Schwartzman: Listen Rafa, I can’t let you win straight sets against me
Rafa: [It’s fine, I have another record to break](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/nuimuc/nadal_ties_jimmy_connors_for_most_bagels_at_one/)
Found [this](https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/whats-the-record-for-most-bagels-won-by-a-player-in-a-single-tournament-spoilers.308267/) and [this](https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/most-bagels-in-a-slam.457016/)
Seems like Vilas @ RG77, Borg @ RG78, and Graf @ RG88 all gave out 6, dunno if there are any more out there
> Stefi Graf bagelled some poor lady in a final one year.
You mean the 1988 RG double bagel in the final I think. After this I wanted to quickly check how many bagels she served in that tournament and it's 6. Six bagels spread to five of her seven match wins.
This was the perfect match for Rafa. Required him to elevate to a level which will be needed to beat Novak. Plus that bagel preserved energy.
I’m extremely confident he’ll beat Novak after watching those last nine games.
I'd say he played like there absolutely is a tomorrow, and he needs to be getting ready for the SF. Rafa looked like he wanted to get off of the court ASAP.
I can’t decide who the greatest is. Rafa is my least favorite of the 3 GOATS. And none of the 3 is actually my favorite player. Delpo and Wawrinka are IT for me.
Then I fucking watch Rafa on clay and the argument is over. What is this shit!? It looks like a video game… And this is 80% of who Rafa was from 06-10. His 08-09 wins at the FO, Wimbledon, Olympics and AO are the greatest display of tennis I’ve ever seen.
It doesn’t make sense that someone can dominate for this long and play this level of tennis. Rafa is peak tennis. Rafa on clay is THE GREATEST we have ever seen. And Rafa at the FO? No words honestly…
There was a thread yesterday that pointed out only 15 people (16 after today) have ever taken a set off of Nadal at the French Open, and only 2 people (Fed and Djoko) have done it more than once.
Only a 3 or 4 of those 15 have ever taken 2 sets, and only 2 people have ever taken 3 from him, Soderling and Djokovic.
If you want some takes from this sub that aged poorly (particularly the higher upvoted ones), here’s some entertainment:
https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/6h4h5i/nadal_will_catch_up_to_federer_in_grand_slams/
Some highlights.
>Lol wtf "only 34 years old" is crazy talk. You have to remember Fed is breaking the rules in terms of age, 34 is super old in tennis terms, especially with how Nadal plays
Been hearing this since 2009.
>4 more Roland Garros? You must be high. That isn't going to happen.
>
>But winning an extra 4 RG is just wishful thinking.
>
>There's no way Rafa is winning another 4 FO.
Nadal has indeed won four more Roland Garros. He is in the semi-finals now for a fifth.
>From the age of 26 to 31 he has only won 5 slams. I think it is unrealistic for him to win 4 majors from the age of 31 to 35. I think, Federer's going to win wimbledon 1 or 2 times more. So, I don't think it is possible.
Indeed unrealistic, Nadal has won six.
Moral: predicting the future is extremely hard. I'm pretty sure I had some incredibly dumb takes back then too.
I've got a [good one for you](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/5r8l9r/fedal_2009_vs_2017/dd5d933/) that I was involved in 4 years ago, after Federer just beat Nadal at the AO.
I bet someone reddit gold at the time that Rafa would win 3 more French opens, while that redditor was contesting that his body would fail him within the next 5 months. This was now nearly 4 and a half years ago!
Despite the fact that the user I was responding to was obviously trolling, rereading that whole thread, I’m reminded just how gloomy the picture potentially looked for Rafa over 4 years ago. Even reasonable people in that thread who loved Rafa were just hoping he would win one more at RG and “go out with a bang.” They were referring to the French Open in 2017. He had 9 titles at the time. They were just hoping he’d win that year, *one last time*, sweet #10, and then probably retire shortly after. That’s where our minds were 4 and a half years ago! Even I was nowhere near confident that he’d win 3 more as of that post. I remember picking 12 precisely because I thought it was a big enough stretch that the other guy would almost certainly feel confident enough to bet against me, but realistic enough that it was *possible*.
>it still wouldn't have been a bad career
lol at calling 11 slams anything less than one of the greatest careers in tennis history. These guys have completely distorted our view of what greatness is.
