Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome - ATP Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak will regroup tonight and be ready tomorrow.

We shall see,these conditions heavy do not suit his play at all.

 

[the AntiPusher]

We shall see,these conditions heavy do not suit his play at all.

I don't agree. Heavy or dry. Novak is the Best as making adjustments..

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nadal falls on his hip trying to reach a dropshot. Curious situation. But he seems alright. Won already next point.
Zverev becomes stronger and stronger, now BP!

That was great fall by Rafa (if a fall can be considered a good one ) and it's a blessing he didn't roll or turn his ankle..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't agree. Heavy or dry. Novak is the Best as making adjustments..

The Young Greek hits a heavier ball and these conditons suit him,I am not surprised he won the 1st set,he also has a early break leading 2-1 in the 2nd set
Just looked at the weather conditions in Rome for the weekend,thank goodness not a day like today.
So lets see how both players respond in the 2nd set tomorrow,
Players will have to double up tomorrow in matches that were cancelled.

 

[Jelenafan]

I don't agree. Heavy or dry. Novak is the Best as making adjustments..

What I think is that Novak is the best I've ever seen of getting out of mental funks during a match. Granted those are many times self inflicted, but it's uncanny how Novak somehow switches the engines back on, even after giving away games, a set or even two after a meltdown. McEnroe, Safin, etc couldn't do that. (didn't see him but I hear Pancho Gonzales could sulk all through a match and still win)

As to conditions, windy or other outdoor conditions can be his Achilles heel, don't think he mentally adjusts well all the time to those.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Matches for tomorrow
Center Court starting at 11.00am
Match will resume between Novak v Stefanos with Stefanos 64 2-1

Not before 1pm,
Nadal v Opelka

Grand Court Arena starting at 11.00am
Sonego v Rublev

Not before 6.30pm on Center Court,
Djokovic or Tsitsipas vs Sonego or Rublev

 

[the AntiPusher]

The Young Greek hits a heavier ball and these conditons suit him,I am not surprised he won the 1st set,he also has a early break leading 2-1 in the 2nd set
Just looked at the weather conditions in Rome for the weekend,thank goodness not a day like today.
So lets see how both players respond in the 2nd set tomorrow,
Players will have to double up tomorrow in matches that were cancelled.

We shall see

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What I liked about Rafa's match he saved all 8BPs in the 2nd set,generally he was control of the match,showed no signs of fatique.Conditions in Rome suit him better,than the high altitude in Madrid.

 

[Moxie]

What I think is that Novak is the best I've ever seen of getting out of mental funks during a match. Granted those are many times self inflicted, but it's uncanny how Novak somehow switches the engines back on, even after giving away games, a set or even two after a meltdown. McEnroe, Safin, etc couldn't do that. (didn't see him but I hear Pancho Gonzales could sulk all through a match and still win)

As to conditions, windy or other outdoor conditions can be his Achilles heel, don't think he mentally adjusts well all the time to those.

Agreed that Novak can turn himself around mentally very often, and go from grump back to champ. (That's why nehmeth used to call it the "Nolecoaster" for his fans.) You're right about Safin. When he got sulky, he usually lost the match. Don't agree about McEnroe, though. He actually used his outbursts to positive effect for himself, not something that most can do.

Some of the Djokovic fans raised the question here earlier as to whether or not he really wanted to be there in Rome. He does love Rome, but the weather has made him unhappy. He doesn't always work well with adverse weather conditions, as you say. I guess we'll see tomorrow how much he's willing to fight for the final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

After the match he didn't say anything about it so I hope he is alright

Rafa said some on the lines on the court were too high,the reason he fell.

 

[Moxie]

Matches for tomorrow
Center Court starting at 11.00am
Match will resume between Novak v Stefanos with Stefanos 64 2-1

Not before 1pm,
Nadal v Opelka

Grand Court Arena starting at 11.00am
Sonego v Rublev

Not before 6.30pm on Center Court,
Djokovic or Tsitsipas vs Sonego or Rublev

This definitely does suck for the eventual finalist from the top half of the draw. You and Jelenafan were right to say that turns out to have been lucky that Rafa got an early start. Forget I ever complained.

As for Nadal v. Opelka, I guess Opelka, like Isner, isn't that much fun for anyone to play. (Or watch, for that matter.) They've never played, but Opelka's serve will take the racquet out of Rafa's hand. (Probably literally.) Rafa's going to have to have a good serving day, and hope not to get into all TBs.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa said some on the lines on the court were too high,the reason he fell.

