2013 French Open SF: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[Moxie]

it is impossible to predict because it is one of those matches where everything is possible from one guy winning in straights to his opponent doing so.

So, I voted following my heart and hoping No1e rises to the occasion and wins in straight sets.

I agree, Mastoor. It could be Djokovic in 3, 4, or 5 sets; it could be Nadal in 3, 4, or 5 sets. Honestly, any of those possible outcomes wouldn't be shocking. Surprising or disappointing, yes. Shocking, no.

Like you, I will vote with my heart, and the hope that Rafa handles Djokovic better than he did in MC. I'll go with .... hmm, this is difficult ... OK, I'll go with Rafa in 4.

Out of 18 votes, only 2 went with 3 sets...one for each. I think 3 is unlikely, either way. Certainly there's an "all-cards-on-the-table" feel to this match. I think Rafa will get Novak in 4, but I wonder if 5 doesn't favor the Serb, in this case.

 

[Moxie]

tented, Rafa losing the French Open final in 3 sets would be shocking - I don't care if its to Novak Djokovic or an android from the year 2102 named Bjorn Cyborg - no one beats Rafa in 3 sets on his home turf.

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I voted Novak in 5 sets, partially because I want to see him win and partially because I think its his time.

That's funny...I thought that you were the analytical one. That prediction is all sentiment. But you're entitled, anyway.

I only play analytical in context. I'm all sentiment - just ask my wife :blush:

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Actually, your analysis of stats is warm-blooded not cold-blooded, so I shouldn't be completely surprised. (By which I mean you always use them as a jumping-off point to a larger thesis, rather than merely staring at them as hard facts; I find your take on stats more interesting.)

 

[britbox]

Novak in 4. I've been more impressed with him during the tournament. I missed the QF Nadal/Wawrinka match but the other Nadal matches I caught, my impressions were Nadal looked a little vulnerable.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Novak in 4. I've been more impressed with him during the tournament. I missed the QF Nadal/Wawrinka match but the other Nadal matches I caught, my impressions were Nadal looked a little vulnerable.

maybe you should sign into ESPN3 to watch the QF Nadal/Wawrinka match,, it was by far his best match

 

[Denis]

A few facts:

H2H 19 -15 in Nadals favour. No other player has won so many times against Djokovic and no other player has won so many times against Nadal.

H2H on clay 12 - 3 Nadal. Two of those three victories by Djokovic came in cloudy, damp and cool conditions (Rome 2011, MC 2013).

H2H in slams 6 - 3 Nadal. Including four wins at the French by Nadal.

Weather forecast tomorrow so far: sunny and quite hot.

My conclusion: Djokovic needs to play out of his mind to win and it needs to be true that Nadal has lost a step. Head says Nadal in four, heart says Djokovic in five. Voting for Djokovic in five.

 

[Mog]

A few facts:

H2H 19 -15 in Nadals favour. No other player has won so many times against Djokovic and no other player has won so many times against Nadal.

H2H on clay 12 - 3 Nadal. Two of those three victories by Djokovic came in cloudy, damp and cool conditions (Rome 2011, MC 2013).

H2H in slams 6 - 3 Nadal. Including four wins at the French by Nadal.

Weather forecast tomorrow so far: sunny and quite hot.

My conclusion: Djokovic needs to play out of his mind to win and it needs to be true that Nadal has lost a step. Head says Nadal in four, heart says Djokovic in five. Voting for Djokovic in five.

Good stats Denisovich.
Stats and conditions indicates Nadal should be favourite and on clay and at RG ofcourse Nadal(King) is the favourite.
Nadal hasn't played his best in previout matches and looked bit unsettled at times. Djikovic has been playing better. I think though Djoko won in straight sets against Hass, that match was somewhat close contest.
For many have said it is a tough call but I think Djoko will win in 5 tough sets.
Let the best one win.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Djokovic in 4.

 

[Denis]

Djokovic in 4.

This is surprising to me. Not happy with Nadal's level? Movement still not ok? Nadal said he played his best match of the year against Wawrinka.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Djokovic in 4.

This is surprising to me. Not happy with Nadal's level? Movement still not ok? Nadal said he played his best match of the year against Wawrinka.

I've been saying since the start of the tournament that I'd lean towards Djokovic if he were to face Nadal. I know I'll catch flack for this, but the only match where I've been really impressed with Nadal this clay season was against Berdych in Rome, where he looked extremely sharp and did all the right things.