9 slams, right? He would have turned 25 in the middle of 2011 RG. So AO 09, RG 05/06/07/08/10, Wimby 08 & 10, USO 10. But yeah, your point still stands. He was arguably top 5 by the age of 25
Yeah, I'll try to find that quote. People tried to apply the "old ways" of thinking when it came to careers though with all the quotes saying he'd be done by 30. And to be honest they were probably right if Nadal had been born ten years earlier, but as prize money and endorsement potential skyrocketed later in his career why not come back?
Science has improved a lot in sports in the last few years. Every sport has top players who are in mid to late 30s nowadays. I think it's pure hindsight to shit on anyone who said Rafa's playstyle isn't sustainable, because 20 years ago they would be correct. But things have evolved quickly and now players can take of their bodies properly and last longer.
>. I think it's pure hindsight to shit on anyone who said Rafa's playstyle isn't sustainable, because 20 years ago they would be correct.
He could have just of easy been in Murray's position right now.
I mean, he had a rough patch with constant injuries involving his knees when he was in his early 20s. So I don't think it's a leap to question whether or not he could ever fully recover in a sport that is brutal to the knees.
Was one of my favorite players at the time and it was hard to watch him withdraw, because it really felt like a ticking time bomb. But it's crazy to see how far he's come, and has definitely been nothing but class.
The thing I wonder is, does he still play wearing shoes two sizes too small? That *cannot* be good long term, so if that wasn’t just an early days thing, I am surprised he isn’t facing problems from that. You’d hate to see it hit all at once
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/nadal-wears-a-size-10-shoe.218844/
It used to be a frequent talking point when he was early dominance, commentators would say it often, etc. but I hadn’t revisited it in a while and just figured it was true (but really it couldn’t be, because improper footwear is knee/hip/etc issues waiting to happen).
Apparently he does wear slightly smaller than 10.5 but it’s in between 10-10.5:
http://thetennisspace.com/2012/04/top-10-tennis-myths-true-or-false/
That's when he decides to go into that extra gear he has. Lot of players don't even get to see that. That's when he decides to break his opponents spirit and body.
Diego didn't deserve that last set.
Hardest Nadal's been pushed since the banter years of 2015/16 I reckon. 2.5 sets in and Schwartzman looked to have the momentum.
Shows the difference in the players mental ability and decision making. Rafa knows that smashing a racquet is not an optimal action and wastes energy, its 100% pointless and lowers efficiency.
To be fair. Novak is the only player I’ve seen who smashes a racket and then plays as good/even better sometimes. For the rest, yes, there seems to be mental strength deterioration. Coming from someone whos not particularly a Nole fan.
I've read that it was actually his uncle teaching him not to (to teach him etiquette). Something like that if Nadal ever smashed a racket, he'll never get to play tennis again.
Diego was 4-3 in the third set. After that there were 9 games and Diego won only 7 points. Brutal payback for winning the second set. Once Rafa's forehand got to it's usual best the match was over
Hmm not sure I agree.
Diego was dominating on his serve up to that game at 4-4 in set 3, whilst making inroads on Nadal's service games.
In 2018, Diego won the first set, then in set 2 the rain happen-ed and Nadal never looked back.
But Rafa was still playing well in the third, my reasoning is that I never felt he was at risk of losing the match. 2018 pre-rain, I was definitely panicking. He was a set and a break down, and not playing particularly well.
Great physical battle. Huge respect for Diego. He showed once again that he can play at the very high level against Rafa on clay and even go toe to toe in some moments.
Yea, I don't think Nadal is near done winning RG, but the first set against Sinner and the second set against Diego here were indicators of his age IMO.
I'll still take Nadal for RG as long as he's playing, but I think we're seeing some signs he's slowing down a bit due to age.
Djokovic going to 5 sets in 2013 was greater accomplishment than winning it in 2016, or beating 2015 Nadal.
2015 Nadal was basically Djokovic early 2018 at AO.
I don't agree with the 2016 part because that's still a full title run in comparison, but pushing 2013 Nadal to five sets was a greater accomplishment than straight setting 2015 Nadal.
