2014 Monte Carlo Masters Semifinal: Djokovic v. Federer

[brokenshoelace]

The bad wrist is playing a role.

Wait, you're allowed to bring that up? Because when people mentioned the Nadal back issue in the Wawrinka match at the AO, you scolded them for like a full month...

Saying bad wrist played a role is one thing (a reality that we could see) and saying that if not for the bad wrist Djokovic would have won today is another thing (and a hyptothetical no one
can speculate on).

Yes, it's also a hypothetical almost nobody suggested re: Nadal-Wawrinka...

 

[Kieran]

Good man, Roger, but really, Nole must have been off his game...

He wasn't in set 1.

Funny actually 'cos down here when you say someone is off their game it means they're a lunatic :laydownlaughing Maybe you don't use that phrase in Dublin "Your man's off his game!" :snigger

When we say it about players from Cork, it has both meanings...

 

[DarthFed]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

 

[Kieran]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

No, not really, but do you think Nole should be still losing to Roger? I'm not saying that if Roger plays his best, he'll lose, but I'm following you: Roger is years past his prime, and Nole has won the last four MS titles.

I'm happy anyway, buddy, Rafa has gained ranking points at the top, on Nole... :clap

 

[shawnbm]

I agree with broken on the above. It wasn't the best of first sets from Novak, but a good one. He hit cleanly and defended well as usual. He had chances, but Roger was tough at the end when it counted. No matter how well Novak plays against Rafael, rarely can routinely school Roger. Roger throws things at him in a different way and Roger seems to me to play aggressively against Nole. The first set was a typical tight and high quality first set between these two.

 

[bobvance]

Okay, is it fair to say now that Becker is Novak's albatross? Every time I see that Boris mug on tv Novak seems to be having problems.

 

[Front242]

The stream I'm watching here is showing the end of Wawrinka v Ferrer 'cos I missed it earlier.

Edit: I'm sure they're not showing it just for me lol but I'm glad to be able to see it

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Okay, is it fair to say now that Becker is Novak's albatross? Every time I see that Boris mug on tv Novak seems to be having problems.

So, did Becker sign autographs today also?

 

[shawnbm]

You gotta love Kieran and his keeping his eye on what matters--how is Nadal cfaring against his nemesis!

 

[House]

Best thing about a Roger victory? The reactions from Novak/Rafa fans.

Come on guys. He's an old man. Let him have a good win once in awhile lol.

 

[Riotbeard]

Okay, is it fair to say now that Becker is Novak's albatross? Every time I see that Boris mug on tv Novak seems to be having problems.

Honestly can't blaim Boris for this one. Rog. took the first set, and Novak was clearly hurt in the second.

 

[DarthFed]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

No, not really, but do you think Nole should be still losing to Roger? I'm not saying that if Roger plays his best, he'll lose, but I'm following you: Roger is years past his prime, and Nole has won the last four MS titles.

I'm happy anyway, buddy, Rafa has gained ranking points at the top, on Nole... :clap

And I don't think Roger had any business losing to Rafa at many of the places he has, including Wimbledon 08 and AO 09. That's why they play the matches.

Regardless it would help to have watched the match. Roger was on fire the first set and still had to fend off 2 set points. Nole clearly had problems in the 2nd set and pretty much just gave up which was the smart thing to do in this case.

 

[Front242]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

No, not really, but do you think Nole should be still losing to Roger? I'm not saying that if Roger plays his best, he'll lose, but I'm following you: Roger is years past his prime, and Nole has won the last four MS titles.

I'm happy anyway, buddy, Rafa has gained ranking points at the top, on Nole... :clap

Players past their prime can still beat younger guys in their prime. Happens all the time. Haas v Novak at Miami last year. Stepanek v Del Potro at Toronto 2012, though DP may have been tired from his Olympic match but still. I'm sure I'll think of many more recent ones but it's different when you're talking about a 17 time slam champion who still clearly has a lot of game and when he keeps the slop to a minimum can beat anyone besides Nadal. And even then he may still beat Nadal once or twice more in the future in best of 3.

 

[DarthFed]

Okay, is it fair to say now that Becker is Novak's albatross? Every time I see that Boris mug on tv Novak seems to be having problems.

Becker is clearly his Helen of Troy, just not quite as attractive.

 

[Kieran]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

No, not really, but do you think Nole should be still losing to Roger? I'm not saying that if Roger plays his best, he'll lose, but I'm following you: Roger is years past his prime, and Nole has won the last four MS titles.

I'm happy anyway, buddy, Rafa has gained ranking points at the top, on Nole... :clap

And I don't think Roger had any business losing to Rafa at many of the places he has, including Wimbledon 08 and AO 09. That's why they play the matches.

Regardless it would help to have watched the match. Roger was on fire the first set and still had to fend off 2 set points. Nole clearly had problems in the 2nd set and pretty much just gave up which was the smart thing to do in this case.

I didn't want to watch the match, is that okay?

And I agree, that's why they play the match. But really, you need to get over those matches against Rafa. Oz 2009? :snigger

 

[Kieran]

Best thing about a Roger victory? The reactions from Novak/Rafa fans.

Come on guys. He's an old man. Let him have a good win once in awhile lol.

I don't begrudge him it, House, though I'm surprised it was so straight forward. I think Roger definitely played a high level match and you'd be surprised how often I compliment your guy as a great player and example to others...

 

[Front242]

^ Damn right we would

 

[Kieran]

Another big winner today is Marjan Vajda. Every time he's in the seat, Novak wins. When Ironhip sits down, Novak loses. I wonder if Nole needs help in spotting the bleedin' obvious, as Basil fawlty calls it...

 

[DarthFed]

Well when it comes to Kieran we know Roger is only great in defeat, heroic even. But when he is so fortunate to win clearly the opponent was off his game or just terrible to begin with.

No, not really, but do you think Nole should be still losing to Roger? I'm not saying that if Roger plays his best, he'll lose, but I'm following you: Roger is years past his prime, and Nole has won the last four MS titles.

I'm happy anyway, buddy, Rafa has gained ranking points at the top, on Nole... :clap

And I don't think Roger had any business losing to Rafa at many of the places he has, including Wimbledon 08 and AO 09. That's why they play the matches.

Regardless it would help to have watched the match. Roger was on fire the first set and still had to fend off 2 set points. Nole clearly had problems in the 2nd set and pretty much just gave up which was the smart thing to do in this case.

I didn't want to watch the match, is that okay?

And I agree, that's why they play the match. But really, you need to get over those matches against Rafa. Oz 2009? :snigger

Let's not pretend you are over 2011 or more recently the 2014 AO final. Let me live vicariously through my favorite player will ya

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I believe Mirka is not in MC. Can someone else confirm that?