That doesn't mean it was the only very good match he played mind you, as he was very good against Wawrinka in Madrid, Federer in Rome, and Wawrinka again yesterday. Except that those match-ups are tailor made for him. However, whenever he ran across an opponent that was hitting his double handed CC backhand well, he was in trouble.

I don't think the balls are suiting his forehand, and they're not really jumping up as high. Meanwhile, his inside out forehand and DTL FH have been hit-and-miss. His serve against Novak will be more or less harmless, which is a big problem, and most importantly, I don't think he's moving at the level required to beat Novak. His movement has improved since the first week, yes, but given the amount of running and defending he needs to do against Djokovic, he will need to be moving at least as well as he was last year, something he hasn't been able to do since his return.

Now, with all that said, the match is still extremely difficult to predict. For instance, if Djokovic is even a little bit off, and is giving Nadal some unforced errors (something he did in all their matches on clay last year), the match-up changes significantly. It is paramount for Djokovic to be extremely sharp (he was in the 3 times he beat Nadal on clay, and whenever he was a little off, he lost). So for Novak, there is no choice but to play clean tennis. I feel if both are playing below their best, Nadal will probably win. But to me, Novak has looked sharp this tournament, with the exception of the first set against Kohlscreiber, where the wind was causing chaos.

I think I'll talk about the match in more details a little later.

 

[shawnbm]

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Djokovic in 4.

This is surprising to me. Not happy with Nadal's level? Movement still not ok? Nadal said he played his best match of the year against Wawrinka.

I've been saying since the start of the tournament that I'd lean towards Djokovic if he were to face Nadal. I know I'll catch flack for this, but the only match where I've been really impressed with Nadal this clay season was against Berdych in Rome, where he looked extremely sharp and did all the right things.

That doesn't mean it was the only very good match he played mind you, as he was very good against Wawrinka in Madrid, Federer in Rome, and Wawrinka again yesterday. Except that those match-ups are tailor made for him. However, whenever he ran across an opponent that was hitting his double handed CC backhand well, he was in trouble.

I don't think the balls are suiting his forehand, and they're not really jumping up as high. Meanwhile, his inside out forehand and DTL FH have been hit-and-miss. His serve against Novak will be more or less harmless, which is a big problem, and most importantly, I don't think he's moving at the level required to beat Novak. His movement has improved since the first week, yes, but given the amount of running and defending he needs to do against Djokovic, he will need to be moving at least as well as he was last year, something he hasn't been able to do since his return.

Now, with all that said, the match is still extremely difficult to predict. For instance, if Djokovic is even a little bit off, and is giving Nadal some unforced errors (something he did in all their matches on clay last year), the match-up changes significantly. It is paramount for Djokovic to be extremely sharp (he was in the 3 times he beat Nadal on clay, and whenever he was a little off, he lost). So for Novak, there is no choice but to play clean tennis. I feel if both are playing below their best, Nadal will probably win. But to me, Novak has looked sharp this tournament, with the exception of the first set against Kohlscreiber, where the wind was causing chaos.

I think I'll talk about the match in more details a little later.

I am curious, who did you pick to win last year's RG final between these two. Wasn't it Djoker?

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

There's is no End to Rafa at RG(at least for another 3-4 years) , that's ridiculous. He lost in 09 and has won ever year since. When Rafa is Healthy, all the other intangibles and his history at RG comes into play bigtime regardless who he is playing. IMO

 

[herios]

Djokovic in 4.

This is surprising to me. Not happy with Nadal's level? Movement still not ok? Nadal said he played his best match of the year against Wawrinka.

I've been saying since the start of the tournament that I'd lean towards Djokovic if he were to face Nadal. I know I'll catch flack for this, but the only match where I've been really impressed with Nadal this clay season was against Berdych in Rome, where he looked extremely sharp and did all the right things.

That doesn't mean it was the only very good match he played mind you, as he was very good against Wawrinka in Madrid, Federer in Rome, and Wawrinka again yesterday. Except that those match-ups are tailor made for him. However, whenever he ran across an opponent that was hitting his double handed CC backhand well, he was in trouble.

I don't think the balls are suiting his forehand, and they're not really jumping up as high. Meanwhile, his inside out forehand and DTL FH have been hit-and-miss. His serve against Novak will be more or less harmless, which is a big problem, and most importantly, I don't think he's moving at the level required to beat Novak. His movement has improved since the first week, yes, but given the amount of running and defending he needs to do against Djokovic, he will need to be moving at least as well as he was last year, something he hasn't been able to do since his return.