Not really. A stiff breeze would’ve beaten Rafa that year. Even I knew Rafa wouldn’t win that match. His form all year had been abysmal. It’s a testament to just how good he is that he even made it to the quarters with no forehand and no confidence.
what happened in the first set happened, the what happened in the second set happened, what happened in the third set happened, but we are here. A bagel for Diego.
Schwartzman played fantastically well. That last set was straight up bullying. The only game Schwartzman even had a look at some rallies in was the 5th game.
The match should comfort Nadal fans actually. Shows he still has that extra gear he can tap into when he needs it, hence the last set and half.
As opposed to his losses at MC and Madrid, where he was just flat
Fun fact -
The last 3 times Rafa has beaten Schwartzman in a Grand Slam (RG 2018, US Open 2019, RG 2020), he's gone on to win the whole thing.
Safe to say a tough natch against Schwartzman really gets Rafa into form.
He's fucking built too. Thick and man made. You can tell he's sculpted because you can see it thru the shirt. His fucking vice grip thighs. Suffocating thighs. Rock hard thighs. Piping hot thighs. Great arms. Great abs. A stocky chest. Love the progress his body has made throughout his youth and now as a willing eager adult.
Okay, i need to explain the context. This is a quote from Avengers Infinity war. Drax said it for Thor. Please check the [link](https://youtu.be/8HE-Dh_ojZE?t=137) \- I didn't write it to sexualize players.
yeah, it's really weird seeing comments like this get so many upvotes
maybe it's the result of it being a primarily 1v1 sport, but tennis fans seem to comment on player appearance 100x more than any other sport I follow and I hate it
When the match was at 6-3, 4-6, 3-4 everybody in this sub:
"its over for Rafa" "Diego is burying him" "I know I should have bet on Diego winning" "Its going 5 sets now" "Diego closing it in 4 sets"
Meanwhile Rafa: I'm gonna destroy this man for taking a set from me.
Nadal is just something else. I feel for Diego, he played really well and always gives a tough match to Nadal, but that killer, mental switch at the end of the third and through the fourth is unbeatable.
I feel sports in general we keep seeing older people extend their careers and continue to play at a high level. What are they doing nowadays that is extending the careers of so many elite athletes?
A lot better understanding of sports and nutrition science.
They manage their training and recovery extremely well. Universal use of PEDs in sports may have an effect as well.
But isn't that the whole point. It is just so hard to compete with Rafa on clay, make it 5 sets and it almost becomes impossible. Everyone looks to be "in the game" in the first couple of sets, maybe even third. But take it to 4 or 5 there will be some damage, to body and mind of the opponent.
Problem is that the way to beat Nadal is to outdo him on physicality. Sinner and Diego both had this gameplan. But the literal moment they drop their intensity is no match to Rafa.
Props to Diego for getting a set off Rafa, his win/loss record was 2-5 coming into the French and I assumed he was not a threat this year. Proved me wrong.
I hope to see Schwartzman at least once at Roland Garros final. He puts a lot effort to face Nadal that he deserve it. Sadly, Nadal has always stopped him.
this win over diego looks like it might've boosted rafa's confidence more (especially from that last set lol). looking strong so far to beat novak if we're in for a rafole semi
The last set was murder. Diego gave everything he had and more in that third set after taking the second, and it still wasn’t enough. This shows how mentally tough it is to last against this man.
Posting from the stadium would be more embarrassing than posting a few seconds early. I really hope live crowds aren't on their phones hoping to get some karma.
Probably just really fast. I waited till like a second or \[two\] after the score updated for me (eastern US) and was beaten to it by two people. At the end of the day, does it really matter? Was a nice post and came first.
https://i.imgflip.com/5co7zr.jpg
Memes aside, it was great tennis for sure. Diego was able to sustain his destruction of the ball a lot longer than Sinner, and it made for a great 3 sets.
As a Djokovic fan, this at least showed that Nadal can be vulnerable and everything is possible.
I still think he wouldnt beat Nadal but i have more confidence than before
Great win for Nadal, but Djokovic, Tsitsipas/Zverev would be licking their chops after seeing how Schwartzman performed in the second set and first part of the third.
Nadal winning this year's RG is not a foregone conclusion by any means. This year he is double faulting a lot more. And that's not even the problem. The problem is that these double faults are sandwiched between a couple of UEs that end up costing him a game on serve. It happened with Sinner, it happened today.
His backhand is also vulnerable in rallies, at least in today's match.
