2013 French Open SF: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[Front242]

Good news for Nadal, not so good for Djokovic. Getting warmer than predicted initially today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2988507

 

[Moxie]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

 

[BalaryKar]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

I have long believed that the winner of this match is the winner of FO. It will be very very difficult for either Tsonga or Ferrer. If Rafa wins, it will be the finals which will get immortal status as Nadal becomes first man in open era to win a slam 8 times over. Except for tennis geeks like you, it won't matter the commoner who Rafa beat in the semis.

 

[Moxie]

Good news for Nadal, not so good for Djokovic. Getting warmer than predicted initially today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2988507

Damp and heavy worked in Djokovic's favor at MC this year, and it's the only thing that threatened to turn around the RG final last year. Without the aid of mud-balls, I don't think he can beat Nadal at RG, at least this year.

 

[imjimmy]

I have to go with Djokovic in 4 sets. I hope to be wrong, but this is what I feel based on the form of both players.

Their recent Monte Carlo 2013 match is a solid indication. In there Djokovic succeeded in peppering Nadal's backhand and pushing him on the defensive throughout, He won an absurd 90% of the points whenever he served to Nadal's backhand or when Rafa hit the backhand as the first shot in the rally. The key to that match was : Djokovic's DTL backhand to Nadal's backhand and Djokovic's Cross court forehand to Nadal's backhand. As soon as his did this consistently, Rafa threw up a short ball allowing Novak to take control of the point or stretch Nadal wide on the forehand (thereby exposing Nadal's backhand even more).

Why was Djokovic able to do this? Because Nadal did not employ the 2012 tactics which had led him to 3 wins against Djokovic on clay. These were hitting the ball deep and hard in the middle, thereby cutting down the angles for Djokovic. maintaining good court positioning, attacking Djokovic's forehand using his own off/DTL forehand and change up in serving out wide in the ad court and down the middle in the deuce court.

In this tournament (and the clay season in general), Nadal IMO hasn't played as well. His serve in particular has been weak (which is key against Djokovic ), his movement to the forehand side hasn't been as good and his off-forehand isn't firing. The backhand also looked better in IW than it does now.

So unless Nadal reaches his peak levels on clay, Djokovic could win provided he manages to execute at a high enough level for 3 sets - which is always a challenge against Nadal in Roland Garros, That being said, if Nadal plays his best, there can only be one winner on this surface.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

since this has been floating around for a while, i think i need to sepak up - it's early june, people! it's definitely the most anticipated match of the year so far, rightfully so with that narrative; but i think we'll need to see the match itself and a whole bunch of other tourneys before we come to conclusions. for one, if either guy from the bottom half were to win the final, wouldn't that likely eclipse this one? especially if it were the frenchman on his own turf? and don't get me even started on what might happen on the other surfaces

 

[tented]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

since this has been floating around for a while, i think i need to sepak up - it's early june, people! it's definitely the most anticipated match of the year so far, rightfully so with that narrative; but i think we'll need to see the match itself and a whole bunch of other tourneys before we come to conclusions. for one, if either guy from the bottom half were to win the final, wouldn't that likely eclipse this one? especially if it were the frenchman on his own turf? and don't get me even started on what might happen on the other surfaces

I see what you mean, but I think the key to BalaryKar's post are the words "may be" as opposed to "will be" -- very different.

In previous years, there have been times when my choice for match of the year did occur mid-year, and I sensed it at the time: 2008 Wimbledon final (obviously), 2009 Rafa/Novak Madrid SF, 2011 Federer/Novak RG SF, 2012 Federer/del Potro Olympics SF. (I can't think of one for 2010.)

Not that I would have been so stubborn that I wouldn't have revised those choices had something better happened, but in those cases nothing did, IMO. It's all subjective, of course.

 

[tented]

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.

Even if Wawrinka had come in completely rested, the scoreline could easily have been the same. In the 19 sets they had played leading up to this encounter, we know Wawrinka had never won a single one, and only 3 even went to a tiebreak.

 

[Mastoor]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

since this has been floating around for a while, i think i need to sepak up - it's early june, people! it's definitely the most anticipated match of the year so far, rightfully so with that narrative; but i think we'll need to see the match itself and a whole bunch of other tourneys before we come to conclusions. for one, if either guy from the bottom half were to win the final, wouldn't that likely eclipse this one? especially if it were the frenchman on his own turf? and don't get me even started on what might happen on the other surfaces

I see what you mean, but I think the key to BalaryKar's post are the words "may be" as opposed to "will be" -- very different.

In previous years, there have been times when my choice for match of the year did occur mid-year, and I sensed it at the time: 2008 Wimbledon final (obviously), 2009 Rafa/Novak Madrid SF, 2011 Federer/Novak RG SF, 2012 Federer/del Potro Olympics SF. (I can't think of one for 2010.)

