2014 Rome Masters Semifinal: Djokovic v. Raonic

[nehmeth]

Rally after rally and the dtl backhand is absent thus far from Novak. He doesn't need to use it for his kill shot, but he should be using it to make the big guy move around more.

 

[herios]

I want young blood in the finals.
Milos in 3

So do I, but Milos is playing against my favorite player.

Fixed it for you

:clap

 

[Riotbeard]

Rally after rally and the dtl backhand is absent thus far from Novak. He doesn't need to use it for his kill shot, but he should be using it to make the big guy move around more.

He started to pop a few. Looks good overall considering the unconventional opponent.

 

[Kieran]

I can't see the match, but I traditionally love matches where the better, more subtle player has to find his range against a brute and a (tennis ball bashing) thug, and it can take time, but eventually they get a handle on the pace, then they start to impose themselves on the big players best shot - usually serve - and then eventually they can run riot.

Nole seems to be looking after his own serve better than Milos is holding his. Somewhere, the big lad will miss on a huge point, and Nole will be waiting...

 

[Riotbeard]

Milos has been able to come up with the shots on break points so far.

 

[nehmeth]

Raonic has become more than just a big serve. Obviously he has been working on his movement, but that will always be a liability for him. He and his team are building his game in a way that will minimize the problem. Good to see. Canadiens should be happy.

 

[Riotbeard]

He is officially annoying novak. He threw his racket.

 

[Riotbeard]

Raonic has become more than just a big serve. Obviously he has been working on his movement, but that will always be a liability for him. He and his team are building his game in a way that will minimize the problem. Good to see. Canadiens should be happy.

No he could be a real player on grass and fast-ish hards, even a major nuisance on clay (like now). He has improved a lot at the net. He had a sweet stop volley earlier against a great, diving pass by novak.

 

[nehmeth]

He is officially annoying novak. He threw his racket.

Must be frustrating to work so hard to build an advantage only to have it wiped away with one big serve - over and over and over again. :nono

 

[nehmeth]

Set point for Milos.

 

[El Dude]

I think Milos is a legit top 10 player for the indefinite future with an upside something like Tomas Berdych.

I haven't seen Novak this frustrated in awhile.

 

[kskate2]

SP for Milos

 

[kskate2]

Novak saves. GP

 

[kskate2]

big hold. 5-5

 

[El Dude]

That said, I'm not sure he's going to get much better than he is now - so maybe his upside is what he's doing right now. Notice that his win percentage has stabilized since 2012: 71%, 69%, 67% - even going down a bit. That's similar to what Berdych is most years.

 

[herios]

Raonic has become more than just a big serve. Obviously he has been working on his movement, but that will always be a liability for him. He and his team are building his game in a way that will minimize the problem. Good to see. Canadiens should be happy.

Thank you! You just summed up what I keep saying. And yes, I am happy...
Nole should just calm down and focus on another hand, He does not want to lose like he did a few times to Isner

 

[kskate2]

That said, I'm not sure he's going to get much better than he is now - so maybe his upside is what he's doing right now. Notice that his win percentage has stabilized since 2012: 71%, 69%, 67% - even going down a bit. That's similar to what Berdych is most years.

He could always get more consistent w/ his ground game and net play. Improve his BP conversion stats.

 

[nehmeth]

Raonic has become more than just a big serve. Obviously he has been working on his movement, but that will always be a liability for him. He and his team are building his game in a way that will minimize the problem. Good to see. Canadiens should be happy.

Thank you! You just summed up what I keep saying. And yes, I am happy...
Nole should just calm down and focus on another hand, He does not want to lose like he did a few times to Isner

I think he's resigned himself to playing a tiebreaker.

 

[nehmeth]

Where's Denis this morning? Was he out partying with Becker last night??

 

[herios]

That said, I'm not sure he's going to get much better than he is now - so maybe his upside is what he's doing right now. Notice that his win percentage has stabilized since 2012: 71%, 69%, 67% - even going down a bit. That's similar to what Berdych is most years.

Common now, are you serious? How can you compare him to a 28 year old Berdych? Since when a tennis player is reaching his peak at 23?? And going down a bit? I don't think so.

Watch and learn.