2014 Roland Garros SF: Nadal vs Murray

[Front242]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

All the way to the title ugly but devastating FH all the way lol.

 

[nehmeth]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Dude.. I apologize to you ... My very bad attempt at humor.

Gracias, AP. Now we just need for both guys to do what they're capable of, and make it to the final. I do not want to see another game of Pong between Andy and Novak... neither do I want to watch a Rafa beat down of Ernie.

An Andy v. Ernie final?
uzzled :s :nono

 

[nehmeth]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

All the way to the title ugly but devastating FH all the way lol.

Thinking that forehand gets tested Friday.

 

[Moxie]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

 

[nehmeth]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

 

[Moxie]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

Exactly. I know that Rafa's draw opened up hugely, but let's just say what everyone has said for the last 3 years: There are a few people that might beat Djokovic, but there is only one person who can beat Rafa. Let's get the final we want, and see how that goes. hug:basiate:emperor::emperor:

:laydownlaughing (I'm laughing at my "emperors.")

 

[the AntiPusher]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

All the way to the title ugly but devastating FH all the way lol.

Thinking that forehand gets tested Friday.

Fed and TB tried.. I think Djoker will spend the majority of time getting very familar with it..

 

[the AntiPusher]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Dude.. I apologize to you ... My very bad attempt at humor.

Gracias, AP. Now we just need for both guys to do what they're capable of, and make it to the final. I do not want to see another game of Pong between Andy and Novak... neither do I want to watch a Rafa beat down of Ernie.

An Andy v. Ernie final?
uzzled :s :nono

 

[Fiero425]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

Before this gutless era of pros, #4 was a lot more possible! Off the top of my head I can come up with a Wimbledon final that no one thought possible! The year was 1996, Sampras had won the title the previous 3 years! There was no reason to believe he wouldn't defend except for a player that had quite a bit of success against the reigning champion; Richard Krajicek! Pete was knocked out in the quarters in straight sets and with the rest of the draw decimated, a semi with MaliVai Washington and Todd Martin was set! Martin had a 5-1 lead in the 5th, but allowed Mal to come all the way back and take it 10-8! Mal was done by then and went out meekly in straights to Richard! That just doesn't happen today and it isn't because the top are that much more superior! Pros today don't play much with strategy and common sense, opting to just slug it out, and they go down in flames eventually 9 times out of 10! I had a lot more respect for the tour 10 years ago!

 

[Moxie]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

Before this gutless era of pros, #4 was a lot more possible! Off the top of my head I can come up with a Wimbledon final that no one thought possible! The year was 1996, Sampras had won the title the previous 3 years! There was no reason to believe he wouldn't defend except for a player that had quite a bit of success against the reigning champion; Richard Krajicek! Pete was knocked out in the quarters in straight sets and with the rest of the draw decimated, a semi with MaliVai Washington and Todd Martin was set! Martin had a 5-1 lead in the 5th, but allowed Mal to come all the way back and take it 10-8! Mal was done by then and went out meekly in straights to Richard! That just doesn't happen today and it isn't because the top are that much more superior! Pros today don't play much with strategy and common sense, opting to just slug it out, and they go down in flames eventually 9 times out of 10! I had a lot more respect for the tour 10 years ago!

Quite a rant on Wimbledon…were those guys all #4?

 

[Fiero425]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

Before this gutless era of pros, #4 was a lot more possible! Off the top of my head I can come up with a Wimbledon final that no one thought possible! The year was 1996, Sampras had won the title the previous 3 years! There was no reason to believe he wouldn't defend except for a player that had quite a bit of success against the reigning champion; Richard Krajicek! Pete was knocked out in the quarters in straight sets and with the rest of the draw decimated, a semi with MaliVai Washington and Todd Martin was set! Martin had a 5-1 lead in the 5th, but allowed Mal to come all the way back and take it 10-8! Mal was done by then and went out meekly in straights to Richard! That just doesn't happen today and it isn't because the top are that much more superior! Pros today don't play much with strategy and common sense, opting to just slug it out, and they go down in flames eventually 9 times out of 10! I had a lot more respect for the tour 10 years ago!

Quite a rant on Wimbledon…were those guys all #4?

They weren't even in the top 10! Krajiceck was seeded #17, but was placed in the draw where Muster was dropped from #16 injured! Richard shouldn't have even been seeded at the time and probably SHB knocked out quite early!

 

[Denis]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

 

[Federberg]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Why not

OK…which is more likely (besides Nadal v. Djokovic?) Nadal v. Gulbis, Murray v. Gulbis, Murray v. Djokovic?