Now, with all that said, the match is still extremely difficult to predict. For instance, if Djokovic is even a little bit off, and is giving Nadal some unforced errors (something he did in all their matches on clay last year), the match-up changes significantly. It is paramount for Djokovic to be extremely sharp (he was in the 3 times he beat Nadal on clay, and whenever he was a little off, he lost). So for Novak, there is no choice but to play clean tennis. I feel if both are playing below their best, Nadal will probably win. But to me, Novak has looked sharp this tournament, with the exception of the first set against Kohlscreiber, where the wind was causing chaos.

I think I'll talk about the match in more details a little later.

I am curious, who did you pick to win last year's RG final between these two. Wasn't it Djoker?

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

There's is no End to Rafa at RG(at least for another 3-4 years) , that's ridiculous. He lost in 09 and has won ever year since. When Rafa is Healthy, all the other intangibles and his history at RG comes into play bigtime regardless who he is playing. IMO

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It will all depend how sharp Novak will play (no lack of concentation or relaxation please). As soon as Rafa sees Novak playing well on the other side of the net, his confidence goes down and he starts going for too much, or hitting too short.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Djokovic in 4.

This is surprising to me. Not happy with Nadal's level? Movement still not ok? Nadal said he played his best match of the year against Wawrinka.

I've been saying since the start of the tournament that I'd lean towards Djokovic if he were to face Nadal. I know I'll catch flack for this, but the only match where I've been really impressed with Nadal this clay season was against Berdych in Rome, where he looked extremely sharp and did all the right things.

That doesn't mean it was the only very good match he played mind you, as he was very good against Wawrinka in Madrid, Federer in Rome, and Wawrinka again yesterday. Except that those match-ups are tailor made for him. However, whenever he ran across an opponent that was hitting his double handed CC backhand well, he was in trouble.

I don't think the balls are suiting his forehand, and they're not really jumping up as high. Meanwhile, his inside out forehand and DTL FH have been hit-and-miss. His serve against Novak will be more or less harmless, which is a big problem, and most importantly, I don't think he's moving at the level required to beat Novak. His movement has improved since the first week, yes, but given the amount of running and defending he needs to do against Djokovic, he will need to be moving at least as well as he was last year, something he hasn't been able to do since his return.

Now, with all that said, the match is still extremely difficult to predict. For instance, if Djokovic is even a little bit off, and is giving Nadal some unforced errors (something he did in all their matches on clay last year), the match-up changes significantly. It is paramount for Djokovic to be extremely sharp (he was in the 3 times he beat Nadal on clay, and whenever he was a little off, he lost). So for Novak, there is no choice but to play clean tennis. I feel if both are playing below their best, Nadal will probably win. But to me, Novak has looked sharp this tournament, with the exception of the first set against Kohlscreiber, where the wind was causing chaos.

I think I'll talk about the match in more details a little later.

I am curious, who did you pick to win last year's RG final between these two. Wasn't it Djoker?

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

---

As The Oracle says in The Matrix movies--Everything that has a beginning, has an end.

Nadal's end at RG comes in 4 sets at the hands of the Serbian Slayer. Nole is making his own history now and will make more of it than any player for the next two or three years IMHO.

There's is no End to Rafa at RG(at least for another 3-4 years) , that's ridiculous. He lost in 09 and has won ever year since. When Rafa is Healthy, all the other intangibles and his history at RG comes into play bigtime regardless who he is playing. IMO

---

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It will all depend how sharp Novak will play (no lack of concentation or relaxation please). As soon as Rafa sees Novak playing well on the other side of the net, his confidence goes down and he starts going for too much, or hitting too short.

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I totally disagree, Rafa's nobody's prison sweety... He hasn't back away from Djoker in their last 6-7 matches including AO. If Djoker wins, he is the better player that day, its as simple as that .. Example.. AO 12 could have went the other way but it didn't. Djoker raised his game at the end and Rafa wasn't able to match it. Last year at RG, Rafa raised his game during the 4th set and Djoker couldn't match it. These two are no strangers, they know each others game, there isn't nothing new. Is Djoker or Rafa serving like Sampras, NO. Is Djoker or Rafa attacking the net like Rafter, No. Its Grinding baseliner vs Basliner. The winner is going to be a combination of who is the aggressor and who executes better on the big points.

