2014 Indian Wells Masters Final: Federer v. Djokovic

[Kieran]

Welcome back, Srini!

My preference in this one is for Roger, because, frankly, I don't want Nole to gather a head of formidable steam heading into the clay. But I think if Nole tightens up even a smidgen on his Dubai showing, he takes this one, most likely in two close sets...

EDIT: of those two piggies, Front, I like the one that's ready for a sambo so much more...

 

[Srini]

Welcome back, Srini!

My preference in this one is for Roger, because, frankly, I don't want Nole to gather a head of formidable steam heading into the clay. But I think if Nole tightens up even a smidgen on his Dubai showing, he takes this one, most likely in two close sets...

EDIT: of those two piggies, Front, I like the one that's ready for a sambo so much more...

Thanks!
Though am happy Roger's playing better, it's rather boring that Rafa and Novak are far from their best. Murray is not even in conversation sadly because of the injury.

 

[masterclass]

Interesting post match on court interviews:

Novak's thoughts following the Isner match, and the upcoming final vs. Federer.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10614564


Federer's post match on court interview including Funny part about his missing coaches.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10614676

Game time today is 2 pm. Weather forecast is for hot and dry (90 F./32 C. 10% humidity), but only light variable winds (< 5 mph/8 kph). So it should be perfect playing weather.

Hopefully it's a good match. Strange tournament in that neither opponent has had to face a player in the top 10 until the final.
Federer beat 4 seeded players out of the 5 he beat including #11 seed Haas and didn't drop a set.
Djokovic beat 2 seeded players out of the 5 he beat, including #12 seed Isner and dropped a set to 3 players.

Speaking of missing coaches, does anyone know where Boris Becker is? I noticed Marián Vajda was back in his familiar seat.

Draw what conclusions you may from that and how they have been playing this tournament, but as they say, every day is different.

May the best player win, good luck to both!

Respectfully,
masterclass

 

[britbox]

Speaking of missing coaches, does anyone know where Boris Becker is?

Have you checked the broom cupboard?

 

[lacatch]

Two things: 1)In terms of the polls on this site, I am strongly in the camp of voting for whom you think WILL win, not WANT to win. Otherwise what's the point of taking a poll? Might as well have a permanent post where people can vote for their favorite player. I consider who the players are, how they have been playing, history of the matchup, etc. 2)I LIKE both Roger and Djoker, and logic might say that Roger has been playing very well recently and just beat Novak in Dubai (albeit on a fast hard court). But I went with Novak in 3 for the reason others cited: I think Novak NEEDS this more and has more to prove, and will rally to the occasion. It can take only one match to turn things around, and while Novak greatly respects Roger, he doesn't have to worry about him the way
he does Isner (serve) or Rafa (crazy long everready bunny rallies). I could just as easily see Roger winning this one, but am going with my gut.

 

[Kieran]

The point of polls is that people should vote exactly as they wish to...

 

[lacatch]

Of course they should vote as they wish to. But a poll predicting the OUTCOME of a match is NOT the same as a poll indicating popularity of the respective players. Otherwise, as I stated above, just have a standing poll asking you to vote for your favorite player.

 

[Kieran]

Yeah but polls give choices. How and why a person votes is up to them...

 

[lacatch]

But the point of a poll in this case is: Whom do you think WILL win, not WANT to win. The latter is just a popularity contest. I'm not sure why you don't seem to grasp this distinction, but I'll leave it at that.

 

[Riotbeard]

Yeah but polls give choices. How and why a person votes is up to them...

Come on Kieran. This is a scientific process! :lolz:

 

[Kieran]

Yeah but polls give choices. How and why a person votes is up to them...

Come on Kieran. This is a scientific process! :lolz:

I know, but I'm the wrong person to ask anyway. I always treat polls as trivial, even so-called important surveys taken in town. As for ever signing petitions... :nono

 

[El Dude]

While I agree with lacatch in principle, in reality its very, very difficult to separate "want" from "think." Kieran's a case in point!

 

[Moxie]

BTW, all: we'll have the live chat open for the Djokovic-Federer final. I hope you'll all chime in.

For those who might not have seen this, we're doing the live chat:

Men's final at 2pm PDT; that's 5pm EDT; 9pm Ireland/England and 10pm in Continental Europe…I think. Note that US has switched to Daylight Savings time, so I'm pretty sure it's not the usual time difference.

 

[Kieran]

Thanks Moxie. Then I'll miss it. Bad night to have a big final, the night before Paddy's Day. I wonder how they overlooked that... :nono

 

[Riotbeard]

Thanks Moxie. Then I'll miss it. Bad night to have a big final, the night before Paddy's Day. I wonder how they overlooked that... :nono

You guys should do it American style . The parades are today in the U.S.

 

[Kieran]

Are they? That's bizarre! Why?

By the way, I was in NY for the parade in 2008, was a great place to be. The parade was amazing, and the pubs were buzzing...

 

[shawnbm]

Thanks Moxie. Then I'll miss it. Bad night to have a big final, the night before Paddy's Day. I wonder how they overlooked that... :nono

Come now, Br. Kieran, I'm sure you can find a watering hole in merry Dublin to wet your whistle AND observe the goings-on at Mr. Ellison's garden party. I fully expect you will find a way to remedy this little struggle of yours. :idea:

 

[Riotbeard]

Are they? That's bizarre! Why?

By the way, I was in NY for the parade in 2008, was a great place to be. The parade was amazing, and the pubs were buzzing...

To be fair, I only know that the parade is today in Philly, but my guess for the reason is so this religious holiday doesn't interrupt the chase of the yankee dollar.

 

[Riotbeard]

Are they? That's bizarre! Why?

By the way, I was in NY for the parade in 2008, was a great place to be. The parade was amazing, and the pubs were buzzing...

To be fair, I only know that the parade is today in Philly, but my guess for the reason is so this religious holiday doesn't interrupt the chase of the yankee dollar.

The main parade in New Orleans was yesterday.

 

[Kieran]

Thanks Moxie. Then I'll miss it. Bad night to have a big final, the night before Paddy's Day. I wonder how they overlooked that... :nono

Come now, Br. Kieran, I'm sure you can find a watering hole in merry Dublin to wet your whistle AND observe the goings-on at Mr. Ellison's garden party. I fully expect you will find a way to remedy this little struggle of yours. :idea:

I would if it was Ralphy, brother. I'm gonna start in the Bailey, off Grafton Street, then head toward Baggot Street, will be in the smoking garden at O'Donohue's. Place will be jammed. Most likely, by the time they go into the 3rd set, I'll be beyond caring who wins...