Monte Carlo Rolex Masters 2021, Monaco, ATP Masters 1000

[Moxie]

Seeing what it takes to beat even this version of Nadal on clay I doubt Novak can to any damage to him in RG if they meet. Surely last year is the proof of that, but even if Novak comes in better form and better state of mind than last year it seems like he don't have any weapons anymore to hurt Nadal on clay.

Nadal's only weakness that is becoming a little more obvious is his fitness and maybe nerves when it gets tough. He does get tired these days as the match goes on and if someone is able to get in 30 shot rallies with him for 3-4 hours then that guy might have some chance, but where is that guy?

Thiem is nowhere to be found, Rublev had a great win yesterday but that is far from being a threat at RG, Novak unable to grind with Nadal on clay anymore, Tsitsipas barely beat Nadal on HC don't think he has a chance on clay. Others are not even worth mentioning at this moment.

Hey, Don Fabio! This question gets asked every year. For a long time the top 5 answers have been Rafa's body and Novak. Last year, the Djokovic answer got dented up. But I still think he's the biggest danger to Nadal at RG, after Rafa's own body. Thiem got closer last final they played. Rublev at least gave himself belief. Tsitsipas maybe? There aren't many answers, if Nadal is healthy and playing well. Look how he won it, just last Oct.

 

[Front242]

Sinner played 2 tough first sets against Nadal last year (final score was 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1) and he's improving constantly. I'd like to see an in form Karatsev play Nadal on clay out of curiosity. No chance he'd win but I'd like to see it nonetheless. Sinner though could give Nadal trouble as Nadal is a year older and Sinner is too and improving all the time. Musetti ? Wouldn't mind seeing him play Nadal either to see how he fares. I hope we get to see Federer v Nadal on clay one last time too with no wind.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

If Nadal meets Rublev at RG the same thing will happen as with Schwartzman at RG after Nadal lost to him in Rome. They can beat him in smaller tournaments in best of 3 sets, but when it comes to RG it's a whole different animal (and court conditions).

 

[Front242]

If Nadal meets Rublev at RG the same thing will happen as with Schwartzman at RG after Nadal lost to him in Rome. They can beat him in smaller tournaments in best of 3 sets, but when it comes to RG it's a whole different animal (and court conditions).

Totally. Much bigger court too.

 

[Front242]

Sinner has a much better chance against Nadal than Djokovic and the number of games won at RG proves it. Time for Djokovic fans and fans of anyone cheering on someone to beat Nadal at RG to give up on Novak. Last year's RG QF. Nadal v Sinner 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1. 11 games won. 2 close sets. Nadal v Djokovic RG 2020 final 6-0 6-2 7-5. 7 games won. Obviously the first 2 sets were an anomaly but I still stick with my assertion that Sinner has a much better chance against him. Even ancient Federer fares better on clay recently than Djokovic against Nadal and in crap windy conditions. RG SF 2019 Nadal v Federer 6-3 6-4 6-2. 9 games won. Novak had the worst recent result against Nadal on clay out of Sinner, Djokovic and Federer, with Sinner giving him the most trouble.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa pressor:

He was asked about his game yesterday. He didn't make an excuses but he said when you put so much energy being concerned about your serve, it's going to be a very difficult day against any player especially a player that is as good as Rublev. He didn't have any answers for why he served so poorly.

From what my observation, Rafa was using his arms more than he was rotating his hips through his service motion..If you EVER watch Feli Lopez service motion , the snap of the arm and wrist happens well afterwards his forward motion has thrust him into the court..Its really the perfect service motion. Sampras's serve is different because it is achieved with his cat like quickness..Both players shoulder and wrist snaps are how they achieve such great power. These two players's service are just a gift from the Gods.

 

[don_fabio]

Sinner has a much better chance against Nadal than Djokovic and the number of games won at RG proves it. Time for Djokovic fans and fans of anyone cheering on someone to beat Nadal at RG to give up on Novak. Last year's RG QF. Nadal v Sinner 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1. 11 games won. 2 close sets. Nadal v Djokovic RG 2020 final 6-0 6-2 7-5. 7 games won. Obviously the first 2 sets were an anomaly but I still stick with my assertion that Sinner has a much better chance against him.

