2022 Australian Open Men's Semifinals: Rafael Nadal vs. Matteo Berrettini

[rafanoy1992]

Nadal won their only meeting in the 2019 US Open Semifinals in three sets, but the 1st set was super close with Berrettini having three set points in the tiebreaker.

It should be a good match...

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I'm glad that Nadal has 2 days off because he looked very tired. I say GOATdal will win in 4 sets.

 

[tented]

I’d love Rafa to win in straights, but I’m going with 4.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I’d love Rafa to win in straights, but I’m going with 4.

If he wins the first two sets, I will get the "doubts" again, no?

 

[Moxie]

Berrettini has not looked imperious in this tournament. With a good recovery, and getting back to the way he played Khachanov, he could win in 3, but I gave Babycakes a set, anyway.

 

[tented]

If he wins the first two sets, I will get the "doubts" again, no?

You think it will happen two matches in a row? I doubt it. I think he got overheated, and will learn what to do to avoid that again.

 

[rafanoy1992]

From a technical standpoint, Berrettini's backhand will get super tested once again. Berrettini better serve well and hit his forehand well or else Nadal will eat that backhand slice ALL day long.

As for Nadal, return of serve is once again key. I am hoping he will get aggressive not get too comfortable on standing way back of the court

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa v Berrettini match will be played RLA day session from 2.30pm local time Friday 28th January.
I just got an email from TA saying they are releasing extra tickets for this match.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

If Nadal beats Berrettini and makes the final, who in your opinion would be more difficult for Rafa, Tsitsipas or Medvedev?

 

[kskate2]

Tits for sure would be the harder match

 

[Moxie]

Tits for sure would be the harder match

I don't agree with that, at all, in spite of the AO upset of Nadal last year. Tsitsipas is not nearly as sturdy, and he has not yet won a Major. He was up 2 sets to love in his lone final so far, and still managed to lose. I think Medvedev takes a lot of positives away from his win today, and he knows he can win a Major.

 

[Jelenafan]

I don't agree with that, at all, in spite of the AO upset of Nadal last year. Tsitsipas is not nearly as sturdy, and he has not yet won a Major. He was up 2 sets to love in his lone final so far, and still managed to lose. I think Medvedev takes a lot of positives away from his win today, and he knows he can win a Major.

Jon Wertheim on Sports Illustrated the other day quoted the Matts Wilander rule:

“You can’t be a favorite to win a Major until you’ve won a Major.”

 

[kskate2]

I don't agree with that, at all, in spite of the AO upset of Nadal last year. Tsitsipas is not nearly as sturdy, and he has not yet won a Major. He was up 2 sets to love in his lone final so far, and still managed to lose. I think Medvedev takes a lot of positives away from his win today, and he knows he can win a Major.

It's a matter of opinion, isn't it? I'm not basing this solely on his win in the QF last year. I agree he isn't as sturdy mentally, but he has more variety in his game than Meddie and can trouble Nads more in the forecourt. Med is pretty much a baseliner and Nadal can game plan easier than what Tits will throw at him.

 

[kskate2]

Jon Wertheim on Sports Illustrated the other day quoted the Matts Wilander rule:

“You can’t be a favorite to win a Major until you’ve won a Major.”

Surely, we're not relying on anything Medicated Mats has to say.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Surely, we're not relying on anything Medicated Mats has to say.

Matts really can't help himself of late,maybe he does have to up his medication,it is clearly not working lol!
Any tennis fan with a brain would just dismiss what Matts has to say.

 

[Moxie]

It's a matter of opinion, isn't it? I'm not basing this solely on his win in the QF last year. I agree he isn't as sturdy mentally, but he has more variety in his game than Meddie and can trouble Nads more in the forecourt. Med is pretty much a baseliner and Nadal can game plan easier than what Tits will throw at him.

Of course it's a matter of opinion. I didn't say you were wrong, just that I disagreed. But I appreciate hearing your reasoning, and I gave you mine. I still go with the sturdiness, and I do think Meddie has variety in his game, just a quirkier version, but yes, much more baseline.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa v Berrettini match will be played RLA day session from 2.30pm local time Friday 28th January.
I just got an email from TA saying they are releasing extra tickets for this match.

I sort of wish he weren't playing daytime again, but this will be a switch-up for Berrettini, who, IIRC, hasn't played many day matches.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

I sort of wish he weren't playing daytime again, but this will be a switch-up for Berrettini, who, IIRC, hasn't played many day matches.

I think it will be an advantage for the winner of the match (hopefully Nadal) because it will give him extra time to rest before the final compared to Medvedev/Tsitsipas.

 

[Moxie]

I think it will be an advantage for the winner of the match (hopefully Nadal) because it will give him extra time to rest before the final compared to Medvedev/Tsitsipas.

A little bit. It will make a bigger difference if the winner (hopefully Rafa,) gets through without getting too bashed up, and Medvedev and Tstitsipas bash each other up quite a bit, which is possible. But they're both young.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I sort of wish he weren't playing daytime again, but this will be a switch-up for Berrettini, who, IIRC, hasn't played many day matches.

I agree,I just hope the temps aren't like in his match against El Shapo...