2022 Roland Garros Men's Final: Rafael Nadal vs. Casper Ruud

[Jelenafan]

From a technical standpoint, Ruud’s backhand will be severely tested by Nadal’s forehand. One thing for sure: Ruud’s backhand is not like Djokovic’s and Zverev’s. So, Nadal will not have a problem doing CC exchanges. Ruud’s serve is super effective though especially on Clay. Also, his Forehand has variety so he should able to hang with Nadal somewhat.

The other thing is Ruud’s never actually faced Rafa’s lefty game in areal match. From what many say there is no way to “practice” for it, the way the topspin and pace is so unique.

 

[don_fabio]

Ruud has no weapons to hurt Nadal. Will be similar final like Nadal - Ferrer. Probably easy 3 sets if Nadal plays good, if Nadal plays worse then closer 3 sets.

 

[Moxie]

The other thing is Ruud’s never actually faced Rafa’s lefty game in areal match. From what many say there is no way to “practice” for it, the way the topspin and pace is so unique.

This, and nerves may make the first set difficult for Ruud. Hopefully, Rafa comes out white-hot.

Ruud has no weapons to hurt Nadal. Will be similar final like Nadal - Ferrer. Probably easy 3 sets if Nadal plays good, if Nadal plays worse then closer 3 sets.

I don't know: he's got a good serve, and it was working very well yesterday. Plus, he's a clay-courter, meaning that he has great movement, which is also a weapon. Rafa is 36 now, and looked all of it v. Zverev. Hopefully he's gotten over what I very much believe was an emotional letdown after beating Novak, and has recovered from the awful conditions yesterday.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa has said today he does not want the roof to be closed, humid conditions, are heavy, also finds it hard to use his spin on his fhand that is effective.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Rafa has said today he does not want the roof to be closed, humid conditions, are heavy, also finds it hard to use his spin on his fhand that is effective.

Bad news: There will be rain tomorrow so roof will be close

Good news: The rain will not come until 4:15 local time so Nadal has a chance to strike

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bad news: There will be rain tomorrow so roof will be close

Good news: The rain will not come until 4:15 local time so Nadal has a chance to strike

Thanks, people were also saying the roof at RG does not have a good cooling system, other players have complained when it was closed, saying the same thing, gee they spent a great deal of money on it, you would think they would get it right, maybe it is the design up the top.Lets hope Rafa comes out and plays like he did against Novak.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BTW Rafa and Casper have played one another at Rafa's academy lol! just watched a video of them.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

For the first time, Rafa will have faced 4 Top 10 players in a row at same Grand Slam tournament.

 

[rafanoy1992]

BTW Rafa and Casper have played one another at Rafa's academy lol! just watched a video of them.

Who won?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Who won?

Rafa it was close, though it was really a practice session not a real match in ways.
Different kettle of fish in a GS final and on Chatrier dont you think?

 

[rafanoy1992]

This, and nerves may make the first set difficult for Ruud. Hopefully, Rafa comes out white-hot.

I don't know: he's got a good serve, and it was working very well yesterday. Plus, he's a clay-courter, meaning that he has great movement, which is also a weapon. Rafa is 36 now, and looked all of it v. Zverev. Hopefully he's gotten over what I very much believe was an emotional letdown after beating Novak, and has recovered from the awful conditions yesterday.

I think he will play a level below Djokovic’s match and a level above Zverev’s match. At 36 years old, it is just hard for Nadal to duplicate on what he did against Djokovic. However, he can definitely play better than he showed against Zverev.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think he will play a level below Djokovic’s match and a level above Zverev’s match. At 36 years old, it is just hard for Nadal to duplicate on what he did against Djokovic. However, he can definitely play better than he showed against Zverev.

I was not surprised Rafa came out flat against Sasha, I agree he had a bit of a let down,after playing Novak in his q/final, also the conditions were slow and heavy, it was such a defensive match, before Sasha had that horrific fall.
This is a GS final on Chatrier Rafa knows what he has to do., let us hope the rain stays away, for both players.

