2014 Aussie Open QF: Djokovic vs. Wawrinka

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I hope boom boom boris hasn't been leading djoko astray with visits to the casinos..or visits to cloakrooms.

he is being wasted..big time.

 

[Denis]

I have never seen Novaks ROS this bad.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Novak needs to realize that Wawrinka is misfiring on down the line shots from both wings, so he should take a step further out wide to cover the cross court side. Will allow him more time to turn rallies around.

And I agree with the above regarding how poor his return of serve is. Very strange.

 

[Moxie]

Djokovic still somehow won more points at this point which is hard to believe.

@kskate2 Stan is playing well, but Novak did absolutely nothing to trouble him.

Yes, in fairness, it's not as if Stan is playing like he reinvented tennis. Novak has been sending a lot long or into the net. Rather surprisingly.

 

[brokenshoelace]

There's still an obvious way back for Novak. He's getting 0-30 on virtually every Wawrinka service game and you can see the first few points here that when he plays more aggressive with the forehand, he'll just get on top of the rally and stay there. Wawrinka doesn't defend nearly as well so he won't turn rallies around. It's when Stan is the first one to take the initiative that Novak is in trouble.

Yeah, but you need to put the ball in the court first....

Yes, an important concept in tennis. One that Novak seems to have forgotten about.

I guess Mastoor was correct in seeing problems with the Djokovic game that I couldn't see.

Damn... this day got even stranger.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Important for Novak to be serving first in this set. Better signs on serve form him. I feel if he breaks Wawrinka momentum will completely shift, including the fifth set.

 

[Denis]

Important for Novak to be serving first in this set. Better signs on serve form him. I feel if he breaks Wawrinka momentum will completely shift, including the fifth set.

That's what we kind of expect from Novak, but the signs are not there yet.

 

[Moxie]

Novak needs to realize that Wawrinka is misfiring on down the line shots from both wings, so he should take a step further out wide to cover the cross court side. Will allow him more time to turn rallies around.

And I agree with the above regarding how poor his return of serve is. Very strange.

Could it be lack of quality opponents before now? Off day? Wind? He's certainly not as sharp as where he started.

 

[brokenshoelace]

For Stan the most important thing is to stay with Novak until 4-4 in this set or something like that. The deeper it goes the more likely Novak is to get tight (if he is to get tight). An early break is the confidence boost he needs.

PS: Wawrinka should REALLY stop going for DTL shots. It's just not working so leave it alone.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Can't remember Novak returning second serves so poorly.

 

[Denis]

What is wrong with that ROS on the second serve?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Novak needs to realize that Wawrinka is misfiring on down the line shots from both wings, so he should take a step further out wide to cover the cross court side. Will allow him more time to turn rallies around.

And I agree with the above regarding how poor his return of serve is. Very strange.

Could it be lack of quality opponents before now? Off day? Wind? He's certainly not as sharp as where he started.

Not sure. I mean it's not unusual to reach the QF without playing quality opponents.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Novak insists on brushing off the ball to create an angle on those short put aways instead of just going hard. I don't get it.

 

[DarthFed]

This is hideous stuff from Novak, Stan isn't having to do much.

 

[britbox]

Aussie TV commentators just said Djokovic is still the overwhelming favourite with the bookies.

 

[Denis]

Well there is some sort of consolidation now at least.

 

[Moxie]

Novak needs to realize that Wawrinka is misfiring on down the line shots from both wings, so he should take a step further out wide to cover the cross court side. Will allow him more time to turn rallies around.

And I agree with the above regarding how poor his return of serve is. Very strange.

Could it be lack of quality opponents before now? Off day? Wind? He's certainly not as sharp as where he started.

Not sure. I mean it's not unusual to reach the QF without playing quality opponents.

I'm not shocked he went off the boil in the 2nd, but it's stunning it has lasted this long. However, I agree with you: if he gets a break, he'll start to run away. Already looking better on that serve. Stan can't keep relying on UFEs from Novak.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Better vibe from Novak there. He seems to be sharper/more focused.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

djokovic needs to subdue his inner gimp.

 

[britbox]

Poor lob by Novak. That point was there for the taking.