2019 Men's US Open Semifinals: Rafael Nadal vs. Matteo Berrettini

[calitennis127]

Cali comes out all guns blazing. I like the style.

If Berrettini meets your expectations I expect him to win. ... The next 10 majors in a row.

You have to understand, I was at a restaurant the other day when the Rublev-Berretini match was on, and I expected Rublev to win based on what I had seen against Kyrgios and because I did not know who Berretini was. I did not think that Rublev was fantastic based on the Kyrgios match, just that as he was very skilled and a smart match player.....

So when I saw Berretini repeatedly making Rublev chase shots all over the court (exposing Rublev's athletic limitations in a way that Kyrgios's unskilled ass cannot) and volleying effectively at the net I was almost in disbelief. I thought to myself: "A player under the age of 25 who is not an awkward wimp? This can't be!"

That said, I think Berretini's best court at this point is the US Open. It is much faster than Melbourne but not so fast that you can't work a point at all. I love his chances at winning this tournament.

 

[calitennis127]

Yes Berettini barely survived past Monfils but will crush Nadal. Makes sense.

It's called match-ups genius. And, from the perspective of a Nadal fan, Monfils may have been the worst opponent for Berretini to beat before playing Nadal because it is good practice for getting an extra ball back and having to deal with prolonged rallies.

I actually could not ask for Berretini to have a better tune-up for Nadal than Monfils. What Berretini will have to do in order to beat Nadal will be very similar, although in some ways it may even be easier. The test will be when Nadal buckles up and starts forcing Berretini to hit clean winners in a tense moment. Will Berretini own him like Davydenko, or will Nadal gnat his way out of it?

We will see, but based on how dominant Berretini has been in recent matches, Nadal really has his work cut out for him.

 

[Double Bagel]

I will say Nadal in 4 sets.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

You have to understand, I was at a restaurant the other day when the Rublev-Berretini match was on, and I expected Rublev to win based on what I had seen against Kyrgios and because I did not know who Berretini was. I did not think that Rublev was fantastic based on the Kyrgios match, just that as he was very skilled and a smart match player.....

So when I saw Berretini repeatedly making Rublev chase shots all over the court (exposing Rublev's athletic limitations in a way that Kyrgios's unskilled ass cannot) and volleying effectively at the net I was almost in disbelief. I thought to myself: "A player under the age of 25 who is not an awkward wimp? This can't be!"

That said, I think Berretini's best court at this point is the US Open. It is much faster than Melbourne but not so fast that you can't work a point at all. I love his chances at winning this tournament.

It's called match-ups genius. And, from the perspective of a Nadal fan, Monfils may have been the worst opponent for Berretini to beat before playing Nadal because it is good practice for getting an extra ball back and having to deal with prolonged rallies.

I actually could not ask for Berretini to have a better tune-up for Nadal than Monfils. What Berretini will have to do in order to beat Nadal will be very similar, although in some ways it may even be easier. The test will be when Nadal buckles up and starts forcing Berretini to hit clean winners in a tense moment. Will Berretini own him like Davydenko, or will Nadal gnat his way out of it?

We will see, but based on how dominant Berretini has been in recent matches, Nadal really has his work cut out for him.

Yes I’m a genius, thanks for point that out. As for the rest of your post, it’s ridiculous. I truly think your infatuation with Berettini (he’s handsome I admit) has taken over your brain.

 

[calitennis127]

Nadalfan, I understand that you only see two things when it comes to tennis: 1) Nadal's existence, and 2) the leering glance of a male whose appearance you can't control your lower urges over. But I am simply focused on Berretini's tennis skills and athletic mindset. If you don't mind, try to stay on that subject.

You can stare at some fruity mugshot of Nadal on your own time. We're here to talk about tennis, not about one of your demented fantasies of Kyrgios becoming the trans girlfriend of the cougar Billie Jean Ding.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Nadalfan, I understand that you only see two things when it comes to tennis: 1) Nadal's existence, and 2) the leering glance of a male whose appearance you can't control your lower urges over. But I am simply focused on Berretini's tennis skills and athletic mindset. If you don't mind, try to stay on that subject.

You can stare at some fruity mugshot of Nadal on your own time. We're here to talk about tennis, not about one of your demented fantasies of Kyrgios becoming the trans girlfriend of the cougar Billie Jean Ding.

:cuckoo:

You know what? Keep posting these posts about Berrettini cause when Rafa wins the USO and some people say that he had an easy draw, I'll simply refer them to your posts and show them how he actually had the most difficult draw to be able to overcome the greatest athlete and most skilled human in history Berrettini.

 

[Double Bagel]

I'll give Berrittini his due, he has played one hell of a tournament so far but now he is up for a real challenge in Nadal and he will fight and good fight against him no doubt about that for sure, but it will end in the SF. He just may scrape out a set in this one because like I said he is a fighter, but that is all I see him doing in this match.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I'll give Berrittini his due, he has played one hell of a tournament so far but now he is up for a real challenge in Nadal and he will fight and good fight against him no doubt about that for sure, but it will end in the SF. He just may scrape out a set in this one because like I said he is a fighter, but that is all I see him doing in this match.

A sensible and intelligent post.

 

[tented]

I'll give Berrittini his due, he has played one hell of a tournament so far but now he is up for a real challenge in Nadal and he will fight and good fight against him no doubt about that for sure, but it will end in the SF. He just may scrape out a set in this one because like I said he is a fighter, but that is all I see him doing in this match.

