Internazionali BNL d'Italia - Rome ATP Masters 1000, 2019

[The_Grand_Slam]

Yet, this tells me that not just is this his final chance at Wimbledon but also that he isn't likely to take it. Two matches in a row in one day is about the about the same as a five setter. Neither of his opponents was top 10. Fed's first serve % has been disappointing even in his victories. So no easy points.

You don't play back-to-back days at slams.
Scheduling screwed him here else he would've carried on.

 

[Federberg]

Nadal should get his revenge today. Rome court being slower than Madrid should favour him towards the win.

I am surprised by that Novak-Del Potro match. 3 hours of battle, it ended up around 1 a.m. I mean, not like it's a grand slam match to go that late. So Novak was furious at some moments during the match? I guess that's a good thing, shows how much it means to him and looks like he really wants that final against Nadal to happen.

he should. I'm actually really looking forward to this match. If he doesn't win the not only do I have serious doubts about Rafa's ability to win this year, it will also imply that more and more players are figuring him out as well. I think that Novak and Roger are already renting space in his head, if a young guy like Tsitsipas starts beating him regularly in his backyard then a sea change might be imminent

 

[don_fabio]

You don't play back-to-black days at slams.
Scheduling screwed him here else he would've carried on.

Last year in Wimby Novak played on saturday and sunday. Happens ocasionally in RG if there's too much rain. That year he won RG I think he played semi on saturday.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Last year in Wimby Novak played on saturday and sunday. Happens ocasionally in RG if there's too much rain. That year he won RG I think he played semi on saturday.

Djokovic played 2 sets(one of them 10-8) on saturday and 3 on sunday.
back-to-back matches for top seeds in grand slams can only happen at RG since its the only slam without a roof.

 

[don_fabio]

he should. I'm actually really looking forward to this match. If he doesn't win the not only do I have serious doubts about Rafa's ability to win this year, it will also imply that more and more players are figuring him out as well. I think that Novak and Roger are already renting space in his head, if a young guy like Tsitsipas starts beating him regularly in his backyard then a sea change might be imminent

It does bring us to question Rafa's longevity again. If he doesn't take RG this year he could be on another decline and might be 2 years passed without the slam before RG 2020 begins.

Will be interesting to see if he can discover something new, some small tweak in a game that makes a difference. I am sure for one thing, he won't give up until his body is good and when you don't give up you make things possible.

This is an important match today, so will be the final if he reaches one.

For sure we can call this clay season a fun to watch and unpredictable, with at least 3 (maybe even more) real contenders for RG crown.

 

[Federberg]

It does bring us to question Rafa's longevity again. If he doesn't take RG this year he could be on another decline and might be 2 years passed without the slam before RG 2020 begins.

Will be interesting to see if he can discover something new, some small tweak in a game that makes a difference. I am sure for one thing, he won't give up until his body is good and when you don't give up you make things possible.

This is an important match today, so will be the final if he reaches one.

For sure we can call this clay season a fun to watch and unpredictable, with at least 3 (maybe even more) real contenders for RG crown.

I think the draw will determine how many guys are real contenders, but for sure there's the potential for more genuine contenders than in recent times. For now it seems to me Novak is a big favourite

 

[isabelle]

You don't play back-to-back days at slams.
Scheduling screwed him here else he would've carried on.

when it rains...players can play back to back days in GS...it happens very often

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

when it rains...players can play back to back days in GS...it happens very often

No top seeds don't (except at RG that too rarely.)
And playing two b03 matches and 1 single b05 is not the same anyway

 

[herios]

It does bring us to question Rafa's longevity again. If he doesn't take RG this year he could be on another decline and might be 2 years passed without the slam before RG 2020 begins.

Will be interesting to see if he can discover something new, some small tweak in a game that makes a difference. I am sure for one thing, he won't give up until his body is good and when you don't give up you make things possible.

This is an important match today, so will be the final if he reaches one.

For sure we can call this clay season a fun to watch and unpredictable, with at least 3 (maybe even more) real contenders for RG crown.

I don't see a veteran player winning RG. It is too demanding physically due to the long points.
Therefore, I doubt even Rafa will be able to win it past 34 or 35 the most.
He has one or maximum 2 more chances.
That is exactly why I want Novak to win this year his second. The clock is ticking for him too.

 

[don_fabio]

I don't see a veteran player winning RG. It is too demanding physically due to the long points.
Therefore, I doubt even Rafa will be able to win it past 34 or 35 the most.
He has one or maximum 2 more chances.
That is exactly why I want Novak to win this year his second. The clock is ticking for him too.

That's where I was aiming with my tought. 2 more years for Rafa after this one sounds realistic.

With regards to Novak would also like to see him lift the trophy this year, 2nd RG, 2nd Nole Slam.

 

[Moxie]

he should. I'm actually really looking forward to this match. If he doesn't win the not only do I have serious doubts about Rafa's ability to win this year, it will also imply that more and more players are figuring him out as well. I think that Novak and Roger are already renting space in his head, if a young guy like Tsitsipas starts beating him regularly in his backyard then a sea change might be imminent

Roger isn't in Rafa's head, even if Rafa's not in his anymore.

 

[DarthFed]

Tennis needs this plague gone in less than 2 years. Im afraid he's finding his form just in time for RG. If that's the case it may end up a formality as usual as Djoker is far from his best and Thiem still is nothing special.

 

[tented]

See Rafa vs. Tits semifinal preview from tennis.com

According to it, so far Rafa has 39 losses on clay. Of that 13 were to one handed backhanders and 26 were to two-handed backhanders.
@mrzz claimed that Rafa lost to one handers more often than to two handers. That does not tally with this (unless he is perhaps talking about the losses in all court types; even then I doubt it).

According to tennisabstract.com (an amazing source of stats, which @El Dude introduced me to), Rafa’s career stats:
Vs. one-handed BH: 287-65 (82%)
Vs. two-handed BH: 657-139 (83%)

 

[atttomole]

Tsitsipas's game is huge and I think he will be an intimidating player very soon. He looks like he could dispatch opponents with his offensive game. FAA is just as imposing, but younger, and what surprises me is how he troubles Tsitsipas so much.

Meanwhile, Rafa looks dialed in and his defence looks better than it was in Madrid. He looks ready for RG.

 

[don_fabio]

According to tennisabstract.com (an amazing source of stats, which @El Dude introduced me to), Rafa’s career stats:
Vs. one-handed BH: 287-65 (82%)
Vs. two-handed BH: 657-139 (83%)

Basically Rafa doesn't care how many hands on the backhand his opponent has, the result is the same

 

[Moxie]

Tennis needs this plague gone in less than 2 years. Im afraid he's finding his form just in time for RG. If that's the case it may end up a formality as usual as Djoker is far from his best and Thiem still is nothing special.

Ironically, this makes me angry and optimistic, all at the same time.

Rafa not taking Stefanos for granted this week.

 

[tented]

Basically Rafa doesn't care how many hands on the backhand his opponent has, the result is the same

Of course. I’m sure he has no idea what these stats are, but I became curious myself after @GameSetAndMath mentioned them.

 

[tented]

Rafa finally looking like Rafa!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Phew we got to a clay final Rafa

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Best I have seen Rafa in a while. Good for him.