2014 Roland Garros SF: Djokovic vs. Gulbis

[britbox]

Order restored. Serve it out.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

That ball might have circumcised Ernie a tad...

 

[tented]

Congrats, Novak!

 

[Riotbeard]

NOLE NOLE NOLE!

 

[Federberg]

At last! The appetizer has been eaten, now for the main course

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I maintain it should have been 6-1, had Nole held serve at 2-0.

Congrats to Nole , and Gulbis as well for a great two weeks. Fix that hip and make some waves at Wimby now.

 

[kskate2]

Told ya 6-3. hee hee

 

[Riotbeard]

Novak is known for mid-match walkabouts, too. I have a feeling that's what's going on. In other words, it's mental, and he'll get it together soon enough.

That's one of the main reasons why I gave ernie a set, but it's scary when you can't see

He already looked noticeably better in that last game.

Thanks T. I know it hurts to say that. Novak did his part, let's hope rafa wins and we get the final we all want (Sorry Iona )

 

[herios]

You see ? It is easy

A little adjustment and is all done.:clap

 

[DarthFed]

Ernie had his chances early in that set and then fell apart. But glad to see Nole through in 4.

 

[crystalfire]

Novak is known for mid-match walkabouts, too. I have a feeling that's what's going on. In other words, it's mental, and he'll get it together soon enough.

That's one of the main reasons why I gave ernie a set, but it's scary when you can't see

That's one reason I'm worried if he faces rafa

 

[Denis]

Good to get it done, albeit with some help of Ernie. Congrats to Nole, his fans and our self-exiled reader of the boards Kieran.

Novak needs to up his level if he wants to get it done on Sunday for sure though.

 

[huntingyou]

Interesting to see Sunday final between Murray/Novak. Typically their matches sucks on hards but on clay I expect different patterns of play.

We all know Rafa is tanking now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Weird match. Not too impressive from either man to be honest, but Novak shouldn't care as we know this was probably a one off (he's looked pretty solid all tournament).

Gulbis has some shot selection issues. I'll never be a fan of using the down the line backhand as a rally shot. You need to hit it with impeccable depth in order to make it effective (the reason it works when going for a winner is the change of direction/taking it early, where you take your opponent by surprise and it doesn't have to be too deep). You risk making errors with routine shots (Nalbandian was guilty of this too). In general, having your backhand down the line as your best shot is often counterproductive because it's the most difficult ground stroke to hit, and your position, timing, footwork, execution, etc, have to be perfect.

It's different with someone like Novak. You could argue that the DTL backhand is his best shot, but the rest of his game is so good that even if it doesn't work, it's no big deal. Guys like Wawrinka, Gulbis, Gasquet, etc, are a different issue.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

what a weird end..:laydownlaughing

I won djokovic the semi.. did you lot know he is wearing invisible google glasses and wifi and becker is also online in this chat room and becker saw my choke comment and remote skyped djokoiv the news and that woke him up and won the match..

I will expect a pile of high denomination £ notes via a squadron of carrier pigoens or drones to be delivered to me.

 

[huntingyou]

Agree on the DTL backhand, especially for 1handers.......is the shot that I miss the most but gives me a tingling sensation when it goes in.

 

[Denis]

Interesting to see Sunday final between Murray/Novak. Typically their matches sucks on hards but on clay I expect different patterns of play.

We all know Rafa is tanking now.

Pretty confident that Rafa is not tanking now, but that's probably what you wanted to say.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

What injury are you guys talking about? The sun bothered him and he got frustrated. Ernie sensed that he is irritated and played even more aggressively. That is all.

folk making excuses for djokovic messing it up..:laydownlaughing he was uninjured again when he won.

 

[huntingyou]

Interesting to see Sunday final between Murray/Novak. Typically their matches sucks on hards but on clay I expect different patterns of play.

We all know Rafa is tanking now.

Pretty confident that Rafa is not tanking now, but that's probably what you wanted to say.

Rafa tanks all the time what are you talking about willis!

 

[DarthFed]

Nole can't afford to take 1.5 sets off vs. Balding Bull. I'd imagine Wafa likes his chances more if he saw the semi today.