Time for Zverev and Svitolina to shine

The singles finals at Rome are all set.  With Novak v/s Sascha we’ll get to see one more match where present will attempt to assert its rule and keep the incessant and inexorable advance of future at bay, and with Simona v/s Elina it will be two high quality players marking their presence for the French Open in an attempt to claim a piece of its history for their own.

Djokovic v/s Zverev

These two have never played before and, in addition to the serve, that may be the only thing working in favor of Sascha today.  Novak has shown an insatiable hunger to be back in this tournament and it seems he’ll return right in time for the French Open.  His performance against Agut and Delpo showed that he really is ready to step forward now and after a long time he showed consistency and fire over two back-to-back matches.  The encounter with a mentally tired and physically fatigued Thiem was a gift that he needed and the Tennis Gods complied.

The timing and occasion of Djokovic’s return couldn’t have been better, the French Open are just about a week away, his hunger is probably at an all time high and he is more than well rested with a 16-5 record for the year, whereas Thiem’s clay season is already 17-4 in contrast!  Djokovic has also expressed a certain desire to reinvent himself but that would be a pipe dream as Novak’s and Rafa’s playing styles coupled with the propensity to prolong points, which are so deeply ingrained in their DNAs, leave little scope for reinvention.  Not that they don’t try and succeed to some measure at least initially but invariably revert to their old “run and put another ball in” mode when faced with any serious opposition.  Therefore, Novak should simply work on getting the fire back and squeeze as much mileage for as long as he can from his current game style which has already won him 12 slams.

In this battle between the future and present it seems the scales are tipped in favor of the present, however we just cannot rule out future from giving its best to force its way through.  Will the 20 year old, with a record of 21-9 already this year have enough in the tank for another big fight?

Conclusion:  Zverev in 3

Halep v/s Svitolina

These two have been around on the tour for a while but never met so far!  Between them Elina has more power to her shots and an effective return of serve too.  Halep however is more accomplished and has a little more between the ears.  Halep’s point construction is made for clay and she has been having a great clay court season so far and has won all of her last ten matches and the last tournament at Madrid on the red ground.  Elina too has been having one helluva season and has won 9 of her last 10 on clay and the title in Istanbul.   Will Elina be able to push Simona back or Halep grind Elina into capitulating by the third?

Conclusion:  Elina in 3