2014 Roland Garros SF: Djokovic vs. Gulbis

[DarthFed]

It should be interesting. Ernie is obviously playing the best he has played. The big serve will win him some free points even against Nole and his backhand can hold up against Djoker's too, that's how good it is. However he will have to win his fair share of long rallies because we all know Djoker's backhand doesn't break down and the airplane forehand isn't going to give Novak much to think about. And can Ernie deal with the ups and downs in a grand slam semi against the wall? Nole will win, likely in 4.

 

[the AntiPusher]

One thing I'm interested in is the forehand CC exchanges. Novak's forehand is significantly superior, and Gulbis' rally forehand cross court doesn't have the same angle and variety. It's huge, but Gulbis is far more comfortable hitting it when he's dictating and not on the run. He's inconsistent when changing direction with that shot and going up the line so I think Novak will be daring him to do that quite a lot, before adjusting if it turns out Ernie is doing it consistently.

I think Ernie will hold his own on the backhand wing though.

I think the rallies will be close and the match competitive, but that extra bit of defense, counter-punching, better-returning, and consistency on the forehand will make the difference between a super-tight match that can go either way and a competitive but comfortable victory for Novak.

On paper, Ernest's helicopter like motion(I think someone else earlier compared it to a airplane) is the wing that produces most of his UFEs, but somehow Fed or Berdych wasnt able to exploit it. After my horrendous prediction that Milos R would push Djoker, I think I will just keep my forecasting for the GOT thread.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Said he was going to celebrate a bit tonight. Hope he doesn't belt back too many vodkas 'cos he has a bigger shot than many think in this semi imo if he serves like he has been. For me his serve is better than Raonic's.

Yeah, I heard Gulbis say that in his after match interview with Pioline.I guess Ernie is not going to be nervous about playing in his first grandslam semi finals:nono

 

[TsarMatt]

Gulbis has been excellent, but I'm wondering how long he can sustain it. He might snatch the first set and then ultimately fade off. Something like 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd love to see a closer match.

I know Gulbis once said a few bad things about Nole. Is there still much - if any - friction between the two?

 

[Moxie]

Gulbis has been excellent, but I'm wondering how long he can sustain it. He might snatch the first set and then ultimately fade off. Something like 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd love to see a closer match.

I know Gulbis once said a few bad things about Nole. Is there still much - if any - friction between the two?

Gulbis is equal-opportunity with bad comments. I doubt that Djokovic pays it any never mind.

 

[TsarMatt]

Gulbis has been excellent, but I'm wondering how long he can sustain it. He might snatch the first set and then ultimately fade off. Something like 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd love to see a closer match.

I know Gulbis once said a few bad things about Nole. Is there still much - if any - friction between the two?

Gulbis is equal-opportunity with bad comments. I doubt that Djokovic pays it any never mind.

Gulbis is an ass, but I sort of enjoy his candidness, even if I seldom find myself agreeing with him.

 

[Moxie]

Gulbis has been excellent, but I'm wondering how long he can sustain it. He might snatch the first set and then ultimately fade off. Something like 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd love to see a closer match.

I know Gulbis once said a few bad things about Nole. Is there still much - if any - friction between the two?

Gulbis is equal-opportunity with bad comments. I doubt that Djokovic pays it any never mind.

Gulbis is an ass, but I sort of enjoy his candidness, even if I seldom find myself agreeing with him.

I don't actually think he takes his own comments seriously. He's been given the 'bad boy' roll and has decided to embrace it. If you ask me...

 

[nehmeth]

Gulbis has been excellent, but I'm wondering how long he can sustain it. He might snatch the first set and then ultimately fade off. Something like 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 5-7. I hope I'm wrong, though. I'd love to see a closer match.

I know Gulbis once said a few bad things about Nole. Is there still much - if any - friction between the two?

Gulbis is equal-opportunity with bad comments. I doubt that Djokovic pays it any never mind.

Gulbis is an ass, but I sort of enjoy his candidness, even if I seldom find myself agreeing with him.

They both attended Niki Pilic's tennis academy, one with a billionaire father and the other with a family who had scraped every last penny together to get him in.

Novak probably knows all about Ernie's choice of words. I doubt that it will bother him.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

" I don't understand it yet.Even now,I don't want to be too happy.I don't want to get too much stuff in my head"...Gulbis on reaching the semi finals of a major for the first time.

 

[Front242]

Not worth opening a thread for this but just wanted to note some interesting doubles matches with older retired players tomorrow:

McEnroe / McEnroe - Forget / Leconte (Court 1) 10am GMT
Clement / Escude - Enqvist / Gaudio (Court 1) 11:30am GMT

I'm going to bed late and getting up early to go to the gym before the quarter finals matches start later so I'll miss them but definitely worth a casual glance I reckon.

And by tomorrow I mean today

 

[Moxie]

I wonder if it's still true that the best doubles team is "(John) McEnroe and anyone." We shall see. (Actually, I think the McEnroe brothers won this last year.) Thanks for putting that up, Front. Interesting to see Gaudio in the mix, too.

 

[Front242]

^ Yeah, haven't seen Gaudio since that famous RG final!

 

[Front242]

^ Well, not true actually, but that was all he's remembered for really. Saw him play well after that too of course.

 

[Moxie]

Novak has the perfect game to bring out the headcase in Gulbis. His mental approach will be tested severely by Nole. I don't think he will be able to handle it. I do give him kudos for improvement in that and other areas by the way. But...


Nole in straights.

Yes, but doesn't Gulbis have the perfect game to bring out the head case in Djokovic, too? I predict some casting of exasperated glances to the heavens and the box from Nole, and Ernie gets a set. :laydownlaughing

 

[isabelle]

Nole in 5, Ernie is a tricky opponent, he has nothing to lose

 

[Federberg]

I'm going for Nole in 4, but Gulbis will believe he can beat him

 

[herios]

I'm going for Nole in 4, but Gulbis will believe he can beat him

Gulbis believes he can beat anyone. If he keeps his cool, he will be very tough. Yesterday with Berdych, he was in control from the get go, breaking Tomas at the beginning of each set, therefore he was playing stress free.
Also, in the match with Roger, he was able to come back, mentally he was there.

 

[nehmeth]

I'm going for Nole in 4, but Gulbis will believe he can beat him

Gulbis believes he can beat anyone. If he keeps his cool, he will be very tough. Yesterday with Berdych, he was in control from the get go, breaking Tomas at the beginning of each set, therefore he was playing stress free.
Also, in the match with Roger, he was able to come back, mentally he was there.

Berdych's defensive skills, his mobility, his speed and his return of serves are meager compared with Djokovic's.

Listen, I really like Ernie's firepower. His belief admirable. Will he be able to play at the same level against Novak as he did against Tomas? The answer will be Friday.

 

[tented]

Listen, I really like Ernie's firepower. His belief admirable. Will he be able to play at the same level against Novak as he did against Tomas? The answer will be Friday.

In a word, no.

 

[Riotbeard]

Listen, I really like Ernie's firepower. His belief admirable. Will he be able to play at the same level against Novak as he did against Tomas? The answer will be Friday.

In a word, no.

I tend to see it this way. He will find Novak's defense and depth oppressive. Flashy shot making very difficult against depth. As far as Gulbis being an annoying match for Novak, I am not sure. I think he least like playing Raonic and Isner, as far weird type players.