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

[monfed]

dull in 3 unfortunately

 

[AnonymousFan]

His brother is ranked in the 400s, didn’t know that
https://www.atptour.com/en/players/jacopo-berrettini/bu10/overview

 

[mrzz]

Based on what you just wrote, it is clear that you have not watched him enough.
He actually uses drop shots many times, surely above average. He slices as well from the BH enough.
I understand he was not on the radar much, I have not seen him either before Stuttgart this year, but since than I follow h closely.
He has more to his game than you give credit him.

Hey, Herios, if you have seen him a few times and is saying that... there must be a good reason, then. As I said in other posts I was not impressed with the (little) I saw. Ok, some bad mood got in the way, but... anyway, here are my basic honest questions:

Can he sustain power? I have seen him hitting winners, but can he consistently keep hitting hard until the opponent misses or returns a really easy ball?

You mentioned the drop shot. His variations are centered on the drop shot, or he really can apply variation on his game? If it is "just" the drop shot, ok, but you better be damn good with it...

 

[calitennis127]

Can he sustain power? I have seen him hitting winners, but can he consistently keep hitting hard until the opponent misses or returns a really easy ball?

Yes. Simply put, yes. He has done that in all of his victories so far, most notably against Rublev and then Monfils.

You mentioned the drop shot. His variations are centered on the drop shot, or he really can apply variation on this game? If it is "just" the drop shot, ok, but you better be damn good with it...

I have seen him hit a few great lobs, and he looks to be an especially good volleyer. Look at the point he won in the 5th set tiebreak at 5-4 against Monfils, for example. He unloaded on some groundstrokes and then closed on the net perfectly.

 

[calitennis127]

dull in 3 unfortunately

Don't be so gloomy. There is much more reason for optimism than you have apparently noticed.

 

[mrzz]

Look at the point he won in the 5th set tiebreak at 5-4 against Monfils, for example.

I think the video link is missing (you generally put it after phrases like this, don't bother if it wasn't the idea).

 

[Jelenafan]

Berretini strikes me as a male Sharapova, his hitting out seems less strategy and more the one dimensional way he resorts to any oncourt pressure situation.

 

[Moxie]

I have it on good authority that he was having Carbonara last night.

So you DID get on a plane and stalk him at Via della Pace. LOL.

 

[brokenshoelace]

To me, Berrettini's chances aren't defined by hitting winners. His forehand is huge and he can finish off points. Of that there can be no doubt. It's if he can hit big in the rallies to consistently get himself in those positions. I said it after Nadal beat Thiem at the FO. It's not about finishing points against Nadal. Nadal's bad match-ups are against guys with great penetrating rally shots that can constantly put him on the back foot. The winners come naturally in that case. I haven't seen enough of Berrettini to know if he's got that in him or not, but I'd be shocked if he wins.

 

[Double Bagel]

So the announcer who announced the names of the players to the court tried his hardest to sound Italian when he announced Matteo Berrettini and Spanish when he announced Rafa Nadal. Hahaha

 

[Double Bagel]

That was nice touch by Matteo.

 

[Moxie]

Good hold for the kid. That will help the nerves. I see Rafa moving in on 2nd serve a bit. Good sign.

 

[Moxie]

That was nice touch by Matteo.

I see it was discussed today...I saw him hit a couple of lovely drop shots v. Rublev. The first one shocked me with it's feel, because he hits so big in general.

 

[Double Bagel]

I see it was discussed today...I saw him hit a couple of lovely drop shots v. Rublev. The first one shocked me with it's feel, because he hits so big in general.

I don't know how often he uses it, but that shot on his last service game for the game was really nice.

 

[kskate2]

So far, he's holding his own Mox

 

[Moxie]

So far, he's holding his own Mox

TBH, I'm surprised at how sanguine he is.

 

[kskate2]

Maybe that Fed lesson on grass got his attention as to how he needs to approach these big matches

 

[Moxie]

I thought it would take Matteo some time to get used to the heavy Nadal ball, but he's a big strong boy.

 

[kskate2]

yeah, he looks as if he eats rocks for breakfast

 

[Moxie]

Apropos of nothing, it's downright chilly in NYC now.