I agree about the match with Sinner last year RG, that was the closest someone was to steal a set off Rafa and Sinner did deserve the first one, just lacked some experience in key moments.

I do have a feeling if Novak took that 3rd set in RG last year that he would take it to 5th, but most likely lose anyway, because he just can't hit through Rafa on clay in best of 5 for couple of hours. He has to hit balls too hard which he is not used to and then eventually makes too many errors.

 

[napo]

Sinner has a much better chance against Nadal than Djokovic and the number of games won at RG proves it. Time for Djokovic fans and fans of anyone cheering on someone to beat Nadal at RG to give up on Novak. Last year's RG QF. Nadal v Sinner 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1. 11 games won. 2 close sets. Nadal v Djokovic RG 2020 final 6-0 6-2 7-5. 7 games won. Obviously the first 2 sets were an anomaly but I still stick with my assertion that Sinner has a much better chance against him. Even ancient Federer fares better on clay recently than Djokovic against Nadal and in crap windy conditions. RG SF 2019 Nadal v Federer 6-3 6-4 6-2. 9 games won. Novak had the worst recent result against Nadal on clay out of Sinner, Djokovic and Federer, with Sinner giving him the most trouble.

I get your point, but are you serious? Sinner biggest threat to Nadal in RG??
Because of a tight first set in last years crazy-circumstances- RG? QF compared to SF or F?
There is no real threat to an inform Nadal on Chatrier. The closest is in-form Djokovic and Thiem, in my opinion.

 

[napo]

Rublev is playing like an almost masters champion.

 

[Front242]

I get your point, but are you serious? Sinner biggest threat to Nadal in RG??
Because of a tight first set in last years crazy-circumstances- RG? QF compared to SF or F?
There is no real threat to an inform Nadal on Chatrier. The closest is in-form Djokovic and Thiem, in my opinion.

Thiem is a big question mark with his foot injury and even before that he hadn't a hope imo. Depends on what people class as having a chance. A chance of winning a set ? Djokovic beat Nadal in RG 2015 when Nadal was playing the worst he's played at RG. Djokovic hasn't come close to 2013 RG form and that was only a SF and 8 years ago. I still say Djokovic is a no go against him there. If Nadal happens to play both Sinner and Djokovic there again this year I'll say now that I think Sinner will again give him more of a fight and win more games against him.

 

[napo]

Thiem is a big question mark with his foot injury and even before that he hadn't a hope imo. Depends on what people class as having a chance. A chance of winning a set ? Djokovic beat Nadal in RG 2015 when Nadal was playing the worst he's played at RG. Djokovic hasn't come close to 2013 RG form and that was only a SF and 8 years ago. I still say Djokovic is a no go against him there. If Nadal happens to play both Sinner and Djokovic there again this year I'll say now that I think Sinner will again give him more of a fight and win more games against him.

Just to be sure, you talk about “the Sinner” that lost a few days ago against “the no-go”?

 

[Front242]

Just to be sure, you talk about “the Sinner” that lost a few days ago against “the no-go”?

Yup. Different match up. Different match.

 

[Jelenafan]

Rublev ruled Rudd in the battle of the Ru’s 6-3, 7-5.

Rublev at the end did what he does best, just hit the seams out of the ball and was not overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment, which happened at Miami.

Against Tsitsipas he has a great chance, just has to keep his head and play his game. The man with the flowing awe inspiring coif I think is moving up to # 7, overtaking Federer.

 

[Front242]

Casper got a Ruud awakening.

 

[Moxie]

I have to watch Rublev in the rerun, but I'm happy with this final. As a side note: Neal Skupski is kind of a dish!

 

[Moxie]

Sinner played 2 tough first sets against Nadal last year (final score was 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1) and he's improving constantly. I'd like to see an in form Karatsev play Nadal on clay out of curiosity. No chance he'd win but I'd like to see it nonetheless. Sinner though could give Nadal trouble as Nadal is a year older and Sinner is too and improving all the time. Musetti ? Wouldn't mind seeing him play Nadal either to see how he fares. I hope we get to see Federer v Nadal on clay one last time too with no wind.