Degrees of likelihood (IMO):

1. Nadal v. Djokovic
2. Nadal v. Gulbis
3. Murray v. Djokovic
4. Murray v. Gulbis (when pigs fly)

Before this gutless era of pros, #4 was a lot more possible! Off the top of my head I can come up with a Wimbledon final that no one thought possible! The year was 1996, Sampras had won the title the previous 3 years! There was no reason to believe he wouldn't defend except for a player that had quite a bit of success against the reigning champion; Richard Krajicek! Pete was knocked out in the quarters in straight sets and with the rest of the draw decimated, a semi with MaliVai Washington and Todd Martin was set! Martin had a 5-1 lead in the 5th, but allowed Mal to come all the way back and take it 10-8! Mal was done by then and went out meekly in straights to Richard! That just doesn't happen today and it isn't because the top are that much more superior! Pros today don't play much with strategy and common sense, opting to just slug it out, and they go down in flames eventually 9 times out of 10! I had a lot more respect for the tour 10 years ago!

I don't think it's the fortitude of current players that's questionable. The fact that specialisation doesn't pay off in the way it used to.. i.e., dirt players vs serve & volleyers etc is the change. The 'universal players' these days mean uniformity, and players who had a hope in the past of challenging higher ranked non-specialists don't really have a prayer now. That's ongoing pyschological damage in this era that the Mal Washingtons of the past didn't have to face.. Think about it.. a Muster or Bruguera didn't have any right to expect to play the second week at Wimbledon... but a Ferrer (who is not better than them) would be massively disappointed. That's because their fast court limitations were more likely to be exposed because of court speeds, racquet technology etc not coming to their aid in my view...

 

[brokenshoelace]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

Remember all those matches Nadal tanked in his career?

 

[Federberg]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

Remember all those matches Nadal tanked in his career?

Agreed. In any case both Rafa and Roger are opportunists of the highest order. There's always the chance that Novak could break his leg before the final. :snigger You'll only get the W if you're there!

 

[britbox]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Rafa in 4 but rooting for Mr Murray.

 

[Denis]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

Remember all those matches Nadal tanked in his career?

Agreed. In any case both Rafa and Roger are opportunists of the highest order. There's always the chance that Novak could break his leg before the final. :snigger You'll only get the W if you're there!

You're living in the past buddy. Nadal has lost the 4 most recent matches against Novak. He is currently serving like Sara Erani and the rest of his game is not great either. He does not want to be the principal attendant to Novak's winning ceremony on Sunday if Novak makes the final.

I am not saying he will tank the match, I just don't want him to have the option btw.

 

[El Dude]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

Something would have to go wrong for Rafa to lose this. Of course that is always a possibility. I voted Rafa in 4.

 

[Federberg]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

Remember all those matches Nadal tanked in his career?

Agreed. In any case both Rafa and Roger are opportunists of the highest order. There's always the chance that Novak could break his leg before the final. :snigger You'll only get the W if you're there!

You're living in the past buddy. Nadal has lost the 4 most recent matches against Novak. He is currently serving like Sara Erani and the rest of his game is not great either. He does not want to be the principal attendant to Novak's winning ceremony on Sunday if Novak makes the final.

I am not saying he will tank the match, I just don't want him to have the option btw.

My view is that both Roger and Rafa will ALWAYS want to get to the final no matter who they're playing (even if they secretly think they might lose). You never know what could happen to swing things in your favour, your opponent might get injured and that gets you the title. Bottom line you have to be in it to win it.

As for who I think would win in a Rafa v Novak final this year? I'm going for Novak in either 3 or 4 sets with a high degree of conviction

 

[Denis]

RE: French open semis: Nadal vs Murray

I hope they schedule this match first, so Nadal doesn't have the option of tanking the match if he knows Novak won the first semi.

Remember all those matches Nadal tanked in his career?

Agreed. In any case both Rafa and Roger are opportunists of the highest order. There's always the chance that Novak could break his leg before the final. :snigger You'll only get the W if you're there!

You're living in the past buddy. Nadal has lost the 4 most recent matches against Novak. He is currently serving like Sara Erani and the rest of his game is not great either. He does not want to be the principal attendant to Novak's winning ceremony on Sunday if Novak makes the final.

I am not saying he will tank the match, I just don't want him to have the option btw.

My view is that both Roger and Rafa will ALWAYS want to get to the final no matter who they're playing (even if they secretly think they might lose). You never know what could happen to swing things in your favour, your opponent might get injured and that gets you the title. Bottom line you have to be in it to win it.

As for who I think would win in a Rafa v Novak final this year? I'm going for Novak in either 3 or 4 sets with a high degree of conviction

I get that. And yeah, Roger definitely made his point about that at RG 2011... Just don't want the option for Rafa to be on the table.