Not that I would have been so stubborn that I wouldn't have revised those choices had something better happened, but in those cases nothing did, IMO. It's all subjective, of course.

John Mac calls it the match of the year because it is the most anticipated match of the year. If No1e wins it will be the match of the millennium.

 

[justapasserby]

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

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

since this has been floating around for a while, i think i need to sepak up - it's early june, people! it's definitely the most anticipated match of the year so far, rightfully so with that narrative; but i think we'll need to see the match itself and a whole bunch of other tourneys before we come to conclusions. for one, if either guy from the bottom half were to win the final, wouldn't that likely eclipse this one? especially if it were the frenchman on his own turf? and don't get me even started on what might happen on the other surfaces

I see what you mean, but I think the key to BalaryKar's post are the words "may be" as opposed to "will be" -- very different.

In previous years, there have been times when my choice for match of the year did occur mid-year, and I sensed it at the time: 2008 Wimbledon final (obviously), 2009 Rafa/Novak Madrid SF, 2011 Federer/Novak RG SF, 2012 Federer/del Potro Olympics SF. (I can't think of one for 2010.)

Not that I would have been so stubborn that I wouldn't have revised those choices had something better happened, but in those cases nothing did, IMO. It's all subjective, of course.

John Mac calls it the match of the year because it is the most anticipated match of the year. If No1e wins it will be the match of the millennium.

What are the chances this ends up in a retirement? ) that would be the dud of the millenium

 

[Ricardo]

It may be the "match of the year," either way. If Rafa wins, and then wins the title again, and you yawn, you might consider re-calibrating your own ability to be impressed by anything.

since this has been floating around for a while, i think i need to sepak up - it's early june, people! it's definitely the most anticipated match of the year so far, rightfully so with that narrative; but i think we'll need to see the match itself and a whole bunch of other tourneys before we come to conclusions. for one, if either guy from the bottom half were to win the final, wouldn't that likely eclipse this one? especially if it were the frenchman on his own turf? and don't get me even started on what might happen on the other surfaces

I see what you mean, but I think the key to BalaryKar's post are the words "may be" as opposed to "will be" -- very different.

In previous years, there have been times when my choice for match of the year did occur mid-year, and I sensed it at the time: 2008 Wimbledon final (obviously), 2009 Rafa/Novak Madrid SF, 2011 Federer/Novak RG SF, 2012 Federer/del Potro Olympics SF. (I can't think of one for 2010.)

Not that I would have been so stubborn that I wouldn't have revised those choices had something better happened, but in those cases nothing did, IMO. It's all subjective, of course.

John Mac calls it the match of the year because it is the most anticipated match of the year. If No1e wins it will be the match of the millennium.

What are the chances this ends up in a retirement? ) that would be the dud of the millenium

that would make most anti-climax moment of the year

 

[kskate2]

Nadal in 4

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Here we go...nice weather, stadium half empty (for now), a bit windy maybe, judging from the t shirts. Great couple of points from Nole. Clean winners.

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Nadal has to serve huge. Nole seems to want to take control of every point so far, serving OR returning...might not be sustainable though.

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Nole was dictating the rally but Rafa comes up with an amazing backhand pass. I am not sure what his average serve speed was throughout the tournament, but right now he is red-lining it.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

half empty? wow. alright, off to lunch break, got a feeling i'll be going to the nearest place with a good flatscreen on Eurosport

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

half empty? wow. alright, off to lunch break, got a feeling i'll be going to the nearest place with a good flatscreen on Eurosport

every point has been fun so far. Find a nice tv and park in front of it...

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

half empty? wow. alright, off to lunch break, got a feeling i'll be going to the nearest place with a good flatscreen on Eurosport

every point has been fun so far. Find a nice tv and park in front of it...

^ every point fun? that's part of the problem with their matchup. they don't just let it be for 15 or 20 minutes, to get some rest... hence everything resulting in grueling marathon battles. alright, NOW i'm really off

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Nole might be pushing too much too early in the rallies...and as I was typing this, J Mac said something similar.uzzled

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Nadal is attacking now on Nole's serve...Nole's turn to defend...and turn it into offense...wow. Good tennis here man...

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Nadal is now in every Nole serve game. Break point Rafa. Nole's serve speed has gone down.

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Ok, I am not modifying anything, writing new posts, why is it attached to the previous ones???

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Nadal with the first break. I hope the little tweak on Nole's ankle is not an issue. Nadal up 4-3.

 

[BalaryKar]

nadal draws the first cliche, i mean blood

 

[rafanoy1992]

Nadal's forehand right now is exploding on the court. That forehand he hit at deuce #2 was blazingly fast!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Ball bouncing way higher...advantage Nadal. Nole is not the same as the first couple of games. Not good.

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Nole wins his service game and stops the bleeding but still looks distracted a bit , no?