Mutua Madrid Open 2017 Clay Masters

[Front242]

If Nadal doesn't manage to beat Djokovic now, he probably never will again as Novak surely can't stay this bad much longer. Novak in 2, gobbling up short balls and returning too well for Rafa to hold serve easily, pounding his 2 handed backhand to Rafa's forehand making him commit too many forehand errors. The doubt will sink in and time to go fishing. Can't see Rafa going from not winning a set in ages against him to suddenly winning.

 

[Kieran]

If Nadal doesn't manage to beat Djokovic now, he probably never will again as Novak surely can't stay this bad much longer. Novak in 2, gobbling up short balls and returning too well for Rafa to hold serve easily, pounding his 2 handed backhand to Rafa's forehand making him commit too many forehand errors. The doubt will sink in and time to go fishing. Can't see Rafa going from not winning a set in ages against him to suddenly winning.

But you only play the match in front of you. As somebody said, these two win matches against each other in streaks, so both have gone from losing a lot of matches, to turning tables on the other. And it's no coincidence that Nole's current streak occurred at the same time as Rafa's most bleak period in the game. It would be a bigger surprise if Novak didn't take advantage of that.

If Rafa is dumping short balls again, then it isn't a good sign. He's been aggressive all week. But he became that man in Miami too, and at other times this year when he felt anxious, and if it happens today then it tells me that he's still not back, and he's psychologically unable to compete at the very top - for now...

 

[Front242]

To be honest, neither would surprise me, probably be close enough no matter who wins but my reasoning for my prediction is the short balls. He doesn't always hit them but they've been part of his game now since 2009 really when he lost to Soderling. When he gets rattled he gets more passive and those moon balls get more commonplace. Lesser players may allow him get away with that but not the top 5 guys. But we'll see. Not long to wait now.

 

[Kieran]

To be honest, neither would surprise me, probably be close enough no matter who wins but my reasoning for my prediction is the short balls. He doesn't always hit them but they've been part of his game now since 2009 really when he lost to Soderling. When he gets rattled he gets more passive and those moon balls get more commonplace. Lesser players may allow him get away with that but not the top 5 guys. But we'll see. Not long to wait now.

No, they've been a feature of his game forever, and it happens as you say, "when he gets rattled." So today he's got that mental hump to climb over. I fancy him to do it, but if he doesn't, then it shines a whole different light on Rome, and Paris...

 

[britbox]

Nadal/Djoker is 4pm Madrid Time. Cuevas/Thiem doing the night shift at 9.30 - too late IMO.

 

[the AntiPusher]

To be honest, neither would surprise me, probably be close enough no matter who wins but my reasoning for my prediction is the short balls. He doesn't always hit them but they've been part of his game now since 2009 really when he lost to Soderling. When he gets rattled he gets more passive and those moon balls get more commonplace. Lesser players may allow him get away with that but not the top 5 guys. But we'll see. Not long to wait now.

No, they've been a feature of his game forever, and it happens as you say, "when he gets rattled." So today he's got that mental hump to climb over. I fancy him to do it, but if he doesn't, then it shines a whole different light on Rome, and Paris...

Remember they have been practicing just as Pouille learn something from practicing with Rafa in USO..this may be something Rafa picked up to build on vs Djoker

 

[Front242]

18C/65F and cloudy in Madrid. Meant to hit 32C/89.6F on Tues/Weds. Probably a good thing for Novak it's much cooler today.

 

[the AntiPusher]

18C/65F and cloudy in Madrid. Meant to hit 32C/89.6F on Tues/Weds. Probably a good thing for Novak it's much cooler today.

Sure hot temperatures does favor high bouncing preferably Nadal but he has played in ,chilly conditions all spring, not a big deal really

 

[Front242]

Whole court wide open and Novak hits it the wrong way :cover

 

[Front242]

Nadal's playing way better right now.

 

[Front242]

Djokovic looks like he's easily half a step slower. Getting to balls late and out of position.

 

[kskate2]

So far this is a bludgeoning. I can only hope it will get more competitive in the 2nd set. I'm not even a Novak fan, but this is hard to watch from him

 

[Carol]

I see the score, does someone can tell me how good Rafa is playing? reading some comments is a little confuse depending from who is coming

 

[kskate2]

Nadal is playing well. Someone already said that. But Novak is still the sloppy UE machine he's been all year.

 

[Front242]

Expecting Novak to break here based on absolutely nothing.

 

[Front242]

Expecting Novak to break here based on absolutely nothing.

Well, he got to 40-30 Novak looks like a player ranked 50 right now.

 

[kskate2]

I think rating in the top 50 is too kind. Tiafoe looks way better than him and he's closer to what 75 or 80?

 

[Front242]

Getting uglier and uglier from Novak.

 

[Front242]

I think rating in the top 50 is too kind. Tiafoe looks way better than him and he's closer to what 75 or 80?

Yeah was typing 100 first and scratched my head. I mean, Nadal's playing very well but this is just ugly from Novak. Can't see the 2nd set being any better either. Novak's shot selection is awful too. Going for the inside out forehand to attempt to wrong foot Nadal when the whole opposite side is wide open. He's done that multiple times and missed by miles and some poor drop shots that Andy Roddick could do better. Most know Roddick was famously bad at them.

 

[Front242]

Note to Novak, that's how to hit a drop shot. Nicely done by the angry scowling one.