Tennis Sunday: Abrams picks the Italian Open Men’s and Women’s finals – Rafa Nadal vs Novak Djokovic and Karolina Pliskova vs Johanna Konta 

Internazionali BNL d’Italia
Rome, Italy
Sunday, May 19, 2019

Men’s Finals
Rafa Nadal over Novak Djokovic
Neither player, the top two players in the world, have been playing anywhere near their best tennis lately, although Nadal has been lights out this week. Although I have my doubts that Nadal can win his 12th French Open, which starts in one week in Paris, I think he’s got enough in his tank to take out Nole here in Rome today. These guys have an interesting history in which Djokovic leads their personal rivalry 28-25. But the last time that Nole beat Nadal on clay was three years ago right here in Rome, so clearly Rafa has been the dominant player on clay, as he has throughout his career against all opponents. They both have something to prove, and I know that both Djokovic and Federer would love to take out Nadal on his favorite surface, but I’d be more inclined to think that Rafa would win here and one of his major competitors might have a shot at Stade Roland Garros.

Women’s Finals
Karolina Pliskova over Johanna Konta
Konta looked very good in beating red-hot Kiki Bertens yesterday 6-2 in the third. She is regaining the game and the momentum she had a few years ago when she was ranked as high as #4 in the women’s game. She also moves much better than Pliskova, and that goes a very long way in winning matches played on clay courts. But Pliskova is striking the ball cleanly and with strength and her shots are landing hard and deep. She looks like she’s a champion just ready to collect her hardware. Although this may be considered a toss-up, I’m going with Pliskova in this one, as the women make their final preparations for the upcoming French Open.