likely to make a deep run or win the French. Watch Thiem not make the final.

Nadal on course for number 10 though, hard to see anyone stopping him at the moment.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Not so flat! Thiem slightly above Rafa's average rpm on forehand and over 10 kph faster on forehand in the early going from the commie stat flashed on the screen.

Exactly. Thiem achieves absurd topspin that rivals Nadal and Sock.

 

[maximus]

I have seen Thiem play and he is awesome. He is getting at the top bit by bit.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

I have seen Thiem play and he is awesome. He is getting at the top bit by bit.

I saw him up close at IW. He dismantled Monfils. Huge FH and the serve broke 140.

 

[maximus]

I saw him up close at IW. He dismantled Monfils. Huge FH and the serve broke 140.

Saw him play couple of times at AO. He is literally punishing the ball with his wicked-spin loaded FH and OHBH.

 

[Bender]

Thiem overall, but it appears that Goffin has Thiem's number.

 

[ANDYbhGENIUS]

No. Federer is.

When the RG draws comes out, I guarantee you that Nadal will fear one player and ONLY one: Fed. Thiem isn't even on his radar screen, nor should he be.

That is a violent exaggeration, Thiem is on his radar screen and well he should. And should he meet Wawrinka in a semi he will likely have wanted a different opponent.

Fed on a reasonably fast hard court or on wet clay are two different propositions. Nadal will not fear Fed, except that he will respect his chances given that Rodge is the most talented guy outthere, and mentally can now take down the Manacor Beast. Nadal isn't as fast as he used to, by quite a margin, so a meet with Federer at the French will turn out to be a Gramperer vs Nabalding in the Sand.

Fed wants to take the FH spins of Nadal on the rise with his BH, which will be tough with the unpredictable bounces.

 

[DerekNoleFam1]

Fognini showed his potential in the Madrid match. I feel like Fognini actually likes the way Nadal plays.

The Fog has potential, but is also very inconsistent, and unreliable to be there in the 2nd week of RG to seriously threaten Nadal.
His lowish ranking makes him a dangerous floater though.
Will be interesting to see if he can get past Murray in Rome.