2014 Aussie Open QF: Djokovic vs. Wawrinka

[Denis]

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.

Wawrinka typically just chips it back in. Don't think he is going to change that all of a sudden. back to deuce from 0-40

 

[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.

Wawrinka typically just chips it back in. Don't think he is going to change that all of a sudden. back to deuce from 0-40

Well, it's one thing to change a playing style, it's another to change a strategy. This is more a strategic choice and one of the benefits of a best of 5 set match is you have enough time to make adjustments.

 

[Denis]

This is nothing close of the wawrinka of last year at the AO. It's the wind, but I think he's also not mentally up for it today.

 

[Moxie]

It's his fiancé by the way.

I do realize. I just didn't think in this day and age it was critical to make the distinction. And if you're going to be picky, Ms. Emily Post, she's his "fiancée." :snigger

 

[Denis]

It's his fiancé by the way.

I do realize. I just didn't think in this day and age it was critical to make the distinction. And if you're going to be picky, Ms. Emily Post, she's his "fiancée." :snigger

Touché

 

[brokenshoelace]

Re: Wawrinka's return. He chips first serve returns. Second serve returns he just takes a few step backwards and hits them from miles out. He needs to stand closer to the baseline. There's virtually no pressure on Novak if he misses his first serve.

 

[Moxie]

This is nothing close of the wawrinka of last year at the AO. It's the wind, but I think he's also not mentally up for it today.

There is an expectation on Stan to do well in this match, based on last year's one, and his subsequent year. He doesn't have to win, but he needs to make a good showing. He's not handling the moment well. And he's being out-played.

 

[Denis]

This is nothing close of the wawrinka of last year at the AO. It's the wind, but I think he's also not mentally up for it today.

There is an expectation on Stan to do well in this match, based on last year's one, and his subsequent year. He doesn't have to win, but he needs to make a good showing. He's not handling the moment well. And he's being out-played.

Well he made the QF which is a good result for him. And we're barely halfway the second set, let's see what happens.

 

[Denis]

I think there is not as much wind now btw.

 

[brokenshoelace]

At this point I wish Wawrinka chipped the second serve return. It would be much better than taking steps backwards in order to line up his one hander (to give himself enough time for the backswing) only to drop it short. If he's not going to step forward, then chipping would actually be better. He's standing closer when returning the first serve than he is on the second. Crazy.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Wow, best rally in the match on break point.

 

[Moxie]

Holy toledo, what a point!

 

[Denis]

Great point. Stan gets the break.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Even though Stan is winning these longer points, it must be a relief for Novak to know that he has a higher gear. For now, it seems Novak is content not to play with too much aggression. He's not hitting with real power and is just trying to spread the court instead. Once he starts being more assertive, I suspect he'll be moving Wawrinka far more.

 

[brokenshoelace]

That forehand second serve return shank highlights what I meant about Wawrinka standing so far back on second serves. Very few can get away with it, Nadal being one. He's no Nadal.

 

[brokenshoelace]

By the way, whatever happened to live chats during these matches?

 

[Denis]

Best of three now. Stan overpowered Novak in the second half of the second.

 

[Denis]

By the way, whatever happened to live chats during these matches?

Isn't it semis and finals only?

 

[brokenshoelace]

A set apiece. Not excellent tennis by any means but better than the first set slopfest. Wawrinka playing much better, and varying his serve very smartly. Still looks to me like Novak is stuck in first gear. I actually think Wawrinka being as poor as he was in the first set didn't allow Novak to settle in and find his rhythm since he didn't have to do anything. He remained at the same level in the second while Stan improved a bit and caught him off guard. Djokovic needs to start being more aggressive now.

 

[Denis]

Even though Stan is winning these longer points, it must be a relief for Novak to know that he has a higher gear. For now, it seems Novak is content not to play with too much aggression. He's not hitting with real power and is just trying to spread the court instead. Once he starts being more assertive, I suspect he'll be moving Wawrinka far more.

Still not able to be consistent enough when he gets there. And Stan the last few games is not letting Novak dictate play.