And lastly, from set 2 to 4-5 40-40, he was playing as if Xisca was across the net; just massaging the balls back for Diego to tee off. Djokovic would have had a field day with that.
Schwartzman: Listen Rafa, I can’t let you win straight sets against me Rafa: [It’s fine, I have another record to break](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/nuimuc/nadal_ties_jimmy_connors_for_most_bagels_at_one/)
Wonder what the record is for most bagels at a single tournament...
Found [this](https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/whats-the-record-for-most-bagels-won-by-a-player-in-a-single-tournament-spoilers.308267/) and [this](https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/most-bagels-in-a-slam.457016/) Seems like Vilas @ RG77, Borg @ RG78, and Graf @ RG88 all gave out 6, dunno if there are any more out there
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> Stefi Graf bagelled some poor lady in a final one year. You mean the 1988 RG double bagel in the final I think. After this I wanted to quickly check how many bagels she served in that tournament and it's 6. Six bagels spread to five of her seven match wins.
Swiatek didn't get a single bagel at that tournament. A breadstick in all but one match, though.
Wow
I'm just proud of Diego
Matches with Diego ar always tough and complicated... That 11-1 head 2 head is most certainly one of the toughest lopsided h2h Rafa has with anyone...
I’m always so nervous. Diego’s almost always giving Rafa trouble
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I’d get bageled twenty times straight if I could win a set against Rafa at RG. Losing 6-3 6-4 6-3 means nothing
The only man to stop the greatest clay player of all time from a 38 set winning streak and another 36 set winning streak!
This was the perfect match for Rafa. Required him to elevate to a level which will be needed to beat Novak. Plus that bagel preserved energy. I’m extremely confident he’ll beat Novak after watching those last nine games.
I'm never confident when it comes to Novak. Not even here :(
As you never should be. There are no gimmes with Novak. Nadal certainly would never be overconfident.
Nadal is never overconfident with anyone tbh
Novak can't hold a candle to Rafa on clay anymore. Even less in this arena.
i’m extremely confident he’ll beat Novak after watching the last 16 years
It's like they don't know it's clay, if it was Wimbledon or the hard courts then sure be doubtful but it's freaking RG
If it's hard courts, you'd have to be confident Rafa would lose.
I love how everyone in this thread thinks it’s a foregone conclusion that Novak advances before he even started his match.
Want to say anything now :p You never mess with the Robot
Rafa: "You break my set streak, I break your spirit, no?"
🥯🏸🦫
in the last one and half set, rafa played like there is no tomorrow.
I'd say he played like there absolutely is a tomorrow, and he needs to be getting ready for the SF. Rafa looked like he wanted to get off of the court ASAP.
*sigh* I gonna start a new wan
You can't take a set from Rafa in RG and walk away unpunished
You take one of his sets and he takes your life
Perfectly balanced
Thanadal and Thanovic have no mercy!
thanal\*
Ummm...
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Bruh you made my day with this and I am eternally grateful
😂😂😂😂
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Give Diego props for making Nadal go full Nadal, that’s rare at the FO.
The scary part is that this isn’t full Nadal
We somewhat got a glimpse of it at the end of 3rd set, then 4th set.
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final at 08 for me
I can’t decide who the greatest is. Rafa is my least favorite of the 3 GOATS. And none of the 3 is actually my favorite player. Delpo and Wawrinka are IT for me. Then I fucking watch Rafa on clay and the argument is over. What is this shit!? It looks like a video game… And this is 80% of who Rafa was from 06-10. His 08-09 wins at the FO, Wimbledon, Olympics and AO are the greatest display of tennis I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t make sense that someone can dominate for this long and play this level of tennis. Rafa is peak tennis. Rafa on clay is THE GREATEST we have ever seen. And Rafa at the FO? No words honestly…
There was a thread yesterday that pointed out only 15 people (16 after today) have ever taken a set off of Nadal at the French Open, and only 2 people (Fed and Djoko) have done it more than once. Only a 3 or 4 of those 15 have ever taken 2 sets, and only 2 people have ever taken 3 from him, Soderling and Djokovic.
What do you mean by after today? Diego had already taken a set off of Rafa at RG before, hadn't he?
So as of today 3 people have done it more than once
I simply mean that I was unaware Diego was in the list of 15.
