2021 Roland Garros...ATP 2000...Paris, France

[stotty]

Novak in my opinion is the only player in the draw that can conceivably hold up mentally to win three sets against him.

You're right, he is. I have never lost faith Novak can beat Rafa at the FO because they have had some mightily close matches there in the past. Novak is the only player with any kind of record at all against Rafa on clay. But it is a huge undertaking at this stage in the tournament. As stroke points out, Rafa seems even more invincible than ever, and the reason for that is he more aggressive than he has ever. He serves better these days and his forehand is deadly and without doubt the best the game has seen. Roger's, despite it's poetic beauty, can break down at times whereas Rafa's is just so secure and so physically hard to play against.

Betting odds, Stef has an implied probability of 71.4% of winning vs Alex. Nadal implied probability is 73.3 % chance of winning vs Novak. Nadal, even though to me he has slowed down court coverage wise much more than Novak from their prime, he is somehow looking more unbeatable. His forehand, certainly at the very least the best clay court forehand of all time, is looking as menacing as ever.

I make the odds about right. Stephanos is the player in form in my view and I love his positivity. I hope he wins as Zverez is likely to wilt is he gets through whereas I think Stephanos will put up a better fight against Rafa.

Novak needs to be at his immaculate best tomorrow. I am hoping he will hit his forehand quite a bit harder. Just hitting those handful of forehands harder towards the end of the match against Berritini made all the difference in the world and brought up the break of serve to win him the match. Above all, Novak needs his precision to be working perfectly.

[stroke]

Betting odds, Stef has an implied probability of 71.4% of winning vs Alex. Nadal implied probability is 73.3 % chance of winning vs Novak. Nadal, even though to me he has slowed down court coverage wise much more than Novak from their prime, he is somehow looking more unbeatable. His forehand, certainly at the very least the best clay court forehand of all time, is looking as menacing as ever.

[jthb1021]

I heard an amazing stat about Rafa. If a players wins the first point on their serve against Rafa, they will go on to hold serve 70% of the time. If a player loses the first point on their serve, then 2 out 3 times they will be broken.

That’s in incredible statistic! The pressure that he applies mentally on that court is unlike anything our sport has ever known. This stat says basically it’s set point on the first point of each of your service games. That’s crazy!!
Novak in my opinion is the only player in the draw that can conceivably hold up mentally to win three sets against him. I wouldn’t bet on it though!!
If a man truly believes he can win against Nadal on Chatrier how do you find or what is the perfect mix of relaxation, concentration, and the toll physically to win three sets against Nadal? You have to maintain that for over three hours to get it done and fight off some major demons to climb to the summit. The final is tomorrow.
Stef and Zverev are just playing for the runner up plate and the ability to congratulate Rafa and his team on #14, thank their own team, thank the tournament organizers, volunteers, and finally the fans, and see ya next year. It’s good to get some practice with air time in the trophy presentation, there’s an art to it. Maybe next year guys...I wouldn’t bet on that either

[stotty]

Brilliant fourth set by Novak...slightly against the run of play I might add. An education in that if all else falls just concentrate on holding serve with authority.

[stotty]

Novak continues to hold serve wonderfully...5-4 to Novak

[stotty]

And to make it worse, he may have to play Nadal. He has a chance. If anyone thinks he can beat Nadal, there is going to be good money to be had.

Yep...he was focused to win in three for that reason. Hard work from here, and Berry is in with a shout of winning if he can keep the momentum his way. Hasn't made much impact on Novak's serve so far though.

[stroke]

And to make it worse, he may have to play Nadal. He has a chance. If anyone thinks he can beat Nadal, there is going to be good money to be had.

[stotty]

It's everything Novak doesn't want...a momentum shift and a protracted route to the semi final. Berrettini is growing in confidence and his weight of shot is starting to hurt. Novak continues to hold on to his serve with aplomb so far in the fourth. Novak needs to keep away from Berrettini's forehand right now...at all costs.

[stroke]

Well it's a fourth set after two uncharacteristic errors from Novak in the tiebreak. Shame, Novak will have to work for it now, and the crowd, as usual, are totally against him.

True, but no matter. The shamdemic curfew about to kick in ha.

[stroke]

Well that is about as good example of the minuscule margains in men's tennis as one will see. Matteo wins 3rd set in tiebreaker. Novak had 14 winners and 5 errors in the set and won more total points. He also, serving at 5-4 in the tiebreaker, made 2 of the 5 errors. He then lost the tiebreaker 7-5.

[stotty]

Well it's a fourth set after two uncharacteristic errors from Novak in the tiebreak. Shame, Novak will have to work for it now, and the crowd, as usual, are totally against him.

[stotty]

Novak would like an efficient win here. He would like to conserve all the energy he can. A long match would scupper his slim chances against Rafa.

Let's see if Berritini can make some kind of impact here in the third set. Novak looking better in every facet of the game so far.

[stroke]

An in the mood Novak continues in lockdown mode winning the 2nd set 6-2. He had 5 winners and 2 errors.

[jthb1021]

Novak is dominating this match especially on second serve returns. Berretinni is currently winning 27% of his second serve points. That’s gonna lead to a quick demise!

[stroke]

Vintage totally engaged Novak wins 1st set 6-3 with 14 winners and 9 errors. Berrettini played well, just not as well as Novak.