2013 French Open SF: Nadal vs. Djokovic

[the AntiPusher]

It should have been over in the 4th

The reason Novak's backhand wasn't that good today it's because Nadal's forehand was jumping like crazy; sunny weather at RG means lights out. Period!

BTW, all the BS about Rafa not moving as well or even sub-par was proven to be just that BS. His defense in the 5th specially was out of this world, that's Rafa going all out.

Now I wonder, when britbox will pick Rafa to win a big match or even a big tournament? Maybe this upcoming SW19?

Agreed.. All that BS all that BS.. just poking fun at my good buddy

 

[huntingyou]

It should have been over in the 4th

The reason Novak's backhand wasn't that good today it's because Nadal's forehand was jumping like crazy; sunny weather at RG means lights out. Period!

BTW, all the BS about Rafa not moving as well or even sub-par was proven to be just that BS. His defense in the 5th specially was out of this world, that's Rafa going all out.

Now I wonder, when britbox will pick Rafa to win a big match or even a big tournament? Maybe this upcoming SW19?

I pick him to win this year's French Open... happy?

it's been 6 years, I remember when you said rafa was never going to get to 6 slams or win the UO.

 

[calitennis127]

The difference between Djokovic losing serve and Nadal losing serve is that Djokovic lost it on his racket. He missed the overhead in the 5th with Nadal doing his behind-the-baseline defensive act. When Nadal lost his serve at the end of the 4th, it was because of terrific shotmaking from Djokovic.

That is the difference - for those on this board that deny the obvious, not naming any hunters in particular.

 

[crystalfire]

Cali has a point. That was the critical game. if Novak had gone to 5-3 then Nadal would have either be serving or receiving to stay in the match - which brings it's own set of pressures.

where were you when Rafa failed to serve for the match? I know, calling Novak a warrior with lions heart. Maybe Nadal was the warrior in that particular game :angel:

honestly doesnt matter. both are warriors and deserve all the respect for this match. i just hope one day djoker can win this tournament. he was pretty close to beating rafa this time. maybe next year.

 

[britbox]

Cali has a point. That was the critical game. if Novak had gone to 5-3 then Nadal would have either be serving or receiving to stay in the match - which brings it's own set of pressures.

where were you when Rafa failed to serve for the match? I know, calling Novak a warrior with lions heart. Maybe Nadal was the warrior in that particular game :angel:

I was on the board throughout squire. Where were you? Easy to jump in with hindsight assessments after the match has finished.

Djokovic was outplayed for large parts of the match, but played the big points exceptionally well (other than the last game).

 

[rafanoy1992]

I finally got a match prediction right! I picked Nadal in five tight sets. Anyways, what heart from both players. Djokovic was two points away from being defeated in the fourth set. But he fought it off and won the tiebreak. And for Nadal, what more can I say about him. Anyways, congrats to Rafael Nadal for going to his eighth FO Final. On a added note, Nadal now has reached nine finals in nine tournaments this year.

As for Djokovic, he WILL win Roland Garros! He is too good not to win this title.

 

[huntingyou]

Cali has a point. That was the critical game. if Novak had gone to 5-3 then Nadal would have either be serving or receiving to stay in the match - which brings it's own set of pressures.

where were you when Rafa failed to serve for the match? I know, calling Novak a warrior with lions heart. Maybe Nadal was the warrior in that particular game :angel:

honestly doesnt matter. both are warriors and deserve all the respect for this match. i just hope one day djoker can win this tournament. he was pretty close to beating rafa this time. maybe next year.

More than likely next year since Rafa's time as KOC it's coming to an end.

My point is, there are people that never give Nadal his due respect. Picking Novak at RG on a sunny day vs a healthy Rafa was the wrong bet...just ask Vegas.

---

Cali has a point. That was the critical game. if Novak had gone to 5-3 then Nadal would have either be serving or receiving to stay in the match - which brings it's own set of pressures.

where were you when Rafa failed to serve for the match? I know, calling Novak a warrior with lions heart. Maybe Nadal was the warrior in that particular game :angel:

I was on the board throughout squire. Where were you? Easy to jump in with hindsight assessments after the match has finished.

Djokovic was outplayed for large parts of the match, but played the big points exceptionally well (other than the last game).

I gave my prediction weeks ago after he won Rome...ask Darth, even a few days ago I said everything you needed to know about this watch was on the weather forecast.

 

[britbox]

It should have been over in the 4th

The reason Novak's backhand wasn't that good today it's because Nadal's forehand was jumping like crazy; sunny weather at RG means lights out. Period!

BTW, all the BS about Rafa not moving as well or even sub-par was proven to be just that BS. His defense in the 5th specially was out of this world, that's Rafa going all out.

Now I wonder, when britbox will pick Rafa to win a big match or even a big tournament? Maybe this upcoming SW19?

I pick him to win this year's French Open... happy?

it's been 6 years, I remember when you said rafa was never going to get to 6 slams or win the UO.

I may have said that in 2007 (USO agreed, disagree about the slam count). At about the same time I was getting laughed at for predicting Djokovic as being a future #1.