The commentators on my TV said they hoped they might come in and nail the lines back down after that fall. I saw them do that during Rafa's match v. Shapo, I think. I was rather surprised to see how DIY those lines are.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The commentators on my TV said they hoped they might come in and nail the lines back down after that fall. I saw them do that during Rafa's match v. Shapo, I think. I was rather surprised to see how DIY those lines are.

Very slack by court officials who should make sure sweeping and levelling the court between matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

This definitely does suck for the eventual finalist from the top half of the draw. You and Jelenafan were right to say that turns out to have been lucky that Rafa got an early start. Forget I ever complained.

As for Nadal v. Opelka, I guess Opelka, like Isner, isn't that much fun for anyone to play. (Or watch, for that matter.) They've never played, but Opelka's serve will take the racquet out of Rafa's hand. (Probably literally.) Rafa's going to have to have a good serving day, and hope not to get into all TBs.

I wached Opelka match before I went to work he has a great kicker serve,I hope Rafa has a good ROS day,agree with you he has to serve well.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Just finished watching The Young Greeks match v Novak before it was cancelled
The Young Greek's defense to me has improved out of sight,his shot is heavier than Novak's and deserves being 1 set and a break in the 2nd set.conditions suit him better.Players have to adjust their playing in all weather conditions,being grumpy does not win you a tennis match.Weather will be better over the weekend in Rome.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Agreed that Novak can turn himself around mentally very often, and go from grump back to champ. (That's why nehmeth used to call it the "Nolecoaster" for his fans.) You're right about Safin. When he got sulky, he usually lost the match. Don't agree about McEnroe, though. He actually used his outbursts to positive effect for himself, not something that most can do.

Some of the Djokovic fans raised the question here earlier as to whether or not he really wanted to be there in Rome. He does love Rome, but the weather has made him unhappy. He doesn't always work well with adverse weather conditions, as you say. I guess we'll see tomorrow how much he's willing to fight for the final.

Moxie you are correct and I was going to comment that McEnroe actually played more inspired..only 1984 RG vs Lendl was the one time John should have not let his focus get cloudy.. John was up 2 sets to love and a break in the third..he was giving Ivan a clay court lesson and then he loses his cool and the match..By far the WORST defeat in his career and he still have nightmares of it. I have a feeling I may be accurate in my prediction that Novak will regroup and take the match

 

[the AntiPusher]

This definitely does suck for the eventual finalist from the top half of the draw. You and Jelenafan were right to say that turns out to have been lucky that Rafa got an early start. Forget I ever complained.

As for Nadal v. Opelka, I guess Opelka, like Isner, isn't that much fun for anyone to play. (Or watch, for that matter.) They've never played, but Opelka's serve will take the racquet out of Rafa's hand. (Probably literally.) Rafa's going to have to have a good serving day, and hope not to get into all TBs.

I heard Rafa is going to have the back linesman's chair boxes remove so he can stand back further to return Opelka serve!

 

[Moxie]

Moxie you are correct and I was going to comment that McEnroe actually played more inspired..only 1984 RG vs Lendl was the one time John should have not let his focus get cloudy.. John was up 2 sets to love and a break in the third..he was giving Ivan a clay court lesson and then he loses his cool and the match..By far the WORST defeat in his career and he still have nightmares of it. I have a feeling I may be accurate in my prediction that Novak will regroup and take the match

Good point. I have heard that that match haunts McEnroe. Actually, he says it.

Another person in the equation tomorrow in the Djokovic match is Tsitsipas. He's got the hot hand this clay season, and he's going to want that match. It's far from all dependent on Novak. He may sleep fitfully tonight knowing that he's only got to hold his serve and his nerve to get out of that match in straights, and to have a decent shot at the final. But he's very ambitious, and it's far from just up to Novak.

 

[Moxie]

I heard Rafa is going to have the back linesman's chair boxes remove so he can stand back further to return Opelka serve!

Seriously? Or is that a joke?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Moxie you are correct and I was going to comment that McEnroe actually played more inspired..only 1984 RG vs Lendl was the one time John should have not let his focus get cloudy.. John was up 2 sets to love and a break in the third..he was giving Ivan a clay court lesson and then he loses his cool and the match..By far the WORST defeat in his career and he still have nightmares of it. I have a feeling I may be accurate in my prediction that Novak will regroup and take the match

Well I will say the Young Greek will prevail