nadaLIVc - Rome Final Poll

[GameSetAndMath]

Who wins and why?

Cast your (public) vote before the match starts and justify your vote if you care to.

p.s. This is the first poll which lists all possible endings of a tennis match.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak will win it in three sets.

Sure Novak played terribly against both JMDP and Shortman. That is a total Red Herring. He is waiting for this moment to bring the heat.
Just as losing to RBA in Doha is no indicator of Rafa faltering in AO, these previous matches are no indicator of the level of performance
Novak will bring in the finals. When you play a lesser player, often one takes for granted and does not bring their A games. When the lesser
player plays with belief and energy, it turns into a dog-eat-dog fight with the better player eventually winning. That is the only explanation we can provide to Nole's grumpy performances in the last two matches.

I would have chosen Nole in 2 (and would not be surprised if that is what happens tomorrow), but for the fact that Ralph is rounding up to
form and would be desperate to win a clay title before RG.

Finally, don't forget that the lease in Ralph's head has not expired.

 

[Moxie]

I'll be so happy when we give up the cliche of a player having a "lease" or "paying rent in" another's head. I'd pay money to see it retired along with any references to "bakery products." Bagel and breadstick take it far enough.

 

[Moxie]

Novak will win it in three sets.

Sure Novak played terribly against both JMDP and Shortman. That is a total Red Herring. He is waiting for this moment to bring the heat.
Just as losing to RBA in Doha is no indicator of Rafa faltering in AO, these previous matches are no indicator of the level of performance
Novak will bring in the finals. When you play a lesser player, often one takes for granted and does not bring their A games. When the lesser
player plays with belief and energy, it turns into a dog-eat-dog fight with the better player eventually winning. That is the only explanation we can provide to Nole's grumpy performances in the last two matches.

I would have chosen Nole in 2 (and would not be surprised if that is what happens tomorrow), but for the fact that Ralph is rounding up to
form and would be desperate to win a clay title before RG.

Finally, don't forget that the lease in Ralph's head has not expired.

As you noted, Novak has been far from his best. I know you want to think it's a "red herring," but if he were able to not be on the court until 1 am, or for 3 hours v. Schwartzman, I think he would have chosen not to. He was not. As I said on the other forum, I am sure he'll rise to his full height, to the point that he's able, to face Nadal. But I'm not clear he can summon it at will, at this point. He finds the courts slippery. He gets grumpy over small things. He complains to his box about his equipment and the courts, which is a sure diversion for "my game isn't there." Well, we'll see tomorrow.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

One thing that I admit is that the conditions certainly favor Ralph.

 

[tented]

Novak in straights.

 

[don_fabio]

I'll go with Nadal today, he showed better tennis than Novak during this tourney. Just hope he is ready to overcome his confidence issues and poor results against top 10 in 2019.

 

[Moxie]

Novak definitely feeling the effects of the last couple of days and off to a slow start. Nadal playing the way he needs to - more aggressively.

 

[don_fabio]

Novak fighting to get on a scoreboard

 

[Moxie]

Novak fighting to get on a scoreboard

And not yet. Rafa serves for the set 5-0.

 

[don_fabio]

And not yet. Rafa serves for the set 5-0.

Amazing start.

 

[don_fabio]

And not yet. Rafa serves for the set 5-0.

You were complaining about bakery products and this is the first one between them.

 

[Front242]

Only able to view the scores but Fiero must be feeling pretty bad right now. :cuckoo:

 

[Moxie]

TV says the only time that either has bageled the other.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

this is the reverse of madrid for djokovic..there he was rested and played a tired tsitipas who played late nights..

in rome rafa is rested and djoko is tired after late night matches..

the scheduling has decided the results of both finals..at least have night finals..b-but tv or stuff i hear the organizers cry, better that than shit one sided predictable finals.

 

[Moxie]

^ I don't think this is all about scheduling. Rafa's much more rested because he's playing better and has spent several fewer hours on court. I definitely think Djokovic is tired, but it's not just because he was up late the last 2 nights. If he were playing better, he'd have won much more quickly.

 

[don_fabio]

Djokovic starts fist pumping. We might get a fight.

 

[Moxie]

I expected him to wake up at some point.

 

[DarthFed]

Nothing I hate more than a confident peasant. Maybe RG will be a formality after all. Regardless of which of these two wins RG it is clear Roger's work is not done.

 

[don_fabio]

Novak throwing back to back drop shots. He might snatch this set.