2020 French Open SF: Diego Schwartzman vs. Rafael Nadal

[AnonymousFan]

Who wins?

 

[Moxie]

Rafa in 3. Schwartzman doesn't have a great chance over Rafa in Bo5, but after his performance today v. a tired Thiem, he won't take a set.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Ralph in 3. The best result Shortman can hope for is a TB loss in one of those sets.

Shortman beat Ralph in Rome. Therefore, Ralph won't take the match lightly. In order to beat Ralph in RG, either it has to be a surprise or you have to be a top player. Here it is neither. He cannot hope to beat Ralph twice in a span of 30 days on clay. Also, there is that silly record of Ralph not having lost in semifinals at RG before.

Having said all that, I will be ardently rooting for Shortman.

 

[Moxie]

Ralph in 3. The best result Shortman can hope for is a TB loss in one of those sets.

Shortman beat Ralph in Rome. Therefore, Ralph won't take the match lightly. In order to beat Ralph in RG, either it has to be a surprise or you have to be a top player. Here it is neither. He cannot hope to beat Ralph twice in a span of 30 days on clay. Also, there is that silly record of Ralph not having lost in semifinals at RG before.

Having said all that, I will be ardently rooting for Shortman.

For however much everyone claims to esteem Schwartzman around here, can we stop calling him "Shortman" and "Shorty?" Enough. If you admire the guy, please.

I absolutely don't think Ralph takes him for granted. And if not for the match today, I'm sure he'd be concerned. But beating Rafa in Bo3 v. Bo5 is different. Even a rested Schwartzman wouldn't win this match, but now I don't see how he'll make it that much of a contest. But he'll give it his all, that's for sure.

As to the bolded above. "Silly record?" I don't think "silly" is the word that most would use for it.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I will say Nadal in three competitive sets. I don't see Diego beating Nadal twice in a span of 30 days and this is the best of five and not best of three sets. This is basically like 2017 and 2018 FO in which the underdog (Thiem) defeated the heavy favorite (Nadal) before the Roland Garros. Also, I think playing Sinner in the Quarterfinal and making Nadal worked in the 1st set allowed Nadal to find another gear. Nadal knows this is a great opportunity to reach another FO final and possibly get Slam number 20 this Sunday.

 

[don_fabio]

For however much everyone claims to esteem Schwartzman around here, can we stop calling him "Shortman" and "Shorty?" Enough. If you admire the guy, please.

C'mon Moxie, what's wrong with shortman? The guy is ridiculously small for a tennis player and it's funny. We don't need to write his full name and social security number on a tennis forum.

On topic, shortman could take a set off Rafa, but taking a match is out his reach. Hope Diego will be able to bring the challenge and we see at least some competitive tennis, not a walkout in SF.

 

[Bonaca]

No doubt , Diego in straights.
It will be a historical performance by the LittleBigman.
Mark my words.


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[Jelenafan]

Rafa in 3 tight sets.
Everyone talks about how these conditions "hurt" Nadal, but I'm still not seeing it. Granted his topspin isn't bouncing as high but on the other hand, the consensus was to try to blast Nadal off the court and that's not as easy with the weather and the balls used.

Now the fact that Nadal lost to Diego in Rome certainly translates to not taking his opponent for granted. Rafa's serve hasn't exactly been awe inspiring here but Diego's serve has been shaky, to say the least.

 

[don_fabio]

Diego need to play out his mind to even have a slight chance. He might play like that for a set or so, but to keep crushing those balls for 5 sets I just don't see it and Rafa to lose in 3 or 4 sets it doesn't sound realistic at all. Rafa will play the final, it's a safe bet, it's just a question how hard this match will be.

 

[Mile]

5 for Rafa.

 

[Bonaca]

It’s enough if he can keep Bob out on court for 4 or 5 sets.

 

[Moxie]

C'mon Moxie, what's wrong with shortman? The guy is ridiculously small for a tennis player and it's funny. We don't need to write his full name and social security number on a tennis forum.

On topic, shortman could take a set off Rafa, but taking a match is out his reach. Hope Diego will be able to bring the challenge and we see at least some competitive tennis, not a walkout in SF.

Look, I'm not trying to be a buzz-kill on nicknames. (Even though I do give @Bonaca a lot of crap for his.) It was my one time to say that I bet he hates it, (and I doubt we're the first people in his life to think of it.) Continue on as you all like.

Everyone talks about how these conditions "hurt" Nadal, but I'm still not seeing it. Granted his topspin isn't bouncing as high but on the other hand, the consensus was to try to blast Nadal off the court and that's not as easy with the weather and the balls used.

I agree that Rafa has dealt well with the conditions and the heavier balls, but it's not like it really matters until the late stages of RG, for him. He can beat basically beat everyone here with whatever impediments get put up. It's going to matter in the final, if you ask me, and then only if he plays Novak.

 

[10isfan]

“Shorty” is an insulting nickname. Anybody here who is overweight want to be called “Fatty”? Let’s call him Diego if his last name is too hard to type.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

deigo should be ok afer 3days since his epic..rafa should be ok tho finishing at nearly 1'30am is hardly the ideal thing..roof might be on, or maybe not.

wiki claimed this was the 1st sf ,with djok/stef on after..so yeah..tennis it is bayybeeeeeeeee.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

“Shorty” is an insulting nickname. Anybody here who is overweight want to be called “Fatty”? Let’s call him Diego if his last name is too hard to type.

Just to let you know I have always called him 'shorty for years as a term of endearment okay not a insult at all? This is the first time on this board this has come up....Honestly.
People have really lost their sense of humor these days and are over critical.People have called other players worse names than Shorty or Shortman on this board I can assure you.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

C'mon Moxie, what's wrong with shortman? The guy is ridiculously small for a tennis player and it's funny. We don't need to write his full name and social security number on a tennis forum.

On topic, shortman could take a set off Rafa, but taking a match is out his reach. Hope Diego will be able to bring the challenge and we see at least some competitive tennis, not a walkout in SF.

It seems people here need to find their sense of humor.......I totally agree with you,it is not said in malice or insult at all.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

C'mon Moxie, what's wrong with shortman? The guy is ridiculously small for a tennis player and it's funny. We don't need to write his full name and social security number on a tennis forum.

On topic, shortman could take a set off Rafa, but taking a match is out his reach. Hope Diego will be able to bring the challenge and we see at least some competitive tennis, not a walkout in SF.

Moxie is the PC Police. Shortman is definitely used by most of us as an appreciation of Diego as he often punches much more than his weight (or should i say height).

 

[don_fabio]

Shortman can't keep up with Nadal, although he was competitive the first set and partially in 2nd, now Nadal leads 2:0.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Punishment to Shortman for breaking Nadal, broken at love immediately.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Bp for shorty again.