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

[don_fabio]

Djokovic looks tired.

He probably realized what waits for him tomorrow.

 

[El Dude]

When Roger isn't playing I usually root for the underdog, but in this case I'm glad Novak won as I want that Rafa-Novak final. Should be epic. This is the first time in quite awhile that both have been playing on a roughly similar level.

 

[Moxie]

He's so needy.

I'll give this to Kyrgios: he finally said that out loud. And that his celebration is "cringeworthy," which it is.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'll give this to Kyrgios: he finally said that out loud. And that his celebration is "cringeworthy," which it is.

Apparently the next time Nick plays Novak if he wins he will do Novak's celebration win in front of him......knowing Nick he will

 

[Moxie]

Apparently the next time Nick plays Novak if he wins he will do Novak's celebration win in front of him......knowing Nick he will

I read that...made me laugh. And I'm with you..I bet he would.

 

[Fiero425]

He probably realized what waits for him tomorrow.

I'm sure Nole's scared to death after beating Rafa 12 of the last 15 matches IIRC! Those 3 wins on clay were happenstance going along with period when Nole was down; sorta like when Djokovic annihilated Rafa at the FO in 2015! No one gave him credit for that since Rafa was not "himself!" This match means nothing; just like in 2011 when Nole defeated Rafa in Madrid and Rome! Roger stopped Nole's match run of a lifetime (43) in the SF of Paris! It's debatable either Nole or Rafa will even make FO final IMO because "the Elites" are being challenged by the NG'rs finally! Someone's going down early and hard; just hope it's Rafa for a change! :whistle:

 

[Moxie]

I'm sure Nole's scared to death after beating Rafa 12 of the last 15 matches IIRC! Those 3 wins on clay were happenstance going along with period when Nole was down; sorta like when Djokovic annihilated Rafa at the FO in 2015! No one gave him credit for that since Rafa was not "himself!" This match means nothing; just like in 2011 when Nole defeated Rafa in Madrid and Rome! Roger stopped Nole's match run of a lifetime (43) in the SF of Paris! It's debatable either Nole or Rafa will even make FO final IMO because "the Elites" are being challenged by the NG'rs finally! Someone's going down early and hard; just hope it's Rafa for a change!

I doubt Nole's "scared to death" about tomorrow, but I bet he's tired. Did you see his last 2 matches? He's rarely gotten out of his B-game. He played better today v. Schwartzman, who played very well indeed, but still, Diego isn't del Potro and neither one of them is Rafa. I fully expect him to rise to the challenge tomorrow. He always does in the big moments v. Rafa and Roger. But unless Rafa lets Djokovic and his own nerves get under his skin, (both are possibilities,) then he should have the advantage of being on better form, and of being more rested...by far.

Novak didn't exactly "annihilate" Rafa in RG '15. And it doesn't really mean that much that he beat him, considering that Rafa was getting beaten by everyone and his maiden aunt that year, and not just on clay. I disagree that the match tomorrow means nothing, as it's a chance to fire a last shot across the bow at each other before RG. I'm hoping the most fire-power comes from Rafa.

 

[Moxie]

In order to win tomorrow, Rafa has to come out in full flight and show aggression, which he's lacked in most of their recent contests. There will be a temptation to test Novak's legs, as he may start sluggish. But this is no time for getting immediately into long rallies. Best to show first that he's willing to take the game to Nole, then see if he's tired. I think this is Rafa's match to win, if he plays smart and holds his nerve. The pressure on him, besides it being Novak, is that he wants to go into RG with a clay title. Novak will likely think he can excuse a loss against Rafa here, if it's not too comprehensive, because of his Rome experiences. Nadal has more to lose. I hope he can clear his mind and play the game he knows he has to.

 

[Carol]

Rafa still is not playing his best level even that has finished all the matches faster and in 2 sets so it's not his fault that Novak has played most of his matches in 3 sets . Tired Novak? I don't remember to see him tired, I think he has more resistance than anyone else and tomorrow I will expect to see him playing like a lion even that his body language will show some 'tiredness' like he always like to do....nah!

 

[El Dude]

It should be a good one, although I agree with Moxie that it is more important for Rafa to win - he's got something to prove, given his clay record this year. I'd say that the winner goes into RG as the favorite.

Plus this match will give one the lead in Master's.

 

[DarthFed]

I doubt Nole's "scared to death" about tomorrow, but I bet he's tired. Did you see his last 2 matches? He's rarely gotten out of his B-game. He played better today v. Schwartzman, who played very well indeed, but still, Diego isn't del Potro and neither one of them is Rafa. I fully expect him to rise to the challenge tomorrow. He always does in the big moments v. Rafa and Roger. But unless Rafa lets Djokovic and his own nerves get under his skin, (both are possibilities,) then he should have the advantage of being on better form, and of being more rested...by far.