 

[kskate2]

French Open Order of Play for Finals Day 15 - Sunday, June 05, 2022

 

[rafanoy1992]

I was not surprised Rafa came out flat against Sasha, I agree he had a bit of a let down,after playing Novak in his q/final, also the conditions were slow and heavy, it was such a defensive match, before Sasha had that horrific fall.
This is a GS final on Chatrier Rafa knows what he has to do., let us hope the rain stays away, for both players.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the rain will go away, however; the conditions might not be as bad as Friday because it won’t be raining too hard on Sunday.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Unfortunately, I don’t think the rain will go away, however; the conditions might not be as bad as Friday because it won’t be raining too hard on Sunday.

We cannot control the weather, though Rafa did win in 2020 with similar conditions, even though it was held in October due to COVID

 

[Jelenafan]

This, and nerves may make the first set difficult for Ruud. Hopefully, Rafa comes out white-hot.

I don't know: he's got a good serve, and it was working very well yesterday. Plus, he's a clay-courter, meaning that he has great movement, which is also a weapon. Rafa is 36 now, and looked all of it v. Zverev. Hopefully he's gotten over what I very much believe was an emotional letdown after beating Novak, and has recovered from the awful conditions yesterday.

Well, Ferrer was an awfully good claycourter and had very good movement. I agree with you that the Ruud serve is an actual offensive weapon (unlike Ferrer’s ).

FAA, Djokovic and Zverev had a variety of powerful weapons in their arsenal. Rafa has had to go through a minefield of good severs, good FH’s and good BH’s and players with exceptional movement.

Ruud is very steady, which wrecks havoc with an opponent being erratic. He grinded down Cilic.

Of course Nadal is the fave, but it’s so just nerve wracking because you dont know a player’s form that day until they actually start playing. Alcaraz was so flat versus Zverev as was Rafa vs Zverev.

 

[Moxie]

Well, Ferrer was an awfully good claycourter and had very good movement. I agree with you that the Ruud serve is an actual offensive weapon (unlike Ferrer’s ).

FAA, Djokovic and Zverev had a variety of powerful weapons in their arsenal. Rafa has had to go through a minefield of good severs, good FH’s and good BH’s and players with exceptional movement.

Ruud is very steady, which wrecks havoc with an opponent being erratic. He grinded down Cilic.

Of course Nadal is the fave, but it’s so just nerve wracking because you dont know a player’s form that day until they actually start playing. Alcaraz was so flat versus Zverev as was Rafa vs Zverev.

I'm going with Rafanoy above who thinks Rafa will be above his level of yesterday, but below his level of Friday. Hopefully only a bit below. As Margaret says above, it's the Final on Chartrier, and Nadal knows what he has to do. Also, Carillo who once said that Rafa has an instinct for peaking on the final Sunday at Roland Garros. Hoping the rain doesn't mess with conditions too much.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Well, Ferrer was an awfully good claycourter and had very good movement. I agree with you that the Ruud serve is an actual offensive weapon (unlike Ferrer’s ).

FAA, Djokovic and Zverev had a variety of powerful weapons in their arsenal. Rafa has had to go through a minefield of good severs, good FH’s and good BH’s and players with exceptional movement.

Ruud is very steady, which wrecks havoc with an opponent being erratic. He grinded down Cilic.

Of course Nadal is the fave, but it’s so just nerve wracking because you dont know a player’s form that day until they actually start playing. Alcaraz was so flat versus Zverev as was Rafa vs Zverev.

Hell, I am getting the nerves already and the match isn’t in 16 hours!

Also, @Moxie and @MargaretMcAleer I hope you gals have your lucky items with you for tomorrow jajajaja

 

[Moxie]

Hell, I am getting the nerves already and the match isn’t in 16 hours!

Also, @Moxie and @MargaretMcAleer I hope you gals have your lucky items with you for tomorrow jajajaja

I'm all set with the lucky shirt and the candle.

 

[Moxie]

Here's a question, if anyone knows the answer, or can find it: when was the last time any of the Big 3 played someone in the final of a Major that they had never faced before? Or anyone in a men's Slam final, for that matter?