French Open prediction game: Day 10

Jokers time! Women and men.

Cecchinato (66) vs Djokovic (20)
Thiem (15) vs Zverev (10)
Putintseva (33) vs Keys (13)
Stephens (10) vs Kasatkina (14)

LS: Djokovic (joker), Thiem, Putintseva (joker), Stephens

Cecchinato (66) joker
Zverev (10)
Putintseva (33) joker
Kasatkina (14)

djokovic (joker), thiem, putinseva (joker), kasatkina

Number of sets dropped through QF:

0 - Nadal
1 - Del Potro, Djokovic
2 - Schwartzman
3 - Cilic, Thiem
4 - Cecchinato
6 - Zverev

Zverev has played three five setters.  Apparently, if he were to win, he would not be the first to have played that many.  Kuerten played three consecutive five setters (and also two four setters) in one of his RG wins.

Emotionally torn tomorrow in both matches.

Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

The same goes for the other QF.  I checked out Cecchinato's game - he is actually quite enjoyable to watch, so I would definitely want to root for him vs Nole.  On the other hand, if Cecchinato were to somehow then make the final, he would have no hope vs Rafa.

So I think I will pretend I am rooting for Zverev and Nole (but deep down will be cheering for Thiem and Cecchinato).

Ls, the points will have to be normalized. Every match needs to have potentially same value for all. Else what happens that the later rounds with higher seeds ( and higher stakes ) carry less points. Seed 1 V Seed 2 . should be point-wise 32-vs 33. 

I'll normalize the points.

summerblues wrote:
Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

SB and others: let it go! Nadal will win RG. I read so many posts full of wishful thinking and every time i think: Really?! How?!
Not only we're looking at an incredible weak field, also the draw couldn't  have been easier for Nadal. And then the so called tough weather conditions....

I dont know how joker works on this

Djokovic (20)
Thiem (15)
Keys (13)
Kasatkina (14)

Ho hum - after 120 matches RG has thrown up two with more than a passing interest to me.  I agree with sb that somehow Zverev feels like the toughest potential opponent for Nadal - if he's not cooked should he get there.

Djokovic    JOKER
Thiem 
Putintseva 
Kasatkina  JOKER

summerblues wrote:Emotionally torn tomorrow in both matches.

Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

The same goes for the other QF.  I checked out Cecchinato's game - he is actually quite enjoyable to watch, so I would definitely want to root for him vs Nole.  On the other hand, if Cecchinato were to somehow then make the final, he would have no hope vs Rafa.

So I think I will pretend I am rooting for Zverev and Nole (but deep down will be cheering for Thiem and Cecchinato).

Certainly with you on Thiem / Zverev, though the biggest influencer will be the weather. If it were to be damp and coll they both have a decent shot but Zverev looks to be made of good mental material and I think he might have to balls and cockiness not to be impressed by Nadal.

Oh the horror of head v heart in matches! I'm with you on both of them, though you might argue it's time to to go all-in on Zverev and hope he has a less stressful semi-final. Does that help you on the Djokovic quarter?

naxroy wrote:I dont know how joker works on this

Djokovic (20)
Thiem (15)
Keys (13)
Kasatkina (14)

You pick a player you think is most likely to win and that doubles your points.

gallery play wrote:

summerblues wrote:
Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

SB and others: let it go! Nadal will win RG. I read so many posts full of wishful thinking and every time i think: Really?! How?!
Not only we're looking at an incredible weak field, also the draw couldn't  have been easier for Nadal. And then the so called tough weather conditions....

Nothing would happen in life without wishful thinking!

summerblues wrote:Emotionally torn tomorrow in both matches.

Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

The same goes for the other QF.  I checked out Cecchinato's game - he is actually quite enjoyable to watch, so I would definitely want to root for him vs Nole.  On the other hand, if Cecchinato were to somehow then make the final, he would have no hope vs Rafa.

So I think I will pretend I am rooting for Zverev and Nole (but deep down will be cheering for Thiem and Cecchinato).

So in other words, Nadal's loss will bring you more satisfaction than any other player in that field winning it!

That's where I am too. In fact I don;t care much about the remaining players...maybe Delpo winning would be a good thing.

No order of play on RG website. Really poor!

Interesting comment from Moya about yesterday's match (Nadal's)

I woudl like to point that once again, Nadal lost itensity in that 3rd set. His shots were much shorter and lacked energy...he knew it was coming as he took a long batheroom break at the end of the second set.

I think he is more likely to experience this fatigue with remaining rounds. I don;t have much hope about Schwartz but the Delpo can hurt him as Delpo is one who likes to go physical too.

Let's see whether I am only thinking wishfully !

Yes, if someone could drag him into a long match he'd be toast. Again I say this is very much about the weather - if he can't get the bite and kick on the forehand then he's got problems as opponents can get some pace on their own shots and get him moving.

If onlt the draw was more evenly spread but perhaps, if he makes it, successive matches with DelPo and Zverev would drain him.

Tenez wrote:No order of play on RG website. Really poor!

The French. What do you expect?

Tenez wrote:

gallery play wrote:

summerblues wrote:
Normally I would root for Thiem vs Zverev but I somehow think that Zverev would have a better chance vs Rafa.

