Rome Masters R3: [3] Rafael Nadal vs [13] Denis Shapovalov

[GabeT]

Poll closed way too early, but RAFA to strike down Shapovalov the Foolish in straights hopefully

Shapovalov the Foolish, first of his name

 

[GabeT]

Hate it when polls close before the match ends. How am I supposed to know what to vote??

 

[ACE of Hearts]

This match keeps getting pushed. Just start it already.

 

[prairiegirl]

Why do have to hate anyone? That is an unnecessary and over the top emotion which is unwarranted. This is just sports, people. It's not even remotely important in the scheme of things. I watch it because it's fun and I get some enjoyment. But, that's all. I have uninvested myself from any results from anyone.

 

[Arak]

Why is the match delayed?

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Where's the Putintseva Jabeur thread?

 

[Bud]

New thread and poll! Closed too early!!!










*kidding*

 

[MeatTornado]

But seriously though, why did the poll close 9 hours ago

 

[ADuck]

Yeah how the heck hasn't the match started already?

 

[zuluzazu]

But seriously though, why did the poll close 9 hours ago

It was a brainfart from me. I made a mistake in looking at the start time of the match. I am really sorry

 

[zuluzazu]

Opened the poll again

 

[zuluzazu]

Poll will close in 1 hr again

 

[zuluzazu]

@The Blond Blur @GabeT @MeatTornado @Bud Poll opened again. Will close in an hour

 

[ADuck]

Match should start in 5 minutes

 

[zuluzazu]

Rafa playing to secure his 100th QF at the masters level

 

[GabeT]

@The Blond Blur @GabeT @MeatTornado @Bud Poll opened again. Will close in an hour

Can you leave it open for me until after the match is over?

 

[JeMar]

Nadal in straights. The only drama will be between Shapovalov and the officials.

 

[ibbi]

1. Night match.
2. Lefty-Lefty match-up.
3. Their match here last year.
4. Jamie Delgado's useless ass fired.

Reasons to be hopeful for Denis the menace.

 

[NeutralFan]

This Nadal is unstoppable he's returning better than peak Djokovic , serving like Isner , his vollyies are better than peak Edberg. Nadal 62-64

 

[zuluzazu]

This Nadal is unstoppable he's returning better than peak Djokovic , serving like Isner , his vollyies are better than peak Edberg. Nadal 62-64

Nice tennisFan3 impersonation

 

[ADuck]

This Nadal is unstoppable he's returning better than peak Djokovic , serving like Isner , his vollyies are better than peak Edberg. Nadal 62-64

Nadal will win 6-0 6-(-1)

 

[ojo rojo]

Does Rafa have a barber in the locker room to give him a wet shave 5 minutes before the start of match? His chin is mannequin smooth

 

[ffw2]

Does Rafa have a barber in the locker room to give him a wet shave 5 minutes before the start of match? His chin is mannequin smooth

Waxing to eliminate the grays, in all likelihood.

 

[flyingboris]

And we're off!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal’s serve has been junk. If he doesn’t improve that i can’t see him doing much at the French.

 

[NeutralFan]

Nadal’s serve has been junk. If he doesn’t improve that i can’t see him doing much at the French.

Funny thing is it has been a lot better on hc in last two season and absolute crap in last two clay season.

 

[ADuck]

Funny thing is it has been a lot better on hc in last two season and absolute crap in last two clay season.

Maybe his old serve was better for clay

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Shapo looks like Kid Laroi

 

[intrepidish]

It’s amusing watching Rafans go from finding Shapo likable to utter hatred for him post AO.

Nah...a lot of people have become more aware of Shapo's pissy attitude in several matches over the past few months.

 

[Mivic]

Shapovalov spraying already ffs. What a joke.

 

[TennisFan3]

Nadal’s serve has been junk. If he doesn’t improve that i can’t see him doing much at the French.

His game has declined MASSIVELY. Especially his serve and his off-forehand, DTL forehand etc.
If Novak is on his RG 2021 form, Nadal will be unable to stop the Serb from #21, thrice career grand slam, and #3 F.O.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Shapo is only bae with short hair

 

[NeutralFan]

Maybe his old serve was better for clay

Yes, it had more kick and placement. His hc game over the last 3 years look far
better than his Clay game , even his movement on clay looks kinda slow. His career is taking reverse trajectory, baby dal was vulnerable on HC and solid on clay , now solid on hc and very vulnerable on clay.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Can’t keep missing those opportunities.

 

[ADuck]

His game has declined MASSIVELY. Especially his serve and his off-forehand, DTL forehand etc.
If Novak is on his RG 2021 form, Nadal will be unable to stop the Serb from #21, thrice career grand slam, and #3 F.O.

Please shush up

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Ball seems to be flying/court playing fast/ball bouncing high or is that just me??! Doesn’t seem like clay??!

 

[NeutralFan]

His game has declined MASSIVELY. Especially his serve and his off-forehand, DTL forehand etc.
If Novak is on his RG 2021 form, Nadal will be unable to stop the Serb from #21, thrice career grand slam, and #3 F.O.

If anything his FH is the only thing that's keeping in slam race, see AO final last three set and how his fh changed the game. Thing that got worse is his movement and bh. Had you watched any of Rafa's successful Fo run it was his BH that was super solid all the time ,now his bh has deteriorated. His bh was not even holding basic rally shots last year.

 

[TennisFan3]

Why is Nadal standing so far back. He gets even more defensive in night matches for some reason. Got him killed in RG 2021 SF.

 

[JaxTeller]

Standing 2 miles behind the baseline on clay..

Mr.Rafael Nadal has No talent ,he's just being benefited from modern day poly strings

 

[ACE of Hearts]

old nadal would have broken by now.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I see Shapo still hasn't lost his trademark spraying BH, wild FH, or dodgy serving.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Why is Nadal standing so far back. He gets even more defensive in night matches for some reason. Got him killed in RG 2021 SF.

It’s a ridiculous tactic. He’s not a youngster anymore to be doing that.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Shapo should be 2-3 H2H or even 3-2 vs Nadal.

Typical NextGen underachiever.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Extended fist pump after every point he wins

 

[UnderratedSlam]

I see Shapo still hasn't lost his trademark spraying BH, wild FH, or dodgy serving.

Coz he needs to hit the line every damn time.

At maximum speed obviously.

Which will win him exactly zero big titles.

 

[TennisFan3]

old nadal would have broken by now.

His movement is so much slower now. He stands so far back and barely gets to many balls in time or makes a UFE.

 

[TennisFan3]

It’s a ridiculous tactic. He’s not a youngster anymore to be doing that.

Nadal doesn't like to get out of his comfort zone, even though his legs don't support that at 36.
He is the only pro I've seen who hits so BIG and FLAT in practice. But in real matches - he is much more spinny and safe.

 

[spottishwood]

Not voting anytime soon

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Chapeau playng roflmao erratic ballbashing as usual.

 

[NeutralFan]

Another thing that i have noticed after 2017 is Nadal is super defensive on Bps and expect his opponents to give it to him. It costed him Wimbledon 2018 and last year's semifinal and many tie breaks and matches.