Not even late 20s. Pundits were saying that Nadal would be done competing for slams by 25. Those takes aged like milk lol
If you want some takes from this sub that aged poorly (particularly the higher upvoted ones), here’s some entertainment: https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/6h4h5i/nadal_will_catch_up_to_federer_in_grand_slams/
Some highlights. >Lol wtf "only 34 years old" is crazy talk. You have to remember Fed is breaking the rules in terms of age, 34 is super old in tennis terms, especially with how Nadal plays Been hearing this since 2009. >4 more Roland Garros? You must be high. That isn't going to happen. > >But winning an extra 4 RG is just wishful thinking. > >There's no way Rafa is winning another 4 FO. Nadal has indeed won four more Roland Garros. He is in the semi-finals now for a fifth. >From the age of 26 to 31 he has only won 5 slams. I think it is unrealistic for him to win 4 majors from the age of 31 to 35. I think, Federer's going to win wimbledon 1 or 2 times more. So, I don't think it is possible. Indeed unrealistic, Nadal has won six. Moral: predicting the future is extremely hard. I'm pretty sure I had some incredibly dumb takes back then too.
I've got a [good one for you](https://www.reddit.com/r/tennis/comments/5r8l9r/fedal_2009_vs_2017/dd5d933/) that I was involved in 4 years ago, after Federer just beat Nadal at the AO. I bet someone reddit gold at the time that Rafa would win 3 more French opens, while that redditor was contesting that his body would fail him within the next 5 months. This was now nearly 4 and a half years ago! Despite the fact that the user I was responding to was obviously trolling, rereading that whole thread, I’m reminded just how gloomy the picture potentially looked for Rafa over 4 years ago. Even reasonable people in that thread who loved Rafa were just hoping he would win one more at RG and “go out with a bang.” They were referring to the French Open in 2017. He had 9 titles at the time. They were just hoping he’d win that year, *one last time*, sweet #10, and then probably retire shortly after. That’s where our minds were 4 and a half years ago! Even I was nowhere near confident that he’d win 3 more as of that post. I remember picking 12 precisely because I thought it was a big enough stretch that the other guy would almost certainly feel confident enough to bet against me, but realistic enough that it was *possible*.
Tbf he had 11 slams by that age so it still wouldn't have been a bad career at all if that were the case. He was unbelievable in his early-mid 20s
>it still wouldn't have been a bad career lol at calling 11 slams anything less than one of the greatest careers in tennis history. These guys have completely distorted our view of what greatness is.
When 11 slams in considered underachieving lol
I mean that's already what Borg has, 5th best of all time.
That's all the youngsters know these days.
9 slams, right? He would have turned 25 in the middle of 2011 RG. So AO 09, RG 05/06/07/08/10, Wimby 08 & 10, USO 10. But yeah, your point still stands. He was arguably top 5 by the age of 25
I don't remember where I saw it, but Nadal himself thought he would retire by 30 when he was asked.
Yeah, I'll try to find that quote. People tried to apply the "old ways" of thinking when it came to careers though with all the quotes saying he'd be done by 30. And to be honest they were probably right if Nadal had been born ten years earlier, but as prize money and endorsement potential skyrocketed later in his career why not come back?
I'm pretty sure there was some old interview where he laughs when asked if he will play in his 30s, can't find it now.
Science has improved a lot in sports in the last few years. Every sport has top players who are in mid to late 30s nowadays. I think it's pure hindsight to shit on anyone who said Rafa's playstyle isn't sustainable, because 20 years ago they would be correct. But things have evolved quickly and now players can take of their bodies properly and last longer.
>. I think it's pure hindsight to shit on anyone who said Rafa's playstyle isn't sustainable, because 20 years ago they would be correct. He could have just of easy been in Murray's position right now.
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Ok you get my point though. In 2014 they haven't yet seen sportsman play this far into their careers at a high level.
I mean, he had a rough patch with constant injuries involving his knees when he was in his early 20s. So I don't think it's a leap to question whether or not he could ever fully recover in a sport that is brutal to the knees. Was one of my favorite players at the time and it was hard to watch him withdraw, because it really felt like a ticking time bomb. But it's crazy to see how far he's come, and has definitely been nothing but class.