SB and others: let it go! Nadal will win RG. I read so many posts full of wishful thinking and every time i think: Really?! How?!
Not only we're looking at an incredible weak field, also the draw couldn't  have been easier for Nadal. And then the so called tough weather conditions....

Nothing would happen in life without wishful thinking!

Good point, but only as long as you have any influence.

Life's unbearable if you worry about things you can't change

The weather for the rest of the week is rainy as I said, it will basically play like a low bouncing slow indoor hard court- not good for Rafa.

As for opponents, from the bottom half the toughest from what I've seen will be Thiem- hitting the ball very hard from both wings. Zverev can be outmanoeuvred by Rafa.

I think Thiem will beat Zverev in straights

Tenez wrote:No order of play on RG website. Really poor!

There is - it's just not in the Order of Play section, only on the front page (no, me neither)

https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/article/roland-garros-2018-order-of-play-tuesday-june-5

All going to plan for Zverev as he's a break down in the 1st. His cunning plan is to get to 2-1 down in sets, then he has them right where he wants them.

May the best man win, and I mean that very sincerely.

barrystar wrote:

Tenez wrote:No order of play on RG website. Really poor!

There is - it's just not in the Order of Play section, only on the front page (no, me neither)

https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/article/roland-garros-2018-order-of-play-tuesday-june-5

Yep..but not before 12pm or so....

bogbrush wrote:Yes, if someone could drag him into a long match he'd be toast. Again I say this is very much about the weather - if he can't get the bite and kick on the forehand then he's got problems as opponents can get some pace on their own shots and get him moving.

If onlt the draw was more evenly spread but perhaps, if he makes it, successive matches with DelPo and Zverev would drain him.

The weather is important but against Delpo, Zverev and Djoko (to a lesser entend) it is not such an issue as they are tall enough to handle the high bounce, plus DBH. However the good thing about the cool weather is that Nadal's shots are shorter.

DECIMA wrote:The weather for the rest of the week is rainy as I said, it will basically play like a low bouncing slow indoor hard court- not good for Rafa.

As for opponents, from the bottom half the toughest from what I've seen will be Thiem- hitting the ball very hard from both wings. Zverev can be outmanoeuvred by Rafa.

I agree. but the down side with rain breaks as we found out in Rome this year or AO12....it helps Nadal recover from his gruelling tennis.

Zverev paying his excessive retrieving!

What worries me about Thiem v Nadal is that he has a very similar game...but just doesn;t run as well and doesn't hit as hard....on the good side is that he should tire less nadal over the distance.

bogbrush wrote:All going to plan for Zverev as he's a break down in the 1st. His cunning plan is to get to 2-1 down in sets, then he has them right where he wants them.

May the best man win, and I mean that very sincerely.

Quite - now Thiem is two sets to love up he'd better start worrying......

according to the Guardian there's something up with Zverev's hamstring - but at least he's broken through to a slam QF - more of those to come I'm sure.

As I said a few days ago, unless Djokovic significantly improves he could get mauled by Thiem.

Come on Thiem, crush himmmmmmm

DECIMA wrote:As I said a few days ago, unless Djokovic significantly improves he could get mauled by Thiem.

And that's a bad thing, how? Hope he gets mauled.

summerblues wrote:Number of sets dropped through QF:

0 - Nadal
1 - Del Potro, Djokovic
2 - Schwartzman
3 - Cilic, Thiem
4 - Cecchinato
6 - Zverev

Zverev has played three five setters.  Apparently, if he were to win, he would not be the first to have played that many.  Kuerten played three consecutive five setters (and also two four setters) in one of his RG wins.

Old man Federer won three five-set matches at the AO last year - although they were in later rounds, 4th R vs. Nishikori, SF vs. Stan, F vs. Nadal.

Come on Chechen, crush this fake Prince.

Hope Djokovic comes through this in 5.

Djoko with MTO, touching his shoulder, neck, preparing in advance his 17 fans that he is about to quit or loose quickly.

Djokovic’s neck muscle is hurting- perhaps that explains this abject performance.

This is seriously pissing me off

Maybe he can win today and then withdraw before semi.

Fognini effect crucial for Nadal?? @bogbrush

The problem is Cecchi will have no chance v Nadal. he looks good now cause Djoko's balls are not partcularly powerful...but against Nadal....SHBH? No chance.

Looks like Delpo is our only chance!

Djoker and his mind games

I am starting to believe in this Italian!

naxroy wrote:Djoker and his mind games

...unlike Nadal!

I really think that Italian has all the shots and power to win the whole think. If he beats Djoko, he will beat Thiem.

The FO quite often (before Nadal at least) throws an unknown player in the final.

What I like about him is that he knows how to play angles. And that is very important v Djoko and Nadal.

Tenez wrote:I really think that Italian has all the shots and power to win the whole think. If he beats Djoko, he will beat Thiem.

The FO quite often (before Nadal at least) throws an unknown player in the final.

Thiem will overpower him. Djokovic is not playing aggressively enough.

Cecchinato has played amazingly well. The end of the second set was stunning. He’s dipped a lot in this set though and Djoko has upped the power. The start of the fourth will be crucial.

I was counting Djoko's chickens for him, but Cecchinato has given himself a chance to end it before the rain sets in and they are called off.

Some seriously good tennis in this tiebreak. 6-6.

wooowwwwww