Internazionali BNL d'Italia- Rome ATP1000 - 14th May to 21st May

[Puppet Master]

Rafa was getting bullied so much in this match. I didn't know Dominic could play with THIS level of intensity. Monstrous winners. Suddenly he has become a favourite if Rafa goes out. We just need to see if he can shut Nadal down for good, and not let him back into it.

 

[Fiero425]

A lot of free points on serve for Thiem! I know I needed them in my hay day! Very impressive! One game away! ...Done!

 

[kskate2]

Rafa was getting bullied so much in this match. I didn't know Dominic could play with THIS level of intensity. Monstrous winners. Suddenly he has become a favourite if Rafa goes out. We just need to see if he can shut Nadal down for good, and not let him back into it.

There's something to be said about playing someone so many times in recent weeks. Anyway, I've seen him play to this level before but like AP said, he's dangerous in a BO3. There's no way he can maintain this amount of aggression in a 5-setter w/o making a ton of errors too.

 

[Carol]

It also seems that my wish is getting real, Thiem killing himself and Rafa going home to rest and practice to get RG in the best conditions. The bad part is that Thiem tomorrow will be dead and lose

 

[DarthFed]

I don't think a win by Thiem changes the dynamic heading into RG, Rafa is the overwhelming favorite regardless. Only a loss to Novak at this tourney would possibly change that IMO. It's also worth noting that Rafa never swept all 5 clay tourneys, he skipped 2010 Barcelona and Hamburg in 05 and 06. Maybe he's superstitious.

 

[crystalfire]

rafa lost wuuutttt wasnt expecting that on clay this year with no fed and djoker and murray playing sub par

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thiem figured out the only way to beat Rafa on clay is to attack relentlessly and live with the errors that result from that. You cannot play on Rafa's terms on clay. Today, it worked out. It won't always. But this is still the only way.

 

[Fiero425]

Thiem figured out the only way to beat Rafa on clay is to attack relentlessly and live with the errors that result from that. You cannot play on Rafa's terms on clay. Today, it worked out. It won't always. But this is still the only way.

Nothing new really! It's how Fabio does it does it to Rafa! A lot of flash, flourish, and frustration for Nadal to deal with! Nice wins by Next Gen!

 

[Moxie]

Excellent Dominic Thiem today. Personally, I've never seen him play better. I've been surprised that the bookies haven't been putting his odds higher at RG, though that will probably change today. On TTC, Austin, Annacone and Shieras have been calling Thiem the 2nd favorite there all week.

 

[Moxie]

Nothing new really! It's how Fabio does it does it to Rafa! A lot of flash, flourish, and frustration for Nadal to deal with! Nice wins by Next Gen!

I don't think it's a secret that that's a good tactic (against anyone frankly), but I wouldn't act so ho-hum about it. Do you know how many winners folks like Fognini, Pouille and Thiem had to produce to pull it off? As if anyone can do it any time they decide to, eh?

 

[Fiero425]

Excellent Dominic Thiem today. Personally, I've never seen him play better. I've been surprised that the bookies haven't been putting his odds higher at RG, though that will probably change today. On TTC, Austin, Annacone and Shieras have been calling Thiem the 2nd favorite there all week.

Ya gotta get to a Masters final before becoming a fave at a Major IMO! There's a reason we haven't had many upsets over the last decade where 4 players have owned the tour like no others in the OPEN ERA! :suicide: :demon:

 

[BIG3]

Congratulation to Thiem. What a brilliant performance.

I won't read too much on Rafa's loss today. He virtually went to final in every tournaments this season, even most intensively than Nole in 2016. Nole and Andy played back to back on clay and split the titles, but Nole was clearly favorite on RG. The same plot for Rafa and Thiem.

The only slight downside for Rafa is his chance of YE # 1, if any.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm with you that I wouldn't mind seeing Rafa bow out gracefully v. Thiem and then get some rest. If he won tomorrow, he'd pass Stan and go to #3, but that makes no never mind to RG. It doesn't seem like anything from here on in changes the ranking for the French, just some bragging rights. I wouldn't mind seeing Rafa beat Djokovic one more time, but that would put him in the final, which is a lot of tennis.

You two females casted bad juju over Rafa match today..He read your posts and lost the incentive to stay with Dominic today..now we all have to endure the likes of herios, Front, Benedict Dude and Darth gloat about Rafa's demise.. its gonna be a dreadful weekend..,LOL

Really.. he needed to be off the courts and getting prepared for RG.. nothin to be gain by winning today's match..

Vamos and Onwards to RG

 

[Carol]

Yes! everything happens for a reason and this loss is the best thing can happen for Rafa. Now I'm convenced that he will win RG and probably willl be better prepared for the grass
Congrats to Thiem and I'd like that he would lift the trophy but I'm afraid he won't, hope to be wrong

 

[Fiero425]

I don't think it's a secret that that's a good tactic (against anyone frankly), but I wouldn't act so ho-hum about it. Do you know how many winners folks like Fognini, Pouille and Thiem had to produce to pull it off? As if anyone can do it any time they decide to, eh?

Never said it was easy, but it's the only real way to give yourself a chance unless a member of the Big 4 who can play Rafa toe to toe!

 

[bajana]

Yes! everything happens for a reason and this loss is the best thing can happen for Rafa. Now I'm convenced that he will win RG and probably willl be better prepared for the grass
Congrats to Thiem and I'd like that he would lift the trophy but I'm afraid he won't, hopemto be wrong

Well, even if Thiem doesn't win Rome, don't despair. You can still hope he'll win RG

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don't think a win by Thiem changes the dynamic heading into RG, Rafa is the overwhelming favorite regardless. Only a loss to Novak at this tourney would possibly change that IMO. It's also worth noting that Rafa never swept all 5 clay tourneys, he skipped 2010 Barcelona and Hamburg in 05 and 06. Maybe he's superstitious.

Good point Darth..,however Rafa has won a couple of Clay Salms(master series 1000 plus RG)

 

[Carol]

Well, even if Thiem doesn't win Rome, don't despair. You can still hope he'll win RG

Everything could happen but I can tell you from now....nope!

 

[El Dude]

A nice surprise to wake up to. Perhaps my hope of a Thiem-Zverev final will come through. I'll be happy with Del Potro...worst case scenario would be Novak-Isner. Blah.

 

[Carol]

You two females casted bad juju over Rafa match today..He read your posts and lost the incentive to stay with Dominic today..now we all have to endure the likes of herios, Front, Benedict Dude and Darth gloat about Rafa's demise.. its gonna be a dreadful weekend..,LOL

Really.. he needed to be off the courts and getting prepared for RG.. nothin to be gain by winning today's match..

Vamos and Onwards to RG

Lol, I feel guilty in one way but trust me, this is the best thing for him, h did a little too much and enough, time to fish and to rest :fishing: and ready for the 10