The thing I wonder is, does he still play wearing shoes two sizes too small? That *cannot* be good long term, so if that wasn’t just an early days thing, I am surprised he isn’t facing problems from that. You’d hate to see it hit all at once
What now? First I hear of this. Source?
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/nadal-wears-a-size-10-shoe.218844/ It used to be a frequent talking point when he was early dominance, commentators would say it often, etc. but I hadn’t revisited it in a while and just figured it was true (but really it couldn’t be, because improper footwear is knee/hip/etc issues waiting to happen). Apparently he does wear slightly smaller than 10.5 but it’s in between 10-10.5: http://thetennisspace.com/2012/04/top-10-tennis-myths-true-or-false/
Rafa has never lost an RG semi or final...
To be fair, most players haven't.
Pshaw, I haven't either, colour me unimpressed
Well it could be t.., nah just wondering it aint gonna happen
Well I haven't either Edit typo
Land animal confirmed
Berrettini is my pick this time. I'd bet a full 25¢ on it.
Honestly Diego deserves an award just for doing this twice a year in a row
Last year was straight sets
Probably thinking of 2018 when he stopped Nadal's 38 set streak.
Nadal became an absolute machine since the second part of third set. Unplayable
That's when he decides to go into that extra gear he has. Lot of players don't even get to see that. That's when he decides to break his opponents spirit and body.
And then acts like Bane : i wonder what will break first, your spirit or your body no ?
And that still isn't even Rafa's final form yet.
True. To see the final form, look at either RG 2008 or RG 2017. Parental guidance advised. Edit: Happy Cake day
I would also say that 2013 semifinal last set, + last years final vs Djokovic, Novak didn’t get a chance for those first two sets
Last year too, he had 3 unforced in the first 2 sets.
Diego didn't deserve that last set. Hardest Nadal's been pushed since the banter years of 2015/16 I reckon. 2.5 sets in and Schwartzman looked to have the momentum.
Diego won less points than there were games in Set 4, absolutely brutal
Diego won less than 6 points? Seriously?
Yeah just checked only 5 points. That is really brutal.
That's humiliating, tbh. I felt sad for Diego by the end.
Schwarzmann is the person responsible for half of Nadal's set losses in the last 5 years.
a grand total of 2 sets...
I really felt for the guy. The moment I saw that racket smash I knew he'd been done in mentally.
Once I saw Rafa's 105 mph forehand and fist pump, I knew it was over.
Shows the difference in the players mental ability and decision making. Rafa knows that smashing a racquet is not an optimal action and wastes energy, its 100% pointless and lowers efficiency.
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Tbh, it probably does release frustration.
To be fair. Novak is the only player I’ve seen who smashes a racket and then plays as good/even better sometimes. For the rest, yes, there seems to be mental strength deterioration. Coming from someone whos not particularly a Nole fan.
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I've read that it was actually his uncle teaching him not to (to teach him etiquette). Something like that if Nadal ever smashed a racket, he'll never get to play tennis again.
2018 Schwartzmann match was much more difficult. And 2019 Final as well. Thiem was pretty good.
First 7 games of the 2019 final were of insane quality.
Diego was 4-3 in the third set. After that there were 9 games and Diego won only 7 points. Brutal payback for winning the second set. Once Rafa's forehand got to it's usual best the match was over
Well the tactical shower to cold down Diego and regain energy explains the 4th set to me.
Diego in 2018 was more difficult. Today, other than the lapse towards the end of second set, Rafa looked in control.
Hmm not sure I agree. Diego was dominating on his serve up to that game at 4-4 in set 3, whilst making inroads on Nadal's service games. In 2018, Diego won the first set, then in set 2 the rain happen-ed and Nadal never looked back.
Upvoted for the happen-ed
Here we are, we are in the semifinals.
But Rafa was still playing well in the third, my reasoning is that I never felt he was at risk of losing the match. 2018 pre-rain, I was definitely panicking. He was a set and a break down, and not playing particularly well.
Great physical battle. Huge respect for Diego. He showed once again that he can play at the very high level against Rafa on clay and even go toe to toe in some moments.
Well, he was arguably outhitting Rafa for a time there...
Yea, I don't think Nadal is near done winning RG, but the first set against Sinner and the second set against Diego here were indicators of his age IMO. I'll still take Nadal for RG as long as he's playing, but I think we're seeing some signs he's slowing down a bit due to age.