 

[brokenshoelace]

A-P: I picked Nadal to beat Djokovic in 4 sets last year. Which was what happened. Here's the thread from the old forums, with my prediction on the first page: http://legacy.tennis.com/messageboards/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20732&start=1

But even if I did pick Djokovic (which I didn't), it would have been less preposterous than picking Haas to beat Djokovic, which is what you did

In any case, because I always feel the need to justify whenever I pick Nadal to lose, I REALLY hope I'm wrong about my prediction.

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The winner is going to be a combination of who is the aggressor and who executes better on the big points.

Something that Djokovic was able to do in 8 out of their last 11 matches.

 

[the AntiPusher]

A-P: I picked Nadal to beat Djokovic in 4 sets last year. Which was what happened. Here's the thread from the old forums, with my prediction on the first page: http://legacy.tennis.com/messageboards/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20732&start=1

But even if I did pick Djokovic (which I didn't), it would have been less preposterous than picking Haas to beat Djokovic, which is what you did

In any case, because I always feel the need to justify whenever I pick Nadal to lose, I REALLY hope I'm wrong about my prediction.

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The winner is going to be a combination of who is the aggressor and who executes better on the big points.

Something that Djokovic was able to do in 8 out of their last 11 matches.

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Hold on my friend.. I said that Haas would be dangerous for Djoker.. I don't recall picking him to win the match, did I?

As for the record.. true Djoker has turn the tides on Rafa but I will stay on the said of the positive by looking at the past 4 matches which is 3-1 Rafa. Defeating Djoker at MC at bit too soon and unrealistic afterwards of the long layoff. There will be no excuses because Rafa has had enough matches under his belt now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

A-P: I picked Nadal to beat Djokovic in 4 sets last year. Which was what happened. Here's the thread from the old forums, with my prediction on the first page: http://legacy.tennis.com/messageboards/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20732&start=1

But even if I did pick Djokovic (which I didn't), it would have been less preposterous than picking Haas to beat Djokovic, which is what you did

In any case, because I always feel the need to justify whenever I pick Nadal to lose, I REALLY hope I'm wrong about my prediction.

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The winner is going to be a combination of who is the aggressor and who executes better on the big points.

Something that Djokovic was able to do in 8 out of their last 11 matches.

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Hold on my friend.. I said that Haas would be dangerous for Djoker.. I don't recall picking him to win the match, did I

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You did. Here's your exact quote:

"I have tommy Haas winning today in a huge ambush of an upset if he is able to consistently get deep into Djoker service games and can keep creating his own patterns."

Anyway, as you know, I don't get worked up over predictions. We are all wrong in many of them. I was just giving you a hard time.

 

[the AntiPusher]

A-P: I picked Nadal to beat Djokovic in 4 sets last year. Which was what happened. Here's the thread from the old forums, with my prediction on the first page: http://legacy.tennis.com/messageboards/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=20732&start=1

But even if I did pick Djokovic (which I didn't), it would have been less preposterous than picking Haas to beat Djokovic, which is what you did

In any case, because I always feel the need to justify whenever I pick Nadal to lose, I REALLY hope I'm wrong about my prediction.

---

The winner is going to be a combination of who is the aggressor and who executes better on the big points.

Something that Djokovic was able to do in 8 out of their last 11 matches.

---

Hold on my friend.. I said that Haas would be dangerous for Djoker.. I don't recall picking him to win the match, did I

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You did. Here's your exact quote:

"I have tommy Haas winning today in a huge ambush of an upset if he is able to consistently get deep into Djoker service games and can keep creating his own patterns."

Anyway, as you know, I don't get worked up over predictions. We are all wrong in many of them. I was just giving you a hard time.

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"Not a easy match for Djoker.. Haas's game matches up very well and has a lot of dangerous weapons to keep the world's number 1 on his toes. "

Is the post that I recall.. as for the post you found..

You are correct my friend. we all make errors in our predictions. I probably made that post at 3 am :blush:

 

[Denis]

As I expected, Nadal - Djokovic up first (probably to give Jo Willie some prime time on French tv). They will play during the hottest moment of the day.

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html

 

[J-B]

I hope Novak injures both ankles, his back, his hip, gets cramps, bird flu, anthrax, sars and a cold.

 

[Denis]

I hope Novak injures both ankles, his back, his hip, gets cramps, bird flu, anthrax, sars and a cold.

Good bye.