Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome ATP Master

[Sundaymorningguy]

Regardless of whether Nadal takes the title here, I think the big key which would give him confidence going into RG is scalping Novak. Djokovic would be wise to not let that happen if he wants a less complicated RG '16 campaign.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Ouch! Break of serve!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nole does it :clap

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Now hold serve!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The quality of play in this match is quite high. Probably the match of the year, so far at least.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa needs to stay on Djoker's fh.. that's where the most UFEs will occur.. stay away from the bh

 

[kskate2]

Nadal can forget it. He had 2 opportunities to win both these sets and he can't get it done w/ a less than stellar Novak. If he can't get 2 sets in a best of 3, he's not going to much better when it's best of 5.

 

[herios]

Rafa getting his foot looked at....

Feels a lot of pain he says, pointing to a section of his foot. Also no feeling in a toe.

Probably a cramp or cramping from the tightness of the ankle taped, this has happened to me before , he peo should have it removed and his circulation will come back to his toes and foot

You were right, the removal of the tape worked.

 

[nehmeth]

Even these all time greats feel the pressure.... chunky first serves from both of these champions. :nono

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal can forget it. He had 2 opportunities to win both these sets and he can't get it done w/ a less than stellar Novak. If he can't get 2 sets in a best of 3, he's not going to much better when it's best of 5.

I dont agree.. with less than stellar Novak or he can forget it..

 

[kskate2]

You don't have to agree AP. The writing's on the wall. 2 MP's

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Great Job Novak. :clap

Rafa is surely in the mix, his level has gone up considerably. :clap

 

[Riotbeard]

Good win for Novak! Gotta keep up the dominance!

 

[mouse]

Great match that. I didn't expect Rafa to put up that much of a fight

He will be fuming he bottled it serving to win the set

 

[herios]

Lovely. :clap

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

While he played Novak tougher than he has of recent, Nadal still came up short which is exactly what needed to be expressed to everyone going into RG '16. Novak had his brilliant moments here and there, but overall I would say this was his B level, and he got it done with Nadal putting everything into it he had.

 

[atttomole]

Great Job Novak. :clap

Rafa is surely in the mix, his level has gone up considerably. :clap

Yes, he looked a bit like the old Rafa. This match had shades of Ausie Open 2012. If it was a five setter, these two would have collapsed on the court. Excellent shot making and amazing stamina, considering the long matches they both played yesterday. I also think Rafa has a good chance at RG.

 

[10isfan]

Djoke made an emphatic statement with this win. Let's see how Thiem, a future FO winner, does against him. I have been saying for a while that FO 2016 is the last decent shot Nadal has of surpassing Sampras's major count. Someone will have to take out Djoke for Nadal to do it.

 

[Mile]

Huge battle, best seen of both. Like Ozzy.

Djoker did a lot, he is going for the cup.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Well Nadal won't get the 4th seed unless Federer withdraws. It doesn't look like Fed will probably do so either as he is gauging where he is at, and he probably wants the match play before grass season and Wimbledon.

Which leads to who will get Nadal in the quarters of RG if Fed doesn't withdraw.