Especially if it goes to a tiebreak, and Rafa gets nervy and Berrettini serves well.

 

[Front242]

I think it should be noted once more that Berrettini had a 4 hour match yesterday and will be mentally and physically more than a bit spent. That and the fact that he was choking like Marcellus Wallace with the gimp ball in his mouth towards the end of the match against a much lesser player in Monfils. Doesn't bode well if you ask me.

 

[calitennis127]

I'll give Berrittini his due, he has played one hell of a tournament so far but now he is up for a real challenge in Nadal and he will fight and good fight against him no doubt about that for sure, but it will end in the SF.

Uh, no it won't. Nadal is about to get Delpo-ed. Enjoy it.

He just may scrape out a set in this one because like I said he is a fighter, but that is all I see him doing in this match.

That may be all you see him doing, but that won't match up with the reality. It's also ironic for you to be using the phrase "scrape out" about Berretini. What do you think Nadal has done his whole career if not "scrape out" tight sets, especially on hard courts?

"Scraping out" sets and being a "fighter" has been Nadal's modus operandi. Stop projecting. Berretini doesn't need his opponent to play badly in order to have his best moments. He is not Gnatal.

 

[calitennis127]

I think it should be noted once more that Berrettini had a 4 hour match yesterday and will be mentally and physically more than a bit spent.

I disagree.....he looked fatigued but not exhausted at the end of the match. Plus he is a very athletic/fit 23-year-old with a tough mentality.

That and the fact that he was choking like Marcellus Wallace with the gimp ball in his mouth towards the end of the match against a much lesser player in Monfils.

Why such disrespect for Monfils? Monfils is an outstanding defender and mover with the ability to hit outstanding offensive shots. There is no shame in getting into a 5-setter with him. What matters is that Berretini remained stable and ultimately took the match.

Doesn't bode well if you ask me.

Cheer up. Nadal is about to get Delpo-ed.

 

[calitennis127]

A sensible and intelligent post.

In your opinion, which is typically misguided. So perhaps it isn't as sensible and intelligent as you think it is.

 

[calitennis127]

Especially if it goes to a tiebreak, and Rafa gets nervy and Berrettini serves well.

Lol at the arrogance of Nadal fans, acting as though taking a set off f-ing Nadal on hardcourts is some kind of Herculean task - Nadal, the guy who just beat a Korean wearing water goggles, a pigeon-toed Croat with respiratory issues, and a 5-7 midget.

How could anyone question Nadal's hardcourt excellence after he ran roughshod over that chain of opponents? Only Tented knows.

 

[Front242]

I disagree.....he looked fatigued but not exhausted at the end of the match. Plus he is a very athletic/fit 23-year-old with a tough mentality.



Why such disrespect for Monfils? Monfils is an outstanding defender and mover with the ability to hit outstanding offensive shots. There is no shame in getting into a 5-setter with him. What matters is that Berretini remained stable and ultimately took the match.



Cheer up. Nadal is about to get Delpo-ed.

I hope you're right but I just can't see it. This will be a night match I guess and the court is a lot slower at night and higher bouncing which suits Nadal like a duck to water. Monfils doesn't know how to play tennis and pushes way too much. Way too defensive considering he possesses the shot making skills to be a very good aggressive player. He just plays the wrong way and has very low tennis IQ.

 

[atttomole]

I hope you're right but I just can't see it. This will be a night match I guess and the court is a lot slower at night and higher bouncing which suits Nadal like a duck to water. Monfils doesn't know how to play tennis and pushes way too much. Way too defensive considering he possesses the shot making skills to be a very good aggressive player. He just plays the wrong way and has very low tennis IQ.

I think the high ball will not be a problem. He is about 6 feet 5 inches in stature. His problem is most likely going to be getting involved in long points, which will tire him. He is also prone shanking during rallies.
I agree that he appears to have a very low tennis IQ.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I have not seen what Cali has seen from the Italian dude but I have not watched him that much either. I just saw Roger smoke him at Wimby. Going by just that, which I know is not the best way or sample size, Rafa should beat him up and take his lunch money. Rafa also knows what is at stake, with Roger and Nole out.

 

[Double Bagel]

Uh, no it won't. Nadal is about to get Delpo-ed. Enjoy it.



That may be all you see him doing, but that won't match up with the reality. It's also ironic for you to be using the phrase "scrape out" about Berretini. What do you think Nadal has done his whole career if not "scrape out" tight sets, especially on hard courts?

"Scraping out" sets and being a "fighter" has been Nadal's modus operandi. Stop projecting. Berretini doesn't need his opponent to play badly in order to have his best moments. He is not Gnatal.

We shall see come Friday evening.

 

[calitennis127]

I think the high ball will not be a problem. He is about 6 feet 5 inches in stature. His problem is most likely going to be getting involved in long points, which will tire him. He is also prone shanking during rallies.
I agree that he appears to have a very low tennis IQ.

Front was saying that Monfils has low tennis IQ, not Berretini.

 

[calitennis127]

I have not seen what Cali has seen from the Italian dude but I have not watched him that much either. I just saw Roger smoke him at Wimby. Going by just that, which I know is not the best way or sample size, Rafa should beat him up and take his lunch money. Rafa also knows what is at stake, with Roger and Nole out.

Roger Federer at Wimbledon is a much more formidable opponent than Gnatal at the US Open. The two aren't even comparable.