2013 French Open SF: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[J-B]

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

Good bye.

Unfortunately, that's the only way Rafa can beat him...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

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

You forgot aids and ebola...I heard they are bad too...:nono

 

[Front242]

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

Bear in mind it was also his most tired opponent and by tired I should probably say exhausted from 8-6 in the 5th against Gasquet. Not that he was ever going to win or do more than take a set but his fatigue was the reason for the scoreline much like Robredo's match against Ferrer. Both of their opponents were more tired than any other player left in the tournament. So no doubt he looked better playing someone who couldn't run down anything same as Ferrer against Robredo.

 

[Denis]

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

Good bye.

Unfortunately, that's the only way Rafa can beat him...

I was referring to you. What an obnoxious, inappropriate and offensive first post.

 

[J-B]

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

Good bye.

Unfortunately, that's the only way Rafa can beat him...

I was referring to you. What an obnoxious, inappropriate and offensive first post.

Haha, I was only joking, making a reference to this famous Roddick interview : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPgWoOon8-w

 

[brokenshoelace]

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

J-B, good to see you back! We missed you buddy.

For the newer members, you'll get used to him, he's probably our funniest poster here. Obviously, J-B wasn't completely serious in his post...he would never wish bird flu and Anthrax upon Novak!

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^ i think people, including Denisovich, know the reference. it's just that it doesn't seem like a nice thing to say, even when said in jest. with your delivery (unlike Roddick's), not particularly funny either. might wanna try a fresh, new, positive start to the community - you'll see, people are really friendly around here

 

[J-B]

^ i think people, including Denisovich, know the reference. it's just that it doesn't seem like a nice thing to say, even when said in jest. with your delivery (unlike Roddick's), not particularly funny either. might wanna try a fresh, new, positive start to the community - you'll see, people are really friendly around here

You know what ? Actually I hope I get bird flu or Sars tomorrow so I can ring in sick and watch the game at home.

 

[Didi]

This one has a nice feeling of "Wimbledon 2008" written all over it. Djokovic has been knocking on Nadal's door at RG for years as has Nadal on Roger's at SW19. Rafa just turned 27 and Roger was about to turn 27 when he faced him in the 2008 final. Obviously there are also some differences too as that match symbolized the changing of the guard whereas now Djokovic already established himself as the clear #1 since 2011. Roger was still chasing Pete's record at Wimbledon whereas Nadal already set a new one last year. Then again, similar to Roger in 2008, this could be Rafa's last stand to stop Djokovic in Paris. And not just that, by defending his RG crown he could make it a realistic goal to overtake Nole after Melbourne 2014. A lot at stake here. Who wants it more? I pick Nole in 5.

 

[Denis]

^ i think people, including Denisovich, know the reference. it's just that it doesn't seem like a nice thing to say, even when said in jest. with your delivery (unlike Roddick's), not particularly funny either. might wanna try a fresh, new, positive start to the community - you'll see, people are really friendly around here

You know what ? Actually I hope I get bird flu or Sars tomorrow so I can ring in sick and watch the game at home.

Well be careful, sars can be tricky . Welcome back then I guess... I've only started posting since late last year.

 

[SF Nadalite]

uzzled

who else is "working from home" tomorrow?

:clap :clap

 

[Front242]

Going to Faro in Portugal for a weekend break and my wife wanted me to stay at home when I told her uh, sorry you know this weekend the men's semis and finals of the French Open are on. She's fed up but I'm not gonna miss these matches. Will probably have to compromise and miss Tsonga v Ferrer or I'll be indoors all day and no point watching Serena embarrassing Sharapova on Saturday.

 

[Riotbeard]

Is there a legit U.S. Stream for this match? I can never even see the ball on the betting sites, and espn3 does not seem to be carrying it!

 

[askh]

Is there a legit U.S. Stream for this match? I can never even see the ball on the betting sites, and espn3 does not seem to be carrying it!

You can try the following:

http://www.en.aljazeerasport.tv/Live/channel/ajs2

I am not sure if it can be viewed in the US, but if yes, the quality is superb.

 

[Postpre]

When examining Nadal's clay court prominence through the years, one things stands out clear in my mind:

Nadal stubbornly resists any changing of the guard on clay.

There have been many occasions at Roland Garros where a changing of the guard would have been heralded had Nadal lost. But, he didn't allow it to take place. In the same manner, he's not going to allow it to happen on Friday.

 

[Moxie]

When examining Nadal's clay court prominence through the years, one things stands out clear in my mind:

Nadal stubbornly resists any changing of the guard on clay.

There have been many occasions at Roland Garros where a changing of the guard would have been heralded had Nadal lost. But, he didn't allow it to take place. In the same manner, he's not going to allow it to happen on Friday.

Good one, Postpre! Nadal is stubborn...and he's a creature of habit. He has a pretty big habit of winning at RG.

Anyway, Rafa is better than Novak on clay. And tomorrow's going to be sunny and hot. :clap ¡Vamos, Rafa!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

uzzled

who else is "working from home" tomorrow?

:clap :clap

No work, just staying home...but I took it off weeks ago for the semis

 

[Moxie]

uzzled

who else is "working from home" tomorrow?

:clap :clap

No work, just staying home...but I took it off weeks ago for the semis

I'm jealous! I'll be able to watch the first set or so, before work, but then will have to see what I can catch at work, while pretending to actually care about my job. :angel: I'll be wearing my lucky shirt, though, and you can't imagine the machinations that I have to go through to make THAT part of an elegant outfit! :laydownlaughing

 

[Moxie]

This one has a nice feeling of "Wimbledon 2008" written all over it. Djokovic has been knocking on Nadal's door at RG for years as has Nadal on Roger's at SW19. Rafa just turned 27 and Roger was about to turn 27 when he faced him in the 2008 final. Obviously there are also some differences too as that match symbolized the changing of the guard whereas now Djokovic already established himself as the clear #1 since 2011. Roger was still chasing Pete's record at Wimbledon whereas Nadal already set a new one last year. Then again, similar to Roger in 2008, this could be Rafa's last stand to stop Djokovic in Paris. And not just that, by defending his RG crown he could make it a realistic goal to overtake Nole after Melbourne 2014. A lot at stake here. Who wants it more? I pick Nole in 5.

Didi, I actually have thought the same thing...it's very much setting up as a show-down. I would challenge you on one point, though: you say "Djokovic has been knocking on Nadal's door at RG for years as has Nadal on Roger's at SW19." It's not a direct parallel.

Djokovic and Nadal have played 4 times at RG. 2006 QF loss was via retirement, after 2 sets lost (6-4, 6-4.) 2007 (SF) was 7-5, 6-4, 6-2. 2008 (SF) was 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3,) and 2012 (F) went 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Novak improved on his OWN RG record, but he didn't notably improve against Nadal in the same way that Nadal was steadily gaining ground directly against Federer at Wimbledon. I will say that, in Nadal's impressive 08 run, Djokovic was the only one who took him to a TB, though. The difference between Rafa and Nole has been that Djokovic improved, overall, but not so specifically over Nadal at RG.

Of course, there are other factors, but to say that Djokovic has made an obvious march against Rafa at RG, specifically, I find a stretch.

 

[BalaryKar]

This match may become "Match of the Year" if Nole wins, and just another FO year if Rafa wins. Have your take