2013 French Open SF: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[rafanoy1992]

Nadal is a lot calmer this year than last year. Other than the first game, he has been hitting the ball cleanly and with authority. Now, if he could just move forward a little bit, he will be fine.

 

[DarthFed]

Nole is not getting enough on any of his shots. You can't go after Nadal's forehand with weak shots or the points over. The ball is jumping up crazy high right now for the spin monster

 

[Didi]

One of the best sets of tennis I've ever seen from Nadal. Firing winners off of both wings in a controlled yet commanding way. He stepped up big time and rose to the occasion so far. In general both started very well. Now it's up to Nole to respond in the 2nd. Great set of tennis.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Some defending from Nadal...two set points...and needs only one. 51 minutes is pretty fast for these two.

 

[DarthFed]

Not even competitive. That doesn't bode well for Nole as one advantage would figure to be his ability to outlast Nadal especially if the latter is doing the vast majority of the running which isn't the case right now.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Nadal, stop...really...he killed that forehand.

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Nole is frustrated with the DTL backhand, and rightfully so...against rafa, if you don't have that shot, you ain't winning.

 

[DarthFed]

Right now Djokovic has no backhand at all. I didn't think I'd ever say that!

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Definitely a drop in play for Rafa, the problem is Nole's isn't any better than the 1st set.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Right now Djokovic has no backhand at all. I didn't think I'd ever say that!

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Definitely a drop in play for Rafa, the problem is Nole's isn't any better than the 1st set.

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One good DTL backhand and Nole wins the point. He NEEDS it to work.

 

[isabelle]

Nole is not at his best, I guess Nadal will win ??

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Nole has to up the level. This is not him.

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Nole is not at his best, I guess Nadal will win ??

I am not sure Belle, but the way things are right now, looks like it. Rafa gets the break in the second. But this is tennis. It ain't over till it's over. Rafa looks sharp, Nole sub par right now.

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Well, it took a set and a half for the best returner in the game to get a break point.

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Nole finally breaks. I did not feel a huge step up in his game to break though...he still needs to play way better to have a say in this thing.

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Great point, and it was won by Nadal because Nole just does not trust his DTL backhand. When he does, he will be in it.

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The famous Nole screamer...confidence builder. Can he serve it out?

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These rallies are just out of this world. I am loving it.

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Not a good approach at 30-15 and Nole gets punished for it.

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Nole did not have HALF this forehand just 4-5 years ago. Murray, take note, it is possible.

 

[tennisville]

what a awesome match

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Gift from Nole. Ad was his.

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Bad break for Nole...

 

[herios]

Screw it Pascal, If you can't see, you should not sit in that chair. Disgusting to hand to Nadal such a gift.

 

[DarthFed]

Screw it Pascal, If you can't see, you should not sit in that chair. Disgusting to hand to Nadal such a gift.

Makes you wonder if Nadal pointed at the wrong mark. But anyways Nole's level was dropping like a rock even before that. You have to sustain a high level if you want to beat Nadal on clay.

 

[rafanoy1992]

So, Nadal lost four straight games to lose the second set. Now, Djokovic lost four straight games to start the third set.

 

[britbox]

Looks like Nole is tanking this set out.

 

[herios]

Screw it Pascal, If you can't see, you should not sit in that chair. Disgusting to hand to Nadal such a gift.

Makes you wonder if Nadal pointed at the wrong mark. But anyways Nole's level was dropping like a rock even before that. You have to sustain a high level if you want to beat Nadal on clay.

Chair umpire's job is to call the close calls. He pretty much handed it on aplate to Nadal, because he points to an imaginary sign? Rafa basically cheated and the umpire went for it.






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[britbox]

Not sure about that herios - we're talking millimetres and human error.

Nole needs to win this game and he'll likely serve first in the fourth,

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Positive start to the 4th by Nole.

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Two droppers with two nets from Nole. That;s tough to handle but Rafa did well, no?

 

[Ricardo]

Screw it Pascal, If you can't see, you should not sit in that chair. Disgusting to hand to Nadal such a gift.

Makes you wonder if Nadal pointed at the wrong mark. But anyways Nole's level was dropping like a rock even before that. You have to sustain a high level if you want to beat Nadal on clay.

Chair umpire's job is to call the close calls. He pretty much handed it on aplate to Nadal, because he points to an imaginary sign? Rafa basically cheated and the umpire went for it.






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That is some serious accusation, better have strong evidence to say it. Nadal is not known as a cheat (he takes time between points, that's all i think) and the umpire is unlikely going to conspire against Djoker.