2022 Australian Open Men’s Quarterfinal: Rafael Nadal vs. Denis Shapovalov

[rafanoy1992]

Nadal leads the H2H record 3-1 and winning the last three encounters including their epic match at Rome last year. This will be their first encounter at a Slam so different stakes here. Shapovalov is improving so it will be an interesting match.

 

[don_fabio]

Nadal in 4 or 5. I chose in 5.

 

[tented]

Hmmm … I’ll go with Rafa in 4.

 

[Moxie]

I went Rafa in 4, too, which I think is the likeliest, but also a hopeful choice. Denis is historically inconsistent, but he also seems to be maturing. I'll be nervous for this match. 2 Lefties in a row for Nadal.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

They did play this year in Abu Dhabi and although it's an exhibition I'm sure they tried to win. I feel that Nadal has improved since then as it was only his second match in a long time. Even Murray beat him there in the first match. It won't be easy but I do expect Nadal to win in 4 or 5.

 

[Moxie]

I just heard there is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms in Melbourne. I do hope they don't close the roof.

 

[10isfan]

I don’t see rain in the hourly forecast.

 

[tented]

I just heard there is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms in Melbourne. I do hope they don't close the roof.

Looks ok:

 

[Moxie]

I don’t see rain in the hourly forecast.

They did a weather report on Tennis Channel, and said that, but it was Fox News Weather, so...fake news? (Sorry, I couldn't resist. No offense to anyone intended.)

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am using my Australian wild card not to jinx Rafa lol! I have recorded my result above for later.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

They did a weather report on Tennis Channel, and said that, but it was Fox News Weather, so...fake news? (Sorry, I couldn't resist. No offense to anyone intended.)

Moxie you need glasses I told you the weather forecast in Melbourne hours ago.

 

[Moxie]

Moxie you need glasses I told you the weather forecast in Melbourne hours ago.

Weather forecasts change. I was just injecting a bit of drama. LOL

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Weather forecasts change. I was just injecting a bit of drama. LOL

Its a Rafa match thats enough drama no?

 

[rafanoy1992]

No drama so far in the first three games. Nadal is serving particularly well as of right now. We will see if he can pressure Shapo's serve.

As for Shapo, I can see that he will have some tricky time to handle Nadal's ball especially during this hot conditions.

 

[rafanoy1992]

See, this Shapo's dilemma: He has to be aggressive or else Nadal will pounce on him. If he is too aggressive, then he will hit A LOT of errors.

0-40 now...

Just like that, Nadal breaks Shapo's serve.

Yeah, Nadal's ball is FLYING right now!

 

[tented]

See, this Shapo's dilemma: He has to be aggressive or else Nadal will pounce on him. If he is too aggressive, then he will hit A LOT of errors.

0-40 now...

Just like that, Nadal breaks Shapo's serve.

Yeah, Nadal's ball is FLYING right now!

Do you think Shapo will be able to settle down and get back in it?

 

[rafanoy1992]

Do you think Shapo will be able to settle down and get back in it?

Absolutely! Also, Nadal tends to get nervous especially towards the end of the set. Shapo just gotta weather the storm...

 

[tented]

Absolutely! Also, Nadal tends to get nervous especially towards the end of the set. Shapo just gotta weather the storm...

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking: watch Rafa get broken when serving for the set. We’ve seen the movie plenty of times.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Shapo needs to start serving better. He can't be passive or missing 1st serves because Nadal will pounce on that...

 

[Moxie]

Great point!