Novak didn't exactly "annihilate" Rafa in RG '15. And it doesn't really mean that much that he beat him, considering that Rafa was getting beaten by everyone and his maiden aunt that year, and not just on clay. I disagree that the match tomorrow means nothing, as it's a chance to fire a last shot across the bow at each other before RG. I'm hoping the most fire-power comes from Rafa.

7-5, 6-3, 6-1 is definitely an annihilation. But that is irrelevant like you said. It is a bigger match for Nadal tomorrow and I think he knows that. If he doesn't beat Nole here then clearly Djokovic would be the favorite if they meet at RG.

 

[Moxie]

7-5, 6-3, 6-1 is definitely an annihilation. But that is irrelevant like you said. It is a bigger match for Nadal tomorrow and I think he knows that. If he doesn't beat Nole here then clearly Djokovic would be the favorite if they meet at RG.

6-1, 6-3, 6-0 is an annihilation. You're just grading on a curve because it was Rafa at RG.

 

[Moxie]

Plus this match will give one the lead in Master's.

Which no one seems to give a lick about in the grand scheme of things. If Rafa ends the career with most MS 1000s, everyone will say it doesn't matter. If Novak does, they'll still say it doesn't matter, vis-a-vis Roger. Sorry, but I've been hearing the big ho-hum over MS wins since Roger stopped leading. It should matter, but I guess that's not really what's at stake.

 

[DarthFed]

6-1, 6-3, 6-0 is an annihilation. You're just grading on a curve because it was Rafa at RG.

You're being silly. In what world is 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 not a total beatdown?

 

[Moxie]

You're being silly. In what world is 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 not a total beatdown?

I'm not. 7-5 is a late break, 6-3 is probably one break. And Novak has lost a set to Rafa 1-6 more than once in important matches at Majors, and I don't hear about "annihilation." We argue what a "beat-down" means around here all the time, and I don't think that scoreline qualifies, by the standards of most. What if Novak had posted that scoreline v. Kei or Theim or Berdych or del Potro? You'd have said it was hard-fought, and the better player outlasted them in 3. As I said, I think you're grading on a curve.

 

[El Dude]

Which no one seems to give a lick about in the grand scheme of things. If Rafa ends the career with most MS 1000s, everyone will say it doesn't matter. If Novak does, they'll still say it doesn't matter, vis-a-vis Roger. Sorry, but I've been hearing the big ho-hum over MS wins since Roger stopped leading. It should matter, but I guess that's not really what's at stake.

Well, it matters but not a huge amount - not as much as Slams or overall titles. Masters are a bit odd in that they're a far-cry from Slams, but well above 500s and 250s...they're in the middle, and being in the middle makes it a bit awkward to consider on their own.

 

[Moxie]

Well, it matters but not a huge amount - not as much as Slams or overall titles. Masters are a bit odd in that they're a far-cry from Slams, but well above 500s and 250s...they're in the middle, and being in the middle makes it a bit awkward to consider on their own.

There is an argument that they're harder than Slams, as you well know, in a way, or at least as hard, in their way. All of the top players (basically) play, the field is small and limited to the top, and they don't have the day off. There is nowhere to hide, as there is with Slams, when you play lower ranked players to start, and you do get the day off. Plus, as we know, the Bo5 format favors the higher ranked/better players. The MS1000s are not "in the middle." They are way above the 250s and 500s, as you say, and they are arguably trickier than Majors, as I mentioned, and than the YEC, you could argue. At least at YEC you get a second and possibly a 3rd chance, even after you lose. MS offer a tough field, and no margin for error. They are a huge step up over 250s/500s, and I think maybe only a small one behind the YEC, which is only because of the field and points on offer.

 

[DarthFed]

I'm not. 7-5 is a late break, 6-3 is probably one break. And Novak has lost a set to Rafa 1-6 more than once in important matches at Majors, and I don't hear about "annihilation." We argue what a "beat-down" means around here all the time, and I don't think that scoreline qualifies, by the standards of most. What if Novak had posted that scoreline v. Kei or Theim or Berdych or del Potro? You'd have said it was hard-fought, and the better player outlasted them in 3. As I said, I think you're grading on a curve.

A straight set win with only one competitive set is a beatdown. I've never heard anyone argue a scoreline like that is a tough match. If Djokovic beat Kei and Berdych like that it'd be the norm because it is expected the top guys will have easy matches in majors against much lesser guys.

 

[DarthFed]

5 matches and 10 sets is not harder than 7 and 21. And yes there are still one or two easy matches at most MS events for the top guys. It's always been a silly argument pushed forth by Nadal and Djokovic fans for an obvious reason.

 

[Moxie]

A straight set win with only one competitive set is a beatdown. I've never heard anyone argue a scoreline like that is a tough match. If Djokovic beat Kei and Berdych like that it'd be the norm because it is expected the top guys will have easy matches in majors against much lesser guys.

I didn't say it was a "tough match." My argument is against "annihilation" and I think we both know what that means. This wasn't one.