2014 Aussie Open QF: Djokovic vs. Wawrinka

[Moxie]

Djoker in 4. For Stan to win the match, he cannot allow it go to the 5th set. He needs to play like he did against murray at the US open and try to somehow finish in the first 4 sets.

That's probably true. He needs to get ahead early, and press. He can't fancy his chances if they go 5.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Nole looks to be in good form and won't be caught off guard by Stan unlike last year. It will go 4 at most.

Where did you see that good form of Nole's? In his inability to win rallies against Fognini in any other way but to wait for Fog's error after 20 some shots in the rally? Or in inability to convert break points unless Fognini commits double-fault?

I wish I look at the world through your glasses though.

:huh:

Novak has played very well so far. What's your issue with his game?

 

[tented]

I'll give Wawrinka one set, and pick Novak in 4, but it may very well end up Novak in 3.

 

[kskate2]

Stan is good for a set. But that's it. ND in 4.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Such a problem for Wawrinka that missing a first serve = losing a point.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'll never be a fan of Wawrinka's cross court forehand. It was clicking when they played last year here and that's partially why the match was so close. In general, it's a below par shot. The real problem for Wawrinka now is that he needed a strong start to have any chance. I don't really have data to back this up, but he never struck me as someone who can just regroup and play better the second set.

 

[Denis]

Novak leads 5-2, in an UE-fest.

 

[Denis]

I'll never be a fan of Wawrinka's cross court forehand. It was clicking when they played last year here and that's partially why the match was so close. In general, it's a below par shot. The real problem for Wawrinka now is that he needed a strong start to have any chance. I don't really have data to back this up, but he never struck me as someone who can just regroup and play better the second set.

The backhand is off today. Not much is required of Novak at the moment.

 

[Denis]

6-2 first set to Novak. Stepping it up in the last game.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Anyone know if it's windy out there? Both seem to be taking a bit off their racket head acceleration and not striking the ball particularly well. Lots of unforced errors and sloppy play (mainly from Wawrinka, obviously). I tuned in at 2-1 so I don't know if the commentators mentioned anything about it. It seems like there's a bit of wind out there with the ball trajectory sometimes.

 

[brokenshoelace]

17 unforced errors by Wawrinka so far. Yikes.

 

[Denis]

It is. Wilander mentioned it, and you can see it by looking at the clothes.

 

[Fiero425]

I'll never be a fan of Wawrinka's cross court forehand. It was clicking when they played last year here and that's partially why the match was so close. In general, it's a below par shot. The real problem for Wawrinka now is that he needed a strong start to have any chance. I don't really have data to back this up, but he never struck me as someone who can just regroup and play better the second set.

The backhand is off today. Not much is required of Novak at the moment.

When playing any top player like Nole or Rafa, you need to get off to a quick start and take that first set to have a real chance! Falling behind isn't an option! They'll always feel ok about a comeback; not necessarily the opposite can be said about the lesser racked individual!

 

[Moxie]

Where is Djokovic's girlfriend? She used to be a fixture.

 

[Denis]

Where is Djokovic's girlfriend? She used to be a fixture.

Actually not at the AO. But I'm sure she'll be there if Novak reaches the final. It's his fiancé by the way.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wawrinka needs his serve to start clicking so he can at least hang in there and slowly try to find his rhythm.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Where is Djokovic's girlfriend? She used to be a fixture.

Actually not at the AO. But I'm sure she'll be there if Novak reaches the final. It's his fiancé by the way.

Pretty sure she was there in 2012 the entire tourney. I don't know about last year though.

 

[Denis]

No, not last year. She was doing charity work and something else I can't remember.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Best game for Wawrinka yet. Hoping this will be like Murray-Djokovic from two years ago where the first set stunk (and ended 6-2) but the quality took a real rise after that. I don't think it will be anywhere near as close but I'm hope the quality improves at least.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wawrinka needs to be way more aggressive on those 2nd serve returns. I know he won the point (due to a bad error by Novak), but he practically waited for the ball almost bounce twice before returning. Poor errors by Novak and it's 0-40.