March 2016
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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic square off in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rome Masters.
Rafael Nadal is coming off a three set victory over Nick Kyrgios that took 31 games to decide. Nadal showed his classic fight after dropping the first set in his last match and pretty much dominating the rest of the way. Nadal has now won 15 of his last 16 matches, all of which have come on his favorite surface. Nadal is no longer making the countless silly errors he was in 2015, and he’s starting to look more and more like peak Nadal. Eight of Nadal’s last 10 wins have been decided in straight sets, and he seems to buckle down when needed. Nadal is a scary opponent heading into the French Open. Nadal hopes to reach the semifinals of the Rome Masters for the 10th time.
- FanDuel gives Nadal (+110) the slight edge over Djokovic (+125), with Tsitsipas (+1000) and Schwartzman (+2300) the dark horses to pick up the title. Tags: Diego Schwartzman French Open Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Stefanos Tsitsipas Similar Guides On This Topic.
- Nadal comes into their clash as a -144 favorite over Djokovic (+120), according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Nadal Chasing 13th French Open Title, 100th Win. In the semifinals, Nadal defeated Diego Schwartman in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-0). It was yet another win for the most successful French Open champion of all time.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic often are involved in tiebreakers in their chosen line of work, so this should be right up their alley. Novak Djokovic is through to the #RomeMasters final and comes up against Rafael Nadal tomorrow for the 8th time in Rome. They've met each others 53 times in the past. Djokovic leads 28-25 against the Spaniard.
Novak Djokovic is coming off a three set win over Thomaz Bellucci, a match in which he lost the first set 0-6. Djokovic has certainly been shaky in his last two matches but continues to dig deep and find ways to win like he usually does. Djokovic has still lost just one match since the Indian Wells Masters and completely sucks the life out of an opponent whenever there’s an opening to take control of the match. There’s really not much more you can say about Djokovic, who seems destined for damn near every final with the way he’s played the last few years. Djokovic hopes to reach the semifinals of the Rome Masters for the seventh time.
These two have played 48 times, and Djokovic has won 25 of those meetings. The most recent match was in this year's Indian Wells Masters, a match Djokovic won in straight sets. Djokovic has beaten Nadal in six straight matches and Rafa’s last win came in the 2014 French Open. Nadal is 14-6 against Djokovic on clay court.
You guys know I don’t bet against Djokovic often regardless of the situation. However, Nadal is back in terrific form and is playing on his favorite surface. Nadal has also won 14 of the 20 matches against Djokovic that take place on clay. This seems like a good spot where Nadal can snap his losing streak to his rival.
I’m siding with Nadal to get the victory here.
Randy’s PickRafael Nadal
Defending champion Rafael Nadal produced a typically dominant clay-court performance to beat top-seed Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to lift Italian Open crown. This is his record ninth triumph at Rome. This is also the fifth time that Nadal met Djokovic in the final of the Italian Open. In their previous four finals at Rome against each other, both players have won two apiece.
Nadal Vs Djokovic French Open
In the Women’s section, world number five Karolina Pliskova defeated the tournament’s dark horse Johanna Konta to win the title.
Nadal Strikes Early
Nadal came to the match fully charged up, while Djokovic had starting problems because of the possible fatigue from the difficult matches he played in the semifinal and quarterfinal. Nadal blazed away by unleashing winners after winners.
The Spanish maestro won the first set 6-0 before Djokovic even realizing what had hit him. Incidentally, this is the first time Djokovic losing a set 6-0 against Nadal. An angry Djokovic tried to stage a comeback. He succeeded in it in the second set. He won the second set 6-4 to take the match to the third set.
Nadal Raises His Game
Nadal displayed imperious form in the third set. He gave away just one game to the opponent. He retrieved the ball like a machine and hit winners like an artist. He very much looked like the clay-court monster that he once was. He gave no chance to the Serbian and clinched the title.
This is a great morale booster for Nadal ahead of the French Open. He said:
“Winning a title is important, but for me the most important thing is feel myself competitive, feel myself healthy. Then with the feeling that I am improving. I know if I’m able to reach my level you can win, you can lose, but normally I’m going to have my chances, especially on this surface.”
Pliskova Lifts Italian Open Crown
Pliskova showed her class in the comfortable win over the British challenger Konta. She won the crucial moments of the match to settle the final in straight sets: 6-3, 6-4. This is the first final appearance at Rome for both the players.
Djokovic Vs Nadal Record
Konta has been the dark horse in the tournament, having defeated some of the top-ranked players. But she could not repeat the feat in the final, as Pliskova maintained her top form to brush aside the British number one’s challenge.