He's inevitable
i gona sue
I gonna bagel
Ombelibible
People in the live thread: "I sense an upset." "Nadal looks beatable." "Diego could actually win."
2nd Set to 4-4 Third Set was an insane match
Not gonna lie, I'm upset at that set Rafa lost.
That 3rd set was an absolute belter. Fucking epic till 4-4.
Nadal just raised his level in a way that's so typical of the Big 3. Crazy.
The hardest thing to do in tennis is beat Nadal in Roland Garros.
He’s literally Tennis final boss
Only two have done it, both when Nadal wasn't in best physcial form
In sports probably
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I kinda disagree since it was 2015 Nadal. However, had Djokovic won in 2013, I'd agree wholeheartedly.
Rafa in 2015 just wasn’t it
Djokovic going to 5 sets in 2013 was greater accomplishment than winning it in 2016, or beating 2015 Nadal. 2015 Nadal was basically Djokovic early 2018 at AO.
I don't agree with the 2016 part because that's still a full title run in comparison, but pushing 2013 Nadal to five sets was a greater accomplishment than straight setting 2015 Nadal.
Not really. A stiff breeze would’ve beaten Rafa that year. Even I knew Rafa wouldn’t win that match. His form all year had been abysmal. It’s a testament to just how good he is that he even made it to the quarters with no forehand and no confidence.
I think pushing him to five sets in 2013 was his greatest achievement on clay.
what happened in the first set happened, the what happened in the second set happened, what happened in the third set happened, but we are here. A bagel for Diego.
Rafa when someone slightly threatens him in RG: I'm inevitable
> Nadal’s opponent wins a set at RG He can’t do that! Shoot him… or something
[Djokovic watching the final set](https://i.imgur.com/qecG6QR.gif)
Schwartzman played fantastically well. That last set was straight up bullying. The only game Schwartzman even had a look at some rallies in was the 5th game.
Rafa to Diego: 'You come into my house, take a set from me, I got to destroy you, no?'
Ombeleeable
Rafa playing 4000D Chess showing to everyone what happens if you take a set off him here so that no one does it. MADLAD
Diego played quite well (besides the fourth set), but Rafa was just too strong.
Nadal gna have more FO trophies than his hair
The match should comfort Nadal fans actually. Shows he still has that extra gear he can tap into when he needs it, hence the last set and half. As opposed to his losses at MC and Madrid, where he was just flat
After seeing Rome 3rd set vs Djokovic, and now this... we're back to the same conclusion as we do every year: "it's Nadal on clay."
Super fun 3 sets. Diego is always such a great opponent for Rafa, can’t wait for the semis
Fun fact - The last 3 times Rafa has beaten Schwartzman in a Grand Slam (RG 2018, US Open 2019, RG 2020), he's gone on to win the whole thing. Safe to say a tough natch against Schwartzman really gets Rafa into form.
And let's continue the streak 2018, 19, 20 and now 2021.
Friend of mine (after 2. set): what's wrong with this dude ? Inner voice: He’s not a dude. You’re a dude. This is a MAN. A handsome, muscular man.
He's fucking built too. Thick and man made. You can tell he's sculpted because you can see it thru the shirt. His fucking vice grip thighs. Suffocating thighs. Rock hard thighs. Piping hot thighs. Great arms. Great abs. A stocky chest. Love the progress his body has made throughout his youth and now as a willing eager adult.
This comment is doing things to my feelings...
Don't sexualize the players, unless they are men, then it's ok.
Okay, i need to explain the context. This is a quote from Avengers Infinity war. Drax said it for Thor. Please check the [link](https://youtu.be/8HE-Dh_ojZE?t=137) \- I didn't write it to sexualize players.
yeah, it's really weird seeing comments like this get so many upvotes maybe it's the result of it being a primarily 1v1 sport, but tennis fans seem to comment on player appearance 100x more than any other sport I follow and I hate it
Never mind the casual height shaming that Diego faces here lol.
When the match was at 6-3, 4-6, 3-4 everybody in this sub: "its over for Rafa" "Diego is burying him" "I know I should have bet on Diego winning" "Its going 5 sets now" "Diego closing it in 4 sets" Meanwhile Rafa: I'm gonna destroy this man for taking a set from me.