 

[Didi]

Cali, nobody is denying that the match was on Djokovic's raquet in the 5th set when he was up 4-2, yet at the same time it's ridiculous to ignore that out of a total of 60+ winners, Nadal hit 22 of them in the 5th set alone, almost twice as many as Djokovic. He came up with some great shots off of both wings when the ships were down. Since you are so obsessed with winners and shotmaking, I just find it pure bitterness from your part to call Nadal a gnat who happened to be lucky that Nole couldn't serve it out. Again, this was AO 2012 reversed, that's life, that's sports.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Darn, I predicted Rafa in 5, but apparently did not vote for it. Proof is in the first page

 

[Riotbeard]

I agree that novak's problem was nadal forehand was too good today against hist crosscourt backhand, but the real question is why novak kept going to it, when everytime you could see the inevitable result: down the line forehand winner!

 

[britbox]

RG on a sunny day vs a healthy Rafa was the wrong bet...just ask Vegas.

So picking Novak was just a wild crazy reach? 9-7 in the fifth, my friend.

 

[huntingyou]

It should have been over in the 4th

The reason Novak's backhand wasn't that good today it's because Nadal's forehand was jumping like crazy; sunny weather at RG means lights out. Period!

BTW, all the BS about Rafa not moving as well or even sub-par was proven to be just that BS. His defense in the 5th specially was out of this world, that's Rafa going all out.

Now I wonder, when britbox will pick Rafa to win a big match or even a big tournament? Maybe this upcoming SW19?

I pick him to win this year's French Open... happy?

it's been 6 years, I remember when you said rafa was never going to get to 6 slams or win the UO.

I may have said that in 2007 (USO agreed, disagree about the slam count). At about the same time I was getting laughed at for predicting Djokovic as being a future #1.

I think in 2007 most people predicted for Novak to be #1, after his 2009 serving woes.......most people backed off.

Anyways, I'm just messing with you friend. Quite honestly, I don't think Nadal can't deny Novak at RG much longer......it will happen eventually.

---

Cali, nobody is denying that the match was on Djokovic's raquet in the 5th set when he was up 4-2, yet at the same time it's ridiculous to ignore that out of a total of 60+ winners, Nadal hit 22 of them in the 5th set alone, almost twice as many as Djokovic. He came up with some great shots off of both wings when the ships were down. Since you are so obsessed with winners and shotmaking, I just find it pure bitterness from your part to call Nadal a gnat who happened to be lucky that Nole couldn't serve it out. Again, this was AO 2012 reversed, that's life, that's sports.

Great post!

Nadal was in full flight in the 5 set...both defensively and offensively. Even his backhand saved his butt quite a few time. He was the shotmaker when it mattered the most!

 

[SF Nadalite]

VAMOS, RAFA! Incredible match.

Congrats also to Novak for playing so amazingly. A true epic.

Now I hope the Rafa fans on here are generous and considerate of the Djokovic fans, and how they must feel right now.

Good point!

Both of these guys are amazing, very different styles and strenths - for anyone to call one superior is just wrong -

 

[Riotbeard]

VAMOS, RAFA! Incredible match.

Congrats also to Novak for playing so amazingly. A true epic.

Now I hope the Rafa fans on here are generous and considerate of the Djokovic fans, and how they must feel right now.

Good point!

Both of these guys are amazing, very different styles and strenths - for anyone to call one superior is just wrong -

I will say good going Rafa. It is wonderful to have him back. It goes without saying there could have been a better end for me, but these guys make each other better, and it is a pleasure to watch. So much credit to both guys for not give up when it seemed they were close to out of it. Congrats Rafa fans also.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Also, with Djokovic losing, Rod Laver will have some champagne tonight because he still the only male player to win a Calendar Slam in the Open Era. Here's another interesting fact, the last time a player won Australian Open and French Open in the same year was in 1992. Jim Courier did the feat. Maybe, the Australian Open - French Open double is the toughest feat to accomplish after all.

 

[the AntiPusher]

VAMOS, RAFA! Incredible match.

Congrats also to Novak for playing so amazingly. A true epic.

Now I hope the Rafa fans on here are generous and considerate of the Djokovic fans, and how they must feel right now.

Good point!

Both of these guys are amazing, very different styles and strenths - for anyone to call one superior is just wrong -

for anyone to call one superior is just wrong -

you shouldn't talk about Cali behind his backuzzled

 

[Riotbeard]

Also, with Djokovic losing, Rod Laver will have some champagne tonight because he still the only male player to win a Calendar Slam in the Open Era. Here's another interesting fact, the last time a player won Australian Open and French Open in the same year was in 1992. Jim Courier did the feat. Maybe, the Australian Open - French Open double is the toughest feat to accomplish after all.

It is a tough one, because you have to carry momentum in between slams much longer.

 

[Mog]

Congrates to Nadal. Rafa is Rafa after all.
It was a great match.

 

[Haelfix]

What a match. But the better player won today. I agree that it was the sun that made the difference and that changed the nature of the all important cc exchange.

Novak's overhead weakness is one of the most intriguing achilles heels i've ever seen in tennis. I don't know if i've ever seen a proffessional player of that calibre (and with such a nice serve) play them so poorly.