Not to split hairs, but Nadal will be only 7 months older when they play RG this year. They way he won it (w/o dropping a set, under very adverse conditions for him,) and particularly the way he beat Djokovic in the final is a bad omen for the field. And in a month from now he should be in-form. That said, yes, Rublev is improving and gaining in confidence and experience. I think he could definitely give Rafa trouble at RG, but his fitness is still questionable for a long, hard slog on clay. I don't have a feel for Karatsev's game yet, but Musetti is coming along nicely and I like his game. I think we are all still always hoping for the increasingly rare Fedal matches. I still think they are the marquee match-up of this era, for the contrast in styles and pure star wattage.

Thiem is a big question mark with his foot injury and even before that he hadn't a hope imo. Depends on what people class as having a chance. A chance of winning a set ? Djokovic beat Nadal in RG 2015 when Nadal was playing the worst he's played at RG. Djokovic hasn't come close to 2013 RG form and that was only a SF and 8 years ago. I still say Djokovic is a no go against him there. If Nadal happens to play both Sinner and Djokovic there again this year I'll say now that I think Sinner will again give him more of a fight and win more games against him.

I could see why you want to "sell" on Djokovic v. Rafa at RG, but I still think he's the biggest threat to Nadal at the French, though his stock on that did go down a lot in the last final. Folks have been using the intangible "in Rafa's head" argument for years to game Novak's chances against him at the FO, including arguing for his chances in finals where he didn't make the date. But he has never played him like in the SF in 2013, as you say, and beat him only when he got the C- minus Rafa. The "in his head" X-factor is gone at RG, for sure, and is more likely the opposite. But he has the big-match experience and a game that gives Nadal a hard go. And I really don't think Thiem will ever be tough enough for the task. I think Sinner, Rublev and Tsitsipas are shaping up to be guys that might give him a go, if the old man hangs in long enough. But it's hard to see who'll finish the job this year, unless something has seriously changed for Rafa since last October.

 

[Moxie]

Rublev ruled Rudd in the battle of the Ru’s 6-3, 7-5.

Rublev at the end did what he does best, just hit the seams out of the ball and was not overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment, which happened at Miami.

Against Tsitsipas he has a great chance, just has to keep his head and play his game. The man with the flowing awe inspiring coif I think is moving up to # 7, overtaking Federer.

I had to go to the live rankings to see which head of hair you were referring to, as they are both pretty nice, though I know that much is made of Rublev's. Actually, on the live rankings, Stefanos also gets to a CH #5, and yes, the Russian will pass Roger. (Speaking of Roger, when is he scheduled to make his next appearance?)

As to the final, I'll be happy with either. The Greek has the more interesting game, though the Russian, while he does hit the snot out of the ball, doesn't come off as just a ball basher, (the way Khachanov does, and I don't care for his game, in general.) He plays with more grit and thoughtfulness than that. Either way, we have a new MS 1000 winner, and on clay. I'll be curious to see who wants it more, and whose game holds up under the pressure. Could be a great final. Hope so.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I had to go to the live rankings to see which head of hair you were referring to, as they are both pretty nice, though I know that much is made of Rublev's. Actually, on the live rankings, Stefanos also gets to a CH #5, and yes, the Russian will pass Roger. (Speaking of Roger, when is he scheduled to make his next appearance?)

As to the final, I'll be happy with either. The Greek has the more interesting game, though the Russian, while he does hit the snot out of the ball, doesn't come off as just a ball basher, (the way Khachanov does, and I don't care for his game, in general.) He plays with more grit and thoughtfulness than that. Either way, we have a new MS 1000 winner, and on clay. I'll be curious to see who wants it more, and whose game holds up under the pressure. Could be a great final. Hope so.

I'm pulling for the Russian..

 

[don_fabio]

Russian and the greek are developing an interesting rivalry. They are worthy watching. I root for Rublev.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I know Stefano is glad it's the top ranked Russian who is across the net. If so he last name would've been Tsitspus..

Rafa will be looking for "blood" in Barcelona.