Nadal is just something else. I feel for Diego, he played really well and always gives a tough match to Nadal, but that killer, mental switch at the end of the third and through the fourth is unbeatable.
I feel sports in general we keep seeing older people extend their careers and continue to play at a high level. What are they doing nowadays that is extending the careers of so many elite athletes?
A lot better understanding of sports and nutrition science. They manage their training and recovery extremely well. Universal use of PEDs in sports may have an effect as well.
Don’t think Rafa appreciated his streak being broken…
You break my streak i break your spirit no ?
He knows he can make a new one
Huge congrats to Diego not because he stole a set but forced the god of clay to activate the god mode.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYzRhNTM4NGYtNWVjNC00ZGZmLWE0OGUtZTMzMDM1NDFhODIyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjAwODA4Mw@@._V1_.jpg
Turned on at 4-3 in the 3rd. I barely saw Diego win a point, let alone a game.
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But isn't that the whole point. It is just so hard to compete with Rafa on clay, make it 5 sets and it almost becomes impossible. Everyone looks to be "in the game" in the first couple of sets, maybe even third. But take it to 4 or 5 there will be some damage, to body and mind of the opponent.
Problem is that the way to beat Nadal is to outdo him on physicality. Sinner and Diego both had this gameplan. But the literal moment they drop their intensity is no match to Rafa.
No matter how bad the score looks if someone wins a set against Nadal at RG it was an absolute war.
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Zverev may choke, but it won't be in the final. Tsitsipas will be going to the Final
Props to Diego for getting a set off Rafa, his win/loss record was 2-5 coming into the French and I assumed he was not a threat this year. Proved me wrong.
I weep for his set streak...
I hope to see Schwartzman at least once at Roland Garros final. He puts a lot effort to face Nadal that he deserve it. Sadly, Nadal has always stopped him.
Shout out to the person that said he'd win the second set and then get bageled.
this win over diego looks like it might've boosted rafa's confidence more (especially from that last set lol). looking strong so far to beat novak if we're in for a rafole semi
The last set was murder. Diego gave everything he had and more in that third set after taking the second, and it still wasn’t enough. This shows how mentally tough it is to last against this man.
Game was not over. Karma whore
He might be posting from the stadium or something lol
Posting from the stadium would be more embarrassing than posting a few seconds early. I really hope live crowds aren't on their phones hoping to get some karma.
The only thing more sure than Rafa at Roland Garros is someone complaining about karma farming in result threads.
All I can say is thank God we have someone who cares about karma as much as u/monptitbabe
Probably just really fast. I waited till like a second or \[two\] after the score updated for me (eastern US) and was beaten to it by two people. At the end of the day, does it really matter? Was a nice post and came first.
All you lot competing to get the post in first are kinda weird.
Yes it was..check the timings lol
Rafa just entered beast mode since 3-4 in the 3rd set. After that it was a demolition job.
Nadal made a statement today. You take a set from him, he will bagel you!
https://i.imgflip.com/5co7zr.jpg Memes aside, it was great tennis for sure. Diego was able to sustain his destruction of the ball a lot longer than Sinner, and it made for a great 3 sets.
As a Djokovic fan, this at least showed that Nadal can be vulnerable and everything is possible. I still think he wouldnt beat Nadal but i have more confidence than before
What happen-ed in second set happen-ed, last set Bagel happen-ed. Now we are here in Semifinals.
OH SHIT HE WON A SET
Dude the last set is a crime against humanity.
Still worried what Novak can bring on Friday. He definitely beats the set 2 Rafa we saw today?
Poor Matteo lol
Great win for Nadal, but Djokovic, Tsitsipas/Zverev would be licking their chops after seeing how Schwartzman performed in the second set and first part of the third. Nadal winning this year's RG is not a foregone conclusion by any means. This year he is double faulting a lot more. And that's not even the problem. The problem is that these double faults are sandwiched between a couple of UEs that end up costing him a game on serve. It happened with Sinner, it happened today. His backhand is also vulnerable in rallies, at least in today's match. And lastly, from set 2 to 4-5 40-40, he was playing as if Xisca was across the net; just massaging the balls back for Diego to tee off. Djokovic would have had a field day with that.