ATP Masters Rome: Sinner against Nadal - who benefited more from Adelaide?
Jannik Sinnerchallenges RafaelNada l in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. The two cracks had already spent a lot of time together at the beginning of the year.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 11, 2021, 07:05 am
If you had to build a tennis player who has the best chances of succeeding on all surfaces against Rafael Nadal, then next to Novak Djokovic (who always and everywhere goes into the match against everyone and everyone with the best chances) Alexander Zverev would probably be the result out. Why? Zverev has the serve and the pace that can get Nadal into trouble. The Spaniard's high topspin in the backhand doesn't mind Zverev. And now the German number one also believes in his chance: the last three games against the Spanish grandmaster went to Zverev.
Candidate number two would probably be Jannik Sinner, who cannot hold a candle to Alexander Zverev in terms of two things: fitness and the belief in a success against Nadal. The 19-year-old South Tyrolean found out at the 2020 French Open that a good start does not necessarily have to lead to a victorious end: It was wonderful how he initially put pressure on the record winner on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Even more wonderful how Nadal gradually fought his way into the match and ultimately won safely.
Nadal trains with Sinner
But Nadal wouldn't be the legend he is if he didn't also see the danger that will come from players like Jannik Sinner. So the smarter move to make an appointment for the two-week quarantine in Adelaide before the start of the ATP Cup in Australia. Nadal was able to work off Sinner's flat balls, the youngster will certainly have experienced a new work intensity in his two daily tennis lessons.
How and whether the balance of power between Jannik Sinner and Rafael Nadal has shifted since that meeting in Roland Garros, that tennis fans would have liked to see in Madrid last week. Sinner offered a very poor performance against Alexei Popyrin, but after his increased demands, Nadal made short work of the young Australian.
Zverev is probably waiting in the quarter-finals
So one can speculate whether the conditions in Madrid Sinner would have been more suitable in the match-up with Nadal than now in round two in the Foro Italico. There is Rafael Nadal - where not on the sand? - with nine successes, of course, record holder. Jannik Sinner celebrated his first match win at a Masters 1000 tournament there in 2019 against Steve Johnson. After all.
A lot speaks for Nadal, who could meet his defeated Madrid, Alexander Zverev, again in the quarter-finals. Jannik Sinner showed a convincing performance against the dangerous Ugo Humbert and already won his 20th match this season. It is prepared for an early treat in the last really big test off Paris. It's just a shame that spectators are only allowed to enter the stands after the round of 16.
Here the single tableau in Rome
rommap